From Evil Sect Leader to Doctor

Chapter 642 - 613: Recruiting Troops and Horses

Gu Houyi laughed and said, "I guess he didn’t mention this to you for two reasons: first, because he’s currently in a public position, and second, because he just helped you out and doesn’t want to leverage that as a favor. If Gao Xinhua hadn’t told me you went through the procedures for unpaid leave, I wouldn’t have called you. I don’t want people saying I’m trying to poach Changxing’s talent."Tang Mingmei said, "How’s the recruitment going at your hospital?"

Gu Houyi replied, "It’s easier to find doctors, but we’re having trouble with nurses. There’s a common prejudice against gastroenterology and colorectal surgery hospitals. People think the work will be dirty and tiring, and it’s not something they want to talk about."

Tang Mingmei laughed, "There’s no need to be so worried about nursing work. How about I come over and help you out? I have resources in this area."

Gu Houyi said, "You shouldn’t work for free. How about you join our hospital as the head of the nursing department? Just be honest about any salary requirements you have, don’t hold back."

Tang Mingmei thought for a moment and said, "I don’t have any specific salary requirements. I just want a job where I can have dignity."

Gu Houyi was stunned for a moment, then nodded firmly and said, "I can assure you that every medical staff member at Changshan Hospital will have their own dignity!"

At this time, Zheng Peian called and told Gu Houyi that they didn’t need to book train tickets for tomorrow. They were going to the Capital City for a medical equipment fair to order hospital equipment. Xu Chunliang had just informed Zheng Peian that they could hitch a ride to Capital City tomorrow.

Gu Houyi inquired about the vehicle and mentioned that they would need to bring one more person, the new director of the nursing department at Changshan Hospital.

Zheng Peian was very curious, as he hadn’t yet met the talent that Gu Houyi had just recruited.

This time, Xu Chunliang was taking Hua Zhuyue’s Alpha to Capital City. Since there was plenty of space in the car, they decided to bring everyone along, which also saved the hospital some costs in a way.

Gu Houyi kept Tang Mingmei’s involvement a secret until they got in the car the next day. Even Xu Chunliang didn’t know that Tang Mingmei had agreed to come help at their hospital.

Hua Zhuyue asked the driver to help them load the luggage.

Xu Chunliang happily walked over to Tang Mingmei and took her suitcase, "Sister Tang, when did you switch sides? I had no idea."

Tang Mingmei smiled sheepishly, "Secretary Gao recommended I come to help, and Dean Gu graciously invited me. I’m just here to lend a hand."

"Just helping out isn’t enough. Dean Gu, hurry up and have Director Tang sign a commitment, coming means no leaving."

Everyone laughed.

Zheng Peian said, "Director Tang, how did you manage to get unpaid leave? I tried so hard and couldn’t make it happen."

Tang Mingmei replied, "You’re an expert; I’m just a nurse. Our values are different."

In fact, the policy on unpaid leave tightening was decided by Gu Houyi before he left. Clinical doctors are strictly prohibited from taking unpaid leave, but they made exceptions for nursing and administrative staff, as long as they are permanent employees. The concept of unpaid leave doesn’t even exist for contract-based employees.

Zheng Peian said, "I don’t even know what my value is."

Hua Zhuyue came over to greet them and volunteered to take a tour of their hospital.

Xu Chunliang gave her a brief tour, and Hua Zhuyue said, "Not bad, Huichun Hall has grown quite a bit."

Xu Chunliang replied, "This is not Huichun Hall; it’s Changshan Hospital of Gastroenterology and Colorectal Surgery."

Hua Zhuyue said, "Let me know if you need any help."

Xu Chunliang said, "There’s not much we need help with."

Hua Zhuyue asked, "Do you want me to help promote you online?"

Only then did Xu Chunliang realize that Blue Star Group’s business direction had somewhat changed, and he nodded, "If we need anything, I’ll let you know."

Hua Zhuyue had her driver take Xu Chunliang and the others to the Dongzhou Beijing Office. Although Fu Guomin had returned to work in Dongzhou, Xu Chunliang could still enjoy VIP treatment and insider prices here.

Hotel manager Li Xiumei came over to greet Xu Chunliang with a smile and a handshake, "Welcome, Town Mayor Xu."

Xu Chunliang said, "Please don’t call me that; it embarrasses me if anyone hears it." Being a town mayor on Weishan Island was something, but in the Capital City, such a title would get him laughed at.

Li Xiumei laughed, "It’s not often that town mayors visit the Beijing office. When our Director Fu returned a few days ago, he kept mentioning you and said you’d joined the Culture and Tourism Bureau."

Xu Chunliang nodded, realizing that Fu Guomin and Li Xiumei shared a special friendship.

As they talked, the newly arrived deputy director Qin Xinli passed by. Li Xiumei called out to him, and Qin Xinli acknowledged it with a chilly nod and walked away quickly.

Xu Chunliang had never seen the former tourism director before. After hearing from Li Xiumei about his identity, he instantly understood why Qin Xinli was so stern-faced. Anyone would be in a bad mood in his situation.

Li Xiumei offered to arrange a welcome dinner for him in the evening, but Xu Chunliang said there was no need. Gu Houyi and the others were here for the medical fair and would leave after their tasks were done. He, on the other hand, needed to stay for a few days, so there was no rush for dinner.

