Chapter 449 - 422: Private Visit
Mei Ru Xue’s return to Dongzhou put Xu Chunliang in a great mood, as it meant they could meet often in the future.
Mei Ru Xue herself didn’t really care about getting a promotion, but there was no denying that moving to the High-Tech Zone gave her a larger stage, slightly reducing her current presence. This meant that when she was with Xu Chunliang, they wouldn’t draw as much attention as they did on Weishan Island.
Mei Ru Xue calling Xu Chunliang to her office had a bit of the personal gain, even though she knew she should keep public and private separate; she shouldn’t flirt with him during work hours. But even someone as rational as Mei Ru Xue could have her head turned by love.
After calming down, Mei Ru Xue asked about the Healthy Elderly Care Hospital. Even if she was about to leave Hu Shan Town, she needed to tie up loose ends with her past work.
Xu Chunliang briefly explained the current situation they were facing and told Mei Ru Xue that the project was about to start. He also invited her to attend the foundation ceremony in three days.
Mei Ru Xue shook her head and said, "I definitely won’t attend. In the next two days, I will wrap up my work and then head to my uncle’s in Nanjiang; this year, our whole family is going there for the New Year."
Xu Chunliang said, "The Healthy Elderly Care Hospital project was successfully launched with your support, so of course, the credit should be yours." In his view, this achievement should rightfully go to Mei Ru Xue. If she didn’t take it, wouldn’t it just benefit Qin Zhengyang for nothing?
Mei Ru Xue smiled and said, "Why would I want the credit? Let those who need it take it instead. Besides, I’m moving to a new post soon, and if people think I’m too capable, it might make them wary. It’s better if they think I got here simply because of my connections."
After saying this, she felt a bit embarrassed. She was very aware of the fact that without her family background, she couldn’t have advanced so smoothly within the system.
Xu Chunliang nodded, "I just love how indifferent you are to fame and fortune."
Mei Ru Xue whispered, "I love you no matter what you are like."
The two exchanged glances, and the air in the office turned ambiguous. Mei Ru Xue realized they could hardly discuss work seriously now. She glanced at her watch: "It’s almost time to get off work. You should go."
Xu Chunliang laughed, "So you call me when you need me and send me away when you’re satisfied?"
Mei Ru Xue’s cheeks blushed with shame, "Stop talking nonsense. I can’t exactly keep you here for a work meal."
"That’s not a problem. As long as you’re with me, I could be satisfied even with just water."
Mei Ru Xue said, "Alright, just let me leave Hu Shan Town peacefully. There will be plenty of chances for us to eat together in the future."
Xu Chunliang knew it wasn’t appropriate to stay long in her office, so he got up to leave. Mei Ru Xue saw him to the door and took the initiative to kiss him on the cheek.
After this heartfelt exchange, Grandmaster Xu left the mayor’s office satisfied. On his way downstairs, he encountered Deputy Town Mayor Qin Zhengyang.
Xu Chunliang greeted, "Secretary Qin!"
Qin Zhengyang was taken aback; his appointment as secretary hadn’t been publicly announced yet, but the organization had already talked to him. He immediately realized Xu Chunliang must have learned about it from Mei Ru Xue.
Qin Zhengyang smiled slightly and reached out to shake hands with him, "Director Xu, you came to see Town Mayor Mei, right?"
Xu Chunliang said, "I came to see you, to report on the progress of our hospital project."
Qin Zhengyang said, "It’s about time to eat. Let me treat you to a work meal, and we can discuss things while we eat."
Xu Chunliang ended up having a work meal at the town government, taking the opportunity to invite Qin Zhengyang to attend the foundation ceremony.
Qin Zhengyang had already received a call from Tang Jinglun, the CEO of Huayuan Group. Naturally, he wanted to attend such an event and gladly accepted the invitation, "I’ll be there on time. By the way, did you tell Town Mayor Mei?"
Xu Chunliang shook his head, "She’s busy with her handover and isn’t really up-to-date on our situation. So it would be great if Secretary Qin could handle it, given that the project started with your help."
Saying this was, firstly, to assure Qin Zhengyang that Mei Ru Xue wouldn’t overshadow him and, secondly, to let him know about his relationship with Mei Ru Xue.
Qin Zhengyang felt very comfortable with this; he was well aware that he had come in mid-way to reap the rewards, and this achievement was essentially gifted to him by Mei Ru Xue.
Qin Zhengyang was also quite courteous to Xu Chunliang, "Director Xu, don’t say that. This success is primarily due to your own efforts. As a local cadre, it’s my responsibility and duty to help you create a better business environment. If you need anything in the future, just come to me."
Just then, Mei Ru Xue also came for lunch. Seeing that Xu Chunliang hadn’t left and was sitting directly across from Qin Zhengyang for a meal, she couldn’t help but smile. Xu Chunliang had managed to sneak in a working meal.
