Chapter 833 - 801: Flexibility
Xu Chunliang said, "Going back to the Beijing Office?" Because the decision regarding his handling was to return from where he came, he extrapolated for himself, thinking Fu Guomin might be in the same situation as him.
Fu Guomin smiled wryly, "I’d like to go back, but the leaders don’t agree, Chunliang, I’m sorry, I dragged you down this time."
Xu Chunliang said, "What are you talking about, if anyone should be sorry, it’s me, because my transfer caused you to make a mistake." Although Xu Chunliang didn’t really think so, he still had to say these polite words.
Fu Guomin said, "Mistakes aren’t made at will; the leaders have to think you’re qualified to make them."
Xu Chunliang said nothing, Fu Guomin was also a perceptive person, having honed his skills in the Beijing Office for years, he clearly knew the main reason for his removal, and the excuse of favoritism was just that, an excuse.
However, there were parts Fu Guomin couldn’t understand, for instance, Xu Chunliang’s handling seemed abrupt, Xu Chunliang was just a junior, there was no need to single him out, sending him back meant clearing him out of Changxing Hospital, wasn’t this making a big deal out of nothing?
Fu Guomin was now in no mood to think about Xu Chunliang’s situation, after all, he was like a clay Buddha crossing a river, unable to protect himself.
Fu Guomin and Xu Chunliang did not discuss their recent gains and losses, because they both knew such discussions were meaningless.
Xu Chunliang did not go home, he had Fu Guomin drop him off at Changshan Hospital.
The hospital was still in a trial operation phase, and business was extremely booming.
Xu Chunliang invited Fu Guomin to sit inside, but Fu Guomin was not in the mood, using the excuse of needing to organize, he chose to leave.
Xu Chunliang held a cardboard box, watching Fu Guomin fade into the distance, Fu Guomin’s departure signaled the end of his brief career at the Culture and Tourism Bureau, yet Xu Chunliang’s mood was not greatly affected, through this incident his understanding of the system deepened, and he did not blame anyone.
Xu Chunliang returned to his office holding the cardboard box, and just as he was opening the door, Gu Houyi happened to pass by and quickly came over to help, Xu Chunliang placed the box on the desk and said thank you.
Since Xu Chunliang rarely visited the hospital, Gu Houyi couldn’t help but be curious, "Xiaoxu, how come you have the time to come today?"
Xu Chunliang laughed, "I made a mistake, got kicked out by the Culture and Tourism Bureau."
Gu Houyi was stunned, "Kicked out? What’s the situation?"
Xu Chunliang recounted his predicament, indeed he had come to the hospital partly to meet Gu Houyi and consult with the old dean on the matter, Gu Houyi had worked in leadership positions at Changxing for many years and was experienced, Xu Chunliang also wanted to hear his suggestions.
After listening, Gu Houyi realized Xu Chunliang had run into such big trouble, Dongzhou Barbecue’s sudden rise was too fast, at the time Gu Houyi had felt that Dongzhou Culture and Tourism could use barbecue as a breakthrough, but if barbecue became the focus of their development, it might lack sustainability.
Reality proved that Gu Houyi’s concerns were not unfounded.
Gu Houyi said, "What do you think yourself?"
Xu Chunliang said, "I don’t mind, it’s revolutionary work, wherever I go it’s the same."
Gu Houyi laughed, "They say a good horse doesn’t eat the grass behind, aren’t you afraid of being laughed at?"
Xu Chunliang said, "Fall down where you will, get back up there, when I first heard about the punishment, I was upset and wanted to give up, but if I did, it would mean conceding defeat, giving others the impression I really did get into the bureau through connections, negating all my previous efforts."
Gu Houyi nodded emphatically, "Exactly, a person lives for pride, a tree lives for bark, staying isn’t conceding defeat, it’s about standing for what’s right, proving yourself, not compromising, even if you leave, it should be on your own terms!"
Gu Houyi thought back to his own experience, having been forced to leave Changxing, the sting of which still lingered, it was only afterwards he understood, the reason he was moved to the Old Science and Technology Association wasn’t for any unforgivable mistake, but because he was blocking someone else’s path, only his leaving would make way for Zhao Feiyang.
Xu Chunliang laughed, "Exactly, your words have enlightened me."
Gu Houyi looked at the young man with appreciation, actually, he didn’t need his opinion, Xu Chunliang had initiative and determination.
Still, Gu Houyi offered some advice to Xu Chunliang, in truth, there was room for maneuvering in this matter, being sent from where he came meant from the Culture and Tourism Bureau to the Health Bureau, not necessarily returning to Changxing Hospital.
Procedurally, Xu Chunliang was to report first to the Health Bureau, which would then handle personnel arrangements. Returning to Changxing would be a loss of face, and Zhao Feiyang might not be willing to accept him, opposing it is possible too.
But if Xu Chunliang had other options, the Health Bureau could answer to the superiors, and Zhao Feiyang likely wouldn’t comment.
Gu Houyi reminded Xu Chunliang not to forget about the former vice president of Changxing, Yan Huaiyi, the enemy of an enemy is a friend, since Zhao Feiyang took office at Changxing, he had repeatedly oppressed Yan Huaiyi, which led Yan Huaiyi to find connections to transfer to the City Infectious Disease Hospital, where he now serves as the head.
