Cycle of Redemption

2.Start withholding the wages of migrant workers

Lying on the bed, thinking about the woman he was going to marry, Liu Jian felt confused. Was it because she looked too ordinary, or was his memory just that bad that he couldn't recall her appearance?

Driving his sedan, Liu Jian shuttled between Panshi and Heishi. He had a strong opinion about this car, wondering why he chose a "cheap" brand. Sometimes, thinking about riding around in a "cheap" car every day made Liu Jian quite happy. In his previous life, he didn't have many happy days like this.

Having accepted reality, Liu Jian had completely changed his mindset. What was the greatest advantage of being reborn? It was foresight. Liu Jian had endured enough hardship and wouldn't waste this hard-earned talent. He hadn't figured out what to do yet, but becoming wealthy was an unchanging goal.

Liu Jian's current plan was to become a second-generation rich, allowing Liu Fu's business to thrive so that he could enjoy a more carefree life for a longer period. Therefore, the first thing to do was to change Liu Fu's status as a subcontractor.

Liu Fu's current project was the drying tower for the Heishi granary, obtained through connections with the director of the Grain Bureau. The project was simple, with low quality requirements, and payments were made promptly. Over the past few years, Liu Fu had relied on projects from the Grain Bureau to make a living. But just as things went up, they could come crashing down. Liu Jian vividly remembered that in two more years, the state would reform the grain system, signaling the end of the good times for the Grain Bureau. In a bid to make a final profit, Liu Fu had taken on a large project. However, he ended up dragging over a million yuan in payment for over ten years, sinking the family's savings.

One day, after spending half a day with Liu Fu, they managed to obtain a hundred thousand yuan. Having worked on the project for so long, Liu Jian couldn't understand how such a small sum could be considered enough.

Liu Jian asked, "Dad, why is it so difficult to get the money? We've completed nearly half of the project. What can they do with this little money?"

Liu Fu smiled bitterly and said, "Xiao Jian, there are many things you don't know. You might think being a subcontractor is easy money, but I have to beg for payment every year. The thing I fear most is asking for money."

Remembering the occasional remarks Liu Fu made in his previous life after his business failed, Liu Jian suddenly asked, "Dad, what are you planning to do with this money?"

Liu Fu replied, "Of course, we'll use it to pay the workers and try to delay payments for materials as much as possible. If that doesn't work, we'll bring some money ourselves."

Liu Jian smiled wryly. This was truly his father's way. "Dad, isn't this against the rules? I heard that subcontractors only pay workers after the project is completed."

Liu Fu nodded and said, "I know about that, but you also know that these workers have it tough. They rely on this money to support their families. I can't do what others do!"

Shaking his head, Liu Jian said, "Dad, this project has cost us a lot over the years. Even this hundred thousand yuan isn't enough to cover our expenses. And how much money have we put in if you consider the interest? If you're borrowing money, how much more will we lose?"

Liu Fu's brow furrowed. While he earned money easily these years, it was difficult to ask for it. He had never considered the difference in interest. After Liu Jian's reminder, Liu Fu was shocked by the amount.

Seeing Liu Fu's expression, Liu Jian knew his father was startled by the huge interest. He continued, "Dad, you're essentially spending your own money on others. Why shouldn't these accounts be calculated? If everyone follows the rules, why should we break them?"

Liu Fu's face changed as he said, "Then what do you suggest? I've been doing this for years. Can I just change overnight? What if they refuse to work if I don't pay them?"

Liu Jian said, "Dad, you're the only one doing this. I don't believe they can't afford to eat. Other construction sites pay at the end of the year. Why can't you? Besides, there are plenty of workers available. If they don't want to work, there are others who do. Other construction sites don't worry about a lack of workers because everyone knows there are plenty."

Looking at Liu Fu's stunned expression, Liu Jian knew his father had a kind heart and couldn't bear to see others suffer. But when it came to money matters, Liu Jian felt obliged to remind Liu Fu. After all, this also concerned his future happiness.

Liu Jian continued, "Dad, you might not think it's a big deal to break this rule, but these aren't small sums of money. And no one will appreciate your kindness. Let's be practical. Even if these workers remember your kindness, what use is that if there's no project for them to work on?"

Liu Fu wanted to say something, but hesitated. Yes, would it really matter whether they remembered that day?

Liu Jian said, "Dad, forget about other things for a moment. Think about it, which subcontractor has ever received less money than you, or done things this way? In reality, by breaking the rules, who would want to cooperate with you? I've been running around with you these days, and I've noticed something. None of the subcontractors have a good relationship with you, nor have they ever cooperated with you. Why? It all starts here."

Liu Fu was rendered speechless by these words. He hadn't realized that what he considered a good deed had so many downsides. Many previously inexplicable issues suddenly made sense to him.

Sitting there, Liu Fu lit a cigarette and smoked silently, watching his son eating with his head down, feeling a mix of emotions.

