From Evil Sect Leader to Doctor

Xu Chunliang said, "It’s almost New Year, don’t make it difficult for me. I want to take some quiet days, besides, my work location is over on Weishan Island, coming here is just to make up the numbers."

Pei Lin laughed, "Come on, is there anything we can’t talk about? I see you as my own brother, and I’ll have to rely on your support for work in the future."

Xu Chunliang said, "President Pei, you’re now a board member of a listed company, I’m afraid I can’t measure up."

Pei Lin said, "Stop teasing me, it’s just a nomination, whether it passes is another thing." She was very wary of Xu Chunliang; his ability was one aspect, and another reason was that Xu Chunliang knew the inside story about her and Yang Mufeng, which she had confided in him proactively and now regretted a bit in hindsight.

Pei Lin was obviously trying to ingratiate herself with Xu Chunliang, "By the way, you can pick out an office later."

Xu Chunliang smiled and said, "Forget it, my work location isn’t here."

Pei Lin said, "How can the head of the Healthy Elderly Care Hospital not have an office? It’s settled, you go pick one."

Xu Chunliang glanced around her office and said, "I think this room of yours is pretty good."

Pei Lin laughed, "I’ll have someone tidy up and move out, and give this place to you."

Xu Chunliang was just joking with her, letting Pei Lin handle the arrangements as she saw fit. He didn’t want to get too close to Pei Lin, and the same went for Zhao Feiyang. Pei Lin was an extreme egoist, and Zhao Feiyang wasn’t much better, just a refined egoist wrapped in sentimentalism.

No wonder they say birds of a feather flock together, it seems these two are a perfect match.

As for the gathering Wu Fajun arranged for tonight, Xu Chunliang had little interest. With the New Year approaching, he had many drinking engagements, and tonight he was hosting an event, with Zhao Feiyang and Gao Xinhua attending. Xu Chunliang also invited Deputy Director Fan Lidada of the Tourism Bureau and Lu Ming. He explained the situation to Pei Lin, and she understood. Coincidentally, the event Xu Chunliang arranged was at Lake View No.1 next to Cuihu Chunxiao.

Pei Lin hoped he could make some time to make the rounds, and Xu Chunliang agreed.

Xu Chunliang returned to Huichun Hall and saw Gao Xinhua accompanying Gao Hong Hall.

Xu Changshan and Gao Hong Hall, the two old friends, started playing chess as soon as they met.

Gao Xinhua watched from the side, responsible for serving them tea and water. Leaders also have fathers, and when it’s time to play the role of a son, one must do it well.

Xu Chunliang laughed, "Secretary Gao, how can I trouble you with such menial tasks? Let me do it!"

Gao Xinhua said, "Stop pretending with me, I’ve already done it. Why are you back only now? Wasn’t the meeting already over?"

Xu Chunliang said, "President Pei called me over, I couldn’t just up and leave, could I?" He went over and greeted Grandpa Gao.

Gao Hong Hall smiled at him and gave a nod, immediately returning his attention to the chess game, truly not treating him as an outsider, focusing solely on the game, neglecting the pleasantries.

Gao Xinhua kindly refilled his dad’s tea, only to be rebuffed, "Go away, can’t you see I’m playing chess?"

Gao Xinhua smiled wryly. Xu Chunliang gave him a meaningful glance, and they both went upstairs to the second floor.

Gao Xinhua said, "How come it’s just your grandpa at home today?"

Xu Chunliang said, "My aunt took Zhen Chun to Nanjiang for a trip, they’ll be back the day after tomorrow."

"Huh, traveling during the New Year."

Xu Chunliang said, "Isn’t she teaching in Nanjiang? The school provided her with an apartment, so she went over to arrange things during her free time. By the way, when did Grandpa Gao come back?"

"He arrived at noon, just had a simple meal at home before coming over to play chess with your grandpa. He seemed stifled in the Capital City."

"No need to look after the Passat?"

Gao Xinhua said, "Wang Fangtian went back, their family is returning to their hometown for New Year, Xiaobai returned with the old man." Mentioning his daughter, Gao Xinhua could not help but feel a sense of regret; it would be great if these two kids could end up together, but unfortunately, neither of them seems interested, and all he can do is think about it.

Since he was going drinking with Xu Chunliang in the evening, Gao Xinhua decided to stay at Huichun Hall.

Xu Chunliang took out two boxes of good cigarettes to entertain him.

Gao Xinhua saw that it was two boxes of Ninety-Five Supreme and remarked, "I have to smoke these discreetly; smoking them outside gives a bad impression." He opened one up, lit a cigarette, and smiled at Xu Chunliang, "Want one?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Uncle Gao, can you stop leading me astray?"

Gao Xinhua laughed heartily but accidentally choked on the smoke, coughed repeatedly, and Xu Chunliang patted him on the back, "I just can’t understand, what’s so good about smoking this stuff."

Gao Xinhua said, "It’s a habit; some things you know are harmful to your health, yet you just can’t refuse them, alcohol is the same."

Xu Chunliang said, "What do you think about Pei Lin’s situation?"

"If even Zhao Feiyang can’t handle it, I couldn’t care less," Gao Xinhua said, taking a deep drag on his cigarette. "Honestly, I’m becoming less and less optimistic about Changxing."

Xu Chunliang replied, "Not long ago, Zhao Feiyang told me that Pei Lin finally figured things out and decided to be the woman behind him. She wants a complete break from Changxing. Now she’s transformed into the president of Huanyan Health, and she’s quite capable."

