From Evil Sect Leader to Doctor

Unknowingly, the May Day holiday arrived. Xu Chunliang, who was in the Capital City, felt the surge of people due to the golden week and realized there was still a considerable gap between Dongzhou and a true tourist hotspot.

However, Dongzhou Barbecue remained on the trending list, and tourists flocked to Dongzhou to explore the restaurants.

Fan Lidada would occasionally send Xu Chunliang updates on the progress of Dongzhou Barbecue City. The construction speed was astonishing, with a planned opening on the 3rd. There were already over seventy signed merchants, not including the more than two hundred who had registered and were under qualification review. The tourism bureau was startled by the high enthusiasm of the merchants.

Since Xu Chunliang was already out, he was not inclined to bother with matters in Dongzhou. Only by stepping outside could he broaden his horizons. Seeing the grand May Day scene in the Capital City, his mindset naturally elevated. Even with a hundred years of development, Dongzhou Culture and Tourism couldn’t catch up with the Capital City. The natural tourism resources were there, but there wasn’t much room for innovation.

Tourism mainly depends on two major elements: natural resources and cultural heritage. Just talking about barbecue, what can it really rely on?

Xu Chunliang had no intention of disparaging Dongzhou Barbecue. It was he who had hyped it through Three Two Three, but even he wasn’t optimistic about Dongzhou Barbecue’s long-term ability to drive the development of Dongzhou Culture and Tourism. The initial idea was to start with Dongzhou Barbecue and use it to boost other cultural and tourism endeavors. However, after Dongzhou Barbecue became popular, many people inevitably forgot their original intentions.

This included Fu Guomin, the head of the tourism bureau, who was now fully focused on making Dongzhou Barbecue bigger and stronger, to maximize its influence. Of course, the establishment of Dongzhou Barbecue City wasn’t just his idea. Even Geng Wenjun saw it as a political achievement. Under his directive, Dongzhou Barbecue City was set to be located in the High-Tech Zone.

As more and more people got involved, the snowball of Dongzhou Barbecue naturally grew larger. After discussing this matter with Mei Ru Xue, Xu Chunliang increasingly felt that it was wise for him to step back now.

Both Xu Chunliang and Mei Ru Xue believed the heat of Dongzhou Barbecue wouldn’t last long. At present, everyone only sees the benefits brought by Dongzhou Barbecue, forgetting or selectively ignoring the potential downsides of this phenomenon. Dongzhou Culture and Tourism is just in its infancy. This ancient city is not yet ready for explosive popularity and doesn’t know how to handle the flow of attention. When the flow spirals out of control, it could very well spell disaster.

Hua Zhuyue returned to the Capital City on May Day. As soon as she landed, she contacted Xu Chunliang. Learning that he’d been staying in a hotel for the past few days, Hua Zhuyue promptly sent him an address.

Before vanishing into thin air, Ji Buyao had begun a large-scale sale of nightclubs and bars for the Blue Star Group, starting to lay out plans for the hotel industry by taking over twenty-one hotels from Wanyue Group for fifty billion.

Due to the unfavorable real estate market, Wanyue Group had no choice but to sell off a large portion of its assets, transitioning towards a light-asset model.

In today’s environment, real estate companies frequently plunged into debt crises. Wanyue Group was among the earliest to change course. Compared to it, companies like Da Heng and Hua Nian clearly lacked foresight, with their transformations noticeably delayed. It can be said that these companies’ current plight is related to the decision-making errors of their leadership.

The address Hua Zhuyue sent to Xu Chunliang wasn’t far from his current hotel.

He had once passed by this hotel’s entrance, remembering it was previously called Wanyue. It was now renamed Star, but aside from changing the external signage, no interior renovations had been done, as Wanyue had just been refurbished a year ago.

Xu Chunliang arrived at the Ninefold Palace restaurant of the hotel, where a beautiful lady in Hanfu greeted him with a smile: "Mr. Xu, President Hua is waiting for you inside."

Xu Chunliang said, "You know me?"

"I’ve seen photos of Mr. Xu."

Xu Chunliang followed her into the restaurant. Inside, the decor was very luxurious. Hua Zhuyue was waiting in Chuxiu Palace, wearing a qipao today. Her naturally good figure was emphasized even more.

Xu Chunliang said, "Sister Hua, today’s setup is too grand. I feel like an emperor walking in."

Hua Zhuyue smiled, "We want each guest visiting the hotel to feel like royalty."

Xu Chunliang said, "Then you need to provide the Three Palaces and Six Courtyards."

Hua Zhuyue sweetly smiled, "In your dreams."

"If such basic requests can’t be met, what talk is there of being an emperor?"

Hua Zhuyue said, "Our Star conducts legitimate business. If you want the experience of Three Palaces and Six Courtyards, you’ve come to the wrong place."

Xu Chunliang laughed heartily and sat down opposite Hua Zhuyue, who then instructed to serve the dishes.

Hua Zhuyue personally poured Xu Chunliang a drink, "Thank you for Jiajia’s matter."

Xu Chunliang said, "No need to thank me; she’s my apprentice. Teaching her to conduct herself is something I ought to do."

They clinked glasses and drank.

Hua Zhuyue poured him another cup.

Xu Chunliang said, "She is quite resistant to schooling. You know her situation. Perhaps you should give her more freedom."

Hua Zhuyue raised her eyebrows slightly, "So you’re here to lobby for her."

Xu Chunliang said, "Making her do things she doesn’t like and having several bodyguards follow her every day wouldn’t please anyone, especially when she’s just a child."

Hua Zhuyue said, "Considering her current status, you understand the necessity. Without bodyguards, something could happen to her at any time."

