Chapter 1024 - 989: The Ones That Got Away

Xu Chunliang said, "Secretary Zhou, I actually wanted to come earlier, but I’ve been quite busy with work lately. I’m in Nanjiang this time for work as well."

Secretary Zhou replied, "I’ve left Dongzhou, so just call me Uncle Zhou. There’s no need for such formality between our two families."

Although Secretary Zhou has had a change in his work, the relationship between Zhen Chun and Zhou Deming has been progressing very well, and both families are very supportive of their romance.

Xu Chunliang called him Uncle Zhou.

At this moment, Zhou Deming brought him a cup of tea, smiled at him, and turned away.

Secretary Zhou asked, "Did the signing go smoothly?"

Xu Chunliang shook his head, speaking frankly. After all, such matters are not secrets, and there’s nothing to hide. He doesn’t expect Secretary Zhou to help either, as Secretary Zhou is currently serving in the Provincial People’s Congress Financial and Economic Committee, but he holds no substantial power.

Secretary Zhou said, "I do know some financiers; how about I introduce you to some?"

Xu Chunliang smiled and said, "Thank you, Uncle Zhou, but there’s no need. Many want to invest in our hospital; it’s just that Equatorial Capital was the first to approach us. Everything was going smoothly until they suddenly changed their CEO, and this new CEO immediately canceled the plan to invest in our hospital."

Secretary Zhou commented, "Investing in healthcare is definitely a great project, with economic benefits and social impact. I really don’t understand what he’s thinking."

Xu Chunliang said, "I guess they have projects that are even more profitable. These investors always pursue maximum profit; they don’t care about social impact."

Secretary Zhou said, "Introducing investment is a good thing, but you must carefully examine the investors, as Changxing Hospital serves as a cautionary example."

Xu Chunliang said, "Uncle Zhou is right, but Changxing has now changed hands too. Huayuan Group transferred its shares to Jishi Medical Investment Co., Ltd."

Secretary Zhou sighed and said, "Changxing Hospital was initially a pilot for public-private partnerships. Now it seems that healthcare reform is a long-term challenge, and we shouldn’t take too big a step."

Xu Chunliang said, "Uncle Zhou, recently many have come to invest in Dongzhou: the national-level Hua Tou, Peninsula’s Lexus, and the big real estate company Zhengdao Real Estate. What makes Dongzhou so attractive?"

Secretary Zhou laughed and said, "Everything shouldn’t be judged by its cover; as investment increases, so does trouble. Take the matter of Jianjie Square, for example. Despite exposing it early or late, they chose to do it during the Confucius Temple ribbon-cutting ceremony. There is always a game between investors and the government. Investors want the most significant benefits locally, while the government wants to protect the interests of the people and develop the local economy using the investors’ money. The different starting points inevitably lead to conflicts. Resolving these conflicts depends on the local leaders’ wisdom."

Xu Chunliang thought to himself that Secretary Zhou had left Dongzhou quietly because he hadn’t resolved conflicts well before, and now Wang Jianming’s pressure is not any less.

Xu Chunliang mentioned the separation of the National Grade Resort Development Command from the Culture and Tourism Bureau. After listening, Secretary Zhou pondered for a moment and said, "Actually, Weishan Lake has excellent natural resources. If it can complement and develop alongside Jizhou, it will quickly become a city highlight in Dongzhou."

Secretary Zhou didn’t know Wang Jianming well. Based on his usual thinking, Wang Jianming wouldn’t focus on developing the scenic Weishan Island Resort. After all, he was the one who advocated for the national-level resort construction initially. As a successor, generally, one wouldn’t go to great lengths to prove the foresight of a predecessor’s blueprint.

Secretary Zhou’s visit to Dongzhou Confucius Temple for the ribbon-cutting ceremony further confirmed his thoughts. Wang Jianming didn’t mention the Weishan Lake national-level resort at all. This time, bringing up old matters indicates he’s preparing to tread both paths, not daring to stake everything on the historical and cultural reconstruction of Dongzhou’s old city.

Secretary Zhou said, "I heard a piece of news: Zhengdao Real Estate is going to acquire Jianjie Square. This Zhengdao Real Estate was created by Wang Zhengdao."

"Wang Zhengdao?"

Secretary Zhou nodded and smiled, saying, "It has nothing to do with you. Doing your job well is more important than anything else."

Xu Chunliang sensed that Secretary Zhou was kindly reminding him not to get too close to Wang Jianming, even though Wang Jianming is the top leader of Dongzhou City. The relationships surrounding him are complex.

Secretary Zhou doesn’t want this young man to be used by others, nor does he want him involved in sensitive matters.

As the sun sets, Qiao Yuanjiang prepares to pack up; his only remaining hobby is fishing.

At this moment, someone pulled out the fish net from the water, and the fish inside jumped, stirring a splash.

Qiao Yuanjiang recognized the visitor as Tang Jingwei, and the muscles around his lips involuntarily twitched.

"That’s a good catch." Tang Jingwei released the fish net, wiped his hands with the prepared tissue, and tossed it on the ground.

