Chapter 231 209: Drunk

Xu Chunliang blamed her for not giving a heads-up, while Zhao Xiaohui said she actually wanted to catch him by surprise to see if he was engaged in any illegal activities on the island.Xu Chunliang asked Zhang Haitao to arrange for Old Lu to drive the Santana to pick them up. Wang Jinwu felt their car was not upscale enough, so he directly dispatched an Audi Q7 from the farm.

Xu Chunliang had no idea when they got an Audi, and Wang Jinwu explained that they recently cleared some accounts and exchanged for a few cars, most of which were just sitting idle. If Xu Chunliang liked, he could borrow one.

After about half an hour, Zhao Xiaohui and her TV station colleagues arrived at the hospital in the Q7, and Xu Chunliang arranged for the cafeteria to prepare another meal.

Zhao Xiaohui was a celebrity in Dongzhou. Both Wang Jinwu and Zhang Haitao had seen her on TV. The crew, including the directors and cameramen, thought the trip to Weishan Island would be tough, but unexpectedly, they were greeted by a luxury car right off the boat, and food and drinks were ready at the hospital.

Zhao Xiaohui laughed and said, "I told you, slacking off to feast here during work. You, Dean, are really living the good life."

Xu Chunliang said, "Rainy days are drinking days. This feast is prepared especially for you."

Zhao Xiaohui, being cheerful, spread her arms and said, "Come, let's have a hug," and embraced Xu Chunliang.

Zhang Haitao's admiration for Xu Chunliang went up another notch, thinking it was impressive to win the affections of a host from East Continent TV, even more difficult than wooing a town mayor. If he could get a hug from a host, he wouldn't wash for a month.

After everyone sat down, Xu Chunliang helped with the introductions. Wang Jinwu shook hands with Zhao Xiaohui and laughed, "Miss Zhao, I'm a fan of yours. I never miss an episode of your lifestyle program."

Zhao Xiaohui replied, "I'm so honored, but now I've moved to the news channel. You have to keep supporting me."

"Definitely."

Xu Chunliang said, "Sister Xiaohui, you came at the right time to help promote us."

Zhao Xiaohui said to the director, "Director Liu, you can't eat this meal for free; there's a task now."

Director Liu laughed, "We came to promote Weishan Island as a national-level resort. Of course, friends' units take priority."

Wang Jinwu asked if they had arranged accommodations.

Zhao Xiaohui told him they were invited by the Hu Shan Town Government for an interview, and the scheduled interview date with them was for tomorrow. They came a day early to capture some authentic news footage.

Everyone knew the logic: once prepared, news loses its authenticity. They just didn't expect to be greeted by a storm like this as soon as they arrived on Weishan Island, thanks to the Dragon King.

Originally, others planned to ask the Hu Shan Town Government to send a car, but Zhao Xiaohui wanted to test Xu Chunliang's capabilities, and he passed the test.

Xu Chunliang said, "Our hospital is dirt poor, with just two cars. The best one is a Santana 2000, and this car was specially dispatched by President Wang."

Wang Jinwu laughed, "During the TV station's visit, I can provide this car for you. Also, if the accommodations arranged by the town government aren't good, you can come to our farm. Our Xianhong Farm's guesthouse is quite nice—can't claim too high, but it definitely meets the three-star standard. I'll handle all the arrangements!"

Wang Jinwu also realized this was a rare promotional opportunity, as people usually aren't so easy to invite.

While they were chatting happily, the Hu Shan Town Government's publicity office called. Zhang Yiben was in charge of reception work; he initially wanted to ask when the TV station would arrive but was surprised they were already there. Startled by the news, Zhang Yiben hurried over.

The town government office was only a few hundred meters from the hospital. Zhang Yiben didn't have the authority to requisition cars casually, so he came over with an umbrella, wearing rubber boots and rolled-up trousers, looking rather bedraggled as he entered.

Director Liu had met him before, stood up to greet him, and said, "Section Chief Zhang, I told you not to come."

Zhang Yiben said, "How could I not come? Director Liu, you should have notified me beforehand, so I could make reception arrangements."

Feeling a little grumpy inside: these TV people are so unpredictable. They said they'd come tomorrow, how did they suddenly show up today, catching him off guard.

Zhao Xiaohui said, "We are indeed starting the interview tomorrow. We came early to visit friends; today is a private gathering, no need for town arrangements."

She seemed a bit annoyed, thinking Zhang Yiben shouldn't have come, as it disrupted their drinking mood.

Zhang Yiben intended to see the situation first but hadn't had the chance to report to his superiors.

Xu Chunliang said, "Section Chief Zhang, now that you're here, sit down and have a couple of drinks."

"No, I'm on duty. Town Mayor Mei prohibits public officials from drinking during work hours."

Xu Chunliang pressed him down by the shoulder to sit, taking the opportunity to observe his complexion—pale with a hint of gray—indicating his hands hadn't been idle recently. Without self-control, his lower half might be in trouble.

Zhang Haitao filled Zhang Yiben's glass, saying that anyone whom Dean Xu urged to drink but refused would be disrespectful.

