Xiao Wenqiang gathered information about the Zhang Guicai family. He learned that Zhang Guicai was an only son. His parents had always worked in farming in their rural hometown, managing to survive but not earn much. Zhang Guicai and his wife, Wu Xuanya, worked in Yangliu County. This year, his wife had stopped working to care for their child, who was now five months old.
Zhang Guicai's elderly parents had also come from their hometown. His elderly mother could not accept the fact that her son was dead and adamantly refused to allow his body to be cremated, clinging to the hope that this would somehow bring her son back to life.
After understanding the situation, Xiao Wenqiang realized why the family had immediately reported the incident. For them, Zhang Guicai was the sole breadwinner, and his death had devastated the entire family.
The next morning, after buying some milk powder and diapers and packing a thick wad of cash, Xiao Wenqiang asked Dong Bin to accompany him to visit Zhang Guicai's family.
Dong Bin had spent the entire night poring over accounts, his head spinning from the words and numbers. Dong Bin, who never felt tired after a night of revelry, now understood that staying up all night working diligently was entirely different from staying up all night for pleasure.
He had initially been reluctant to go. He remembered how, at the police station, Zhang Guicai's family had looked at him with such hatred when they learned he was in charge, as if they wanted to bite him. If the police hadn't intervened, he genuinely feared they would have attacked him.
However, Xiao Wenqiang was not one to indulge him. "You said the cement wasn't procured by you, so this matter isn't entirely your fault. But are you not the site supervisor now? Since you took on that role, you have the responsibility and obligation to supervise this project properly. Now that something has happened, you cannot escape your involvement."
With no other option, Dong Bin quickly splashed some water on his face under the faucet and went with his father, Dong Zhenhua, to offer his condolences.
Zhang Guicai's elderly father answered the door of the rented room.
The small rented room was crowded with people and belongings. The sound of a crying baby from the inner room was deafening. Wu Xuanya, holding her son, spoke to her mother-in-law with a tearful voice, "Mom, what should I do? I really don't have enough milk."
Seeing the situation, Xiao Wenqiang bypassed pleasantries and quickly asked Dong Bin to bring in the items. He then took out the milk powder from the bag and said to Wu Xuanya, "This is milk powder suitable for your baby's age. Why not let him have some first!"
Zhang Guicai's mother quickly took it and found a milk bottle, scalding it with boiling water. Xiao Wenqiang helped with the water-to-milk powder ratio, "It's 50ml of water per scoop of milk powder. Let's try one scoop first!"
After a flurry of activity, the child finally had some milk. Watching her son pucker his lips and suck diligently, Wu Xuanya's tears flowed again. She had cried several times in the past few days. Her body felt unwell, and her crying had caused her once ample milk supply to drop significantly, not enough for her son's needs.
Families like theirs usually preferred breastfeeding if possible, as formula milk was a considerable expense. Now, with the family's pillar suddenly gone, even with the help of her in-laws, Wu Xuanya found it incredibly difficult. Last night, she had even contemplated joining her husband. Fortunately, as dawn broke and she looked at her son's adorable little face, she regained her clarity.
Xiao Wenqiang introduced himself and Dong Bin, who had been standing behind him. The elderly couple, who had been polite until then, suddenly glared at them with fury. Zhang Guicai's mother stepped forward, intending to attack them. "You scoundrels, you caused Gui Cai to lose his life... I've heard people say you used shoddy materials, which caused that building to collapse..."
Zhang Guicai's father quickly restrained his wife. Although he didn't look pleased, he was considerably calmer. "Old woman, don't rush. Let them speak first."
When they quieted down, Xiao Wenqiang spoke in a steady voice, "We are deeply saddened by Zhang Guicai's passing. We have also reported it to the police. It was our deputy general manager, Wang Sanyao, and his relative, the previous contractor Wang Qiang, who conspired to use substandard materials in the construction, resulting in this shoddy project and this tragedy."
He placed a hand on Dong Bin's shoulder and continued, "This is my son. He is nominally the supervisor of this project. Although this was not his intention, and he himself was deceived by Wang Sanyao into becoming the supervisor, now that it has happened and Wang Sanyao has fled, we will not abandon you."
Xiao Wenqiang signaled Dong Bin, who stepped forward and produced a large envelope. He repeated the words his father had taught him on the way, "Auntie and Uncle, here is fifty thousand yuan in cash. It's our personal subsidy to you. And these milk powder and diapers are just what the baby can use."
Xiao Wenqiang continued, "Other formal compensation will be provided by the company's legal department according to the actual situation and national standards. I have also urged them to expedite the process. Rest assured, we will not give up on apprehending the culprits, Wang Sanyao and Wang Qiang. Even if we can't find them immediately, our company will advance the compensation funds, and we will never default on what is owed to you."
With the big boss's assurance, Zhang Guicai's parents and wife felt a little more at ease. However, thinking of the young life lost so suddenly, they couldn't help but shed tears. "Gui Cai, you've left us, leaving us orphans and widows. How will we live our lives from now on?"
Dong Bin was also affected by the atmosphere and secretly teared up. He leaned over to his father, Dong Zhenhua, and whispered a few words.
Xiao Wenqiang nodded after listening and gestured for Dong Bin to speak himself.
Dong Bin took a few deep breaths and said, "How about this, Uncle and Aunt? Please take care of Gui Cai's funeral arrangements first, so he can be laid to rest. If you still wish to find work in Yangliu County, you can come find me at our construction site. I will arrange work for you. Don't worry, this time I will personally oversee everything, and there will be no more safety issues."
Zhang Guicai's elderly father took Dong Bin's hand and repeatedly expressed his thanks.
As they were leaving, Zhang Guicai's family saw them off. The baby had already eaten his fill and was asleep in his mother Wu Xuanya's arms.
Xiao Wenqiang waved goodbye to them and said, "Life must go on. Fortunately, Gui Cai left a child behind. You who are alive must live well. I believe Gui Cai will be happy in heaven."
Dong Bin echoed him, "Live your lives well. You can come to me when you need me."