From Evil Sect Leader to Doctor

Elder Qiao shook his head: "Mr. Xu, I hold no concept of family status in my heart, nor do I think our Qiao Family is superior. Chunliang and Xiaoxue are indeed a perfect match, but people live within society and cannot avoid its influence. I’ve seen many marriages like theirs, most of which are unhappy; our families are too complex and bear too much pressure. If you and I were to switch places, I would prefer my grandson to live a bit more freely."

Xu Changshan said: "But Chunliang truly likes Xiaoxue."

Elder Qiao said: "I think Xiaoxue genuinely likes Chunliang too, but she’s more rational than Chunliang. She understands the responsibilities she needs to bear and the pressure and confusion Chunliang would face if they continue to develop their relationship. That’s why she chose to let go."

Xu Changshan looked at Elder Qiao: "Did she tell you this?"

Elder Qiao shook his head: "Of course she didn’t say it, but I raised her by my own hand, so I understand this granddaughter of mine. I think Xiaoxue’s choice to break up is actually a sign of her affection for Chunliang."

Xu Changshan sighed: "If they like each other, why must they separate?"

Elder Qiao said: "Neither Xiaoxue nor Chunliang are the kind of people who can’t think things through. They can handle their own business. We, as elders, don’t really need to worry about them. Actually, at our age, we should be able to understand that two people in love may not necessarily end up together, nor would their union guarantee happiness."

Xu Changshan hesitated a moment and then said: "If they have the possibility of reconciling in the future, would you agree?"

Elder Qiao smiled: "I’ve never opposed it."

Even Ding Si noticed that Xu Chunliang seemed a bit distracted as he drove to the vicinity of the new site for the Infectious Disease Hospital.

Wang Fangtian compared the planning map Xu Chunliang copied: "That’s right, it’s this place."

The three got out of the car, and Ding Si, holding it in for a while, went to find a small grove to relieve himself; lately, he has had some issues with frequent urination.

Wang Fangtian surveyed the surroundings, and Xu Chunliang had him come here to assess the land from a professional standpoint.

Xu Chunliang felt the place was somewhat familiar, quickly identifying that the plot’s west was the old Worker Village of the mine area, and the south was the Qingshan Mine, now classified as a provincial cultural heritage protection site.

He had come with his grandfather for a free medical consultation before; it was at the old site of Qingshan Mine that he first met Elder Qiao.

Wang Fangtian walked along a rugged path, while Xu Chunliang stayed and waited for Ding Si.

Ding Si finished and came out, lighting a cigarette, taking a few puffs, and approached Xu Chunliang: "I’m familiar with this place, Qingshan Mine; when Dongzhou was producing coal, it thrived for a while. But now all the coal has been mined out. Those with skills have left, and the ones remaining are either incompetent or the elderly, weak and ill. There’s no surrounding infrastructure."

Wang Fangtian was chatting with an old man farming nearby. This land, although designated for the Infectious Disease Hospital, has yet to start construction, so locals from the Worker Village have come to reclaim and farm the land. Due to a lack of planning, it’s haphazardly cultivated with vegetables, corn, and some wheat.

Xu Chunliang and Ding Si approached. Xu Chunliang joined in the conversation: "Old man, I heard they plan to build an Infectious Disease Hospital here?"

The old man looked at them warily, so Ding Si quickly pulled out a cigarette and handed it over; the old man tucked it behind his ear. Ding Si gave him another and helped him light it.

As the old man took a drag, his wariness quickly subsided: "Infectious Disease Hospital? Yes, there is such a thing, but it won’t be built!"

Xu Chunliang laughed: "Why can’t it be built? I heard even the city has approved it."

"Just because the city approved it, does it mean it can be built? Why not construct it in the city center? There are so many people living here; why bring an Infectious Disease Hospital over? Pollute our environment, infect us with diseases?"

The old man took a couple more drags, and his wariness returned: "What are you guys up to?"

Xu Chunliang said: "I run a factory, just checking if there’s suitable land around here."

Wang Fangtian said: "This plot is quite decent, but the west is the Worker Village. I guess when construction actually starts, it will face obstruction." He had also seen earlier that the locals are very opposed to the Infectious Disease Hospital.

Ding Si said: "No wonder. Who would be happy with an Infectious Disease Hospital built right at their doorstep?"

Xu Chunliang pointed to the distant Qingshan Coal Mine: "Let’s go check over there."

Ding Si initially planned to drive back, but Xu Chunliang suggested walking, just to thoroughly inspect this entire plot.

Under the scorching sun, the three walked and chatted, sweating profusely.

Wang Fangtian said: "This plot is quite large. The Infectious Disease Hospital is just a specialty hospital; does it need to be this big? Their initial design was more like a large general hospital."

Xu Chunliang said: "Everyone is seeking development nowadays; each hospital is moving toward large-scale integration. Both the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital and Women’s and Children’s Health Care Hospital are specialty hospitals, but their new sites are quite large, far exceeding the size of the Infectious Disease Hospital."

Ding Si said: "With hospitals being built so big, are there really that many patients?"

Xu Chunliang laughed: "Shopping malls are even larger; do you see many customers inside?"

Ding Si scratched his head: "I guess that’s how it is. These matters aren’t for us to worry about. I’m in construction; the bigger the build, the more benefits for me. Dean Xu, don’t forget me for future projects here."

Xu Chunliang said: "I’m currently the office director; don’t call me that."

Ding Si laughed: "With your abilities, becoming the dean is just a matter of time."