Tong Guangsheng lit a cigarette, took a deep puff, and said, "If you hadn't mentioned it, I wouldn't have noticed. Yeah, the taste of the smoke is getting lighter, or maybe our tastes have become stronger."

Gao Xinhua said, "Back then, smoking a cigarette butt felt like happiness. Now, no matter how good the cigarette, it can't replicate that feeling. Even chicken, fish, meat, and eggs don't taste like they used to."

"I think you've had too many comfortable days. You should go to the countryside for some exercise now and then, recall the hardships and cherish the sweetness. Why not stay a few more days? I'll arrange three meals of sweet potato rice for you daily, and I guarantee everything will taste delicious after a week."

Gao Xinhua shook his head with a smile, "Nowadays, the countryside is no worse than the city. Seeing you live like an immortal, Xianhong Farm is your independent kingdom, and you even have a yacht. You're really something."

Tong Guangsheng said, "I don't like riding boats. That yacht is just for the company's image. Don't just look at the surface. On Weishan Island, there are still many impoverished families. In today's rural areas, young people go out to work, and there's a severe aging problem. You city folks have retirement wages; what security do farmers have?"

Gao Xinhua cast his gaze into the distance. By the lake, many people were working, and he realized that Xianhong Farm employed many elderly people. Tong Guangsheng was a person with sentiment. Over the years, without the support of faith, no one could have been as persistent as him, experiencing numerous ups and downs without losing ambition.

Compared to Tong Guangsheng, Gao Xinhua was two years younger, but he had already lost the motivation to strive. His daughter secured a spot in graduate school, his family was harmonious, and there was no more room for growth in his career. He had accepted the reality that life had entered the second half.

Gao Xinhua was an easily satisfied person, content with the status quo and resistant to risk. Because of this, the series of radical measures Zhao Feiyang implemented after his arrival unsettled him. In fact, most people in government agencies and institutions shared his mentality.

Tong Guangsheng looked at Gao Xinhua and suddenly sighed, "Xinhua, you've changed."

"Oh? How have I changed?"

"You've become old-fashioned, playing it safe, without any fighting spirit! You don't look like a soldier at all now!"

Gao Xinhua nodded, being a soldier was a distant memory. The pampered life in government units had dulled his sense of crisis and stripped away his drive to strive.

Although it's impossible for him to be as wealthy as Tong Guangsheng, he appreciated the stability of his life, receiving a monthly salary without having to worry too much.

"Old Tong, have you ever thought about retiring?"

Tong Guangsheng said, "Retire for what? You have a wife, kids, and a warm home. I have nothing."

"You have money."

Tong Guangsheng spat, his eyes wide as if he was about to throw Gao Xinhua into the fish pond. But he couldn't hold back his laughter first.

"I've figured you out; you just envy the rich. Actually, you're living more comfortably than I am. You have someone to care for you. If I had stayed in a unit like you back then, I wouldn't have any fighting spirit either. Born of hardship, die of ease."

Gao Xinhua said, "You and your damn sense of vindication."

Tong Guangsheng unscrewed a bottle of mineral water and handed it to him. Gao Xinhua took it and drank a couple of sips, "Not fishing anymore, it's boring."

Tong Guangsheng called a worker to help with the fish, but Gao Xinhua told the worker to release all the fish. He fished just for fun, it was enough to enjoy the process without caring for the outcome.

Tong Guangsheng said, "Speaking seriously, give me the lowdown on what's going on between Zhao Feiyang and Huayuan Group?"

Gao Xinhua said, "I really don't know, and even if I knew, I couldn't possibly tell you."

"Damn, that's candid!" Tong Guangsheng punched Gao Xinhua on the shoulder with force, causing him to sway a bit, then kindly patted his shoulder, "He's much slicker than Zhao Daqiang. I extended him an olive branch, and he could hardly be bothered."

Zhao Daqiang was Zhao Feiyang's father and Gao Xinhua's old company commander. Because of his explosive temper, he got this nickname while in the army. Although Tong Guangsheng wasn't his soldier, he'd heard of Zhao Daqiang's reputation.

Gao Xinhua estimated that Tong Guangsheng faced setbacks in cooperation matters and guessed that Zhao Feiyang's desired cooperation target should be Huayuan Group.

Gao Xinhua said, "Changxing is currently introducing a lot of private capital, and many projects at the hospital are available for investment. Are you interested in checking it out?"

Tong Guangsheng wasn't interested in other medical projects, only in healthcare for the elderly. He cast his gaze onto the glistening Weishan Lake, "Weishan Island has a lot of usable land. The Crescent Bay plot, although good, is not the only one. It's impossible for your Changxing to establish and develop here without government support."

He only said half of what he meant, the other half being without my support, it won't be easy for you either, but he swallowed those words.

"Have you told him this?"

Tong Guangsheng nodded. He had already explained this to Zhao Feiyang. The problems bothering Changxing were not issues for him, but Zhao Feiyang seemed to lack a proper assessment of his capabilities. It had been two days and still no clear response, which showed Zhao Feiyang lacked sincerity in considering his cooperation proposal.

Tong Guangsheng said, "Interested in helping out here after you retire?"

Gao Xinhua looked at him in surprise.

