The Company Was Struggling

Unlike Zhao Guangwei, who was looking for someone in the office, Zhuang Xin sat in the exhibition hall, running his hands over the steering wheel.

This feel... damn, there was nothing to criticize.

And the interior was practically perfect.

The model beside him lowered her head and giggled. "My name is Lin Xiaonian. I'm in charge of this car. How about... I accompany you for a drive?"

"Lin Xiaonian?" Zhuang Xin glanced at her. She was rather sweet-looking and seemed to have only recently started working. There was still a hint of shyness in her voice, her cheeks flushed pink...

As for her figure, she was tall and slender—definitely an eight out of ten.

"Sure! Get in." Zhuang Xin opened the door. The other car model beside them secretly regretted missing her chance. If even the owner of the auto show had personally signaled to them, how could this young man possibly be ordinary? If she could have latched onto someone like him...

Unfortunately, the door was already open, and Lin Xiaonian had smartly climbed inside.

As the car started, its engine roared to life.

Like the low growl of a beast, it made people want to conquer it!

Just as Zhuang Xin was about to drive away, a figure rushed over and blocked the front of the car. "Wait!"

Lin Xiaonian trembled at the sight of the newcomer, panic flashing in her eyes.

"What's going on? Didn't I say no one was allowed to test-drive this car? Why is someone in it?" Xu Cun stepped forward and reached for the door, but Zhuang Xin had already locked it. He tugged several times without managing to open it.

"Open this door! Do you know what this car is for? And what are you people doing? You just stood there and watched someone drive it away?"

Xu Cun was nearly going mad. Not only had he offended a major client, but now this car had almost been taken for a test drive.

If anything happened to it, would he even be able to keep his job as manager?

"Heh, so? I didn't lie to you, did I? If you'd come a step later, even the car's shadow would have been gone." Zhao Guangwei emerged with his arms folded, his big belly jutting out as he sneered.

Seeing the situation getting increasingly out of hand, the owner of the auto show upstairs frowned. A staff member hurried down. "Manager Xu, come over here. I need to talk to you."

"Talk about what? This car is for display, for building publicity, for advertising... It isn't for sale, and it isn't one of the dealership's cars. It was transferred here from somewhere else. If it gets scratched or damaged, who's going to pay for the losses?"

Xu Cun stormed over to Zhuang Xin's window and roared, "Open the door! Open the door!"

Zhuang Xin frowned and slowly rolled down the window.

"What's wrong with you? Who authorized you to test-drive it? And you, Lin Xiaonian, don't think that just because management specially approved you, you can do whatever you want. Believe it or not, one phone call from me is enough to send you right back where you came from. Open the door already!"

"Manager Xu... I..." Lin Xiaonian parted her red lips slightly, then closed them again.

Zhuang Xin glanced at Lin Xiaonian. He wasn't an unreasonable person.

Since they had already said this car wasn't an on-site vehicle at the auto show but one borrowed from elsewhere... he couldn't exactly force the issue, could he? After all, he hadn't paid for it.

Opening the door, Zhuang Xin got out and said to Lin Xiaonian, "Interested in switching to another car and going for a drive?"

Xu Cun carefully shut the car door and pulled out the key. He practically pointed at Zhuang Xin's nose as he roared, "You still want to touch other cars? Go for a drive? Get lost! Leave this place immediately!"

Lin Xiaonian bit down on her red lip and lowered her head.

Zhuang Xin shrugged and said nothing more.

Nothing here belonged to him. Qu Hongyun had given him the opportunity to come here and pick out a car. If he caused trouble here, not only would it put Qu Hongyun in an awkward position, it would also waste his goodwill.

If they wouldn't give him one, then so be it. If anyone asked later, he would just say he didn't want one anymore.

After all, aside from this Koenigsegg, he didn't particularly like any of the others.

Once he got back, he would see if there was another way to get himself a luxury car.

"Fine." Zhuang Xin slipped his hands into his pockets and prepared to leave.

Zhao Guangwei revealed a disdainful sneer.

Wen Yaohe happened to see everything from nearby, and her face lit up with delight. Perfect timing. Young Master Zhuang is in trouble.

With that thought, she hurried over, only for Zhao Guangwei to spot her and grab her wrist. "Well, if it isn't Yaohe. What's this? You didn't show up last night. I was even planning to pay for you."

The moment Wen Yaohe saw him, she guiltily tried to leave.

"What are you still standing around for? Get lost!" Seeing that Zhuang Xin had not left, Xu Cun roared again.

"Oh."

Zhuang Xin silently turned around, but before he could take a step—

He heard a rapid series of footsteps.

The imposing Ma Heng walked up to Xu Cun and even affectionately straightened his collar.

Seeing this, Xu Cun thought his boss was praising him and put on a fawning smile.

"Little Xu." Ma Heng's smile carried a trace of chilling coldness.

Yet Xu Cun seemed not to notice.

"Boss, go ahead. I'm listening."

"Mm..."

Ma Heng pondered for several seconds before saying, "You don't need to come to work tomorrow. Go home and pack up your things."

"Huh? I don't need to come to work?"

"That's right. The company has been struggling lately, so we're laying people off."

"Struggling? How is that possible?"

Xu Cun was dumbfounded.

The company was struggling?

Their company was currently in peak season, with sales breaking all previous records. How could it be struggling?

"Boss, I..."

"Enough."

Ma Heng suddenly clenched his fists. Veins bulged across his face, which had flushed an unnatural red, and his eyes looked as though they wanted to kill someone.

"There have been quite a few discrepancies in the company's reports lately. Many figures don't add up. Before you leave, reconcile these accounts. Also, I'll send people to audit them with you!"

His boss's voice struck like muffled thunder. Xu Cun's legs gave out, and he collapsed onto the ground.

Audit the accounts?

Those words were practically a death sentence.

People at their level had taken plenty of kickbacks over the years.

There were also other discrepancies in the books: padding invoices by ten or twenty thousand, then manipulating the records afterward so no one could tell.

Over several years of embezzlement, he had taken at least several million.

If they investigated and carefully audited everything, he would immediately be exposed...

This... this meant prison.

Usually, the boss had turned a blind eye.

The previous manager had completed five years and retired successfully.

Why had it suddenly become necessary to audit the accounts when it came to him?

Xu Cun had completely panicked, his eyes full of terror.

He was only one step away from kneeling and begging for mercy.

Unfortunately, no one spared him another glance. After today, Xu Cun was finished for good.