Chapter 235 213: Problem Solved

It turns out, Zhao Feiyang can withstand the investigation; there are no economic problems on his end.As for lifestyle issues, once he truthfully reported his current marital status to the higher-ups, the rumors about him and Pei Lin naturally unraveled.

There are no regulations forbidding divorced leaders from dating again. Zhao Feiyang and Pei Lin are currently in a relationship.

When this news broke, it was akin to dropping a second nuclear bomb in Changxing; Zhao Feiyang was unexpectedly single.

Although Zhao Feiyang passed through this crisis unscathed, the heated discussions about him didn't subside, and people started gossiping about his previous marriage.

Zhao Feiyang's ex-wife is an associate professor in the Philosophy Department of Dongzhou Normal University. She resigned last year and went to Xingjia Slope, supposedly to accompany their daughter in her studies. If it weren't for the exposure of the rumors with Pei Lin, almost no one knew Zhao Feiyang was already divorced, not even his parents.

Because of this matter, Zhao Feiyang was beaten up by his hot-tempered father. Gao Xinhua even made a special trip to the Zhao Family to plead on his behalf, and of course, this matter could only remain a secret between them.

Even a wise judge can't adjudicate family affairs, especially when Zhao Feiyang and his father are involved, with one being Gao Xinhua's current leader and the other being his former commanding officer.

Gao Xinhua could only soothe the old battalion commander's emotions. Faced with the accomplished fact, the old battalion commander was helpless to change the situation and could only lament that his son's wings had hardened so much that he didn't even notify his father of his divorce. By his temper, he ought to pull out a gun and shoot this boy.

Gao Xinhua knew it was all angry words. Everyone had witnessed how much he doted on Zhao Feiyang from childhood to adulthood. The old battalion commander's heartache was for his granddaughter.

Once the old battalion commander finished venting, Gao Xinhua accompanied Zhao Feiyang as they left together.

As Zhao Feiyang stepped out, he started to laugh. Although his back still hurt from being whipped by the old man with a belt, he knew this hurdle was over.

Gao Xinhua sighed helplessly, "You can still laugh. I was really worried the old battalion commander would take out a gun."

Zhao Feiyang replied, "He doesn't have a gun now, only a broomstick."

Gao Xinhua also laughed.

Zhao Feiyang said, "Come on, let me treat you to a couple of drinks."

Gao Xinhua shook his head, indicating tonight wouldn't work as he had promised to video call his daughter, so he needed to go home and be ready. Truthfully, he resisted drinking with Zhao Feiyang as they had different perspectives and couldn't find common ground. Every meal with Zhao Feiyang meant listening to him discuss those grand plans, which Gao Xinhua didn't agree with, making it pure torture.

Zhao Feiyang asked Gao Xinhua to wait a moment, took out two bottles of Moutai from the trunk of his car, which Elder Shun had casually given him.

Gao Xinhua hesitated a bit, but ultimately accepted them. He actually wanted to give Zhao Feiyang some advice, but the thought about it and decided against it as Zhao Feiyang wouldn't heed his suggestions.

This crisis was just the beginning. As the equity negotiations deepened, more and more problems would inevitably surface, some targeting Zhao Feiyang, and some targeting Changxing.

Gao Xinhua had started to feel weary of his current job. He often envied Yan Huaiyi, who had already left in time.

After getting in the car, Zhao Feiyang received a call from Pei Lin. Her voice was gently apologetic, knowing she had brought considerable trouble to Zhao Feiyang.

Zhao Feiyang told her things weren't that serious and that he had already explained the situation to his superiors, and his family was aware of his divorce.

Pei Lin, hesitantly, said she really wanted to see him.

Zhao Feiyang told her he had an important meeting that night, which might go late.

Pei Lin understood what he meant; Zhao Feiyang wouldn't be able to see her that night. She kindly reminded Zhao Feiyang to drink less, wear more clothes as it was getting colder, and remember to wear the jacket she bought him.

Just then, Dean Zhao's office director Lin Yansheng called. Zhao Feiyang ended the call with Pei Lin and immediately called Lin Yansheng back.

Lin Yansheng specifically informed Zhao Feiyang that Vice Dean Geng Wenxiu's father had passed away; Zhao Feiyang immediately decided he must go there personally.

Geng Wenxiu's father was a former leader in Dongzhou City, and her brother, Geng Wenjun, is currently the head of the High-Tech Zone. The acquisition of the medical land in the High-Tech Zone by Changxing was closely related to Geng Wenjun's support.

When Zhao Feiyang arrived at the Geng Family, Lin Yansheng had already bought the wreath and was waiting there. Zhao Feiyang looked at the couplet, expressed satisfaction, and then the two went to the mourning hall to pay their respects.

Because it was a cadre family, the Geng Family did not wear mourning clothes like ordinary folks; the children changed into dark clothing, wearing a little white flower on their chest.

There wasn't a donation table set up on site. This was at Geng Wenjun's request, and nobody who came to offer condolences was allowed to bring gifts; they only accepted wreaths and condolences.

In the system, there were countless cadres who fell due to such events, and Geng Wenjun was extremely aware of this; he had a long way to go in the future and wouldn't place temporary benefits above all else.

As the current head of the Geng Family, the other siblings unconditionally follow his opinions.

