Chapter 286: Talking About Xiao Shitou

You don't even spare a dead person—are you human? Wu Xiezi is underground; what would he feel?

He worked his life for you for many years, only to be forced to jump to his death. I believe that when you came back this time, you didn't even visit Wu Xiezi's family.

You haven't even visited Wu Xiezi's grave, have you?

Hmph, instead you push all the blame onto Wu Xiezi.

We are just puppets in your hands.

You can manipulate us as you like.

But you never imagined that these puppets would one day have their own sense of reason.

Manager Zhang, stop acting.

You secretly directed Wu Xiezi to have me go to the hotel to photograph Xia Yuan.

When something went wrong, you made me take the fall.

When nothing happened, all the credit was yours.

I am an eyewitness to all of this.

From this incident, I see you are a sinister and vicious person.

I shouted at Manager Zhang angrily.

After I finished speaking, Manager Zhang merely gave a faint smile,

"Jianqiang, you're thinking too much. Overthinking isn't good. Wu Xiezi deserved his death; what does it have to do with us? Back then, the matter of photographing Xia Yuan,

was mainly not to deal with Fan Shazi, but to let your construction site start work. You have dozens of people under your command.

You act for yourself as well.

I merely acquiesced to this; I didn't order you.

I won't bring up past events from back then.

But I need to clarify:

Without me, you would forever remain a small foreman, unable to grow into a renowned entrepreneur.

You should be grateful to me.

"I should be grateful to you.

Good heavens, am I still a successful entrepreneur standing here, or rather a fugitive? I must thank you—I thank Manager Zhang for making me a fugitive.

Back then, I didn't learn all of your sinister and vicious tactics; otherwise, I wouldn't be like this.

Manager Zhang, there are some things you should be even more grateful for.

I don't know if you've ever seen Xiao Shitou, but without me, could Xiao Shitou have grown up?

Everyone knows certain things in their hearts,

stop pretending.

and still keep saying I should be grateful.

Actually, you ought to be the one grateful to me—hmph,

To be honest, I used to think of you not too badly, but today my opinion of you has plummeted.

Because your skin is too thick and your heart too black.

So black that you feel no emotion, so thick that you have no shame.

Let's not bring up the past for now,

speak of the present: what have you done to Da Heng Group? You know it yourself, and Kang Yali has already revealed everything she knows.

If you still refuse to admit it, should we let Mr. Ruan say a few words?

Let him speak the truth.

I believe his words are more credible.

After I finished speaking, I looked at Manager Zhang,

Manager Zhang's face flushed then paled, showing my words had deeply stimulated him.

Manager Zhang said nothing, remaining silent.

At this moment I shouted loudly at Lao Wai: "Lao Wai, tie that thing on this kid again. Let him explain their plan."

Lao Wai happily said: "All right, we shouldn't have undone it just now—real hassle."

Lao Wai said and then moved to act on Ruan Wei again,

Ruan Wei then became anxious,

"Mr. Zhao, you two are arguing; don't drag me in—I'm innocent.

Mr. Zhao, what we're discussing now is your safe departure, not tying me up again and again with this thing.

Continuing like this is pointless.

Manager Zhang, you're still just exchanging verbal blows with Mr. Zhao,

Don't you all know what we've done? Cut it out—it's freezing, and I'm suffering with my bare butt; stop bringing up the past.

Let's discuss how we should leave.

"Mr. Zhao, please, don't let this old guy tie me up again; if he does, I'll really be ruined.

After Ruan Wei finished speaking, tears fell.

He was truly crying. Yes, he's right—it's freezing, he's bare-bottomed, and Lao Wai keeps tying him over and over.

Anyone would go crazy.

Hearing Ruan Wei say that, I actually wasn't anxious anymore.

I laughed and said: "The long night is endless; Manager Zhang and I haven't seen each other in over twenty years—of course we should catch up. Shi Yong, go boil some water; we'll drink tea and chat, I'm a bit thirsty."

Shi Yong agreed and went to boil water.

I pointed to a stool and said to Zhang Zong: "Zhang Zong, please sit down; you've been standing for so long."

Zhang Zong said: "Jianqiang brother, everyone is busy to death; we have plenty of time to drink water and chat; let Ruan Zong go first."

We can just chat later.

"By then we won't be chatting like this."

After saying that, I sat down.

Zhang Zong looked at me, then at Ruan Wei.

He didn't know whether he should sit or not.

Lao Wai loudly said from the side: "Sit down, for goodness' sake; this is face given by my brother Jianqiang. Otherwise, you can only chat outside."

Zhang Zong could only smile wryly: "Jianqiang, look at this freezing weather; give Ruan Zong a piece of clothing, after all he's a southerner and has never stayed in the north."

I asked Zhang Zong: "Shall we chat a while?"

"Then let's chat a while." Zhang Zong said helplessly.

I said to Lao Wai: "Put clothes on Ruan Wei."

"We'll have to take them off later, what a hassle." Lao Wai said.

This Lao Wai is just lazy.

"Put them on; if we freeze Ruan Zong's belongings, we can't afford to compensate." I repeated.

Lao Wai had no choice but to put clothes on Ruan Wei.

At this moment, Ruan Wei's lips had already turned purple from the cold.

Shi Yong brought over water,

I poured a cup of water for Zhang Zong,

I directly asked Zhang Zong: "Zhang Zong, has Xiao Shitou acknowledged you?"

"This matter isn't really suitable to discuss here." Zhang Zong said.

"I think it's quite suitable; it's safe here, everyone can chat freely. If we went outside, we might quickly become enemies." I said.

"No, we haven't seen each other for over twenty years; Xiao Shitou surely can't get his mind around this."

We need time to communicate.

Jianqiang, I say this here as a guarantee: I will certainly not let Xiao Shitou down,

I have already promoted him to assistant in the headquarters office; this child has high talent and can be cultivated.' Zhang Zong took a sip of water.

"Zhang Zong, I raised Xiao Shitou and trained him to be an adult; on this point, shouldn't you be grateful to me?"

It's normal for Xiao Shitou not to acknowledge you; you suddenly appeared, and nobody could tolerate that.

You say give the child time; that's only one aspect, but there's a more crucial point you haven't mentioned. Otherwise, this Xiao Shitou will forever be a thorn in your heart.

He won't call you dad, and being beside you is also awkward.

"Yes, you're absolutely right; now Xiao Shitou gives me a cold stare, often drinks heavily at the company, and swears in public. I feel heartbroken. But I can't persuade him. Sigh, this matter worries me to death." Zhang Zong took a puff of a cigarette, then sighed.

No need to ask; Xiao Shitou publicly scolded Zhang Zong.

I was quite happy inside.

I said to Zhang Zong: "Zhang Zong, this matter is easy to resolve, because the child doesn't know about the past."

Only the right person at the right time can explain the past clearly to him; then I believe he will acknowledge you.

"Yeah, the key is who says those words. Shi Jinhe also advised Xiao Shitou, but it didn't help much." Zhang Zong said.

It seems Shi Jinhe hasn't left the company; that's great.

I smiled and said: "Zhang Zong, far away in the heavens, close at hand. This person is me; I am the one who knows what happened back then. Believe me, when I speak, this will carry weight."

I can guarantee that Xiao Shitou will acknowledge you.

You should know, his mother is already unconscious; only I can explain clearly what happened back then, and I am the most persuasive. Xiao Shitou listens to me the most.

After hearing me finish, Zhang Zong looked at me half-believing, half-doubting.