Chapter 51 - 39: Exile

Gu Houyi announced on the spot that, starting today, Geng Wenxiu would be going to Weishan Island Branch of Changxing Hospital to oversee work there, and the work she originally managed would temporarily be handed over to Gao Xinhua.The Weishan Island Branch is a township-level hospital acquired by Changxing Hospital three years ago. Currently, it is overseen by the former Director of the Outpatient Department, Jin Yonghao. Given Geng Wenxiu’s rank, being sent there to oversee work is clearly an exile.

The usually arrogant Geng Wenxiu was completely crushed by Gu Houyi. During the announcement of the reassignment, she raised no objections, not daring to resist. Understanding Gu Houyi as she did, she knew he wouldn’t act unless he was certain, and if he acted, he wouldn’t give his opponent a chance to resist. If she resisted, it would only invite greater humiliation.

Gu Houyi didn’t make the materials public, already showing leniency towards her, mainly considering her family. He didn’t wish to make matters too extreme.

After announcing the dismissal of the meeting, Gu Houyi kept Gao Xinhua behind alone.

Gao Xinhua felt somewhat helpless. He originally did not want to publicly take sides, but by acting today, Gu Houyi essentially placed him in opposition to Geng Wenxiu.

Gu Houyi handed Gao Xinhua a cigarette, which Gao Xinhua accepted, lighting it for him first, and said with a bitter smile, "Dean Gu, I’m okay with logistics, but you want me to manage outpatients. I honestly don’t have the capability for that."

Gu Houyi took a drag from his cigarette and said, "It’s just temporary for a few days. When the new leadership arrives, they’ll certainly make some adjustments."

Gao Xinhua’s heart skipped a beat, and only then did he notice the lonely expression on Gu Houyi’s face. Reminded of the reports against him, it seemed this matter had already had a significant impact on him. Could it be that those above intended for Gu Houyi to step down early?

Gao Xinhua cautiously said, "Dean Gu, you mean the anonymous report materials..."

Gu Houyi responded calmly, "See it but don’t speak it."

Gao Xinhua nodded, suspecting Geng Wenxiu was causing trouble behind the scenes. Otherwise, Gu Houyi wouldn’t have given her no face at all.

From Canal Family to Huichun Hall isn’t far. Walking along the riverside, Xu Chunliang was midway when a Porsche Macan slowed beside him. Someone rolled down the window calling, "Director Xu!"

Xu Chunliang turned to look and saw it was Pei Lin, the pharmaceutical representative, whom he had met a couple of days ago at Min Nan Seafood City.

Xu Chunliang smiled at her and waved his hand indicating she should go ahead.

But Pei Lin stopped the car, "Where to? I’ll give you a lift."

"No need, it’s not far. I can walk."

"Hop in, it’s so hot."

Unable to refuse such enthusiasm, Xu Chunliang got into the car. This was probably the most luxurious car he had ridden in so far, suggesting pharmaceutical representatives made quite a bit of money.

After asking about his destination, Pei Lin drove towards Huichun Hall. She had heard about Tong Meili’s situation; even though those videos had been taken down, the negative impact was already done.

Pei Lin asked, "A question I shouldn’t ask, how much is that bracelet worth?"

It wasn’t a secret, so Xu Chunliang replied, "The invoice says eight hundred and eighty thousand, they want a million, but I don’t think the bracelet is worth that much."

Pei Lin laughed, "People always quote high in such disputes. It’s strange how this matter caused such a stir. Didn’t your cosmetic center get contracted out? Why not issue a statement to distance yourself? Changxing’s crisis management is really poor."

Not wanting to fuel her curiosity, Xu Chunliang said, "It’s not my responsibility, and I also don’t know the specifics."

"You handle administration indeed, saying things without any holes, Director Xu, I’m just curious, with no ulterior motive, no need to be so wary."

"I’m not a director, just a runner in the medical office."

"You’re no ordinary person; even someone as formidable as Ding Si couldn’t withstand you." Pei Lin had personally witnessed Xu Chunliang subduing Ding Si’s group. She’d heard of such skills in books before, but witnessing it in real life piqued her interest in this young man.

Xu Chunliang reminded, "Turn left ahead."

Realizing he wasn’t interested in her topic, Pei Lin laughed, "I heard your hospital is about to change leadership."

This topic caught Xu Chunliang’s attention, "What do you mean?"

"Dean Gu’s time is almost up. You’ll soon welcome a new dean."

Xu Chunliang nodded; it wasn’t news. Everyone knew Gu Houyi would retire next year, but who would succeed him was unknown.

"Do you know who the new dean would be?"

"It doesn’t relate to me; I’m just an ordinary junior staff."

"Leadership changes are usually a great opportunity for advancement; Director Xu, you must seize it, find the right direction and you’ll rise swiftly."

"I’ve arrived!" Xu Chunliang pointed ahead. He didn’t have too good a feeling about Pei Lin, thinking she always seemed calculating.

Pei Lin parked in front of Huichun Hall. Xu Chunliang thanked her, opened the car door, and got out.

Pei Lin asked him to wait, took two boxes of tea from the trunk, and handed them to Xu Chunliang. He refused, insisting he hadn’t earned them.

"No ulterior motive, my friend’s tea plantation, just a taste. If you don’t take them, I’ll give them to Mr. Xu."

Worried she might disturb his grandfather, Xu Chunliang accepted the tea, "Alright, I’ll try them, thank you."

Pei Lin smiled sweetly, waved him goodbye, and drove off.

After she left, Xu Chunliang turned around only to find his grandfather standing behind him with a folding fan, smiling.

"You nearly scared me to death, Grandpa. Can you please not appear so mysteriously?"

Xu Changshan laughed, "Who was that girl who just drove you back?"

Seeing his grandfather’s expression, Xu Chunliang knew what he expected.

"Don’t overthink, just a regular friend, gave me a ride back. These two boxes of tea are for you." He tucked the tea into his grandfather’s arms and went in to shower.

While showering, Xu Chunliang remembered what Pei Lin said in the car: Changxing Hospital was about to change leadership? It did relate to him somewhat; when Gu Houyi steps down, who will succeed him? Could it be Gao Xinhua?

Pei Lin must have heard some rumors; otherwise, she wouldn’t have purposely gone to toast Gao Xinhua that day.

From a personal standpoint, Xu Chunliang certainly hoped it was Gao Xinhua rising to power, but from what he understood, it seemed impossible.

After finishing his shower, he saw his grandfather had already brewed two glasses of tea, letting one cool for him. The elder’s concern for him was truly meticulous.

Xu Changshan said, "Top-notch Zhuyeqing, costs over three thousand per pound."

"That expensive?" Xu Chunliang picked up the glass, took a sip. The fragrance was indeed excellent, truly good tea. Pei Lin was quite generous; the two boxes of tea were just about a pound, and his grandfather, an expert in tea, was probably spot on with the price.

He wasn’t any leader and had merely shared a meal with Pei Lin. Was there some ulterior motive in sending him such valuable tea? Xu Chunliang thought it over; it didn’t seem like he had anything she could use.

The most possible reason was that she heard about his relationship with Gao Xinhua and wanted to curry favor with him through Xu Chunliang. This implied that Gao Xinhua’s chance of becoming director was indeed high.

Xu Chunliang realized that although martial arts had declined in the world, people’s intelligence and scheming had generally increased. Even ordinary minor characters were intellectually adept, possibly related to the information age. Without leaving home, one could know the world’s happenings, giving people broader perspectives and naturally stronger minds.