Tan Guoliang finally understood, Gao Xinhua was hinting for him to seek out Gu Houyi.

A person about to exit the historical stage of Changxing Hospital had long been overlooked by Tan Guoliang and his wife. It was only now they realized that Gu Houyi could still control their fate; as long as Gu Houyi hadn't left, he remained the dean of Changxing.

To be cautious, Tan Guoliang first called Gu Houyi, but Gu didn't pick up. Then he had Cai Rongjuan call once more, but again Gu didn't answer.

The couple was now completely panicked. They had intended to leverage this incident to make a splash and distance themselves from Gu Houyi before the new dean's arrival, but unexpectedly, their clever ruse backfired. Gu Houyi went along with it, turning Cai Rongjuan's resignation into a fait accompli.

Gu Houyi was already preparing to leave. His transfer was an open secret, and the new dean had been chosen and would be arriving at Changxing by the end of the month to assume the post.

Gu Houyi had dedicated many years to Changxing, tirelessly for its benefit. Although he hadn't managed to make the hospital grow under his stewardship, his contributions to Changxing were evident, and many in the hospital voluntarily offered to bid him farewell.

Gu Houyi declined everyone's goodwill. Before leaving his post, he orchestrated two major personnel changes: transferring Deputy Dean Geng Wenxiu and approving Cai Rongjuan's resignation.

The former was because of small actions behind his back, leading to his political career's Waterloo this time.

Regarding the latter, he initially planned to show leniency, but didn't expect Cai Rongjuan, whom he had personally fostered, to leverage her resignation against him during his departure. Gu Houyi easily saw through Cai Rongjuan's use of this event to distance herself from him, realizing the true intent behind the resignation was to offer credentials to the new dean.

Recalling that the origin of his transfer was the Cosmetic Surgery Center, Gu Houyi could no longer maintain his tolerance. He approved Cai Rongjuan's resignation and left her no room for maneuver.

Gu Houyi was fully aware that with the arrival of his successor, many of his previously established policies would be overturned one after another. The people he favored and promoted, unless they were true elites, would be uprooted sooner or later. His time in power was spent benefiting one region, he believed he had done his best and was worthy of Changxing. As for where Changxing would head tomorrow, he was powerless to influence. However, this did not mean he would tolerate those who were eagerly waiting to kick him when he's down.

Gao Xinhua specifically reported Cai Rongjuan's resignation to Gu Houyi in person.

Gu Houyi expressed satisfaction and drew a cigarette, which Gao Xinhua quickly helped light.

Gu Houyi handed the cigarette pack to Gao Xinhua, who also took one and smoked. The two smoked silently until finishing, when Gu Houyi slowly spoke, "The organization has proposed for me to work with the Science Association."

Gao Xinhua actually knew this news long ago, but today was the first time Gu Houyi confirmed it.

"Dean Gu, we all will miss you."

Gu Houyi laughed. For Gao Xinhua, this statement was just going through the motions.

"Do you know why I asked you to be in charge of the transition period?"

Gao Xinhua took out another cigarette and offered it to Gu Houyi, who waved it off. Gao Xinhua lit it for himself, took a puff, and then said, "You must have long known my relationship with Zhao Feiyang. I'm the most suitable choice."

He and the new dean Zhao Feiyang were classmates at the Party School, and Zhao Feiyang's father was his old superior. Such a relationship could withstand scrutiny and determined that he would become one of the new dean's most trusted individuals.

Assigning him responsibility for the transition period was mainly considering his ability to connect with all parties. More importantly, if it were assigned to others, they might be seen by the new leader as loyal followers of the predecessor, potentially being marginalized or even oppressed later. From this perspective, Gu Houyi had thoughtfully considered and preemptively protected his people as best as he could.

"Among the deputy positions, you are the most capable and upright, but it's a pity that your background isn't in operations." Gu Houyi implied that if Gao Xinhua had an operational background, he might have become the dean of Changxing.

"Dean Gu, I don't have the ability to govern, but I can help as a supporting role."

"Zhao Feiyang is thirty-eight, right?"

"Not yet, his birthday is in December."

"Such an impressive young man, not even thirty-eight and already a Deputy Director-level. It's rare in the health system, isn't it?"

Gao Xinhua said, "It's rare in the whole of Dongzhou."

"What kind of person is he?"

Gao Xinhua wasn't sure how to answer. Although they had known each other for a long time, they had never worked together, so he didn't understand Zhao Feiyang.

Gu Houyi realized that his question put him on the spot and asked, "Does he understand Changxing?"

