Chapter 248 225: Winter Has Come

Sheng Chaohui said, "I'm not the kind of person you think, and she's not as innocent as you imagine. There's nothing between us at all."Xu Chunliang said, "Your matters have nothing to do with me."

"They are related. You drugged me, and I know I won't live long." Sheng Chaohui's voice was trembling.

Xu Chunliang said, "You better watch what you say. If you spout nonsense, I'll sue you."

"I swear, I won't bother you again. I can give you a lot of money. Is one million enough?"

Xu Chunliang could tell at a glance that Sheng Chaohui was scared to death.

"Two million? I'll give you five million!" Sheng Chaohui held up five fingers, losing his composure out of fear of death.

Xu Chunliang bent down his fingers one by one, until only one was left. Sheng Chaohui said tremblingly, "Ten million..."

In his view, Xu Chunliang was really too greedy, but he thought ten million was worth buying a life.

Xu Chunliang said, "First, go and settle Zhao Xiaohui's medical expenses, then compensate her with the amount you mentioned."

Sheng Chaohui nodded vigorously, "Okay, okay."

Xu Chunliang cradled his face and smiled, "Why didn't you listen earlier?" As he spoke, he patted Sheng Chaohui's face.

Sheng Chaohui felt something strange in his ear, and Xu Chunliang pulled out two wriggling centipedes from it.

"Close your eyes!"

Sheng Chaohui obediently closed his eyes, and his nose was pinched by Xu Chunliang.

When he opened his eyes, he saw three colorful centipedes writhing in Xu Chunliang's palm. Sheng Chaohui was both scared and delighted. He muttered that three centipedes were stuffed into his head, but those dodgy experts just couldn't find them.

Actually, Xu Chunliang was merely using sleight of hand; he hadn't stuffed any centipedes in his ears or nose, but the Five Poison Heart Attack Pill was genuine.

Sheng Chaohui certainly wouldn't forget about this, "The antidote... the antidote for the Five Poison Heart Attack Pill..."

Xu Chunliang said, "Do you know what it means to be insatiable like a snake trying to swallow an elephant? Consider these three centipedes a freebie from me. You haven't completed any of the things you promised. When you do, come to me for the antidote."

Sheng Chaohui said, "But my heart hurts so much, as if a thousand arrows are piercing it."

Xu Chunliang patted his old face, "Then bear with it for now. A heartache won't kill you."

Xu Chunliang pushed open the car door and stepped out, coming across a group of hospital staff standing in the parking lot. They were all wearing white coats, gathered around a medium-built man, the newly appointed deputy director of Changxing, Yuan Peiqiang.

Yuan Peiqiang was newly hired as the deputy director of Changxing, specializing in management, essentially a representative sent by the Huayuan Group to prepare for comprehensive cooperation between the two parties and represent Huayuan Group's interests.

Several assistants to the director accompanied him, including procurement manager Huang Liancheng, security chief Yu Xiangdong, and Zhang Haibin, who had been dismissed from Changxing but rehired by Huayuan Group at a high price. Zhang's presence also indirectly revealed Zhao Feiyang's compromise.

Zhang Haibin was wary of Xu Chunliang. Seeing him, he immediately stopped and deliberately stayed at the back of the crowd, afraid Xu Chunliang would notice him. He had twice fallen short against Xu Chunliang, suffering substantial psychological trauma.

He never expected to meet Xu Chunliang at Changxing Headquarters, but fate had its way. On his first tour with the deputy director, he encountered this troublesome figure, and all Zhang Haibin could do was lament his rotten luck.

Xu Chunliang already knew that this scoundrel had joined Huayuan Group and predicted they would eventually meet. Such a petty person was never a concern for Xu Chunliang.

Finding himself in a direct encounter, Xu Chunliang couldn't avoid it. Huang Liancheng enthusiastically called out, "Xiaoxu, come over here."

Xu Chunliang had no choice but to walk over and said with a smile, "What a coincidence everyone. Are the leaders here for an inspection?"

Huang Liancheng introduced, "Xiaoxu, this is our hospital's new Dean Yuan."

Yuan Peiqiang had already extended his hand, "Xu Chunliang! Haha, I've heard so much about you. Seeing really is believing!"

Xu Chunliang shook hands with Yuan Peiqiang, "Dean Yuan, it should be that seeing doesn't live up to the hype. I thought I was low-key enough, but it seems I wasn't."

People around laughed. Yu Xiangdong said, "You're famous now; it's hard to stay low-key."

He was sincere. After Xu Chunliang beat up the chairman's son of Huayuan Group and then the CEO of Enheng Pharmaceutical, while others avoided adversity, this guy faced it head-on. And his impressive feat was leaving unharmed after the beatings.

Let's not say that Changxing Hospital didn't do anything to him—even the police didn't pursue his responsibility. Who would believe that this kid has no background?

Yuan Peiqiang introduced a few people around him to Xu Chunliang. One was Shi Hongjun, responsible for financial auditing, and the other was Zhang Haibin, whom Xu Chunliang already knew. This guy is now responsible for market research, and they are both now assistant deans.

Actually, Zhang Haibin doesn't know a damn thing about market research. He got this position by trading Changxing's internal information. If there was a hierarchy of disdain in the hospital, this guy would definitely be at the bottom.

