"Old Su, are you feeling any better?"
Li Changhe had a smile plastered on his face, but the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes were crinkled together.
Su Jianguo squinted.
This Deputy Factory Director Li usually acts very arrogantly, and it's difficult for ordinary workers to even speak to him. Yet today he actually came to visit in person.
"Thanks to you, I won't die."
Su Jianguo spoke in a flat tone.
Li Changhe placed the nutritional supplements on the bedside table and rubbed his hands together.
"Old Su, look at the mess this has made... Deputy Factory Director Wang's family asked me to pass on a message to you: Liu Cuihua is in a bad mood because her husband is in jail, and her attitude was a bit excessive. Her family sincerely apologizes."
Su Jianguo snorted coldly and did not reply.
Seeing this, Li Changhe lowered his voice and said.
"Actually... this isn't something that can't be discussed. The Wang family is willing to offer 10,000 yuan as compensation, as long as you sign a letter of understanding..."
"Deputy Factory Director Li."
Su Jianguo interrupted him.
"I've worked in a steel rolling mill for thirty years. Do you think I'm someone who can be bought off with money?"
Li Changhe's expression changed.
"Old Su, don't be so stubborn. Deputy Factory Director Wang and his family have connections in the Industry Bureau; you can't afford to offend them..."
"Get out."
Grandpa Su suddenly spoke, his voice not loud but as sharp as a knife.
Li Changhe's face turned deathly pale instantly, and he slunk out with the two workshop directors.
This old man is someone you can't afford to offend.
For the rest of the morning, Su Jianguo's coworkers, friends, and even his neighbors came to act as intermediaries for the Wang family.
Unfortunately, Su Jianguo was like a rock in a latrine—stinky and stubborn, and no one could get through to him.
Even when the Wang family offered 20,000 yuan in compensation, they showed no sign of backing down.
However, the Wang family soon came up with a solution. The biggest victim in this matter was not Su Jianguo, but Su Jianguo's second son, Su Mingde. As long as Su Mingde's forgiveness was obtained, the matter would be much easier to resolve.
Su Jianguo had just finished lunch when there was another knock on the ward door.
This time, the person who came in was Zhao Decai, the director of the subdistrict office, and two staff members.
"Master Su, I apologize for disturbing you."
Zhao Decai was in his early fifties, with his hair neatly combed back and a professional smile on his face.
Su Jianguo's heart sank.
Zhao Decai was the undisputed leader in the subdistrict office, and even the police station chief had to give him some face. Most importantly, he was his son, Su Mingde's, direct superior.
"Director Zhao, what brings you here in person?"
Su Jianguo forced himself to sit up straight.
Zhao Decai pulled up a chair and sat down.
"Master Su, I've watched Mingde grow up. He's a hard worker and has always performed well."
He then changed the subject.
"However, the neighborhood office recently received a report from the public alleging that he accepted bribes by abusing his position..."
Su Mingde suddenly sat up in bed, the movement causing him to wince in pain from his wound.
"Nonsense! I never..."
"Director Zhao."
Su Jianguo held his son's hand down.
"Mingde has worked at the neighborhood office for three years and hasn't even brought a needle home. If you have any evidence, show it now."
Zhao Decai's smile froze.
"Master Su, you can't say that. The report is very detailed and convincing..."
He pulled an envelope from his briefcase.
"Of course, if Mingde is willing to sign a letter of understanding, I can put this matter aside."
Grandpa Su slammed his hand on the bedside table, causing the enamel mug to bounce.
"You surnamed Zhao! How much money did you take from the Wang family?"
Zhao Decai's expression changed.
"Sir, you're mistaken. I'm thinking of Mingde's future. The biggest victim in this matter is Mingde. As long as Mingde signs, I guarantee he'll be promoted to section chief within three years."
"Virtue."
Su Jianguo turned to look at his son.
"how do you say?"
When Su Mingde heard the words "section chief," his eyes visibly lit up, but he still spoke in the end.
"I'll listen to my dad."
The smile on Zhao Decai's face vanished completely.
"Su Mingde, have you thought this through? This job didn't come easily..."
"Director Zhao."
Su Mingde's voice was not loud, but it was very clear.
"My father taught me from a young age to be an upright person. If I were to compromise today just to keep my job, I would never be able to hold my head high again."
Zhao Decai stood up with a gloomy face.
"Fine, very well. Your Su family has a tough stance; I'll see how long it lasts!"
After saying that, he slammed the door and left.
Around 3 p.m., Wang Xiufen took her two daughters and her parents-in-law home. Staying in the hospital all the time wasn't a good idea.
At the bedside, Su Mingde's complexion was much better than it had been a few days ago.
"Father, what other tricks do you think the Wang family might pull?"
Just as Su Jianguo was about to answer, the ward door was suddenly pushed open a crack, and a familiar face peeked in.
Su Mingde's body suddenly stiffened, and his face instantly turned deathly pale.
"Mingde..."
Liu Meijuan pushed open the door and stood timidly at the entrance.
She was wearing a simple blue dress, her face without her usual heavy makeup, and her eyes were red and swollen, as if she had been crying for a long time.
Su Jianguo squinted.
How did this woman get out?
Shouldn't he be locked up with Wang Zhenguo?
What are you doing here?
Su Mingde's voice was somewhat hoarse and dry, unlike his own.
Liu Meijuan walked in, biting her lip, holding a bunch of wildflowers in her hands.
"I...I came to see you."
She placed the flowers on the bedside table.
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