From Evil Sect Leader to Doctor

There’s no official announcement from Dongzhou yet, and not many people know who will replace Secretary Zhou. Could it be Wang Heyi? From the Dongzhou Barbecue to the subway construction site collapse, from diverting public attention to Fu Guomin being investigated, every event has been meticulously orchestrated by someone behind the scenes, and the mastermind’s methods are truly unfathomable.

Xu Chunliang didn’t stay long. After picking up the rice dumplings, he took his leave and ran into Secretary Zhou on his way out. Xu Chunliang greeted him.

Secretary Zhou’s gaze at Xu Chunliang was somewhat complicated. He said softly, "Visit Nanjiang sometime when you have the chance."

Xu Chunliang nodded. Since Secretary Zhou brought it up, he thought he might as well ask, "Secretary Zhou, are you heading to the province?"

Secretary Zhou replied, "A normal job adjustment. I’ve been assigned to the Provincial People’s Congress."

"Congratulations, Secretary Zhou."

Secretary Zhou smiled, though he felt quite uncomfortable inside. What was there to congratulate about? On the surface, he was appointed to a leadership role at the provincial level, but in reality? His political career had reached its end, and in a few years, he would be relegated to the CPPCC.

Although he knew this move was inevitable, it came a bit too early for his liking. During his tenure in Dongzhou, he believed he had accomplished quite a bit. The Dongzhou Metro went from nothing to the completion of Lines One through Three, all initiated during his term. Now, these lines were operational, and the second phase of the Metro, including the extension of Line Three and the commencement of Lines Four, Five, and Six, was underway. Yet, he would not be there to witness their completion.

Every life has its regrets, but this misstep was purely a political misjudgment on Secretary Zhou’s part. He had adopted Wang Heyi’s suggestion, shifting the focus, even though the subway construction collapse was not severe. His overly cautious handling provided an opportunity for those with ulterior motives.

Secretary Zhou could only lament that his skills were inferior, and accept the reality of leaving Dongzhou.

Secretary Zhou asked, "Is everything going well at the Cultural Tourism Bureau?"

Xu Chunliang was momentarily surprised, but he quickly realized that Secretary Zhou would not be concerned with his job transfers. In Dongzhou, he was just an insignificant figure, so why would Secretary Zhou pay attention to his personnel changes?

Xu Chunliang then explained that he had moved from the Cultural Tourism Bureau to the Health Bureau.

Only then did Secretary Zhou know that Xu Chunliang was affected by the Dongzhou Barbecue incident, a classic case of the fish in the moat suffering from a fire at the city gate, although Xu Chunliang’s impact was likely minimal.

Secretary Zhou said, "Take this opportunity to calm down and reflect. It might not be a bad thing for you." Xu Chunliang was still young and had many chances ahead. With Secretary Zhou’s experience, life’s valleys often precede an upward leap, although this no longer applied to himself.

Xu Chunliang returned home with the rice dumplings and unexpectedly found that his aunt, Xu Jiawen, had come back. The forever-doting Zheng Peian had put aside his work to be by Xu Jiawen’s side, showering her with attention.

Xu Chunliang handed the rice dumplings to Zheng Peian. "Where’s Grandpa?"

Zheng Peian said, "He went to the Capital City. Said he missed Uncle Gao."

Xu Chunliang was surprised, "He didn’t even tell me."

Xu Jiawen said, "He didn’t tell me either. I thought he was at home. Turned out I came back for nothing. Had I known, I wouldn’t have returned."

Zheng Peian said, "It’s not like there’s no one else at home. Besides Master, there’s us too."

Xu Jiawen gave him a sidelong glance, "Why don’t you go make dinner?"

Zheng Peian was overjoyed, "I’m on it, I’m on it! These rice dumplings are wrapped nicely, Chunliang, who gave them to you?"

"Zhou Deming’s grandmother."

Upon hearing Zhou Deming’s name, Xu Jiawen immediately asked about Secretary Zhou. After all, her daughter was dating Zhou Deming, and she’d recently heard rumors that some events in Dongzhou had been unfavorable for Secretary Zhou, and there were even whispers of him having economic issues like Fu Guomin.

Xu Chunliang told Xu Jiawen that Secretary Zhou had gone to the province. Xu Jiawen felt a bit affected upon hearing that Secretary Zhou had been reassigned. Xu Chunliang reassured her with a smile, "Aunt, you haven’t even become in-laws with the Zhou family yet, so there’s no need to worry about their issues. Secretary Zhou is very clean; there won’t be any problems."

Zheng Peian chimed in, "What’s the matter? Secretary Zhou is leaving? Really?"

Xu Jiawen said, "Must you be everywhere?"

Zheng Peian said, "Isn’t the Zhou family supposed to be future in-laws? It’s only right that I be concerned."

Xu Jiawen blushed and said, "What nonsense are you talking about?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Exactly, why are you getting involved for no reason?"

Zheng Peian said, "If you ask me, it’s only because Zhou Deming is a straightforward kid. If it were anyone else, I wouldn’t recommend getting involved with a family of bureaucrats. They’re on a different path from us ordinary folks."

Xu Jiawen said, "What do you mean by that? By your logic, Chunliang and Xiaoxue aren’t suitable either."

Xu Chunliang said, "We’ve already broken up."

Both Zheng Peian and Xu Jiawen were taken aback. They exchanged a glance, neither knowing what to say. After a while, Xu Jiawen asked, "Really?"

