From Evil Sect Leader to Doctor

Qiao Rulong did not get angry when Xu Chunliang called him out in person, and smiled: "Those investigating you are my friends, those investigating me are my enemies."

Xu Chunliang nodded: "You’ve got me all confused, are we friends or enemies?"

Qiao Rulong said: "You and I are the same, never considering each other as true friends. You respect me because I’m Xiaoxue’s brother, and I am polite to you because you’re Xiaoxue’s boyfriend. Once your relationship changes, you and I will have no connection, wouldn’t you agree?"

Xu Chunliang said: "Listening to you, it kind of makes sense."

Qiao Rulong said: "You’re a sensible person and indeed have some abilities, but you also have many shortcomings." His gaze swept over the photo on the table: "I’m not talking about your penchant for flirting; your biggest shortcoming is your background."

Xu Chunliang looked at Qiao Rulong, thinking to himself, do you have to be so straightforward?

Qiao Rulong said: "Xiaoxue asked me to tell you that she doesn’t want to continue the relationship with you."

Xu Chunliang said: "She’s in Dongzhou and won’t tell me in person?"

Qiao Rulong said: "Don’t doubt it, our Qiao Family is very democratic, no one forced her to do anything against her will. She’s grown up and finally realized that you’re not the same kind of people."

Qiao Rulong took out a box and gently pushed it in front of Xu Chunliang. Xu Chunliang opened it, revealing the gift his parents gave to Mei Ru Xue.

Xu Chunliang said: "Did you show her these photos?"

Qiao Rulong shook his head: "I’m not that despicable, and I never think these things would affect a woman’s choice. If she likes you, she won’t worry about these rumors but would choose to defeat these petty characters and hold you firmly in her hands."

Xu Chunliang smiled: "Your words of experience."

Qiao Rulong laughed heartily, raised his cup of tea, took a sip, and said: "We’re both rational people; it’s good to solve problems calmly like this. Frankly, you and I are different. We’ve never belonged to the same world. Even if you and Xiaoxue barely come together, the end won’t be happy."

Xu Chunliang calmly said: "Is this a curse?"

"It’s advice, and the person most hurt will certainly be you." After pausing, he added: "It might even affect those around you."

Xu Chunliang said: "Since you’re being so frank, let me ask: is it because of what happened to you that ruined your political future, thus the Qiao Family placed this burden on Xiaoxue’s shoulders?"

Qiao Rulong’s fingers tapped the table, and from his body language, Xu Chunliang sensed his inner unease.

Qiao Rulong was silent for quite a while before he said: "Being born into the Qiao Family is more burdensome than others. You should feel lucky; being born into an ordinary family is actually much more fortunate."

Xu Chunliang said: "Everyone has their own happiness, it’s just whether you want to fight for it."

Qiao Rulong said: "I hope that from today onwards, you and Xiaoxue will have a complete break. Soon you’ll realize that your feelings for each other aren’t as profound as imagined."

Xu Chunliang said: "I’m not someone who likes entanglements, but I still want to hear her say it to me personally."

Qiao Rulong shook his head and said: "She will soon leave Dongzhou."

Xu Chunliang took a sip of tea, squinted his eyes, and looked at Qiao Rulong: "Honestly, I really dislike your current high-and-mighty attitude."

Qiao Rulong said: "You think I’m high-and-mighty because, like many ordinary people, you’re used to looking up to others from a kneeling position."

Xu Chunliang laughed: "Makes sense, it seems we don’t need to continue this conversation."

Qiao Rulong nodded: "My grandfather really likes you, but certain things in this world are strange; liking doesn’t necessarily mean possessing." He was officially announcing to Xu Chunliang that the Qiao Family’s door was completely closed to him.

Xu Chunliang said: "I’ll be leaving then."

Qiao Rulong said: "One more piece of advice: no matter how outstanding a carp, it shouldn’t try to swim into the ocean. The rivers and lakes are already wide enough for them."

Xu Chunliang said: "That’s because your experience is inadequate. You haven’t seen a carp become a dragon." With these words, Xu Chunliang stood up and left. He didn’t feel regret; the Qiao Family distancing themselves must have their reasons, which doesn’t necessarily reflect Mei Ru Xue’s thoughts. Xu Chunliang believed that the one truly losing out was Qiao Rulong.

He had originally decided to help Qiao Rulong, but now it was clearly unnecessary. He had no interest in doing things that would be unappreciated.

Xu Chunliang walked out of the tea house, drizzling rain falling from the sky. This weather suits a breakup, and as he walked along the cobblestone path, the moist and fresh aroma permeated the air, making the world appear entirely refreshed.

Mei Ru Xue suddenly appeared at the corner holding a transparent umbrella; it wasn’t by chance.

Xu Chunliang looked at Mei Ru Xue, his smile still warm.

Mei Ru Xue stopped a meter away from him, also smiling. Her smile remained enchanting, but from her eyes, he read sadness.

Xu Chunliang softly said: "I thought you never wanted to see me again."

