Chapter 91 - 76: Old Comrades-in-Arms

Chapter 91: Chapter 76: Old Comrades-in-ArmsThe driver Xiaofeng greeted Xu Chunliang. The two often met in Changxing in the past, but they weren’t very close.

Xiaofeng drove Xu Chunliang to Qinghuai Residence in the Qinghuai District, a hotel specializing in Huaiyang cuisine, with extremely elegant decor that reflected the owner’s exceptional taste.

Xiaofeng gave Xu Chunliang the room number and let him go in by himself. Gao Xinhua arranged for Xiaofeng to eat outside, and Xiaofeng was well aware of his own position.

As Xu Chunliang entered the hotel, a beautiful hostess in a moon-white cheongsam greeted him with a smile and led him to the private room where Gao Xinhua was.

When Xu Chunliang entered, Gao Xinhua was chatting with his comrade Zhan Aihua, who, unlike Gao Xinhua, ventured into business after leaving the military and has made significant achievements after more than twenty years. This hotel is his property.

Zhan Aihua participated in the Battle of Zhe Yin Mountain in the 1980s, earning a second-class merit. He was injured in the head during the battle, leaving shrapnel in his brain. After surgery to remove it, he developed a condition that caused headaches, especially during cloudy days and rain. Ten years ago, when his headaches were at their worst, he sought medical treatment everywhere, but the results were unsatisfactory. The hospital suggested a second surgery, but in the end, it was Gao Xinhua who recommended Xu Changshan to him.

After Xu Changshan treated Zhan Aihua, the headache symptoms were significantly alleviated. Although it couldn’t be eradicated, as long as he took medication on time, the intervals between attacks became longer, and the severity was within tolerable limits.

Seeing Xu Chunliang enter, Zhan Aihua quickly stood up to greet him, shaking his hand and saying, "Chunliang, truly a talented young man!" He was not very tall, with an elegant demeanor, making it difficult to associate him with a former war hero without knowing his military background.

Gao Xinhua introduced his old comrade to Xu Chunliang, who then realized that it was Zhan Aihua who had invited him over. One should remember kindness for a thousand years, and this showed that Zhan Aihua was indeed a grateful person.

Zhan Aihua asked the waiter to serve the dishes, using Wuliangye liquor for toasting. Due to his old ailment, Zhan Aihua had quit drinking early on, and even with his old comrade Gao Xinhua visiting, he used tea in place of alcohol.

Gao Xinhua explained that he had accidentally learned from a phone call with Elder Xu that Xu Chunliang was in Nanjiang, which led him to have the driver bring him over for a meal. Xu Chunliang didn’t believe in such coincidences, guessing that it was his grandfather who was still worried about him.

Zhan Aihua picked up his teacup and said, "I don’t drink, so tonight I can only toast with tea. Please don’t take offense."

Gao Xinhua said, "No need for formalities with us. You just take care of the hosting, and we’ll enjoy the food and drink."


Zhan Aihua laughed heartily, "Whenever you and Chunliang come to Nanjiang, I’ll always be the hospitable host."

Gao Xinhua replied, "Then I’ll just stay in Nanjiang and not leave."

Zhan Aihua cheerfully said, "Then I’ll support you for life."

Xu Chunliang also smiled, clearly seeing the deep comradeship between the two.

After drinking two glasses of liquor, Gao Xinhua asked Xu Chunliang about the reason for his training in Nanjiang this time.

Xu Chunliang told him he had just arrived at the medical office and wasn’t familiar with the work yet, so he took this opportunity to learn.

At this moment, the hotel’s hostess came to inform Zhan Aihua that important guests had arrived. Gao Xinhua told him to attend to them since business was crucial.

After Zhan Aihua left, Gao Xinhua could speak more freely. He looked at Xu Chunliang meaningfully and asked, "Is it because you’re unhappy with recent personnel changes at the medical office, so you’re thinking of quitting?" Xu Chunliang’s decision to study abroad this time seemed sudden.

Xu Chunliang shook his head with a smile, did Gao Xinhua really think his vision was so narrow? He was too lazy to explain his true purpose for coming to Nanjiang but raised his glass to toast Gao Xinhua, "Uncle Gao, are you also in Nanjiang for a meeting?"

Gao Xinhua drank his glass, sighed, and said, "I’ve been spending these days at the provincial design institute, as Dean Zhao is dissatisfied with the Phase II design plan." Realizing he might have said too much, he instructed Xu Chunliang, "Don’t talk about this matter outside."

"You don’t trust me?"

"You’re still a bit young, and some of Dean Zhao’s words don’t need to be taken too seriously." Gao Xinhua was referring to the responsibility for the medical office’s work, noting that both Huang Lide and Yang Zhen Gang had much deeper experience than Xu Chunliang. It was unheard of for a new arrival in a hospital to become the head of the medical office in a third-tier comprehensive hospital.

Gao Xinhua had already gained confidence in this young man after seeing how Xu Chunliang handled several disputes at the medical office. He believed that with Xu Chunliang’s ability, even becoming the medical office director wouldn’t be a problem. However, in government institutions, capability wasn’t the sole determinant; one’s background and qualifications often held the primary influence.

The professional environment in hospitals is more akin to a mix of commercial and official circles, more snobbish than the official circles and more realistic than the commercial circles.

