From Evil Sect Leader to Doctor

Mei Ru Xue brought two packets of tea for Uncle, the tea was given to her by Xu Chunliang, a product from Xianhong Farm.

Qiao Yuanjiang laughed and said, "Actually, there’s no need for you to make a special trip. The day after tomorrow, I’m heading to Weishan Island."

Mei Ru Xue said, "I’ve already completed my job transition, and after the holiday, I’ll be working in Dongzhou High-Tech Zone. I can’t always stay over there." In the system, you have to understand the bigger picture and know when to advance and retreat. You shouldn’t make decisions beyond your position, I’ve received the transfer order, so it’s not appropriate to continue staying at the town government.

Qiao Yuanjiang said, "The old man has been complaining, he wants you to work in the Capital City. Xiaoxue, how great it would be to stay in the Capital City. All the family is there, it’s convenient to look after each other, and the career prospects are greater than in Dongzhou. If it doesn’t work out, I can arrange for you to work in Nanjiang."

Mei Ru Xue said, "Uncle, I’m quite fine here. If I did go to Nanjiang, wouldn’t you worry about people gossiping about you?"

Qiao Yuanjiang said, "Let them talk. Do you think no one gossips about you in Dongjiang? People can say whatever they want; it’s their freedom. If every decision is made with others’ feelings in mind, then nothing will ever be done."

Mei Ru Xue laughed and said, "No wonder Grandpa always says you have a big heart."

Qiao Yuanjiang smiled slightly, having a big heart was not a compliment for him. What his father meant was that there was an inherent laziness in him that made him indifferent to things. Nicely put, it meant not being concerned with small matters, but in a harsher tone, it meant being careless.

The old man often said, if you dare not to run, you cannot win the race. If you dare not to fight, you cannot win the victory.

Qiao Yuanjiang had to admit that reality had already given him thoughts of going with the flow. The first half of his life was too smooth, almost like effortlessly winning, making it hard to rise for the second half. This validated his father’s words, a person might effortlessly win for a stage, but can never win effortlessly for a lifetime.

Qiao Yuanjiang poured his niece a cup of tea, and Mei Ru Xue took it with both hands: "Uncle, are you going to Weishan Island this time to support Huayuan Group?"

Qiao Yuanjiang was taken aback for a moment, shook his head and said, "This time I’m in Dongzhou to represent the province in investigating the work of culture, education, and health. I just happened to be here for the opening ceremony of Huannian Health and Elderly Care Hospital. I received an invitation from Huayuan Group’s President Tang. Since I’m here, I should show some support for private enterprises."

"I heard that Huayuan Group has had quite a bit of trouble recently," Mei Ru Xue gently reminded.

Qiao Yuanjiang took a sip of tea, "Huayuan Group is the most representative private enterprise in Pinghai. Their strength is still very solid; it’s impossible for them to collapse. Powers from Nanjiang will not watch them fall either."

Huayuan has developed to the point of becoming a corporate aircraft carrier. If this carrier were to sink, it would definitely cause a huge wave in Pinghai Province. If such an influential group goes down, the ones to suffer the most would be the ordinary workers of the group.

Mei Ru Xue knew that what Uncle said was true, but she still thought that Uncle shouldn’t stand by Huayuan at such a sensitive time.

As evening approached, Wang Jinwu personally escorted a shipment of gifts. This batch of gifts was all custom-ordered from Xianhong Farm, and Xu Chunliang asked the accountant to immediately settle the payment with the farm.

Wang Jinwu smiled and said, "No rush, don’t we trust each other?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Of course, I have no problem, but the money comes from Huayuan Group."

Both of them laughed, and Wang Jinwu glanced at the setup and praised, "Quite a grand scene."

"That’s what the higher-ups requested. They initially said to keep everything simple, with a budget cap of 200,000, but now it’s increased to a million."

Wang Jinwu said, "What a waste, groundbreaking ceremonies are all for show."

Xu Chunliang said, "What about the fireworks I asked you to help arrange?"

"Everything is arranged, and the doves you requested are all in place."

Xu Chunliang handed him an invitation, and Wang Jinwu laughed, "I don’t need this."

Xu Chunliang said, "It’s for Uncle Tong." Tong Guangsheng, as the owner of Xianhong Farm, is a well-known representative figure on Weishan Island, and among the first guests Xu Chunliang invited.

Wang Jinwu accepted it and put it away, when he heard a familiar voice calling, "Yo, both brothers are here!"

Wang Jinwu turned around and saw Pu Jian walking over with a big travel bag on his back. Wang Jinwu said, "President Pu, didn’t you return to the Capital City?"

Pu Jian laughed, "I didn’t leave, I’ve been staying in Dongzhou. The hometown people are too hospitable, I can’t bear to leave. I’ll go back after the New Year." In fact, he was called over by Xu Chunliang, and since he was staying alone in Dongzhou, feeling bored, when he heard Xu Chunliang’s call, he packed lightly and hurried over without hesitation.

Wang Jinwu still had things to do, so Xu Chunliang let him busy himself and come to the hospital canteen for drinks in the evening.

He accompanied Pu Jian to the dormitory building behind the hospital and arranged a room for him.

Pu Jian put the travel bag on the table and said, "Brother, what’s the big deal that you urgently called me over for? My parents were setting me up with a blind date! You owe me a wife."

