Chapter 30: Xiao Shitou Goes to the Construction Site

After Li Ming left, my leg hurt even more.

It felt as if it had broken again.

A person's illness is closely linked to emotions; today Ru Meng made me so angry that my whole body ached.

This is what a child raised with money turns out to be,

In their world, there is only enjoyment, never any understanding of how to give.

Sigh, I let out another long sigh; money can only spoil the children even more.

Back then, I believed that having suffered poverty in my youth meant that once I was rich, I must never let my children suffer again; I had to give them the best life, the best education, and let them grow up in happiness and joy.

The result was that many of them adopted a self‑centered lifestyle; in their eyes, parents are merely money‑dispensing machines, and they give no love in return.

I sighed, smoking a cigarette, when my phone rang.

I saw it was a call from Xiao Feng.

I said, "Director Xiao, what's the matter."

Xiao Feng said, "Chairman, the 420 million loan from Zaocheng Bank has matured, and Li Xingzhang has already come to demand payment. This repayment requires your signature. Chairman, should we repay?"

I said, "Of course we must repay. Bring the signature sheet to my ward. I will sign, and then according to the contract, you still need to get General Manager Kang's signature; only then can our finance funds be transferred out."

Xiao Feng said, "Chairman, I understand. I'll be at the ward shortly, get your signature first, then get General Manager Kang's signature."

I said, "Alright," and hung up.

After hanging up, I dialed Li Xingzhang's number,

to ask about the loan.

The call connected quickly,

"Chairman Zhao, how is your health? You called me; what instructions do you have? Please speak."

Li Xingzhang said politely over the phone.

I smiled,

"Li Xingzhang, no need for that. I wouldn't dare give you any instructions; after all, we owe you money."

"Chairman Zhao, when will you give us this 420 million? It's about to mature. I beg you, give it to us as soon as possible. Chairman Zhao, I have already spoken to Dean Yang of the city hospital; the hospitalization costs for you and Manager Zhou will be covered by our bank. We have already transferred 200,000 to the city hospital."

"Just please repay quickly," Li Xingzhang said pitifully.

【5】 This Li Xingzhang actually volunteered to pay our medical expenses. I hadn't expected that.

This Li Xingzhang actually took the initiative to pay our medical fees. This is something I didn't anticipate.

I said over the phone, "Then thank you, Li Xingzhang. There's something I should explain first: we can repay your bank's 420 million loan, but we can only repay the principal now; the interest can be dealt with later. Also, once this money is repaid, it will count as bridge financing."

We will then lend out another 420 million,

as the company's working capital.

Li Xingzhang, to repay you this 420 million, I have signed a betting agreement with Southern Group.

I have even put my life and fortune on the line.

Li Xingzhang said meekly, "Chairman Zhao, Kong Shi has told me everything. Thank you for helping me get through this difficulty; once I get past it, I will find a way to help you."

We'll calculate that interest later; our bank will first recover the principal.

After the principal is recovered, your Group Company's loan quota can be increased.

Rest assured, regarding your company's working capital, Zaocheng Bank will fully support it.

It only takes half a year; once your house is sold,

then everything will be fine.

I said, "Alright, Li Xingzhang, I will sign this afternoon; the money will reach your bank quickly."

Li Xingzhang said, "Thank you, Chairman Zhao. After a month, have Xiao Feng's accountant come over and handle the loan directly."

"It's a deal," I said.

"It's a deal," Li Xingzhang said cheerfully over the phone.

I hung up,

Having repaid Zaocheng Bank, we can still take another loan, using it as the company's working capital.

After half a year, I will definitely repay Southern Group's money.

Then there will be nothing to fear.

In the afternoon, Xiao Feng arrived, brought a financial expense sheet, and asked me to sign.

He also needed my seal for certification.

After finishing all that, I was a bit tired and fell asleep on the bed.

Early the next morning, my phone rang; it was Shi Jinhe calling.

I answered and asked Shi Jinhe, "Jinghe, what's the matter so early?"

"Brother, Xiao Shitou is here. He said you sent him to the construction site to look for me. Brother, what should I assign Xiao Shitou to do?" Shi Jinhe asked me.

I heard Xiao Shitou is going to the construction site,

and felt very pleased inside,

among these kids, finally there is one who listens to me.

Xiao Shitou, this child, is far stronger than Da Jun, Zhengzheng, and Ru Meng; he can voluntarily go to the construction site, which shows he has matured a lot.

I said to Shi Jinhe, "Jinghe, this kid hasn't endured any hardship; assign him some heavy work and see if he can adapt."

Among these kids, he can take the initiative to come to the site looking for you; I'm very happy. Train him first, let him become as familiar as possible with the site work.

Shi Jinhe said, "Brother, today's kids can't endure hardship; I think it's better to make him a technician, following others to look at the blueprints. Don't send him to the site; it's too hot and too tiring."

I said, "Jinghe, listen to me, this kid I feel is talent; he must be cultivated properly."

Let him endure some hardship first, and see if he can persist.

If we don't let him endure enough hardship, there's no point in cultivating him.

"Brother, after all, it's your child; you say what to arrange for Xiao Shitou to do. I'll listen to you." Shi Jinhe said with difficulty.

This Shi Jinhe kicked the ball to me.

Let me arrange Xiao Shitou's work,

I thought about it,

I said to myself, back then I worked as a rebar worker on the construction site. Xiao Shitou's biological father, Song Erguang, also worked as a rebar worker on the construction site.

But Song Erguang's skills weren't great, and he liked to slack off on the job.

Like this, let's assign Xiao Shitou to be a rebar worker on the construction site, which can also be seen as inheriting the father's craft,

I hope he can truly grow up, becoming a man through working on the construction site.

I then said to Shi Jinhe: "Jinghe, let Xiao Shitou go do rebar work on the construction site. See if this kid can handle it."

"Doing rebar work, brother, you'd be reluctant—Xiao Shitou has delicate skin and tender flesh. If his sister-in-law found out, she'd surely scold me to death." Shi Jinhe, reluctant to let Xiao Shitou do rebar work, said over the phone.

Now, while Zhou Wei is still asleep, we must let the kids endure some hardship; otherwise, if they only seek enjoyment, what will they be able to do when they grow up?

Also, Ru Meng—I think after she finishes high school, I'll have her come back from the Provincial Capital, stop learning nonsense out there, she hasn't learned anything useful, just picked up a bunch of spoiled princess airs.

"Jinghe, listen to me, let Xiao Shitou do rebar work. If anything happens, I'll take responsibility; you don't need to worry about anything else. Just make sure to keep an eye on his safety." I said.

"All right, I'll listen to you, brother. Today I'll find a master to guide Xiao Shitou; as for safety, you can rest assured—I've got it covered." Shi Jinhe said.

After I said okay, I hung up the phone.

Xiao Shitou can go to the construction site,

Why can't Dajun go, and Zhengzheng also has to go.

They are all my children,

They should all listen to me.

Once I recover, I'll send them all to the construction site to haul bricks. Hmph, this is the path I took to build my family.

All the hardships I've endured, you should also try them.

I said fiercely in my heart.