From Evil Sect Leader to Doctor

Zhao Feiyang glanced at Gao Xinhua, who was grinning from ear to ear without even bothering to hide it. Not bad, didn’t have to worry at all, this kid handled it himself.

Thinking of Mei Ru Xue, then of Secretary Zhou, what Zhao Feiyang initially found absurd now seemed perfectly reasonable.

In Dongzhou, as long as Secretary Zhou says the word, it’s no surprise for Xu Chunliang to become a deputy mayor, let alone a mayor.

Xu Chunliang said, "Truth is, I really don’t want to leave, mostly because I can’t bear to part with you two."

Gao Xinhua said, "We can’t bear to see you go either."

Zhao Feiyang thought, don’t include me in this, having this troublemaker gone might actually be a good thing. But on second thought, he’s going to Hu Shan Town and will even become the deputy mayor there. Huannian Health and Elderly Care Hospital is under Hu Shan Town’s jurisdiction. If this guy ends up holding a grudge over this incident, won’t he be a thorn in their side in the future?

Zhao Feiyang even forgot to congratulate Xu Chunliang, staring at the two documents on the table. Xu Chunliang was on secondment, physically leaving but position-wise staying. If he had signed off on that decision about Xu just now, it would have been a joke.

Gao Xinhua deliberately said, "Dean Zhao, should we let him go or not?"

Zhao Feiyang couldn’t possibly not know he was being put on the spot. Xu Chunliang’s secondment was a done deal, no one would want to play the villain, especially since he never intended to offend this kid from the start.

Zhao Feiyang picked up the pen and signed without hesitation.

Gao Xinhua reached out to shake hands with Xu Chunliang, "Congratulations on becoming Town Mayor Xu!"

Xu Chunliang laughed, "I’m just on secondment, working as a temporary worker there for three months."

Gao Xinhua said, "From what you’re saying, do you plan on returning?"

Xu Chunliang said, "That depends on you guys." Saying this, he looked at Zhao Feiyang.

Zhao Feiyang also stood up, extending his hand to Xu Chunliang, "Xiaoxu, congratulations!"

The deputy mayor of Hu Shan Town is at most a deputy section level, and it’s a secondment, his post still linked to Changxing Hospital, and Hu Shan Town likely won’t give him any real power.

Zhao Feiyang thought it was quite straightforward: secondment is only temporary, and during that period the salary is still paid by the original organization. You can’t eat Changxing’s food and break Changxing’s pot.

Xu Chunliang said, "I haven’t even left yet, and you’re all being so polite with me."

Zhao Feiyang said, "To speak frankly, I really don’t want to let you go, but I also can’t hold back your career."

Xu Chunliang said, "Three short months, it’ll go by in a flash."

Gao Xinhua said, "If you perform well, surely they’ll keep you. Maybe from now on, you’ll be on a fast track up."

Xu Chunliang said, "Then I’ll thank Secretary Gao for the good words. Oh, I have something to ask you two leaders: after I become deputy mayor over there, should I represent Hu Shan Town’s interests or continue to represent Changxing Hospital?"

Zhao Feiyang was startled, what does he mean? Is he really planning to go against Changxing now?

Gao Xinhua said, "An official should work for the benefit of the region they govern, even if just for a day, they must uphold the interests of the local people."

"Rest assured, during the secondment, your salary and routine benefits will be paid according to the hospital’s on-duty staff; in principle, you are still an employee of Changxing," Zhao Feiyang reminded cleverly.

Xu Chunliang nodded knowingly, "Understood, Dean Zhao means that since I’m taking their pay, I should work for them, can’t eat Changxing’s food and break Changxing’s pot."

Zhao Feiyang and Gao Xinhua both burst into laughter, both sensing a hint of menace beneath this guy’s facade.

Xu Chunliang said, "Then I won’t delay your work any longer, farewell!"

Turning around, he actually started to sing, "The sun shines coldly on righteous ambitions, the three brothers part ways in Xuzhou, to protect the Empress I serve Cao Man. In Cao Camp but loyal to Han, I wonder if Brother Wang is well. Meng De invites me to aid in battle, a perfect chance to earn merit..."

Zhao Feiyang and Gao Xinhua stood stunned watching him walk away until the door closed behind Xu Chunliang. Gao Xinhua sighed, "Never thought he’d sing Peking opera so well!"

Zhao Feiyang pursed his lips and said, "He was singing ’White Horse Slope’."

Gao Xinhua nodded, "I know, this part is also called ’Beheading Yan Liang’!"

The two exchanged a glance, a single thought simultaneously occurring to them: Xu Chunliang was about to conduct a purge.

In front of Gao Xinhua, Zhao Feiyang tossed Xu Chunliang’s disciplinary document into the trash.

Gao Xinhua remarked with a meaningful tone, "You’re not planning to discipline Xu Chunliang anymore?"

Zhao Feiyang said, "For seconded personnel, we only handle their salary, usage and management is up to the borrower!"

Gao Xinhua thought to himself, you’re good at shifting responsibility, Xu Chunliang had the incident before his secondment was even processed.

Even now, borrowing Zhao Feiyang’s courage, he wouldn’t dare punish Xu Chunliang. Signing that document would mean Xu Chunliang’s first act upon arrival might be targeting their Changxing Hospital. Currently, there’s no guarantee Xu Chunliang wouldn’t use Changxing as a stepping stone; this guy’s actions are unpredictable.

After completing the formalities, Xu Chunliang drove to Mrs. Zhou’s place; he came because she called him over to pick up her homemade salted meat and stinky mandarin fish.

