Chapter 88: Different Paths

Gao Xinhu knew that Zhao Feiyang's phone call would take some time, so he picked up his iPad and started browsing through recipes. Sashimi, sushi, tempura—no matter how he looked at it, the Japanese diet always seemed to have a small-island feel to it.

Dongpo pork, water-boiled fish, Fotiaoqiang—any one of these dishes could easily outshine their offerings, leaving them in the dust.

Finally, Zhao Feiyang finished his call and couldn't help but smile when he saw the Maotai that Gao Xinhu had brought. He had long known that Gao Xinhu didn't enjoy sake, so he had brought two bottles of Maotai himself.

The Maotai he brought was the special Air Force Blue Spear, aged for ten years, and no longer available on the market.

Gao Xinhu guessed that these two bottles must have been taken from his grandfather. When he visited the old company commander during the New Year, the old commander had opened a bottle to entertain him.

Gao Xinhu politely said, "Director Zhao, let's drink mine. You take these two bottles back for the old company commander."

"You only brought one bottle, that's not enough. Let's drink mine, and if there's any left, you can take it all."

Zhao Feiyang asked Gao Xinhu to order the dishes, but Gao Xinhu pushed the iPad towards him, saying he rarely ate Japanese food and didn't know how to order. He asked Zhao Feiyang to order a plate of peanuts for him, as he wasn't picky about the food. Gao Xinhu wasn't empty-handed either; he brought two salted ducks and two boxes of Yuhua tea, gifts from Zhan Ai Hua when he returned from Nanjiang.

Zhao Feiyang noticed that Gao Xinhu didn't enjoy Japanese food, so he called Xu Ying over and asked her to arrange for half a duck to be brought to the table.

Gao Xinhu thought Xu Ying was quite attractive, had a good temperament, and a pleasant personality. From what he had seen, she and Zhao Feiyang seemed to be very familiar. Zhao Feiyang gave her orders without any hesitation, and Xu Ying had no complaints.

Zhao Feiyang was too lazy to order the dishes, so he let Xu Ying take care of it.

After the sashimi and salted duck were served, Gao Xinhu reached for the wine bottle, but Zhao Feiyang got there first, saying it was after work hours and it was only right for the younger brother to pour for the older one. If his grandfather found out that Gao Xinhu was pouring for him, he might break Zhao Feiyang's legs.

Gao Xinhu had no choice but to accept. Although Zhao Feiyang spoke sincerely and warmly, he knew he wasn't Zhao Feiyang's older brother. He wasn't sure if Zhao Feiyang truly saw him as a brother.

Gao Xinhu's greatest strength was his clear-headedness, knowing his own worth. He couldn't think of any reason why Zhao Feiyang would need his help, except for his familiarity with Changxing, but the information he had, others had as well.

The other vice-directors knew Changxing just as well, and each had something that Zhao Feiyang relied on. For example, Qin Guoliang, an expert in cardiology and a Ph.D., was Changxing's golden signboard. And Geng Wenxiu, with her deep background and close ties to the bank, was essential for securing loans.

What did he have that Zhao Feiyang could rely on? Trust? Was that why he was asked to go to the provincial design institute to find experts to design another plan? Gao Xinhu felt increasingly uneasy, fearing that Zhao Feiyang needed not a brother or a close friend, but a subordinate who would unconditionally obey and trust him, ready to face any danger for him.

After they had a drink, Zhao Feiyang said, "You just got back from a business trip, and I called you out for a drink. Your wife won't mind, will she?"

"We've been married for a long time. She's glad not to have to cook for me." Gao Xinhu tapped the table, signaling Zhao Feiyang to pour less. They were using sake cups, and it felt a bit awkward to have his superior pour for him. He had often visited the old company commander's home and knew Zhao Feiyang from a young age. In his memory, Zhao Feiyang was smart, good at reading people, and more like his mother than the straightforward old company commander.

Zhao Feiyang asked, "How did the talk with Professor Li go?"

"What can I say? As long as we're willing to pay, he's willing to serve. People nowadays are very practical. He agreed to come and inspect the site next month and meet you to determine the design direction."

"Thanks for your hard work." Zhao Feiyang raised his glass to him again, drank half, and put it down. "But, the situation has changed."

Gao Xinhu was taken aback, not understanding what Zhao Feiyang meant by "the situation has changed." Did he change his mind and want to find someone else?

"The leaders of the High-tech Zone have already discussed and agreed to hand over the medical land to us for development."

Gao Xinhu showed a pleased expression, but his heart didn't match it. He had heard a rumor that Zhao Feiyang's rapid promotion of Geng Wenxiu was related to her brother, Geng Wenjun, who was the head of the High-tech Zone. This connection must have played a role in Changxing securing the land.

