Xu Chunliang said, "This piece of cursive script is like dragons flying in the sky, powerful yet not losing elegance. The one who wrote this is definitely a master."

He Tiantian came over to serve tea and happened to hear her praise, and laughed: "It's nothing like a master, my father just scribbled it; it's laughable to you two."

Xu Chunliang thought to himself that just judging from the level of this piece, it has captured seventy percent of Zhang Xu's spirit; this can't be achieved by random scribbles.

The most commendable is that on the basis of learning Zhang Xu's wild cursive script, a unique style has been formed, with less unbridled boldness but more of an elegant detachment from worldly matters.

It should be far superior to more than half of the contemporary calligraphy masters; as they say, true experts are among the folks.

Mei Ru Xue said, "I'll definitely visit Mr. He when I get the chance."

"He lives up in the mountains and has a rather eccentric personality. I invited him to stay in town, but he refused." He Tiantian handed the menu to Xu Chunliang.

Xu Chunliang let Mei Ru Xue order, but Mei Ru Xue said to let He Tiantian decide, as the two of them wouldn't eat much anyway.

As He Tiantian turned to arrange things, a little girl with pigtails peered in through the window. Mei Ru Xue waved at her with a smile, but the girl, feeling shy, turned and ran away.

Xu Chunliang said to Mei Ru Xue, "You really like children?"

Mei Ru Xue's cheeks flushed slightly: "What are you saying?" This guy is good at setting traps; one must be cautious around him to avoid falling in inadvertently.

"Dealing with you government officials is really exhausting; too many thoughts, even speaking requires careful consideration. I'm more straightforward, just say it as it is."

"You straightforward? I've seen it firsthand!"

Xu Chunliang looked at her with a smile, she truly is a beauty, delightful to behold.

Mei Ru Xue always felt his smile was up to no good, but she remembered she was the one who invited him today. Realizing something, she took out a shirt from a paper bag beside her and handed it to him: "I don't know if it fits."

Xu Chunliang didn't expect she would buy him clothes. Mei Ru Xue said, "Don't get the wrong idea. Yesterday, you tore your shirt while saving me, so I bought this. There's no good brand available in town, but at least it's pure cotton. You can make do with it."

Xu Chunliang said, "It's the thought that counts."

Mei Ru Xue said, "It's just to express gratitude, no need for over-interpretation."

Xu Chunliang nodded: "I don't know about your simplicity, but I'm quite simple."

Mei Ru Xue glared at him; this guy doesn't even regard her as the town's mayor. He's the first to tease her like this in Hu Shan Town, but Mei Ru Xue wasn't angry, seeing that Xu Chunliang had already unwrapped the shirt packaging.

Mei Ru Xue said, "What are you doing?"

"Just trying it on for fit!"

Mei Ru Xue was a bit exasperated with him; he surely couldn't change his clothes in front of her, could he? Given that inside his work clothes seemed to be nothing, she stood up, "Take your time. I'm going to the restroom."

As Mei Ru Xue exited, she saw the little girl standing on the boat's bow railing and worried she might fall into the water, concernedly saying, "Little sister, come away from there. Don't fall into the water."

The little girl, very shy, jumped down from the railing and ran towards the stern, nearly bumping into He Tiantian, who was coming out of the kitchen.

He Tiantian was startled, raising the tray in her hands, scolding, "Are you seeking danger, you crazy girl, always rushing around." Seeing Mei Ru Xue, she smiled awkwardly, "Sorry, country kids don't know any better, I hope she didn't upset you?"

Mei Ru Xue shook her head, "Is that your daughter?"

He Tiantian nodded, "She can't speak."

Mei Ru Xue felt a pang of pity; such a clever and adorable little girl, yet she's mute: "Born that way?"

He Tiantian told Mei Ru Xue that her daughter is named Jiang Sinan, and she's seven years old. For some unknown reason, she suddenly stopped speaking two years ago. She took her daughter to many hospitals, but no results came out, and due to her aphasia, she's delayed her schooling this year.

Mei Ru Xue said she knows a brain specialist at Beijing Hospital and could introduce them if He Tiantian wanted to try.

He Tiantian loves this daughter dearly, and would try any slim chance.

The two entered a private room, and He Tiantian first placed freshly fried small river fish and salted river shrimps on the table, then turned to get paper and pen to have Mei Ru Xue write down the address for her.

Xu Chunliang changed into the dark blue shirt that Mei Ru Xue bought for him; he's been working out recently, and it fits him very well.

He Tiantian praised, "Director Xu, your shirt looks nice."

Xu Chunliang laughed, "I think so too."

Mei Ru Xue wrote down the expert's address and contact information and handed it to He Tiantian, telling her that her own phone number was also included, and to inform her once the date was confirmed so she could contact the expert in advance.

Xu Chunliang listening on the side couldn't help but say, "What illness is it? Can't we handle it at Changxing Hospital?"