Xu Chunliang nodded and said, "I have no reason to lie to you about this."

Xu Jiawen said, "She was such a good girl. How did you end up breaking up?"

Zheng Peian said, "Was it due to incompatibility? Did you fool around outside and got caught?"

Xu Jiawen said, "Zheng Peian, no one thinks you’re mute if you keep quiet."

Xu Chunliang laughed, "There’s something else I need to announce. I’m officially starting work at the Infectious Disease Hospital tomorrow. You guys chat away; I’m going to my room to pack things up."

Zheng Peian and Xu Jiawen watched Xu Chunliang go upstairs. Zheng Peian shook his head, sighing, "That’s it, his career and love life both took hits. The kid’s depressed."

Xu Jiawen, annoyed, pinched him on the arm. Though it hurt, Zheng Peian felt delighted inside—it was a form of close physical interaction, after all.

Xu Jiawen said, "You have to counsel him. Chunliang once tried to harm himself in the past."

Zheng Peian said, "He’d resort to something drastic? You can’t keep looking at the kid through old lenses. He’s not short of girls around him, he doesn’t need me to comfort him at all."

Xu Jiawen said, "It’s obvious he’s quite emotionally invested in Mei Ru Xue."

Zheng Peian said, "How deep can that be? Don’t think every man in the world is as devoted as I am. If you repeat my words, in less than three days, some girl will willingly throw herself at me."

Xu Jiawen gave him a glare, "You’re calling my good nephew a flirtatious playboy."

Just then, the doorbell rang, and Xu Jiawen went to open the door. Standing outside was a beautiful and charming girl, it was Mo Han. Zheng Peian also came over, smugly smiling at Xu Jiawen, as if to say, "Look, doesn’t even take three days, not even three minutes."

Mo Han smiled, "Mr. Zheng, Miss Xu, is Xu Chunliang here?"

Xu Jiawen said, "Yes! I’ll go call him."

"Thank you!"

Zheng Peian said, "He’s in his room, feeling down. It’s good you’re here, help us cheer him up."

Xu Jiawen thought to himself, this Old Zheng sure is full of tricks.

Mo Han didn’t feel inconvenienced, she smiled, changed her shoes first, and then followed Zheng Peian’s gesture pointing upstairs. Mo Han asked, "Why is he feeling down?"

Zheng Peian whispered low, "He’s heartbroken, got dumped by his girlfriend."

Mo Han’s face felt a bit warm, this Zheng Peian is wicked, making it seem like I’m here to take advantage of the situation.

Xu Chunliang heard the knock and responded, "The door’s not locked!"

Mo Han pushed the door open and walked in, seeing Xu Chunliang bent over fiddling with something.

Xu Chunliang noticed the fragrance coming from behind, turned around and surprisingly saw Mo Han, hurriedly closing the box. "You came in without announcing yourself?"

Mo Han said, "I knocked on the door!"

Xu Chunliang said, "How was I supposed to know it was you? At least announce yourself, what if I wasn’t wearing any clothes?"

Mo Han said, "Then I’d call you a pervert."

She went to sit on a chair, fixed her gaze on Xu Chunliang’s little box. "What’s inside?"

"None of your business."

Mo Han said, "Let me guess, dragon bones, right?"

Xu Chunliang walked over and patted her smooth forehead. "You feverish?"

Mo Han said, "Stay away, don’t let your bad luck rub off on me."

Xu Chunliang said, "Are you kidding? This is my house."

"I got you the discount, I did the renovations, even this chair I’m sitting on was a gift from me."

Xu Chunliang said, "Are you planning to crash here without leaving?"

Mo Han said, "I’ve advised you long ago not to get too close to the Qiao Family, but you wouldn’t listen, now you’ve paid the price."

Xu Chunliang laughed, "You came to see my misfortune."

Mo Han said, "I’m not that bored, you don’t have any funny mishaps to show me. People like you with a heart of a wolf and lungs of a dog generally don’t get hurt easily."

Xu Chunliang said, "Tell me, what do you want?"

Mo Han said, "Nothing special, just heard someone’s pretty unlucky lately, so I came to check on you, comfort you, prevent you from getting suicidal and jumping into the river."

Xu Chunliang burst into laughter, "Since you’re in such a mood, let’s move past comfort, go straight to practical actions."

Mo Han grabbed the craft knife on the table, glaring at him, "Say that again, and I’ll cut you."

Xu Chunliang put his hands on his hips, "Come on, I’m not afraid of you."

Mo Han suddenly screamed, "Xu Chunliang, what are you trying to do, someone help, come quickly help!"

Xu Chunliang was puzzled by her antics, but soon realized it was for the people outside to hear.

Xu Jiawen and Zheng Peian naturally heard, Xu Jiawen wanted to go upstairs, but Zheng Peian held him back, laughing, "Let them play it out. It takes two to tango."

Xu Jiawen was still a bit worried, "What if..."

At this moment, Xu Chunliang had already stormed out of the room, angrily saying, "Who let this lunatic in."

Neatly dressed, Mo Han followed him out, smiling at them, "Xu Chunliang almost attempted to slit his wrist, but I got the knife away." She indeed had the craft knife in her hand.

Xu Chunliang said, "You’re the one trying to self-harm, who grabbed the craft knife and said they’d cut off my little brother?"

Second installment coming up, asking for monthly votes to secure the bottom line!