Chapter 47

Xu Chunliang took two baozi and shared them with Cheng Xiaohong and Zhou Wenbin.

The baozi, freshly out of the steamer, were still a bit hot. As Zhou Wenbin ate, he said, "Don't you think this is a bit strange? Tong Meili and her husband suddenly stopped causing trouble."

Cheng Xiaohong replied, "What's so strange about it? The appraisal results are out, and it's not a surgical accident. Dr. Cai has no responsibility. They know they're in the wrong, and continuing to cause trouble would only make them look bad."

Zhou Wenbin nodded. Although it wasn't a medical malpractice, the negative impact on Changxing Hospital was significant. The irregular charges at the cosmetic center were exposed due to this incident, forcing Zeng Hongwen to terminate the contract early and face a hefty fine from the relevant authorities.

The financial loss was secondary. Because of this incident, the hospital director, Gu Houyi, was affected and had to end his leadership at Changxing Hospital prematurely, tarnishing his reputation.

These two people ended Gu Houyi's rule over Changxing Hospital with their actions.

Cheng Xiaohong asked, "Director Zhou, everyone is saying that Director Gu is going to the Science and Technology Commission. Is that true?"

"Young people, don't be so gossipy. Hasn't Director Gu already denied it?" Zhou Wenbin glanced at Xu Chunliang. In this regard, Cheng Xiaohong was not as considerate as Xu Chunliang, who never asked about things he shouldn't.

Zhou Wenbin had a meeting in the afternoon, so he tidied up and prepared to leave. Before he could leave, his old colleague, Zheng Peian, came in.

Zheng Peian and Zhou Wenbin were both assigned to Changxing Hospital. He went to the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) department, while Zhou Wenbin worked diligently at Changxing. Unlike Zhou Wenbin, Zheng Peian was restless. He started businesses, opened restaurants, sold exercise machines, and engaged in lending, always following the latest trends. Unfortunately, he wasn't cut out for business and didn't achieve much.

Ten years ago, he was tricked in a lending scheme and lost hundreds of thousands of yuan. After much reflection, he took a leave of absence and went south to open a TCM clinic. During this time, he rarely appeared in Changxing or contacted his colleagues.

Although they entered the hospital the same year and even lived in the same dormitory, they rarely kept in touch, and their relationship was just ordinary. Zhou Wenbin was surprised to see him: "Old Zheng, why are you here?"

"Why not? I'm still a formal employee of Changxing Hospital."

Zhou Wenbin suddenly remembered that at a recent hospital meeting, Gu Houyi issued an order: all employees on long-term leave or leave of absence must return to the hospital within a week for a health check and to sign new agreements.

The reason was that someone had reported that Gu Houyi used his position to provide convenience to employees, allowing many to enjoy hospital benefits while doing business outside, some of whom made substantial profits.

Zhou Wenbin glanced at the golden Rolex on Zheng Peian's wrist and thought that he must have made a lot of money during his leave: "I haven't seen you in years. Where have you been making money?"

Zheng Peian smiled, "Where have I been making money? I've been struggling to make ends meet. If I were doing well, I would have resigned long ago. Why would I come back to listen to Old Gu's orders?"

He took out a pack of Jiuwu cigarettes, offered one to Zhou Wenbin, and didn't forget Xu Chunliang, tossing him one as well.

Xu Chunliang took the cigarette but returned it, saying he didn't smoke. He felt Zheng Peian looked familiar but couldn't remember where he had seen him.

Zheng Peian looked at the young Xu Chunliang and sighed, "I haven't been back for so many years, and I don't recognize any of the young people."

Zhou Wenbin quickly introduced him: "These are two new colleagues in our department. This is Xu Chunliang, and that is Cheng Xiaohong." He then introduced Zheng Peian to the two: "This is a famous figure in our Changxing Hospital, Director Zheng Peian from the TCM department."

Zheng Peian modestly waved his hand, "I'm not a director, just an old employee."

Xu Chunliang thought that even Zhu Mingyuan, who worked in the TCM department, wasn't very skilled, let alone Zheng Peian, who was on leave.

Zhou Wenbin then told Zheng Peian that Xu Chunliang was the grandson of the old master from Huichuntang. Upon hearing this, Zheng Peian became excited: "The grandson of the old master! We're family. The old master once taught me acupuncture. I used to want to be his disciple, but he didn't accept me. In my heart, he's always been my teacher. If I remember correctly, your name is Xu Cong, right?"

Xu Chunliang politely smiled, not recalling his grandfather mentioning Zheng Peian. He vaguely remembered seeing him at Huichuntang, but it had been a long time, and the memory was fuzzy.

That evening, when Xu Chunliang returned home, he found Zheng Peian visiting his grandfather with gifts. They were chatting warmly, and Xu Changshan had prepared a sumptuous meal, all cooked by Zheng Peian. When Xu Chunliang arrived, Zheng Peian was still in the kitchen, wearing an apron, clearly feeling at home.

