Can a System Have Bad Intentions? - Chapter 30

As the crowd erupted in chaos, Lu Shuqing struck the gong once more.

“Of course, this could also be a misunderstanding. Since it might be a misunderstanding, let’s have Lu Yuexi come out and explain.

Moreover, I would like our Qiao Family Inn’s manager to explain to everyone. Since you claimed to have lent items to Chunxi Inn, why is it that there isn’t a single clerk left in our Qiao Family Inn?

This large Qiao Family Inn, inside and out, is completely empty?

We have employed five chefs, one manager, an accountant, four washerwomen, and six clerks. Where are all these people?

Do we run an inn where people work only during the day and disappear at night?”

Some people in the crowd started realizing that something didn’t add up.

You could lend items and even a head chef, but you couldn’t have lent all your staff, right?

Qiao Fu said, “I will now go to the warehouse of the Qiao Family Inn to check. Anyone who wants to see the excitement is welcome to come along.”

Boom!

A group of people swarmed over!

After a while.

Boom!

The group of people returned, furious.

“This is too much! The rice, flour, and meat in Qiao Family Inn are all moldy!”

“They lent their good rice to others but kept moldy rice for their own guests. Isn’t this cheating their own boss?”

“No wonder Qiao Family Inn has had no business these past two years. With such negligence, how could they have business!”

“Exactly! If the rice sent by the boss was moldy, how come the rice just taken from Chunxi Inn is good? They couldn’t have given all the good stuff to others and kept the bad stuff for themselves.”

Seeing the public opinion slipping out of control, Jiang Pan’er paced anxiously on the third-floor corridor of Chunxi Inn.

Lu Yuexi was even more terrified, completely at a loss.

When Lu Shuqing publicly accused her of having an affair with Gu Changming, Lu Yuexi was so furious she almost fainted.

It was clearly Lu Shuqing, that slut, who seduced Brother Changming. She was Brother Changming’s true love. If not for the Qiao family’s money, Brother Changming would never marry that shrew!

But she couldn’t say these things out loud for everyone to judge!

“Mother, what do we do!”

Jiang Pan’er had no idea what to do. Normally, Lu Deren made the decisions for major issues at the inn, while she and the manager handled minor matters.

Even for yesterday’s incident, there was Achen.

But now the Qiao family was here causing trouble, and Achen was nowhere to be seen.

“Where is your brother? Haven’t you found him yet?”

“No, I don’t know where he went. He might have gone to Qinghe County to find Brother Changming, or maybe to find Father.”

At the mention of Lu Deren, Jiang Pan’er paused.

She had been so anxious she forgot about Lu Deren!

As long as Lu Deren hadn’t shown up, what could Madam Qiao do!

Jiang Pan’er, who had been in a panic, suddenly calmed down, “Let them make a fuss. I want to see what Madam Qiao can stir up!”

In the guest room behind Jiang Pan’er, Qin Mo sneered.

Song Qingzhan looked at Qin Mo, who shook his head, “No rush.”

Down on the street.

The manager of Qiao Family Inn was at a loss for words under Lu Shuqing’s questioning, but he appeared unafraid, even showing a bit of grievance.

“What do you mean, Madam? Are you suspecting me?

I have a clear conscience. If you suspect me, go ahead and report to the authorities!

Even though what Young Miss is saying is unbelievable, it’s the truth. The staff of Qiao Family Inn was indeed all lent to Chunxi Inn!

The reason is simple: we had no guests at Qiao Family Inn. Keeping them here would be a waste, so I sent them over to help. Chunxi Inn was willing to pay them. I couldn’t stop them from earning a living.”

This explanation sounded reasonable at first glance.

But thinking it over, what nonsense!

Someone in the crowd immediately cursed, “Shameless! You dare say such things. I think you’re embezzling Qiao Family Inn’s goods and selling them to Chunxi Inn!”

The manager didn’t mind being cursed at. While he had been deferential to Madam Qiao earlier, he now stood tall, “Go ahead, report to the authorities!”

He wasn’t afraid!

There was still Master Lu!

“Fine, since you want to report to the authorities, let’s do that!

But going alone isn’t right. At this point, shouldn’t the owner of Chunxi Inn show up?

Your inn eats our food, uses our goods, and even the beeswax candles are ours!

From chefs to clerks, they’re all ours.

And you still won’t show yourself?”

As Madam Qiao finished speaking, a woman in a colorful dress swayed out of Chunxi Inn, followed by a pretty young girl whose fiery gaze was fixed on Lu Shuqing.

Lu Shuqing smiled, “You must be Lu Yuexi? Perfect, let’s go to the county court together and ask Gu Changming face to face what’s going on!”

Lu Yuexi bit her lip, suppressing her anger.

Jiang Pan’er gave Madam Qiao a disdainful look and cursed her in her heart. You old hag think you can compete with me?

“Go to the county court? Fine, Chunxi Inn has nothing to hide. I admit we borrowed items and hired some of your staff.

But it was all voluntary. Chunxi Inn hasn’t done anything illegal.

When the time comes, I hope Qiao Family Inn will apologize to us publicly and compensate us for our losses!”

Jiang Pan’er’s shameless words didn’t faze Madam Qiao, “Fine! Let’s go to the county court together!”

Some curious onlookers wanted to follow them to the county court.

Just then, a scream rang out from a distance.

“Murder! Chunxi Inn’s young master has killed someone!”

The scream redirected the crowd’s attention.

Madam Qiao smiled at Lu Tang not far away, and Lu Tang gave her mother and sister a thumbs up.

Jiang Pan’er, thinking she misheard, froze and clutched Lu Yuexi’s hand, her voice trembling, “What did they say?”

Lu Yuexi’s face was pale, “I think they said, brother killed someone.”

Jiang Pan’er’s legs gave way, and she collapsed into Lu Yuexi’s arms, who barely managed to hold her up, “Mother.”

The messenger, the steward of Spring Fragrance House in Sihe Town, pushed through the crowd, grabbed Jiang Pan’er’s hand, and said angrily, “Your son Lu Yuchen killed one of our girls. This won’t end without an explanation!”

Jiang Pan’er was stunned.

Her son, a murderer?

And he killed a girl from the lowest brothel in Sihe Town?

“You’re lying! My brother wouldn’t kill anyone, and he wouldn’t go to your brothel!” Lu Yuexi trembled, her face ashen.

The man said, “Lying? Fine, bring the body!”

The crowd parted to make way.

The brothel’s servants carried a body over, placing it before Jiang Pan’er.

Then, Lu Yuchen, disheveled and in a sorry state, was kicked into the crowd.