Chapter 342: When the Storm Hits Home

Hearing Zhou Can’s words, her whole body trembled hard, like she’d just been struck by lightning. Slowly, she turned to look back at the factory entrance.

Sure enough, there stood a tall, handsome figure.

It was her most beloved son.

In that moment, she knew she couldn’t keep the truth hidden any longer.

“Mom!”

Zhou Can rushed forward and, seeing his mother—always so strong—now crying uncontrollably, he couldn’t help but feel a sharp ache in his heart.

“With something this big happening at home, why didn’t you tell me?”

He pulled his mother into a tight embrace.

Suddenly, he noticed after nearly three years apart, his mother’s hair was streaked with gray and her body had gotten so much thinner.

It broke Zhou Can’s heart.

“Didn’t I tell you not to come back? Why won’t you ever listen!” Her voice was hoarse, thick with tears.

“You and Dad protected me when I was young. Now let me take care of you as you grow old. Your son is grown up now. I can shelter you too!”

Zhou Can spoke, confidence and emotion in every word.

The love his parents had shown since he was small filled their home with warmth and gave him a happy childhood. To him, family was everything.

Now that he was back, he was determined to do whatever it took to save their home and protect his parents.

“Son, you’ve always been sensible and that makes me proud. But this time the crisis we face is just too big. If you get involved, you won’t help us—instead, you’ll lose everything too. Your dad and I have already discussed it: if we lose the factory, so be it. The house, our savings, none of it matters. At worst we’ll move back to the countryside. You’re legally independent. As long as you stay out of this, you won’t be affected. Do you understand?”

His mother lowered her voice, giving him advice.

“All your dad and I want is to see you safe and happy with that girl Qian Qian. That’s more than enough for us.”

From her words, it was clear she’d already accepted the worst outcome.

Those people they were up against were ruthless and frighteningly professional. His parents had built their business from nothing, relying on hard work, a little ingenuity, and their honesty. They were never a match for the kind of predators who mastered modern business.

Under those people’s schemes, they were ruined overnight, sent right back to square one.

Maybe even left with a mountain of debt.

Hardly any factory survives without taking out bank loans. Their family now faced pressure from banks, nervous suppliers, and workers demanding wages. The specialty food they produced wasn’t selling at home, so there was no way to quickly recover losses.

With all these pressures, this moderately well-off family in the county collapsed in an instant, falling back into poverty.

Sure, some blame lay with his parents’ risky choices and their greed, but at the heart of it, it was those bad people—too skilled, too calculating.

Business is a battlefield, just one without the smell of gunpowder.

It’s often even more ruthless and brutal than war.

You can lose everything without shedding a single drop of blood.

“Mom, don’t worry. Leave it to me. Where’s Dad?”

Zhou Can asked.

“Aren’t those suppliers and workers outside, demanding payment? Your father’s out trying to borrow money to settle our debts. But once our friends heard about our trouble, they avoided us like the plague. We haven’t been able to borrow a dime. Plus, the gap is huge—a few thousand yuan is like a drop in the ocean. It won’t help at all.”

Talking about all the debts, his mother looked utterly worried.

“Hey, Jiang Wenhui! Your son’s back! Did he bring money with him?”

Someone recognized Zhou Can.

These savvy suppliers didn’t need social media to tell them what was going on. Seeing mother and son embracing and the tears on her face, they already understood the situation.

“You know what, I really did bring money! A son paying his father’s debts—it’s only right.”

Zhou Can strode straight toward the crowd of people wanting their money.

As far as he could see, over a hundred people waited. And that wasn’t even all—some were on standby, waiting for news.

“You’ve got a good head on your shoulders, kid! Your family owes me two hundred seventy thousand for goods. Settle up with me first and I’ll leave right away!”

A supplier in his fifties grinned broadly.

He was the first to greet Zhou Can.

The rest saw Zhou Can had come bearing money and surged forward, all demanding payment at once.

“Everyone, hold on! Listen up—whatever we owe you is all clearly recorded in my mom’s ledger. No one’s leaving with less than they deserve. Thank you all for your years of support and trust. We’ll pay every penny we owe, including the interest!”

Zhou Can was generous and spoke with pride.

After all, people have feelings too.

Starting with a bit of sentiment, some shared history—it could help defuse the growing tension.

“Spoken like a true young boss! That’s exactly what we wanted to hear. But can you pay us right now?”

