Chapter 48: Flexibility and Resilience

After leaving Feng Yuqin's office, Guo Penghui was already waiting. "Mr. Zeng, we have prepared a small meeting. The theme is to understand the instructions of Director Feng and determine the next steps for the preparatory group."

In the meeting room, it was still the same people as before, except for Feng Yuqin.

In government agencies, tasks such as running errands, providing ideas, and making plans are usually done by subordinates, while leaders only need to make the final decisions. For the health base preparatory work, Chen Gaofeng was the nominal leader but did not involve himself in any matters. Feng Yuqin was the actual leader, but she could not handle everything personally. Her job was to choose the best plan from the many proposed by her team.

The previous plans were completely overturned, causing all members of the preparatory group to feel anxious and under great pressure. These seasoned officials knew that Zeng Yi's opinion was just a surface reason; the real issue was that Feng Yuqin was also dissatisfied with the plans. Otherwise, even ten Zeng Yis would not be able to change Feng Yuqin's mind.

The meeting continued until lunchtime. No one knew what Feng Yuqin truly thought, so they could only follow her instructions and start a few comprehensive plans.

Guo Penghui invited Zeng Yi to have lunch in the office and then saw him off downstairs. "Mr. Zeng, the current situation of the preparatory work is not optimistic, and the higher-ups are pressing hard. I hope you can spend more time in the future, communicate more with other members, and help us achieve a breakthrough in the preparatory work."

"In the future, I will try to come every day," Zeng Yi said.

Guo Penghui was surprised. In the past, Zeng Yi would always try to avoid such tasks, but he showed a surprised expression. "That's great, I have already prepared an office for you."

Zeng Yi smiled and bowed. "Mr. Guo, you are busy, no need to see me off!"

"I'll have my driver take you!" Guo Penghui waved, and his driver brought the car over.

When Zeng Yi returned to the clinic, he was surprised to find that Guo Sanliang was still there, standing straight at the clinic's entrance.

The sun was scorching, and the intense light shone down without any obstruction. Guo Sanliang stood in the sun, his face flushed, his lips dry, his hair wet and stuck to his forehead, and sweat rolled down his face. His clothes were a mix of dry and wet patches.

Zeng Yi was somewhat surprised. He didn't expect Guo Sanliang to be so resilient. Yesterday, he could kneel and beg for mercy in front of Chen Long, and today, he could endure the scorching sun. To protect his power, he was willing to do anything, with no limits. Zeng Yi couldn't help but admire the immense power of authority.

Seeing Zeng Yi return, Guo Sanliang wiped the sweat from his face and forced a smile. "Mr. Zeng, you're back."

Zeng Yi ignored him and walked in with his bag.

Guo Sanliang followed behind. "Mr. Zeng, I know I was wrong."

"I know, you can leave now!" Zeng Yi put down his bag and went to find a cup of water.

Guo Sanliang looked fearful. "Mr. Zeng, I really know I was wrong. I shouldn't have broken the law and abused my power. I promise I won't do it again. I know that in your eyes, I am just a small section chief, not even as significant as an ant. Please show mercy and give me a chance to correct my mistakes."

Zeng Yi sat there, drinking water, and said nothing.

"The guy who caused trouble this morning has been suspended, and I promise that the CEO of Liangcao Company will never appear at any clinic in the district again." Guo Sanliang had indeed made a significant effort to protect himself. To deal with his mistress, he had to pay a high price. "I really was wrong, and from now on, you can see my actions. If I dare to act recklessly again, you can destroy me."

"Okay, leave your credentials and go back!" Zeng Yi waved his hand, dismissing Guo Sanliang.

Guo Sanliang felt as if he had been granted a pardon. He quickly took out his credentials, placed them respectfully in front of Zeng Yi, bowed, and left. Zeng Yi's words were ambiguous, neither forgiving nor unforgiving, indicating that he would judge Guo Sanliang's future actions. Guo Sanliang understood that if he dared to act recklessly again, the evidence in Chen Long's hands would become a deadly threat.

Zeng Yi was now thinking about his clinic. Feng Yuqin's intention today was for him to focus on the preparatory work for the health base, which meant the clinic would have to be put on hold. Looking at the sign with "Shengsheng Tang" written on it, Zeng Yi felt reluctant; he had deep feelings for it.

While pondering the clinic's future, his phone rang. It was a call from someone he didn't expect: Cui Shiyin, Gu Mingzhu's husband.

"Dr. Zeng, are you free this afternoon?" Cui Shiyin asked politely.

"I'm free!" Zeng Yi smiled. "Is it for a follow-up visit for Ms. Gu?"

Cui Shiyin laughed heartily. "Her condition seems to have improved. I didn't call for that. It's about something else."

