Chapter 77: More Than an Employee
Song Guangyuan also smiled at this time. "It's not just that he's assertive; what's more important is the attitude of those workers after he scolds them."
"This kid has only been with the company for a few months. To earn the respect of these extremely hard-to-manage field workers so completely is truly not easy. It's extraordinary."
Afterwards, Song Guangyuan called out and waved to Liu Shang.
Soon, Liu Shang quickly came over to the two of them, and Song Guangyuan introduced his wife to him.
At this, Liu Shang reverted to the shy youthfulness appropriate for his age and greeted Wu Caiyun with a smile, "Aunt Wu, hello."
It had to be said, Wu Caiyun's first impression of Liu Shang was excellent. Looking at him as an elder would a child, she nodded with a warm smile, "Hello, it's very nice to meet you, too!"
At this moment, Song Guangyuan frowned as he surveyed the scene. "Liu Shang, the construction is over. Why aren't you taking a few days to rest? What are you doing back on-site?"
"It's not like our company doesn't have people responsible for production and transport. Do you have to do everything yourself?"
Liu Shang scratched his head and smiled. "Mr. Song, didn't the company just lay off a lot of people?"
"Especially here on our construction site, many of the workers are new, and this is their first time experiencing hoisting and transport operations."
"I was worried, so I came over to keep an eye on things. I was worried there might be a safety accident, which would be a huge problem."
Looking at Liu Shang's deeply tanned skin, the stubborn oil stains on his clothes that wouldn't wash out, and the air of exhaustion that clung to him, Song Guangyuan, now that the suspicions in his heart had been cleared, couldn't help but feel a pang of concern.
This kid is just a child!
He was about the same age as his own daughter, a child who, in any other family, would be treasured and doted on by his parents!
Although he felt a little guilty and distressed, on the surface, Song Guangyuan still scolded him with a gruff but caring tone.
"Nonsense!"
"Since the company pays them to work, it's their job to ensure production is done safely!"
"There will be more than twenty wells in the future, and you'll be responsible for them all. If you don't get proper rest now, your body won't be able to take it!"
"Alright, your Aunt Wu and I were just passing by today. Come on, you're taking my car and having dinner with us."
"On the way here, I heard you've been working since early this morning. You haven't eaten yet, have you?"
Liu Shang scratched his head and smiled. "Mr. Song, I'm pretty dirty. I shouldn't get in your car..."
Before he could finish, Song Guangyuan clapped him firmly on the back and then cursed with a smile.
"You little rascal, are you trying to indirectly call me a cruel and heartless boss?"
"I said get in the car, so get in the car!"
"Also, you're about the same age as my Song Jia. From now on, when there are no outsiders around, you can just call me Uncle Song."
After getting in the car, Song Guangyuan, in a rare moment, began chatting with Liu Shang about his own youthful experiences.
His tone was like that of a man speaking to his own nephew or son.
"You know, when I was young, the conditions in the oil field were much more difficult than they are for you now."
"Compared to back then, our construction sites are much cleaner these days..."
***
After arriving at a very nice restaurant, Song Guangyuan, who understood the hard work and tastes of the oil field, ordered a table full of rich, high-calorie meat dishes.
At this hour, the restaurant was quiet, and there were only the three of them in the private dining room.
Facing such a large table of delicious food, Liu Shang, who hadn't eaten since the morning, had eyes that were practically gleaming.
At this moment, the more she looked at Liu Shang, the more Wu Caiyun liked him, and she began to ask about his situation with concern.
"Liu Shang, I heard from your Uncle Song that your skills in the oil field are excellent. Are you self-taught?"
"Also, you're so young to be working like this. Are things difficult at home?"
"Please don't mind me asking, but if you're really in trouble, just tell Aunt Wu. Your Uncle Song and I will definitely find a way to help you."
Facing Wu Caiyun's sincere, heartfelt concern, Liu Shang felt a warmth spread through his chest.
He smiled. "Thank you, Aunt Wu, but I didn't come out to work because of family difficulties."
"My family deposits money into my bank account every month, and it's about average for a student's living expenses."
"I usually use my spare time to learn about petroleum technology, and I'm very interested in this field, so I found an opportunity to come out and gain some practical experience."
"Since Uncle Song started giving me a salary and a very generous bonus, I haven't even had to touch the money on my living expenses card."
"But even so, my parents won't listen to me. They still transfer money to that card every month, whether I use it or not."
Hearing Liu Shang's words, Song Guangyuan and Wu Caiyun nodded repeatedly.
Especially Wu Caiyun, being a mother herself, was even more moved. "You're the only child in your family, aren't you?"
"In your parents' eyes, you'll always be their beloved baby. How could they bear to let you suffer?"
"If it were our Jiajia, and I knew she was suffering so much out here all alone, I would definitely cry my heart out!"
"How old are you all? You're still children!"
Empathizing with his parents, Wu Caiyun felt a pang of sadness as she looked at Liu Shang's tired face.
After composing herself, she continued to ask, "By the way, Liu Shang, I mentioned this to your Uncle Song as well."
"The burden on your shoulders is too heavy right now, and the company is taking up too much of your time and energy."
"It's almost the end of the semester. Are you having any problems with your studies? Will you have to repeat a year or something?"
"Repeat a year?"
Liu Shang was surprised to hear this question, then shook his head and smiled wryly, replying with great confidence: "Aunt Wu, failing even a single subject is not an option. That's my bottom line."
At this point, Liu Shang also smiled at Song Guangyuan and Wu Caiyun with some embarrassment.
"Uncle Song, Aunt Wu, to be honest, I only had a few bites of bread this morning and I've been too busy to eat since."
"I'm really hungry..."
"How about... I eat a few bites first? I hope you don't mind my poor table manners..."
Only then did Song Guangyuan and Wu Caiyun suddenly realize.
"Aiya! You child, what are you talking about? Didn't I bring you here specifically to get you something to eat?"
"Your Aunt Wu and I aren't hungry. You should eat while it's hot!"
Seeing Liu Shang wolfing down his food, Wu Caiyun couldn't help but feel her heart ache with sympathy.
"Liu Shang, eat slowly, don't rush."
"Look at this child, he's starving!"
---
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