“Everyone, please remain calm and listen to the boss.”
Seeing the employees gathered and murmuring, Ah Wei used his loudspeaker to restore order.
After speaking, he handed the loudspeaker to Song Qiao.
Song Qiao turned and walked onto the high platform in the open space. With a heavy expression, he addressed the crowd, “This unexpected incident in the factory was something we did not foresee. However, I can assure you all that this will absolutely not happen again in the future.
“Ah Wei, contact the town’s electrical repair crew and have them replace our factory’s circuits to the highest standard. We must ensure the safety of our workers.”
“Boss, I’ll do it right away.” Ah Wei immediately agreed and turned to leave the factory.
“Furthermore, the two employees injured today will receive compensation according to the highest standards. Medical expenses and lost wages will be paid to them immediately.”
“Please rest assured, our factory pays work-related injury insurance for each of you.”
Song Qiao methodically calmed the frightened employees, doing his best to stabilize their emotions.
“You can all go home and rest this afternoon. Your wages will be paid as usual.”
“Once the circuits are repaired tomorrow and safety is confirmed, you can all return to work.”
As soon as Song Qiao finished speaking, the workers below showed expressions of relief.
Song’s actions were indeed righteous. Not only was he generous with wages, but he also always put the workers’ production safety first.
Seeing that the situation had stabilized, Song Qiao turned to Old Zhang and said, “Old Zhang, you’ve worked hard. Please inventory the factory’s electrical problems and then quickly order replacements for the damaged machinery.
“I need to go to the hospital to check on our two injured colleagues.”
Old Zhang quickly nodded, his eyes red, and assured Song Qiao, “Boss, don’t worry, I’ll handle everything here.”
After such a major accident, he, as the workshop supervisor, bore undeniable responsibility.
However, the boss did not shift the blame to him but chose to shoulder it himself.
This deeply moved him and further strengthened his resolve to follow Song Qiao for the rest of his life.
…
Song Qiao rushed to the City First Hospital without delay. Lin Jing had already brought the two employees from the shop and was waiting at the entrance.
“Boss, here is fifty thousand yuan. This is compensation according to our local highest standard for work-related injuries.”
Lin Jing said this as she handed the handbag in her hand to Song Qiao.
Song Qiao nodded and said, “Accompany me to see the injured workers’ families. We need to get this money to them immediately.”
Both injured workers had sustained leg injuries. Due to the immense impact, both had fractured legs. Their wounds had already been treated, and they were arranged in the same hospital room.
The injured workers’ families initially had many complaints about the factory. However, upon seeing the boss, Song Qiao, personally apologize and their extremely proactive attitude towards compensation, they said no more, choosing to let the matter rest.
Just as Song Qiao breathed a sigh of relief, he received a call from Xia Yuqing.
“Song Qiao, I’m at the factory now. Our factory director wants to meet with you,” Xia Yuqing said.
“How did you get to the factory? What about our mother?” Song Qiao asked, somewhat surprised. His mother-in-law was still hospitalized, so how had Xia Yuqing returned to the factory?
“My aunt came to take care of our mother this afternoon. I had something urgent at the factory and had to go.”
“Are you free today to meet our factory director?”
Song Qiao glanced at the two injured workers lying in bed and hesitated before politely refusing, “I can’t today. I have something going on. Let’s reschedule for another day.”
He then hung up the phone.
Xia Yuqing on the other end of the line did not think much of it, assuming her husband’s factory was busy.
“How is it, Xiao Xia? Does your husband have time today?” Director Wang immediately stepped forward and asked eagerly as Xia Yuqing hung up the phone.
“I’m sorry, Director Wang, Song Qiao said he doesn’t have time today. I’ll arrange another meeting for you later,” Xia Yuqing replied with an apologetic shake of her head.
“Boss Song is indeed a busy man. His business must be doing extremely well.”
“Very well, then we’ll discuss this in a couple of days,” Director Wang said with regret, waving his hand.
Lately, Director Wang Fugui’s chemical plant had been experiencing a downturn. The monthly profit was barely enough to cover operating costs.
This had made him consider transforming the factory. Therefore, he wanted to connect with Song Qiao, who had been thriving recently, to see if there were any opportunities for cooperation.
Since making this decision, Wang Fugui’s attitude towards Xia Yuqing had undergone a 180-degree change. He now treated her entirely as a partner.
This had also made many employees in the factory jealous of Xia Yuqing.
In their eyes, Xia Yuqing was considered a disadvantaged individual at the factory. Now, because of her husband’s booming business, she had risen to prominence like a phoenix.
As soon as Xia Yuqing returned to the workshop, she overheard her colleagues from the adjacent team, Sun Ying, gossiping about her.
“Look at her, so smug. An explosion happened at her husband’s factory today. I bet it’ll go completely bankrupt this time.”
“And she’s still acting like nothing happened in front of us. I suspect she has some unspeakable secrets with Director Wang.”
Seeing Xia Yuqing arrive, Sun Ying not only did not quiet down but deliberately raised her voice.
Xia Yuqing had been feeling Sun Ying’s animosity for some time, but due to her inherently kind nature, she had endured it silently.
Now, upon hearing Sun Ying discuss the news of Song Qiao’s factory incident, she was stunned and froze in place.
“Sun Ying, what nonsense are you spouting? Why are you so fond of gossiping behind people’s backs?” Xia Yuqing frowned and reprimanded Sun Ying.
“Hmph, you call me a gossip? You’re just being stubborn. You’re on the brink of collapse and still pretending to be unconcerned in front of us.” Sun Ying, known for her shrewishness in the factory, immediately retaliated like a machine gun when she saw Xia Yuqing dare to talk back today.
“Alright, Sun Ying, stop spreading rumors here.” Seeing Sun Ying becoming increasingly excessive, Xia Yuqing’s group leader frowned and intervened.
“I’m telling the truth. If she doesn’t believe me, she can just call her gambler husband and ask him,” Sun Ying exclaimed hoarsely, like a mouse whose tail had been stepped on, when others began to side with Xia Yuqing.
Xia Yuqing was now completely disoriented by Sun Ying’s words. Recalling her husband’s somewhat anxious tone on the phone earlier, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of doubt.
Although Sun Ying’s character was questionable, she wouldn’t completely fabricate things.
At this moment, Director Wang entered from outside with a dark expression, glared fiercely at Sun Ying, and said with displeasure, “What are you doing?”
“It’s working hours. You’re not in your group producing work and instead come here to taunt Xiao Xia. Do you not want your salary this month?”