Chapter Two: I, Huang He, Will Never Run Away

“Do you think our wages are really gone for good?”
“I doubt we’ll see a penny. I heard the factory owes several hundred million. That bastard Huang He is about to run off!”
“But didn’t his sister-in-law just show up and say Huang He would be here soon?”
“She’s just buying him time to escape. I saw right through it!”

Outside the office building, over a thousand workers stood, furious and anxious. This was five months’ worth of wages—an average of eight thousand owed to each. If that money disappeared, many wouldn’t even have a way to live.

Amid 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 risk his life for justice.

Luckily, the rumor of Huang He fleeing was false, because Huang He himself appeared before the crowd. Facing a thousand angry workers, sweat beaded his face and brow, yet he remained composed.

“Everyone, let me begin by apologizing to you all. Allow me to bow to you.” Huang He started with a deep bow, which eased many hearts, though others remained unmoved and shouted, “Huang He, don’t think a bow and an apology will wipe away our wages! I ask you, is it true the factory owes hundreds of millions? Are you planning not to pay us?”

“You’re right, and I won’t hide it. Right now, Jiangnan Leather Factory owes a huge loan—exactly three hundred and fifty million. That bank loan matures tomorrow, and our company account has only one hundred thousand left!” Huang He nodded, blunt and direct.

“Oh my god!” Many workers who had clung to hope suddenly felt the world spinning. With three hundred and fifty million in unpaid loans and only one hundred thousand in the account, their wages had become a fantasy.

“You’re lying! There’s no way only one hundred thousand is left. You’re trying to cheat us and run off with our hard-earned money. Don’t think we don’t see through your plan!” Some sharp-minded workers called him out.

“The company truly has only one hundred thousand left. You all know how much material we’ve purchased, how much we’ve produced. All those goods are piled up in the warehouse—three hundred and fifty million is tied up right there. I cannot deceive you.” Huang He sighed, and many workers began sobbing right there.

“But!” Huang He’s voice shifted, “But I, Huang He, have never intended to withhold your wages. I promise every one of you here: your wages will be paid, not a cent missing, and I will give you an extra three months’ wages as compensation for the delay. But you must give me time—I need three months.”

“Is that true?” The crowd paused, and hope flickered in their eyes.

Of course, some clever ones still doubted him, shouting, “Don’t try to trick us! Give you three months, and you’ll be long gone with our money and your sister-in-law, hiding where we can’t find you!”

“No, I will never run!” Huang He’s emotions surged; he leapt onto the stone lion at the gate, looking down at everyone. “I, Huang He, swear to heaven—I will never run, and I will never flee with my sister-in-law!”

Below, his sister-in-law’s cheeks flushed bright red, her expression complicated as she looked up at Huang He atop the stone lion.

To be honest, Huang He was quite handsome, resembling Jiao Enjun. Standing tall on the lion’s head, his presence was striking—if someone made a short video and edited it, he’d look absolutely commanding.

“I understand your worries. Words alone mean nothing. If I ran, you’d be powerless. So I declare, starting today, I will not leave this office building until I have paid off the wages I owe you. If you don’t trust me, you can send representatives to monitor me around the clock. Except when I’m bathing, you may supervise me as you wish. With this promise, can you rest assured?” Huang He called out.

At this point, there was no need to worry about Huang He fleeing. And with his commitment to pay the wages within three months plus three months’ compensation, many were moved; the storm of anger began to dissipate.

Such is human nature: only despair brings out resistance and strength, but with even a glimmer of hope, people become merciful and hesitant, and mistakes are made.

Fortunately, this time our boss Huang He truly had no intention of running off with his sister-in-law.

“Chairman Huang, don’t blame us for coming here today, nor for doubting you. We know the factory’s situation well. We only want to know—how do you intend to pay us back?” The oldest worker, Uncle Dalin, who had started with Huang He’s parents, stepped forward and spoke gently.

“I have a plan!” Huang He replied with confidence. “But I need to think through some details. Tomorrow, the bank officials will come. So I hope you will all return here the day after tomorrow, and I will explain how Jiangnan Leather Factory will be reborn and how you will all be paid in full.”

“Alright!” Uncle Dalin nodded, patted Huang He’s head, then turned to address the workers. “Everyone, for my sake, let’s disperse for today. Leave a few unmarried young men here to stay with the chairman for a couple of days. We’ll return the day after tomorrow and hear Chairman Huang’s explanation!”

“Fine, then.”
“We have no other choice.”

Though the crowd was still frustrated, the impulse to protest had faded. People began to disperse, leaving only the men Uncle Dalin had appointed to watch over Huang He.

“Brother-in-law, are you really going to stay here until the wages are paid?” Once the crowd had gone, his sister-in-law spoke with concern.

“Yes, you saw it yourself. The workers don’t trust me. Besides this, I have no other way to prove my innocence.” Huang He gave a bitter smile.

“Alright, then I’ll go home and have Mom prepare clothes, daily necessities, and dinner for you. I’ll bring them over later.” His sister-in-law’s face was full of sympathy.

“Thank you—and thanks to Mom for taking care of her useless son-in-law!” Huang He sighed.

“Nonsense. If not for your support, the five of us sisters would have starved long ago. My sister really did marry the best husband in the world.” Her words were filled with emotion and implied meaning, though at the moment, Huang He missed it entirely, his mind consumed with finding a solution.

It wasn’t until his sister-in-law drove away that Huang He suddenly realized—

Wait a minute, I have five sisters-in-law?