Chapter 590: Chapter 561: If You Don’t Love, Why Not Let Go

Xu Chunliang said, "We strive to be impartial in our work, but I must speak a fair word. In the matter of Huayuan Group investing in Changxing, you indeed lacked transparency, and the assets of Weishan Island Hospital were seriously undervalued."

Zhao Feiyang said, "Xiaoxu, are you trying to take back Weishan Island Hospital?"

Xu Chunliang replied, "It’s not my intention, it’s Secretary Qin’s. He believes that Huayuan Group has occupied the best land on Weishan Island, yet repeatedly delayed, betraying the expectations of the town government and violating the original commitment, which constitutes a breach of contract."

Zhao Feiyang, hearing the alarmist tone, responded calmly, "Nothing can be accomplished overnight. Development and construction are lengthy processes. As long as we complete it within the contract period, it doesn’t count as a breach. Hu Shan Town Government has no right to reclaim the land."

Xu Chunliang asked, "You insist now because you believe this land is valuable. But if Weishan Island Hospital cannot bring the expected value, or even negatively impacts Huayuan Group, will you still persist?"

"What do you mean?" Zhao Feiyang felt Xu Chunliang’s words were double-edged, seemingly speaking of Weishan Island Hospital on the surface but implying his own situation beneath.

Xu Chunliang stated, "Water can carry a boat as well as capsize it. The medical staff at Weishan Island Hospital have always been neglected by you, but you failed to realize they are the true masters here. They have now lost trust in Huayuan Group and strongly demand the hospital disconnect from Huayuan Group and return to local control. I know there is a contract, but you must also recognize that the government spares no effort in safeguarding people’s interests. If deception in the original signing of the shareholding system is confirmed, not only here but even Changxing Hospital’s contract might be overturned."

Zhao Feiyang looked at Xu Chunliang, realizing this guy has shown his fangs. Who gave him such confidence? Qin Zhengyang? Unlikely, Qin Zhengyang is only a department-level cadre, with neither that much force nor courage.

Zhao Feiyang said, "Please convey to Secretary Qin that our contracts have no loopholes. Twenty percent of Changxing’s equity belongs to Dongzhou. The establishment of a shareholding hospital was decided by leaders at various levels in Dongzhou, with no violations involved."

Zhao Feiyang is not afraid of them playing tricks with the contract; overturning the shareholding hospital’s contract questions not only him but also Dongzhou’s related leaders. If Qin Zhengyang dares to do that, his career won’t last long in the system.

Xu Chunliang said, "Dean Zhao, there’s a saying: If you don’t love, why not let go?"

Zhao Feiyang felt a jolt inside, knowing Xu Chunliang wasn’t talking about him and Pei Lin, but couldn’t help thinking further; Pei Lin had become his Achilles’ heel.

Xu Chunliang urged, "Wouldn’t it be better to give Weishan Island Hospital a brighter future?"

Zhao Feiyang lit another cigarette, took a deep drag, and exhaled a long plume of smoke from his head raised high. "Xiaoxu, you’re trying to cut off one of Changxing’s arms this time. Don’t forget your position is still in Changxing, doing so won’t bring you any benefit."

Xu Chunliang replied, "Are you saying I’m being ungrateful?"

Zhao Feiyang said, "I know you have issues with Huayuan Group, and you might have some criticisms of me too." Since Xu Chunliang was pressing step by step, there was no need for him to continue pretending; he directly laid the issue bare.

Xu Chunliang shook his head, "You’re overthinking. I do have issues with Huayuan Group, but I hold no personal grudge against you. Everyone has their principles and methods, and I’ve always been grateful to you."

Zhao Feiyang glanced at him from the corner of his eye, "In truth, this matter isn’t within my control. Changxing’s construction focus in recent years has been the shareholding hospital, and Huayuan Group’s financial situation isn’t optimistic. Despite that, expecting Huayuan Group to give up the already acquired land is impossible."

Xu Chunliang stated, "According to the contract, you can’t transfer, can’t change the land use, and can’t collaborate with a third party without Hu Shan Town Government’s permission. I don’t understand the point of holding out."

Zhao Feiyang said, "Xiaoxu, you’ve indeed grown, but you don’t deeply understand the medical market."

Xu Chunliang chuckled, "Are you saying Huayuan Group will never return Weishan Island Hospital to us?"

"You could at least try to convince me first." Zhao Feiyang meant if you can’t even persuade him, don’t expect Huayuan Group to let go, Tang Jingwei isn’t a philanthropist; he doesn’t spend money without reason.

Xu Chunliang commented, "My cousin’s issue can be big or small."

"With what you just said, I doubt the coincidental nature of this matter." Zhao Feiyang had always been suspicious; it’s too coincidental. However, if someone orchestrated it deliberately, their methods would be too sophisticated. By rights, Xu Chunliang hadn’t reached that level yet.

