Chapter 579: Chapter 550: The Sensible Ones

After lunch, Wang Jinwu arranged for the guests to rest, while Qin Zhengyang and Xu Chunliang went to the lakeside for tea.

Seeing how close Xu Chunliang was with Secretary Zhou’s family, Qin Zhengyang felt a bit more in awe of him.

Xu Chunliang didn’t take the opportunity to show off, sipping his tea he said, "The old lady feels stifled in Dongzhou, so I asked her to come over for a visit, sorry for the trouble, Secretary Qin."

Qin Zhengyang laughed, "What trouble? I usually can’t even find such opportunities." He was speaking the truth; if it weren’t for Xu Chunliang creating this opportunity, he might never have met Secretary Zhou’s family.

The two exchanged a glance, understanding each other implicitly, and laughed together. After a short period of getting acquainted, they had developed a certain rapport.

Qin Zhengyang said, "I heard Zhao Feiyang seems to be in some trouble."

Xu Chunliang replied, "Every family has its own problems." He didn’t feel schadenfreude toward Zhao Feiyang’s plight, nor did he have much sympathy. If anything, it was for Elder Zhao.

Qin Zhengyang sighed, "I haven’t interacted much with Dean Zhao, but I don’t agree with some of his actions, especially his decision to leave his position."

Xu Chunliang drank his tea and said, "Initially, he was keen to make a difference. According to him, he resigned because he didn’t want to be too constrained and wanted to contribute to Changxing."

Qin Zhengyang said, "His abilities couldn’t match his ambition." He understood the ways of bureaucracy; talking about too many constraints or trying to contribute to the unit was all nonsense. Ultimately, it was to satisfy personal desires, but people like that usually pretend to be principled.

Qin Zhengyang looked down on Zhao Feiyang’s actions, thinking he was shortsighted and selfish.

Xu Chunliang laughed, seeing that Qin Zhengyang was attempting to have a deeper conversation with him. Qin Zhengyang was undoubtedly more shrewd than Zhao Feiyang. When he first came to Hu Shan Town, Qin Zhengyang was wary of him, even trying to intimidate him initially. However, upon realizing Xu Chunliang’s abilities and background, Qin Zhengyang quickly adjusted his attitude, supporting him on several key issues.

Although Qin Zhengyang’s position wasn’t as high as Zhao Feiyang’s, Qin Zhengyang was obviously more responsible and didn’t think of self-preservation first when problems arose, unlike Zhao Feiyang.

Qin Zhengyang picked up the teapot to pour Xu Chunliang a cup of tea. An act like this, from a superior to a subordinate, wasn’t done thoughtlessly. It signified Qin Zhengyang’s complete acknowledgment of Xu Chunliang and a gesture of extending friendship.

Xu Chunliang didn’t show any fear, looking calmly at Qin Zhengyang. This was a person with a sense of responsibility and discernment.

Xu Chunliang raised his teacup and said to Qin Zhengyang, "Secretary Qin, I toast to you."

Qin Zhengyang smiled and raised his cup too. Xu Chunliang’s cup was slightly lower, acknowledging the tea-pouring gesture. After finishing the tea, Qin Zhengyang said, "If you’re willing, I can apply to have you formally remain in Hu Shan Town." This was the first time he expressed his desire to keep Xu Chunliang here.

Xu Chunliang laughed, "Thank you for your trust, Secretary Qin, but I’m not in a hurry to decide just yet."

Qin Zhengyang said, "Then let’s wait and see. Anyway, the doors of Hu Shan Town are always open for you."

Xu Chunliang said meaningfully, "It’s good to have a leader like you."

Qin Zhengyang laughed, "It’s my fortune to have a brother like you."

Qin Zhengyang was undoubtedly a clever person. He knew how to express himself in a way that preserved his dignity while allowing others to understand his intentions. He had some connections but they weren’t strong enough. His current position was achieved half due to his capabilities and half due to luck.

After becoming Secretary, Qin Zhengyang was eager to show his capabilities. However, the city set up a new resort command center, leaving him somewhat deflated and anxious, even questioning if his luck had run out.

The arrival of Xu Chunliang gave him hope. A series of incidents taught him that Xu Chunliang wasn’t his competitor but rather his benefactor.

People like Mei Ru Xue and Xu Chunliang were destined not to stay long in Hu Shan Town. They came to gain grassroots experience. He should seize the opportunity to build relationships with them, rather than opposing them. Gaining Xu Chunliang’s approval could perhaps allow him to advance further.

Xu Chunliang also understood Qin Zhengyang’s intentions and saw his value. Having another friend like him was definitely not a bad thing.

"Oh my, are you serious? With your skills, how dare you pose as a professional photographer?" They turned their heads toward the voice; it was Zhen Chun asking Zhou Deming to take her photo. Zhou Deming, a beginner in photography, wasn’t delivering satisfactory results.

Xu Chunliang thought to himself that this girl had no idea who she was talking to like that.

Zhou Deming was blushing up to his neck, but no matter what Zhen Chun said to him, he was still grinning foolishly like a simpleton from a rich family.

Qin Zhengyang said, "Youth is great."

Xu Chunliang said, "I’m young too."

Qin Zhengyang laughed, "To be honest, I never felt you were young."

