Lin Qiang was shocked: "Since opening? Isn't it normally just an audit of the last 1-2 months?"
"Eh? The Longyuan Outlet has been open for less than half a year, right?" Zeng Baichuan shook his head and smiled, "It's about the same right, so we might as well check it all at once. We can't help it; our work style is just that thorough. Lin Qiang, you're not trying to hide something, are you?"
"I've only been here for a week, there's no need for me to do that," Lin Qiang opened the conference room door, already anticipating a prolonged battle. After turning on the lights, he turned to the audit team and said, "Please make yourselves comfortable. I'll go prepare the materials."
"Hurry up! Don't deliberately waste our time!" Zeng Baichuan glared at him, urging, "Don't drag your feet and keep us here for weeks!"
Lin Qiang cursed silently and hurried to the archives room.
Stalling for time? Isn't that exactly what Zeng Baichuan wants to do? He opened the cabinet, found the earliest materials from the banking outlet, and carried two boxes, one in each arm, back to the conference room, placing them on the table.
"These are the materials from about the first week of the banking hall's operation. Please review these first, I'll bring all the materials right away."
"Mm, hurry up," Zeng Baichuan walked to the table, casually pulled out a folder, and started flipping through it.
"Your coffee..." Zhang Jiaming also brought in the drinks.
"Come with me to carry the rest," Lin Qiang patted Zhang Jiaming, preparing to take him along for this big task.
"No, no, he needs to stay and explain things to us," Zeng Baichuan grabbed Zhang Jiaming, smiling as he asked, "You're one of the first employees of this banking hall, right?"
"Oh yes, that's right," Zhang Jiaming nodded repeatedly.
"Mm, you stay. Lin Qiang came later, after all, and isn't familiar with these materials," Zeng Baichuan pulled Zhang Jiaming to sit in a chair, not even looking at Lin Qiang. "Manager Lin, hurry and bring the materials. Do what you can."
Lin Qiang gritted his teeth, not replying, and left alone. He began carrying load after load of materials that filled the entire room.
However, in the conference room, Zeng Baichuan showed no intention of starting the audit. Instead, he led Zhang Jiaming in casual conversation, chatting about past events. Both being long-time employees, they discovered they were both originally from the original Jijing Bank before the merger, and their conversation became increasingly animated.
About seven years ago, United Bank was formed by the merger of dozens of provincial and city-level banks, with Jijing Bank undoubtedly being the dominant one. Over seven years of changes, some original Jijing Bank employees were transferred, some left for other jobs, some were promoted, and many more people from other regions were transferred in. At the center of United Bank's power vortex, various factions had emerged. Even though the headquarters was in Jijing, the original Jijing Bank faction had gradually lost its absolute dominance.
Seven years later, for old employees, finding a colleague who was also originally from Jijing Bank had become somewhat difficult. This kind of connection was like meeting someone from your hometown, adding an extra layer of familiarity.
Bang!
Lin Qiang slammed the twenty-seventh box of materials on the table, intentionally using more force.
Everyone turned to look at Lin Qiang when they heard the loud noise.
"Everyone, can we start the audit now?!" Lin Qiang stared at Zeng Baichuan, questioning.
"Can't you see? We've already started the audit!" Zeng Baichuan stood up, glaring at Lin Qiang, his voice slightly raised. "I'm talking with the staff, this is part of the investigation."
He then nodded to the auditor beside him: "Where are the records? Record my conversation with Zhang Jiaming."
"Yes... yes..." The young auditor with a parted hairstyle hurriedly took out a notebook.
"Do you need everyone else to record too?" Lin Qiang patted the mountain of materials on the table. "I don't mean to criticize the audit team's working methods, but isn't the efficiency too low when one person talks and seven people record?"
"What do you mean? You think you can tell us how to do our job in the audit department?!"
"Team Leader Zeng!" Lin Qiang pointed to the upper right corner of the conference room, "In a bank, there's not an inch of secrecy, you know that, right? A surprise night inspection, and then wasting time like this, if the higher-ups see it, it won't look good no matter how you spin it, right?"
Several surveillance cameras were distributed around the conference room. As Lin Qiang said, in a bank, there's not even an inch of secrecy. Except for the bathrooms, cameras are everywhere.
"Watch your words and actions!" Zeng Baichuan breathed heavily, glaring at Lin Qiang. "Your responsibility is to cooperate with our inspection."
"And your responsibility is to inspect," Lin Qiang glared back at Zeng Baichuan, slamming his palm on the materials. "May I ask how else I need to cooperate? Please instruct me, Team Leader Zeng."
"You..."
"Answer quickly!" Lin Qiang suddenly shouted angrily, "I haven't had time to chat from the beginning. Please hurry!"
"You... you..." Zeng Baichuan's face twitched, and he finally had to wave his arm, "Everyone, start reviewing the materials..."
The seven auditors didn't dare say much, all hurriedly getting up to sort through the materials.
"From the first day until now, don't miss a single one," Zeng Baichuan added.
"If you need any help, please let me know quickly," Lin Qiang nodded and continued to transport materials.
