Chapter 103 - 88: Different Paths

Gao Xinhua knew that Zhao Feiyang would be on the phone for a while longer, so he picked up the iPad and studied the menu first. Sashimi, sushi, tempura, in his opinion, the food culture of the Neon people couldn’t shake off the small-mindedness of the island country.Dongpo pork, boiled fish, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, any of those dishes could crush them to pieces, right?

Zhao Feiyang finally finished the call and burst into laughter when he saw the Moutai that Gao Xinhua brought. He had known for a long time that Gao Xinhua wasn’t accustomed to drinking sake, so he had also brought two bottles of Moutai along.

He brought the Air Force’s special Blue Spear, which had been bottled ten years ago and was no longer available on the market.

Gao Xinhua guessed that these two bottles must have been slipped from Zhao Feiyang’s father. During the New Year, when he visited the old company commander, he opened a bottle to entertain him.

Gao Xinhua politely remarked, "Dean Zhao, drink mine. You should take your two bottles back for the old company commander."

"You’ve only brought one bottle, how is that enough? We’d better drink mine. Whatever we don’t finish, you can take with you."

Zhao Feiyang asked Gao Xinhua to order food, but Gao Xinhua pushed the iPad over to him, indicating he seldom ate Japanese food and wasn’t good at ordering. He asked Zhao Feiyang to just get him a plate of peanuts; he wasn’t picky. Gao Xinhua also didn’t come empty-handed; he brought Zhao Feiyang two salted ducks and two boxes of Yuhua tea, gifts from Zhan Aihua when he returned from Nanjiang.

Zhao Feiyang noticed that Gao Xinhua wasn’t accustomed to Japanese food and called Xu Ying over to arrange for the kitchen to send up half a duck.

Xu Ying left an impression on Gao Xinhua as being above-average in looks, with a good temperament and a great disposition. From what he could see, she seemed very familiar with Zhao Feiyang, who assigned her tasks unreservedly without any complaints from her.

Zhao Feiyang was too lazy to order food, so he left it to Xu Ying’s discretion.

When sashimi and salted duck were served together, Gao Xinhua was about to reach for a bottle of wine, but Zhao Feiyang grabbed it first, stating that it was after work hours, so of course it was his duty as a brother to pour wine for a brother. If his father found out that Gao Xinhua was pouring wine for him, he’d probably break his legs.

Gao Xinhua had no choice but to accept. Although Zhao Feiyang spoke sincerely and warmly, he knew in his heart that he was not really Zhao Feiyang’s elder brother, nor might Zhao Feiyang truly regard him as one.

Gao Xinhua’s greatest strength was his clear-headedness and his awareness of his own position. No matter how he racked his brains, he couldn’t figure out where Zhao Feiyang might need him, apart from his long years of work in Changxing and his familiarity with it. But the information he knew was something others knew as well.

The other deputy deans were no less knowledgeable about Changxing than he was, and they each had areas where Zhao Feiyang could rely on them. For instance, Qin Guoliang was a cardiology expert and a PhD, the golden brand of Changxing. And then there’s Geng Wenxiu, whose deep background and close ties with the bank meant Zhao Feiyang leaned on her for loan arrangements.

So what could he offer for Zhao Feiyang to rely on? Trust? Was that why Zhao Feiyang had him go to the Provincial Design Institute to seek experts to propose another plan? He was increasingly unsettled, afraid that Zhao Feiyang didn’t need a big brother or a confidante, but rather an unconditionally loyal subordinate who would charge through fire and water for him.

After a cup of wine, Zhao Feiyang said, "You’ve just returned from a business trip, and I’ve already called you out to drink. Won’t your wife mind?"

"We’ve been together so long. She’d rather not have to cook for me." Gao Xinhua tapped the table, signaling to Zhao Feiyang to pour less. They were using small sake cups, and having his superior pour for him felt a little awkward. He’d known Zhao Feiyang since he often visited the old company commander’s house when Zhao Feiyang was just a boy. He remembered Zhao Feiyang then as clever, observant, and resembling his mother more than the quick-tempered old company commander.

Zhao Feiyang asked, "How did the conversation with Professor Li go?"

"Well, as long as we pay, he’s willing to serve. People are very practical these days. He promised to come for an on-site visit next month, and it would be ideal if he could meet you to determine the design direction."

"Thank you for your hard work." Zhao Feiyang toasted him again, drank half a cup, and set it down. "However, there’s been a change in circumstances."

Gao Xinhua was confused, not understanding what Zhao Feiyang meant by a change in circumstances. Had he changed his mind again, seeking someone else?

"The leaders of the High-Tech Zone have already had meetings and agreed to hand over the medical land at High-Tech Zone to Changxing for development."

Gao Xinhua revealed a delighted expression, though his heart didn’t resonate with it. He had heard a rumor before; Zhao Feiyang rapidly promoting Geng Wenxiu was related to her elder brother, Geng Wenjun, the top leader of the High-Tech Zone. Their connection must have played a role in securing this land for Changxing.

