Chapter 3859 - 3847: Investigation by the Tax Department
Chapter 3859: Chapter 3847: Investigation by the Tax Department
"What does the recruitment involve?"
"I don’t know either, it’s all some nonsense cooked up by the station." Zhao Jing said impatiently:
"Normally speaking, you guys are just being reassigned, shouldn’t have to go through this process. But the new head director said the media department has high independence, and the recruitment process doesn’t match theirs, so this process is still needed."
"I see, new officials tend to make changes, I can understand this kind of action."
"But don’t worry, I’ll talk to Director Sun soon, and ask him to bring out the written exam questions for you to review. As long as the grades aren’t absurdly low, the interview will be covered by him."
"Okay."
Lin Yi nodded, feeling he should also be more serious about this.
After all, the upcoming task is to host a program with a 2.0 rating, so passing the news center’s interview is essential.
"Director!"
While the two were talking, Chu Hao hurried over, gasping for breath.
"What’s the rush? Speak slowly."
"The people from the tax department are here, they want to see you."
"The tax department?"
Lin Yi and Zhao Jing exchanged a glance, "Did they say what it’s about?"
"They didn’t say, just that they want to see you."
"Where are they?"
"I’ve taken them to the meeting room, then came to find you."
Zhao Jing frowned, feeling a bad premonition.
Normally, this shouldn’t involve the tax department.
Coming at this time is definitely odd.
"Come with me and have a look."
Soon, the three arrived at the meeting room and met two tax department staff members.
"Hello, you’re the producer for ’Time Concert’, correct?"
"I’m Zhao Jing, hello."
Zhao Jing eagerly and warmly extended her hand and then sat opposite the two.
"May I ask what’s the matter with me?"
"We’ve received a report claiming your program has tax-related issues, possibly involving shadow contracts. We need to see your recent financial statements and all expenditures. Please provide the necessary materials and evidence."
Upon hearing this, the three exchanged glances, feeling somewhat perplexed.
"Chu Hao, go to the finance department and get the relevant materials and evidence."
"Got it, I’ll go right now."
Chu Hao left, while Zhao Jing straightened her posture again.
"I assure you both, every expenditure of ours is legal and compliant, there’s absolutely no issue with shadow contracts."
"Such claims are not enough, a thorough investigation is necessary."
"Rest assured, we’ll definitely cooperate with the investigation."
After about ten minutes, Chu Hao returned with the documents, handing them over to the tax staff.
The two flipped through and reviewed them carefully for quite some time.
"Mao Yi and Zhou Shen, these two people’s market quotes are between 12 and 15 million. You managed to hire them for a total of 5.2 million, how did you achieve this?"
"We have our connections, hired them through friendship pricing, so the cost was a bit lower."
"If it’s cheaper by a million or two, that would be reasonable. But this much of a reduction seems quite unlikely, doesn’t it?"
"But we truly negotiated a friendship price to bring them in. I can guarantee there are no shadow contracts inside. Maybe next time in a variety show, we’ll pay them a bit more, but we surely won’t do anything illegal. Please be assured of this."
The two tax department staff looked at Zhao Jing.
"Was it you who used your connections to bring them in?"
"No, it was my colleague."
"Who? Are they here?"
Zhao Jing looked at Lin Yi, "He helped me find them."
The two then turned their gaze to Lin Yi, examining him continuously.
"Do you know them?"
"No, my friend knows them."
"Who is your friend? Would it be convenient to tell us?"
Lin Yi shook his head, "That’s personal privacy, I can’t disclose, sorry."
The two staff exchanged glances, sensing something from Lin Yi’s words.
In the meeting room, nobody spoke, the atmosphere was somewhat tense.
Cold sweat appeared on Chu Hao’s forehead.
Their questions were just being polite, but refusing to answer shows there’s an issue.
He was curious why Lin Yi could remain so calm in this situation.
"We hope you cooperate with the investigation, this is a very serious matter."
"I know this is serious, but it indeed involves personal privacy, I’m not comfortable discussing it, sorry."
Regarding this, it’s actually not a big deal, but Lin Yi didn’t want to expose too much.
If Zhao Jing and Chu Hao know that he contacted Mao Yi and Zhou Shen through Yan Ci, this matter could easily spread.
He himself won’t be able to work calmly here anymore.
Even if he were to explain, it shouldn’t be in front of others, he would let them know privately.
"Given this, we have reason to suspect a shadow contract might be involved here, we hope you can follow us back for an investigation."
"No problem, when should I go?"
"If you don’t wish to talk, come along with us now."
"Alright."
"Sorry, comrades, for taking up your time, let me talk to Lin Yi."
Saying this, Zhao Jing stood up and pulled Lin Yi away, with Chu Hao following behind, the three arrived outside the meeting room.
"What are you thinking? They’re official department personnel, we need to cooperate now."
"I didn’t refuse to cooperate, wasn’t I being courteous all along?"
"It’s not about courtesy; it’s about cooperating with the investigation," Zhao Jing said:
"If you can, just tell them. No need to cause other troubles over such a small matter."
"It’s just inconvenient to say, you should respect my privacy, right?"
"Alright, anyway, we’re being straightforward and proper, they can investigate freely."
"That’s hitting the mark, so you don’t need to worry. Instead, think more about who reported us."
"Hmm."
After exchanging a few words, the three returned to the meeting room but couldn’t take a seat yet, as one staff member said:
"You two please step outside; we’d like to talk to him alone."
Zhao Jing glanced at Lin Yi, worry evident in her eyes.
"Just wait outside for me, no need to worry."
Lin Yi said, and Zhao Jing and Chu Hao could only leave reluctantly.
The meeting room quieted down, Lin Yi returned to his seat and relaxed into the chair.
"Now that no one’s around, feel free to ask anything."
"I think it’s more appropriate for us to say this: we hope you can truthfully reveal the matter of the shadow contract."