Both of them laughed at the same time; Xu Chunliang knew that Qin Zhengyang was talking about attitude, not appearance.

Zhen Chun asked Zhou Deming to stand at the spot she chose, adjusted the settings, took a photo of him, and then told Zhou Deming how to compose the picture.

Zhou Deming then realized that Zhen Chun was very professional in photography. He hadn’t owned this camera for long, and there were many function buttons he hadn’t figured out yet. Now he happened to have a teacher to ask.

Zhen Chun’s purpose in teaching was to have him help her take photos. One was willing to teach, the other willing to learn, and they got along very well.

Before leaving, Xu Chunliang passed by them and greeted them. He had work to do and couldn’t accompany them all the way.

Zhen Chun said, "Town Mayor Xu, go ahead and get busy. Mingzai is here to keep me company."

Zhou Deming was taken aback for a moment, but he quickly realized that Mingzai referred to him, and he grinned widely again: "Chunliang, you go ahead and get busy. We’ll be playing at the farm in the afternoon; it’s nice here." As he spoke, he glanced at Zhen Chun.

Zhen Chun said, "What are you looking at me for?"

Zhou Deming said, "How can I take photos of you if I don’t look at you?"

Zhen Chun said, "What a silly goose, take a picture of the two of us siblings first."

Xu Chunliang didn’t like taking photos but was dragged into a group photo by Zhen Chun. Zhen Chun asked for the camera to have a look and was fairly satisfied. She nodded and said, "Worthy of being taught, Mingzai, I’ll take you as my apprentice."

Zhou Deming laughed and said, "Then I should call you Teacher Zhen."

"Why are you standing there stunned? Hurry up and kneel to acknowledge your master."

Xu Chunliang saw Zhou Deming laugh until his eyes were almost invisible and thought he had never seen this guy so happy before. Could Zhou Deming have fallen for Zhen Chun at first sight?

Xu Chunliang didn’t want to bother with their business. As he left, he instructed Zhang Haitao to accompany them thoroughly for the next two days, ensuring meticulous care. Any problems would be on him.

Wang Jinwu went with Xu Chunliang to the winery, and on the way, Wang Jinwu told Xu Chunliang that Mo Han, representing Equatorial Capital, was negotiating collaboration with them. Initially, they planned for Equatorial Capital, Mu Tian Group, and Xianhong Farm to jointly invest in creating the most premier hot spring resort in Jianghai District.

Xu Chunliang had already heard Mo Han mention this and was happy to facilitate the three-way cooperation. Now, he was responsible for attracting investment in Hu Shan Town, and the hot spring resort project landing would surely count as his achievement.

It’s just that the Mu Tian Group’s water quality report on the hot spring was yet to be completed, so he didn’t know what the final situation would be.

The Weishan Island Winery had added a lot of security personnel now, most of whom were former winery employees and their offspring. All the security guards wore uniforms for unified management.

The helicopter had already flown away, and Bai Mushan had left too. Besides that well, there were no other valuable archaeological discoveries. According to Bai Mushan, although there are many artifacts in the area, the overall excavation value is low.

Xu Chunliang believed the main reason was that there were no dragon bones here, so Bai Mushan naturally lost interest.

The experts from the Dongzhou Cultural Relics Bureau had also returned. It was reported that another Han Tomb was discovered recently in the north suburb of Dongzhou, so the bureau’s main focus had shifted over there. Compared to the winery’s artifacts, it was like the difference between civilian kilns and official kilns in porcelain.

Pu Jian did gain a lot, though. The cultural relics bureau issued him an engagement letter, giving him the title of cultural relics protection consultant. Holding this letter with the big red stamp of the East State City Cultural Relics Bureau, he was all smiles, finally having official recognition.

After thwarting Ecological Environmental Investment Group’s attempt to seize the winery’s hot spring, the ownership here had essentially transferred to Mo Han. A wall was erected between the winery and the hot spring, temporarily separating the two.

They temporarily built a canal next to the hot spring, channeling the spring water into the newly constructed pool in the southwest corner.

Sitting by the canal, one could directly dip their feet into the hot spring for a soak. In the evenings, when no one was around, they could directly soak in the hot spring pool. Pu Jian and the others enjoyed it plenty, soaking until their skin was smooth and tender. Although there was a hint of abusing resources and using public property for private gain, the hot spring water was unmanaged, and not using it would be a waste, its final destination being the sewer.

When Xu Chunliang and Wang Jinwu arrived, Pu Jian strongly encouraged the two to experience the hot spring.

The two couldn’t resist and, after undressing, went directly into the pool to soak.

This pool was filled with fresh water today. Since they were all men, there was nothing to be shy about; they stripped down completely. After undressing, Pu Jian regretted it a little. Looking at the others’ well-defined muscles, then at his own, which seemed a bit lacking, it was still acceptable. But comparing his younger brother to theirs, he found that in both presence and physique, they fell short, especially Xu Chunliang. Who knew he was this big?

Xu Chunliang noticed Pu Jian’s gaze lingering on him and couldn’t help but ask, "What are you looking at? Don’t you have yours?"

Pu Jian sighed and said, "Damn, all the good food is monopolized by you, leaving my brothers malnourished."