From Evil Sect Leader to Doctor

Xu Chunliang said, "Secretary Zhou is right; there aren’t many people like me who started dating so early."

Mrs. Zhou said, "I used to be a teacher, and students were already dating in junior high."

Secretary Zhou said, "You’re a people’s teacher; you shouldn’t encourage students to date early."

Mrs. Zhou said, "You and Shu Yao started dating in high school."

Secretary Zhou was embarrassed when his mother brought this up in front of Xu Chunliang, and his face turned warm.

Xu Chunliang quickly helped out, "I dated in junior high, and it affected my studies."

Mrs. Zhou said, "Studies aren’t that important. I’ve come to realize that the better a child does in studies, the farther they grow from you, and the less time they spend with you. If one were a little selfish, they’d prefer their child to be ordinary. I think Xiaoxu is pretty good."

Secretary Zhou said, "Xiaoxu isn’t just an ordinary child."

Mrs. Zhou asked about Xu Chunliang’s family situation. Xu Chunliang briefly explained, and when Mrs. Zhou heard that his parents divorced when he was young and he grew up with his grandfather, she felt a sense of pity from the bottom of her heart.

She gave Xu Chunliang a chicken drumstick.

Xu Chunliang praised while eating, "The food at your place is really delicious."

Mrs. Zhou smiled and said, "If you like it, come often. I’ll prepare the food in advance. Next time, bring your partner along."

After lunch, Xu Chunliang chatted with the elderly lady for a while, and it wasn’t until 1:30 that she went to sleep.

After taking care of his mother, Secretary Zhou returned and smiled at Xu Chunliang, "The elderly tend to ramble on and on about anything. You’ve been patient."

Xu Chunliang said, "I like chatting with the elderly. I grew up with my grandfather."

Secretary Zhou nodded and said, "Not many young people today are willing to talk with the elderly." Thinking of his own son, although he was polite, they didn’t have much to talk about, let alone with his mother. It’s not about filial piety but rather about the generation gap.

Secretary Zhou sometimes felt he had more to talk about with Xu Chunliang. He said warmly, "I’ve heard that your Changxing branch’s Healthy Elderly Care Hospital has already started construction."

Xu Chunliang said, "I’m in charge of that, but the project name is Huayuan Group Healthy Elderly Care Hospital, which is part of the newly established Huanyan Health."

Secretary Zhou keenly sensed something and frowned, "Private capital has entered hospitals, but the hospital itself should be the priority. No wonder someone reported to me that Huayuan Group is removing the Changxing influence."

Xu Chunliang’s heart skipped a beat. Someone reported it? That must be one of the older folks from Changxing. Internally at Changxing Hospital, the elders led by Gao Xinhua are quite dissatisfied with Huayuan Group’s recent series of initiatives. They have been quietly resisting, trying to redefine the boundaries with capital. It seems this matter has already been brought to Secretary Zhou’s attention.

Xu Chunliang said, "I don’t know the specifics; I just know that Huanyan Health split off a few departments from Changxing, like the medical examination center, cosmetic center, ophthalmology center, etc., plus our Weishan Island Changxing Branch completed reorganization."

Secretary Zhou said, "Nonsense!"

At this time, Zhang Song came to pick them up. Secretary Zhou asked Zhang Song to take him to the city center first and then take Xu Chunliang back.

After getting in the car, Secretary Zhou said to Zhang Song, "Zhang Song, look into Huanyan Health’s situation. The state has repeatedly emphasized that we must prevent the loss of state assets. Dealing with these private capitals requires wit and courage. A little negligence, and they’ll exploit the loopholes."

Zhang Song said, "Secretary Zhou, I’m somewhat familiar with Huayuan Group. They are currently involved in multiple debt overdues, which have alarmed the province, and the province has tasked Nanjiang City to resolve this matter."

Secretary Zhou said, "Who brought in such a problematic enterprise to Dongzhou?"

Zhang Song said, "Huayuan Group’s stake in Changxing Hospital happened before their debt overdues. Deploying in the health industry was an important step in their attempt to transform."

Secretary Zhou said, "Do you know about Dabao? I remember in 2008, Johnson & Johnson acquired Dabao for 2.3 billion, but then sidelined it. No research and development, no advertising. In fact, Johnson & Johnson acquired Dabao, primarily valuing Dabao’s sales channel resources, and then covered Dabao’s market share with their products."

Secretary Zhou emphasized earnestly that some foreign acquisitions of national brands are not to make them bigger and stronger but to pave the way for their products. Many national brands are relegated the moment they are acquired.

This is the so-called: if you’re better than me, I’ll buy you, marginalize you, and let you slowly die off.

Foreign capital does so, and domestic capital does similarly. Changxing Hospital is one of Dongzhou’s well-known local medical brands. What Huayuan Group is doing now is using Changxing to enter the medical market and lay out the health industry while also establishing their brand.

After Secretary Zhou got out of the car, Zhang Song chose not to leave with him but to take Xu Chunliang to the Changxing Hospital.

On the way, he said to Xu Chunliang, "Xiaoxu, you’re quite familiar with Changxing affairs. Help me understand so that I can give a detailed report to Secretary Zhou later."