Zhao Feiyang briefly introduced the plot’s situation. The High-Tech Zone had planned a 300-acre medical land, with preliminary plans to build a modern comprehensive hospital including outpatient, medical technology, and wards. The construction area would be at least 300,000 square meters, and the total planned investment was twenty billion.

Upon hearing the investment figure, Gao Xinhua silently set his glass down. He understood Changxing’s financial status—there was no way to come up with that kind of money. Even if a bank loan were sought, it wouldn’t be possible to borrow such a large amount.

Changxing’s total revenue last year was merely twelve billion, and this year’s situation was certainly not as good as last year’s. In the first three quarters, they had just reached eight billion, and following this trajectory, the annual revenue might only be around eleven billion, with optimistic profits being about one and a half billion. If the entire twenty billion was to be financed by loans, it would probably take more than twenty years to repay the debt, assuming the hospital continued to develop positively.

Zhao Feiyang sensed something in Gao Xinhua’s silence and smiled, "What’s wrong? Do you think it’s inappropriate?"

Gao Xinhua considered his words carefully and still voiced his concern, recalling that his comrade Zhan Aihua once disclosed valuable information to him. Zhao Feiyang had been in contact with Huayuan Group, and perhaps he intended to introduce Huayuan Group to Dongzhou? But this would involve the issue of private-public partnership, and as far as Gao Xinhua knew, there hadn’t been any successful cases of this in the Pingjiang Province medical system.

He didn’t mention this matter, as Zhao Feiyang surely didn’t want him to know about his dealings with Huayuan Group, and he also wouldn’t betray a friend.

In Zhao Feiyang’s view, it seemed like Gao Xinhua was worried that the twenty billion in investment funds couldn’t be raised. He told Gao Xinhua that he was striving for municipal financial support and would also utilize other channels to gather funds without any concerns.

At this point, Gao Xinhua was sure that Zhao Feiyang intended to make a significant move in Changxing. In his heart, he compared Zhao Feiyang to Gu Houyi. If given a choice, he’d rather work under Gu Houyi. While Zhao Feiyang certainly had the drive and initiative of a new generation of cadres, which might be good for the stagnant atmosphere of Changxing, it might not necessarily be advantageous for him.

Gao Xinhua was well aware that Zhao Feiyang likely viewed him as someone to lead the charge, and if he accepted, he’d receive important tasks in his future work, possibly experiencing thrilling ups and downs akin to a roller-coaster ride, and even having to take on unknown risks for Zhao Feiyang. At his age, he couldn’t bear such pressure anymore.

If he didn’t accept, how would Zhao Feiyang view him? Would he treat him the same way in the future? Gao Xinhua found himself in a dilemma.

Zhao Feiyang was immersed in his grand ambitions, sketching the blueprint for Changxing’s future before Gao Xinhua, speaking passionately.

Gao Xinhua seemed to see the young old company commander’s reflection, seeing the legacy in Zhao Feiyang. But back then, in times of danger, the old command always charged at the front—would Zhao Feiyang do the same? Gao Xinhua wasn’t sure. Even though they sat face-to-face, he felt he didn’t understand Zhao Feiyang at all.

Finally, Zhao Feiyang finished his ambitious plan, looked at his listener, and smiled, "I talked all the time tonight, Brother Xinhua. Share your thoughts."

Gao Xinhua picked up a peanut, slowly chewing it. Maybe the seasoning method in the Japanese restaurant was why it didn’t taste fragrant and crisp like peanuts should, instead feeling a bit sticky, a bit bitter.

After some thought, Gao Xinhua decided to ask about his plans for Changxing’s second-phase expansion. Zhao Feiyang talked for a long time tonight, all focused on that plot at High-Tech Zone, discussing the vision of a modern comprehensive hospital. But he didn’t mention a word about the second-phase expansion plan. Had he forgotten Changxing’s foundation? The land that had finally been cleared, although not large, could still accommodate a modern ward building.

Zhao Feiyang told Gao Xinhua that Changxing’s headquarters needed a modern outpatient building more. He planned to improve and upgrade the existing ward building. For Changxing to achieve better development, they must look towards the long-term and not limit their vision to just the surrounding area.

Pressing his lips together, Gao Xinhua said, "Although I don’t understand construction budgets, I think that combining these two projects would cost more than thirty billion. Even if we could raise that amount, Changxing’s debt would reach thirty billion or more, meaning high debt entails high risk."

"I often hear my father talk about the battles you fought together, Brother Xinhua. Were you ever afraid on the battlefield?"

Shaking his head, Gao Xinhua suddenly realized Zhao Feiyang didn’t truly know him or what really worried him now. On the battlefield, he never felt afraid because his enemy was before him, his comrades behind him. He wouldn’t retreat; retreat meant death for him or his comrades. He would only charge forward.

But now, in peaceful times, there was no war to fight, and doing business was completely different from war.

Zhao Feiyang raised his glass passionately, "Weren’t you unafraid even in battle? What else is there to fear? As long as we brothers work together, we can definitely accomplish this."

Gao Xinhua raised his cup, clinked it with Zhao Feiyang’s, and drank it all in one go.

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