Chapter 381 - 279: Miss Xu, Are You Willing? (First Update)

Chapter 381: Chapter 279: Miss Xu, Are You Willing? (First Update)

Zhu Shunxi hesitated for quite a while before nodding, saying, "I... I think I know a bit. It’s said that there were some discrepancies in the accounts sent from the Xinzhou branch before the New Year. This sort of matter should have been personally handled by Master Lin, but lately, Master Lin... has been busy with many matters in the Western Capital, so it fell to Yang Shao to deal with it."

Xu Jing frowned slightly, "Before the New Year? Now it’s already late February. If the problem was discovered before the New Year, why is it only being dealt with now?"

"Miss Xu may not be aware."

On the way, Lv Wei worried that the sudden sight of a woman assisting in the investigation might shock Zhu Shunxi and the others to the point of causing them to do something inappropriate, so he had preemptively informed them about Xu Jing’s involvement.

Thus, Zhu Shunxi was very cooperative with Xu Jing now, saying, "Currently, Manager Rong of the Xinzhou branch of Guangming Hall can be considered one of our veterans, having been with Master Lin for over ten years. Master Lin has always cherished these veterans and is willing to give them a chance to correct their mistakes.

Although the problem at the Xinzhou branch was identified before the New Year, it wasn’t particularly serious, so Master Lin said there was no rush to inform Manager Rong. He allowed him to enjoy a peaceful New Year and planned to inform him of the issue afterward, giving him an opportunity to rectify it.

Manager Rong didn’t submit the revised accounts until nearly mid-February. However, after Master Lin verified them, he found that the issues persisted. While some of the previous gaps had been filled, they weren’t fully covered. Our Master Lin, though lenient with veterans, has his own principles. If someone is given a chance and still refuses to make changes, he will personally go to the store to check the accounts. At that time, no matter how minor the issue he finds, it will be dealt with strictly.

So, that’s why this matter has been delayed until late February."

"I see."

Xu Jing nodded, her gaze deepening as she looked at him, "So, most of you knew that Yang Shao was going to Xinzhou yesterday."

Zhu Shunxi was stunned, beads of sweat seeming to form on his forehead, as he shook his head, saying, "While most managers at Guangming Hall were aware of the problems at the Xinzhou branch, not many knew that Yang Shao was the one replacing Master Lin to check the accounts. Even fewer knew that Yang Shao was departing yesterday afternoon."

Though he wasn’t a specialized investigator, he could tell that Miss Xu was trying to find the suspect who might have killed Yang Shao and his wife.

Only those who knew that the Yang Shao couple would depart yesterday afternoon could have taken the opportunity to harm them.

However, even though he was aware of this matter, he had no choice but to report truthfully.

"Who were the people who knew that the Yang Shao couple would depart yesterday afternoon?"

Zhu Shunxi opened his mouth, and after a moment, said, "The family hosted a banquet the day before yesterday and invited both us couples and the Yang Shao couple. At that time, Yang Shao mentioned at the banquet when he would be leaving for Xinzhou, so... everyone at the banquet that day knew.

Master Lin should also be aware, since Yang Shao was replacing Master Lin, he would naturally report his actions to him at any time.

As for whether Yang Shao and his wife told others about when they were going to Xinzhou, I have no idea..."

"Oh," Xu Jing gave him a meaningful glance, "Everyone who knew when the Yang Shao couple would head to Xinzhou is highly suspicious. So, Manager Zhu, you also have a suspicion of murder.

I heard that at that banquet the day before yesterday, you and Manager Yang had a dispute and almost got into a fight."

Zhu Shunxi’s body stiffened, sweat pouring from his face. He quickly said, "Please, Miss Xu, discern clearly! How could I possibly commit murder? I admit I have never gotten along with Yang Shao. We came to Master Lin at about the same time. Yang Shao is clearly inferior to me yet always gets special treatment from Master Lin because he knows how to curry favor!

Back then, Master Lin wanted Yang Shao to take the position of the general manager. It was only because I spoke some truths when drunk that Master Lin gave me the position, but... but then he turned around and appointed Yang Shao as his major manager!

Miss Xu, if you were me, would you be resigned? Yang Shao gets all the benefits, yet he still complains about me getting the general manager position! Have you ever seen someone so greedy and never satisfied?! I just can’t stand him! But I wouldn’t go so far as to kill them both!"

After a pause, as if recalling something, he quickly added, "Right, yesterday afternoon I was at the main store of Guangming Hall the whole time, and only returned home late. The staff at the store can testify to this!"

This is an alibi.

Xu Jing’s gaze flickered slightly, "Rest assured, I am only trying to deduce the case as reasonably as possible, not implying you are the murderer. The reason for your quarrel that day was because of the matter concerning the general manager’s position back then?"

Seeing Xu Jing’s tone shift, no longer as aggressive, Zhu Shunxi breathed a small sigh of relief, "Half, yes, half, no... The argument started because I discovered some issues that day, so... I immediately sent someone to report to Master Lin in the Western Capital. When Yang Shao found out that night, he was furious, saying that Master Lin was extremely overwhelmed with work in the Western Capital at the moment, and I shouldn’t disturb him with minor issues. I should first report to him, my major manager, so he could then determine if Master Lin needed to be informed.

How could anyone endure him constantly touting his position as a major manager, acting as if he’s so impressive? I mocked him a bit, and he retaliated by bringing up our past contention for the general manager’s position. One thing led to another, and we... ended up arguing..."

Seeing him speak vaguely, Xu Jing silently sneered, "What did you report to Master Lin about that day?"

Zhu Shunxi’s expression stiffened, and after some struggle, he said, "Does this have anything to do with the investigation?"

"Of course, if you insist on concealing it, I will have to suspect you’re trying to hide something relevant to the case."

Listening to Xu Jing’s words, Zhu Shunxi’s face showed helplessness, and after a while, he said with a strange expression, "That day... I discovered that Yang Shao and I seemed always to be followed by some suspicious people. I feared those following us might be planning something against Guangming Hall, so... I sent someone to inform Master Lin."

What he had reported to Lin Chengzhao that day was something Xu Jing had long guessed.

Forcing him to say it was merely to confirm her suspicions.

Lin Chengzhao was always astute, and hearing what Zhu Shunxi reported, he likely would have thought that she was investigating the incident from 24 years ago.

After all, only these two people remained by his side back then.

Xu Jing’s gaze darkened slightly.

Given this turn of events, Lin Chengzhao could also be the one who killed Yang Shao!

The best way to silence someone is to ensure they can never speak again.

However, even if Lin Chengzhao were cold-blooded, it wouldn’t make sense to kill his own sister too, would it?

Or perhaps someone else was responsible for their deaths?

Xu Jing pondered for a moment and asked, "Does Yang Shao’s wife always accompany him on his business trips?"