Originally, Xu Chunliang didn’t plan to bring a gift to Secretary Zhou, but since he was going, he couldn’t go empty-handed, so he took some specialty products from Xianhong Farm.

The housekeeper at Mrs. Zhou’s place had returned home for the New Year, and Secretary Zhou was scheduled to pick her up that evening.

When Xu Chunliang arrived, the old lady was tidying up the yard.

Xu Chunliang said, "Auntie!"

Mrs. Zhou saw him coming and smiled broadly, "You came so quickly. I prepared some salted pork and stinky mandarin fish for you."

Xu Chunliang opened the car trunk and took down the farm products inside.

Mrs. Zhou quickly waved her hand, "No, put them back. Your Uncle Zhou doesn’t like this."

Xu Chunliang said, "Auntie, these are miscellaneous grains from Weishan Lake, all-natural green food, nothing expensive. I brought them from afar, you can’t let me take them back."

Mrs. Zhou glanced at it, indeed nothing valuable, so she nodded and let him bring them in.

Xu Chunliang carried the items into the house and placed them where Mrs. Zhou indicated.

Mrs. Zhou went to get the salted pork and stinky mandarin fish for him, mainly because the last time Xu Chunliang came for a meal, he mentioned the stinky mandarin fish she marinated was delicious, so she remembered it.

Xu Chunliang put the items back in the car, and Mrs. Zhou invited him inside for tea.

Xu Chunliang saw that she was alone at home and sighed inwardly. This old lady must be quite lonely. Since he was there, he also checked her pulse and gave her a massage.

Once the housekeeper left, Mrs. Zhou didn’t have anyone to talk to. She told Xu Chunliang she would stay at her son’s house tonight.

Xu Chunliang asked, "Auntie, why don’t you live with Secretary Zhou?"

Mrs. Zhou sighed, "Mainly, my mouth isn’t good, I’m quite picky. I like to talk, but my daughter-in-law likes peace. I like to garden, but she likes things clean. We just can’t live together."

Xu Chunliang nodded. The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship has always been a challenge since ancient times. Even though Secretary Zhou manages Dongzhou well, he doesn’t have good solutions for his own family affairs either.

Mrs. Zhou said, "Xiaoxu, I remember you have a girlfriend?"

Xu Chunliang said, "You really have a good memory."

Mrs. Zhou said, "Our Deming is about the same age as you, but he still hasn’t found a girlfriend."

Actually, the last time Xu Chunliang came, the old lady mentioned this. Being elderly, she tends to repeat things that concern her.

Xu Chunliang said, "I remember he’s the same age as me, right?"

"Yes, twenty-three, too honest, just focused on studying, doesn’t even have any friends, and doesn’t talk to me much."

Xu Chunliang was massaging her neck when the doorbell rang.

Xu Chunliang let the old lady rest and went to open the door. Outside was a tall, thin young man in a black down jacket, wearing black-framed glasses, with somewhat messy hair, looking a bit unkempt.

The tall, thin young man looked at Xu Chunliang in surprise, took a step back to check the house number, and confirmed he was at the right place.

From his reaction, Xu Chunliang guessed his identity and smiled, "You must be Zhou Deming?"

The tall, thin young man said, "Yes, it’s me. Why are you at my grandma’s house?"

Mrs. Zhou heard them talking and knew her grandson had arrived. She got up and said, "Deming’s here, Dr. Xu and I were just talking about you."

Xu Chunliang smiled at Zhou Deming, invited him in, and introduced himself, "I’m Xu Chunliang."

Zhou Deming said, "I’m Zhou Deming." Then he realized the other person had already recognized him.

Zhou Deming had come specifically to take his grandma home. Mrs. Zhou waved at him and said, "Deming, you’re the same age as Xiaoxu, make friends."

Xu Chunliang reached out to Zhou Deming, who quickly shook his hand, somewhat shyly saying, "Nice to meet you."

Xu Chunliang smiled, "Your grandma always mentions you to me, saying you’re doing your master’s in the Capital City. What university?"

Zhou Deming didn’t have the usual arrogance of a child from an official family. As Mrs. Zhou said, he spent most of his time reading, didn’t socialize much, and had few friends, making him a bit awkward in social situations: "Yanjing University, Department of Philosophy. Which university did you graduate from?"

Xu Chunliang said, "I’d better not say it, you probably haven’t heard of it."

Zhou Deming found Xu Chunliang quite interesting and smiled, "My grandma has praised you in front of me."

Xu Chunliang said, "That’s her encouraging me. Grandma Zhou, I won’t bother you anymore, I’ll head back first." He changed how he addressed her in front of Zhou Deming, as calling her Grandma Zhou seemed more appropriate.

"You young people should exchange numbers and make friends, meet up and hang out in the future." Mrs. Zhou, after all, came from an education background, and she discerned the problem with her grandson and actively helped him expand his social circle.

Xu Chunliang proactively exchanged contact information with Zhou Deming.

Zhou Deming couldn’t drive, but fortunately, his home wasn’t far from there, just about 500 meters away.

Xu Chunliang gave them a lift since it was on his way. When Mrs. Zhou got out of the car, someone came out of the Zhou household, and Xu Chunliang from a distance recognized it was Geng Wenjun, Secretary of the High-Tech Zone.

It’s quite likely to encounter high officials from Dongzhou at the Zhou household.

Geng Wenjun cheerfully greeted the old lady and stood watching them enter the house.

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