Chapter 54

Xu Chunliang smiled and said, "I told you, doesn't it hurt?"

Lin Yougang didn't even have the energy to curse him. He looked as worried as a three-year-old, and all he wanted now was to go to the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) department to find Zheng Peian for some acupuncture. Speaking of which, Old Zheng's acupuncture skills were really top-notch; he had cured Lin Yougang's toothache before.

Xu Chunliang deliberately said, "You seem to be in a lot of pain."

"Of course... ouch... it hurts so much..."

"Shall I ask Director Zheng to come and give you a few needles?"

Lin Yougang nodded repeatedly. He had just complained about the man and now wanted to find him for acupuncture, worrying that Old Zheng might take the opportunity to retaliate.

But Xu Chunliang shook his head and said, "Forget it. You just wanted to report Director Zheng. If you repay kindness with enmity, I'm sure he won't treat you." He turned to leave.

Lin Yougang grabbed him, his face contorted with pain, pleading with him. Toothache wasn't a serious illness, but the pain could be unbearable.

From the first time he saw this guy, Xu Chunliang knew he had a Yangming fire syndrome. He learned that Lin Yougang had deliberately caused trouble to smear Zheng Peian.

Xu Chunliang decided to fight fire with fire. He provoked him with words and gave him barley tea, which is known to cause internal heat, to exacerbate Lin Yougang's condition. Xu Chunliang even added a few slices of ginseng, which also cause internal heat.

In Xu Chunliang's view, not poisoning him directly was already an act of mercy.

Lin Yougang already had a lot of internal heat, and Xu Chunliang's actions were like adding fuel to the fire. With a two-pronged approach, Lin Yougang's old ailment flared up before he even left the mediation room.

Xu Chunliang was right; his previous toothache wasn't as bad as this one. Lin Yougang was in so much pain that he wished he could slap his cheeks. Now, if his toothache could be cured, he would be happy to give Zheng Peian a thousand yuan, no matter what.

Lin Yougang, in pain, said, "I won't report... anymore..."

Xu Chunliang said, "That won't do. We need to clarify things."

Lin Yougang couldn't bear it anymore. He just wanted to leave and see a doctor. He let go of Xu Chunliang and held his cheek, heading for the door. But Xu Chunliang grabbed him, "Don't rush. We need to resolve this first."

Lin Yougang, with a pained expression, said, "It hurts so much... let me go... I need to see a doctor... ouch..."

"Everything has its order. You're a big man, can't you endure a little pain? Come, I'll take you to the disciplinary office to get your thousand yuan back."

"I don't want it... let me... go... ouch..."

"That won't do. Even if you don't want the money, we need to clarify things. Didn't you say Director Zheng asked you for a red envelope?" Xu Chunliang pulled him toward the disciplinary office.

Lin Yougang, on the verge of tears, said, "Don't pull me... let me go... it was me... I gave it voluntarily... it has nothing to do with Director Zheng... ouch... it hurts so much..."

Xu Chunliang chuckled, "Really nothing to do with him?"

Lin Yougang shook his head.

"Did you top up the phone bill without Director Zheng's knowledge?"

Lin Yougang nodded. He just wanted to end this quickly and find someone to give him an anesthetic. The pain was unbearable.

Xu Chunliang let go. The mediation room had surveillance cameras. Since the incident with Tong Meili, they had added more cameras to ensure no blind spots. Everything that happened in the room was recorded.

Xu Chunliang didn't care where Lin Yougang went to see a doctor; he only cared if he had resolved the issue for Zheng Peian.

Xu Chunliang called Zheng Peian and told him everything was fine. Lin Yougang would likely still go to him for acupuncture. This matter wasn't simple; there might be someone behind Lin Yougang.

Zheng Peian understood and told Xu Chunliang he would handle it. At the end of the day, Zheng Peian specifically came to the medical department. He seemed in a good mood. Everything went as Xu Chunliang had predicted. In the end, Lin Yougang, despite his pride, went to the TCM department to find him.