Zeng Yi was surprised. "What is it?"

"This afternoon, I'm organizing an appraisal session with some famous antique experts in the city. I find your medical box very interesting. If you have time, come over. Maybe someone can tell you about its origin."

Zeng Yi listened and said, "Sure, tell me the location, and I'll come over."

"Yiranju, just mention my name when you arrive," Cui Shiyin instructed and hung up.

Yiranju was located at the foot of Qinglong Mountain in Rongcheng, named after the phrase "picking chrysanthemums under the eastern fence, leisurely seeing the southern mountains." It was a very relaxing place for tea.

When Zeng Yi arrived, he saw a large, retro-style gate. Inside, the building was intricately decorated with carved corridors, water pavilions, and winding paths, resembling a garden.

A server saw him and asked, "Sir, are you here for tea or to meet someone?"

"I'm here to meet Mr. Cui Shiyin, we have an appointment!"

"Are you Mr. Zeng?" The server immediately led the way. "Mr. Cui has already instructed me to take you to him."

As Zeng Yi walked through, he marveled at the unique layout of Yiranju. The tea tables were subtly placed under the shade of trees and among flowers, with a small bridge and flowing water nearby, creating a truly leisurely atmosphere. The tables were spaced far apart, ensuring privacy.

Following the server, they entered a building with a strong Jiangnan style, passed through the hall, and saw a clear stream flowing behind the building.

Two tea tables were set up by the stream, and a few middle-aged men were gathered, playing mahjong and eating sunflower seeds.

"Dr. Zeng, you're here!" Cui Shiyin saw Zeng Yi and put down his mahjong tiles. "Let's stop, everyone is almost here."

The others were not there for the mahjong money. They immediately stopped playing and stood up, shouting at the server, "Quickly, call the boss over!"

"Let's go inside!" Cui Shiyin led the way, and everyone returned to a private room on the second floor.

The room was large, with a floor-to-ceiling window facing the stream, providing ample light. Inside, there were about a dozen Chinese-style antique chairs, with high-legged tables between them, each holding a delicate porcelain teacup.

"Today we have a new guest, let me introduce him to you," Cui Shiyin introduced Zeng Yi to everyone.

Zeng Yi shook hands with everyone. The short and fat one was surnamed Xu, the one with a short beard was surnamed Chen. Both were well-known entrepreneurs in Rongcheng, and antiques were just their hobby. The other, wearing round-toed cloth shoes and a magnifying glass around his neck, was a professional antique dealer named Dong Hongfeng.

Dong Hongfeng was quite talkative. He didn't sit down but came to Zeng Yi with a teacup, looking at the medical box at Zeng Yi's feet. "Dr. Zeng, do you use this box for your medical practice?"

Zeng Yi nodded and smiled. "Whenever I make house calls, I carry this box."

Dong Hongfeng clicked his tongue. "Dr. Zeng is truly a man of great taste. This box must be hundreds of years old. If I had such an antique, I would display it at home and admire it carefully."

"I'm just used to it. My grandfather used to carry this box for his medical practice. Growing up, I was influenced by him, and I feel that without this box, I don't seem like a doctor, and I can't even write prescriptions."

"Ha, Dr. Zeng is truly an interesting person!" Dong Hongfeng laughed and sat back down. "You guys, none of you are as straightforward as Dr. Zeng. If you have something good, don't hide it. Show it to everyone!"

"There's no rush, let's wait for Old Zuo, he'll be here soon."

Just then, the door to the private room was pushed open. "Sorry, I kept my old friends waiting, I apologize, I apologize!"

"Old Zuo, you're becoming more and more important. Your old friends have been here for a while, and you still don't show up. Are you afraid we'll eat and drink for free?" Dong Hongfeng teased.

The middle-aged man surnamed Zuo, the owner of Yiranju, clasped his hands and said, "I'm truly sorry. I've been feeling unwell recently."

"Coincidentally, we have a doctor here today!" Dong Hongfeng looked at Zeng Yi. "Dr. Zeng, could you please check on Old Zuo and see if he's faking his illness?"

Cui Shiyin smiled faintly. "With Dr. Zeng's expertise, he might even cure Old Zuo's stinginess."

Old Zuo noticed the young man in the room and clasped his hands in greeting but didn't take the others' words seriously, thinking they were just joking.

Zeng Yi also clasped his hands and observed Old Zuo's complexion, noticing that he looked pale and tired but didn't show any obvious signs of illness.

After a moment's thought, Zeng Yi understood. "Old Zuo's condition is quite exhausting. It's not a serious illness, but it's more painful than being sick."

Old Zuo's eyes lit up, and he sat next to Zeng Yi. "Dr. Zeng, please take a closer look. You don't know how much pain I've been in lately."