Chapter 247 224: Life Choices

Zhao Feiyang is facing a major life decision. If he accepts Tang Jingwei's terms, he will have to give up something. He privately discussed this matter with Pei Lin, who believes it's time for him to step down—not from his position, but to resign from his public duties.Only by resigning from public office can he reasonably assume the role of the head of Dongzhou Huanyan Medical Management Company. If he doesn't resign, the city will still appoint him, even though Dongzhou City only holds twenty percent of the shares in the future joint-stock hospital, it insists on retaining management rights. However, his public office status will inevitably face numerous problems in the future.

Pei Lin believes you can't have your cake and eat it too. If Zhao Feiyang wants to control the future of Changxing, he can only resign and become a member of Huayuan Group.

For the first time, Zhao Feiyang felt that public office had tied his hands and feet. If he wants to make a significant impact, he must first remove these constraints.

Xu Ying noticed Zhao Feiyang's recent restlessness. She poured him a cup of sake and said, "Feiyang, you've been in a strange mood since returning from Nanjiang. Was the equity negotiation not going well?"

Zhao Feiyang shook his head, "Tang Jingwei suggested that I resign from public office."

Xu Ying paused, raised her glass to clink with his, and sipped a small amount of sake, "Do you remember the first time you told me about introducing private capital and building a joint-stock hospital?"

Zhao Feiyang nodded. How could he forget? At the time, he was full of spirit and vigor, revealing this good news to Xu Ying first. He was going to make a big impact in Dongzhou and transform Changxing into a regional medical center.

Xu Ying said, "Equity determines that the side with more shares holds the say. You should have realized this early on. There's no perfect solution in this world; holding a public job while eating from the private sector's plate will cause problems sooner or later."

Zhao Feiyang said, "I didn't expect the restructuring to hit me first."

Xu Ying asked, "What is most important to you?"

Zhao Feiyang thought seriously. Xu Ying had asked him the same question before, "Career, I want to do something spectacular and grand."

Xu Ying asked, "Between career and money, which is more important to you?"

Zhao Feiyang said, "I've always regarded money lightly."

Xu Ying said, "That's because you're within the system. In the past, you focused on promotion, believing you needed to reach a certain position to plan your career and achieve your dreams. If, and I mean if, you resign from public office and become the head of Hua Nian Group's medical management company, your annual salary could be the sum of your past earnings."

Zhao Feiyang didn't deny it. Tang Jingwei offered him an annual salary of three million, not including stock dividends. The conditions are very tempting, yet he didn't agree immediately.

Zhao Feiyang said, "I had this thought because of the money."

"I understand, you want to control Changxing. If you want to continue controlling Changxing, you must choose between public and private."

Zhao Feiyang said, "I've worked so many years to get here; it's really hard to let go."

Xu Ying said, "Unfortunately, there's no middle ground available. Deep down, you already know the answer, don't you?"

Zhao Feiyang put down the wine glass in his hand, "I've recently had a thought. If I hadn't pushed for the hospital restructuring, and had followed Gu Houyi's policies, my life would have been much easier."

Xu Ying said, "A joint-stock hospital has become inevitable. For you, there's only looking forward—no room for turning back."

Once the bow is drawn, there's no turning back. Zhao Feiyang was just venting. If he were given another chance to choose, he would still choose restructuring without hesitation.

Xu Ying said, "No matter what choice you make, I'll support you. I still want to say a few things to you."

Zhao Feiyang nodded.

"Only take what you deserve. When people are poor, they can hold onto their principles. But once they become wealthy, their inner self can change without realizing."

"Are you worried I'll become greedy?" Zhao Feiyang shook his head, "No, I want to accomplish something that will enter the medical history of Dongzhou."

Xu Ying continued, "No matter which side you're on, remember to safeguard the interests of medical staff as much as possible. They are the foundation of Changxing; they are the core value of Changxing."

Zhao Feiyang said, "Actually, my decision to resign from public office is also for their sake. If I insist on keeping my public office, I will only be gradually marginalized in Hua Nian, and I won't feel secure handing Changxing over to someone else." He has a clause in the contract about his control over Changxing, and Zhao Feiyang lied about it. Even his resignation from public office was to avoid potential future risks.

Xu Ying said, "Although I'm not familiar with Pei Lin, and I have no say in your relationship with her, I hope you don't let her get involved in Changxing."

Zhao Feiyang said, "Before I went to Changxing, she was already doing business there. After I joined Changxing, I didn't give her any preferential treatment. She understands this very clearly."

Xu Ying said, "Just because you don't give her preferential treatment doesn't mean others won't. If she truly cares about you, she should distance herself from Changxing."

Zhao Feiyang said, "In fact, she has sacrificed a lot for me already."

Xu Ying drank a cup of wine and didn't continue the conversation.

Zhao Feiyang said, "I've remembered everything you said."

Xu Ying nodded, quietly watching Zhao Feiyang, as if trying to remember his current appearance, "Feiyang, I might have to leave for a while."

