After Sun Hu's matter was settled, production in the factory gradually returned to normal.
Having learned a lesson from the incident, Song Qiao had Lao Zhang convene employee meetings in the workshop for three consecutive days, repeatedly urging the workers to pay close attention to production safety.
Furthermore, to prevent such incidents from happening again, Song Qiao specifically established a secondary inspection team responsible for monitoring the quality of raw materials.
As the public opinion quickly shifted, Song Qiao's business was not significantly affected.
In the past couple of days, many suppliers from other regions had sent Song Qiao invitations to visit their locations and explore distributing Xiang Piaopiao stinky tofu locally.
While busy with these inspections, Song Qiao also researched prosperous streets in various places, planning to expand his store's scale and open branches nationwide.
Consequently, he had been rushing around, exceptionally busy, sometimes even neglecting to eat.
Last night, Xi Xi suddenly developed a high fever. Despite Xia Yuqing giving her medicine, her condition didn't improve, causing her to panic.
She called Song Qiao, but he was unreachable.
"Bastard, where did you disappear to at a time like this?"
After repeated unsuccessful calls, Xia Yuqing felt a surge of frustration.
She didn't know how to drive, the hospital was far from home, and it was the middle of the night, making it impossible to get a taxi.
The only acquaintance with a car left was Zhang Chuan.
After much hesitation, she dialed his number.
"What's wrong, Yuqing? What's up so late?" Zhang Chuan answered the phone as soon as it rang, feigning sleepiness.
However, he wasn't asleep at this hour; he was out playing mahjong with a group of friends.
"I, I'd like to ask for a favor. Xi Xi has a fever, and Song Qiao isn't home. Could you possibly drive her to the hospital?"
Xia Yuqing said, feeling a bit embarrassed.
On the other end of the line, Zhang Chuan's heart leaped with joy, almost letting out a laugh.
He never expected such a stroke of luck. Song Qiao wasn't home, presenting him with a perfect opportunity to shine.
"I'll be there soon. I can arrive within twenty minutes at the fastest."
Zhang Chuan suppressed his inner excitement and agreed before hanging up.
...
After taking Xia Yuqing and her daughter to the hospital, Zhang Chuan didn't leave immediately. Instead, he busied himself helping Xia Yuqing register, get medicine, and stayed with Xi Xi.
Xia Yuqing witnessed his efforts and was deeply touched, her dissatisfaction with Song Qiao growing.
Song Qiao had been entertaining clients until very late last night and only received Xia Yuqing's call this morning.
Upon hearing the news, he rushed to the hospital as quickly as possible.
When he saw his wife dozing on the bed, wrapped in Zhang Chuan's coat, he felt a surge of anger.
This Zhang Chuan had already made him uncomfortable at his home before, and now he was like a persistent ghost.
However, since Zhang Chuan had come to help his family this time, Song Qiao ultimately said nothing, though his expression towards Zhang Chuan became somber.
"You actually still know how to show up. Do you even have this family in your eyes anymore?"
"You just know how to go out drinking and socializing every day. Do you know your daughter had a fever of 39 degrees last night?"
Seeing Song Qiao, Xia Yuqing's body trembled with anger.
"Wife, I'm sorry. I didn't expect this to happen."
Song Qiao forced a smile and quickly apologized.
This was indeed his oversight; he hadn't even realized his phone had died yesterday.
"Yes, Brother Song, your work is important, but your family is equally important. With such a beautiful wife and adorable daughter, why are you always out of the house?"
Zhang Chuan chimed in with a malicious tone.
"What do you mean?"
Song Qiao, already displeased, frowned. He didn't understand why Zhang Chuan was butting into his family matters.
"Mr. Zhang must be tired after staying up all night. You should go home and rest. My wife's affairs are my responsibility as her husband."
Song Qiao retorted, ignoring Zhang Chuan's expression.
As a man, he couldn't tolerate Zhang Chuan's passive-aggressive behavior.
Upon hearing Song Qiao's words, Zhang Chuan's expression froze. After a long moment of stunned silence, he reluctantly bid farewell to Xia Yuqing.
Since her husband had asked him to leave, even with his thick skin, it would be too embarrassing to stay.
"Song Qiao, what's your attitude?"
The moment Zhang Chuan left, Xia Yuqing's emotions completely erupted.
"I've never seen such a petty man. He came to help us out late at night, and not only did you not thank him, but you also taunted him."
"He deserved it. Who talks like that?"
Song Qiao, also in a bad mood, couldn't help but retort.
"You... Hmph. If you're so capable, why were you out last night?"
Xia Yuqing snorted and turned away, refusing to speak to Song Qiao.
Misunderstood by her husband, her eyes welled up, and she felt on the verge of tears.
"Brother-in-law, don't be angry. Sister just couldn't find anyone else."
"Sister, don't misunderstand either. Brother-in-law's business is so big, it's normal for him to be preoccupied with family matters."
Xia Yuqing, for some reason, who had been silent, began to mediate between both parties.
However, no matter how one listened, these two sentences seemed to carry a subtle undertone of fanning the flames, reigniting the anger of the two who had just begun to calm down.
Yet, the two of them, caught in their anger, didn't notice it, only feeling that the other party was being more unreasonable.
"Song Qiao, you heartless fellow. You weren't here when we needed you, and now that we don't, you come here to argue and push away my friends."
"Do you even want to live like this anymore?"
Song Qiao had also lost some of his reason by now, clenching his fists tightly.
"I'm busy with entertaining every day, all for our family. My phone died yesterday because I was out all day, so I didn't answer the call."
"Is it necessary for you to make such a big fuss over this? Don't I know if that Zhang Chuan has ill intentions?"
After speaking, Song Qiao forcibly calmed himself and walked out of the room, choosing not to continue arguing with his wife.
"Brother-in-law."
Seeing this, Xia Xueqing's eyes darted. Without even a loud greeting to her sister, she quickly followed.
"Brother-in-law, please don't be angry. I believe you regarding this matter."
"That Zhang Chuan is indeed not a good person. My sister was just deceived by his honeyed words."
After catching up to Song Qiao, Xia Xueqing grabbed his sleeve and said to him.