Chapter 246 223: Hua Jian Japanese Cuisine

Zhao Feiyang took off his coat and hung it up. Xu Chunliang didn't act too eagerly; if it were another subordinate, they would have rushed to help him hang up his coat, but he just poured him a cup of tea.Zhao Feiyang had noticeably lost some weight recently, indicating significant work pressure, but it made him appear more capable. After sitting down, he took a sip of tea and said, "Sorry to keep you waiting."

Xu Chunliang smiled and said, "It's only natural for a subordinate to wait for the leader. If I kept you waiting, that would be very disrespectful."

Zhao Feiyang laughed heartily, "You little rascal, you have quite the mouth."

Xu Ying came to serve the dishes personally, first bringing out a few appetizers, and asked what kind of alcohol they would like to drink.

Zhao Feiyang sought Xu Chunliang's opinion, which was effectively no opinion at all; he agreed to whatever arrangements the leader made as host.

Zhao Feiyang asked Xu Ying to bring a bottle of Dassai shochu, considering Xu Chunliang might not be accustomed to sake. The former has an alcohol content of 39%, comparable to domestic low-alcohol white spirits, while the latter only has 16%.

Following sashimi, two fresh sea urchins airlifted from Hokkaido were served.

Xu Chunliang wasn't very fond of Japanese cuisine but could see that Zhao Feiyang had put effort into hosting this dinner, and it was of a high standard.

A bottle of shochu was soon finished, and Zhao Feiyang ordered another bottle of Dassai sake, referring to this way of drinking as bitter first, sweet later.

However, even Xu Chunliang could taste the sweet rice fragrance after drinking the spicy shochu.

Zhao Feiyang said, "Sometimes drinking is like life; you must be able to handle high and low, ups and downs."

Xu Chunliang said, "I'm currently in a low point and haven't experienced the coldness of elevation."

Zhao Feiyang laughed, "Is that a complaint that I haven't promoted you? Many people envy your position as the branch hospital director." He raised his glass, and Xu Chunliang clinked glasses with him from behind.

Zhao Feiyang drank the glass and said, "Xiaoxu, you've really made a big news for our Changxing this time."

Xu Chunliang said, "Don't worry, Dean Zhao. I'll take responsibility for my actions and won't cause trouble for Changxing."

Zhao Feiyang said, "What are you saying? When have I ever found you troublesome? You just don't understand me. In the hospital, we're superior and subordinate, but here, I consider you a brother."

Xu Chunliang thought to himself, Zhao Feiyang's words were really clever, saying "here," which obviously referred to the Japanese restaurant. The implication was that once they left this place, he wouldn't be considered a brother anymore.

Xu Chunliang didn't mind, as he never considered Zhao Feiyang a brother from the start. This person was too calculative and always thought of how to use others, lacking sincerity.

Of course, Xu Chunliang didn't blame Zhao Feiyang; after all, someone in his position had a lot to consider, and he himself was just a small figure in Changxing, also Zhao Feiyang's subordinate. How many leaders truly form friendships with their subordinates? Friendliness is often just an act, and it's impossible to achieve true equality in mindset due to different levels.

Xu Chunliang intentionally said, "I heard that Enheng Pharmaceutical is pressuring Changxing for payment?"

Zhao Feiyang nodded and said, "They had initially agreed to payment by the end of the year but now want it early. However, this can be resolved." Since things had reached this point, there was no point blaming Xu Chunliang. Nothing could be changed, so Zhao Feiyang decided to play the generous benefactor to show Xu Chunliang how well he was treated.

Xu Chunliang said, "If necessary, I can talk to them."

Zhao Feiyang was somewhat surprised, increasingly convinced that Xu Chunliang had connections. Beating up the head of Enheng and still wanting to discuss delaying payment? Isn't that too much?

Zhao Feiyang said, "There's no need; you don't have to get involved."

Xu Chunliang picked up a piece of foie gras nigiri to taste the melt-in-your-mouth feel Zhao Feiyang mentioned. It wasn't bad; Japanese cuisine seemed to emphasize the color and texture of the food. As for the taste, that was subjective.

Zhao Feiyang said, "I heard today's incident even caught Secretary Zhou's attention?" He highly suspected that Xu Chunliang had some ties with Secretary Zhou. If true, being introduced by Xu Chunliang might provide a connection to Secretary Zhou.

Xu Chunliang said, "Which Secretary Zhou? I don't seem to know any secretary with the surname Zhou."

Zhao Feiyang thought Xu Chunliang was playing dumb. Since he wouldn't admit it, Zhao Feiyang smiled and said, "Mr. Xu has quite expansive connections."

Xu Chunliang laughed, "Dean Zhao, to be honest with you, I don't even understand myself why they let me go. I hadn't considered the consequences when I went to Enheng today to beat someone up. It was only after the fact that I realized my actions might cause trouble for Changxing."

