C109 – The Diligent Wang
Energetic as ever, Su Ming drove the farm tractor, giving the land another thorough plowing. Amidst their bustling work, a figure approached the doorway. Clad in a T-shirt, shorts, and flip-flops, the man’s presence was unexpected. Who could it be? Su Ming paused, momentarily taken aback. Was this man a thief?
Carrying a bucket, the man casually strolled over to the side of the thatched cottage, turned on the tap, and filled his bucket with water. Just as he was about to water the ground, he froze in his tracks. There, on the tractor, sat a young man gaping at him in astonishment.
“Mr. Su, you’ve returned?” The young man’s voice was laced with surprise as he caught sight of Su Ming. He quickly set the bucket down and jogged over, his anxiety palpable.
“Wang?” Su Ming’s surprise was evident. He recognized the man. This was President Chen’s subordinate, someone Chen was grooming for greater things.
Su Ming was no fool. He could tell from the young man’s actions that he was there to water his crops. That morning, upon his return, Su Ming had noticed the land was immaculate, not a weed in sight. President Chen had certainly been diligent in his absence.
“Wang, what are you up to?” Su Ming inquired.
“Mr. Su, please don’t get the wrong idea,” Wang blurted out, worried that Su Ming might suspect him of theft. “I came to lend a hand.”
As expected. Su Ming couldn’t help but smile. President Chen’s actions were always reassuring.
Truth be told, Wang had been over the moon when he was assigned this task. He was, after all, assisting a land magnate from the city center. Su Ming had the potential to become a billionaire overnight. A single building on this land could yield a fortune in rent.
Wang was aware that this was President Chen’s way of giving him an opportunity to connect with Mr. Su.
“I appreciate your efforts,” Su Ming said with a smile, stepping off the tractor to give Wang a reassuring pat on the shoulder. Wang nearly teared up under the weight of that gesture.
“This is no trouble at all. It’s my duty!” Wang replied, his earnestness causing Su Ming to chuckle inwardly.
“Why did President Chen send you over?” Su Ming asked, his tone light and teasing, though he likely already knew the answer.
He could see the nervousness in Wang’s heart.
Su Ming couldn’t help but be amused, finding President Chen quite the character.
He mused, “President Chen, you’re selling yourself short. How could I possibly forget you?”
“Mr. Su, please don’t refuse. Otherwise, I’ll face trouble when I return.”
Su Ming responded with a wry smile.
“Alright then.”
Wang’s spirits lifted instantly at the response, and he eagerly grabbed the bucket to begin watering.
Truthfully, the land was already immaculate, not a weed in sight. Yet, Wang diligently sought out the tiniest sprouts of weeds emerging from the smallest of crevices.
“Mr. Su, your tractor’s looking a bit dirty. I’ll give it a wash for you right now.”
“Mr. Su, the corridor seems a bit grimy. I’ll clean it up for you now.”
Su Ming was torn between laughter and tears.
He really felt like reminding Wang that there was no need to scrub the tractor spotless.
But Su Ming knew all too well that if he voiced that thought, Wang would be wracked with guilt.
So, he let him carry on with the tasks.
Wang worked with the fervor of someone on a mission, tidying up everything inside and out, even giving the front door a good wipe-down.
Despite being drenched in sweat from the effort, his eyes sparkled with sheer delight.