Chapter 223 I'll Walk With You to the End
"How could I use your money?"
Zhou Shufen gently shook her head and took out a bunch of keys.
"I have enough money, you don't need to worry about it."
As he spoke, his gaze fell on the large iron gate of the warehouse.
"I can't swallow this insult! Yang Fugui must return every single penny he took! The workers' hard-earned money can't be wasted! They toil from dawn till dusk, in wind and sun, not so that he could line his own pocket!"
Guo Zhenyi stood beside her, quietly watching the light dancing in her eyes.
It was something he had never seen in anyone else before.
Angry yet rational, gentle yet incredibly resilient.
Suddenly, a slight smile appeared on his lips, revealing a look of satisfaction.
He never loved the kind of woman who hid in the background and cried.
Rather, it's those who dare to stand up and take responsibility.
They are brave warriors who will never back down, even when they are alone.
"Okay, whatever you say."
He said in a low voice.
Before he could finish speaking, he grabbed her hand.
“Let’s investigate together. No matter how difficult it is, I’ll stay with you until the end.”
The two walked out of the warehouse side by side.
As soon as I arrived at the factory gate, I saw Qiangzi waiting there with several old workers.
They all looked solemn, and each of them was carrying a bag.
Upon seeing Zhou Shufen return, Qiangzi immediately rushed forward, his face filled with indignation.
"Factory manager! We just ran into Yang Fugui at the dock, carrying boxes onto the cargo ship. He looked guilty! A few of us followed him quietly and, taking advantage of his momentary lapse in attention, cornered him and his cargo on the shore!"
The sack was still writhing on the ground, making a dull thud.
Zhou Shufen stepped forward, squatted down, and yanked open the burlap sack.
Yang Fugui was curled up inside, his face bruised and swollen.
Upon seeing Zhou Shufen, he immediately lowered his head.
"Director Zhou... I really know I was wrong, I won't do it again... Please forgive me..."
He shakily pulled a blue cloth bag from his pocket.
"This is... all the salary I've embezzled over the years, it's all here, I haven't dared to spend a single penny... I swear, really, I haven't touched a single cent..."
Zhou Shufen took the cloth bag and opened it layer by layer.
She counted them one by one.
When she finished ordering the last item, she looked up, her eyes cold and stern.
"The total amount... is just enough to cover all the workers' salaries and bonuses. In fact, there's a significant surplus."
Guo Zhenyi stood beside her, his voice icy.
"What about the goods that went missing from the warehouse? Where are they now?"
Yang Fugui shrank his neck, his teeth chattering.
"It's...on the cargo ship...it hasn't been transported yet...I originally planned to send it to the market in the next county overnight, find a middleman to sell it...and get the money to run away..."
Looking down at his spineless appearance, Zhou Shufen's last shred of hesitation vanished.
She took a deep breath and straightened her back.
"Call the police. Let them decide how to handle it. We can't let this be resolved privately anymore."
"Understood!"
Qiangzi responded loudly.
The workers nearby also breathed a sigh of relief.
Someone whispered.
"Finally, we have someone to rely on... The factory manager is back, and the sun shines again."
Yang Fugui was a long-time employee of the factory, and they had previously worried that Zhou Shufen was too soft-hearted.
Seeing her directly call the police, everyone couldn't help but feel a deep respect for her.
Qiangzi scratched the back of his head and said awkwardly.
"Factory manager, we were wrong to make unfounded assumptions about you, fearing that you were too soft-hearted to take charge... We shouldn't have talked about you behind your back."
"It's not your fault."
Zhou Shufen smiled slightly and handed over the blue cloth bag in her hand.
"Chuanzhen, let's count the money now. While everyone's still here, let's quickly distribute the wages so everyone can have a peaceful New Year."
Qiangzi responded repeatedly.
"Eh! Eh! Eh!"
Tie Zhu remained standing behind Yang Fugui, his hands gripping Yang's shoulders tightly.
San Niu put her hands on her hips and spat hard on the ground.
"Bah! After being a veteran worker for so many years, he actually did something like embezzling public funds. He's a disgrace to our factory!"
Zhou Shufen lowered her head and thought for a moment.
Then he said softly.
"Chuanzhen, give everyone an extra hundred yuan bonus this time. Also, take two boxes of face cream from the warehouse and give one box to each person. Consider it... my way of apologizing to myself."
"Why!"
Pan Chuanzhen responded and got down to work.
As she deftly unwrapped the cloth bag, she felt a silent surge of emotion.
The factory manager is trying to reassure people in his own way.
Guo Zhenyi stood not far away watching this scene.
Seeing the smile finally appear on Zhou Shufen's face, he felt relieved.
He stepped forward and gently brushed the snow off her shoulders.
"How about we buy some more New Year's goods and share them with everyone? The New Year is just around the corner, it'll be more proper if it's lively and festive."
"Let's go shopping!"
Zhou Shufen looked at him, her eyes curving into crescents.
The road was very slippery on the snow.
The wheels crunched over the snow, making a "crunch crunch" sound.
"Zhenyi, slow down."
She hugged his waist tightly and teased him with a smile.
"How could I possibly throw my wife? You really don't believe me!"
Guo Zhenyi laughed loudly.
Thank you so much for today.
Zhou Shufen pressed her face against his broad back, her voice soft.
He couldn't suppress the smile on his lips.
"That's too formal. From now on, my business is your business, and your business is my business. We're all in this together."
Upon entering the supply and marketing cooperative, Guo Zhenyi carefully placed his bicycle against the wall.
He turned his head and asked her with a smile.
Have you decided what New Year's goods you want to buy?
"Peanuts, melon seeds, candy—who doesn't love them? It's Chinese New Year, after all, all about the sweetness and the festive atmosphere."
She blinked, her tone playful.
"Okay, I'll pay."
Guo Zhenyi grabbed her hand.
"This is a factory matter, why should you pay for it?"
She instinctively tried to pull her hand back, her tone carrying a hint of insistence.
“I am your husband. If there are problems at your factory, it is my responsibility to take care of them.”
He tightened his grip, firmly pressing down on her wrist.
"If you insist on being so clear about things with me, then I'll hand over my entire salary card to you tomorrow."
He lowered his voice, a wicked smile playing on his lips.
"From now on, you won't just be in charge of grocery shopping; you'll even have to approve my smoking."
Zhou Shufen couldn't help but laugh out loud.
She raised her hand and slapped his arm.
"Who cares about your money? You can spend your own money, I'd rather not have to worry about it."
The sales clerk chimed in with a cheerful laugh.
"Comrade, you really care about your wife. This shopping spree is even more lively than the New Year."
As she spoke, she grabbed a handful of sunflower seeds and poured them into a sack.
The weight wobbled, and the scale beam immediately bent down.
"Let me tell you, peanuts have to be in their shells! The workers chat and laugh as they crack them open, that's what makes the New Year special."
"I'll listen to you."
Zhou Shufen nodded.
But my eyes were drawn to the rows of glass jars in the counter.
"Give me twenty more cans of mandarin oranges."
She added softly?
"The kids will definitely love it."
Without saying a word, Guo Zhenyi pulled out a few banknotes and handed them to the sales clerk.
"Wrap them all up."
He paused, then waved his hand again.
"Oh, and get ten cartons of cigarettes and two cases of liquor."
Don't buy so much.
Zhou Shufen panicked when she heard this and quickly tugged at his sleeve.
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