Chapter 599: Rumors in the Wind!

It’s not that Chen Xiao is overthinking.

Even investigating a worker so thoroughly.

At this stage, Chen Xiao had no choice but to be extra cautious.

After continuing to watch the video, Chen Xiao decided to meet the worker for safety reasons.

"Old Gui, go and bring him to me. Remember, until we’re sure he has anything to do with those messing with us, he’s just a worker for us."

"I understand, President Chen."

Old Gui received the order and left.

A few minutes later, Old Gui brought the man to Chen Xiao.

The worker stood in front of Chen Xiao, looking somewhat uneasy at the moment.

Chen Xiao got up, smiled, and took out a cigarette, asking with a smile, "Uncle, do you smoke?"

The worker’s sun-darkened face broke into a smile, and a thoughtful look appeared in his eyes, but he still shook his head and said,

"President Chen, your cigarettes are too good to waste on me."

Chen Xiao chuckled, "Cigarettes, whether good or bad, are meant to be smoked. Don’t be shy."

Old Gui could tell that Chen Xiao’s politeness towards the laborers was not mere words but came from a place of genuine respect.

What he didn’t know was that Chen Xiao’s father had also come from a laborer background.

In the past, his father followed foremen around the country, making a living.

The worker took the cigarette handed to him by Chen Xiao, took a deep puff, and then Chen Xiao said,

"Old Gui, go to the supermarkets and buy water, as much as they have, remember to get it cold, red tea, green tea, those are the best."

Chen Xiao knew well that many of the older workers on the site loved carrying a tea kettle filled with tea.

But with the weather so hot, drinking something cold would ultimately be much more comfortable.

After Old Gui left, Chen Xiao began to talk about business,

"Uncle, were you here when the construction site first started?"

The worker nodded while smoking, "I’ve been working with Boss Li for almost ten years. Whenever there’s work, he calls me. I’ve been here since the first day this site started!"

"And during all these days you’ve been working, has the site been peaceful? Any issues happened?"

The worker didn’t think before shaking his head, "Under the leadership of President Chen and President Guo, our site has been very calm; the wages from the two bosses are prompt and generous, not even any complaints!"

"That’s good, everyone is out here working for stability and assurance, so it’s good if there’s nothing going on."

Chen Xiao said with a smile, seemingly ending the conversation here.

But in the worker’s eyes, a hint of doubt flashed, which Chen Xiao keenly captured and then asked,

"Uncle, how old are you this year?"

"Almost fifty."

"Wow, at this age, doing such high-intensity work, that’s not easy!"

"No other way, too many kids at home, two in college, one in high school. I think of only one thing when I open my eyes every day, to earn every penny I can!" the worker replied.

"But you have hope, don’t you? Three kids at home, two in college, one in high school; maybe next year you’ll have three in college!"

At this, pride appeared on the worker’s face,

"I hope so! But the youngest daughter is also ambitious, aiming for a 985 college, and the older ones aren’t bad either, both got into 211!"

Chen Xiao gave a thumbs up.

Three kids, two 211s and one potentially 985, for an ordinary family, that’s as good as having smoke rise from the ancestral grave.

If all three kids are filial and hardworking, the future days for the worker uncle in front of him would surely be delightful.

Only, while talking about his own children, a trace of hesitation crossed the worker’s eyes.

Chen Xiao noticed this hesitation as well, asking,

"Uncle, do you have something you want to tell me?"

The worker scratched his head awkwardly, laughing dryly, "President Chen, actually when you called me over, the coworkers asked me to bring up something."

"What is it?"

"They heard that since you came, you treated everyone to a meal, so they were wondering if tonight we could have some drinks as well? Hehehe!"

Chen Xiao laughed heartily, "Already thought of that for you, but each person will be limited to three bottles of beer. Everyone needs to work; getting drunk isn’t suitable, otherwise, I’d let you drink to your heart’s content."

"Three bottles is enough! President Chen is really generous!"

"I’m just here occasionally, but it’s President Guo who often treats you guys to meals, who’s truly generous."

"President Guo is indeed a great boss. Whenever Boss Li takes on work from President Guo, we’ve never had a penny short. Nowadays those heartless project bosses out there are just increasing!"

Chen Xiao looked at him deeply, asking again, "Uncle, are you sure you have nothing else to tell me?"

The worker shook his head again, "Nothing more, President Chen."

"Alright, then you carry on with your work, but please take that case of drinks from Old Gui, save us from having to send it over to you later."

"Alright."

Returning with the water, Old Gui had only brought back one case.

With so many people on the construction site, they needed tools to transport the chilled supplies from several supermarkets.

Old Gui handed a special bottle to Chen Xiao, asking,

"President Chen, did you find out anything?"

"He probably knows something."

A sudden flash of coldness appeared in Old Gui’s eyes, "Damn it, why won’t he say anything?"

"He has concerns, so he doesn’t dare speak."

"Then wait for me, I’ll take him aside for a little questioning, and we’ll find out everything."

"What, planning to use some unlawful means?" Chen Xiao chuckled, Old Gui replied in a deep voice,

"These people have been working under President Guo for a long time, so..."

Before Old Gui finished, Chen Xiao interrupted, "They’re not really President Guo’s people; they’re selling their labor for wages. President Guo isn’t doing them any favors; if they encounter problems and don’t speak, it’s not being ungrateful."

"Of course, if he really did discover a body and didn’t speak up, then that’s wrong."

Old Gui nodded slightly, "So what do we do next?"

"Let some word slip out, don’t specify what’s going on, just hint that something big happened at the site and my presence is to find out who knows about this big issue. Moreover, hint at the potential consequences if we find out who that person is."

"Finally..." Chen Xiao paused, then continued,

"Inform Guo Qing to give me the information on the contractor that worker belongs to, a Mr. Li."

"Understood, President Chen."

Old Gui received the order and left again.

Standing on a high point, Chen Xiao watched the worker carrying the water with slow steps and squinted his eyes:

"You probably know something, Old Gui captured your looks at me, which weren’t calm."

"You glanced at me several times, seemingly with a calm face, but you actually couldn’t grasp the seriousness of the issue, so you’re hesitating."

"But now that the word is out, uncle... if you’re smart, you’d better tell me soon, or else some people might do something to you!"