Wang Xiaoliang gripped his phone, Fat Boss's combative question still echoing in his ears.
Ask for time off?
Those words were like two needles, stabbing painfully at his heart.
They were partners, not a boss and his subordinate. He, Wang Xiaoliang, contributed his skills, his time, and his energy, spending every day breathing dust at the worksite for their shared business, not to slave away for someone else.
That was simply how renovation worked. Walls needed time to dry. It was common knowledge. Forcing the work ahead would only lead to cracks and rework later, costing them even more money and time.
He had not been taking a break, much less slacking off.
What right did Fat Boss have to use such condescending words as "ask for time off"?
A nameless anger flared in his chest, burning his throat dry.
He wanted to shout all of this back at him, to demand whether Fat Boss even considered him an equal partner.
But when the words reached his lips, he forced them back down.
If they fell out now, would this chance to work together be gone?
The announcement that the bus was arriving interrupted his thoughts.
On the other end, Fat Boss seemed to notice the tense atmosphere too and fell silent for a few seconds.
When he spoke again, much of his anger had dissipated, replaced by a deliberately gentler tone.
"All right, Xiaoliang. Let's stop work for today. You really have worked hard this week. I know that."
There was a hint of reassurance in Fat Boss's words, yet it felt more like charity.
"But next time, whatever happens, you need to let me know beforehand. With a shop this big, the daily rent and expenses are no small amount. I need to know where things stand, right?"