Chapter 245 222: A Man Stands by His Word (Thanks to Lao Liu 824, Alliance Leader)

As the call connected, Zhao Feiyang's tone was very amiable: "Xiaoxu, is everything okay?"Xu Chunliang replied, "It's okay now, I've been released."

Zhao Feiyang said, "I was really worried about you. From now on, you can't be so impulsive with your actions."

"Thank you for your concern, Dean Zhao. I'm sorry for causing trouble for Changxing this time." Xu Chunliang was a bit surprised that Zhao Feiyang didn't criticize him.

Zhao Feiyang said, "As long as you're okay. Learn from this experience. Go back and rest well. How about this, tonight I'll invite you for a drink to dispel the bad luck. I'll send you the address later."

Xu Chunliang hung up the phone, feeling a bit odd. It was quite rare for Zhao Feiyang to invite him for a drink.

Since the matter was resolved, there was no need for him to stay at the hospital. He didn't want to meet Zhao Xiaohui for the time being and hoped to give her some space to calm down.

Xu Chunliang planned to go home first. Since things had blown up, if his grandfather found out, he would definitely be worried. This time, even if he risked a scolding, he had to go home to reassure the old man.

As Xu Chunliang left the hospital, he encountered Gao Xinhua, who said that the old man probably wasn't aware of the matter yet; otherwise, he would have already called to scold him. In any case, if anything happened to Xu Chunliang, Xu Changshan would look for Gao Xinhua first to settle the score.

Xu Chunliang told him about the phone call he just received from Zhao Feiyang. Through a series of events, Gao Xinhua's goodwill towards Zhao Feiyang had diminished considerably. He smiled faintly, "Maybe he feels guilty for not being able to help, so inviting you for a drink is only natural." This statement essentially made it clear to Xu Chunliang that Zhao Feiyang hadn't been of any help to him.

Gao Xinhua speculated that Zhao Feiyang likely guessed that Xu Chunliang had some sort of backing, and an unusual one at that, and inviting him for a drink was a way to figure out what was going on.

Xu Chunliang also mentioned how Geng Wenjun had helped him.

Gao Xinhua analyzed it and concluded that it couldn't have been Geng Wenjun acting on his own initiative; he must have received instructions from a certain leader.

From this analysis, Xu Chunliang basically understood in his heart that the person who helped him was undoubtedly Mei Ru Xue. Mo Han had mentioned when they first met Mei Ru Xue that she came from a red noble family and that Xu Chunliang should be cautious in his dealings with her.

Xu Chunliang didn't care at the time. Whether Mei Ru Xue's background was noble or humble, it had little to do with him. In the past, he prided himself on his talent and was carefree; he still lived a free-spirited life now. He was never a man who needed to rely on women to get ahead.

This time, his rage was not because he liked Zhao Xiaohui but because he had made a promise to her.

Xu Chunliang rarely made promises, but once he did, he would always follow through, not to be a hero but because the concepts of trust and righteousness were already part of his being.

Without trust, a person cannot stand; without trust, a business cannot thrive; without trust, a family cannot be harmonious; without trust, a nation is doomed to decline.

The current era of prosperity indeed seemed peaceful and harmonious, but compared to the past, it lacked a bit of righteousness.

In Xu Chunliang's view, trust and righteousness are more important than faith. Even if one loses faith, they cannot lose trust and righteousness.

His actions today appeared reckless and even foolish to many, but Xu Chunliang had a backup plan. He bet that Sheng Chaohui would eventually yield to him. When weighing revenge against survival, as long as one was sane, they would choose the latter.

Through this incident, he could also see who truly cared for him and who was using him.

Mei Ru Xue's feelings for him were even deeper than he had imagined. This realization warmed Xu Chunliang's heart and filled it with happiness. Although he still didn't understand why Mei Ru Xue didn't show up that day, it no longer mattered. He understood her intentions.

Xu Chunliang arrived at Huichun Hall and saw the car Mei Ru Xue often drove parked at the entrance. The sun was just right, she was as beautiful as jade, and she was sitting at the door chatting happily with the old man.

Mei Ru Xue sensed his arrival. Her clear, bright eyes were like autumn water, and her gentle gaze brushed across Xu Chunliang's face like a spring breeze, softly saying, "You're back!" It was as casual as a wife greeting her husband coming home from work.

Xu Chunliang's heart was captivated by her gaze, wrapped layer by layer by that gentle breeze. Damn this tenderness.

Xu Chunliang took a deep breath. His heart tried to break free from the shackles of tenderness, but today he indeed felt a bit tired. He decided to enjoy this enduring tenderness for now and deal with tomorrow later.

Xu Chunliang nodded.

Xu Changshan said, "Xiaoxue said she was coming back with you, but since you went to a meeting at the hospital, she came over to chat with me first."

Xu Chunliang went along with her words, "There are just too many meetings at the hospital."

Xu Changshan said, "How about having dinner at home tonight?"

Xu Chunliang replied, "Dean Zhao has an invite. I have to go and flatter the boss."

Xu Changshan said, "Cancel it. Xiaoxue hardly comes by."

Mei Ru Xue smiled and said, "Mr. Xu, I have to head back soon. There are still many things waiting for me to handle in town. I just stopped by to see you."

Xu Changshan said, "It's not right not to eat after coming all this way. I'll cook immediately. Eat before you go." He glanced at Xu Chunliang, "And you, accompany Xiaoxue for dinner before going for drinks. Don't just focus on buttering up your boss. Don't you know who's more important?"

Xu Chunliang was speechless, and the old man turned and went inside.

