Tong Guangsheng warmly welcomed Zhao Feiyang and his party. That evening, he also invited Mayor Mei Ru Xue, but Mei Ru Xue excused herself saying she had other commitments.

Because Zhao Feiyang was present, everyone drank cautiously, not wanting to embarrass themselves in such a setting. This was especially true for Yan Huaiyi, who already harbored resentment towards Zhao Feiyang. If he drank too much, he might accidentally say something inappropriate.

There were two tables tonight, and Xu Chunliang and Zhao Feiyang were not seated together. Yan Huaiyi was originally supposed to sit at Zhao Feiyang's table, but he chose to join another one.

Diverging paths lead to different goals; he had no interest in Zhao Feiyang's grand plans and felt more at ease drinking with other colleagues. His mind had already flown to the Infectious Disease Hospital, and he was planning his future there.

Yan Huaiyi's new direction wasn't a secret. Fellow attendees toasted and offered him their best wishes.

Zhao Feiyang's table finished relatively early, and Tong Guangsheng accompanied him on a yacht to enjoy the night view. In truth, the two were privately discussing cooperation. Tong Guangsheng had shown great interest ever since hearing about Changxing's health care and elderly care plan, which is why he was hosting such a grand reception.

Once their conversation ended, the others didn't want to linger either; the banquet was over by eight. Zhao Feiyang still had to head back that night, with Tong Guangsheng personally taking him to Ancient Spring Town. Accompanying them were Geng Wenxiu and Tang Mingmei.

Yan Huaiyi also opted to leave on the same boat. Zhao Feiyang did him a favor, allowing him to leave early instead of staying until the end of the month to prepare for his new post, with Gao Xinhua taking over the upcoming quality control work.

In reality, there wasn't much quality control work from the beginning. Zhao Feiyang's initial intent was purely to make things difficult for Yan Huaiyi; now that it was unnecessary, he decided to do a favor instead.

Gao Xinhua didn't plan on leaving anyway. Tong Guangsheng wanted him to stay a couple more days and had already arranged accommodations for him. With no wife around to nag, he could enjoy drinking freely for two days, treating it as a short vacation.

Xu Chunliang also didn't leave that night. Once the yacht departed, Wang Jinwu arranged for more food and drink, and the two of them continued drinking on the terrace of Tong Guangsheng's villa.

The weather that night was poor—cloudy, with no stars or moon visible—but for those drinking, the environment hardly mattered.

With no one else around, Gao Xinhua spoke more freely. He confided something to Xu Chunliang.

Recently, Changxing Hospital had introduced a significant amount of private capital. Departments like the Aesthetics Center, Urology Center, Ophthalmology Center, and Physical Examination Center had been successively contracted out.

Zhao Feiyang called it a mixed-ownership model, but some older hospital staff had reservations about it.

Xu Chunliang wasn't particularly concerned about Changxing's reforms. After all, Changxing Hospital was ranked last among the six general hospitals in Dongzhou, and was indeed due for reform. However, something Gao Xinhua said caught his attention—the contractor for the Aesthetics Center was Pei Yu.

Back then, the closure of Tingmei Breast Enhancement was due to offending him. Who would've thought these two sisters would quickly open a new front?

Xu Chunliang was well aware that Pei Yu was merely a puppet; Pei Lin was the real power behind the scenes. He admired Pei Lin's tenacity—securing Changxing's Aesthetics Center proved she had aligned herself with Zhao Feiyang. The woman indeed had some skills.

"It's good for young people to be serious about their work, but not too serious," Gao Xinhua subtly advised Xu Chunliang to avoid being used.

Xu Chunliang understood his implication: "Uncle Gao, are you worried I'll be used as a pawn?"

Gao Xinhua smiled. It wasn't something he could openly admit, but ever since Zhao Feiyang appointed Xu Chunliang in charge of the Medical Department and kept inserting his own people, it had irked him. He thought Zhao Feiyang was using Xu Chunliang.

As it turned out, Zhao Feiyang never considered letting Xu Chunliang become the head of the Medical Department. Amidst recent frequent personnel changes, there's reliable information that Zeng Honglin, the deputy director of the Central Hospital Medical Department, would be transferred to Changxing to assume the position of department head.

The same situation applied to the Weishan Island matter—being an assistant to the dean was a nominal title, and deputy director of the branch hospital held little actual significance.

Xu Chunliang's flaw lay in his low academic qualifications, something Zhao Feiyang was certainly aware of. If he truly valued Xu Chunliang, he would have exceptionally promoted him to a deputy section chief. From Gao Xinhua's perspective, it wouldn't have been difficult for Zhao Feiyang.

So far, Zhao Feiyang only saw Xu Chunliang as a sharp tool to cut through the entangled complexities within Changxing.

Xu Chunliang toasted him a drink, then refilled his glass: "Uncle Gao, don't worry—I'm aware of the situation. He uses me as a tool, and I take advantage of his influence. As long as he treats me fairly, I'm willing to help him resolve some troubles. It's mutually beneficial, and nobody loses out."

