From Evil Sect Leader to Doctor

This is how normal social interactions go, someone gets the face, someone gets the lining. Although Ding Si isn’t very educated, he’s very clear in his actions. Of course, it all boils down to the many benefits he got from Xu Chunliang. He genuinely admires Xu Chunliang and willingly works as his little brother.

Don’t let the fact that Lu Qi is a few years older than Xu Chunliang fool you; when it comes to this kind of maneuvering, he’s far behind his younger brother. He thought to himself that Xu Chunliang must have spent a lot on this meal.

However, he also knows that Xu Chunliang comes from a wealthy family. Just a while ago, his father returned from North America and even bought him a villa. The Hidden Lake Villa is one of the top luxury residences in Dongzhou. Lu Qi and Yu Li have been contemplating for a long time but haven’t dared to buy a house yet, always hoping for a price drop. But instead of dropping, the price per square meter has increased by five hundred.

Because Xu Chunliang was the host, everyone nominated him to give the opening speech. Xu Chunliang didn’t overlook Zhao Feiyang and gave him this opportunity, knowing Zhao Feiyang loves to save face.

Zhao Feiyang said, "I should have hosted this meal initially, but Chunliang beat me to it. He’s my little brother, and I can’t compete with him, so today I’ll borrow flowers to offer Buddha blessings, wishing everyone a happy new year, and good health. With health, everything is possible!"

"Cheers!" everyone responded in unison. To them, wishing for promotions and wealth was unnecessary. Although that’s what most people think in their hearts, saying it out loud isn’t always good.

Everyone has their own tricks for getting a promotion, and getting rich is a taboo in the system. Within the current system, promotions and getting rich usually can’t coexist. If you want both, you’ll eventually run into problems.

Zhao Feiyang resigned to avoid such issues, but he doesn’t believe his motive was to get rich. For him, the most important thing is to achieve something, and he resigned to avoid gossip and to be able to work more freely.

Idealism is rich, but reality is skinny.

Once he truly resigned, he realized that private enterprises might not be as free as the system. The tolerance level of the group leaders doesn’t compare to that of past officials in charge. The root causes and perspectives are different.

The Tang Brothers’ starting point was all about profit. Benefiting society and the people were just slogans; these businessmen are inherently selfish and cold-blooded.

After resigning, Zhao Feiyang gradually saw himself clearly. He used to work for the party and the people, but now he’s giving his strength to the businessmen of Hua Nian Group.

He is eager to prove his abilities, eager to make a significant impact, but now he realizes that the group’s board acknowledges his abilities not because of his social contributions but for economic benefits, reduced to economic interests only.

To establish himself in the Hua Nian Group and gain full board approval, the only way is to prove how much economic benefit he has brought to the group. That’s the value of his existence, and when he loses that value, these businessmen will ruthlessly kick him out.

The next step after recognizing reality is to accept it, and after accepting it, he will realize how laughable his initial sentiments were.

Lu Ming toasted Zhao Feiyang with two drinks. Not long ago, his mother-in-law went to Changxing Hospital for teeth cleaning. Although three teeth were removed by the dental center, Zhao Feiyang signed off on waiving all her medical expenses and even implanted three teeth.

The process was a bit twisted, but the result was good. Now the old lady can’t stop praising Changxing Hospital, always saying how fortunate it was that Changxing helped her remove the three rotten teeth. Now her teeth don’t hurt, she can eat with strength, and having acquaintances really makes a difference.

Fan Lida also drank two glasses with Zhao Feiyang, thanking Huanyan Health for its support. His request has been approved by the higher-ups, and the state-level resort command center will temporarily rent a place at the Healthy Elderly Care Hospital.

Xu Chunliang had already informed Zhao Feiyang in advance. In the past, Zhao Feiyang was not in charge of this. However, today at the meeting, Tang Jinglun reaffirmed Zhao Feiyang’s leadership position, and Huanyan Health is also under Zhao Feiyang’s jurisdiction.

Zhao Feiyang was happy to do this favor, immediately stating he would charge according to the local rent standards. This is his cleverness; dealing with public matters without charging anything won’t work, and people don’t want to owe him a favor. Charging rent according to local standards is practically the same as giving it away.

The highest rental standard for Weishan Island’s local office space is ten yuan per square meter per month, so even if the command center rents two hundred square meters, the full monthly rent is only two thousand yuan.

Fan Lida happily drank another two glasses with Zhao Feiyang.

Tonight, Gao Xinhua was the oldest, so he naturally became the focus of the toasts. In the past, he would have been uncomfortable, but now his level is the highest, and he is the oldest, so even Zhao Feiyang has to toast him respectfully.

While drinking with Zhao Feiyang, Gao Xinhua said, "I hope in the new year, under Dean Zhao’s leadership, Changxing can develop rapidly and thrive."

Zhao Feiyang laughed, "Changxing isn’t led by me alone; the general direction still needs to be steered by Secretary Gao."

Nominally, the two of them work as a team, but in reality, they each have their own things to do. On the surface, it’s all harmonious, but inside, the distance grows further and further.