Xu Chunliang threw him a box of cigarettes, "In your dreams!"

Pu Jian took out a cigarette and lit it: "That means you missed me, otherwise, why do they say ’wives are like clothes, brothers are like limbs’."

Xu Chunliang chuckled: "You’re just being glib, women are scared away by that mouth of yours."

Pu Jian took a puff and said: "So, what do you want from me?"

Xu Chunliang said: "Do you remember Old Chen’s last visit to the winery for an inspection?"

Pu Jian nodded: "I remember, that guy is slick, don’t be fooled by that dopey bear-like face of his, he’s got a lot on his mind. I originally thought he came to inspect your hospital, but who would have thought he had his eye on the Weishan Island Winery. It’s said those three cellars are quite old."

Xu Chunliang said: "I think it’s not that simple."

Pu Jian stared at him in amazement as Xu Chunliang recounted his experience from the previous night.

After listening, Pu Jian drew in a sharp breath: "Fuck! This is a whole gang! Chunliang, how much do you really know about Old Chen?"

Xu Chunliang met Chen Qianfan during a concentrated study session in the Capital City. They were classmates who bought their degrees. Xu Chunliang said: "Now that I think about it, Old Chen is not a simple man. Many things he told me were fabricated; I even suspect he had an agenda from the start when he approached me."

Pu Jian said: "If that’s true, he’s incredibly shrewd."

Xu Chunliang said: "Do you understand now why I asked you to come over?"

Pu Jian laughed: "You want me to strike first to gain the upper hand."

Xu Chunliang said, "I estimate Chen Qianfan will come over these few days; he’s determined to get the Weishan Island Winery."

Pu Jian said: "I’ll hurry to figure out the secret of those three ancient cellars."

Xu Chunliang said: "Let’s be clear, we can’t do anything illegal."

Pu Jian said: "Don’t worry, who am I? I won’t tarnish our royal reputation."

Even though Xu Chunliang’s words weren’t pleasant, Dong Changhao still rushed to Weishan Island on the same day to oversee the preparations for the commencement ceremony. When Xu Chunliang saw him, he handed over all his tasks and went to the town government.

Qin Zhengyang received the invitation handed over by Xu Chunliang, opened it, and smiled: "Congratulations, finally starting construction."

Xu Chunliang said: "Secretary Qin, I don’t agree with your ’finally.’ Our project’s efficiency from start to construction isn’t bad, right?"

Qin Zhengyang said: "Viewed alone, it’s okay, but compared to others, your efficiency is quite low. I remember Da Heng Group’s Hot Spring Town project was approved after yours, but they’ve been constructing for quite some time."

Xu Chunliang said: "With such a large project, you have to make adequate preparations. In my experience, projects that start hastily are mostly for speculation and profit."

Qin Zhengyang laughed: "Oh, Xu Chunliang, you can’t boost yourself by belittling others."

Xu Chunliang said: "I don’t have the habit of badmouthing others, but just mentioning Da Heng’s Hot Spring Town gets me angry. From the beginning, they forcibly tied their promotions with ours, riding on our popularity and resources."

Qin Zhengyang laughed heartily. He got up, poured Xu Chunliang a cup of tea, and handed it to him: "Da Heng Group’s strength surpasses Huayuan, doesn’t it? What are they riding on from you?"

Xu Chunliang said: "Secretary Qin, you’ve seen their brochures, right? They made it seem like our Healthy Elderly Care Hospital is an auxiliary to theirs, don’t you think that’s frustrating?"

Qin Zhengyang said: "You’ve just started construction, what auxiliary? Isn’t this kind of promotion a common tactic by developers?"

"But you can’t just lie with open eyes, right? What nonsense. They claim to have over a hundred hot springs, which I don’t know about."

Qin Zhengyang didn’t know either. He sat next to Xu Chunliang and said: "Promotion, you can do it too."

Xu Chunliang said: "I don’t oppose promotion, but it can’t be without any bottom-line false advertising, can it? Secretary Qin, I think something needs to be done about this. You’ve seen it, haven’t you? They’ve tricked so many old men and women to come over. Those salespeople, to sell houses, have no shame, trying to empty the retirees’ pension savings. Isn’t that just shameless?"

Qin Zhengyang said: "It’s not that severe, is it?" Although he said this, he also felt something was amiss. In the future, stricter oversight on Da Heng is necessary. If Da Heng’s Hot Spring Town collapses, not only will consumers suffer, but their credibility will also be at risk, especially since they invited Da Heng Group for investment.

Recalling the recent spate of real estate collapses, Qin Zhengyang became more anxious. Da Heng and Huayuan, these private enterprises, have reaped the benefits of reform through years of unchecked growth. Yet, their lack of long-term vision and social responsibility is gradually emerging. As the local government, they must fulfill their responsibilities and supervise to safeguard the people’s interests.

When Xu Chunliang asked about the Weishan Island Winery, Qin Zhengyang told him that the town had discussed it. Initially, it was believed that restarting production at the winery didn’t align with Weishan Island’s current green development goals. The winery would definitely bring a series of pollution issues upon resuming production. They had learned about Qianfan Group’s factory in Qianxi, which was fined multiple times for pollution problems, and they hadn’t yet provided a detailed plan.