Chapter 38

Shi Yong's words hit me again all of a sudden.

Qian Director was resentful when he left the company back then; he once told me, "This Da Heng Group isn't yours alone, Zhao Jianqiang, but the result of our collective hard work."

Everyone followed you hoping to achieve some development within the group,

I never expected that, for Zhao Xiaohua's sake, you would fire us,

We've been following you, these old folks, for so long, just for these few trivial gains.

You also look down on us too much. When you need us, Zhao Jianqiang, you sweet‑talk us with talk of future prospects.

When you don't need us, you just toss us a little money to send us packing.

One day you'll regret it.

Hmph, Zhao Xiaohua isn't fit to be a leader.

He is narrow‑minded, selfish to the core, and the Da Heng Group will be ruined in his hands.

Qian Director's words feel as if they were spoken just yesterday,

Indeed, just as he said,

This Da Heng Group will be ruined in Zhao Xiaohua's hands.

I will truly regret it.

I cannot accept the saying "burning the bridge after crossing the river."

I consider myself loyal and righteous,

They merely stepped down from the company's management to make things easier for Zhao Xiaohua's work.

Each of them received, besides their salary, a large sum of money—enough for them to live carefree in Zaocheng for the rest of their lives.

Shi Yong and Shi Jinhe, after leaving management, still stayed at the company to keep working, while Qian Director chose to leave the company.

Past events surfaced in my mind again,

I thought I was treating them well, giving them lots of money, but in fact they thought I was burning the bridge after crossing the river and wanted even more.

When the group company was first founded, I felt that Qian Director had contributed the most while following me at Qi He Kuang, so I directly promoted him to the company's management.

The initial management of Da Heng Group Company consisted of me in overall charge, followed by Shi Yong, Shi Jinhe, Zhao Xiaohua, and Qian Director as the four members; Zhou Wei handled finance.

Such a team can be said to be very strong,

In Zaocheng's real‑estate sector we can say we have no rivals; whatever land we want, no one can take it from us.

In those years Da Heng Group grew steadily, each year reaching a new level.

Since the company was making too much money, and making money was too easy, I thought it was time to let go.

Within the company I gradually raised Zhao Xiaohua's position, giving him more training opportunities so he could grow quickly and become my right‑hand man.

I devoted all my remaining energy to my own honor or reputation.

Whenever the higher authorities called for something, I responded immediately.

I donated everywhere, doing all kinds of good deeds.

I received all sorts of honors, to the point that my office couldn't hold all the certificates I'd earned.

I was welcomed by people from all walks of life,

Praise from above and admiration from below left me utterly lost.

I had endless meetings—provincial, municipal, county—and I met countless people.

People from other provinces, even foreigners.

They all enjoyed chatting with me, and they all put me on a pedestal.

I even became a god.

I lost interest in managing the group company and handed everything over to Zhao Xiaohua to deal with.

But Zhao Xiaohua couldn't get along with Qian Director after taking over.

The two of them were incompatible.

It ended very unpleasantly.

Shi Yong and Shi Jinhe also couldn't stand Zhao Xiaohua's overbearing style, so they joined forces with Qian Director to oppose her.

Zhao Xiaohua's management of the company was fraught with difficulty.

Therefore, Zhao Xiaohua proposed to resign to me.

After understanding the situation, to make things easier for Zhao Xiaohua's future work,

I decided to let Shi Yong, Shi Jinhe, and Qian Director step down from management,

That way Zhao Xiaohua could carry out her work without any hindrance.

To compensate these three people, I gave each of them two million yuan as a bonus, which I counted as their pension.

To make up for them.

Upon hearing that I was using money to compensate their losses, Qian Director immediately said the above to me.

Past events were vivid before my eyes; after just a few years, Qian Director's prediction came true—Zhao Xiaohua had thrown the company's management into chaos.

Because of this, my heart ached again.

Shi Yong saw my sorrowful appearance,

He said, "Brother, Lao Qian is just that *, don't be angry at him. Without Lao Qian we can still manage just fine. As long as your health improves and you run the company, we can do anything."

I didn't speak,

Shi Yong couldn't understand my feelings.

Qian Director's bridge‑burning comment hurt me too deeply.

Am I that kind of person? I asked myself in my heart.

Forget it, I can't keep dwelling on the past.

We can only look forward. Since Qian Director is unwilling to come back to help, we have to rely on ourselves.

The world is the same without anyone; don't think you're awesome—actually the Earth turns the same without anyone.

I took a puff of a cigarette,

I said to Shi Yong, "Shi Yong, I want to be discharged as soon as possible."

I don't want any ceremony when I'm discharged.

I want to launch a sudden strike on the Group Company to see its true internal situation.

Shi Yong said, "Okay, bro, go ahead—on the day you're discharged, I'll come pick you up."

I said, "I also need to ask Dean Yang about my leg injury. We'll decide later. How's Shi Jinhe doing?"

Shi Yong said, "All projects have started; our six projects are all underway, but I heard from Shi Jinhe that some building materials are beginning to arrive."

He went to Xiao Hua for approval, but Xiao Hua kept delaying it.

If this continues, it will affect the project schedule.

"Why won't Xiao Hua approve?" I asked.

Shi Yong spread his hands,

"I don't know either. Didn't Xiao Hua tell you?"

I said, "No, Xiao Hua has never contacted me. Shi Jinhe also hasn't told me."

"Bro, Shi Jinhe is in a tough spot. According to company procedure, Shi Jinhe must first report to Xiao Hua, then after Xiao Hua approves, he must then seek your instructions."

Shi Jinhe wanted to report directly to you,

but Xiao Hua directly talked to Shi Jinhe, because he doesn't want him to bypass the chain; he must follow the procedure.

Shi Jinhe felt helpless and had to first report to Xiao Hua.

He also didn't dare to tell you.

On this construction site, building materials cannot be lacking even for a day; you know that, otherwise it's easy to cause delays.

The company's losses would be greater.

"So, bro, the materials issue must be resolved as soon as possible."

After hearing Shi Yong's words, I became even more angry at Xiao Hua,

At a time like this, we should be tightening up the project; how can we drag our feet on materials?

This Xiao Hua doesn't even report to me—what the hell is he up to?

I took out my phone, wanting to call Xiao Hua, but when I pressed the call button, I ended up hanging up.

What's the use of calling? I must hurry back to the company,

I can't linger in the hospital any longer.

I said to Shi Yong, "Shi Yong, you go back first. I know the situation at the company. Tell Shi Jinhe not to get angry; I'll hurry back to the company to settle it."

Shi Yong nodded,

then lit another cigarette for me and left the ward.

After Shi Yong left, I pressed the hospital call button.

Nurse Lin rushed in from outside,

"Chairman Zhao, what's the matter? Do you need to move your bowels?"

I shook my head,

"No, Nurse Lin, I want to find Dean Yang to ask him something important."

"Dean Yang is still in surgery; he hasn't come off the operating table yet," Nurse Lin said.

"Wait for him at the operating room door; as soon as he comes out, have him hurry over. I really have an urgent matter to discuss with him," I said.

Nurse Lin nodded and then ran out.