Xiao Sun was terrified and stammered, "Boss... Boss... Commander He... I... I just... I just left something behind and came back to get it... I..."
"Left something behind?" Guan Wenru's lips curled into a cold smile. "Did you leave something behind, or... take something extra?"
"No! I didn't steal anything!" Xiao Sun tried to calm himself down, still hoping that he wouldn't be searched.
He Yanzhi had no patience to waste time with him, and asked coldly, "Are you going to take it out yourself, or should I help you?"
Xiao Sun might not be afraid of Guan Wenru, but he is afraid of He Yanzhi.
He Yanzhi has killed enemies before. When he gets fierce, he exudes a murderous aura that can completely break people down.
At that moment, Xiao Sun's legs went weak, and he almost knelt on the ground. He dared not be stubborn anymore and blurted out, "I was wrong! Boss! Commander He! I was bewitched! It was...it was Boss Zhao from across the street! He forced me! He gave me money...to steal...to steal your seasonings...I only took a tiny bit...really just a tiny bit..."
Guan Wenru and He Yanzhi exchanged a knowing glance.
Guan Wenru sneered, "Zhao Youcai? It really is him. Xiao Sun, do you know what kind of thing it is to steal collective property, especially during such a sensitive period?"
He Yanzhi continued, his tone serious, "This is not just theft. If these seasonings involve special recipes, it could even be investigated in more serious ways. Have you considered the consequences?"
Xiao Sun was in tears, almost kneeling down, pleading, "I won't do it again! I'll never do it again! Please forgive me this time... I'll return the things to you right now... I..."
He frantically pulled the oil paper packets from his pocket, his hands trembling so much he could barely hold them.
Guan Wenru did not go to answer it, but just looked at him coldly.
He Yanzhi took a step forward, his military boots making a clear sound as they landed on the bluestone slabs.
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a chilling coldness, each word like an ice pick striking Xiao Sun's heart: "Do you want to stay here and explain things clearly, or do you want me to call someone to take you to the police station right now? Choose one."
Xiao Sun nearly collapsed to the ground, his lips trembling like leaves in the autumn wind, "I...I...Commander He...I..."
He had absolutely no idea what to do!
Guan Wenru sighed at the opportune moment, "Little Sun, do you know that the things you stole are not ordinary soy sauce and vinegar?"
That's the lifeblood of our shop; we got it through a huge favor... and paid an exorbitant price to obtain this secret recipe seasoning from special channels.
"That tiny bit you just secretly took is probably worth more than half a year's wages."
She paused, looking at Xiao Sun's wide eyes, and continued to press, "If this is sent to the police station, and the person is caught red-handed, and the amount is so large, it would be considered theft of valuable collective property."
To put it bluntly, a few years in prison isn't impossible! If you really did that, do you know your life would be ruined…?
"What...what year?!" Xiao Sun completely broke down, her eyes instantly reddening, tears and snot streaming down her face.
He could no longer stand, and with a sob in his voice, he almost knelt down. "No! Boss Guan! Commander He! Please! Don't send me to the police station! I was wrong! I was really out of my mind! I didn't mean it! I... I was forced!"
He Yanzhi frowned, disgustedly dodging the hand that was about to grab him, and coldly snapped, "Stand up straight! Explain yourself! Who forced you?"
Guan Wenru also asked sternly, "Tell me who's behind this! This is your only chance!"
At this point, Xiao Sun dared not hide anything any longer and spilled everything out like beans pouring from a bamboo tube:
"It's...it's Mr. Zhao from 'Ke Zai Lai' across the street! Zhao Youcai! It's him! He found me and gave me ten yuan...saying that if I could get some seasoning samples from you, he would reward me handsomely!"
He said…he said he just wanted to know what your family's secret recipe was…I…my family is struggling financially, and in a moment of confusion…”
He Yanzhi and Guan Wenru exchanged a glance, and in that instant, they both understood each other's thoughts...
It really is the owner of the restaurant across the street!
Now that they've been caught red-handed, it's the perfect time to strike while the iron is hot.
Guan Wenru looked down at Xiao Sun, who was trembling like a leaf, and said, "Alright! What's the use of crying? Are you scared now? We can let you go, but... you have to atone for your crimes by doing good deeds."
As if grasping at a straw, Xiao Sun nodded repeatedly, "I'll do it! I'll do it! Boss Guan, just say the word! I'll do whatever you want me to do!"
He Yanzhi picked up the conversation and said succinctly, "Lead the way, let's go find Zhao Youcai now and confront him face to face."
Xiao Sun was stunned. "Now...now?"
"Right now!" Guan Wenru said expressionlessly, seemingly seeing through Xiao Sun's sliver of hope. "What, are you still planning to tip him off? Or is what you just said a lie?"
"No mistake! No mistake! Absolutely true!" Xiao Sun hurriedly waved his hands. "I...I'll take you there! I know he's probably still in the shop plotting this right now!"
He Yanzhi said no more, grabbed Xiao Sun's arm and held him steady like a chick, "Lead the way. Now that things have come to this, don't try any tricks."
...
In the small hut covered with old newspapers in the backyard of the "Ke Zai Lai" restaurant, Zhao Youcai and Fatty Liu were waiting anxiously.
On the table sat a nearly empty bottle of baijiu (Chinese liquor) and a dish of peanuts, the air thick with smoke.
"What time is it? Why haven't we heard from that kid Sun yet? Could he have messed up?"
Fatty Liu rubbed his hands nervously, sweat beading on his forehead.
Zhao Youcai was also feeling uneasy, but he forced a calm demeanor, taking a sip of his drink. "What's the rush! That kid's shrewd! He'll definitely wait until everyone's gone before making his move! Let's wait a bit longer! Once we have the stuff, we..."
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