Chapter 7: Unpaid Wages

Xiao Hua watched me very calmly,

"Brother, can you stop shouting? This is all true; if you don't believe it, watch tonight's TV."

After Xiao Hua finished speaking, he left.

When Xiao Hua left, I suddenly felt so helpless; just based on a few reports, they said the Group Company was in loss.

If Zhou Wei were by my side, I could directly ask her to verify exactly what the company's current financial situation is.

But Zhou Wei is now unconscious, lying in a hospital in the capital city thousands of miles away from me.

Zhou Wei, I beg you, wake up quickly. I whispered in my heart.

Amidst repeated pleas, I gradually fell asleep.

It was the Nurse who woke me.

She was going to change my dressing.

While changing the dressing, I discovered the flesh on my leg hadn't healed.

The Nurse used scissors to gradually remove the blackened muscle on my leg, indicating those areas were necrotic, hadn't healed, and had to be excised again so new flesh could grow.

To let the new flesh grow healthier, I didn't let the Nurse administer anesthesia.

The Nurse only praised my strength.

When the Nurse changed the dressing, I didn't utter a cry of pain,

because my heart hurt even more.

After the Nurse finished changing the dressing, they wiped the sweat from my forehead.

As they were about to leave, I asked them to turn on the TV. I wanted to see what would happen today.

When the TV turned on, the TV station was broadcasting "Xiao Fang Helps You", a segment dedicated to solving ordinary people's problems.

First, the beautiful host Xiao Fang appeared on screen, holding a microphone,

"Dear viewers, this time we are in Zao Chengshi, where migrant workers have complained to our TV station about Da Heng Company in Zaocheng withholding wages.

Today Xiao Fang Helps You, dedicated to serving the people."

The scene then switched to many construction workers holding banners around Da Heng Company's entrance, demanding wages.

The banner read: "Unethical builder, wages overdue for six months."

Another one read,

"Return our blood‑sweat money quickly. Builders and developers should not die peacefully."

Many workers wore angry expressions, each voicing their grievances to Xiao Fang. Xiao Fang expressed sympathy for these construction workers.

She said she would definitely handle the matter.

Xiao Fang soon returned to the interior of Da Heng Company.

Director Feng, who handled the company's publicity, met with Xiao Fang,

Director Feng was obviously arrogant, barely giving Xiao Fang any attention,

After answering Xiao Fang's two questions, his speech became impatient.

Xiao Fang kept pressing, asking when the company would pay the owed wages to the construction workers. But Director Feng evaded, not giving a direct answer.

However, Xiao Fang continued to press Director Feng,

Finally, Director Feng became angry and knocked the microphone out of Xiao Fang's hand,

He furiously accused Xiao Fang of being unreasonable.

Seeing this, I stopped watching and turned off the TV with the remote.

Such a program truly broke my heart.

I feel that since Da Heng Company was founded, there has never been any wage arrears.

That is what I am most proud of.

However, I never expected this time the wages would be delayed for so long,

I knew nothing; what have I been busy with these days?

I quickly took out my phone,

and found Shi Jinhe's number,

because he is in charge of managing the construction workers on the site.

I wanted to ask him what the real situation was like.

The call connected quickly,

and a hoarse voice of Shi Jinhe came from the other end,

"Brother, you're okay now, I've been worried about you; as long as you're fine and your health is okay, everything will be fine. These days I haven't had time to go to the Provincial Capital to see you; I've been staying at the construction site. Brother, don't be angry."

"Jinhe, why am I getting angry? I want to ask you, how long have the workers on the site been owed wages, how many people in total, and how long has this situation been occurring?" I asked Shi Jinhe.

"Brother, how did you know about this?" Shi Jinhe asked.

I said, "I saw it on TV; the workers' wage demands were broadcast, and now our Da Heng Group has become famous."

"Brother, while you're recuperating, learning about these matters makes me even more distressed; it's my fault for not handling it well. Brother, scold me." Shi Jinhe said, crying.

A grown man crying on the phone must have suffered a lot of grievances.

I said, "Jinhe, don't cry. When you cry, I want to cry too. I asked you why this situation arose. Why didn't you tell me."

"Brother, the wage arrears have been going on for half a year; some workers haven't received a single cent. I reported it to Xiao Hua at the time, and he said it would be resolved immediately, telling me not to tell you.

I've been trying to appease the workers, but they simply wouldn't listen; they even went to the TV station. Brother, I'm at fault, and finally I've let you know," Shi Jinhe said.

"Alright, Jinhe, I won't blame you for this. It's my management of the company that's been out of touch. I didn't expect the situation to be so severe.

Your sister-in-law is still unconscious; there are some matters I can't verify with her. I ask you, how are the progress of our several projects developing Xin Cheng? It's already May, and September is the golden season for real estate sales,

Can our houses be handed over by September?" I asked Shi Jinhe.

"Brother, I'm telling you the truth, now those few newly developed residential areas have all stopped work, because they owe workers' wages, they all refuse to work. Now it's different from before; back then when we worked, we could owe wages, but now their wages must be settled monthly, and many workers are paid daily."

"Xin Cheng is full of construction sites; they can easily find work. Brother, we must find a way to solve this problem, otherwise building houses will simply not find anyone to work." Shi Jinhe said urgently.

Only now did I realize the seriousness of the matter.

They have already owed workers' wages for half a year; how Shi Jinhe managed to persist through these six months, I had no idea.

What have I been busy with these days? Zhou Wei, why didn't you tell me about this situation?

What should we do now? We must find a way to first settle the workers' wages.

If this continues, it will bring a great negative impact to Da Heng Company.

Just after hanging up Shi Jinhe's call, the phone rang again,

I saw it was Zhu Sheng calling; (Zhu Sheng used to be the County Magistrate, then was promoted to City Mayor, and in recent years rose to Provincial Governor. He is also my biggest backer.)

I hurriedly answered,

"Hello, Governor Zhu, it's so late and you haven't rested yet."

Upon hearing my voice, Governor Zhu was very pleased,

"Jianqiang, I heard your voice and your health is recovering well. That puts my mind at ease; I've been in meetings in the capital all this time and haven't had a chance to visit you in the hospital. Sigh, as long as you're alright, everything will be fine." Governor Zhu said.

"Thank you for your concern, Governor Zhu. I'm recovering well now, except the bone in my leg hasn't healed yet, but everything else is fine." I said.

"Jianqiang, this is good news; it's like letting me drink half a catty of alcohol. So stay a few more days in the provincial capital until I return." Governor Zhu said.

"Governor Zhu, I also want to thank you for specially arranging Zhou Wei's treatment in the capital. I've troubled you." I said.

"What's the trouble? Zhou Wei's condition is more serious than yours; he still hasn't woken up. There are some things I can't do either, please understand." Governor Zhu said.

"Governor Zhu, I haven't even had time to thank you yet. As long as we keep Zhou Wei alive, it's already a great fortune." I said.

"Chief Niu has already reported to me your car accident situation, the accidental incident, which is unavoidable. Jianqiang, there's another matter I originally didn't want to tell you, but my secretary has already reported it to me. I can only call you." Governor Zhu said.