Yangming fire syndrome wasn't a serious condition. Although Zheng Peian had been on unpaid leave for many years, he never gave up his professional expertise. Although he disapproved of Lin Yougang's actions, he agreed to treat him, but with a condition: Lin Yougang had to reveal who had instructed him to frame him.

Lin Yougang would rather not be treated than reveal the information, so he endured the pain and went to the dental department.

Zheng Peian couldn't get the information out of him. He heard about the new dean appointing Xu Chunliang to head the medical department. He had been back for a few days and, due to his relationship with the Xu family, had been paying attention to Xu Chunliang. He learned that the young man was doing well in the medical department and had witnessed his outstanding abilities today. He had planned to take care of him, but instead, he was taken care of.

Zheng Peian invited Xu Chunliang to dinner to celebrate his promotion and to thank him for his help today. Xu Chunliang politely declined, as he had promised to go home early to have dinner with his grandfather.

Zheng Peian said he would be alone at home anyway and offered to go with him to have a few drinks with the old man.

Xu Chunliang saw it was time to leave, so he tidied up and left with him.

On their way downstairs, they met Deputy Dean Gao Xinhu. Xu Chunliang greeted him.

Gao Xinhu was waiting for Dean Zhao Feiyang to finish work. They had plans for the evening. Recently, they had been meeting almost every day, not for drinks but for Zhao Feiyang to quickly understand the internal situation of Changxing through Gao Xinhu.

Seeing Xu Chunliang, Gao Xinhu couldn't help but give him some advice. After all, the medical department was a significant responsibility, and Xu Chunliang was so young. He was worried he might not be able to handle it. He had been busy and hadn't had time to visit the old man, so he asked Xu Chunliang to convey his regards.

As they were talking, Dean Zhao Feiyang came over. Zheng Peian and the new dean had no prior connection, so Gao Xinhu introduced them.

Zhao Feiyang was very friendly, shook hands with Zheng Peian, and encouraged Xu Chunliang to do his best.

Xu Chunliang smiled and said he wouldn't let his leader down.

Watching Zhao Feiyang and Gao Xinhu drive away, Zheng Peian said, "You and Dean Zhao are close?" He realized the question was unnecessary; if they weren't close, Zhao Feiyang wouldn't have appointed the young Xu Chunliang to head the medical department.

Xu Chunliang shook his head. Before Zhao Feiyang came to Changxing, they had only met once. He didn't bother explaining, as no one would believe him. Xu Chunliang thought Zhao Feiyang's decision to use him was more symbolic, showing that he would use anyone he wanted, regardless of their education or experience.

Xu Chunliang had a clear understanding of himself. He was the wood in the "moving the wood to establish trust" story, the bone in the "buying the bone for a thousand gold" story. He didn't have that kind of relationship with the new dean, Zhao Feiyang.

Zheng Peian's impression of Xu Chunliang was from over a decade ago, when he was just a little boy, lacking parental care, and somewhat introverted. He was afraid of strangers and seemed very insecure.

Zheng Peian had no children and lacked experience in this area. Xu Chunliang's performance in Changxing impressed him, and he felt a lot of emotion. The world belonged to these young people now.

The two walked to Huichun Hall, buying some vegetables on the way. Xu Chunliang suggested buying some ready-made dishes for a simple meal, but Zheng Peian, who had an unusual interest in cooking, bought many fresh ingredients and insisted on cooking himself.

Although Lin Yougang didn't reveal the instigator, Xu Chunliang still believed someone was behind the incident, with a clear purpose. It was likely that Zheng Peian's arrival had threatened someone's interests.

Zheng Peian said there was no need to pursue it further. Lin Yougang had suffered enough. As long as he didn't cause more trouble, the matter could be considered closed. With so many patients every day, all kinds of people would come, and trouble was inevitable. This incident also reminded him to be more vigilant in his work, like reporting to the disciplinary department first.