In the evening, a Range Rover drove into Weishan Island Hospital. Weishan Island itself is small, and luxury cars are rare; everyone knows who owns the few that exist.

Zhang Haibin, the deputy dean, has a wide network of connections on Weishan Island. Seeing the Range Rover entering, he dashed over while in conversation with Jin Yonghao.

The car had just come to a stop when he arrived at the side and pulled out a pack of Taishan Foguang cigarettes from his left pocket.

He usually keeps two packs of cigarettes in the pockets of his white coat—Taishan Jinjiang on the right for regular consumption, and Taishan Foguang on the left, reserved for important guests.

Exiting the car was Wang Jinwu, the manager of Xianhong Farm. Xianhong Farm is a new agricultural model established by the Hu Shan Town Government, with Wang Jinwu handling specific affairs, while the big boss behind the scenes was Tong Guangsheng.

These days, Tong Guangsheng rarely appears in public, leaving most matters to Wang Jinwu to handle.

"Manager Wang, what brings you here today?" Zhang Haibin beamed, hurriedly offering a cigarette.

Wang Jinwu did not take the cigarette, raising his right hand to indicate his throat was feeling uncomfortable and he couldn't smoke.

Zhang Haibin said, "A sore throat, huh? Let me find an expert to take a look for you. We have many experts from Changxing Hospital here."

Wang Jinwu smiled lightly, "Thanks, but I'm here to find someone today."

"Who?"

"Director Xu Chunliang from Changxing Hospital."

Zhang Haibin was momentarily stunned: "A friend of yours?"

Wang Jinwu found the question intrusive and did not answer. In fact, he had Xu Chunliang's phone number but thought it best not to call, instead visiting in person to show sincerity, especially since it was arranged by the big boss.

Zhang Haibin noticed his dissatisfaction and said with a smile, "Director Xu is here in our hospital, he just came for a quality control inspection yesterday."

Wang Jinwu said, "Where is he now?"

"He should be resting in the dormitory; I'll take you there."

Zhang Haibin led Wang Jinwu to Xu Chunliang's residence.

Xu Chunliang was reading in his room. Hearing a knock, he opened the door to find Zhang Haibin walking in with a broad smile: "Director Xu, look who I've brought for you."

He thought Wang Jinwu was an old friend of Xu Chunliang's.

But Xu Chunliang had never met Wang Jinwu before.

Wang Jinwu was obviously much more enthusiastic towards Xu Chunliang than towards Zhang Haibin, extending his hand: "Director Xu, hello, I'm Wang Jinwu from Xianhong Farm. President Tong asked me to invite you to visit the farm."

Zhang Haibin listened in surprise, knowing that Tong Guangsheng was a legendary figure on their Weishan Island. He was a native of the island, joined the army at seventeen, participated in battles in the 1980s at Lao Mountain, Zhe Yin Mountain, and Bali River East Mountain, and once went behind enemy lines alone, killing nine enemy soldiers before returning safely.

He was awarded second-class merit, then transferred to local civil affairs work after retirement, but disheartened by the system's oddities, he resigned impulsively to start a business.

In the late 1980s, he ventured alone to the Greater Bay Area to start over, experiencing ups and downs but eventually gaining success in business. Tempted by others' advice, he dabbled in futures, only to be hit hard by the 1997 financial crisis, losing everything and falling into debt, his wife and child leaving him for someone else.

For most people, such blow might have been unbearable, but having faced life and death on the battlefield, tempered by fire, he gritted his teeth and persevered. Borrowing money from comrades, he bought a truck and started transporting goods, scraping his way back by sheer hard work and determination.

By the twenty-first century, he had repaid all his debts and owned his fleet of transport vehicles.

Tong Guangsheng was compassionate; during the 2008 earthquake in Western Sichuan, his fleet happened to be in the area, and he led his team to join the disaster relief frontline, transporting supplies and rescuing victims. During the rescue, he was accidentally injured when a building collapsed, resulting in amputation below the knee of his left leg.

Originally a believer in Chinese medicine, he followed a local traditional Chinese doctor's advice, opting for Chinese treatments and rejecting immediate surgery, missing the best time for surgery, leading ultimately to amputation. This incident led to his drastic shift in attitude towards Chinese medicine, becoming extremely skeptical.

Ten years ago, Tong Guangsheng returned home to establish Xianhong Farm, settling down as a farmer.

The locals considered him the wealthiest man in Weishan County, and on Weishan Island, his status was almost legendary.

Before Xu Chunliang arrived, Gao Xinhua had given him contact information for his comrade, Tong Guangsheng, suggesting he reach out proactively. Xu Chunliang agreed but hadn't planned to make contact—after all, he was there for work, not personal matters, confident he could handle any trouble himself.

Now that someone was sent to invite him, refusal seemed inappropriate; he guessed Gao Xinhua had made a call. Old Gao indeed looked out for him.

Xu Chunliang told Wang Jinwu that he hadn't finished his work yet.

Wang Jinwu said he could wait.

Xu Chunliang, feeling uncomfortable making him wait too long, went to inform Yan Huaiyi, who advised him to drink little when out, mindful that they'd already upset several people since arriving yesterday—caution was prudent.

Xu Chunliang got into the car with Wang Jinwu.