Zeng Baichuan slumped in his chair, breathing heavily. He was supposed to be here to inspect, but Lin Qiang had repeatedly threatened him instead, saying he would report to higher-ups.
This person... is too infuriating. Doesn't he know about workplace seniority and respect?
But what angered Zeng Baichuan the most wasn't this. The reason why people from the audit department could act so arrogantly and be feared by everyone was because of the power they held. They could latch onto some accounting issues and hound you to death. But this Lin Qiang had been here for less than a week and hadn't handled any business.
Wanting to target him, there was simply no way to start!
"Team Leader Zeng... would you like some tea?" Zhang Jiaming quietly approached Zeng Baichuan.
"Hm? You have tea?"
"Hehe, Bamboo Leaf Green."
"Good, brew me a pot," Zeng Baichuan's mood slightly improved as he pushed away the coffee paper cup in front of him. "People these days, all drinking coffee, showing off."
"Right, exactly. Chinese people should drink tea," Zhang Jiaming stood up, skillfully found the tea leaves and teapot, poured a pot of hot water, and brought it to Zeng Baichuan, pouring him a cup.
"This Bamboo Leaf Green is specially supplied for the director. Have a taste," Zhang Jiaming's service was meticulous, lifting the teacup and handing it to Zeng Baichuan.
Zeng Baichuan took the cup, waved it under his nose to smell, and his mood improved even more: "Mm, it's good. If United Bank had more people like you, it would have prospered long ago."
"Hehe, you're too kind, Team Leader," Zhang Jiaming, seeing the opportunity had come, leaned close to Zeng Baichuan's ear and whispered, "That Lin Qiang, he's a bit problematic. He acts recklessly, doesn't follow rules, doesn't know how to respect seniors."
"Hmph, no wonder he was transferred here," Zeng Baichuan joined in the criticism, but then realizing he might have said too much, backtracked, "Well... Jiaming, I'm not saying this place is bad..."
"It's okay, it's okay. This is a small place after all, you just have high standards," Zhang Jiaming's face was full of smiles, shaking his head like a middle-aged woman, "I'm prepared to dedicate my life here. Unlike that Lin Qiang, who's always thinking about being a leader even though he just works here. What's the use of wanting to be one? He doesn't know how to interact with people, always contradicting others. How could it ever be his turn?"
"Exactly!" These words hit home for Zeng Baichuan, "This guy, we've just met, and he's already giving me attitude. We're from the audit department, even branch managers greet us with smiles. How can someone be so inept? No wonder, this time we're going to deal with him..."
At this point, Zeng Baichuan quickly covered his mouth.
"I've said too much, too much."
"Ha!" Zhang Jiaming slapped his thigh, "Team Leader Zeng, we're on the same side! Manager Zhu has already given instructions!"
"Oh? You're also...?"
"I'm also..."
"Haha!"
The two exchanged knowing smiles, their faces scrunching up, and their relationship instantly grew closer.
Zhang Jiaming took out his phone at the right moment, waving it as he said, "If Manager Zhu hadn't instructed me to keep an eye on Lin Qiang, I wouldn't be here assisting him! Our Jijing faction isn't so easily bullied."
"Manager Zhu is a great branch manager!" Zeng Baichuan, now knowing he and Zhang Jiaming were on the same side, spoke without restraint, "I worked under him before, he's an excellent leader. He recommended me to the Jijing Office. Now that he needs help, and coincidentally the Jijing Office has this new policy of surprise night inspections, we might as well make an example of Lin Qiang."
"Oh my! Brother, you really have skills. I'm far behind!"
"Not at all, not at all," Zeng Baichuan smiled smugly, "If you follow Manager Zhu and perform well, you'll all have opportunities."
"Ah... since we've said this much, let me be frank," Zhang Jiaming patted his thigh, feeling he had met a valuable connection. "I've always been following the director of this banking hall, Hao Wei. I haven't had the luck like you to work under Manager Zhu. If Manager Zhu would give me a chance, asking me to do something, I'd be eternally grateful."
"Don't say that, brother. If we handle this matter well, I'll definitely put in a good word for you with Manager Zhu, don't worry!"
"Oh! Thank you so much, brother," Zhang Jiaming's face was full of smiles as he continuously poured tea for Zeng Baichuan. "There's no alcohol here, otherwise I'd definitely have three drinks with you!"
"Haha! After we finish this task, we can drink then! Let's use tea instead of alcohol for now!"
It took Lin Qiang a full hour to finish moving all the materials, by which time he was drenched in sweat. Seeing Zeng Baichuan still engaged in a "conversation investigation" with Zhang Jiaming, he felt angry but also sensed something ominous.
As for the other auditors, although they were all holding materials for review, their postures suggested they were almost asleep, barely turning a page every few minutes.
"So... someone is indeed targeting me..." Lin Qiang cursed silently to himself as he sat in the corner of the conference room.
"Lin Qiang, there's nothing for you to do right now. Why don't you go back to your office for a while?" Zeng Baichuan, caught up in his conversation and worried Lin Qiang might overhear something, waved from afar.
"Alright, call me if you need anything," Lin Qiang had no intention of eavesdropping on their petty matters and left.