Xu Chunliang said, "What will come will eventually come. Having bodyguards doesn’t ensure nothing will happen to her. She can’t live under protection forever, can she?"

Hua Zhuyue said, "That’s why I want her to go to school. As long as she stays on campus, she should be safe."

Xu Chunliang said, "Was this Ji Buyao’s idea?"

Hua Zhuyue fell silent, then picked up the glass in front of her and drank it in one go before pouring herself another, "It was my own decision. President Ji entrusted me with taking care of his daughter. Naturally, I have to fulfill his wishes."

Xu Chunliang said, "Actually, Ji Jiajia is just a kid. If you think it’s dangerous here in the country, why not just send her abroad to study? Fewer people know her there, so she’d have more freedom."

Hua Zhuyue replied, "What about her illness? You promised to help treat her."

Xu Chunliang said, "Curing her illness isn’t something that can be done in a day or two. Haven’t I already taken her as a disciple?"

Hua Zhuyue said, "I admit what you say is true, but I really don’t have a better solution. For now, it’s relatively safer here in the country, and until she truly has the ability to protect herself, I can’t just let go."

Xu Chunliang said, "Anyone who doesn’t know better would think you were her mom."

Hua Zhuyue angrily said, "Nonsense! I’m still a young maiden. Where would a kid come from?"

Xu Chunliang looked at Hua Zhuyue with a puzzled expression.

Seeing his expression made Hua Zhuyue even more enraged. What did he mean by that? Was he questioning my purity? Her gray-blue eyes glared roundly as she gritted her teeth and said, "What do you mean?"

Xu Chunliang quickly picked up the wine in front of him and downed it in one gulp to calm himself. "Sister Hua, I’m just a bit surprised. I wouldn’t have thought you could stay so pure in this line of work."

Hua Zhuyue angrily said, "What’s so surprising? What line of work am I in? Our Blue Star does legitimate business. I’m a manager, not a hostess."

"Alright, I misspoke. You’re like a white lotus that emerges unstained from the mud."

Hua Zhuyue restrained herself from throwing the water in front of her into his face. "Ha, a white lotus. You really think highly of me."

Xu Chunliang knew she misunderstood again, so he quickly poured her a glass of wine. "Sister Hua, I just think that a woman as stunning as you, not kept hidden away, must have a long line of men chasing after you? Generally speaking, the more beautiful a woman, the higher the risk factor she faces. Given your age..."

Hua Zhuyue couldn’t hold back anymore and kicked Xu Chunliang in the shin. "Explain yourself. What about my age?"

Xu Chunliang said, "The more I say today, the more I err. I’m just trying to express that usually, women as mature as you tend to have rich experiences in relationships."

Hua Zhuyue said, "Xu Chunliang, I understand what you mean. Deep down, you think I’m a promiscuous and unrestrained woman, don’t you?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Sister Hua, that’s not what I meant."

Hua Zhuyue pointed at his nose and said, "I’m so furious I could explode today!"

Xu Chunliang glanced at her chest, which indeed seemed a lot fuller now, like she was carrying a couple of small balloons. He was worried that the cheongsam might rip. Then he thought, if it did rip, it would be her embarrassment. He wouldn’t lose anything and could even see if she was the real deal.

Hua Zhuyue said, "Keep looking, and believe me, I’ll gouge your eyes out."

Xu Chunliang said, "Sister Hua, you’re sitting like this in front of me, who else would I look at if not you? Looking at you is my way of respecting you."

Hua Zhuyue said, "I’m not wearing this for you to look at."

Xu Chunliang said, "Sister Hua, you’re just inexplicably angry today. Now I understand."

"Understand what?"

"Understand that you are still an innocent young maiden."

Hua Zhuyue’s face flushed red. She had spoken so confidently earlier, but how come when he said it, it sounded so awkward? Why was she getting angry? Did she really need to declare this in front of him? Oh no, he must’ve noticed something.

Xu Chunliang said, "So, women shouldn’t be too domineering. If you’re too domineering, men won’t dare to get close to you. How many excellent men have you scared off over the years?"

Hua Zhuyue said, "Are you afraid of me?"

Xu Chunliang countered, "What do you think?"

Hua Zhuyue stared at him for a moment. "You’re no good."

Xu Chunliang laughed heartily.

Hua Zhuyue gave him a flirtatious look and also started laughing. At this moment, she realized the atmosphere between them had gotten a bit ambiguous, so she quickly steered the conversation back on track. "Honestly, Jiajia gives me a headache. The more I try to manage her, the more rebellious she gets. But if I don’t manage her, I’m worried she’ll run into danger."

Xu Chunliang said, "Maybe it’s not as serious as you think. Have you ever considered that other kids go to school to get ahead in life, to earn money and achieve self-realization? Jiajia doesn’t need to worry about these things. She already has what others strive for but can’t obtain. How about this, send her to Dongzhou. I’ll find something for her to do."

Hua Zhuyue said in shock, "What? Find something for her to do?"

Xu Chunliang said, "I plan to let her study Chinese medicine at Changshan Hospital, starting from doing menial work. If she can settle down and learn, all the better. If she can’t handle the hardships of studying medicine, she might find school life more appealing in comparison and ask to return to campus on her own. Plus, I can observe her illness progression anytime."

Hua Zhuyue was still a bit hesitant.

Xu Chunliang added, "If you’re still worried, you can arrange a few bodyguards to work as security at Changshan Hospital. But there’s one condition: make sure she doesn’t find out."

Upon hearing this suggestion, Hua Zhuyue’s beautiful eyes lit up. This was indeed a win-win solution. She was at her wit’s end with Ji Jiajia, but fortunately, Ji Jiajia was willing to listen to Xu Chunliang. Letting her go to Dongzhou and giving her some freedom might settle this little girl down.