Chapter 76: Old Comrades (Thank you, Left Alliance Leader)

Driver Xiao Feng greeted Xu Chunliang. The two often met in Changxing but didn't have a deep friendship.

Xiao Feng drove Xu Chunliang to the Qinghuai Pavilion in the Qinghuai District, a hotel specializing in Huaiyang cuisine. The decor was extremely elegant, and the owner's refined taste was evident from the hotel's style.

Xiao Feng told Xu Chunliang the room number and let him go in himself. Gao Xinzheng arranged for Xiao Feng to eat outside, and Xiao Feng was well aware of his position.

Xu Chunliang entered the hotel, and a beautiful receptionist in a moon-white qipao greeted him with a smile, leading him to the private room where Gao Xinzheng was.

When Xu Chunliang entered, Gao Xinzheng was chatting with his comrade, Zhan Aiwei. Unlike Gao Xinzheng, who had transferred to a hospital, Zhan Aiwei chose to go into business after his military service. After more than twenty years of operation, he had achieved considerable success, and this hotel was one of his properties.

Zhan Aiwei had participated in the Zhe Yinshan Campaign in the 1980s and was awarded a second-class merit. He was injured in the head during the battle, and shrapnel entered his brain. After surgery, he developed a chronic headache, which worsened during rainy or overcast weather. Ten years ago, when his headaches were at their worst, he sought medical help everywhere, but the results were not satisfactory. The hospital suggested a second surgery, but it was Gao Xinzheng who recommended Xu Changshan to him.

After Xu Changshan treated Zhan Aiwei, his headaches significantly improved. Although the condition couldn't be completely cured, as long as he took his medication on time, the intervals between attacks became longer, and each episode was within his tolerance.

Seeing Xu Chunliang enter, Zhan Aiwei quickly stood up to greet him, holding his hand and saying, "Chunliang, you are truly a remarkable person!" He was not tall but had a refined demeanor. If one didn't know his military background, it would be hard to associate him with a former combat hero.

Gao Xinzheng introduced his old comrade to Xu Chunliang, who then understood that Zhan Aiwei had invited him. Gratitude lasts a thousand years, and this showed that Zhan Aiwei was a grateful person.

Zhan Aiwei asked the server to bring the dishes. The wine used was Wuliangye Jiaobei. Due to his old injury, Zhan Aiwei had long given up drinking, and even with Gao Xinzheng, his old comrade, he drank tea instead of wine.

Gao Xinzheng explained that he had learned about Xu Chunliang being in Nanjiang while talking to Old Xu, and that's why he had the driver bring him over for dinner. Xu Chunliang didn't believe in such coincidences and suspected that his grandfather was the one who was worried about him.

Zhan Aiwei raised his teacup and said, "I don't drink, so I can only offer tea tonight. Please don't think I'm being rude."

Gao Xinzheng said, "No need to be formal with us. You just need to treat us well, and we'll enjoy the food and drinks."

Zhan Aiwei laughed heartily and said, "Whenever you and Chunliang come to Nanjiang, I will treat you as my guests."

Gao Xinzheng said, "Then I'll stay in Nanjiang forever."

Zhan Aiwei replied, "Then I'll take care of you for life."

Xu Chunliang also laughed, and it was clear that the bond between the two comrades was very strong.

After drinking two cups of wine, Gao Xinzheng asked Xu Chunliang why he had come to Nanjiang for training.

Xu Chunliang explained that he had just joined the Medical Affairs Department and was not yet familiar with the work. There was a training opportunity, so he came to learn.

At this moment, a receptionist came to inform Zhan Aiwei that an important guest had arrived at the hotel. Gao Xinzheng told him to go and take care of it, as business was important.

After Zhan Aiwei left, Gao Xinzheng could speak more openly. He looked at Xu Chunliang meaningfully and said, "Are you unhappy with the recent personnel changes in the Medical Affairs Department and planning to quit?" Xu Chunliang's sudden training trip seemed suspicious.

Xu Chunliang shook his head and smiled. Did Gao Xinzheng really think he was so petty? He didn't bother to explain his true purpose for coming to Nanjiang and raised his wine glass to toast Gao Xinzheng, "Uncle Gao, are you here for a meeting?"

Gao Xinzheng drank the wine and sighed, "I've been at the provincial design institute for the past few days. Director Zhao is dissatisfied with the design for the second phase of the project." Realizing he had said too much, he told Xu Chunliang, "Don't mention this to anyone."

"Are you still not sure about me?"

"You're still young, and some of Director Zhao's words shouldn't be taken too seriously." Gao Xinzheng was referring to the decision to have Xu Chunliang head the Medical Affairs Department. Both Huang Lide and Yang Zhenggang had more experience than Xu Chunliang, and it was unheard of for a new recruit to become the head of the Medical Affairs Department in a top-tier hospital.

Through Xu Chunliang's handling of several disputes in the Medical Affairs Department, Gao Xinzheng had gained confidence in this young man. He believed that Xu Chunliang could handle the position of head of the Medical Affairs Department, but in government and public institutions, background and relationships were more important than ability, followed by experience and titles.

The hospital workplace was a mix of business and politics, more pragmatic than the business world and more ruthless than the political arena.

