Chapter 131 - 111: We Meet Again

Xu Chunliang glanced at where the Pu’er was produced and found that the producer was also Xianhong Farm. He was quite surprised and said, "Uncle Tong, do you also produce Pu’er tea here?"This somewhat overturned his geographical knowledge.

Tong Guangsheng laughed heartily, "How could that be possible? Our climate here isn’t suitable, and there aren’t any tea trees. I have a tea factory in Western Yunnan. It’s a long story."

Tong Guangsheng took a sip of tea and fell into a reminiscence of the past. He drinks Pu’er because he had a war comrade from Western Yunnan. It was from this comrade that he learned to drink tea. They went through the battles of Lao Mountain and Zhe Yin Mountain together. Later, his good comrade sacrificed his life in the battle of Bali River East Mountain.

Tong Guangsheng told Xu Chunliang that the comrade sacrificed himself to protect him. After the battle ended, the comrade was buried locally. He went to the comrade’s hometown and met the mother who had cried herself blind missing her son, the comrade’s younger siblings, and even the hometown tea plantation that the comrade couldn’t forget.

Later, Tong Guangsheng went there to lease the tea plantation, built a tea factory, and fulfilled his comrade’s wish.

Even though Tong Guangsheng didn’t explain in detail, Xu Chunliang could guess that he must have taken on the responsibility of caring for the comrade’s family.

Tong Guangsheng spoke about how he met Gao Xinhua.

The two met during the battle of Zhe Yin Mountain. They weren’t in the same company but came from the same place. At that time, nobody knew if they would make it back alive.

After the battle was over, most of these soldiers faced demobilization. They met again. Gao Xinhua went to a hospital, while Tong Guangsheng was assigned to the Civil Affairs Bureau. Gao Xinhua was relatively steady and has been working there ever since.

Tong Guangsheng couldn’t stand the restrictions and quit in less than a year."

Xu Chunliang mentioned seeing Zhan Aihua in Nanjiang.

Tong Guangsheng said, "They’re all comrades-in-arms, both in the same company. This Zhan Aihua is also quite a brave one."

At this moment, Wang Jinwu walked in. Tong Guangsheng was a bit unhappy about him interrupting their conversation, "What’s up now?"

Wang Jinwu smiled. Of course, he wouldn’t disturb them if it wasn’t urgent. Just now, the Hu Shan Town Government contacted him, saying an important investor wanted to visit Xianhong Farm. This wasn’t planned, so the town contacted him urgently, hoping they could arrange something.

Tong Guangsheng said, "How important? Didn’t even give us prior notice. I have guests here too."

Xu Chunliang said, "Uncle Tong, you should focus on your important tasks. I’m easy to accommodate."

Tong Guangsheng asked Wang Jinwu to handle it for him. Wang Jinwu, a bit helpless, said, "This time, you really need to show up yourself. Secretary Kong specifically requested to see you. He called you, but your phone was off."

Tong Guangsheng complained, "He’s got so much going on; it’s been less than a month, and five groups have come to visit. What’s there to see here?"

Wang Jinwu smiled, "I’ll arrange for the yacht, then."

At this hour, once the guests finish the tour, they can’t just leave immediately; we have to find them a meal. Although Hu Shan Town’s level isn’t high, they’re operating in someone else’s territory; we must give them some face.

Tong Guangsheng is generally straightforward about such matters. What he finds annoying is that Kong Xiangsheng insists on him being present every time, as if only his attendance is prestigious enough.

At 5:30, a Toyota Coaster drove into Xianhong Farm.

In fact, this Coaster also belongs to Tong Guangsheng. Recently, developers have been coming to Weishan Island in an endless stream for tours and inspections. Secretary Kong Xiangsheng intervened and borrowed the vehicle to add a touch of formality, with fuel and maintenance covered by the town.

Upon hearing that people were arriving soon, Tong Guangsheng had Wang Jinwu drive him and Xu Chunliang to the dock.

He didn’t see Xu Chunliang as an outsider, telling him that today didn’t count. He’d arrange another outing next time so Xu Chunliang could bring his colleagues for some yacht sightseeing.

The Coaster stopped at the dock, and seven people got off one after another. Xu Chunliang recognized Mei Ru Xue from afar. In fact, upon hearing that people from the town would visit, he suspected she might come.

Secretary Kong Xiangsheng, with a bright smile, waved as he got off, "President Tong!"

Tong Guangsheng smiled as he stepped forward to shake hands. Kong Xiangsheng introduced today’s visiting guests, "This is President Zhang, the head of Da Heng Group’s Jiangbei Division."

Da Heng Group is one of the top ten real estate companies in the country, focusing on cultural and tourism projects in recent years. They came this time for an on-site inspection. These developers are extremely sensitive to local development policies; at the slightest hint of change, they act immediately.

The head of Da Heng Group’s Jiangbei Division extended his hand to Tong Guangsheng, "I am Zhang Hengyang, I’ve long admired your name, President Tong."

Tong Guangsheng smiled, "I’m just a farmer; no great name here."

Mei Ru Xue smiled at Tong Guangsheng, "Hello, President Tong."

Tong Guangsheng said, "Town Mayor Mei, Secretary Kong, with two big leaders personally here today, you can see how welcomed President Zhang is."

He might seem like a roughneck, but having weathered the ups and downs of the business world for so many years, his experience far exceeds the average person’s.

Zhang Hengyang demurred, "You’re too kind, too kind."