The first supplier continued negotiating with Zhou Can.

“It’s a lot of money. We’re selling off what we own to cover the debts—as you can see. I promise: all supplier payments will be settled within seven days, and wages within three days.”

As soon as Zhou Can finished, the crowd broke out in anxious whispers.

“So all that talk was just for show? We’re still not getting paid today!”

“We’re not leaving without our money!”

“Maybe this guy’s back to help his parents run! Better keep an eye on them.”

Two or three voices stirred up the crowd.

Zhou Can quietly took note of the three troublemakers.

Maybe they were just rotten at their core. Or maybe they were paid by those bad people to stir up trouble. Of course, it’s also possible they were simply scared they’d never see their money, which made them speak up.

“You were the loudest just now! Yes, you—you can stop hiding!”

Zhou Can pointed at a shifty-looking man and shouted.

“So what if I raise my voice? Asking for my own wages is my right. Not even the king could scare me off.” The man realized there was no point hiding and just stepped forward, face dark with anger.

“Mom, what’s his name?”

Ignoring the man’s bluster, Zhou Can turned to his mother for answers.

“His name’s He Zhiqiang. Worked at our factory for about half a year. He’s new.”

“Good. This is the guy sowing dissent, causing trouble. Let’s make sure he’s the very last one to get his wages.” Zhou Can knew people always protect their own interests first.

Only by hitting them where it hurts would he make them fall in line.

Sometimes, making an example is the surest way to keep peace.

“Why? I’m just asking for my pay! What’s wrong with that?” He Zhiqiang demanded, his neck stiff with anger.

“Everyone, look at how bossy this young owner is! He’s clearly just trying to scare us into backing down. We won’t give in!”

Someone chimed in, standing up for He Zhiqiang.

“Yeah, we can’t let this kid push us around. We need the money today, or it’s all just empty words!”

Another voice added fuel to the fire.

It’s hard to stir up trouble alone.

It always takes a few people working together to sway the crowd, spread anxiety, and cause real chaos.

Again, it was these three.

Zhou Can felt certain it was these specific guys making trouble.

“You two, step forward as well! Yes, you two!” Zhou Can called out the other two who’d spoken up.

“Mom, who are those two?”

He turned to his mother.

“The tall one is Wei Min—joined our factory less than five months ago. The other is a supplier, Tang Xiaoli, who’s been working with us for three years. We owe him about a hundred and ten thousand.”

“Write down their names too. They’re going to have their payments settled last as well.”

Zhou Can announced loudly, iron-willed and unsparing.

No turning back now.

He’d already singled one out, may as well add the other two.

“Our factory’s entered liquidation. Those at the front of the line will get paid in full, wages and supplies. But those at the very end—well, it’ll depend on luck. Of course, my parents and I always keep our word. We’ll pay everything we owe, but when… that’s another matter.”

Zhou Can made it clear he was publicly threatening the three troublemakers with late payment. When they’d see their money? No promises.

That’s what they got for stirring up trouble.

“Why? Kid, can you even make the decisions around here?”

Tang Xiaoli grew anxious, hearing his payment would be last.

A hundred and ten thousand wasn’t a sum to take lightly.

Zhou Can’s move—cracking down on all three at once—immediately calmed the crowd. No one else wanted to risk being on the blacklist. That’s just human nature.

The ringleader gets paid last, watching everyone else walk off with their money while they wait for who knows how long.

Nobody wants to do something that only hurts themselves just to help others.

That’s why only a fool would stick their neck out now.

Tang Xiaoli’s challenge—whether Zhou Can actually had the authority—hit Zhou Can’s biggest weakness.

He was just the owner’s son, after all. Could he really call the shots?

“If my son can’t make decisions, then who can?”

A calm, powerful voice called out.

A man in his early fifties, carrying a black shoulder bag, strode over.

It was Zhou Can’s father, returning from collecting debts.

Judging by the deep furrow in his brow, he’d had little luck. Borrowing was even harder. The more trouble you have at home, the less likely anyone wants to help.

People avoid those they fear can’t repay their debts. No one’s willing to risk their own money.

“Dad!”

Zhou Can saw his father—always towering and strict—now with silver hair and a hunched back, the family’s heavy debt having bent his spine.

“Boss Zhou is back!”

“You heard it! Boss Zhou says his son can take charge.”

In that instant, the crowd’s mood shifted and Zhou Can’s position was solidified, all thanks to his father’s endorsement.