Gao Xinhua realized he had underestimated the young man but didn't think Xu Chunliang's wisdom surpassed Zhao Feiyang's. In a low voice, he said, "You probably lack an understanding of the concept of introducing private capital. Changxing has always been a public hospital, and I'm worried that sooner or later, it will become privatized."

"Are you implying he wants to take over Changxing for himself?"

Gao Xinhua shook his head: "Not at all. He's a man of ideals and ambition, clearly eager to accomplish something."

He didn't say it was all for Changxing, because Zhao Feiyang wasn't born and raised there—he didn't share the same sentiments they did.

Zhao Feiyang's genuine interest lies in realizing his ambitions. Changxing is merely his testing ground for reform. For the sake of development, he's willing to break the old to establish the new. If a better opportunity arises in the future, he wouldn't hesitate to abandon Changxing.

In this respect, he is entirely different from Gu Houyi, who treats Changxing as his home and regards its employees as family.

Yet, it is precisely because of this that Gu Houyi's reforms in Changxing have progressed so slowly. Perhaps the current era is in more need of cadres like Zhao Feiyang.

Xu Chunliang said, "Having ambition is a good thing; the worry is whether one's ability can match that ambition."

Gao Xinhua's eyes brightened. Xu Chunliang being able to say this means he sees Zhao Feiyang very clearly.

In fact, Gao Xinhua hasn't been having an easy time recently. In the eyes of others, he has Zhao Feiyang's deep trust, but he doesn't have a taste for or agreement with Zhao Feiyang's reform plans.

He is a veteran of Changxing and hopes for its development, but he doesn't want it to stray from its original system. Something like introducing private capital to invigorate the hospital may have short-term effects, but what is the ultimate goal of these private investments? At the end of the day, it's still about profit.

Where does the profit come from? Either from the patients or from the medical staff, or perhaps by harming the interests of both. Not everyone can benefit.

When Gu Houyi was in charge, he also tried something similar. In the end, it proved that the benefits brought to Changxing Hospital by the cosmetic surgery center were far less than the negative effects. Gu Houyi's retreat was due to this matter, a lesson that was deeply painful.

Given the lessons of the past, one would have thought Zhao Feiyang would be cautious, but shortly after arriving at Changxing, he began to extensively introduce private capital, and the departmental outsourcing policy is still ongoing.

Gao Xinhua even thinks that if things continue this way, Changxing's ultimate fate will be privatization. If that day truly comes, he would never accept it. He even envied Yan Huaiyi's timely departure. If Zhao Feiyang's steps are so large, he too should consider leaving.

Xu Chunliang said, "Uncle Gao, you have no interest in his reforms, nor do you want to be tied to him, fearing that if something goes wrong in the future, you'll unfortunately take the blame?"

Gao Xinhua looked at Xu Chunliang in surprise. Did this kid see so clearly?

Xu Chunliang smiled and said, "There's no need to be surprised, your frustration is written all over your face. I can see it, and naturally, others can too. If you can't help the leader while placed in this position, then you'll quickly become an obstacle for him."

Gao Xinhua raised his glass and clinked it with him, acknowledging his words.

Xu Chunliang asked, "What method did Geng Wenxiu use back then so he never came to work here even for a day?"

After Xu Chunliang's remark, Gao Xinhua suddenly understood: Feigning illness! The kid always had crafty ideas. However, since everyone is part of the healthcare system, pretending to be sick wouldn't fool Zhao Feiyang's eyes. Being caught feigning illness would definitely leave a bad impression with Zhao Feiyang, and it would be quite embarrassing if this matter reached old leaders.

Xu Chunliang said, "You don't have to worry about him seeing through it. I have a way for you to retreat completely."

Gao Xinhua leaned forward and asked, "What way?"

Xu Chunliang raised his glass and said, "Heavenly secrets cannot be divulged."

For the next two days, Gao Xinhua indulged in his fishing hobby on the island. Xianhong Farm wasn't short of fish ponds, and Tong Guangsheng specifically picked a pond for carp and bighead carp. Gao Xinhua caught one that weighed a full sixty pounds.

Even though they were in the same city, they seldom met except during festivals. While Gao Xinhua fished, Tong Guangsheng accompanied him.

Gao Xinhua said, "I really can't understand you rich people. After making so much money, why do you still have to run to this isolated island to farm and fish? Is it that the richer you are, the poorer you feel?"

Tong Guangsheng laughed, "I'm just a farmer. Regardless of the time, I always feel closest to the land. You should know, I'm someone who can't be idle. While I'm still able, I want to contribute a bit to my hometown."

"If I were you, I'd do nothing and enjoy life," Gao Xinhua said as he secured the bait and tossed his hook back into the pond.

"Everyone has different standards for enjoying life. I'm quite enjoying myself right now."

Gao Xinhua nodded. Tong Guangsheng wasn't wrong. He asked Tong Guangsheng for a cigarette, and Tong Guangsheng took one out, lit it, then passed it to him.

Gao Xinhua took a puff of Tong Guangsheng's cigarette, and he couldn't help but remember the times they fought on the battlefield, where even a cigarette butt was shared. He laughed, "Old Tong, don't you find that today's cigarettes aren't as strong as the ones we had back when we were soldiers?"

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