Mei Ru Xue said: "That was the original plan, but after thinking it over, you and I should put an end to this."

Xu Chunliang asked, "Is your family pressuring you?"

Mei Ru Xue shook her head, "I suddenly figured it out myself. There won’t be happiness between us. You can’t live with constraints and rules like I do, and I can’t be as free as you."

Xu Chunliang said, "I understand."

Mei Ru Xue lifted the umbrella, trying to shield Xu Chunliang from the rain, but Xu Chunliang refused; Mei Ru Xue’s umbrella was too small to accommodate two people keeping their distance.

Mei Ru Xue said, "I will leave for a while, and I think I won’t be contacting you again in the future."

Xu Chunliang replied, "I will always be here."

Mei Ru Xue nodded, "Take care of yourself and rein in your temper."

Xu Chunliang smiled, "It’s hard to change one’s nature."

Mei Ru Xue glanced at the box in his hand and softly said, "Please apologize to your aunt on my behalf for disappointing her."

Xu Chunliang responded, "She’s concerned about me, so she won’t be disappointed."

Mei Ru Xue said, "Yes, this bracelet will soon find a better owner. Actually, I envy you for having parents who truly care about you."

Xu Chunliang said, "Being overly rational isn’t always a good thing. Your grandfather and brother are the same kind of people, you should know what I mean."

Xu Chunliang didn’t need to spell it out; Mei Ru Xue understood. He was reminding her that whether it’s her grandfather or brother, they prioritize the family’s interests first, not her happiness.

Mei Ru Xue softly said, "You’ve misunderstood them. Breaking up was my own decision and had nothing to do with anyone else."

Xu Chunliang nodded.

Mei Ru Xue said, "I’m leaving!"

"Let me see you off."

Mei Ru Xue said, "No need."

Their breakup was rational and calm, without heartbreak or despair. Perhaps today’s parting is just for a better reunion tomorrow. Life doesn’t pause because of a breakup, and hope still fills the air.

Xu Chunliang chose to watch her leave until Mei Ru Xue disappeared around the corner of the street. Only then did he lift his head and take a breath, wondering when he became so sentimental. Perhaps as he gave Xu Cong a new life, Xu Cong was quietly changing him too.

While strolling in the rain, Xu Chunliang received a call from Mrs. Zhou. She told him she was about to leave Dongzhou and had made some rice dumplings for him to pick up before leaving.

Mrs. Zhou often thought of Xu Chunliang, yet he caught some unusual information from her words. Could her departure from Dongzhou be related to Secretary Zhou? After all, recent events in Dongzhou had raised doubts about his competence as the leader.

Xu Chunliang took a car straight to Mrs. Zhou’s home. She wasn’t alone; her daughter-in-law Shu Yao was directing people to pack things, with many items already boxed up. Mrs. Zhou looked unhappy, murmuring, "I’ll pack my own things, hey, don’t touch my pickle jar."

Despite knowing Secretary Zhou for so long, Xu Chunliang was meeting the mistress of the Zhou Family for the first time. He approached Shu Yao with a smile and greeted her, "Aunt Shu, moving, are you? If you need help, just let me know."

Shu Yao glanced at Xu Chunliang, "You’re Xiaoxu, right? I’ve heard about you. You’re Zhen Chun’s cousin."

Xu Chunliang’s cousin Zhen Chun had recently been dating her son Zhou Deming, so Shu Yao paid particular attention to her family background. Shu Yao personally opposed the relationship, but Secretary Zhou thought it was fine, especially given his son’s introverted nature; he suited a lively and outgoing girl.

Xu Chunliang nodded.

Shu Yao said, "Why are you here?" She didn’t want outsiders to know about the move.

Mrs. Zhou said, "I invited Xiaoxu over. I made some rice dumplings for him."

Shu Yao frowned. Her mother-in-law was really hard to handle, especially during these sensitive times when fewer people should know, but instead, she’s leading people to her home.

Mrs. Zhou called Xu Chunliang to the kitchen and, before entering, glanced back at her daughter-in-law, whispering, "Don’t mind her. She always acts like everyone owes her money."

Xu Chunliang found it amusing; indeed, mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law are natural enemies.

Mrs. Zhou fished out freshly cooked rice dumplings from the pot and mumbled, "They’re just cooked. The square ones are meat dumplings, the pointed ones are sweet dumplings. You can eat them right away when you get home; put the others in the fridge."

Xu Chunliang asked, "Where are you planning to move, sir?"

Mrs. Zhou sighed, "To the provincial city. Your Uncle Zhou’s work is transferring him there."

Xu Chunliang was internally shocked; his guess was correct. Secretary Zhou’s move to the provincial city likely wasn’t a routine promotion but a decision to take responsibility for the series of recent events in Dongzhou.

Here’s an update. Asking for monthly votes, the end of August’s absence was due to sending my son off to college. Now everything is arranged, and September updates will resume normalcy. Octopus will swiftly return to full vitality!