Zhao Feiyang briefly introduced the land situation. The High-tech Zone had planned 300 acres for medical use. His initial plan was to build a modern comprehensive hospital on this land, including outpatient, medical technology, and ward buildings, with a construction area of at least 300,000 square meters, and a total investment of 2 billion yuan.

When Gao Xinhu heard this investment amount, he silently put down his glass. He knew Changxing's financial situation well and knew they couldn't afford this. Even if they took out a loan from the bank, it would be impossible to get such a large amount.

Changxing's total revenue last year was only 1.2 billion yuan, and this year's situation would be worse. In the first three quarters, they had only 800 million yuan, and the full-year revenue would be around 1.1 billion yuan at best, with a profit of about 150 million yuan. If the 2 billion yuan were all from loans, it would take at least 20 years to pay off, assuming the hospital developed well.

Zhao Feiyang sensed Gao Xinhu's silence and smiled. "What's wrong? Do you think it's not feasible?"

Gao Xinhu thought for a moment and expressed his concerns. As he did, he remembered the important information his comrade Zhan Ai Hua had revealed: Zhao Feiyang had been in contact with Huannian Group. Was Zhao Feiyang planning to bring Huannian Group into Dongzhou? This would involve public-private partnerships, which, to his knowledge, had no successful precedents in Pingjiang Province.

Gao Xinhu didn't mention this, as Zhao Feiyang clearly didn't want him to know. He wouldn't betray his friend.

In Zhao Feiyang's view, Gao Xinhu was worried about raising the 2 billion yuan. He told Gao Xinhu that he was seeking support from the city's finance department and would use other channels to raise funds, so there was no need to worry.

Gao Xinhu now understood that Zhao Feiyang was planning a major move in Changxing. He compared Zhao Feiyang to Gu Houyi, and if he had a choice, he would rather work under Gu Houyi. Zhao Feiyang had the spirit and drive of a new generation of officials, which might be good for the stagnant Changxing, but not necessarily for himself.

Gao Xinhu was very clear that Zhao Feiyang saw him as a vanguard, ready to charge into battle. If he accepted, he would be heavily relied upon in the upcoming work, possibly experiencing the thrill and risk of a roller coaster. At his age, he couldn't handle such pressure.

But if he didn't accept, how would Zhao Feiyang see him? Would he still treat him the same way? Gao Xinhu was in a dilemma.

Zhao Feiyang was immersed in the excitement of his grand plans, outlining Changxing's future to Gao Xinhu with passion.

Gao Xinhu saw the young version of the old company commander in Zhao Feiyang, seeing the bloodline of the old commander. But would the young Zhao Feiyang charge forward in the face of danger like the old commander? Gao Xinhu wasn't sure. Despite sitting face to face, he felt he didn't know Zhao Feiyang at all.

Finally, Zhao Feiyang finished his grand plans and looked at the listener across from him, smiling. "Tonight, I've done all the talking. Brother Xinhu, what do you think?"

Gao Xinhu picked up a peanut and slowly chewed it. Due to the Japanese restaurant's preparation method, he couldn't taste the usual aroma and crispness, finding it a bit sticky and bitter.

Gao Xinhu thought for a moment and decided to ask about Zhao Feiyang's plans for the second phase expansion of Changxing. Zhao Feiyang had talked about the land in the High-tech Zone and the modern comprehensive hospital, but he hadn't mentioned the second phase expansion at all. Had he forgotten the foundation of Changxing? The vacant land, though small, could still accommodate a modern ward building.

Zhao Feiyang told Gao Xinhu that the Changxing headquarters needed a modern outpatient building. He planned to upgrade and transform the existing ward building. For Changxing to develop better, they needed to think long-term and not limit their vision to the immediate surroundings.

Gao Xinhu pursed his lips. "I may not understand construction budgets, but I think these two projects together would cost at least 3 billion yuan. Even if we can raise this money, Changxing's debt would reach 3 billion yuan or more, and high debt means high risk."

"I often hear my grandfather talk about your battles. Brother Xinhu, were you afraid on the battlefield?"

Gao Xinhu shook his head. He suddenly realized that Zhao Feiyang didn't understand him at all, not knowing what he was truly worried about. On the battlefield, he had never felt fear because his opponent was the enemy, and his comrades were behind him. He wouldn't retreat, as retreat meant death for himself or his comrades. He would only charge forward.

But now it was a time of peace, and they weren't going to war. Running a business was completely different from fighting a war.

Zhao Feiyang raised his glass with enthusiasm. "If you're not afraid of war, what are you afraid of? As long as we brothers work together, we can definitely make this happen."

Gao Xinhu raised his glass and clinked it with Zhao Feiyang's, drinking it all in one go.

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