Chapter Twenty-One: Buyout

“So you’re saying that when Chang Rong’s wife arrived at the hospital, her sole purpose was to demand compensation, right?” Ning Shuyi asked.

“It’s not that I’m trying to throw mud at her on purpose, but that woman really did come across that way, both in what she said and what she implied!” Sun Wan was straightforward, showing no hesitation in responding to Ning Shuyi’s summary. “Her attitude was that the factory had to give an explanation. If Chang Rong died, how much compensation would they pay? If he survived but was injured or disabled, how would they compensate for that?

“Now, I’m not saying they shouldn’t ask for money. After all, Chang Rong was the main breadwinner for the family. Suddenly suffering such a severe injury, if he couldn’t work in the future and couldn’t earn money, that would be a huge blow to any household.

“But we’re all human, right? People have feelings. Even if you think of two dogs raised together every day, if one gets hurt or something happens to it, the other dog won’t eat and will howl in misery!

“That woman, though, when she got to the hospital, all she talked about was money, demanding compensation and an explanation. From start to finish, she didn’t even bother to ask how Chang Rong was doing in the operating room!

“She didn’t shed a single tear. Can you say that’s normal? It’s really hard for those of us who were there not to think she was excessive!

“She was already quite old, but she cared less than a kid barely in their twenties, who cried like a fountain because their father was hurt!

“But her? They say a day as husband and wife is a hundred days’ grace, yet when it came to that moment, nothing mattered more to her than calculating money.”

It was clear this incident left a deep impression on the old workshop director; otherwise, after seven or eight years, he wouldn’t still be so furious and passionately indignant, his voice rising with emotion as he spoke.

“So how did the factory agree to compensate her later?” Huo Yan asked.

At this question, Sun Wan grew even angrier. He slapped his thigh, opened his mouth to speak, but then faltered, his frustration leaving him at a loss for words. He turned his head to the side and sighed heavily.

The newly appointed factory director, unfamiliar with the details of the old case, listened with great interest, unconsciously crossing one leg over the other behind the desk and lifting his teacup.

“This was a pretty big matter. At the time, no one in the factory leadership could make a decision alone. For one, the cause of the accident hadn’t been fully determined yet, and they couldn’t assign responsibility clearly.

“But they couldn’t say that out loud either, as it would seem like shirking responsibility.

“Chang Rong’s wife was already making a huge fuss. If anyone had dared to say that they first needed to determine who was at fault, it probably would have ended badly. She would have made such a scene, maybe even tried to harm herself. Nobody could have handled that!

“Secondly, whether Chang Rong would survive or not was uncertain, and no one knew what expenses would come later.

“If they gave too little, Chang Rong’s family would refuse and cause more trouble. But if they gave too much, who complains about excessive compensation? No one would mind carrying too much money.

“So, they told her they would immediately contact the factory director at the time and hold an emergency meeting to study the situation.

“The factory leaders then asked the hospital’s doctors and nurses for a general update to get an idea, and by the time they came up with a plan, Chang Rong’s surgery had just been completed.”

“How did the surgery go? Was it successful?” The new factory director, clearly engrossed, asked instinctively.

“I recall the surgery was considered successful in the sense that he didn’t die on the operating table. But the injuries were severe. The doctors said they had only temporarily saved him; the danger period was not over. Even after that period passed, no one could say how much he would recover.”

Sun Wan sighed deeply, his thoughts turning back to Chang Rong with a hint of melancholy. “So after the factory leaders met and discussed, they offered two options to Chang Rong’s wife.

“One was that from the moment he was admitted, the factory would cover all medical and treatment expenses, including nutrition during recovery. After discharge, they would continue to pay Chang Rong’s salary according to the factory’s minimum wage.

“In other words, if she chose this option, she wouldn’t have to worry about the treatment costs. But the money wouldn’t go into her hands directly; the factory would settle the bills with the hospital. What the family would receive was only the basic wages.

“The other option was a one-time payment to cover future treatment and living expenses. Both parties would sign an agreement stating that after this payment, no one in Chang Rong’s family could demand anything more from the factory.

“At first, the factory offered 400,000 yuan. Chang Rong’s wife wasn’t satisfied, causing trouble and dragging things out. Eventually, the price was raised to 500,000 yuan, and then they signed the agreement.”

Sun Wan sighed again, shaking his head. It was clear he disapproved of Deng Qingrong’s choice back then, though it wasn’t his place to comment on someone else’s family matters.

The new factory director, listening carefully, asked, “When they made that proposal, hadn’t Chang Rong already finished surgery? What did the hospital say about his recovery after the danger period?”

“I remember the doctors said that if he could get through the danger period, his life wouldn’t be at risk afterward. But he might be left permanently disabled and possibly need several more surgeries to fully recover. In short, he wouldn’t die, but he’d be half a man at best—still alive, but just barely,” Sun Wan answered.

“But the problem was, Chang Rong didn’t survive. He passed away soon after discharge, right?” Ning Shuyi cautiously probed to see if Sun Wan knew the full story.

At this, the man who had been reflective suddenly flared up with anger again, shifting on the sofa with a scowl. “That’s what makes me mad! I say Chang Rong was killed by that spendthrift woman in his family! If it weren’t for her, he might still be alive!”

His words not only hit the nerve with Ning Shuyi and Huo Yan, who had been waiting for this key point, but even the new factory director leaned forward, curiosity piqued, ready to hear more.

“The doctors said the danger period was the crucial hurdle. After that, it was just about nursing and a few small surgeries.

“But that woman chose the option where the factory paid a lump sum and refused to cover any more hospital fees!

“At first, the hospital bills were covered by the factory’s deposit, so Chang Rong’s early hospital stay was smooth.

“Later, after he left ICU and moved to a regular ward, the doctors said he still needed to be observed. By then, the factory’s money had been paid over.

“A day or two later, the hospital’s prepaid funds were almost used up, and the hospital asked Chang Rong’s wife and children to renew the payment.

“When she heard that, she refused to pay further! She insisted on discharge.

“We heard the news and rushed to the hospital to persuade her to stay, but when we got there, she had already left.

“Apparently, she even took the factory’s deposit for the hospital stay with her. She didn’t pay a cent for her husband’s treatment and actually profited from it!”

Today there will be two updates. From Tuesday to Thursday, due to the college entrance examinations, all primary and secondary schools in the city are on holiday, so I will try to update twice a day. However, with the kids at home… well, it’s a bit unpredictable, cough cough cough…