Chapter 77: Wangjiang Tower (Additional Chapter for 1,000 Monthly Votes)

Zhan Ai Hua was not part of the system, but he understood the intricate relationships within it. After listening to Gao Xin Hua vent his frustrations, Zhan Ai Hua said, "There's something I've never mentioned to you. Last week, Zhao Fei Yang came to Nanjiang and arranged a dinner at Qinghuai Cottage. He invited Duan Yuan Hong, the vice president of Huannian Group."

Gao Xin Hua was taken aback. If he hadn't just poured out so much, Zhan Ai Hua probably wouldn't have brought this up. But what did this mean? Huannian Group was a well-known listed company with two subsidiaries, but it seemed to have nothing to do with healthcare.

Zhan Ai Hua noticed Gao Xin Hua's confusion and whispered, "Huannian Group's performance has been poor in recent years, and they are undergoing a transformation. As far as I know, their future focus will be on the health industry, and Duan Yuan Hong is in charge of this project."

Huannian Group entering the health industry? This could reasonably explain Zhao Fei Yang's contact with them. Zhao Fei Yang was ambitious, boldly proposing at the hospital board meeting that he would achieve a second leap for Changxing during his term, surpassing other hospitals in Dongzhou, changing the current medical landscape, and breaking the existing model to establish a new medical paradigm for the 21st century.

In the past, Gao Xin Hua thought Zhao Fei Yang was young and impulsive, even considering him somewhat boastful. But now he suddenly realized that Zhao Fei Yang was already preparing for everything he had said.

The fundamental reason for the temporary halt of Changxing's Phase II expansion project was funding. Given Changxing's current operating status, it was impossible to obtain the desired loan amount from the bank. Zhao Fei Yang's Phase II project was far more than just an expansion. His guiding principles were very clear: if they were to build, it would be a top-notch ward building leading in Dongzhou, and even in the province.

In Gao Xin Hua's view, the limited space for Phase II and Changxing's financial situation could not support Zhao Fei Yang's ambitions. So, Zhao Fei Yang was thinking of leveraging external forces? But Changxing was a large public hospital, and there had been no precedent in Dongzhou for a public hospital to collaborate with a private company. Even with Huannian Group's substantial strength, once the issue of public and private interests was involved, things would become extremely sensitive.

Gao Xin Hua pondered for a long time, the cigarette in his hand almost burning out.

Zhan Ai Hua handed him another cigarette, and Gao Xin Hua snapped back to reality, smiling bitterly, "I must be getting old, always getting distracted."

"You're not old, just preoccupied."

Zhan Ai Hua lit his cigarette and gave him a piece of advice, "Zhao Fei Yang is ambitious, while you are content with the status quo. This will inevitably lead to conflicts. The old battalion commander has been good to you, and you might find yourself in a difficult position."

Gao Xin Hua sighed, "You know me best. Since you see everything so clearly, help me out."

"Either join him or stay out of it."

Xu Chunliang found that Cheng Xiaohong was right. This industry training was essentially a paid vacation. Lectures were scheduled in the morning, and the afternoon was free for discussion, which was more like a break. Even the morning sessions were just for attendance, and one could leave at any time.

On the first afternoon of the training, Xu Chunliang went to Nanjiang Normal University to visit Bai Moshan, who taught in the history department. Without Bai Moshan's current phone number, he didn't make an appointment and found that Bai Moshan was in Beijing for a conference on oracle bone script.

Xu Chunliang left a letter written by his grandfather with the security guard, hoping Bai Moshan would contact him upon receiving it.

He then visited the Nanjiang Museum near the university, which had a richer collection of oracle bone script than the Dongzhou Museum, hoping to find something of interest.

While wandering alone in the museum, he received a call from an unknown number. Xu Chunliang stepped outside the exhibition hall to answer it. The caller was Mo Han, who called to thank him and extend an invitation.

The patient, Luan Yuchuan, whom Xu Chunliang had rescued on the high-speed train, wanted to thank them for saving his life and had arranged a dinner at Wangjiang Tower for that evening.

Usually, such invitations would be made a few days in advance, but Mo Han explained that Li Jiakuan was leaving the next day, so the dinner was set for that evening. Luan Yuchuan specifically asked that Xu Chunliang be invited, hoping he would attend.

Since the invitation was so sincere, Xu Chunliang agreed. Mo Han asked where he was and said she would send someone to pick him up.

It was already 4:30 PM, and they agreed to meet at the museum exit in an hour.

When Xu Chunliang left the museum, it was raining, a light drizzle that blurred the surroundings.

