Chapter 8: Solve the Problem

I said: "Zhu Sheng, you speak."

Zhu Sheng paused a moment, then said: "Jianqiang, did you see today's TV? The matter of your Da Heng Company owing wages to migrant workers has been reported. This has already become a social focus. The higher-ups have repeatedly ordered not to owe migrant workers' wages."

If this matter is not handled well, your Da Heng Company will be blacklisted, and then the preferential policies given to you by the higher-ups will all be cancelled.

For serious problems, legal sanctions will also be imposed.

Jianqiang, your company has owed wages for half a year already; the problem is indeed serious.

I have already ordered the secretary to go to your company site to supervise and resolve the wage arrears.

This matter must be resolved; otherwise, the impact will not only affect your company but also other aspects.

Jianqiang, I know your body hasn't recovered yet, and Zhou Wei hasn't awakened either.

But there's no way; this matter has blown up, and the consequences are unimaginable.

I can only say this much; we must definitely resolve the problem, don't drag it on. I will do my best to help you eliminate the media impact to the lowest.

Zhu Sheng is known for being steady in his actions, and he doesn't speak much.

I never expected him to say so much on the phone; it shows how serious this matter is.

I said to Zhu Sheng: "Zhu Sheng, rest assured, I will definitely resolve the migrant workers' wage arrears within a week. If I cannot resolve this, I, Zhao Jianqiang, will have no face to live in this world."

Zhu Sheng said: "Jianqiang, look at what you said, I want to drive you to death. It's about solving the problem, not apologizing with death. Alright, I will now handle the media matter for you, so don't let the problem escalate."

After a few days, I will go to your company for an inspection, meet and chat." Zhu Sheng said.

Okay, Zhu Sheng, I'll be waiting for you at the company." I said.

After Zhu Sheng hung up, I pressed the phone to death.

The wage arrears matter must be resolved,

I picked up the phone and started calling Xiao Hua,

Xiao Hua, have you rested? I just finished watching TV; our Da Heng Company was on TV, hum, not a glorious thing. I ask you, we have owed migrant workers' wages for half a year, why wasn't this reported to me.

You, as General Manager, are performing terribly; now it's on TV, letting the whole province know. Tell me, what should we do?" I questioned Xiao Hua.

Brother, reporting to you: over these years, you only like to hear good news; any bad news from the company, you don't want to hear.

When the company encounters this situation, is it all my fault, Xiao Hua?

Do you know how long our company has been operating in debt?

Do you know the situation of our company's new housing sales?

Brother, what have you been busy with these years?

You have been busy doing charity, donating,

helping what African animals, and also donating for the world environment,

Do you know how many idle people our company has kept?

Because you want to be grateful, you want to repay society,

You are a great philanthropist, you are a social expert,

Our Group Company has to sponsor various activities every day. Do you know all this?" Xiao Hua asked me, suppressing his anger.

After hearing Xiao Hua's counter-question, I was speechless for a long time.

Yeah, what have I been busy with? Am I really as terrible as Xiao Hua says? I don't inquire about company affairs at all, only liking grand achievements, only liking social titles.

Sponsoring activities everywhere, doing charity everywhere,

Like that model of 'first good' on TV, living for some vanity.

Now the problem is not about whose fault it is, but about finding a way to solve it.

I said to Xiao Hua, also suppressing my anger: "Xiao Hua, now is not the time to discuss past matters; now is the time to solve the problem. I heard you say the company still has over ten million; use this money first to pay the migrant workers' wages."

We must definitely send the money out first, to quell their resentment before talking further.

As long as we resume work, by September when our new houses are delivered, funds will flow again. For now, this difficulty is nothing; I will hurry back to Zaocheng.

If we don't resolve the wage arrears, our Da Heng will be doomed.

Xiao Hua calmly said to me: "Brother, that ten million you mentioned at noon today has all been paid out, used for taxes and some loan interest; these are mandatory payments, and now the company has no money."

"What." I shouted on the phone, the splendid Da Heng Company actually has no money,

How terrible this is.

"Really no money left?" I asked Xiao Hua again for confirmation.

Brother, truly none left. The wage arrears matter, I have no way to resolve." Xiao Hua said on the phone.

Hearing Xiao Hua's voice, I suddenly felt a sense of estrangement,

This estrangement, as if he were saying, "I can't solve this problem, do whatever you want, anyway this Da Heng Company is not mine either."

I didn't speak to Xiao Hua anymore, I hung up.

I then called Shi Yong,

Shi Yong answered quickly,

Brother, what's up?

Shi Yong, where are you?" I asked.

Shi Yong said: "I'm at a hotel next to Sheng Li Yi Yuan Hospital, Brother, if you have anything, I'll come over right away."

I said: "Okay, come over now. I have something to find you for."

Shi Yong said: "I'll be there right away."

Just after I finished calling Shi Yong, the hospital room door opened,

a young figure entered,

I looked up and saw it was Zhengzheng,

Zhengzheng had long hair and wore a large earring on his ear.

Wearing flamboyant, gaudy clothes.

It made me feel very uncomfortable,

Zhengzheng looked up at me,

"Dad, how are you now."

"Zhengzheng is here, I'm fine. Why did you come? Not going to school today," I asked.

"I have no classes tonight, I wanted to come see you," Zhengzheng said, then sat beside me.

Zhengzheng, this child, is different from the big army; he is somewhat timid, has liked singing and dancing since childhood, and now studies performing arts at a university in the Provincial Capital.

I felt quite moved; after my accident, among the children I raised, Zhengzheng was the only one who came to see me.

I actually hoped they would all come and stand by my side, so that the importance of raising them could be shown.

It's been a long time since I chatted with a child.

"Zhengzheng, do you really want to study abroad?" I asked.

Zhengzheng nodded,

"Most of our classmates go abroad for further study; some go to the United States, some to Britain, even France. I like Woguo. Only by studying abroad can one achieve artistic accomplishment," Zhengzheng said.

"Zhengzheng, I don't oppose your studying abroad, but if you go to Woguo, I feel at ease. Dad is a strongly patriotic person; we have a centuries‑long feud with Woguo."

"You actually ran to the enemy's country to study abroad. I feel that art doesn't have to be pursued overseas; it can be cultivated here in our country," I said angrily.

After hearing my words,

Zhengzheng lowered his head and fell silent.

"Zhengzheng, I just had a car accident, Aunt Zhou hasn't regained consciousness yet. You are still thinking about studying abroad; you are already a big child, you need to learn to take responsibility, not just think about having fun. Look at what you're wearing, men wearing what kind of earrings—take them off quickly," I scolded Zhengzheng loudly,

Zhengzheng lowered his head even more.

Zhengzheng, this child, doesn't resemble his biological father Zhou Hailong at all. Moreover, his temperament is far different from Zhou Hailong's.

Zhou Hailong's fiery temper ignites at the slightest thing; Zhengzheng, if you say even one more word, he immediately lowers his head.

I really suspect, is this Zhou Hailong's seed?