Mei Ru Xue laughed, "Getting scolded, huh? People should walk the right path, not always thinking about flattering others."

Xu Chunliang said, "Thank you!"

Mei Ru Xue poured him a cup of tea, "What are you talking about? I don't understand."

Xu Chunliang indeed felt a bit thirsty, so he drank some tea and said, "This is a long story. I'll explain it to you slowly in the future."

Mei Ru Xue said, "Things that can be explained clearly don't actually need an explanation."

Xu Chunliang thought about it and realized it was indeed true. He sighed, "Being with you, I always learn something. We should stay in touch more often."

Mei Ru Xue said, "I don't have that much time to teach you."

Xu Chunliang said, "I can wait till you have time. After all, life is long."

Mei Ru Xue's pretty face blushed. Xu Chunliang reached out and gently touched her fingertip, which was like spring onions. Mei Ru Xue quickly withdrew her hand.

Xu Chunliang said, "I'm very happy."

Mei Ru Xue lowered her long black eyelashes, "Don't do such reckless things in the future."

Xu Chunliang said, "I promised Zhao Xiaohui that I would help her. Once I make a promise, I have to keep it."

Mei Ru Xue raised her eyes, "What if it was me in trouble?"

Xu Chunliang looked into Mei Ru Xue's eyes and said word by word, "Whoever dares to bully you, I'll destroy their entire family!"

"Nonsense!" Mei Ru Xue sensed from his determined gaze that he was serious. Her heart was touched, and she shook her head, "Promise me, never do anything foolish again. Don't make your grandfather worry..." She paused for a moment and continued, "And also don't make those who care about you worry."

Xu Chunliang said, "I won't let you worry."

Mei Ru Xue didn't ask about Zhao Xiaohui. Although she had many questions before, once she saw Xu Chunliang, she let go of them. She trusted Xu Chunliang, believed that he and Zhao Xiaohui were innocent and that Xu Chunliang did it all because of a promise.

This was an unprecedented man, and Mei Ru Xue realized that it was the first time in her life her heart skipped a beat.

Xu Chunliang stayed with Mei Ru Xue until she finished her meal and saw her off. Mei Ru Xue dropped him off at the dining spot—Hua Jian Japanese Cuisine. She still had to head to Weishan County for a meeting early the next morning.

When Xu Chunliang bid farewell to Mei Ru Xue, an elegant middle-aged woman appeared at the door, watching Mei Ru Xue drive away. She then smiled and greeted Xu Chunliang, "Are you Mr. Xu Chunliang?"

Xu Chunliang nodded.

"I'm Xu Ying, and this is my shop. Dean Zhao has arranged everything; please come in."

Xu Chunliang followed her into the room. Zhao Feiyang hadn't arrived yet; he sent a message estimating a half-hour delay.

It's common for leaders to be late for meals, but it was unclear whether Zhao Feiyang was doing it intentionally or not. Xu Chunliang glanced at the menu, and Xu Ying told him Zhao Feiyang had already arranged everything in advance.

Xu Chunliang asked her to settle the bill first. After all, he had promised Zhao Feiyang to treat him to a meal, and that promise hadn't been fulfilled yet.

Xu Ying laughed, saying Zhao Feiyang had also already paid the bill, likely considering the possibility that Xu Chunliang would try to pay.

Xu Chunliang noticed that there were no other customers in the Japanese restaurant that night, and he wondered if Zhao Feiyang had booked the entire place?

Xu Ying poured Xu Chunliang a cup of matcha she personally made. Xu Chunliang admired her tea-making skills, and seeing a calligraphy piece hanging on the wall titled with a poem: A garment, a water, a faraway pot, people say Fuso has this fine item. The bowl gets completely broken yet remains unaffected, bringing a dream to ask about cherry blossoms.

The script was cursive style, showing considerable skill in calligraphy. Xu Chunliang checked the signature and found it was actually "Mountain Lake Recluse."

This was truly unexpected. "Mountain Lake Recluse" referred to He Shouren. He Shouren now lived alone on Shiliang Mountain on Weishan Island and rarely communicated with the outside world. Xu Ying had somehow acquired his artwork.

Xu Chunliang said, "What elegant characters! Whose masterpiece is this?"

Xu Ying smiled, "A classmate of mine gave this to me. The author is one of his elders. I visited his studio and happened to see this piece, liked it very much, so I asked him for it. He reluctantly parted with it."

Xu Chunliang said, "Your classmate must also be a reputable calligrapher?"

"Pan Chengfeng, a professor of the Chinese Painting Department at Nanjiang Art College, is well-known for his freehand landscape paintings and is considered a leading figure among young painters. He also has profound accomplishments in calligraphy. Mr. Xu, are you interested in calligraphy and painting?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Just a hobby."

Xu Ying smiled, "If there's a chance, I'll introduce you to each other."

"That would be great!"

While they were chatting, Zhao Feiyang arrived, and Xu Chunliang stood up to welcome him.

Zhao Feiyang waved his hand, "No need for formalities, we're not at work, sit!" He said to Xu Ying, "You both know each other by now, right?"

Xu Ying said, "Yes, we had a very pleasant conversation."

Xu Chunliang noticed that Xu Ying was very articulate and wondered what her relationship with Zhao Feiyang was.

Zhao Feiyang said, "Chunliang, this Sister Xu of yours is a university classmate of mine and also my best friend."

Xu Ying laughed, "Don't say that, true friendship between men and women doesn't exist. I'll just honestly remain your classmate." She got up and went out to arrange for the food.

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