Tong Guangsheng said, "If Changxing doesn't want to partner with me, I'll open a retirement home myself, and you can be the dean."

Gao Xinhua laughed, "I still have five years until retirement."

At this moment, Wang Jinwu called to remind Tong Guangsheng that he had a meeting with Secretary Kong Xiangsheng from Hu Shan Town at ten in the morning.

Gao Xinhua, upon hearing he was going to the town, asked him to drop him off at the hospital on the way, as he had to inspect the branch before leaving. He didn't want others to think he was just here for a vacation.

Kong Xiangsheng was meeting with Tong Guangsheng to inform him that the application for land use for the second phase project of Xianhong Farm was denied. Due to the construction of a national-level resort, there was now strict control over land use on the island. Tong Guangsheng had applied three months ago, and though Kong Xiangsheng had spoken confidently at the time, reality hit hard.

Tong Guangsheng understood the situation, acknowledging that Kong Xiangsheng was just the secretary of Hu Shan Town. He hadn't anticipated the policy change coming so fast. After the Dongzhou City Government put the construction of a national-level resort on the agenda, strict land control was inevitable. Weishan Island had become a hot commodity.

Kong Xiangsheng also offered some compensation through other means, designating Xianhong Farm as a demonstration farm for Hu Shan Town. The spring water produced on the farm was signed as the designated water for town agencies. By mid-next month, at the Dongzhou national-level resort's official announcement, Xianhong Farm would be introduced as one of the first representative enterprises.

Tong Guangsheng expressed his gratitude to Kong Xiangsheng. At least it showed this Secretary Kong knew how to show appreciation, using Xianhong Farm's car and eating its meals, and not abandoning them at a critical time.

There was another important matter Kong Xiangsheng wanted to discuss with him, which was renting the yacht from Xianhong Farm. With more investors coming to the island for inspections, it was no longer feasible for them to take the ferry every time.

Tong Guangsheng's yacht was not used frequently, and he was willing to rent it. However, he had one condition, which was to acquire the land of Da Hu Recycling Company.

That area belonged to government assets and had been leased out for many years. Tong Guangsheng was interested because it was very close to the pier.

With the establishment of the national-level resort and the increase in tourists, the area near the pier would undoubtedly become a hub for gatherings. The recycling company's dilapidated and foul-smelling site also damaged the image, so he wanted to make a commercial layout in advance, making it one of Weishan Island's image showcases.

Kong Xiangsheng said it shouldn't be a big problem. The town was also troubled by the pier's mess and intended to rectify it soon, though the specific matters were handled by Town Mayor Mei Ru Xue.

Kong Xiangsheng wasn't trying to pass the buck, but there was a division of labor. Recently, because of Weishan Island Hospital, he and Mei Ru Xue had differing opinions and didn't get along well. It would be better for Tong Guangsheng to talk directly to Mei Ru Xue.

Mei Ru Xue's office was right next door, so Tong Guangsheng went to visit her. With his reputation in the area, he didn't even need an appointment.

As soon as he arrived at the town mayor's office door, he ran into Xu Chunliang, who was also coming for a visit.

Xu Chunliang greeted him, "President Tong, what a coincidence!"

Tong Guangsheng smiled, "I'm here to discuss something with Town Mayor Mei."

Xu Chunliang was also there to see Mei Ru Xue, and he had an appointed time with her in advance. Hearing what Tong Guangsheng said, he let him go first and decided to go in later himself.

This kind of official conversation wasn't suitable for a third person to be present, so Xu Chunliang planned to take a walk outside. He sent Mei Ru Xue a message, asking her to call him after she finished.

As Xu Chunliang was heading downstairs, Publicity Officer Zhang Yiben approached with a smile, "Dean Xu is here."

Xu Chunliang had met him during a celebration but didn't usually keep in touch. He smiled and said, "Just waiting for Town Mayor Mei to call me in."

Zhang Yiben invited him to his office for a chat, and Xu Chunliang, seeing his enthusiasm, decided to follow him.

Zhang Yiben made a cup of tea for Xu Chunliang; it was Bamboo Leaf Green tea. Xu Chunliang remembered that Pei Lin had given him two boxes before, costing a few thousand per pound, which seemed a bit extravagant for a small town official.

Zhang Yiben also offered him a cigarette, but Xu Chunliang declined. Zhang Yiben lit one himself; he smoked Soft Zhonghua.

Xu Chunliang pondered whether this was another young official with connections. Nowadays, many young township-level officials were just here to gain experience and would rise quickly in a few years.

Xu Chunliang sipped the tea and said, "This tea is nice, quite expensive, isn't it?"

Zhang Yiben laughed, "I'm not knowledgeable about it; a friend gave it to me. My income wouldn't cover it."

Xu Chunliang teased, "Girlfriend?"

Zhang Yiben laughed loudly, "Boyfriend, an old classmate." Flicked the ash into the glass ashtray, "Will Dean Xu be stationed at Weishan Island permanently?"

Xu Chunliang shook his head and said, "I'll be leaving tomorrow. I'm just the honorary vice dean; Dean Jin is in charge here."

Zhang Yiben nodded, "Impressive. Already a deputy division level at such a young age, huh?"

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