Zhang Haibin brought Wang Jinwu over, watched the two leave, and curiously asked Yan Huaiyi, "Dean Yan, what's the deal with this Xiaoxu?"

Yan Huaiyi replied, "There's no big deal."

"He actually knows President Tong from Xianhong Farm."

"Who's President Tong? Is he impressive?"

Zhang Haibin glanced at Yan Huaiyi, thinking this guy doesn't understand anything, yet somehow became the deputy dean.

Wang Jinwu was driving on the bumpy road, as they passed by the Hu Shan Town Government, Xu Chunliang instinctively glanced inside and asked, "President Wang, how long has the Hu Shan Town Government been established?"

Wang Jinwu smiled and corrected him, telling him not to call him President Wang. They had just discussed their ages, with Wang Jinwu being twenty-eight years old, six years older than Xu Chunliang. Calling him Brother Wang would do.

Xu Chunliang didn't hesitate and nodded, calling him Brother Wang.

Wang Jinwu told him that the Hu Shan Town Government was only established this year, counting from start to finish, it hasn't been half a year. It was formed from the merger of the former Shiliang Town and Huahu Town to enhance management efficiency and avoid infighting, as per the Weishan County Government's decision.

After leaving the town center, they drove about a kilometer before turning onto the lakeside road, which widened. This road led to Xianhong Farm and was a two-lane asphalt road. Xu Chunliang was a bit surprised at how the town center's roads were so rundown, yet this road was smooth.

Wang Jinwu told him there was water in the car and to help himself.

Xu Chunliang opened a bottle of mineral water, noticing the label read "Junmin Spring," and checked the origin, which was the Xianhong Water Plant on Weishan Island. "Brother Wang, is this water produced by you guys?"

Wang Jinwu laughed and said, "Yes, it's filtered and processed from the springs of Shiliang Mountain. Its quality is no worse than Nongfu Spring."

"I've never seen this brand in Dongzhou." Xu Chunliang took a sip, finding the water quality nice and sweet.

Wang Jinwu replied, "The water plant's current scale is small; it mainly supplies the local area. This water is excellent for brewing tea. I'll arrange to have a few cases sent to you."

Xu Chunliang smiled and said, "I was just asking casually, not hinting about getting water from you."

There were very few vehicles on the road, and those seen were mostly from Xianhong Farm.

Xianhong Farm is in the northeast of Weishan Island, although it's just the headquarters. The island primarily focuses on breeding, with their contracted large tracts of land mainly along the shores of Weishan Lake, concentrated near Ancient Spring Town.

They had already entered the Xianhong Farm area and saw a yacht docked at the farm's pier. Xu Chunliang had seen it when he visited yesterday; it turned out that Xianhong Farm had a private pier, indicating Tong Guangsheng's significant local influence.

Within the farm, there were crab farms and fish and shrimp farms, all in large-scale production. Many workers, mostly elderly, were busy with tasks.

The road split into two at the pier, and Wang Jinwu drove into the left path. The vehicle began to ascend, reaching their destination five minutes later.

There was a two-story building where Tong Guangsheng stayed and entertained guests on the island.

Before Xu Chunliang got out of the car, he saw a middle-aged man wearing a red vest and green military pants coming out of the building. He was about 1.8 meters tall, with tanned skin, and limped slightly as he walked. He was Tong Guangsheng, the owner of Xianhong Farm.

If he hadn't known his identity beforehand, Xu Chunliang would have thought he was just a local ordinary person.

Xu Chunliang quickly walked over and extended his hand, "Uncle Tong, hello, I'm Xu Chunliang." The form of address was at Gao Xinhua's request, to help close the distance between them.

Tong Guangsheng, with a cheerful personality, grasped Xu Chunliang's hand. His hand was rough, like cracked bark in the autumn wind, strong and firm, as he shook it and said, "You came without calling me, Old Gao is complaining I didn't host you properly."

Xu Chunliang said, "Uncle Tong, I planned to arrange the work at the hospital first before visiting you, my bad for being impolite, my apologies."

Tong Guangsheng let go of Xu Chunliang's hand, patted his shoulder. Xu Chunliang had come prepared, having arranged everything from all angles, bringing two bottles of cordyceps. If he didn't come, he'd take them back; since he came, it was a courtesy gift.

"Uncle Tong, I came in a rush and didn't bring you much of a gift, these two bottles of cordyceps are a token of respect."

Seeing the cordyceps gifted to him, Tong Guangsheng exclaimed, "This is good stuff." Though internally skeptical of cordyceps' miraculous effects, he didn't refuse and invited Xu Chunliang inside to sit.

Wang Jinwu followed inside, asking Tong Guangsheng when dinner would start.

Tong Guangsheng glanced at the time, surprisingly wearing an Orient brand watch despite being a big boss. He set the dining time for an hour later.

Despite his casual attire, Tong Guangsheng was particular about his tea, drinking top-quality ripe Pu'er, expertly brewed.

Xu Chunliang took a sip of Pu'er.

Tong Guangsheng asked, "Can you get used to it?"

Xu Chunliang nodded and said, "Sure, I can drink any tea, but I'm an amateur when it comes to tea."

Tong Guangsheng laughed, "I'm an amateur too. Back when I was fighting, I learned to drink tea from my comrades. At that time, Pu'er was just a local drink, unlike the chaos it's stirred up nowadays."

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