Before 1999, New Year's Day in China was not yet a statutory holiday. So on New Year's Day of 1994, Dong Shan only dragged his exhausted body back to his residence in the Southwest after bustling about at work all day.
Before entering, Dong Shan vigorously rubbed his face and forced out a gentle smile.
Because Dong Shan's wife had brought their child over from the capital today, and the family had finally reunited, Dong Shan could not let the negativity on him infect them.
But while Dong Shan wore a smile, his wife's expression was "far from pleasant."
As soon as Dong Shan entered, his wife complained, "The child and I finally came all this way for one day. Couldn't you take a day off? It's already this late. The child's been clamoring to eat, yet we still had to wait for you."
Dong Shan felt awkward inside and could only smile. "Then let the child eat first! When did our family ever have so many rules? Besides, the workers at the factory have all been working with fire in their bellies lately. If I slack off—"
"Even if you don't slack off, they won't appreciate you. They only recognize money."
Dong Shan's wife said mockingly, "As long as you let the workers earn more, even if you go to work every day and never show your face, they'll worship you like their own father. But if you can't pay their wages, even the man who killed their fathers won't be as hateful as you."
Dong Shan's expression changed, because the words "can't pay their wages" were a thorn in his heart—a thorn that kept him awake night after sleepless night.
Although Dong Shan could secure loans, and the workers' wages could temporarily still be paid, living on borrowed