Chapter 26: Xiao Fang's Phone Call

The next morning, Li Ming and I were in the house discussing company matters.

My phone rang.

I saw it was a call from Xiao Fang of the TV station,

Why is she calling me?

I pressed the button to answer,

Xiao Fang's cheerful voice came through the phone: "Hello, Chairman Zhao, do you know? I am currently at the wage distribution site. Your promise to pay wages in three days has been fulfilled."

Really paid the wages to the owed workers.

I thank you on behalf of these migrant workers.

Chairman Zhao, you are a person of your word.

It turns out that today wages are being paid, and Xiao Fang has come to the site again for an interview.

This Xiao Fang works very conscientiously.

It seems that if wages couldn't be paid today, she would surely run to the hospital ward to interview me.

By then I would surely make her say I'm a cheat; once broadcast on TV, I'd become a street rat that everyone shouts at.

The money I've donated over the years and the good deeds I've done may not be remembered by people, but this time if I become a cheat, people will surely remember it.

I hurriedly said: "Thank you, host, for coming to the site to report, letting our company regain its reputation. Host, I, Zhao Jianqiang, still say what I mean and do what I say."

"Chairman Zhao, since you've done it, I also want to do it; when are you available? I'd like to treat you to a meal." Xiao Fang said with a laugh over the phone.

"Oh, the meal matter, let's postpone it.

I'm not physically recovered now; let's do it later when I have time, thank you for your kindness." I evaded.

"Chairman Zhao, I know you're not physically recovered. I'll arrange the meal; when the time comes, don't back out. Just don't look down on me as a TV host." Xiao Fang said.

"I wouldn't dare; you're all famous people, and we ordinary folks have our weaknesses in your hands.

"Host, let's talk about the meal later; it's not important. If you don't mind, buy two huo shao, come to my hospital room and we'll eat together. That counts as treating me." I said.

"Chairman Zhao, you really know how to joke. Since you said that, I'll buy two huo shao and bring them over shortly." Xiao Fang said with a laugh.

"Okay, welcome, I'm quite hungry. Host, I thank you again for your fair reporting of our company. When I'm better, welcome to come to my company for an interview." I said, then thought and hung up the phone.

My time is precious; I can't waste it with her anymore.

"Ah, Chairman Zhao, don't hang up in a hurry, what flavor of huo shao do you want… hello…?" Xiao Fang asked over the phone.

"Goodbye, host." I hastily hung up.

Li Ming beside me asked: "Brother, whose call was it, inviting you to eat and such."

"The host of the provincial TV station's show 'Xiao Fang Helps You Handle It,' Xiao Fang; at that time I promised her I would pay the workers' wages in three days, and she said if the wages were paid in three days she would treat me to a meal. I never expected she would really call me today." I said.

"Brother, impressive, even the host of the provincial TV station is treating you to a meal. But how will you go eat, with your leg injured? Why don't I go in your place?" Li Ming laughed.

I said: "Don't joke, brother, I don't have the mood to eat now; the group's companies are all in a frenzy."

If I fail to fulfill this betting agreement, the entire group company will belong to the Southern Group. Alas, brother, I never imagined our Da Heng Company would come to this.

Li Ming said: "I feel this matter is quite sudden; they suddenly supported us, and then signed a betting agreement with you."

"Are we just following along with them?"

After hearing Li Ming's words,

I fell silent for a moment,

"This is also unavoidable; if we could borrow money to pay the workers' wages, we wouldn't need to turn to the Southern Group. Moreover, during this period it was Kong Shi who pulled the strings; I've had over ten years of friendship with Kong Shi, would he harm me?"

"Actually, we should view this matter like this: the Southern Group's provision of funds is truly timely help, aiding us to overcome the crisis; later we will repay their money, and then there will be no issue."

Li Ming said: "If we can't repay it, then the group company will belong to them, and all your years of hard work will be for their benefit."

I patted Li Ming's shoulder once,

"Don't talk nonsense; how do you know I can't repay? I and Jinghe estimated that once wages are paid today, the halted project in Xin Cheng can immediately resume; by September the new houses can be delivered, and then we can immediately sell a batch. This way we'll quickly repay the Southern Group's money."

"Brother, you don't need to worry about anything."

After I finished speaking,

Li Ming let out a sigh,

"I hope so, brother; Ru Meng still doesn't know about our car accident."

I nodded,

"Brother, I was just thinking to discuss this with you. If worse comes to worst, bring Ru Meng from the provincial capital to meet Zhou Wei, so we don't leave any regrets."

After I said that, the corners of my eyes became moist again.

Li Ming handed me a tissue,

"Okay, I'll go to the provincial capital in a couple of days to pick up Ru Meng. Xiao Long is also on vacation, so I'll bring him back along the way. Mom misses her grandson." Li Ming said.

"Xiao Long studies at the police academy; you really let him go out to be a policeman." I asked Li Ming.

"This kid, having this idea, could there be some hereditary factor? He's determined to be a policeman." Li Ming said.

I laughed,

"This line of work is also hereditary; if you're unwilling, let Xiao Long come work at our group company; we're currently short-staffed." I said to Li Ming.

Li Ming shook his head,

"Brother, when the son grows up, the mother has no say. He Qing has advised Xiao Long many times, but he won't listen, and I can't do anything. Let it be; letting him endure some hardship is also good." Li Ming said helplessly.

It seems that not all children necessarily listen to their fathers, whether biological or step.

Seeing Li Ming brother's sigh,

I also sighed,

"Even the eldest son doesn't listen to me, and there's Zhengzheng; besides, Xiao Shitou came back today, yesterday he quarreled with me, saying I shouldn't have concealed it from him, and came back after interrupting the match. I'm very angry."

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door,

I thought it was Nurse Lin, so I quickly had Li Ming snuff out the cigarette in my hand, otherwise I'd get scolded again.

But the one who came in through the door was Xiao Fang,

She was holding a bag of fire‑roasted buns in one hand and another bag in the other, not knowing what was inside.

"Chairman Zhao, I bought fire‑roasted buns for you. You said you wanted to eat fire‑roasted buns, right? I, Xiao Fang, keep my word; today I'll treat you to fire‑roasted buns."

When Xiao Fang entered, Li Ming and I were both stunned.

At that time I was only joking; I never expected this Xiao Fang to actually come to the ward.

What should I do now?

I looked at Li Ming, Li Ming looked at me, pretending it didn't concern them.

I could only smile and say, "Host Xiao Fang, hello, I was just speaking offhand, you really bought fire‑roasted buns."

Xiao Fang said, "In my life's creed there is no offhand talk. Words must be kept, deeds must bear fruit. I don't know what flavor of fire‑roasted bun you like, so I bought every kind from the fire‑roasted bun shop."

There's pork‑head meat, beef, donkey meat, and spicy chicken,

Which one do you like?

Xiao Fang placed the bag of fire‑roasted buns in front of me,

I immediately smelled that familiar aroma; the delicacy I had long craved had truly arrived.

I said to Li Ming, "Brother, the food has been delivered. Let's eat together."

Li Ming quickly shook his head and said, "Bro, you eat, I have a meeting, I must go. You eat."

After speaking, Li Ming hurried away,

Li Ming, you eat fire‑roasted buns, why are you in such a hurry? Seriously.