Chapter 580: Chapter 551: Above Average but Not the Best

Wang Jinwu burst into loud laughter, also glancing at Xu Chunliang and said, "Whoever marries you is in for a tough time." It’s hard to tell without taking off clothes that this guy is even more robust than I am.

Xu Chunliang said, "You two are real scoundrels." Closing his eyes, he felt the hot spring’s wash over his body, the heat seeping through the pores into his body, feeling the inner breath freely exchange with the outside world, truly comfortable throughout.

Wang Jinwu said, "I’ve been on Weishan Island all these years and never found a hot spring. I can’t believe you guys discovered one as soon as you arrived."

Pu Jian said, "That’s fate, our Town Mayor Xu is having a streak of good luck."

Wang Jinwu said, "You’re not planning to return to the Capital City?"

Pu Jian said, "I’m busy here, and there are several deals waiting for me to handle over there."

Xu Chunliang said, "Once the contract with Mu Tian Group is signed, it won’t be so busy." He remembered something, that Mrs. Zhou could come to enjoy the hot spring, just this outdoor hot spring was still a bit cold.

Wang Jinwu laughed when he heard this and said, "That’s simple. The bathhouse next door is warm enough. Just tell their boss, and we can channel the hot spring water over there."

Xu Chunliang said, "How do you channel it over?"

Wang Jinwu said, "Isn’t it simple to connect a rubber hose? It can be done in minutes."

Pu Jian said, "I think it works."

Xu Chunliang said, "It’s best to book the place."

Wang Jinwu assured it wouldn’t be a problem and immediately went to arrange it, asking the bathhouse owner to close tomorrow and do a thorough cleaning today just to host Mrs. Zhou and her group. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Wang Jinwu acted on his words, got up, dressed, and went next door to make arrangements.

Pu Jian, after soaking for a while, couldn’t stand it anymore and got up to get dressed.

Xu Chunliang said, "Aren’t you supposed to take a shower after soaking in the hot spring?"

Pu Jian, wiping himself, said, "There are not so many picky standards. I’ve been soaking three times a day recently, feeling rejuvenated."

Xu Chunliang looked him over and said, "You indeed look a bit younger."

Pu Jian said, "Weishan Island is truly a treasured place. To be honest, I’ve developed feelings for it recently, and I’m reluctant to leave."

"If you don’t want to leave, then stay."

At this moment, Director Fan Lidada from the National Resort Construction Command Office arrived. He was passing by to check out the situation over here. After all, recently, the distillery had become a focus in Dongzhou’s tourism system. Some trouble had prevented Director Fan Lidada from coming over, but now that things have mostly settled, he decided to come for a look.

Director Fan was stopped by security at the entrance, who were really diligent these days.

Only after consulting with Pu Jian did the security let him in. Xu Chunliang, hearing it was Director Fan, had Pu Jian bring him over to the hot spring area.

When Fan Lidada saw Xu Chunliang soaking unclothed in the pool, he couldn’t help but laugh, "Brother, you really know how to enjoy yourself."

Xu Chunliang said, "This isn’t called enjoyment. It’s called taking the lead. The hot spring water quality report isn’t out yet. I need to help the public try it out and see if this hot spring is toxic, if it will harm the body."

Fan Lidada said, "Hearing you say that, it seems like it should be my responsibility."

Xu Chunliang invited him to get in and experience for himself, to deeply feel the hardships of the common folks.

Pu Jian handed Fan Lidada a new towel, and after some hesitation, Fan Lidada decided to learn from Xu Chunliang’s leading spirit, stripped off his clothes, and entered the pool.

Seeing Fan Lidada balanced Pu Jian a bit, as the two guys earlier were too intense; Fan Lidada seemed more normal, and Pu Jian felt not too bad by comparison.

Fan Lidada, with his fleshy body glowing white, was a bit dazzling even to Xu Chunliang.

Fan Lidada, not used to the heat, grimaced for a while before adjusting to the water temperature, "The water temperature is a bit high."

Xu Chunliang said, "Director Fan’s opinion is very important. President Pu, take note, we need to improve this later."

Pu Jian responded, bringing them two new bath towels, then went to the workshop to brew some tea, suggesting they have tea after their soak.

Fan Lidada said, "Brother, have you heard about the personnel changes in the tourism bureau?"

Xu Chunliang nodded, "The new Director Fu is a friend of mine."

Fan Lidada’s eyes lit up, marveling at Xu Chunliang’s strong network. Fu Guomin had always been in the Dongzhou Beijing Office, with limited connections to Dongzhou. How did Xu Chunliang come to know him?

Fan Lidada was formerly the deputy director of the tourism bureau. The head, Qin Lixin, had also been quite good to him. The city set up this national-level resort command office, and Qin Lixin strongly recommended him as the director.

Fan Lida initially thought this would be a promotion, but upon arriving, he discovered the awkward situation of this command center, stuck between the Tourism Bureau above and the Hu Shan Town Government below. He inadvertently found himself caught in a crevice.