"I heard you’re a party school classmate with Dean Zhao?"

Gao Xinhua nodded, "I knew him a long time ago. His father was my old company commander, and both I and your Uncle Zhan were soldiers under his command."

When mentioning Zhao Feiyang, Gao Xinhua felt somewhat complicated. Since arriving in Changxing, Zhao had begun to overturn the policies set by Gu Houyi. His first act upon arrival was to marginalize the first vice dean, Yan Huaiyi, and reinstate Geng Wenxiu.

The second phase hospital expansion project, originally a done deal, was also rejected by Zhao Feiyang on the grounds that the design was outdated. This time, Gao Xinhua was dispatched to Nanjiang to connect with senior designers from the provincial design institute for a new plan.

Gao Xinhua did not think there was anything wrong with the plan set by Gu Houyi during his tenure. For the second phase of the expansion project, they had worked hard for six years, considering every aspect. Although the current plan was not the most advanced, it was definitely the most suitable for Changxing’s current situation.

Zhao Feiyang was aggressive in his work. Being Gao Xinhua’s deputy, it was not appropriate for him to propose objections. Although he had a long-standing friendship with Zhao Feiyang’s father with whom he shared everything openly, this did not mean he could speak freely in front of Zhao Feiyang.

Xu Chunliang attended the banquet mainly out of respect for Gao Xinhua. He personally did not like such meaningless social engagements; rather than wasting time at the dinner table, he’d prefer to go back and train.

Gao Xinhua had heard about some personnel changes in the medical office and thought Xu Chunliang’s visit to Nanjiang for training was because he had opinions about the hospital’s personnel arrangements. He advised Xu Chunliang to relax as he would have a conversation with Zhao Feiyang about his matters. Gao Xinhua handled issues according to convention and lacked understanding of Xu Chunliang.

Zhan Aihua returned after half an hour, saw the bottle of wine nearly finished, and asked the waiter to bring another bottle.

Gao Xinhua waved his hand, saying, "No more drinking, I have to go to the design institute to discuss the plan tomorrow, drinking too much might cause mistakes."

"Then let the young ones take on some of the drinking; you should drink less. When you come to me, you must enjoy yourself."

Xu Chunliang smiled and said, "Uncle Zhan, I won’t drink anymore either. My grandfather specifically instructed me not to drink too much during this trip."

Hearing him mention Elder Xu, Zhan Aihua did not insist, remembering the favor Elder Xu had done for him.

Xu Chunliang did not share much common ground with them and did not want to stay longer, so he suggested returning early to rest. Gao Xinhua arranged for Xiaofeng to send him back.

After Xu Chunliang left, Zhan Aihua said, "You seem to be particularly caring towards Xiaoxu, he and Xiaobai..."

Gao Xinhua shook his head and said, "Don’t talk nonsense, there’s nothing going on. Elder Xu and my father were best friends. I treat Chunliang as my own child."

"Honestly, this kid is really good-looking and well-mannered." Zhan Aihua said this with intention; he really liked Gao Xinhua’s precious daughter and wanted to match her with his own son, Zhan Tianhang. Hearing Gao Xinhua’s response put his mind at ease.

Gao Xinhua nodded in deep agreement, recalling what Xu Chunliang was like before joining Changxing, realizing that after starting work, this kid had truly transformed. Although he knew young people grow quickly, Xu Chunliang’s growth rate still amazed him.

Zhan Aihua noticed that Gao Xinhua had something on his mind, so he handed him a cigarette and lit it for him.

Gao Xinhua took a puff and asked, "How much do you know about Zhao Feiyang?"

Zhan Aihua laughed, "You’re all in Dongzhou, you have much more contact time with him than I do; why ask me this question?"

"Sometimes being too close makes it hard to see clearly."

"That’s because you’re farsighted." Zhan Aihua lit a cigarette for himself.

"He is now my direct superior. He used to always call me Brother Xinhua, but this change in our relationship makes me a bit uncomfortable."

"That’s because you’re progressing too slowly. What’s up? Feeling unbalanced?"

Gao Xinhua laughed, "Not unbalanced, I just feel he seems a bit different from the Zhao Feiyang I used to know."

"Is he not treating you well?"

Gao Xinhua shook his head. It wasn’t that he wasn’t treating him well; he was treating him too well. Giving him the important task of re-planning the scheme showed how much he trusted him, which was precisely why Gao Xinhua felt conflicted.

The former dean Gu Houyi had always treated him well. The current situation made him feel guilty.

"Is it that Zhao Feiyang wants you to do some things that you don’t want to do but can’t refuse?" After all, having been through life and death together as old comrades, Zhan Aihua could see through his heart.

Gao Xinhua nodded and took a heavy drag of his cigarette.

"You just asked me about my impression of Zhao Feiyang. He indeed has some aspirations."

Zhan Aihua spoke tactfully, but Gao Xinhua still heard the implication that aspirations equaled ambition. Being ambitious was not a bad thing for the leader of Changxing, but ambition was something to be considered carefully. Following someone ambitious was not safe, which was a lesson Gao Xinhua had learned from years of experience. He didn’t have much ambition and just wanted to work safely until retirement.

Gao Xinhua opened up in front of his old comrade, pouring out the confusion that had been bottled up for days.

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