Xu Chunliang added, "If Huayuan is reasonable, I’ll reason with them; if they plan to rip apart faces with Hu Shan Town Government, we have many ways to respond."

Actually, Xu Chunliang still left Zhao Feiyang quite a bit of face. If he revealed the past involving Pei Lin and Yang Mufeng, Zhao Feiyang would suffer a triple blow.

Zhao Feiyang stared into Xu Chunliang’s eyes, and Xu Chunliang fearlessly returned the gaze. After a while, Zhao Feiyang nodded. "I will relay your opinions to President Tang, hoping everyone can find a proper solution."

Zhao Feiyang felt an unprecedented sense of defeat. He never imagined that Xu Chunliang, whom he had promoted first-hand, would repeatedly stab him in the back after leaving Changxing, each stab crueler than the last, each more ruthless.

After parting with Xu Chunliang, Zhao Feiyang went to find Gao Xinhua, only to learn that Gao Xinhua had drunk too much tonight and had been sent to a room to sleep. With no one to talk to, utterly dejected and alone, Zhao Feiyang walked alone toward the lakeshore.

The flames by the lakeside flickered, and the crowd dispersed, leaving only Tong Guangsheng sitting there, watching the familiar lake with the campfire. Even though the night was deep, he could clearly distinguish where he was. He reminisced about the bits and pieces of the past with his comrades. Some always grow old, and some always have to leave first.

Zhao Feiyang’s footsteps interrupted his contemplation. Tong Guangsheng took the initiative to greet him, "Do you want to drink?"

Zhao Feiyang nodded, sat down on the beach chair next to him, and Tong Guangsheng handed him a can of beer.

Zhao Feiyang opened the can, took a sip of beer, and felt his heart grow colder.

Tong Guangsheng said, "Stay a few more days this time. The air on Weishan Island is nice. You can have a good rest."

Zhao Feiyang said, "No time!"

Tong Guangsheng knew Zhao Feiyang had not been doing well recently and comforted him, "Men should put career first but shouldn’t take it too seriously. When you reach my age, you’ll know that career and family are equally important. In fact, most people think family is more important. Don’t push yourself too hard, relax a bit."

Zhao Feiyang said, "At my age, things come one after another like waves, leaving no time even to catch a breath. I want to relax, but I’m worried I’ll sink if I do."

Tong Guangsheng smiled, "Can you swim?"

Zhao Feiyang shook his head; he was a non-swimmer.

Tong Guangsheng said, "Those who are good at swimming know that you can’t keep your body too tense in the water. The more tense you are, the easier you sink. You must relax your body and trust it to support your weight effortlessly."

Zhao Feiyang was thoughtful.

Tong Guangsheng said, "Your dad is a responsible person. He leads by example but never desires fame or fortune."

Zhao Feiyang said, "Yeah, if he weren’t like this, he wouldn’t have stopped at this point in his life."

Tong Guangsheng’s smile disappeared, "Are you measuring a person’s achievements by their position?"

Zhao Feiyang sensed his displeasure and immediately explained, "No, I regret it on my dad’s behalf."

Tong Guangsheng said, "The old captain lived a candid life, able to take up and let go, did things worthy of his conscience and friends and family. I don’t understand why you would think like this."

Zhao Feiyang said, "I meant nothing else."

Tong Guangsheng looked at Zhao Feiyang, "Dean Zhao, actually, everyone knows how the old captain died."

Zhao Feiyang’s heart felt as if it were hit by an iron hammer, making it hard to breathe as blood rushed to his face.

Tong Guangsheng felt he might have been too harsh, drank a sip of beer, and said, "The old captain had high hopes for you, hoping you wouldn’t disappoint him."

##

Pei Lin reported the recent events on Weishan Island to Huayue Headquarters. She is now a director of Jiayue Department Store. Because of what happened at the wedding, she felt extremely anxious, fearing that the group would remove her from her newly warmed seat. Fortunately, this did not happen.

Huayuan Group had to adjust due to a recent financial crisis, coordinating with Nanjiang and major creditors to discuss a debt restructuring plan.

The plan set by several board meetings was to protect Huayuan Group’s core assets, cutting back on assets with low profits or losses to recover as much cash as possible.

The healthcare industry has now been confirmed as Huayuan Group’s future development direction, but with tight cash flow and frequent debt defaults, Huayuan Group cannot support three projects simultaneously in Dongzhou. Under the supervision of the High-Tech Zone, the project of the joint-stock hospital is proceeding briskly.

However, the faster the project progresses, the faster funds are consumed, with many contractors and material suppliers waiting for their second-phase payments.

Jiayue Department Store Group recently announced that the company signed a "Stock Acquisition Agreement" with Huayuan Medical Management Co., Ltd. that day. Jiayue Department Store intends to purchase 20% of Changxing Hospital’s equity through a cash transaction. The transfer price of this equity is 250 million yuan.