The city originally planned to grant the command center considerable authority, but adjustments were made during implementation. Now, the role is mainly to coordinate, focusing on interfacing with the Jizhou side.

Fan Lida also heard a rumor that the city intends to streamline the agencies, merging the Culture Bureau, Cultural Heritage Bureau, and Tourism Bureau into one. If the rumor is true, then a Dongzhou Culture and Tourism Bureau will be established, which will wield more power, with fewer heads. This new department might become even more awkward and could potentially be downsized.

Since Fu Guomin arrived in Dongzhou, Fan Lida has been trying to establish contact with him, but thus far lacks any reliable connection. Learning from Xu Chunliang that he has some relationship with Fu Guomin, Fan Lida naturally took notice and whispered, "Brother, help me arrange a meeting with Director Fu if there’s an opportunity."

Xu Chunliang chuckled, "He’ll be inspecting Weishan Island in the next few days, so I’ll organize something then."

Xu Chunliang inquired about the renovation progress of the command center. Fan Lida informed him it was nearly complete, expecting to be operational by the end of the month. Fan Lida was candid about his current situation, expressing uncertainty about the command center’s purpose, which hinges on the new director, Fu Guomin.

Fan Lida soaked for less than ten minutes before coming out, feeling as though every pore on his body was exuding heat.

Xu Chunliang also dressed and invited him to the large workspace for tea.

They had just sat down when Wang Jinwu returned. He had organized things at the public bathhouse; the owner agreed to close it for cleaning tonight, and Wang Jinwu had reserved it for the entire day tomorrow.

Fan Lida, after experiencing the hot spring, felt it was indeed different from an ordinary bathhouse. He heard that Mu Tian Group intended to develop a hot spring resort center on Weishan Island and immediately expressed his full support, knowing full well they didn’t really need his support.

Xu Chunliang couldn’t let him enjoy the hot spring for free and proposed the title of a Weishan Island Ecological Resources Protection Demonstration Zone.

Fan Lida agreed immediately, as such titles with no practical significance could be given out in abundance.

They were enjoying a pleasant conversation when Zhou Deming called to inform him that Zhen Chun had sprained her ankle, so he contacted Xu Chunliang.

Xu Chunliang thought to himself, what was Zhang Haitao doing? Wasn’t he supposed to follow her? Actually, Zhang Haitao couldn’t be blamed for this incident. Both Zhen Chun and Zhou Deming were adults; what could go wrong playing at a farm? He was mainly keeping an eye on Mrs. Zhou.

Considering Mrs. Zhou’s age, she had been sleeping till now, with Zhang Haitao keeping watch nearby.

Xu Chunliang decided to go and check immediately. He and Wang Jinwu returned to the farm, where they found Zhen Chun and Zhou Deming on a small hill on the farm, taking pictures. Zhen Chun had accidentally sprained her ankle while posing.

Xu Chunliang located them successfully. Zhou Deming, worried about delaying the treatment of Zhen Chun’s injury, carried her down from the hill and was nearly at the bottom, sweating profusely. Such a sincere and honest young man was rare to see.

Xu Chunliang had him set Zhen Chun down and examined her ankle. When he pressed it slightly, Zhen Chun yelped in pain, "It hurts..."

Xu Chunliang responded, "Why didn’t you enjoy the lakeside? What were you doing running up a hill?"

Zhou Deming owned up, "It was my idea."

Zhen Chun glanced at Zhou Deming, knowing full well that hiking was her suggestion, but she admired his responsibility.

Xu Chunliang declared, "It’s nothing serious, no broken bones."

He retrieved a needle pouch from his waist, took out a fine needle, and Zhen Chun shrieked at the sight of it, "What are you doing, cousin?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Aren’t you in pain? I’m helping to relieve it."

"No!" Zhen Chun clung to Zhou Deming’s arm, "Don’t let him give me a shot. I’m terrified of needles, and... he’s not even a doctor..."

Xu Chunliang retorted, "You look down on me? I’m an authentic disciple of Huichun Hall."

Looking at the long needle, Zhen Chun went pale, "I don’t believe in Huichun Hall..."

Xu Chunliang quipped, "If Grandpa hears that, he’ll break your leg."

Zhen Chun declared, "It doesn’t hurt anymore, it doesn’t hurt anymore."

Seeing her resistance to the needle, Xu Chunliang didn’t press further and returned the fine needle to its pouch, "Since it doesn’t hurt, walk on your own."

Zhen Chun attempted to take a step but found the pain in her ankle intense.

It was still Zhou Deming who offered to carry her.

Neither Xu Chunliang nor Wang Jinwu intervened. They walked ahead, and after a while, Wang Jinwu glanced back and quietly said to Xu Chunliang, "They make a good pair."

Xu Chunliang responded, "Stop trying to play matchmaker."

Wang Jinwu chuckled, "Wouldn’t Xiaozhou only carry your cousin down from the hill if he had feelings for her?"

Xu Chunliang understood, realizing Zhen Chun’s sprain wasn’t severe; she was just delicate. Since she didn’t want him to use a needle, a cold compress would have to do for now.