He hurried to the exit and saw Mo Han holding a transparent umbrella, standing like a delicate black lotus in the misty rain, unexpectedly coming to pick him up herself.

Xu Chunliang ran to Mo Han, and she raised the umbrella to shield him from the fine rain.

Xu Chunliang smiled, "Don't worry about me, the rain isn't heavy."

"You are a distinguished guest of Mr. Luan. If I neglect you, he will blame me." Mo Han wore sunglasses, her face as pale as ever, her voice pleasant but lacking warmth.

Xu Chunliang took the umbrella from her, offering to hold it. He estimated Mo Han was about 1.68 meters tall, with a perfect figure and long legs, combining beauty and grace.

They got into a black G-Class SUV. Xu Chunliang liked the car's square, rugged design. He noticed Mo Han seemed to prefer black, from her clothing to the car, though it made her look even paler.

Mo Han looked to be in her early twenties, an age that should be vibrant, but she appeared as desolate and cold as late autumn.

"How long have you been practicing traditional Chinese medicine?"

"I'm not a doctor!" Xu Chunliang said honestly.

Mo Han fell silent, finding him untrustworthy. She didn't ask further, instead turning on the music, a soothing piano melody filling the car.

Xu Chunliang didn't initiate conversation, instead gazing out the window at the rainy streets.

Li Jiakuan called to ask if he would be coming that evening. Xu Chunliang told him he was on his way, and Li Jiakuan said he might be late as he was showing his son a house.

Wangjiang Tower was located north of the Yangtze River, and they needed to cross the river through an underwater tunnel. Without traffic, it took only a few minutes to cross, a journey that would have taken an hour by boat in the past.

Xu Chunliang marveled at the rapid development of society, many things unimaginable in his past life.

The landscape remained the same, but the people had changed.

As the car entered the tunnel, the light dimmed, and Xu Chunliang closed his eyes.

Mo Han glanced at him, seeing him completely absorbed in the music.

Xu Chunliang's attention, however, was on Mo Han's breathing. Her breaths were slow and deep, almost inaudible, a characteristic of someone who practiced qi cultivation.

He tried to detect her heartbeat but, with his diminished inner strength, his hearing was not as sharp as before. Despite his efforts, he couldn't hear her heartbeat.

Xu Chunliang had personally saved Luan Yuchuan and knew his condition well. He was certain Luan Yuchuan was not a cultivator, leaving him to wonder about the relationship between Mo Han and Luan Yuchuan.

The south side of a mountain and the north side of a river are considered yang. Wangjiang Tower, though not an ancient site, was a modern replica built at the beginning of the century, constructed with ancient methods, a stone base, and a wooden structure, all joined with mortise and tenon joints, giving it a classical charm. Due to its remote location, there were no tourists nearby.

Mo Han parked the car, and Xu Chunliang got out, standing on the platform of the parking lot, looking south to see the muddy river water flowing by.

Mo Han closed the car door, the rain almost stopping, and she didn't use the umbrella.

Xu Chunliang asked, "Why is the river so muddy?"

"It's like this when it rains. It's better on clear days." Mo Han, used to the scenery, didn't even glance at the river.

Xu Chunliang nodded, remembering the Yangtze River differently.

At that moment, a black Audi Q5 arrived, driven by Xu Donglai, who came with his wife, Yan Hongying.

Xu Chunliang and Mo Han waited for them to get out and went in together.

Upon seeing Xu Chunliang again, Xu Donglai was very enthusiastic, walking up and shaking his hand vigorously, "I said we would meet again."

Xu Chunliang, who didn't remember him saying that, smiled and responded, "You have a good sense of foresight, Director Xu."

Xu Donglai introduced Xu Chunliang to his wife, who had heard about their rescue on the high-speed train and couldn't hide her admiration, "Mr. Xu is so young."

Xu Donglai laughed, "Surprised, aren't you? Where's Old Li?"

Though it was only their second meeting, they felt very close and familiar. This was normal, as people often form a special bond after sharing difficult experiences.

Xu Chunliang explained that Li Jiakuan would be late due to house hunting.

Mo Han invited them inside, as it was still drizzling.

Upon entering Wangjiang Tower, they realized they were the only guests that evening, showing Luan Yuchuan's sincerity and his substantial resources.

As a native of Nanjiang, Xu Donglai had heard of Wangjiang Tower, known as one of the top business clubs in the city, with a meal costing over 2,000 yuan per person. He brought his wife not only because he needed someone to drive after drinking but also to let her experience it.

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Chapter 5 is here, and I've already updated 15,000 words today. With 2,000 monthly votes, the sixth update is on the way! I'm staying home to write during the holiday!

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