Xu Chunliang nodded.

Zhang Song escorted Xu Chunliang all the way to the administrative building of Changxing Hospital and did not leave immediately.

Soon after, Zhao Feiyang received the news and hurriedly ran down. The security guards in the parking lot had some insight; they had received special training on what the license plate number C00001 signifies. As soon as the car entered, they immediately reported it to the head of security, Yu Xiangdong.

Yu Xiangdong then quickly reported it to Zhao Feiyang.

Zhao Feiyang arrived downstairs at the fastest speed. Before he could get close, he saw Xu Chunliang getting out of the car, and then the car headed towards the exit.

Zhao Feiyang ignored the astonished looks of the people around him and sprinted towards the exit at full speed, waving his hands as he ran. He wasn’t trying to stop the car but signaling the parking lot security to open the barrier. He wasn’t sure if Secretary Zhou was inside, but one thing he knew for sure was that the gates of Changxing Hospital were always open for Secretary Zhou.

Xu Chunliang watched Zhao Feiyang’s figure racing away and felt some admiration; it wasn’t easy for him either. At the same time, he also realized that the worship of power had deeply rooted itself in Zhao Feiyang’s heart. Why would someone like that choose to resign from public office?

Zhao Feiyang watched the car with the number 00001 swiftly leave the hospital, letting out a sigh of relief. He stood where he was to catch his breath, then turned around and walked back to the administrative building with steady steps. He felt no embarrassment, believing everything to be rightfully so.

Xu Chunliang was already waiting for him at the entrance to the director’s office, mainly to avoid any possible awkwardness Zhao Feiyang might feel in public. However, Xu Chunliang underestimated Zhao Feiyang, who didn’t have such thoughts at all. Bowing his head before the head of Dongzhou City was nothing to be ashamed of!

When he saw Xu Chunliang at the office door, Zhao Feiyang understood and pushed the door open for Xu Chunliang to follow him in.

In fact, Zhao Feiyang wanted to ask him why he hadn’t notified him in advance. Instead, what he said was: "Secretary Zhou?"

Xu Chunliang replied, "His secretary, Zhang Song."

Zhao Feiyang nodded, feeling somewhat relieved. He sat down in the large chair, pulled open a drawer, and took out an unopened box of cigarettes, slowly pulling one out.

Xu Chunliang took out a lighter to light it for him, sensing Zhao Feiyang’s subtle reminder, that here in Changxing, he was the one in charge.

Zhao Feiyang took a puff and asked, "When did you get in touch with him?"

Xu Chunliang smiled, "Through you."

Zhao Feiyang was a bit confused. He wasn’t familiar with Zhang Song, so how could he have introduced them?

Xu Chunliang recounted how, by chance, he met Secretary Zhou at the Dongzhou Beijing Office, although he didn’t mention Secretary Zhou seeking his help to treat Ye Changyuan’s illness. However, he did disclose some information to Zhao Feiyang, that it wasn’t Zhang Song who was looking for him today, but Secretary Zhou.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Feiyang realized that this fellow had successfully connected with Secretary Zhou. He stood up and said, "I got so caught up in talking that I forgot to get you some tea. What would you like? Black tea or green tea?"

Xu Chunliang comfortably settled on the sofa, "It doesn’t matter."

Zhao Feiyang brewed him a cup of Lapsang Souchong, then sat down next to Xu Chunliang on the sofa and asked, "Did Secretary Zhou say anything?"

Xu Chunliang nodded, taking a sip of tea without speaking right away. Since Zhao Feiyang made him light a cigarette, he also wanted to test Zhao Feiyang’s patience a bit.

Zhao Feiyang was becoming increasingly aware of Xu Chunliang’s resilience. He realized it was challenging to control Xu Chunliang, yet sometimes he couldn’t resist the urge to challenge him. From the moment he had the idea of challenging him, he had already acknowledged Xu Chunliang’s ability.

Xu Chunliang said, "This tea is really good."

Zhao Feiyang said, "I’ll grab two boxes for you later."

Xu Chunliang smiled, "From your wife’s tea factory?"

Zhao Feiyang laughed, "What does she know about tea? She’s just fumbling around."

Xu Chunliang said, "Secretary Zhou asked me why it’s called Huanyan Health and not Changxing Health."

Zhao Feiyang paused for a moment. He certainly knew why Huayuan Group did this—to dilute his power, marginalize Changxing, and prepare for the future public listing of Huanyan Health.

Xu Chunliang continued, "Secretary Zhou also told a story about Dabao’s acquisition."

Zhao Feiyang fully understood by now. If the city thought this way, then he could use this matter to stir up some discourse.

Xu Chunliang didn’t continue with this topic. The message had already been conveyed, leaving Zhao Feiyang to reflect on it himself.

He was well aware that the core conflict between Zhao Feiyang and Tang Jinglun was power. Zhao Feiyang was always very self-centered, ambitious, wanting to achieve something significant for himself, sacrificing certain things to accomplish it—resigning from public office was one such manifestation. He could also sacrifice the interests of others.

During the vigorous promotion of Changxing’s restructuring, collective interests were harmed, which caused quite a stir. Zhao Feiyang was not someone who prioritized the interests of employees.