Liu Fu asked, "Xiao Jian, you've said so much, what's your opinion?"

Upon hearing Liu Fu's question, Liu Jian finally breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that Liu Fu was truly listening to him.

Thinking, "If I voice this suggestion, I don't know how many people in the future will curse me," he shook his head, pushing the thought aside, and said, "Dad, my opinion is that we should also start delaying the wages of the migrant workers."

Upon hearing his son's earnest suggestion, Liu Fu was stunned. He had anticipated that Liu Jian's idea would be this. However, having served in the military, Liu Fu was a very upright person. He wasn't suited for the construction industry; it required a ruthless heart to succeed, and the more ruthless one was, the more money they made. Liu Fu didn't achieve this in his previous life and ended up failing within a few years. This time, Liu Jian wouldn't let such things happen again.

Liu Jian knew his idea was a bit despicable, but it was currently the best option. Looking at his father's furrowed brow, Liu Jian also felt worried. He casually picked up the pack of Red Double Happiness cigarettes Liu Fu had placed on the table and lit one for himself. Observing his father lost in thought, Liu Jian couldn't help but wonder when his son had learned to smoke.

Seeing Liu Fu's troubled expression, Liu Jian thought for a moment and said, "Dad, if you can't bring yourself to do it, then just give them twenty or thirty thousand yuan. Take a break from the project for a few days, stop ordering materials for a while, and then ask the Grain Bureau for money in a few days. When we've received all our advance payments for the project, we can continue. It's okay if the project slows down a bit. You can increase the budget a bit more. Wouldn't we earn more that way?"

Liu Fu still couldn't fully accept it and frowned, "Xiao Jian, this doesn't seem right. Won't I be criticized by many people?"

Liu Jian said, "Dad, do you think being criticized is more important or making money? Everything else is trivial; only the money you actually have matters."

This time, Liu Fu was rendered speechless. Although he found it hard to accept, his reason told him that what Liu Jian said was correct.

During lunch, neither father nor son ate much. Liu Fu's mind was filled with Liu Jian's words. Looking at the hundred thousand yuan in his hand, he knew he couldn't continue doing things the same way as before. Liu Fu was kind, not foolish.

That afternoon, Liu Fu paid the workers twenty thousand yuan in wages. Contrary to his expectations, there were no incidents, and nobody came demanding money. Watching the workers continue working without complaints, Liu Fu realized how correct his son's suggestion was. He realized that in the eyes of the workers, he had been acting foolishly all these years.

Returning home drunk that evening, Liu Fu heard Liu Jian recounting the events but said nothing. Over the years, Liu Fu's actions had often disappointed Liu Mu. However, she had been taking care of Liu Jian's daily life at home, so she didn't have much say in work matters. Despite a few attempts at persuasion, she hadn't succeeded, so she stopped trying. Unexpectedly, it was their son who managed to persuade Liu Fu in just a few days.

This change was exactly what Liu Jian had hoped for. In his previous life, Liu Fu left behind a good reputation, but it amounted to nothing. Once Liu Fu no longer had projects, the workers disappeared without a trace. Being kind to them didn't yield any benefits.

Liu Fu quickly returned to normal, and many things were no longer kept from Liu Jian. He started treating Liu Jian like an adult. After asking Liu Fu for money a few more times, Liu Jian was amazed. Taking the opportunity, he said to Liu Fu, "Dad, why don't we find a way for those grain bureau directors to help us get our money? I've seen several grain bureau directors asking for payments for their projects these days. Why hasn't anyone come to ask for ours?"

Liu Fu said, "You don't know, those guys keep adding to the budget. A project worth five hundred thousand ends up dragging for one or two months and costs seventy to eighty thousand. Those grain bureau directors can make a lot of profit from these additional budgets. I won't do such things."

Looking at Liu Fu's honest face, Liu Jian was dumbfounded. Seriously, Dad, what are you thinking?

Liu Jian really didn't know what to say to Liu Fu this time. If it were someone else, Liu Jian would probably scold them to their face: Are you stupid!

Rubbing his head, Liu Jian said, "Dad, think about it. We're getting these projects because we have connections with the director of the Grain Bureau. What if he gets transferred? Without him, can we still get projects? If the grain bureau is willing to give us projects, Dad, we should go with the flow and not do anything out of the ordinary. Making a fortune through proper channels is the right way."

Liu Fu didn't say anything, but from his expression, his confusion was evident. A person who was upright and kind-hearted was now contemplating various changes for money. Liu Jian could imagine the turmoil in his father's heart at this moment. Silently watching Liu Fu's figure, Liu Jian felt a bit uncomfortable for some reason. He knew he was destroying his father Liu Fu's long-held principles of integrity. It was cruel, but that's how society worked. If Liu Fu didn't want to be left behind, he had to make these changes.

Gazing at the colorful clouds of the setting sun in the sky, Liu Jian also felt lost. Where exactly was his path leading him?