Xu Chunliang asked about Lu Qi’s wedding plans. Lu Qi has been suspended and reflecting lately due to Yang Mufeng’s case, looking a bit listless.

"Yu Li is handling everything; she just asked me to show up," he said.

Everyone at the table laughed, and Zhao Feiyang said, "You’re quite the carefree groom."

Xu Chunliang said, "Dean Zhao, aren’t you the same? Even your wedding suit was tried on by me."

At this, everyone perked up and started probing into what exactly had happened.

Just then, Pei Lin came over. She was drinking at the hotel next door and specifically came over to toast upon knowing Zhao Feiyang and the others were here.

In this, Lu Ming and Fan Lidada are meeting Pei Lin for the first time.

Xiaoxu arranged for a waiter to add cutlery, and Pei Lin sat next to Zhao Feiyang.

Fan Lidada laughed and said, "Dean Zhao, your wife is really young and pretty! How did you manage to catch her?"

Lu Ming knew this guy couldn’t hold his tongue after a few drinks and quietly kicked him.

Pei Lin sweetly smiled and said, "Director Fan, you flatter me. To be honest, I’m a sucker for looks. I fell for Feiyang at first sight. I chased him."

You have to admit, Pei Lin is really smart. She gave Zhao Feiyang face in public, but no matter how beautifully she spoke, others couldn’t help but think otherwise.

There’s a significant age gap between Zhao Feiyang and her, and Zhao found her after his divorce. Pei Lin used to be a pharmaceutical sales representative. Put these things together, and it’s a clichéd story. No one would believe there’s no implicit rule involved.

Pei Lin stood up to toast Fan Lidada, saying, "Director Fan, our Huannian Health and Elderly Care Hospital will be relying on your support in the future."

Fan Lidada wasn’t aware of Pei Lin’s official identity and thought she was just a supportive wife who helped her husband build his career.

Xiaoxu said, "Brother Fan, I forgot to introduce you. The sister-in-law is now the president of Huanyuan Health. She is my boss."

Only then did Fan Lidada understand why Pei Lin toasted him first. He laughed and said, "So it’s President Pei. My apologies. Our command will rely on your support in the future."

Pei Lin had just taken office and wasn’t familiar with all the business. She only learned from Fan Lidada that the command center plans to rent their property for office use.

Pei Lin said, "That would be wonderful." She said to Xiaoxu, "Xiaoxu, rent, property fees, and utilities are all waived. Consider it Huayuan Group’s support for government construction!"

The room suddenly fell silent. Pei Lin had come midway and wasn’t aware of what happened before.

Zhao Feiyang had just publicly stated that they would charge according to the local rental standards. Now she waived it all. Although the command center didn’t care about the rent, her words made Zhao Feiyang seem small-minded, as if she openly slapped Zhao Feiyang in the face.

Zhao Feiyang was extremely displeased inside, but he couldn’t explode in front of so many people. He smiled and said, "Since President Pei has said so, Xiaoxu, you must enforce it."

Xiaoxu sensed Zhao Feiyang’s depression and was inwardly amused. This couple really doesn’t have any rapport.

Fan Lidada said, "The rent still has to be paid, business is business."

Xiaoxu added with a conciliatory tone, "Of course it must be paid, but how much to charge is up to President Pei."

Fan Lidada laughed and said, "I toast to President Pei."

Pei Lin used tea instead of wine. Fan Lidada asked why she didn’t drink, and Pei Lin said she was about to get married and was in the pre-pregnancy phase.

Gao Xinhua and Xiaoxu were both aware of the inside story and almost burst out laughing. This woman’s lies just come out of her mouth. She was already a few months pregnant but still claimed she was in the pre-pregnancy phase.

Pei Lin chatted and laughed, going around to toast everyone with water, somewhat taking the limelight away from the host.

From an outsider’s perspective, Xiaoxu noticed she made several mistakes. First, she toasted in the wrong order, ignoring the eldest Gao Xinhua. Second, she talked too much, overshadowing herself, and Zhao Feiyang appeared dim. Zhao Feiyang was evidently a bit upset and hadn’t spoken much since Pei Lin arrived.

Pei Lin raised a toast to Lu Qi. She had just found out Lu Qi and Lu Ming are real brothers and smiled, "Officer Lu, you’re really a handsome man. Do you have a girlfriend? Do you want me to introduce someone for you?"

Lu Qi smiled and said, "I’m about to get married."

Zhao Feiyang watched Pei Lin’s performance from the side, silently comparing her with his ex-wife. His ex-wife never cared about such occasions and rarely attended. Even when she did, she sat quietly. Zhao Feiyang felt there was a deep gap between them.

Pei Lin and his ex-wife were clearly two extremes. It was the first time Zhao Feiyang felt Pei Lin was too high-profile and even noisy. He thought of Xu Ying. If Xu Ying were here, she’d surely know how to handle things well and make every guest feel comfortable.

Is it Pei Lin’s problem, or has his mindset changed? Zhao Feiyang couldn’t figure it out.

Xiaoxu didn’t go to Cuihu Chunxiao, nor did Pei Lin leave. She stayed until the banquet was over.

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