From Evil Sect Leader to Doctor

The Audi Q7 stopped beside them, and Xu Chunliang opened the door and got out of the car. He quickly walked towards Fan Lidada, warmly grabbing Fan Lidada’s ice-cold right hand and said, "Brother Fan, you really should have let me know in advance, so I could have arranged a car to pick you up at the pier."

Xiaowang wanted to mention their ordeal, but Fan Lidada stopped him with a glance. Smiling widely, Fan Lidada said, "Junior Brother Xu, I just wanted to give you a surprise visit."

Xu Chunliang thought to himself that there was no need for Fan Lidada to give himself such a hard time for a surprise, and quickly invited both of them into the car.

Xiaowang took the front passenger seat, while Xu Chunliang and Fan Lidada sat in the back.

The warmth inside the car gave Fan Lidada a sense of going from hell to heaven, as the heated seats warmed his wide hips. Fan Lidada unscrewed his thermos and took a sip of black goji berry tea, smiling, "This car is nice."

Xu Chunliang said, "Borrowed from a friend. My rank isn’t high enough for this."

The two exchanged a glance and burst into laughter, though neither knew the reason.

Xu Chunliang asked, "Have you eaten?"

Fan Lidada hadn’t had lunch yet. It was freezing, the north wind was howling, snow was drifting, and he was getting hungry because of the rapid loss of heat. But he nodded, saying he’d eaten, although his stomach betrayed him by growling loudly in protest.

Fan Lidada felt embarrassed, and Xu Chunliang quietly found it amusing. He said to Fan Lidada, "Then let’s have a drink. Our cafeteria is ready."

Fan Lidada felt moved, finally seeing someone familiar. He had originally intended to quietly investigate the situation on Weishan Island, but plans didn’t keep pace with changes. No sooner had he set foot on this land than he faced a setback.

Passing through the town center, Xiaowang suddenly saw the electric tricycle that had given them a ride earlier. The owner, in a military coat, was chatting with someone. Xiaowang pointed outside and said, "That’s him. He took us on a detour and tried to overcharge us."

Fan Lidada was at a loss for words. This youngster was too rash, making a fuss over something not exactly glorious.

Actually, when Xu Chunliang first saw them, he guessed that they had most likely been scammed by a local. Xu Chunliang calmly said, "Haitao! Do you know him?"

Zhang Haitao stopped the car, rolled down the window, pointed at the man in the military coat, and shouted, "Li Changgui, come over here!"

Li Changgui heard Zhang Haitao calling him and quickly lowered his head and ran over, immediately understanding the situation when he saw Xiaowang in the car.

Zhang Haitao cursed, "You heartless jerk, these two are friends of our Dean Xu!"

Li Changgui was very deferential to Zhang Haitao and quickly returned the ten yuan he had taken earlier, saying, "I didn’t know, I really didn’t know."

Zhang Haitao said, "Even if you didn’t know, you can’t behave like this. You’re ruining the reputation of Weishan Island. Get lost, don’t be an eyesore here."

"Brother Haitao, I’ll treat you to a drink another day."

"No time!"

Fan Lidada glanced at Xu Chunliang, thinking this kid was quite capable.

Xu Chunliang smiled at him and said, "Brother Fan, you know, every place has a habit of taking advantage of outsiders."

Fan Lidada said with a sigh, "Building a national-level resort is a long and difficult task. We must change people’s mindset and improve the overall quality."

Xu Chunliang thought that the guys working on Weishan Island were in trouble. Fan Lidada had just arrived and suffered a loss, so he would surely regulate this aspect.

Back at the hospital cafeteria, cold dishes were already served, and the air-conditioning in the room had been turned on for a while, making it warm and inviting.

Although Fan Lidada was a good drinker, he hadn’t forgotten his main purpose for coming. He suggested, "Chunliang, don’t make it too grand. Let’s just have a simple meal and skip the alcohol, oh..."

Xu Chunliang had already had Zhang Haibin open two bottles and picked up one to pour for Fan Lidada, "You just said it wasn’t for work, so you have to have a drink at my place."

Fan Lidada quickly tapped the table, "Pour less, pour less... Oh no, why did you fill it to the brim."

Xu Chunliang said, "Tea is poured to seventy percent, but wine must be poured to a full glass, to show my sincerity."

Fan Lidada said, "This looks like it’s filled to a hundred and ten percent, spilling over the edge."

Zhang Haitao also filled Xiaowang’s glass. To have a long career at the workplace, one must stay aligned with the leadership.

Fan Lidada said, "Let’s agree, just one glass today."

Xu Chunliang said, "Brother Fan, you’ve come a long way. The key is to enjoy the food. You know my temperament, drinking is up to you."

Fan Lidada nodded, "Exactly, we’re old friends, drinking is up to you."

Drinking from a glass, everyone took three small sips as three drinks. Xu Chunliang raised his glass and said, "Brother Fan, isn’t it a joy to have friends coming from afar? I’ve been hoping and waiting for this chance, and finally, I got it. So, here’s to you, I’ll down mine first, feel free to drink as you like."

"Don’t..."

Xu Chunliang tilted his head back and finished his drink.