Zhao Feiyang asked in surprise, "How long? Where are you going?"

Xu Ying said, "You know, my daughter is studying in Nanjiang. I want to go and see her."

"What about here?"

Xu Ying said nonchalantly, "Transferred it to a friend of mine."

"When did that happen?"

"Today."

Once Zhao Xiaohui's condition stabilized, she was transferred to a general ward.

Before leaving, Xu Chunliang visited her. The room was filled with many flowers, and Zhao Xiaohui was recovering well post-surgery. When Xu Chunliang arrived, she was chatting with Yu Mo. Through this incident, the two had reconciled and turned hostility into friendship.

Yu Mo saw Xu Chunliang coming and said with a smile, "You guys chat. I have things to do back at the department."

Xu Chunliang smiled at her and stepped aside to make way for her.

Zhao Xiaohui lay on the bed, looking at Xu Chunliang, smiling and feeling touched.

Xu Chunliang placed the flowers he brought at the bedside, "Sister Xiaohui, you look even more beautiful. Did you have cosmetic surgery during this operation?"

Zhao Xiaohui couldn't help but laugh, which pulled on her wound, making her frown, "You little rascal... don't make me laugh..."

Xu Chunliang brought her two boxes of ointment that could help with her fracture healing.

Zhao Xiaohui said, "I talked to him. He won't make a fuss over this matter anymore."

Xu Chunliang knew the "he" she referred to was Sheng Chaohui. He sat down by the bed, "Are you just going to let him go like that?"

Zhao Xiaohui said, "I've cut ties with him... After I get discharged, I plan to leave the country. I'll give birth to this child and raise him on my own." Her gaze was more determined than ever.

Xu Chunliang gently patted her arm, "Did he agree?"

"It's not up to him!"

Xu Chunliang nodded, "I don't think he's paid enough of a price."

Zhao Xiaohui bit her lip, "Forget it. I don't want this to escalate further."

Xu Chunliang fell silent; in fact, he had long anticipated Zhao Xiaohui's reaction.

"Chunliang, promise me to just let it go, okay? I brought this on myself; I don't blame anyone else." Tears welled up in Zhao Xiaohui's eyes.

"But..."

Zhao Xiaohui said, "I've already brought you a lot of trouble. I don't want to say any words of thanks; saying them would desecrate our friendship. Chunliang, in my heart, you're like my own brother."

Zhao Xiaohui held his hand, tears flowing freely. Only now did she realize how precious it was to have gained a friend like Xu Chunliang when she gave up on claiming compensation from Changxing back then.

Xu Chunliang laughed, "Why are you crying? If someone sees us, it'll be hard to explain."

He picked up some tissues from the bedside table and wiped Zhao Xiaohui's tears.

Zhao Xiaohui said, "I've talked to Yu Mo about it. In the future, we'll just say the child was lost."

Xu Chunliang pressed his lips together; he didn't understand, but he had to respect Zhao Xiaohui's choice, even though this was letting Sheng Chaohui off too easily.

Zhao Xiaohui said, "Actually, the night I asked you to go drinking at Hidden Dragon Lake, I thought about ending it all." She sniffed and then flashed a bright smile, though her eyes were still teary, "You saved me twice. Don't worry, I won't do anything foolish now."

When Xu Chunliang left the hospital room, two men in black suits were waiting for him outside.

"Are you Mr. Xu?"

Xu Chunliang nodded.

"President Sheng wants to see you."

"I don't have time."

The two men blocked his path.

Xu Chunliang glared, "Move aside!"

"Mr. Xu, President Sheng is in the parking lot downstairs. Please, it's important for you to meet him; we mean no harm."

Xu Chunliang had already calculated that Sheng Chaohui would come seeking him, or more accurately, to plead.

Sheng Chaohui's Toyota Alphard was parked in the lot. When he saw Xu Chunliang approaching, he dismissed the driver.

Xu Chunliang got into the car and, looking at Sheng Chaohui's bruised and battered face, said, "Money really is something, isn't it? Allows you to do whatever you want."

Sheng Chaohui pointed to his chest, "What did you make me take?"

Xu Chunliang laughed, "Whatever you say it is, that's what it is."

Sheng Chaohui swallowed hard; he hadn't gone to Nanjiang or Capital City. He had just done another check-up in Changxing, with the same conclusion as the Medical University Affiliated Hospital. Sheng Chaohui knew that even if he went to the Capital City, they wouldn't find anything. The key to solving the problem lay with the person who created it, and his wife had already hinted that Xu Chunliang was not to be trifled with. This time, they could only swallow their bitter loss.

Since he chose to concede, he might as well concede a bit more. Sheng Chaohui said softly, "Help me get rid of the centipede."

"Why should I?"

Sheng Chaohui said, "I was wrong; I won't do bad things anymore."

Xu Chunliang said, "Things are over now; I don't want to bring it up again." He made a move to get out of the car.

"I'll pay you!" Sheng Chaohui shouted.

Xu Chunliang looked at him disdainfully, "You really have money, huh?"

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