Seeing Xu Chunliang, Xu Changshan quickly called him over, smiling: "Chunliang, come, let me introduce you. This is Uncle Zheng."

Zheng Peian and Xu Chunliang both smiled, and Zheng Peian told Xu Changshan they had already met at the hospital.

Xu Chunliang called him Uncle Zheng.

Xu Changshan told him to change his clothes and come downstairs for dinner.

Xu Changshan chose to entertain Zheng Peian in his small courtyard, which he had already tidied up. The courtyard was filled with flowers and medicinal herbs, creating a vibrant and fragrant atmosphere in the evening air.

The scent was refreshing and also repelled mosquitoes.

Zheng Peian recognized some of the plants, including half-branch lotus, Chinese tallow, sweet osmanthus, mountain dragon, lilyturf, hibiscus, and fig, and praised the old master's courtyard. He also offered some suggestions, such as adding a water feature and building a fish pond in the southeast corner.

Xu Changshan asked Xu Chunliang to bring out two bottles of Feitian Maotai, a sign that Zheng Peian held a high place in his heart.

The gifts Zheng Peian brought were also very valuable: two boxes of blood swallows, two boxes of deer antlers, two high-quality wild ginseng roots, and two bottles of Xiangjiu Neican.

After they sat down, Zheng Peian took out 10,000 yuan and gave it to Xu Chunliang as a gift. Xu Chunliang refused, but Xu Changshan laughed and said, "Chunliang is already working, not a child. You don't need to give him money."

Zheng Peian replied, "To me, he's always a child. As an uncle, it's right to give money to a child. I've been away for years and missed giving him red envelopes. Take it, you must take it!"

Xu Changshan then let Xu Chunliang accept it.

The connection between Zheng Peian and Xu Changshan dated back over twenty years. Xu Chunliang had two aunts, and Zheng Peian was a classmate and admirer of his younger aunt, Xu Jiawen. Unfortunately, Xu Jiawen, who was always outstanding, did not return his feelings and later married and moved to Hong Kong to teach.

Although Zheng Peian lost his chance, he remained close to the Xu family, often visiting Huichuntang under the pretext of seeking medical advice.

Xu Changshan treated him well and provided some medical guidance, but he never intended to take him as a disciple, adhering to the tradition of passing down family secrets only to direct descendants.

After Zheng Peian went to Hunan to open a hospital ten years ago, he rarely returned to Dongzhou, but he always called Xu Changshan during holidays and sent local specialties.

Xu Changshan had actually hoped that Zheng Peian would become his son-in-law. Zheng Peian was tall and strong, though not very handsome, but he had a strong masculine presence. He was also a medical professional, optimistic, and an excellent cook, as evidenced by the delicious meal he prepared that day.

Xu Changshan said, "Peian, it's not easy for you to come, and you even cooked. I feel a bit guilty."

Zheng Peian laughed, "I love cooking, and you know that. Give me a chance to show off."

Xu Changshan nodded, and Xu Chunliang filled their glasses, joining them in a toast.

Xu Changshan asked, "When do you plan to go back?"

"I'm not going back!"

"Not going back?"

Zheng Peian nodded. His contract in Hunan had expired, and Changxing Hospital was tightening its leave of absence policy. At forty-five, he felt it was time to settle down. After discussing with Director Gu Houyi, he decided to return to Changxing Hospital and was given the position of Deputy Director of the TCM department, responsible for acupuncture and therapy, effectively splitting the department.

Hearing this, Xu Changshan was delighted. He had always wanted his grandson to join the TCM department, and with Zheng Peian as Deputy Director, it would be easier for Xu Chunliang to join.

Xu Chunliang asked, "Isn't the TCM department small?"

Zheng Peian replied, "Including me, there are only five of us. It's the only department in Changxing Hospital that is understaffed."

Xu Changshan asked, "Isn't Zhu Mingyuan in charge now?"

Zheng Peian laughed, "Uncle, you know our hospital well. Zhu Mingyuan is a tough person to deal with. When Chunliang joined Changxing Hospital, he was originally assigned to the TCM department, but Zhu Mingyuan strongly opposed it."

Xu Changshan later heard from Gao Xinhu that he disliked Zhu Mingyuan.

Zheng Peian had just returned and was not fully aware of the situation. Zhu Mingyuan, his junior, had been diligent in his work, while Zheng Peian had been involved in various businesses. Now, he was far behind Zhu Mingyuan in his medical expertise.

In terms of titles, Zhu Mingyuan had already been promoted to Chief Physician, while Zheng Peian was still a Deputy. He had planned to return and work quietly as a doctor, but Gu Houyi assigned him as Deputy Director, responsible for acupuncture and therapy, effectively splitting the TCM department.

Upon hearing this, Xu Chunliang realized that Gu Houyi was likely dissatisfied with Zhu Mingyuan's handling of the acupuncture incident and was using Zheng Peian's return to reduce Zhu Mingyuan's power, a common leadership tactic.

Knowing they had much to catch up on, Xu Chunliang drank a few more cups of wine with them and then excused himself to handle some work, returning to his room.

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