"Have you heard that you and Director Zhao are classmates from the Party School?"

Gao Xinzheng nodded, "I've known him for a long time. His father was my old company commander, and both Zhan Aiwei and I were soldiers under him."

Mentioning Zhao Feiyang, Gao Xinzheng's mood became complicated. Since coming to Changxing, Zhao Feiyang had started to negate the policies set by Gu Houyi. His first move was to marginalize the first deputy director, Yan Huiyi, and reappoint Geng Wenxiu.

The hospital's second phase expansion project, which was almost finalized, was also rejected by Zhao Feiyang, who claimed the design was outdated. Gao Xinzheng was sent to Nanjiang to contact senior designers at the provincial design institute to re-plan the project.

Gao Xinzheng didn't think there was anything wrong with the plan set by Gu Houyi. He had worked hard for six years on the second phase expansion, considering all aspects of the project. While the current plan might not be the most advanced, it was the most suitable for Changxing's current situation.

Zhao Feiyang's approach was aggressive, and as his deputy, Gao Xinzheng didn't feel right opposing him. Although he and Zhao Feiyang's father had a long-standing friendship and were close, this didn't mean he could speak freely to Zhao Feiyang.

Xu Chunliang came to the dinner mainly out of respect for Gao Xinzheng. He didn't like meaningless social gatherings and preferred to return and practice.

Gao Xinzheng had heard about the personnel changes in the Medical Affairs Department and thought Xu Chunliang's training trip to Nanjiang was a sign of dissatisfaction with the hospital's arrangements. He reassured Xu Chunliang and promised to talk to Zhao Feiyang about his concerns. However, Gao Xinzheng was still thinking in conventional terms and didn't fully understand Xu Chunliang.

After half an hour, Zhan Aiwei returned and saw that the bottle of wine was almost empty. He asked the server to bring another one.

Gao Xinzheng waved his hand, "No more. I have to go to the design institute tomorrow to discuss the plan. Drinking too much could cause problems."

"Let the young man drink more, and you drink less. You must enjoy yourself when you come here."

Xu Chunliang smiled, "Uncle Zhan, I won't drink either. My grandfather specifically told me not to drink too much on this trip."

Hearing him mention Old Xu, Zhan Aiwei didn't insist. He owed a favor to Old Xu and always remembered it.

Xu Chunliang didn't have much in common with them and didn't want to stay longer. He proposed leaving early to rest, and Gao Xinzheng arranged for Xiao Feng to take him back.

After Xu Chunliang left, Zhan Aiwei said, "You seem to care a lot about Xiao Xu. Is he related to Xiaobai...?"

Gao Xinzheng shook his head, "Don't make assumptions. It's just that Old Xu and my father were close friends, and I treat Chunliang like my own child."

"To be honest, this young man is really impressive, and he knows how to handle people well." Zhan Aiwei had a purpose in saying this. He very much liked Gao Xinzheng's precious daughter and wanted to match her with his son, Zhan Tianhang. Hearing Gao Xinzheng's words, he felt relieved.

Gao Xinzheng nodded in agreement, recalling how Xu Chunliang had changed since coming to Changxing. He realized that work had transformed him, and although he knew young people grew quickly, Xu Chunliang's growth still amazed him.

Seeing Gao Xinzheng's troubled mind, Zhan Aiwei handed him a cigarette and lit it for him.

Gao Xinzheng took a puff and said, "How well do you know Zhao Feiyang?"

Zhan Aiwei laughed, "You're both in Dongzhou and have more contact with him than I do. Why are you asking me?"

"Sometimes being too close makes it hard to see clearly."

"That's because you have presbyopia." Zhan Aiwei lit a cigarette for himself.

"He's now my superior, and he used to call me 'Brother Xinzheng.' I find this new relationship a bit hard to adjust to."

"Blame yourself for not advancing fast enough. Are you feeling unbalanced?"

Gao Xinzheng smiled, "I'm not unbalanced. I just feel that the Zhao Feiyang I see now is different from the one I remember."

"Is he treating you badly?"

Gao Xinzheng shook his head. It wasn't that he was treating him badly, but rather too well. Entrusting him with the important task of re-planning the project showed his trust, but this made Gao Xinzheng feel conflicted.

The former director, Gu Houyi, had always treated him well, and what he was doing now made him feel guilty.

"Is Zhao Feiyang making you do something you don't want to do but can't refuse?" As a comrade who had shared life and death, Zhan Aiwei saw through his inner turmoil.

Gao Xinzheng nodded and took a deep puff of the cigarette.

"When you asked me about Zhao Feiyang, he is a man with great ambition."

Zhan Aiwei spoke tactfully, but Gao Xinzheng understood that ambition equaled ambition. Having ambition as the head of Changxing wasn't bad, but having too much ambition was something to consider. Following an ambitious person wasn't safe, a lesson Gao Xinzheng had learned from his long career. He had no great ambitions and just wanted to work peacefully until retirement.

Gao Xinzheng spoke freely with his old comrade, pouring out the confusion that had been weighing on him for days.

Fourth update, please support with votes!

Thank you, Left Alliance Leader, for the generous support, here is an extra chapter! This is the fourth update today! There will definitely be a fifth update today! Maybe even a sixth and seventh! Let's all work hard together!