"There will surely be a process for that."

Gu Houyi nodded, feeling a deep sense of reluctance and nostalgia, much like the day his daughter got married. He was uneasy, unsure if the future leader would treat Changxing as dearly as he did.

Change in leadership is an inevitable pattern. Sooner or later, Gu Houyi would leave; he was only departing six months early. In the eyes of outsiders, his ending seemed decent. However, no one understood the true significance of Changxing to Gu Houyi. At this moment, he felt like a veteran player who had devoted his youth to the team, wanting to retire with it, but couldn't even fulfill that small wish. Just in the last half of the season, he was forced to transfer. Only he understood this pain.

At the new dean's request, the handover ceremony took place at the hospital's weekly meeting. Leaders from the Health Bureau and the organizational committee were in attendance and delivered speeches, which were merely procedural, recognizing the former dean's contributions and welcoming the new dean.

For this handover ceremony, the weekly hospital meeting was specifically shifted to the morning.

Gu Houyi still keenly noticed subtle differences. When he finished his address, the applause was enthusiastic, but slightly less so compared to Zhao Feiyang's. When he made his departure speech, many middle-level cadres weren't paying attention to him at all, with some even secretly playing on their phones. In the past, he would never have tolerated this; today, he could only choose to ignore it.

When new Dean Zhao Feiyang spoke, everyone in the room focused their gaze on him, attentive and serious. It wasn't because Zhao Feiyang's speech was more exciting than his but because from that moment on, he was Changxing's new helmsman, the center of power in the hospital, and the focal point of everyone's attention.

After the meeting, Gu Houyi returned to the dean's office. He initially didn't want to come back, but Zhao Feiyang had requested a private chat. As the predecessor, he needed to show magnanimity and grace. He also wanted to talk to Zhao Feiyang to understand what kind of person would be taking over Changxing.

Zhao Feiyang was tall, handsome, and had an extraordinary temperament. His smile was contagious, showing great respect for his predecessor Gu Houyi: "I've always admired you, old leader."

The term "old leader" was a respectful title, but Gu Houyi didn't like it. He preferred being called Dean Gu or the big boss, but from today, the dean of Changxing was surnamed Zhao. Whether he liked it or not, he had to accept the reality.

"Dean Zhao, you're too kind. I've heard about you as well, the most promising young cadre in our health system."

Zhao Feiyang laughed, "Young might barely apply, but I wouldn't presume to be accomplished. I need to consult with you a lot on managing Changxing, as a senior."

Gu Houyi said, "Rest assured on that point. I promise to share everything I know without reservation."

Both laughed, but their feelings were completely different.

On the wall behind Gu Houyi's desk hung a rendering of the second phase of Changxing Hospital's expansion. He led Zhao Feiyang to the drawing, "Dean Zhao, this is the rendering for the second phase of Changxing."

Zhao Feiyang said, "The design is very beautiful."

Gu Houyi reflected, "Preparations for the second phase started six years ago, but the approval process took two years alone. Once approvals were obtained, relocation encountered issues. Only two months ago was the relocation finally completed."

He hoped his successor would appreciate the hard work and efforts put forth over the years, but Zhao Feiyang didn't seem to catch his meaning.

"I heard the higher-ups have ordered the project to be paused?"

"It's temporary. I asked, and it should resume within half a month at most." Not being able to personally lay the foundation for the second phase was an eternal regret for Gu Houyi. Even if it did restart, the glory and achievements would belong to Zhao Feiyang, a fact understood by anyone, something Zhao Feiyang should surely grasp.

"Dean Zhao, the second phase expansion must proceed urgently. The current hardware facilities at Changxing are lagging behind other hospitals. If this situation can't be changed in the short term, Changxing will fall behind from the leading tier and continue to be left further behind."

Zhao Feiyang nodded, "Rest easy, I'll do my utmost to develop and expand Changxing."

Gu Houyi had planned to relay more things, but now he completely lost interest. Zhao Feiyang's politeness was superficial, with almost every word suggesting that he was old and past his prime, just shy of stating directly that the future of Changxing now had nothing to do with him.

Gu Houyi extended his hand to Zhao Feiyang, who reached out with both hands to shake his. Zhao Feiyang's palm was warm and strong, while Gu Houyi's right hand was rough and cold, mirroring his desolate heart.

Not wanting to reveal his disappointment, Gu Houyi quickly retracted his hand and gently patted Zhao Feiyang's shoulder: "I'm counting on you."

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