Qin Zhengyang waved her over, and Mei Ru Xue sat down next to Xu Chunliang with her lunch box, smiling, "What grand plans are you two discussing?"
Qin Zhengyang said, "Director Xu was just discussing the opening of the Healthy Elderly Care Hospital with me. Town Mayor Mei, you must attend!" He was only being polite, knowing well that Mei Ru Xue wouldn’t attend. If she did, his own presence wouldn’t be necessary.
Mei Ru Xue said, "I’d love to attend, but the date doesn’t work for me. I’m heading to Nanjiang the day after tomorrow, so I’ll leave the matters of Hu Shan Town to you."
Qin Zhengyang said, "There’s nothing hard about it; the path is already paved by Town Mayor Mei. I just need to continue forward." This statement was humble and publicly expressed gratitude towards Mei Ru Xue. He arrived at the right time to take over, right as Mei Ru Xue was promoted and the old secretary, Kong Xiangsheng, was moved to the county level. Currently, he held both the party and government powers in Hu Shan Town.
Xu Chunliang said, "Having leaders like you is truly a blessing for Hu Shan Town."
Qin Zhengyang said, "It takes many hands to build a strong fire, and the development of Weishan Island today couldn’t have happened without investors like you."
Xu Chunliang said, "Actually, I’ve long considered myself part of Weishan Island. I’ve gained a lot here." He looked at Town Mayor Mei as he said this.
Mei Ru Xue didn’t look at him, but she understood in her heart. His greatest gain on Weishan Island was her, and wasn’t her greatest gain also him?
Qin Zhengyang realized he was the third wheel in this scenario. However, in this environment, his presence was necessary, as this young couple needed him to provide cover while they ate together.
Mei Ru Xue said, "By the way, Town Mayor Qin, the city is preparing to establish a National Tourist Resort Command Center to oversee the planning and command of key projects."
Qin Zhengyang was taken aback by this news, which wasn’t a good sign for him.
Qin Zhengyang even wondered if Mei Ru Xue’s departure was related to this matter. His good mood was immediately dampened.
Qin Zhengyang cautiously asked, "Does Town Mayor Mei know who will be in charge of this Command Center?"
Mei Ru Xue shook her head, "We haven’t received formal notification from the city yet, but it’s clear the city places great importance on constructing the national resort area."
Xu Chunliang said, "I do know a bit."
Both of them looked at him.
Mei Ru Xue said, "What gossip have you heard now?"
Xu Chunliang understood from her words that Mei Ru Xue didn’t want him to reveal too much, so he smiled and said, "I’ll refrain from discussing matters of hearsay."
Qin Zhengyang wanted to encourage him to speak, but at this moment, Xu Chunliang’s phone rang.
Xu Chunliang took out his phone. It was Fan Lidada, coincidentally enough. He stood up to answer the call, "Brother Fan, what can I do for you?"
Fan Lidada laughed, "What could I possibly need? I’m at the dock, and there’s no taxi on the island. It’s a few miles to get to where you are."
Xu Chunliang said, "You’re going incognito for inspection?" If it were an official visit, Hu Shan Town would have been notified.
Fan Lidada said, "Not at all, I can’t claim that. To be honest, I’m here to get familiar with things and didn’t want to alarm Hu Shan Town government. I overestimated my ability to adapt to the environment."
Xu Chunliang said, "Send me your location, and I’ll come to pick you up."
Xu Chunliang returned to tell Mei Ru Xue and the others that a friend had come, and he arranged for Zhang Haitao to come and pick him up.
Fan Lidada was indeed there for an undercover visit, bringing a colleague Xiaowang with him. Initially, they hadn’t even planned to notify Xu Chunliang. After finally catching an electric tricycle at the dock, they’d agreed on a price of ten yuan. But once onboard, the driver changed his mind, demanding twenty yuan each to take them to the town center and another ten for driving in the snow.
Blood boiling, Xiaowang argued with the driver, resulting in them being abandoned midway. Although the distance wasn’t far, it started snowing, and Fan Lidada was livid, prompting him to contact Xu Chunliang.
Not long after, an Audi Q7 came driving up. Xu Chunliang spotted the two standing in the snow from afar, thinking Fan Lidada must be nuts to come to the island under such terrible weather conditions to do inspections. Although Xu Chunliang didn’t know Fan Lidada well, Fan Lidada was a good friend of Lu Ming, so on Lu Ming’s account, he had to offer warm hospitality. Moreover, Fan Lidada was to be stationed permanently on Weishan Island, newly appointed as the Director of the National Tourist Resort Command Center on the island.
Initially, Xu Chunliang didn’t think Fan Lidada would hold any significant power. But after hearing Mei Ru Xue’s remarks at lunch today, it seemed Fan Lidada would be quite influential in the future.
Fan Lidada and Xiaowang had mud-covered shoes. Shielding his eyes from the sun, Fan Lidada looked into the car, not entirely sure it was Xu Chunliang.