It was through the conflict between Xu Chunliang and Tang Tianyi that Zhao Feiyang finally saw the bottom line of the Huayuan Group. The seemingly gigantic Huayuan Group actually had its weaknesses, and Zhao Feiyang, who had been passive in the negotiations, began to gain the confidence to turn the tables.

In this regard, Xu Chunliang had not caused trouble for Changxing but instead did a good deed.

Zhao Feiyang later learned that the dispute between Xu Chunliang and Tang Tianyi had even alerted the city bureau leaders, proving that Xu Chunliang also had a background.

For this matter, he specifically inquired with Gao Xinhua, who subtly indicated that Elder Xu was very well-known in Dongzhou and many leaders there had sought his medical advice. However, Gao Xinhua was not completely clear about the situation.

Zhao Feiyang hung up the phone, pondering the upcoming visit of Huayuan Group's Vice President Duan Yuanhong to Dongzhou. Tang Jinglun was only responsible for inspection, while Duan Yuanhong was in charge of negotiations. To know oneself and the enemy, a hundred battles will be unbeaten.

Zhao Feiyang called Geng Wenxiu to inquire about the progress of the hospital asset evaluation. Before cooperation, Huayuan Group would definitely assess the current assets and liabilities of Changxing.

Zhao Feiyang also conducted a self-evaluation. If the discrepancies between the two were not significant, it would prove that Huayuan Group maintained an objective attitude. If the discrepancies were too large, it would be necessary to argue the case based on reason.

Geng Wenxiu reported that it would take about another week to complete the work, which made Zhao Feiyang quite displeased. Zhao Feiyang told her that Duan Yuanhong would arrive in Dongzhou in three days, and the implication was that she must complete the asset evaluation within those three days.

Even over the phone, Geng Wenxiu could sense Zhao Feiyang's displeasure. She hurriedly assured Zhao Feiyang that she would complete the task within three days.

Zhao Feiyang said, "Thanks for your hard work," and then hung up the phone, feeling somewhat fatigued as he lay back in his executive chair.

Geng Wenxiu was not an ideal assistant; the reason for using her was mainly due to her background connections. If it weren't for her elder brother Geng Wenjun's support, Changxing wouldn't have successfully acquired the medical land in the High-Tech Zone.

Zhao Feiyang sighed. Ever since coming to Changxing, he had been operating at full capacity. During this time, he had made several personnel changes among the middle-level cadres, but he hadn't found a strong assistant.

In the past, he once considered Gao Xinhua a reliable figure to depend on, but Gao Xinhua lacked passion in his work. Zhao Feiyang could even detect Gao Xinhua's perfunctory attitude and laziness toward him. It wasn't that Gao Xinhua lacked ability, but he lacked the drive and momentum for reform. When a person loses career ambition, it's hard to have high expectations of them.

Zhao Feiyang closed his eyes, and the faces of several deputy deans appeared in his mind in turn.

The phone ringing interrupted his thoughts. It was a special piano piece, "Castle in the Sky," and Zhao Feiyang didn't need to look at the number to know who was calling.

He hesitated for a moment before answering the call, and a gentle female voice came through the receiver: "Not in a good mood?"

Zhao Feiyang laughed: "How do you know?"

"I can sense it."

A warm current surged in Zhao Feiyang's heart: "Where are you?"

"You are too tense; you should relax a bit. I won't interrupt your work anymore." Before Zhao Feiyang could finish speaking, she hung up the phone.

Zhao Feiyang shook his head with a bit of helplessness. Suddenly, he heard a notification sound. He opened WeChat to see a photo of a graceful figure standing by the window, and his blood rushed rapidly within.

There was also a location message—Hai Zhou Listening Sea Hot Springs.

The sound of knocking on the door came from outside. Zhao Feiyang quickly turned off the phone screen. After obtaining his permission, office director Lin Yansheng pushed the door open and walked in, placing several documents that Zhao Feiyang needed on the table.

Zhao Feiyang said, "Xiaolin, I have some official business to attend to. I'll probably be back by tomorrow afternoon at the earliest."

Lin Yansheng said, "I'll arrange a car right away."

Zhao Feiyang shook his head: "No need, I'll drive myself."

Gao Xinhua went to the dean's office to report on work to Zhao Feiyang but found him not there. He learned from office director Lin Yansheng that Zhao Feiyang was on a sudden business trip.

Gao Xinhua didn't ask further. If Zhao Feiyang wanted to disclose it, Lin Yansheng would have stated his whereabouts.

Lin Yansheng was more discreet than his predecessor Liu Dengke. He was personally selected by Zhao Feiyang, and this person had a knack for handling interpersonal relationships, maintaining a balanced distance with everyone. It was hard to get the truth out of him.

In fact, Gao Xinhua intended to address the quality issues that had emerged during the hospital renovations. Although he didn't want to take on this task, as the vice president in charge of logistics, he couldn't evade the responsibility.

Celestial Sea Construction, although entering through a formal bidding process, had many quality issues in their project, and there were many non-compliance issues in construction standards.

Gao Xinhua decided to order the contractor to stop work for rectification, but this matter needed to be discussed with Zhao Feiyang first. After all, the relationship between Celestial Sea Construction and Zhao Feiyang was quite good. If handled without prior notice, Zhao Feiyang might suspect that he was targeting him.