"What capability does she have? Just a pharmaceutical rep. She’s lacking in education, lacking in managerial skills. Huayuan Group gave her an important role just to use her to restrain Zhao Feiyang."

"Well, they succeeded."

Gao Xinhua said, "That’s what worries me the most. Zhao Feiyang is ambitious and proud. He always opposed Pei Lin’s involvement in Changxing’s affairs. Since Tang Jinglun became CEO of Huanyuan, he’s been suppressing his power. In today’s meeting, there were some crucial developments: first, they emphasized Zhao Feiyang’s leadership status in Huayuan Medical Group, meaning he won the game of chess against Tang Jinglun. Tang Jinglun had to stop directly intervening in Huayuan Medical. Second, about Pei Lin’s appointment, Zhao Feiyang tacitly agreed to the group’s arrangement without any objection."

Xu Chunliang asked, "Why did Pei Lin become the director of Jiayue Department Store instead of Zhao Feiyang?"

Gao Xinhua sighed, "I’ve heard the Tang brothers in Huayuan Group are both openly and secretly contesting each other. Tang Jinglun’s recent antics have caused dissatisfaction among many directors."

Xu Chunliang smiled knowingly, "From today’s meeting, it’s clear that Tang Jingwei has gained the upper hand in their struggle. Zhao Feiyang has been betting on Tang Jingwei’s side all along, so Tang Jinglun had to hand over Huayuan Medical back to him. But Tang Jingwei isn’t easy either. He doesn’t fully trust Zhao Feiyang, which is why he employed Pei Lin to hold Zhao Feiyang in check."

Gao Xinhua lamented, "Zhao Feiyang’s judgment is questionable. How did he end up with such a foolish woman willing to be used?"

Xu Chunliang replied, "Pei Lin isn’t foolish at all. She knows very well that she’s aiming high with Zhao Feiyang. She lacks a sense of security and doesn’t dare to stake her future happiness entirely on him. Do you really think she can’t see through the Tang brothers’ tactics? She probably understands very clearly."

Gao Xinhua said, "Understanding and still accepting their arrangement, this woman is either too wicked or too greedy."

Xu Chunliang hinted, "Can’t rule out the possibility that the couple has reached a private agreement."

Gao Xinhua stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray. "Eventually, he’ll completely tilt towards Huayuan." In fact, the moment Zhao Feiyang resigned from public office, he was already leaning towards Huayuan. However, Zhao Feiyang still had sentiments and ideals, but these so-called sentiments and ideals even deceived himself.

Gao Xinhua knew very well that someone like Zhao Feiyang losing his sentiments and ideals would be a very scary thing.

Tonight’s host was Xu Chunliang, but the bill was paid by Ding Si.

When Xu Chunliang and Gao Xinhua arrived at Lake View No.1, they found Zhao Feiyang already there, playing cards with Lu Ming, Fan Lidada, and Lu Qi.

Gao Xinhua knew Zhao Feiyang very well. He only arrived early at events he considered important. Actually, all leaders are like this. Gao Xinhua initially thought it was because of Lu Ming, but he soon realized the most important person today was Fan Lidada.

Fan Lidada’s appointment had officially been announced. The city decided to appoint him as the chief commander of the national-level tourist resort command center.

Not long ago, Fan Lidada made a covert visit to Weishan Island, and Xu Chunliang arranged it very well. Fan Lidada originally wanted to arrange a meeting before the year-end, but Xu Chunliang insisted on celebrating Fan Lidada’s promotion.

In Chinese social gatherings, alcohol is unavoidable. Drinking together, those who love good wine are often people of character. With the catalyst of alcohol, it’s easier for people to come together.

Despite a ten-year age difference, Fan Lidada and Xu Chunliang had become drinking buddies.

Drinking buddies are by no means a derogatory term. If two people aren’t even willing to sit together for a drink, it’s hard for them to become friends.

Zhao Feiyang was playing cards just to fill in. Seeing Gao Xinhua arrive, he quickly offered his seat, "Secretary Gao, you’re just in time. Director Fan finds my card playing terrible."

Fan Lidada quite liked being called Director Fan. Previously, people usually called him Director Fan, which sounded like "meal event" and was quite inelegant. It was a corrupt-sounding term, though he didn’t oppose meal events.

Lu Ming said, "He doesn’t play cards well himself and yet likes to blame others. No one can pair with him except me."

Fan Lidada laughed, "Dean Zhao, it’s my card-playing that’s terrible. I didn’t blame you."

Gao Xinhua joined Zhao Feiyang’s card game. As soon as he took over, the situation reversed, and he and Fan Lidada quickly won until an Ace showed up. Lu Ming said, "Not playing anymore, not playing anymore. Continuing will ruin the mood for drinking."

Lu Qi said, "Secretary Gao is truly the real expert."

Gao Xinhua modestly replied, "That’s because everyone sees me as an old comrade and lets me win." He took out cigarettes for everyone, explaining, "These cigarettes were just given to me by Xu Chunliang."

Zhao Feiyang said, "That guy never gives me gifts."

Xu Chunliang replied, "Would you dare to accept if I did?"

"What’s there not to dare on?"

The atmosphere was harmonious. As they sat down, Fan Lidada suggested giving the seat of honor to the older folks, and Zhao Feiyang agreed.

The meal was sponsored by Ding Si, with a case of Moutai already in place.

Last day of February, requesting for votes!