Chapter 39: Returning to the Company

After a long while, Dean Yang entered, followed by Nurse Lin.

Dean Yang asked directly, "Jianqiang, what's the matter, why so urgent?"

I said, "Dean Yang, I want to be discharged."

Dean Yang was stunned for a moment and said, "You've gone mad; your leg bone injury has just healed,"

"Now is the critical time for convalescence."

"With a slight misstep, your leg could become completely useless, and you would truly have to rely on a crutch for the rest of your life."

I looked at Dean Yang and said seriously, "Dean Yang, my leg injury is not important. This leg wound won't kill me; at worst I'll limp afterward. But the company's affairs are a matter of life and death for me."

"Now the company is facing huge problems, and I must return."

Dean Yang, after hearing me finish,

nodded,

"Jianqiang, I know everything about your company's affairs. Sigh! Sometimes you're no better than an ordinary person, who at least can quietly recover. Yet in these past days you certainly haven't rested."

"Since you intend to go back, I can't say much."

"Thus, after you return to the company, living alone will have many inconveniences."

"I will have Nurse Lin accompany you back."

"She will take care of you at the company."

Hearing Dean Yang say that,

I immediately replied, "That won't do; Nurse Lin works at the hospital. If she goes to my place, what about her staffing? It's easy for her to get into the hospital, but my place is a business."

Dean Yang, after hearing my words,

laughed heartily, "Jianqiang, you needn't worry; Xiao Lin's staffing is still at the hospital, her salary is still paid by the hospital, she's just following to care for you. If you feel uneasy, we can just give her an extra salary."

I also smiled, looked at Nurse Lin and asked, "That's great, Nurse Lin, do you agree?"

Nurse Lin said, "Dean Yang has already agreed, I have no objections; being able to care for Chairman Zhao is an honor for me."

Dean Yang said, "Alright, Xiao Lin, after accompanying Chairman Zhao back to the company, be sure to look after him and his leg injury, and promptly report any situation so I can arrange treatment."

"Alright, Dean Yang, rest assured, I will definitely take good care of Chairman Zhao," Nurse Lin immediately promised.

"Jianqiang, when are you leaving so I can arrange transportation?" Dean Yang asked.

I said, "I'm leaving right now."

"Alright, I'll have the hospital's vehicle see you off right away," Dean Yang said.

"Dean Yang, Zhou Wei's side is entirely up to you," I extended my hand to Dean Yang.

"Don't worry, Jianqiang, Li Ming has told me, we are long‑time friends, I know what to do," Dean Yang said, shaking my hand.

"Goodbye, Dean Yang, thank you," I said sincerely.

Dean Yang laughed and patted my shoulder,

"Jianqiang, no need to be formal."

After Dean Yang left, Nurse Lin began packing her things.

Having packed, Nurse Lin said to me, "Chairman Zhao, I have a suggestion; may I propose it?"

I said, "Go ahead, Nurse Lin."

Nurse Lin said, "My suggestion is that you use a wheelchair at the company, because your activity level is high and using a crutch would certainly be inconvenient."

I hesitated a moment, then told Nurse Lin, "I'll follow your advice."

"Alright, then we'll bring a wheelchair," Nurse Lin said.

In a short while, Dean Yang arranged a mid‑size bus to arrive,

and with the help of Nurse Lin and others, I boarded the bus.

Since my leg cannot bend, Nurse Lin specially prepared a seat that lets my injured leg stretch forward.

The bus sped away from the hospital, heading straight toward Guangming Dadao.

Our company headquarters is on the north side of Guangming Dadao in Xin Cheng; the company faces Fengming Hu in front and Shengui Shan behind.

It is a location with excellent feng shui.

The site selection for this headquarters was still overseen by He Zuming.

He said this land has water in front and a mountain behind, guaranteeing our company's development to be smooth for ten years.

In the blink of an eye, fifteen years have passed,

Now the company faces constant trouble; why can this land only guarantee ten years? I really want to ask He Zuming.

But He Zuming has already become a wanderer of the world, with no news for years.

The vehicle arrived quickly at the foot of the headquarters building.

The Group Company headquarters building is a nine‑story tower. Back then, He Zuming told me the headquarters must not exceed ten floors, because the buildings in Zao Chengshi are only ten floors,

so it must not be taller than those.

When entering the company, the guard meticulously recorded.

Upon seeing me, he immediately gave a salute.

The guards are all subordinates of Shi Yong; it seems Shi Yong's security work is still good.

Our vehicle entered the Group Company gate,

and stopped at the parking space in front of the building,

Nurse Lin got out first,

she placed the wheelchair properly, and then with the driver's help,

I sat onto the wheelchair.

I thanked the driver and told him to go back.

Nurse Lin pushed me into the Group Company's building.

The building had the air conditioning on, and cold wind blew down from above.

I looked at the large display screen inside the Group; the time was 4:30 p. m., still one hour away from quitting time.

The display screen scrolled a line of text back and forth,

"Welcome Chairman Fei of An Du Group Company to the headquarters for talks."

Then the screen showed a photo of Xiao Hua meeting with Chairman Fei.

I stood in front of the screen for a while,

I said to Nurse Lin, "Push me around to check the various offices."

Nurse Lin said, "Okay, Chairman Zhao."

Nurse Lin pushed the wheelchair,

First she made a round of the offices on the first floor,

The first floor is a reception hall plus exhibition hall, displaying the residential complexes the company has built over the years and the honors it has earned.

I actually didn't see a single person on the first floor.

Then we went up to the second floor; the second floor is the purchasing department and the marketing department.

Upon reaching the upper floor, I discovered several young people eating melon seeds.

They saw me but paid no attention.

These young people surely don't know me.

After I had walked around the second floor, I gestured for Nurse Lin to push me up to the third floor.

The third floor is the meeting room,

At this moment a large conference hall was brightly lit,

No need to ask—it was Xiao Hua and that Chairman Fei happily in discussion.

The fourth floor is the cafeteria, the fifth floor is the guest rooms.

From the sixth floor upward are the offices of the various group vice presidents. I went through all floors from one to nine,

The management of the Group Company's internal situation was very chaotic.

The floor hygiene was poor, the restroom environment even worse; moreover, no one cleaned.

The staff were scattered, lacking any spirit.

Many people were either chatting and eating melon seeds, or playing games on their computers.

Moreover, no one came to manage or inquire.

At 4:30, some people hurriedly left their workstations, eager to clock out and go home.

My expression was very solemn—this is the interior of the renowned Da Heng Group Company,

Such management is truly embarrassing for him.

I had Nurse Lin push me up to the ninth floor,

The ninth floor is my office and also the finance office; it is the most important place in the company.

Upon reaching the ninth floor,

I pushed open the door to my office,

After entering the room, I became even angrier.

The whole room could be described as filthy.

Dust covered the floor.

Even the wheelchair could leave marks on it.

I walked up to the desk,

I touched it with my hand—a layer of dust, as if no one had come here for years.

I had Nurse Lin open the curtains and open the window.

The stale air that had been bottled up in here all drifted out.

On the desk lay a family photo of me, Zhou Wei, and Ru Meng.

That was when Ru Meng was ten, and we took a family picture at the beach.

The three of us were smiling sweetly.

I gazed at the photo in a daze,

Elsewhere were placed the honor certificates and trophies I had earned over the years,

But they were all covered with a thick layer of dust.