Xu Chunliang shook hands with Shi Hongjun: "Director Shi is the new God of Wealth of Changxing. In the future, I'll rely on you for signing off on reimbursements and such."

Shi Hongjun smiled and said, "As long as it follows the hospital's regulations, I'll give you the green light." The way he answered was flawless, and that he could say this showed that after cooperation, the financial matters of the joint-stock hospital would indeed be under his charge.

Xu Chunliang didn't shake hands with Zhang Haibin but patted him on the shoulder, saying: "Old Zhang, we meet again so soon."

Zhang Haibin's smile was a little forced: "Yeah, what can I say, it's fate."

Xu Chunliang reminded Zhang Haibin in front of so many people: "You should cherish this job opportunity, change your ways, and don't do things that damage the public and benefit the private again."

Zhang Haibin got reprimanded in front of so many people, his face flushed like a pig's liver.

The people around didn't expect Xu Chunliang to say that. There's an old saying: you should consider the owner's feelings even when beating a dog. After all, Zhang Haibin is now part of the Huayuan system, and to ridicule him in front of Yuan Peiqiang is clearly not giving him face.

Yuan Peiqiang laughed, "Xiaoxu, we are going to inspect the branch hospital in a few days. Will you welcome us?"

Xu Chunliang said: "Of course, but you must inform me in advance before going to the branch hospital, so I can make proper security arrangements. Last time, the Huayuan Group's inspection team ignored my advice and had to stay outside on their own, resulting in... sigh..."

He didn't give Yuan Peiqiang any face at all.

Yu Xiangdong secretly sweated for Xu Chunliang. Although Yuan Peiqiang is the vice dean, he belongs to the Huayuan system, meaning he currently represents Huayuan Group. In other words, in the current situation at Changxing, he stands alongside Zhao Feiyang. He doesn't even have to answer to Zhao Feiyang.

New officials tend to be aggressive at first, and today is the first inspection since Yuan Peiqiang assumed his position. Xu Chunliang showed no respect for him at all. Isn't this guy afraid of future revenge from Yuan Peiqiang?

But thinking about it, everyone understands, Xu Chunliang is resigned to his fate. He even beat up Tang Tianyi, the Huayuan Group's chairman's son. Naturally, he sees no need to please Yuan Peiqiang. Anyway, once Huayuan Group enters, things won't go well for him. The future looks grim for this young man.

Xu Chunliang bid farewell to Yuan Peiqiang and left. He planned to visit Gao Xinhua and gather some information about the hospital.

Gao Xinhua was tending to several pots of succulents given to him by Chen Xing'an in his office. Seeing Xu Chunliang come over, he smiled and said: "Why haven't you left yet?"

Xu Chunliang replied: "There's nothing much at the branch hospital; I'll head back this afternoon." He moved closer to Gao Xinhua, admiring his pots of succulents, and said: "When did you start cultivating inner peace?"

Gao Xinhua said: "Secretary Chen gave them to me. If I let them die, wouldn't I be failing his good intentions?"

Xu Chunliang mentioned the encounter with Yuan Peiqiang in the parking lot. Gao Xinhua nonchalantly said: "He's here to take over Changxing."

Xu Chunliang asked: "Is it settled?"

Gao Xinhua nodded: "The city has already agreed to the equity distribution plan. The city holds twenty percent, Huayuan Group holds eighty percent."

"Is Changxing worth so little?" Xu Chunliang had heard before that Changxing held thirty percent. He hadn't expected it to be reduced to just twenty percent in the final agreement.

Gao Xinhua said nothing, gazing at the distant second-phase construction site. A site once cleared with great effort had grown into a field of wild grass. The city must have their considerations.

Xu Chunliang asked: "Has the contract been signed?"

Gao Xinhua replied: "Very soon, no later than this year." At this point, he suddenly realized this year's winter was particularly late; although late, winter would eventually come.

Gao Xinhua inquired about his dinner with Zhao Feiyang last night. Xu Chunliang briefly explained that Zhao Feiyang mainly wished to understand how he solved the recent trouble.

Gao Xinhua pointed at the coffee table, and the two of them sat down on the sofa. Gao Xinhua brewed a pot of Pu'er tea, and Xu Chunliang recognized the packaging as a gift from Tong Guangsheng.

After a couple of cups of tea, Gao Xinhua asked: "What are your plans for the future?"

Xu Chunliang was taken aback by the question but quickly understood Gao Xinhua's meaning. A joint venture between Changxing and Huayuan Group was inevitable, and Huayuan Group was the major shareholder. Although the incident of him hitting Tang Tianyi had passed, it didn't mean the issue was entirely put to rest. Once Huayuan Group joins in, they will surely settle this account with him.

Gao Xinhua had a clear understanding of Zhao Feiyang. It wasn't possible for Zhao Feiyang to offend Huayuan Group for Xu Chunliang's sake. Although Zhao Feiyang claimed to represent Changxing's interests, once the cooperation is formally signed, it's hard to say whose interests Zhao Feiyang will represent.

Asking Xu Chunliang this question now was also a proactive measure. Although Xu Chunliang had a structured position, he was still young. If he continued to stay at Changxing, he might face numerous challenges and suppressions in the future.

Gao Xinhua had some influence within the medical system. If Xu Chunliang wanted, he could help him find another opportunity, and before Changxing's restructuring completely took effect, he could still transfer to another unit.