Zhao Feiyang acted magnanimously regarding this matter: "Learn from your mistakes and consider more before acting next time. Come, here's to you successfully resolving the trouble."

Zhao Feiyang didn't get the answers he wanted from Xu Chunliang. After Xu Chunliang left, he didn't leave immediately.

Xu Ying noticed his mood wasn't very good, so she ordered a few more dishes and came over to drink with him.

Zhao Feiyang asked, "What do you think of him?"

Xu Ying laughed, "I thought the person who stormed into Enheng Building and gave Sheng Chaohui a beating was a brute. Who would have thought he'd be a handsome, well-mannered young man?"

Zhao Feiyang said, with a deep meaning, "Is it that women your age all like young men?"

Xu Ying laughed happily, "What are you thinking? Maybe your description set my expectations, so when I met him in person, the contrast was striking."

Zhao Feiyang said, "This kid is brave and shrewd, and he has a background. Now he's become cautious of me."

Xu Ying replied, "It's normal for him to be wary of you if something happened and you were unwilling to help." She glanced at the exquisite dishes on the table, "People often don't need embellishments on what they already have; they need help when in dire straits."

Zhao Feiyang nodded in agreement, "It's not that I didn't want to help with his matters, but I couldn't. Even Secretary Tan Wenjun from the High-Tech Zone might not be able to resolve it. I inquired, and it was Secretary Zhou playing a role behind the scenes."

Xu Ying, surprised, asked, "Dongzhou..."

Zhao Feiyang blinked, and Xu Ying didn't continue. They clinked their glasses, and Xu Ying said, "In that case, this Xiaoxu is indeed not simple."

Zhao Feiyang said, "I initially thought Gao Xinhua might approach my father, but my father doesn't know about this matter."

Xu Ying said, "Father indeed has that influence, but asking him to lower his head and plead isn't ideal."

Good steel should be used on the blade. Zhao Feiyang knew his father's influence would gradually diminish over time. The more it wanes, the less he should ask for favors. It's not simply a matter of face; the more important reason is that when you ask, those who owe you favors can repay them, and usually, there isn't a next time.

Zhao Feiyang wanted to save his father's favor for himself, as he had a premonition that he might face an unprecedented storm during the reorganization process, a critical moment where his father's intervention would be necessary.

Zhao Feiyang said, "Gao Xinhua doesn't have this capability. His social connections don't reach this level; he even went to Geng Wenxiu."

Xu Ying said, "Gao Xinhua really treats him well. I heard Xu Chunliang's grandfather was a traditional Chinese medicine doctor at Huichun Hall. Could it be he has a connection with Secretary Zhou..."

Zhao Feiyang shook his head.

Xu Ying thought of the girl who brought Xu Chunliang over today. Although it was just a fleeting glance, she left an extremely deep impression. Xu Ying had seen many beauties, but rarely one like today, not just in looks but with the girl's elegant demeanor. This demeanor relates to personal cultivation, involving several aspects beyond education, with an important factor being family background.

They say it takes three generations to cultivate a noble. Xu Ying, although she didn't have the chance to converse with Mei Ru Xue, dared to assert that the girl had an illustrious background.

She told Zhao Feiyang about this, and upon hearing it, the first person Zhao Feiyang thought of was Mei Ru Xue. It had to be Mei Ru Xue, who, at twenty-three, was already a township leader, certainly with a powerful background.

Zhao Feiyang had heard some rumors about Xu Chunliang and Mei Ru Xue. If they were indeed in a relationship, today's events made sense.

Xu Ying softly said, "Indeed, behind every successful man, there's a woman quietly making her contributions."

Zhao Feiyang said, "He's not successful yet."

Xu Ying thought differently, "He's still young."

Youth itself is an asset. Zhao Feiyang recently felt a sense of crisis, as he was about to step into his forties. Though most see him as a young cadre at the department level, Zhao Feiyang understood his upward path was limited, and his political career might stall.

At his age, lots of people at deputy director-general level positions are common. While he is on par with heads of districts and counties, his real power and future progression can't compare to theirs.

Take Geng Wenjun, who is two years older, for example; his next step to deputy director-general level would be easy. For Zhao Feiyang, it might remain an unachievable leap before retirement.

Ultimately, it comes down to background. Had his father not retired, there might be a chance. However, with his father's complete retirement, his advancement to deputy director-general level became merely theoretical. Moreover, in the health system, reaching department level is often a bottleneck, and breaking through is difficult.

A few days ago, when he met Huayuan Group's Chairman Tang Jingwei in Nanjiang, Tang Jingwei mentioned this. Tang suggested he serve as the head of the newly established Dongzhou Huanyan Medical Management Company, offering an extraordinarily favorable condition, including joining Huayuan Group's board and promising shares.

Zhao Feiyang was clear that nothing comes for free. Tang clearly expected something in return. Whatever Zhao could gain from Huayuan, it's what he deserved. Huayuan would never make a losing deal.

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