"You're saying our wages are really gone?"
"I guess it's doubtful. I heard the factory owes hundreds of millions, and that kid Huang He isn't human, he's already planning to run!"
"But didn't his sister-in-law just show up and say Huang He would be here soon?"
"That's to buy Huang He time to escape. I saw right through it!"
Outside the office building, thousands of workers were indignant, filled with worry. This was five months' worth of wages, an average of 8,000 yuan per person in arrears! If this money was gone, many would probably have no reason to live.
And in the crowd, Shen Yuequn clenched his fists tightly. His child hadn't eaten for a day and a night. If he didn't get paid today, he would have to use his life to get justice for himself.
Fortunately, the news of Huang He's escape was false, because Huang He himself had already appeared before everyone. Facing thousands of angry workers, Huang He's face and forehead were covered in sweat, but he remained calm.
"Everyone, first, please allow me to apologize to all of you, and let me bow to you!" Huang He bowed right at the start, which made many workers feel a bit better, but many others were unappreciative and shouted, "Huang He, don't think a bow and apology can offset our wages! I ask you, isn't our factory in debt by hundreds of millions? Are you not planning to pay our wages!"
"You are correct, and I won't hide it from you. Our Jiangnan Leather Factory indeed owes a large amount of loans. The exact figure is 350 million yuan. This bank loan is due tomorrow, and our company's account only has 100,000 yuan left!" Huang He nodded and said very frankly.
"My heavens!" Many workers who had harbored illusions immediately felt dizzy. A loan of 350 million yuan that couldn't be repaid, and only 100,000 yuan in the company account. Their wages were truly out of the question!
"You're talking nonsense! You can't possibly only have 100,000 yuan. You're lying to us and want to abscond with the money. Don't think we don't know your plan!!" some clever workers exposed Huang He's intentions.
"The company genuinely only has 100,000 yuan left. You all know how much material the company has imported over the years and how much goods have been produced. Now all these goods are piled up in the warehouse. 350 million yuan is all there. I can't lie to you!" Huang He sighed. Many workers at the scene burst into tears.
"However!" Huang He's tone shifted, saying, "However, I, Huang He, have never intended to withhold your wages. I, Huang He, guarantee to all of you here that I will return every cent of your wages without fail, and I will also give you an additional three months' salary as compensation for Jiangnan Leather Factory's delayed wages! But you must give me time, I need three months!"
"Really?" Everyone was stunned, and a glimmer of hope resurfaced in their eyes.
Of course, there were still smart people who saw through Huang He's intentions and shouted, "Stop trying to fool us! Give you three months, and you'll have already run off with our hard-earned money and your sister-in-law to a place we can't find you!"
"No, I will never run!" Huang He's emotions surged, and he jumped directly onto a large stone lion at the main entrance, looking down at everyone and saying, "Everyone, I, Huang He, swear to heaven here, I, Huang He, will never run in this life, and will never run away with my sister-in-law!"
"Whoosh!" The sister-in-law below blushed simultaneously, looking at Huang He on the stone lion with a complex expression.
Not to mention, Huang He's appearance was actually quite good, quite similar to Jiao Enjun. Now, standing on the head of the stone lion, his aura, if made into a Douyin video, retouched, and finely edited, would undoubtedly be incredibly imposing!
"However, I also know your concerns. Promises are not enough, and if I, Huang He, run, you won't be able to do anything. Therefore, I announce here that from today onwards, I, Huang He, will not go anywhere. I will stay in this office building and will not leave until I have repaid the wages I owe you!"
"If you don't trust me, you can send a few representatives to monitor me all day. Except for showering, these monitors can monitor me as they please. With this guarantee, can everyone rest assured!" Huang He said loudly.
At this point, there was indeed no need to worry about Huang He running away. And since Huang He wouldn't run and promised to pay wages within three months, plus an additional three months' compensation, this immediately made many people's hearts flutter. Their originally overwhelming momentum gradually dissipated.
That's how people are; only despair forces out their strength and resistance, but if there's even a little hope, they become benevolent and hesitant, ultimately making mistakes.
Fortunately, our Boss Huang He truly didn't intend to run away with his sister-in-law this time.
"Chairman Huang, don't blame us for coming today, and don't blame us for not trusting you. We actually understand the factory's situation. We just want to know, how do you plan to repay this money to us?" The oldest worker, Uncle Da Lin, who started the business with Huang He's parents, stepped forward and asked in a mild tone.
"I have a way!" Huang He said confidently. "However, there are still some details I need to think through clearly. Also, the bank people should come looking for me tomorrow. So, I hope everyone can gather here again the day after tomorrow. I will explain clearly to you how our Jiangnan Leather Factory will be reborn and how all your wages will be compensated!"
"Alright!" Uncle Da Lin nodded, patted Huang He's head, and then turned to all the workers saying, "Everyone, give Da Lin some face and disperse today. Let only a few young men who don't have families stay behind to accompany the chairman for a few days. We'll come back the day after tomorrow to hear the chairman's explanation!"
"Fine!"
"It seems that's the only way!"
Although the crowd was still somewhat upset, they no longer had the motivation to continue causing trouble. The crowd began to disperse gradually, and finally, only the men Uncle Da Lin had specifically asked to stay remained to watch Huang He.
"Brother-in-law, are you really going to stay here until the wages are paid?" After the crowd dispersed, his sister-in-law asked with some concern.
"Yes, you saw it too. The workers don't trust me. Other than this, I have no other way to prove my innocence!" Huang He said with a wry smile.
"Okay, then I'll go home and ask Mom to prepare clothes, daily necessities, and dinner for you. I'll bring them over later!" The sister-in-law's face was filled with concern for her brother-in-law.
"Mmm, thank you, Mom! For taking care of me, your incompetent son-in-law!" Huang He exclaimed with emotion.
"Not at all. Without your care, we six... five sisters would have starved to death long ago. My sister has truly found the best husband in the world!" The sister-in-law's words were full of emotion and some implied meaning, but Huang He at this moment couldn't understand these words. His mind was filled with how to solve the problem.
It wasn't until the sister-in-law drove away that Huang He suddenly realized.
Wait, I have five sisters-in-law?