Such matters are best discussed face-to-face. One can gauge a person's thoughts from changes in their expression. Since Zhao Feiyang wasn't there, Gao Xinhua planned to wait until he returned to discuss it. On the way back to his office, he ran into Secretary Chen Xing'an.

Chen Xing'an enthusiastically invited Gao Xinhua to his place for a visit and to try the Phoenix Dancong he had just purchased.

Gao Xinhua knew this old fox certainly wouldn't show kindness without a reason, but he still went out of obligation.

Chen Xing'an's office was different from most; the windowsill was filled with succulents, and the guest area had a tea table, with a koi tank against the west wall.

The office had a faint professional atmosphere but was filled with a strong sense of life.

As the secretary, he didn't directly participate in the management of Changxing Hospital. Whether it was during Gu Houyi's time or Zhao Feiyang's, he maintained an attitude of not competing or striving, observing from afar, and portrayed a persona of being indifferent to fame and fortune.

Gao Xinhua knew Chen Xing'an didn't like smoking, so he suppressed the urge to light up, glancing at the name on the tea box: "Duck Shit Aroma?"

Chen Xing'an smiled and said, "It's excellent tea, I'm not bragging, only two ancient trees in the Min Nan Mountain Area produce this tea."

Gao Xinhua thought to himself, you are definitely bragging. He couldn't pinpoint when stories became trendy—drinking wine with wine stories, drinking tea with tea stories. In Gao Xinhua's experience, usually, the more miraculous the story, the less impressive the item. Have you ever seen anyone telling stories while drinking Maotai? The most stories are usually about local brews, and it's the same with tea.

When Chen Xing'an was young, his essays must have been excellent. His narrative about tea was so vivid and spirited. Gao Xinhua thought he surely believed in it himself and was even enchanted by the mystical legends he weaved. This was quite normal; if you don't believe it yourself, how can you make others believe?

Chen Xing'an liked to deeply inhale the tea's aroma first and then, while the scent lingered in his throat, quickly down a cup of the scalding tea.

Gao Xinhua couldn't do that; his mouth and tongue couldn't tolerate high temperatures. Moreover, he thought this way of drinking tea wasn't healthy. Research shows that consuming overly hot food frequently increases the risk of esophageal cancer.

Chen Xing'an asked, "How is it?"

Gao Xinhua picked up a teacup, blew on it, and took a small sip: "Very fragrant!"

Chen Xing'an laughed and said, "See, I told you!"

Gao Xinhua's "very fragrant" wasn't a compliment; he wasn't ignorant about tea. The tea was overly fragrant, with an obvious hint of artificial flavoring. Gao Xinhua also didn't like drinking oolong tea; he had a soft spot for green tea, always feeling it was the most nutritious and healthy way to drink tea.

Gao Xinhua got up to admire the succulents Chen Xing'an cultivated, having to admit Chen Xing'an indeed had quite a skill in this area.

Chen Xing'an also came over to join him.

Gao Xinhua said, "Secretary Chen is truly a cultured person."

"I call it loving life."

The morning sunlight shone through the window, warming him comfortably. Through the office window, one could see the plot for the second phase of construction. With the arrival of autumn, the plants inside had begun to yellow, swaying like waves as the autumn wind blew.

Gao Xinhua recalled the scene of harvesting wheat in the countryside in his younger years. Back then, he was passionate and youthful, filled with inexhaustible energy. But youth is like a fleeting horse, quickly passing by.

Following his gaze, Chen Xing'an sighed and said, "We've acquired the land, but there's no movement at all. Comrade Xinhua, you need to hurry up."

Gao Xinhua laughed and said, "I listen to the leaders. Wherever they point, that's where I aim."

Chen Xing'an thought that the notion of two leaders was nonsense. He was just a figurehead, with Zhao Feiyang being even more domineering than Gu Houyi, holding all the power, making his own presence feel increasingly insignificant.

Chen Xing'an said, "It's important to listen when leaders are right, but when they're wrong, it's crucial to point it out; otherwise, it's irresponsible."

Gao Xinhua said, "In this lifetime, I'll never reach the height of Secretary Chen. With my perspective, I can't even see where the leaders are wrong."

Chen Xing'an laughed and said, "Xinhua, oh Xinhua, you're so good with words. No wonder Dean Zhao relies on you so much."

"Of course, leaders do have moments of misjudgment." Gao Xinhua cleverly responded to Chen Xing'an's remark.

Chen Xing'an smiled even more broadly, yet in his heart, he cursed Gao Xinhua for being slippery. Getting some truth out of him was truly difficult. However, Chen Xing'an didn't plan to let Gao Xinhua off easily: "Xinhua, you know Comrade Feiyang quite well. What exactly is his idea regarding the Huayuan Group?"

"I honestly haven't heard him talk about it, Secretary Chen. I'm curious too. Why don't you ask him directly?" Gao Xinhua effortlessly kicked the ball back.

Chen Xing'an said, "Changxing needs development. Introducing private capital is a good thing, but after all, we're a publicly-owned hospital. Even if we bring in private capital, we should call the shots. Don't you agree?"

Chen Xing'an's words reflected the mindset of many current Changxing employees. As rumors about cooperation with the Huayuan Group grew, a concerning question plagued them: whether Changxing's future would be private or public, and whether they would remain masters of the hospital or be packaged and sold like commodities.

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