Chapter 83

"Let me in, why won't you let me in? I need to find Director Wang; my husband Zhang is waiting at home for the factory's money to save his life!"

"Sister Fang, it's not that we don't want to let you in, but the factory manager is currently inspecting the workshop."

"Is Manager Wang here? That's perfect, I need to talk to Manager Wang. Does this factory even care about the lives of its workers? If you don't let me in, I'll die here today!"

...

When Zhou Ming and Director Wang arrived, they saw several workshop workers blocking a woman in her thirties at the entrance, preventing her from entering the workshop. The woman looked anxious and was making a scene. By the time Zhou Ming and Director Wang got there, a crowd of workers had already gathered.

Zhou Ming was surprised to see the woman and said, "Auntie Fang!"

Zhou Ming knew this woman. Her name was Wan Fang, and she was the wife of Zhang Jianjun, one of his father's apprentices. Although Zhang Jianjun's name was the same as the annoying Deputy Manager Ma, their personalities were completely different. Perhaps because he had been influenced by his father, Zhang Jianjun's personality was very similar to his father's, being honest, kind, and straightforward. His wife Wan Fang was also a good person. Zhou Ming called her Auntie Fang, and he remembered that when he was a child, Auntie Fang often bought him snacks without his parents knowing.

Hearing Zhou Ming's voice, Wan Fang was also surprised. She didn't expect to see Zhou Ming here: "Zhou Ming, why are you here?"

But then she saw Director Wang beside Zhou Ming and immediately came over: "Director Wang, it's great that you're here. We can't delay Zhang's situation any longer. I beg you, please help us solve this quickly!"

Director Wang glanced at Zhou Ming, a bit embarrassed. Seeing that Zhou Ming was looking at him, he quickly put on a stern face and said to Wan Fang, "Wan Fang, the factory is already aware of your situation and is working on it. You know the factory's current performance is poor. Don't make a scene here. If you cause trouble, I'll have the factory security take you away!"

Wan Fang said, "Director Wang, I don't want to make a scene, but Zhang's condition can't be delayed any longer. I beg you, Director Wang, please save my husband Zhang!"

"Wan Fang!" Director Wang said sternly, "I've already told you that the factory is working on it. Go home and don't make a scene here!"

"I won't leave!" Wan Fang cried, "You keep saying you're working on it, but are you really? My husband Zhang is in the hospital, can you all go and see him?"

Zhou Ming, listening to Wan Fang, suddenly frowned and asked Director Wang, "What's going on?"

Faced with Zhou Ming's questioning, Director Wang stammered and couldn't say a word. Zhou Ming stepped forward and said to Wan Fang, "Auntie Fang, don't worry. What exactly happened? Can you tell me?"

Seeing Zhou Ming, Wan Fang grabbed his hand as if she had found her last lifeline and said, "Zhou Ming, I know you're a good child. Can you quickly find Manager Wang for me? They said he's inspecting the workshop."

Zhou Ming knew that Wan Fang was referring to the former factory manager, Wang Chunhua: "Auntie Fang, Manager Wang isn't here, and he has already resigned. You can tell me what's going on."

As soon as Zhou Ming said this, Wan Fang's body swayed. Her eyes became hollow, and her face was filled with despair. She pointed at Director Wang and said, "Liar, you're all liars. You're all lying to me, right? You say the factory is studying the issue and that the manager is inspecting the workshop, but you're all lying, right?"

Seeing her state, Zhou Ming quickly said, "Auntie Fang, don't worry. My father is now the factory manager. You can tell me what's going on."

Wan Fang gave Zhou Ming a bitter smile, "Zhou Ming, I know you're a good child, but don't lie to Auntie Fang."

Director Wang said to Wan Fang, "He's telling the truth. Old Master Zhou is now our factory manager."

"Is that true?" Wan Fang's hope was rekindled. She quickly said to Zhou Ming, "Zhou Ming, you must tell your father. Zhang is in the hospital and is in critical condition!"

This shocked Zhou Ming. He immediately instructed Su Han to notify his father. Soon, his father rushed over with Su Han, and they all followed Wan Fang to the factory hospital.

Seeing his father, Wan Fang quickly said, "Master Zhou, I heard you're now the factory manager. That's great. You must save my husband Zhang!"

"Auntie Fang, don't worry. Let's go to the hospital and see Uncle Zhang first. You can tell us what happened," Zhou Ming said.

Wan Fang, now at a loss, agreed and hurried to the hospital with Zhou Ming and the others.

On the way, listening to Wan Fang's story, Zhou Ming finally understood the situation.

It turned out that last week, Zhang Jianjun was burned by metal shavings at work. A large amount of metal shavings had burned his entire back. Although he was rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment, the conditions of the small factory hospital were inadequate. After about a week, his wound became infected, and the doctors diagnosed it as tetanus, which required further treatment.

Tetanus is not difficult to treat, but the key was the lack of money.