Mei Ru Xue thought to herself that when even the provincial brain specialist hospital couldn't solve the problem, Changxing definitely couldn't either, not belittling Changxing, but there really is a big gap in hospital capabilities.

He Tiantian briefly explained her daughter's situation, Xu Chunliang said, "Aphasia, huh? You should bring her here for me to see; our family has a secret recipe specifically for treating this."

He Tiantian glanced at Mei Ru Xue, who felt embarrassed for Xu Chunliang; how could this fellow be so casually boastful? They already have such an unfortunate matter at hand, and you talk about secret recipes when even the provincial brain hospital couldn't help; you shouldn't step in blindly.

Of course, He Tiantian didn't believe it either, smiled and expressed appreciation for Director Xu's concern, without saying whether she would or wouldn't bring her daughter over, planning to later tell him that her daughter had run off to play somewhere.

Fishermen's dishes may not be as exquisite as those at a five-star hotel, but they win with freshness and quantity; all the fish and shrimp are usually kept in the lake water, freshly caught from nets and traps when needed, ensuring absolute freshness.

Mei Ru Xue didn't drink alcohol, but she brought Xu Chunliang a bottle of Guojiao 1573; he wasn't fond of the local low-alcohol content. He didn't hold back with Mei Ru Xue, laughingly saying, "Even though I said I'd treat you to dinner, this bottle of wine is worth a table full of food."

Mei Ru Xue said, "I came for a serious matter; I thoroughly reviewed your Changxing proposal—it's a great concept."

"So are you saying you plan to support us?"

"I'm saying the concept is great, but no matter how good the plan is, it still needs to be implemented. I estimated your proposed medical and pension project would need at least three billion to operate, and I've gotten an understanding of Changxing's current financial situation."

Xu Chunliang raised his wine glass to clink with her bottle of mineral water.

Mei Ru Xue said, "Changxing has many ambitions, from the second-phase expansion to acquiring land in the High-Tech Zone for a branch hospital, plus the Weishan Island medical and pension project—it's no less than four billion in total, based on your annual income, where will you get the investment money?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Money isn't something you should worry about; our Changxing leaders will surely resolve it. If Town Mayor Mei is willing, I can arrange for you to visit Changxing for a field survey and meet our hospital's main leaders. I'm sure they can answer your questions."

Mei Ru Xue said, "Director Xu, you wouldn't be painting a big picture to deceive me with this proposal, would you?"

Xu Chunliang laughed, "Mayor Mei, isn't that a bit of calling the kettle black? If you hadn't painted a big picture initially, why would Changxing open a branch here? We've thrown tens of millions in over three years without hearing a response; now the city plans to develop Weishan Island, we finally have hope, yet someone is playing tricks on our property rights, trying to kick us out. Do you think that's fair to us?"

"No one is trying to drive you away, but you also can't deny a fact: since Changxing's takeover of Weishan Island Hospital, the hospital hasn't achieved the expected growth."

"Hospital development must follow the actual situation; is it possible for the hospital to grow without Weishan's development? Even if we move Changxing entirely to the island, Weishan's current condition wouldn't provide enough patients, so the bald shouldn't laugh at the monk—the hospital's growth and Weishan's development must be synchronized."

Mei Ru Xue knew Xu Chunliang made a good point, "I can help Changxing resolve the property issue, but I have a condition."

Xu Chunliang nodded; getting Mei Ru Xue's support virtually completes the task Zhao Feiyang assigned him, and knowing Mei Ru Xue, she shouldn't propose excessive demands.

Mei Ru Xue's condition was for Changxing to produce a more detailed and convincing plan; Xu Chunliang understood that Mei Ru Xue still didn't trust Changxing's capabilities.

Zhao Feiyang's plan was good, but currently Changxing lacks the strength to match it; being a mayor, Mei Ru Xue naturally has to protect Hu Shan Town's interests.

A little yellow dog ran in from outside; Xu Chunliang tossed it a chicken bone, and the dog munched away happily as Jiang Sinan chased it inside, reaching to pick it up and planning to take it out.

Xu Chunliang looked into the little girl's eyes and found a few gray specks in her white pupils—pin-sized, barely noticeable unless looked at closely, so Xu Chunliang asked her to come closer.

Instead of coming, Xiaosinan hugged the little dog and ran outside, while He Tiantian brought in freshly cooked fish, "Hey, little girl, how'd you run here again? Disturbing the guests while eating; watch me spank you."

Mei Ru Xue laughingly explained, little Xiaosinan came in chasing the dog and didn't disturb their meal, begging her not to blame the child.

Xu Chunliang asked He Tiantian if she'd noticed anything about the child's eyes.

He Tiantian had actually seen little black specks appear on her daughter's eye whites ages ago, suspected she had worms, went to the hospital for tests but found no eggs; they then gave her Tower Candy, but no worms were expelled.

Later, went to find doctors in the provincial city, who said it was scleral pigmentation, which is rare for such a young child; since it didn't disrupt eating and drinking, it was then ignored, with the urgent focus on curing her daughter's aphasia.

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