Chapter 37

"Don't be so sure. The leader with the best mass base in Changxing is the High Court. If you were to become the president, I would wholeheartedly support you," Zhou Wenbin said, flattering him, but in fact, he was very clear that with Gao Xinhua's resume, reaching his current position was already the peak. Taking another step forward, perhaps the position of secretary might be possible, but the president was out of the question.

Gao Xinhua said, "Why talk about this? If Director Gu were to hear, he would definitely think we three are plotting a coup here."

Xu Chunliang said, "It's not my business. I'm young and don't understand anything."

Gao Xinhua burst out laughing, noticing that since this kid started working, it was as if his interpersonal skills had suddenly improved dramatically.

Zhou Wenbin said, "You're not that young. In the countryside, someone your age would already have a child."

Xu Chunliang toasted them both with a glass of wine.

Zhou Wenbin said, "Xu, can you help us arrange a dinner with Director Lu Ming? We owe him a lot this time, and we'll need his help in the future." In the age of self-media, many medical disputes end up on the internet, and it was natural for Zhou Wenbin to want to build a relationship with the internet regulatory department through this incident.

"There's no need for that. I'll handle it if it comes up again," Xu Chunliang said, dashing Zhou Wenbin's hopes.

Gao Xinhua secretly found it amusing. Since ancient times, one lends money but not connections. Although Gao Xinhua was Xu Chunliang's direct superior, it wasn't easy to use him to build connections. The more he looked at this kid, the more he liked him. "Old Zhou, since he said so, don't worry about overworking him. Give him more tasks; it will be good training for him."

Zhou Wenbin nodded repeatedly, "President Gao, Xu has made great progress. He now looks at problems very comprehensively and handles many things better than I do."

Xu Chunliang said, "Director, I haven't offended you, so don't flatter me to death."

Zhou Wenbin couldn't help but laugh.

Gao Xinhua was also beaming, pleased that this kid hadn't let him down. At that moment, his phone rang, and after a few words, he got up and walked out.

Both Zhou Wenbin and Xu Chunliang could tell he had something to say in private. Every leader has their secrets.

Gao Xinhua returned after about ten minutes, his expression noticeably more serious. He apologized to Zhou Wenbin, saying he had an urgent matter to attend to and had to leave immediately.

Zhou Wenbin wanted to see him off, but Gao Xinhua said it wasn't necessary and told them to continue their meal.

After Gao Xinhua left, Zhou Wenbin lost his appetite for drinking, and Xu Chunliang had no interest in wasting time. He suggested, "Boss, why don't we call it a day? We've been busy all day."

Zhou Wenbin nodded, "Sure, how about some noodles?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Sure, I'll go to the restroom first."

When they left, Zhou Wenbin realized that Xu Chunliang had already paid the bill while he was in the restroom. He pretended to be unhappy and criticized him a bit, but he was secretly pleased. This kid knew how to handle things and was worth cultivating.

President Gu Houyi called all the vice presidents back for a meeting, where he unleashed his full fury.

This time, he was genuinely angry. It had taken great effort to control the negative news online, but just as one issue was resolved, another arose. Someone had anonymously reported him to the higher-level disciplinary inspection department, accusing him of serious violations during the bidding process for the beauty center contract.

Gu Houyi, with his extensive network in the health system, received a warning immediately. The problem came from within the leadership of Changxing Hospital.

Gu Houyi quickly figured out that one of his deputies was behind it. He could have chosen to remain silent, but his personality wouldn't allow it. He immediately called back Secretary Chen Xing'an and the vice presidents.

Chen Xing'an, responsible for party and government work, usually didn't get involved in the hospital's specific management. He was only a year younger than Gu Houyi, but unlike Gu, who was eager to make a difference, Chen Xing'an had a laid-back attitude. He was a good-natured person who smiled at everyone and went to any dinner he was invited to. He didn't mind if people asked him for favors because he couldn't do much anyway.

In the face of the strong-willed Gu Houyi, Chen Xing'an had almost no presence, even less than the vice presidents. However, he was indispensable in the system, excelling in the art of deflection.

Although he rarely got involved in management, Chen Xing'an was well aware of Changxing's power structure, perhaps more so than most.

The management of Changxing Hospital was very simple, a patriarchal system. Gu Houyi, who had been president for ten years, ruled Changxing Hospital in this traditional and backward way for a decade.

When Chen Xing'an arrived at the small meeting room, only Vice President Yan Huiyi was there. They greeted each other, and Yan Huiyi whispered, "What's up with the boss? Why did he suddenly call us here?"

Chen Xing'an shook his head, not knowing the situation, and even if he did, he wouldn't say.

At this point, Vice Presidents Geng Wenxiu, Gao Xinhua, and Qin Guoliang arrived one after another.

Seeing everyone gathered, the office director Liu Dengke went to notify President Gu Houyi.

The leaders attending this emergency meeting were all uneasy. For Gu Houyi to call them so urgently, it couldn't be good. When Gu Houyi appeared, there was no sign of anger on his face, and his gaze was calm.

The attendees couldn't help but wonder. Gu Houyi didn't seem angry. What could have brought them here so suddenly?

After sitting down, Gu Houyi first took out a pack of cigarettes.

Gu Houyi was a heavy smoker, smoking two packs a day, but he had a habit of not smoking during meetings, a rule he set. Was he going to break it today?

Gu Houyi took out a cigarette and patted his pockets, "I forgot my lighter. Can anyone light it for me?"

None of the core management team members were fools. They all noticed the way Gu Houyi phrased his request. Light it, but light a fire? There was a hidden meaning in his words.

Gu Houyi glanced at Chen Xing'an, who smiled, "President Gu, you know I don't smoke."

Among the vice presidents, only Gao Xinhua smoked, and he always carried a lighter. Normally, he would have taken it out and lit the cigarette, but Gu Houyi's words made him hesitate.

Although he didn't want to take the lead, the other vice presidents all looked at him. Gao Xinhua inwardly cursed, why are you all looking at me? The boss is setting a trap, and I don't want to be the one to step into it.

Geng Wenxiu chimed in, "Old Gao, you must have a lighter, right?"

Gao Xinhua was thoroughly annoyed with this woman. Why did you have to bring me into this? Why did you have to shift the focus to me? Trying to pass the buck? Gao Xinhua said, "I don't have a lighter."

His response was quite clever. You asked if I had a lighter, and I don't have a lighter. Interpret it as you will.

The matter would have ended there, but Vice President Yan Huiyi, for some reason, caught the hidden meaning in Gao Xinhua's words and couldn't help but laugh. His laughter triggered more laughter.

Geng Wenxiu finally understood, her face turning red. At her age, she had seen it all, but she was mainly embarrassed and angry. Gao Xinhua, Gao Xinhua, you're too shameless, saying such things in front of the leadership.

It wasn't Gao Xinhua's fault. Why did Geng Wenxiu have to drag him into it?

The laughter quickly subsided because Gu Houyi didn't laugh. He held the cigarette between his lips and took out a box of matches from his pocket.

"Swish!"

Gu Houyi struck a match, and everyone in the small meeting room, which had suddenly become silent, stared at the flickering flame.

Gu Houyi lit the cigarette, squinted his eyes, and skillfully flicked his right hand to extinguish the flame.