Sure enough, in the following days, Zhang Jinliang did as he said, no longer letting Xiao Jian do any other work, but only letting him run errands.
When clients or friends came, Xiao Jian only offered them cigarettes and water.
When he had nothing to do, he would sit on his chair by the door and read the newspaper, living a very comfortable life. It was a world of difference compared to when he was in the cotton ginning workshop.
Gradually, Xiao Jian came to believe Zhang Jinliang's words. It seemed that Zhang Jinliang was simply taking care of him and had no ill intentions.
Even his other colleagues in the office believed that Xiao Jian had been given a prominent position by Zhang Jinliang and was about to soar to great heights.
When the others in the factory found out, they were filled with envy.
Everyone says that Zhang Jinliang still has a conscience and takes good care of this orphaned child.
Xiao Jian, who now lives a carefree life, is even a little grateful to Director Zhang, feeling that he has given him a new life.
Every night when he returned to his dilapidated cave dwelling, Xiao Weiguo would tell Hu Zi about the interesting things that happened in the office.
Tiger longed for it and always fantasized about living that kind of life someday.
After a week of this, Xiao Jian had gotten used to this kind of life.
As soon as he arrived at work in the morning, Xiao Jian made Zhang Jinliang a cup of tea as usual, and then sat down in his chair to read the newspaper.
At this moment, Xiao Liu, a staff member of the finance department, walked in.
Xiao Weiguo nodded and smiled at her. Xiao Liu also nodded politely.
She came to Zhang Jinliang's desk with an envelope in her hand.
"Factory manager, these are the travel expenses you reported, totaling one thousand and twenty-one hundred and twenty-one hundred and fifty cents. Count them."
Zhang Jinliang accepted it with a smile and carefully counted it in front of Xiao Liu and Xiao Jian.
"Perfect, the amount is correct, thank you, Xiao Liu."
After exchanging a few polite words, Xiao Liu left, and Zhang Jinliang put the money into his desk drawer.
Before lunch, someone called Liu Jinliang to go out for lunch. After answering the call, he stood up from his seat.
Xiao Jian, someone's treating us to dinner today. Come with me, I'll show you around and broaden your horizons.
Xiao Jian couldn't possibly refuse such a good opportunity. If the bosses were having dinner together, there would be at least several dishes, which would be a good chance to satisfy his cravings.
Following Liu Jinliang, we walked out of the factory.
Just as he reached the factory gate, Liu Jinliang suddenly slapped his forehead.
"Oh no, I forgot my bag. I'm getting old, look at my memory. Xiao Jian, you're quick, go back and get my bag for me, it's on my desk."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jian didn't think much of it. This kind of work was supposed to be done by him anyway; otherwise, what was the point of the factory manager keeping him around?
He took the keys from Zhang Jinliang and ran quickly toward the office.
When I arrived at the office door, I ran into a group of colleagues who were leaving work and heading out for dinner.
Xiao Jian greeted them with a smile, then opened the door to the factory director's office and went inside.
Sure enough, Xiao Na saw Zhang Jinliang's black leather bag on the table. She picked up the bag, turned around, locked the door, and ran out of the factory.
At noon, Zhang Jinliang treated Xiao Jian and several guests to a big meal, which included chicken, duck, fish, and meat. Xiao Jian enjoyed the meal immensely while entertaining the guests.
He had never had such a sumptuous meal before, and now that he had finally gotten the chance, he wasn't about to let it slip by. He was also incredibly grateful to Zhang Jinliang.
After the meal, we saw the guests off, and it was already time to go back to work in the afternoon.
After returning to the office with Zhang Jinliang, Xiao Weiguo poured him water as usual and then went to read his newspaper.
Unbeknownst to him, Zhang Jinliang quietly opened his desk drawer and secretly slipped the yellow kraft paper envelope containing the money into his pants pocket.
Then, while he was in the restroom, he quietly found a secluded spot, burned the envelope containing the money with a lighter, and put the thousand yuan inside into his inner pocket.
After sitting in his office for a while, Zhang Jinliang saw Xiao Jian still reading the newspaper at the door, so he pretended to open the drawer.
"ah."
He let out a scream.
Where is my money?
His voice was loud, which startled Xiao Jian, who quickly put down the newspaper in his hand.
"Factory manager, what's wrong?"
Right now, Xiao Jian is unaware that danger is creeping closer and closer to him.
"My money! The travel expenses that Xiao Liu brought this morning. Where did it go?"
Zhang Jinliang's acting was excellent; he portrayed someone so anxious that their face turned red, giving off an extremely frustrated and exasperated look.
Now, Xiao Jian was starting to panic.
Zhang Jinliang was right. He clearly remembered that Xiao Liu had brought him some money that morning, which seemed to be more than a thousand yuan.
The problem is, how could he just disappear like that? Only Zhang Jinliang has the office key, and he clearly saw that the door was locked properly when he came back.
Suddenly, Xiao Jian's heart skipped a beat.
Since I went out for lunch this morning, I've been the only one who's come to this office alone.
Zhang Jinliang had asked him to come back and pick up his bag once.
Xiao Jian had a vague feeling that something was wrong.
Sure enough, Zhang Jinliang's gaze also fixed on his face at this moment. His eyes flickered uncertainly, and he looked suspicious.
Xiao Jian was now completely panicked.
"Factory manager, you don't suspect me, do you?"
Zhang Jinliang's shouts also attracted several other office staff members.
Everyone gathered at the doorway, whispering amongst themselves.
"Xiao Jian, from this morning until now, you've been the only one who's come to the office alone, haven't you?"
Zhang Jinliang, his face grim, loudly questioned Xiao Jian.
Xiao Jian was so anxious that he was sweating profusely. He kept explaining.
"Factory manager, you asked me to come back for my bag. I took the bag and left. I didn't touch your money at all."
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