Upon hearing that Zhao Feiyang had arrived, Geng Wenxiu came out to greet him. Zhao Feiyang strode up to her, grasped her hand, and said, "Sister Geng, my condolences!"

Geng Wenxiu nodded and began to cry. Zhao Feiyang comforted her, saying she could put her hospital work on hold, as funerals are of the utmost importance and they should prioritize family matters; she can return to work after Elder Shun's funeral is properly arranged.

Geng Wenjun was as calm as always, though there was a touch of sorrow on his face. He extended his hand to Zhao Feiyang, saying, "Thank you, Dean Zhao, for taking the time to come and offer your condolences."

Zhao Feiyang donned an empathetic expression, shook his hand, and said, "Secretary Geng, it happened so suddenly. Uncle Geng was always in good health. When I heard, I was truly saddened."

Geng Wenjun said, "Everyone has this day; Elder Shun passed peacefully, without suffering."

Zhao Feiyang said, "Secretary Geng, please take care of your health. If you need any help, just let me know; I've always seen you as my dear elder brother."

Geng Wenjun nodded, "Thank you." Truly seeing someone as an elder brother wouldn't involve using the formal 'you'.

At that moment, someone came to inform Geng Wenjun that Secretary Zhou from Dongzhou had arrived. Geng Wenjun let go of Zhao Feiyang's hand and quickly went out to greet him.

Zhao Feiyang watched Geng Wenjun's back, realizing that he wasn't received upon his arrival, feeling a sense of loss within; perhaps, in Geng Wenjun's eyes, he was still not qualified enough.

Zhao Feiyang saw Secretary Zhou, but he did not go up to greet him, as Secretary Zhou might not have a deep impression of him, especially considering the nature of today's occasion.

Secretary Zhou walked by with a solemn expression. Zhao Feiyang looked at Secretary Zhou with admiration, hoping he would glance his way, but Secretary Zhou, being in a hurry, didn't look in his direction at all.

After Secretary Zhou left, Zhao Feiyang decided to stay a bit longer. Given the Geng Family's status in Dongzhou, many important figures would appear tonight, making it a rare opportunity.

Before long, Zhao Feiyang saw Dong Changhao arriving, accompanied by Zhang Haibin, whom he had once driven out of his circle.

To Zhao Feiyang's surprise, Geng Wenjun actually went out to greet Dong Changhao and shook hands with him warmly.

Zhao Feiyang felt increasingly uncomfortable. Though Dong Changhao was the General Manager of Huayuan Group's Health Division, Zhao Feiyang never considered Dong Changhao qualified to be his equal; his ideal negotiation counterpart should at least be Duan Yuanhong.

Ever since being beaten on Weishan Island, Dong Changhao harbored hostility towards Changxing, and hiring Zhang Haibin as his assistant was clearly a gesture of provocation towards him.

After offering his condolences, Dong Changhao came over to Zhao Feiyang, saying, "Dean Zhao, you're here too."

Zhao Feiyang nodded, "Comrade Wenxiu is our Vice Dean at Changxing, and Secretary Geng is also a good friend of mine."

Dong Changhao smiled faintly. He was well aware of Zhao Feiyang and Geng Wenjun's relationship, while Zhao Feiyang knew nothing about his relationship with Geng Wenjun.

Zhang Haibin greeted warmly, "Hello, Dean Zhao."

Looking at Zhang Haibin's confident face, a word popped into Zhao Feiyang's mind—"sycophant."

Zhang Haibin surely must realize that he is merely a tool being used by Huayuan Group. Once his value is exhausted, Huayuan Group would not hesitate to cast him aside.

Zhao Feiyang ignored Zhang Haibin, leaving him feeling awkward. Sensing this, Dong Changhao asked him to wait in the car and intended to have a private chat with Dean Zhao.

Dong Changhao and Zhao Feiyang walked to the garden nearby, where Dong Changhao said, "Secretary Geng is very concerned about the shareholding hospital issue, urging us to complete the equity negotiations promptly."

Zhao Feiyang said, "In our internal meeting, we believe your side's proposed share is too high; thirty percent is our bottom line at Changxing."

Dong Changhao smiled, "The equity ratio of the shareholding hospital isn't something we just arbitrarily determined. It's been scientifically evaluated. According to the asset assessment of Changxing Hospital, it can only hold a twenty percent stake in the shareholding hospital. Since you're not responsible for any investment, the remaining eighty percent is a solid monetary investment. If Changxing insists on a thirty percent shareholding ratio, then our Huayuan Group's investment amount will be correspondingly reduced; how would you explain this to the government?"

Zhao Feiyang said, "Manager Dong, you have to consider our hospital's actual conditions. Even if I agreed, the staff meeting wouldn't approve it."

"How do you know it won't pass without trying? This proposal has been discussed repeatedly in the High-Tech Zone and City halls, and leaders at all levels consider it scientific and fair."

Zhao Feiyang said, "You're overlooking the value of medical staff!"

Dong Changhao said, "Once the shareholding hospital is established, the value of the medical staff will become more apparent. Here, I must clarify a fact: in the past, Changxing was a public hospital, which does not belong to individuals, so our negotiation counterpart has never been the hospital employees."

Zhao Feiyang said, "If what you just said reached the ears of Changxing's staff, it would cause a big issue."