"Brother, since you’ve finished yours, how can I hold back? I’ll empty mine too!" Fan Lidada tilted his head back. Everyone who knows him knows he loves to drink, can drink, dares to drink. Since Xu Chunliang had shown such sincerity, how could he not finish his?

Xu Chunliang said, "Brother Fan, you are straightforward. Shall I pour you another glass?"

Fan Lidada hesitated internally for a moment, "Then let’s have another one, just two drinks, only two today."

Zhang Haitao and Xiaowang watched as Fan Lidada went from not drinking to drinking just one glass but soon was welcoming another, drinking happily with Xu Chunliang, exchanging toasts merrily.

Since the leader was drinking, the subordinates naturally had to follow suit. Xiaowang immediately began to imitate the higher-ups.

Fan Lidada was savoring the lake’s fresh produce while drinking Li Du 1955, gradually feeling cheerful, shaking off the gloom from just arriving on the island. "In life, when you have joy, you must enjoy it to the fullest and not let a golden goblet face the moon in vain," indeed, the ancients were wise.

While peeling crabs, Fan Lidada said, "Junior Brother Xu, I’m so happy to see you, I drank too much without realizing it."

Xu Chunliang laughed, "Brother Fan, I know your drinking capacity. A base of 1100 ml; this is only 350 ml."

Fan Lidada said, "If I keep drinking like this, I won’t be able to go back today."

"Then don’t go back, continue drinking tonight, I’ll arrange everything."

Fan Lidada said, "No, I came to the island during my personal time today just to have a look. I have to go back for a meeting tomorrow morning. Xiaowang, we head back at four."

Xiaowang, already slurring, "Okay... I’ll listen to Director Fan..."

Xu Chunliang had never introduced Fan Lidada’s identity, and Zhang Haitao only now realized the other party should be a director-level leader.

Fan Lidada laughed, "You guys let Xiaowang drink less; I’ve never seen him drink so much before. We said we’d come to understand the situation, but ended up learning the drinking culture here instead."

Xu Chunliang said, "Brother Fan, what do you want to understand? I know quite a bit about Weishan Island’s situation. Anything I don’t know, you can ask Haitao; he’s a local born and bred."

Fan Lidada said, "To be honest, I have to come over after the festival. Today’s visit is mainly to have a look, understand the situation, find a workspace."

Xu Chunliang said, "Specifically, where will your office be?"

Fan Lidada said, "There used to be a Weishan Lake Scenic Management Office. The city intends for it to be there."

Xu Chunliang had never heard of it and glanced at Zhang Haitao.

Zhang Haitao said, "That rundown place? It’s in the west of the town, about six rooms, unused for many years because the terrain is low, it floods when it rains, and the houses are old and dilapidated. People around there use it as a public toilet..."

Xu Chunliang glared at him, and Zhang Haitao immediately fell silent.

Fan Lidada said, "We’re here to work, not to enjoy. I’ll report back to the city and suggest refurbishing it beforehand." Listening to Zhang Haitao’s description, he felt a bit discouraged. He had anticipated tough conditions but not this rough.

Xu Chunliang said, "Isn’t the city going to build a headquarters for you guys?"

Fan Lidada said, "Work hasn’t even started yet; I can’t just ask the city for money. I’ll take a look later. If it’s not feasible, we can coordinate with Hu Shan Town to see if they can arrange a few offices for us, given it’s a temporary setup. The city’s final decision is still unknown."

Xu Chunliang had a flash of inspiration: "Brother Fan, isn’t it inappropriate for you to work inside the town government? We’re currently building a Healthy Elderly Care Hospital headquarters. The construction and decoration should be completed in about a month. With a sizable planned area, it will definitely have modern office conditions. If you don’t mind, I can reserve a few rooms for you as a headquarters."

Fan Lidada blinked, feeling somewhat tempted.

Xu Chunliang said, "You’ve seen the location here. It’s in the most scenic spot of Weishan Island, very close to the town government. Plus, we have a hospital with a canteen, so the dining problem for your headquarters staff is solved. If they need accommodation, we have dormitories behind the hospital, although there might be some construction noise once it starts."

Fan Lidada said, "That would be too much trouble, no, no!"

Xu Chunliang said, "Why not? It’s just about putting up one more sign. If you need the headquarters up and running after the New Year, just use our preparation office, I’ll put up a sign and arrange a few desks. Having you settled here gives me peace of mind."

Xu Chunliang was calculating his advantage. After Mei Ru Xue left Hu Shan Town, Qin Zhengyang was in charge. Just based on Qin Zhengyang’s previous pressure tactics, it was clear he was quite capable as well.

During lunch at the town government work canteen, Mei Ru Xue brought up the issue of the resort area command post. Xu Chunliang paid special attention to Qin Zhengyang’s expression, which was clearly affected. The reason being, the establishment of the command post would strip away many powers from the Hu Shan Town government. According to Mei Ru Xue, the city might give the planning, approval, and supervision over construction of the resort area to the command post.

If that were the case, Hu Shan Town government wouldn’t have much difference in function from a normal local government. This not only showed the city’s strong emphasis on the national-level tourist resort project but also its doubts about the capabilities of the grassroots leadership team, hence, forming this resort command post.