Zhang Yiben demurred, "I really can't drink, I just can't…"

Xu Chunliang said, "You must drink. You're not the only public official here. If you don't drink, what if you go and report us later?"

"How could I report…"

"The human heart is hidden, anything is possible."

Zhao Xiaohui chimed in, "If Section Chief Zhang doesn't drink, then none of us will."

Zhang Yiben thought to himself, you're drinking soft drinks anyway, aren't you? Xu Chunliang is really crafty. I'm here drinking with you, so if you're here to commit murder, do I also have to join in and stab someone?

Zhang Yiben had no choice but to pick up his glass. In a drinking scenario, if you don't firmly refuse, once you start, it's not easy to stop.

Glass after glass, Zhang Yiben, who never had a high alcohol tolerance to begin with, was already quite drunk in less than an hour.

People behave differently when drunk. Some just sleep, some go wild, and some get chatty. Zhang Yiben belonged to the last category. Initially, he could still control his emotions, but eventually, he started talking nonsense without restraint.

Xu Chunliang didn't expect this guy to be such a lightweight drinker. It didn't show usually. Maybe he overly indulged, so his body couldn't handle the alcohol.

Xu Chunliang advised, "Section Chief Zhang, you've had too much. Let me find you a place to rest."

"I... I haven't had too much..." Zhang Yiben's cheeks mechanically contracted, giving everyone a strange smile. "Welcome everyone to... our Hu Shan Town for an interview..."

Zhao Xiaohui teased, "You've welcomed us six times already."

Zhang Yiben replied, "Just now was welcoming everyone, this time it's welcoming... you... Miss Zhao... why aren't you drinking?"

Zhao Xiaohui was most annoyed with this kind of drunken behavior, "No, thanks."

Xu Chunliang said, "Section Chief Zhang, I'll keep you company for a drink."

Zhang Yiben chuckled, "You... you... who do you think you are..."

Zhang Haitao immediately widened his eyes. How dare he insult our Dean Xu? That means he's picking a fight with me, Zhang Haitao.

Xu Chunliang stopped him with a glance and smiled, "Section Chief Zhang is drunk, let's not mind him. Haitao, take everyone to my office for tea."

He anticipated what would probably happen next. Zhang Yiben would definitely make a fool of himself, so he decided to move the guests before that happened.

Zhang Haitao led the TV station guests away.

Xu Chunliang patted Zhang Yiben, "Section Chief Zhang, you really have had enough."

Zhang Yiben pointed at Xu Chunliang's nose, "Toad... wants to eat... swan meat... you think... you can court... Mei Ru Xue..."

Zhang Yiben tried to stand up, but Xu Chunliang deftly pressed him back against the table, "Stay put."

Wang Jinwu was genuinely worried Xu Chunliang would lose his temper and give the guy a beating. Actually, it wasn't entirely Zhang Yiben's fault; Xu Chunliang insisted on him drinking, and now look at this. Thankfully, they moved the guests first.

Wang Jinwu said, "You head on, I'll take care of him."

Zhang Yiben said, "And who do you think you are? Mei... Mei..."

Bang!

Xu Chunliang grabbed his head and banged it heavily on the table.

Wang Jinwu couldn't help but close his eyes at the sound. Xu Chunliang was indeed acting brutally.

Zhang Yiben, his head struck the table, became dizzy and collapsed to the ground. Xu Chunliang stood up and asked the canteen staff to help carry him to the emergency room, specifically instructing them to pump his stomach, for daring to insult him, he'd give him a harsh lesson.

Zhao Xiaohui and others were having tea in Xu Chunliang's office. Seeing him return, they quickly asked about Zhang Yiben's situation. Xu Chunliang told them the truth: he drank too much, got alcohol poisoning, and was sent for a stomach pump.

After this ordeal, Zhang Yiben didn't even have the energy to go to work the next day and had to take sick leave.

Mei Ru Xue asked him why, and Zhang Yiben ultimately couldn't hide it. He honestly confessed that he got drunk at the branch hospital because of Xu Chunliang.

Mei Ru Xue, furious, went to Xu Chunliang to demand an explanation. The TV station came for an interview, and the section chief in charge of PR and reception got knocked out because of him, screwing up all her arrangements.

Xu Chunliang, of course, refused to admit he'd forced him to drink, insisting that Zhang Yiben drank willingly, got carried away seeing the pretty female TV presenter, shamelessly tried to cozy up to her, and ended up like this of his own accord. He still owed the hospital the cost of the stomach pump and IV drips.

Mei Ru Xue didn't believe Zhang Yiben was that kind of person. Although Zhang Yiben was placed by her brother by her side as a spy, the man was sensible and hardly ever drank. He wouldn't drink willingly unless Xu Chunliang pushed him to it, especially since there was a strict no-drinking policy during work hours by the town government.

Mei Ru Xue, gritting her teeth, vowed to settle scores with Xu Chunliang later. Meanwhile, Xu Chunliang found great joy, saying he would be glad to engage anytime.

Mei Ru Xue felt the accusation call ended quite flirtatiously. This guy had the ability to turn even the most serious topic into gossip.

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