First, Zhang Jianjun's family, like other factory workers, had not received their wages for a long time due to the factory's poor performance, managed by Huang Zheng and Ma Jianjun. After the initial emergency treatment, they could no longer afford the medical expenses, and even the hospitalization fees were borrowed.

Wan Fang came to the factory, but the factory leaders passed the responsibility to the workshop, saying the accident happened there, so the workshop should pay the medical expenses. Wan Fang then went to the workshop, but the workshop had no money, and the issue was delayed. Seeing Zhang Jianjun's condition worsen day by day, she was desperate and came to the workshop every day, but to no avail. Today, she happened to meet Zhou Ming.

"How can this be? Uncle Zhang was injured at work, and the factory is still passing the buck. What's wrong with the factory leaders?" Su Han said after hearing the story.

Director Wang lowered his head, not knowing what to say, while Zhou Guoping said to Wan Fang, "Don't worry, I'm the factory manager now, and I won't abandon Uncle Zhang."

Wan Fang cried, "Thank you, Master Zhou!"

The factory hospital was not far. A few minutes later, Zhou Ming and the others arrived at the hospital and followed Wan Fang to Zhang Jianjun's ward.

Zhang Jianjun was lying on the bed in pain, his back wrapped in a large bandage that was already yellowed with pus. When Zhou Ming and the others entered, he gave a bitter smile, and the air was filled with the faint smell of infected wounds.

"Uncle Zhang, you'll be saved. Master Zhou is now the factory manager, and he will definitely find a way to cover your medical expenses," Wan Fang said to Zhang Jianjun.

Hearing this, Zhang Jianjun seemed happy, but the tetanus had affected his muscle control, and the pain from his infected wound made it difficult for him to speak. He managed to say, "Thank you, Master. Congratulations, Master."

Zhou Guoping quickly stepped forward, "Don't speak. It's all my fault for not visiting you more often and not knowing about your injury."

Wan Fang said to Zhou Guoping, "Master Zhou, it's not your fault. Uncle Zhang knew your family's situation was also difficult, so he didn't tell you."

At that moment, the factory hospital's director, Huang, entered. He already knew about the factory's restructuring and hurriedly greeted Zhou Ming, Zhou Guoping, and Su Han.

Zhou Guoping questioned Director Huang, "Director Huang, why haven't you treated Zhang Jianjun? Can't you see how much pain he's in? Are you even a doctor at the factory hospital?"

Director Huang immediately protested, "Factory Manager Zhou, you misunderstand me. Zhang Jianjun's condition is very complex, and he may need a debridement surgery. Our hospital's conditions are not sufficient to make such a decision. If you don't believe me, I can show you Zhang Jianjun's wound."

As he spoke, Director Huang had the accompanying doctor slowly remove the bandage from Zhang Jianjun's back. A shocking sight was revealed to everyone: a large, festering wound oozing pus, and the smell was overwhelming, making everyone present feel afraid.

Su Han couldn't help but turn away and gag. Zhou Ming frowned and patted her back, about to help her out of the ward when Deputy Manager Cai Zhongxian rushed in, "Boss Zhou, I'm here."

Hearing Cai Zhongxian's voice, Zhou Ming was immediately angry. He slapped Cai Zhongxian across the face and pointed at him, saying, "Deputy Manager Cai, are you still the deputy manager of the 760 Factory? The factory should have compensated for Uncle Zhang's medical expenses, but you kept passing the buck. Look at what Uncle Zhang has become!"

Zhou Ming's accusations were justified. After Huang Zheng and Ma Jianjun were arrested a month ago, Cai Zhongxian had become the de facto leader of the factory, with Factory Manager Wang Chunhua being more of a figurehead. According to Wan Fang, Cai Zhongxian had passed the responsibility for Zhang Jianjun's case to the workshop.

Cai Zhongxian was stunned by Zhou Ming's slap. He glanced at Zhang Jianjun and felt nauseous, just like Su Han.

But Cai Zhongxian still tried to explain, "Boss Zhou, it's not my fault. The factory's performance is poor, and I can't do anything about it..."

Zhou Ming directly interrupted Cai Zhongxian, "What do you mean you can't do anything about it? I think you're just making excuses! Can't the factory afford to treat a worker's burn injury? If the factory can't even do that, what's the point of its existence? It should just go bankrupt. I think you're just trying to shirk responsibility!"

Cai Zhongxian, scolded by Zhou Ming, lowered his head and didn't dare to speak. Zhou Ming didn't continue to scold him. He knew what the priority was and quickly said to Director Huang, "Director Huang, I want you to contact the city hospital and transfer Uncle Zhang there. If the factory doesn't have the money, I'll cover all of Uncle Zhang's medical expenses!"

Hearing Zhou Ming's words, Wan Fang burst into tears, "Zhou Ming, thank you! You're our savior. After all this time, Uncle Zhang will finally be saved. Thank you, I'll kneel to you!"

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