Xu Chunliang had dealt with Yan Huaiyi several times and Yan Huaiyi greatly appreciated him, at one point wanting to recruit Xu Chunliang to help him when he first went to the Infectious Disease Hospital, it eventually fell through due to Xu Chunliang’s polite refusal.
Xu Chunliang was reminded by Gu Houyi and immediately recalled this matter.
Gu Houyi was willing to pave the way for him, so he immediately picked up the phone and contacted Yan Huaiyi.
Yan Huaiyi heard that Xu Chunliang intended to come to the Infectious Disease Hospital, and agreed without hesitation. He immediately proposed that Xu Chunliang take the position of office director. Yan Huaiyi hadn’t kept this position reserved for Xu Chunliang all along; rather, since he went to the Infectious Disease Hospital, his work had not progressed, and he desperately needed a capable person like Xu Chunliang.
Gu Houyi hung up the phone and smiled at Xu Chunliang: "It’s a perfect match, Yan Huaiyi welcomes you to the Infectious Disease Hospital, I’ll inform the Health Bureau."
Xu Chunliang said: "Then I’ll trouble you with that, by the way, my grandfather still doesn’t know about this, please don’t tell him."
Gu Houyi smiled and said: "I understand."
Xu Chunliang remembered that Ji Jiajia would come here next week and explained her situation to Gu Houyi. Xu Chunliang’s idea was to let this girl suffer a little, or she wouldn’t know how tough life can be.
Gu Houyi thought it best to first introduce her to Tang Mingmei and arrange some manageable work for her, and once she was familiar with the hospital environment, then let her learn medicine with Elder Xu if she proved to be suitable.
As Xu Chunliang chatted with Gu Houyi for so long, he didn’t talk about Changshan Hospital’s current business situation. Actually, it wasn’t necessary to discuss it because it was obvious. As a newly opened private hospital, Changshan Hospital’s business was already booming.
Gu Houyi’s management was excellent, and the secret recipes provided by Xu Chunliang were extremely effective, saving many patients from the pain of surgery. With an ailment like hemorrhoids, whoever can avoid surgery would.
When Xu Chunliang left the hospital, he specifically went to look at Zheng Peian’s specialist clinic. Zheng Peian was surrounded by patients, so busy that he didn’t have time to talk to him, only managing to say he’d join Xu Chunliang for lunch and then immediately returned to examining patients.
Xu Chunliang hadn’t planned to stay, allowing Zheng Peian to remain busy.
Just as Su Qing called, inviting him to Binhu Heaven and Earth for tea, her voice tired, seemingly wronged.
Xu Chunliang went straight to the agreed place by taxi.
Su Qing was already waiting at the Nanhu Tea House, sitting alone by the lake, staring blankly at the water.
Xu Chunliang walked around in front of her and noticed she was wearing sunglasses. He leaned closer for a better look: "Crying? What’s this?"
Su Qing turned her face away: "Don’t look at me, annoying!"
Xu Chunliang smiled, sat across from her, called over a waiter, and ordered a pot of aged Pu’er tea.
Su Qing sighed in relief, turned her face, and looked at him through her sunglasses: "You seem pretty carefree."
Xu Chunliang said: "I’ve always been like this."
Su Qing said: "It’s infuriating how you’ve been wronged. I feel indignant for you."
Xu Chunliang laughed heartily.
Su Qing said: "What are you laughing at? I’m so angry. The station insists on airing negative news about Dongzhou Barbecue while ignoring major incidents like the subway collapse. What are they afraid of? What are they covering up? On what grounds do you have to take the fall for it?"
Xu Chunliang felt somewhat touched. Su Qing wasn’t bothered for the sake of truth, nor for something like press freedom, but for him. Su Qing regarded his issues as more significant than anything, no matter how much grievance she herself might suffer, she couldn’t bear to see Xu Chunliang suffer any injustice.
Su Qing had personally witnessed how Xu Chunliang boosted the popularity of Dongzhou Barbecue and how he managed to turn the tide when it faced a public opinion crisis, and yet it ended like this. Politics truly lacks reason.
Su Qing said: "I don’t want to do this anymore. All crows under the sun are black; there’s no essential difference between Pinghai Satellite TV and Dongzhou TV Station; all those people are birds of a feather."
Xu Chunliang said: "Alright, stop being impulsive. You just switched from Dongzhou TV Station to Provincial Satellite TV not long ago. If you leave again, what will people think of you?"
"I don’t care how others see me!" Su Qing said, looking at Xu Chunliang. Even her sunglasses couldn’t hide the gentle light in her eyes, as if she only cared about how the person in front of her saw her, oblivious to everyone else.
Xu Chunliang said: "Actually, the rules within the system have always been like this. The reason we feel imbalanced is because this happened to us. The impact on me is not huge; the ones truly hurt are Secretary Geng, Director Fu, and those people."
Su Qing said: "I don’t care about others, I just can’t stand seeing you being wronged... I feel indignant for you..." As she spoke, her eyes began to redden.
It’s hard to bear the favor of a beauty, Xu Chunliang also found it difficult to handle this, gently patting Su Qing’s fair hand. Is this girl assigned by the heavens to test my resolve?
Here’s the fourth update, asking for your monthly vote; I’ll write more this afternoon, there should be another update.