Tong Guangsheng introduced Xu Chunliang to them, "This is my nephew Xu Chunliang."

In such situations, introductions usually start with social status, but Tong Guangsheng felt Xu Chunliang’s job wouldn’t garner attention from these people. So he mentioned he was his nephew to make everyone regard Xu Chunliang as one of his own and elevate Xu Chunliang’s status a bit.

Kong Xiangsheng nodded to Xu Chunliang, and Zhang Hengyang did the same. It wasn’t that they looked down on Xu Chunliang; they thought of him as a junior and expected him to take the initiative to shake hands, as social etiquette is critical.

Xu Chunliang deliberately walked towards Mei Ru Xue and extended his hand, "Town Mayor Mei, here we meet again."

Mei Ru Xue blushed, wondering which act this guy was putting on. Among so many people, he came directly to me. If he wanted to shake hands, he should have started with Secretary Kong.

But in front of all these people, Mei Ru Xue couldn’t refuse, so she extended her hand to him for a handshake.

Kong Xiangsheng was curious and said, "Did you know each other before?"

Xu Chunliang replied honestly, "We just met today."

No one believed him except Mei Ru Xue. She withdrew her hand from Xu Chunliang’s large grip and didn’t bother to explain. It wasn’t the right occasion to reveal Xu Chunliang’s professional identity.

Tong Guangsheng gave everyone a brief tour, and Xu Chunliang deliberately fell behind to walk with Mei Ru Xue.

Mei Ru Xue said meaningfully, "It’s really a small world, isn’t it?"

"Town Mayor Mei, you wouldn’t think I was here specifically waiting for you, would you?"

Of course, Mei Ru Xue didn’t believe that, since they were the ones who came over today.

Mei Ru Xue was curious about his relationship with Tong Guangsheng. "Is President Tong your uncle?"

One’s surname is Tong, and the other’s is Xu, so they certainly aren’t blood relatives.

Xu Chunliang said, "Sort of. That Secretary Kong is over fifty, right?"

Mei Ru Xue couldn’t help but laugh, "He’s forty-six." But Kong Xiangsheng indeed looked older.

"How old are you?"

Only then did Mei Ru Xue realize that his previous words were just a preamble.

"If you really want to know, you can check on the government website. We have it publicly listed."

Xu Chunliang said, "I feel like we’re about the same age. I’m twenty-two."

Mei Ru Xue silently cursed his craftiness. She was a year older than Xu Chunliang, and at that moment, Kong Xiangsheng called her from ahead, giving her the opportunity to slip away from Xu Chunliang.

Wang Jinwu walked alongside Xu Chunliang, giving him a knowing smile. In his view, this kid had set his sights on the beautiful town mayor. A graceful lady is desired by a gentleman, and what normal man wouldn’t like a beauty, especially one like Mei Ru Xue, an absolute stunner, though with her qualifications, her standards must be high.

Wang Jinwu whispered a reminder, "Young man, don’t be afraid of failure. Be bold and quick to act."

Xu Chunliang couldn’t help but laugh, realizing his actions had been misunderstood.

The tour lasted about half an hour, and Tong Guangsheng invited everyone to board the yacht. This yacht mainly served to showcase the company’s image, as Tong Guangsheng himself didn’t enjoy boating, and anyone truly interested in yachting wouldn’t choose to do so on a lake.

For the locals, this yacht was already quite luxurious.

Kong Xiangsheng engaged in a lively conversation with Zhang Hengyang, mostly discussing the future development plans for Weishan Island. Mei Ru Xue noticed that Xu Chunliang was no longer among the crowd and looked around.

Her phone vibrated, and when she checked it, it was a message from Xu Chunliang—"I’m above you."

Mei Ru Xue looked up and saw Xu Chunliang on the second-deck waving at her with a smile.

Mei Ru Xue shook her head helplessly, her eyes gazing toward the distant lake.

The sunset was gradually sinking, turning the sky and the lake into a fiery red, as if a fire had been ignited. Once the sun disappeared below the water, the sky turned a pale purple, and the lake started to reflect a bluish hue. As time passed, the colors deepened, finally unifying into a serene blue.

Wang Jinwu informed everyone that the dinner was ready and invited them to take their seats.

Mei Ru Xue, lost in the beauty of the twilight, wanted to linger a bit longer. Xu Chunliang appeared beside her sometime unknowingly. "Beautiful things are always fleeting."

Mei Ru Xue said, "There’s no such thing as having it all in life."

Xu Chunliang said, "Aren’t you tired of all these government duties every day?"

Mei Ru Xue laughed, her smile brightening the heavy dusk like a ray of light. "Somebody has to do any job."

"So, is Weishan Island really going to become a national-level resort?"

"The city has such plans." An official announcement is set for early next month. This matter is no longer a secret. It’s precisely because of this that the ownership issue of Weishan Island Hospital has become uncertain.

Mei Ru Xue was unsure how to explain this to Xu Chunliang. Kong Xiangsheng’s stance was very clear; Hu Shan Town wouldn’t cooperate with Changxing. He thought bringing in Changxing to manage Weishan Island Hospital in the first place was a mistake.

Xu Chunliang said, "Now, Hu Shan Town has to take on the responsibilities and duties of both Huahu Town and Shiliang Town. Town Mayor Mei, you’ve got a heavy load ahead."

Mei Ru Xue heard the implication in his words and softly said, "I work under the guidance of Secretary Kong."

"Does Secretary Kong know about the hospital ownership issue?"

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