As soon as Xu Chunliang entered his room, Pu Jian called. He had been in the Capital City for a few days for some business matters, and somehow learned about Xu Chunliang’s visit.

"Xu Chunliang, you’re not playing fair. Coming to the Capital City without giving me a heads-up."

Xu Chunliang laughed, "Brother Pu, we see each other all the time. Haven’t you had enough on Weishan Island?"

"It’s different. In Weishan Island, you’re the host; in the Capital City, I’m the host. Let me treat you tonight."

Xu Chunliang said, "Let’s talk about it later. I promised Secretary Gao to deliver something to his father."

Pu Jian said, "I’ll go with you." He lowered his voice and said, "Chen Qianfan is with me."

Xu Chunliang asked, "What’s he looking for you for?"

Pu Jian told Xu Chunliang that Chen Qianfan was looking to buy some antiques as gifts from him and hadn’t informed Chen Qianfan about Xu Chunliang being in the Capital City, as he thought there might be some tension between them over the distillery spa matter.

Xu Chunliang chuckled, thinking it was no big deal. He and Chen Qianfan were here for joint training and would definitely meet in the Capital City. No need to deliberately avoid each other, besides Chen Qianfan wasn’t petty.

Pu Jian could chat endlessly, so Xu Chunliang used the excuse of needing to take a bath to hang up the phone.

While bathing, his phone rang again with a specific ringtone he set for Mei Ru Xue. Xu Chunliang hurriedly wiped himself, but the call had ended before he got to it. He immediately called back.

Mei Ru Xue called to give him a heads-up that her brother, Qiao Rulong, would be contacting him later.

Xu Chunliang felt Qiao Rulong was making a fuss over nothing. It’s not like he didn’t have a way to contact him; a direct call would do. Maybe this was what people call gentlemanly conduct.

After chatting idly for a bit, Mei Ru Xue reminded him not to forget to spare some time to see her grandfather. Even though he no longer opposed their relationship, he hadn’t explicitly shown his support either. Xu Chunliang, being clever, should seize the opportunity to win the old man’s favor.

The call with Mei Ru Xue lasted about half an hour. Then Qiao Rulong called, confirming Xu Chunliang’s address and expressing a desire to meet, arranging for a driver to pick him up.

Xu Chunliang met Qiao Rulong at a private dining restaurant in the embassy district. Compared to their last meeting, Qiao Rulong’s attire seemed more conservative, giving off a more steady vibe.

Xu Chunliang thought Qiao Rulong was quite something, completing the transition from businessman to official in such a short time.

Qiao Rulong shook his hand and smiled, "Xiaoxue repeatedly asked me to make sure to take good care of you."

Xu Chunliang thought to himself, it was Qiao Rulong who sought him out, a future brother-in-law with too many tricks.

They sat down for tea, and Xu Chunliang noticed a painting by Ye Qingya on the wall.

Following his gaze, Qiao Rulong smiled, "A work by Qingya. This club is owned by a friend of mine. I invited you here for the tranquility, and it’s convenient for chatting."

Xu Chunliang sipped some Rou Gui tea, appreciating the exquisite details from the tea leaves to the utensils.

"I was planning to find some time to visit Elder Qiao in the next few days."

Qiao Rulong said, "He’s been in the hospital these past couple of days."

"What?"

Qiao Rulong laughed, "No need to worry. It’s the annual routine check-up. I’ll bring him home the day after tomorrow. If you’re free, I can arrange for someone to bring you over to see him."

Xu Chunliang nodded, "I would appreciate it."

Qiao Rulong said, "We’ll be family sooner or later, no need to be so formal."

Upon hearing this, Xu Chunliang felt a bit embarrassed. Did this mean Qiao Rulong had already accepted him as his future brother-in-law?

Qiao Rulong said, "I heard you’re doing quite well on Weishan Island."

"Did Xiaoxue tell you that?"

"Who else could it be? I certainly wouldn’t send someone to specifically monitor you."

They both laughed.

Xu Chunliang thought, well, it’s not something you wouldn’t do. Didn’t you send Zhang Yiben to keep an eye on Mei Ru Xue in the past? He put down his teacup and said, "I’ve now moved to the Dongzhou Culture and Tourism Bureau."

"The Culture and Tourism Bureau is good. At the national level, there’s a lot of focus on cultural tourism now. There will be significant development in this area. Our Hua Tou recently invested in several cultural tourism projects domestically."

Xu Chunliang asked, "Are you planning to invest in Dongzhou?"

Qiao Rulong said, "If you have a good project, why not?" He picked up the teapot and refilled Xu Chunliang’s cup.

Xu Chunliang noticed that Qiao Rulong was being particularly polite to him today. Could it be that he needed something from him? Since Qiao Rulong didn’t say anything, Xu Chunliang wasn’t in a hurry to ask.

Qiao Rulong could definitely hold his composure, only talking about recent developments and work, not revealing the purpose of his meeting with Xu Chunliang at all.

When it was about time, Qiao Rulong had the waiter serve the dishes and opened a fifty-year Moutai.

After a couple of drinks, Qiao Rulong said, "By the way, I have something for you." He took some certificates out of his bag and handed them to Xu Chunliang.

Xu Chunliang took a look; they were a medical qualification certificate and a medical practitioner’s license. Upon opening them, he found his own photo stamped with a seal and a number. Even though it was for a resident doctor, it was still a medical certificate.

Xu Chunliang said, "You’re not short of money, so when did you start this business?"