“Boss Zhou, just now your son promised us: supplier debts in seven days, worker wages in three. You heard him.”

Some in the crowd had worked with the family for decades—a loyal friend.

If the food processing business hadn’t hit rock bottom, they wouldn’t be here chasing debts.

Boss Zhou looked at his son, cursing silently. This was pure inexperience. The debts weren’t minor—how could he just set a hard deadline?

That’s just cutting off your own escape.

In business, never make promises you can’t keep. You always need a way out. That’s how you survive.

“Yes, exactly. I said it. A real man keeps his word.” Zhou Can stood firm.

His father and mother were so anxious they practically stomped their feet.

“Everyone, all of you are my partners and workers. Whatever we owe you, we’ll make it right. My son just got home—he doesn’t know the full situation. Let me talk with him, then I’ll get back to you. But you’ve seen how determined he is to repay every debt. Please, bear with us for now.”

His father couldn’t take over that promise.

The wages weren’t even settled yet—not to mention the supplier payments in seven days.

If you can’t come up with the money, how do you pay?

His son’s young, ignorant of the harsh realities. He needed to talk to him in private.

“Boss Zhou, you and I have worked together for years. Just now your son threatened to leave my payment last. Can’t we just forget about that?”

Tang Xiaoli pulled Boss Zhou aside to plead.

He hadn’t expected Zhou Can to actually single him out and act tough! With his payment suddenly pushed to the back, he panicked. A hundred and ten thousand—if he couldn’t recover it, how would he pay the farmers?

“You say you’re a partner, but you started this mess? It’s only fair to ask for your payment back, but my son already gave his word. You stirred things up with those other two new hires—what were you thinking? Honestly, putting your bill last is already going easy on you.”

Despite his white hair and hunched back, when Boss Zhou got serious, his presence pressed down like a mountain.

Tang Xiaoli was left speechless.

“Everyone, my son’s decision is also mine. Anyone who asks fairly will get their payment first. That’s what you deserve for supporting us all these years. But if anyone acts like those three ringleaders and tries to cause trouble—go ahead. There’s nothing I hate more than people who kick others when they’re down. Their debts go to the very bottom.”

You can be smooth, but that doesn’t mean you lack backbone.

Boss Zhou won the crowd to his side, then cracked down on the three who’d made the most noise.

Father and son might have had different methods, but they both aimed for the same result.

“Honey, it’s just about time for lunch. Go buy some groceries and have the kitchen whip up something. Everyone’s come a long way for these payments—we can’t have them going hungry. As long as I can move, I’ll treat them well.”

That’s another way to lead.

Sometimes, a small gesture is all it takes to win people over.

If you eat at someone’s table, you’re more likely to consider their feelings.

After sharing the meal, everyone would think twice before crossing the line and causing trouble.

There are always a few who, after eating your food, might still turn on you—but they’re the exception.

“Kid, come with me to the office.”

Boss Zhou led the way into the main building.

Zhou Can followed right behind.

Father and son entered the office, and Zhou Can closed the door behind them.

The atmosphere turned a bit tense.

This was, after all, their first meeting in three years.

“You handled most things out there well, but you shouldn’t have promised to settle all debts in seven days. The factory owes more than just a little—it’s over thirty-seven million. That includes supplier debts, loans for equipment, land expansion, and wages owed for three months. We have about 120 suppliers—some are owed over seven hundred thousand.”

When he heard the numbers, Zhou Can was stunned.

Thirty-seven million was a truly staggering debt.

No wonder their house—even mortgaged—wasn’t enough.

Not just not enough—nowhere even close.

“Weren’t you always so careful in business? I remember the deputy bank manager used to offer you loans, and you always turned them down. How did all this debt pile up so suddenly?”

In Zhou Can’s eyes, his father was always cautious and steady.

He’d always told Zhou Can not to spend money before earning it, never to borrow for what you couldn’t afford. Especially never touch the bank’s money.

Now, yet here they were—deeply in debt to the bank.

When did his father’s beliefs change?

“Ah! In the end, it all comes down to greed. Like a fish sees bait and not the hook—chasing profit but forgetting the risk. I spent a lifetime hunting eagles, but this time, the eagle pecked my eyes out.”

Boss Zhou let out a deep sigh, defeated and downcast.

It was the first time he’d shown weakness in front of his son.

To Zhou Can, his father had always been invincible.