Qiao Yuanjiang said, "If you like, I’ll give them to you."

Tang Jingwei chuckled, "President Qiao is generous, but alas, I don’t like eating fish. I recall you don’t like them either; you enjoy fishing. Is it the feeling of fish biting the hook that anglers especially savor?"

Qiao Yuanjiang detected his implied meaning and calmly said, "It depends on the kind of fish."

Tang Jingwei said, "Escaped fish!"

Qiao Yuanjiang’s heart sank; a fish had bitten the hook, but he didn’t reel it in because he had lost his mood.

Tang Jingwei said, "Your life has been quite safe and sound. For a person, safety is most important; what’s the use of ability? Your brother was capable, but in the end, whether he’s alive or dead is unknown."

Qiao Yuanjiang responded coldly, "Why bring up past events after so many years?"

Tang Jingwei said, "That’s your own brother, how could you forget that? My brother cheated and harmed me, but now he’s in trouble, and I don’t hold a grudge against him at all. I still try everything possible to absolve him. Your family affection is truly cold."

Qiao Yuanjiang said, "You two have ended up like this, haven’t you found reasons in yourselves? Don’t put all the blame on others."

Tang Jingwei said, "I’ve never blamed you; Elder Qiao was right about you—your capabilities are limited, you can’t accomplish anything big, although you tried your best for my matters, you couldn’t make any difference."

Qiao Yuanjiang said, "Your issues are too big for me to handle."

Tang Jingwei said, "Even if you can’t handle it, don’t add insult to injury. I didn’t mean you; I meant your precious nephew. He’s harsher than you are."

The fishing float resurfaced; the fish slipped off the hook.

Tang Jingwei said, "Slipped off the hook."

Qiao Yuanjiang said, "Let’s just consider it feeding the fish."

Tang Jingwei said, "I envy you, having the mood to fish. I can’t. I suffer from insomnia night after night. Although Huayuan has encountered a debt crisis, it’s not beyond saving. If the bank lends a hand, I can catch my breath. But you people refuse to let me breathe. A gentleman is innocent, yet he is guilty because he possesses a treasure. Some people have their eyes on what I have, and I must relinquish it."

Qiao Yuanjiang stared at the calm surface of the water, but his mood was churning inside like tides.

Tang Jingwei said, "I accept the heavy losses as long as I’m left with a way to survive, a way for my son to live. But you refuse! You killed my son, imprisoned my brother, and want to leave me with nothing. Won’t you be satisfied until I’m dead? Aren’t you afraid?"

Qiao Yuanjiang reached for his cigarettes but found nothing.

Tang Jingwei took out his own cigarettes and offered one to Qiao Yuanjiang, lighting it for him.

Qiao Yuanjiang took a drag and said, "Are you sure there’s no misunderstanding?"

Tang Jingwei said, "No misunderstanding. You don’t need to be afraid. I haven’t thought of going after you. The debt has a debtor; I’m not unreasonable."

Qiao Yuanjiang sighed and said, "Give it up while there’s still time."

Tang Jingwei said, "It’s too late. Someone killed my son. Once the war starts, it’s endless until one side perishes." He also lit a cigarette.

Both smoked in silence, seemingly very harmonious and in sync, like old friends chatting, which is exactly what they were.

Qiao Yuanjiang smoked until only the butt remained and finally made a decision: "Have you ever thought about how far a lone boat can sail in the vast sea?"

Tang Jingwei looked at Qiao Yuanjiang with a sinister gaze: "Everyone has children."

Qi Shuang looked at her sleeping son in her arms and finally managed a smile. She initially intended to fly to Dongzhou to visit her brother, but when Qiao Rulong found out, he stopped her, asking her to come to Nanjiang first, preferably bringing her son along since Elder Qiao was currently recuperating in Nanjiang. Rulong wanted to take this opportunity for Grandpa to meet this descendant of the Qiao family.

Qi Shuang thought Qiao Rulong would come to pick her up personally, but XiaoWu came instead.

Qi Shuang asked, "Is he very busy?"

Xiaowu smiled, "President Qiao’s every move is under scrutiny now."

Qi Shuang understood Rulong’s caution was necessary, but she felt somewhat aggrieved—not for herself, but for her son, who remained in the shadows.

The nearby nanny reached out to take the child, but Qi Shuang shook her head, refusing to let the nanny assist. Her sleeping son greatly resembled Qiao Rulong.

She lowered her head and lightly kissed her son’s rosy little cheek.

She recalled the last encounter with Elder Qiao, feeling a glimmer of hope, faint as it was, but a hope nonetheless.

The car drove onto the road ahead, encountering a temporary road closure sign due to repairs. Xiaowu sighed, rolled down the window, and asked the workers repairing the road, "Hey, when will this road be fixed?"

One of the workers, speaking in the dialect from the central region, said, "The front road collapsed; it likely won’t be fixed anytime soon. You should turn around back to the first fork, then take a left to detour."

Xiaowu checked the navigation for the route, confirming there was indeed another way to the destination, and then turned the car around.

Following the worker’s advice, he turned left at the fork, driving through a bumpy section.

Qi Shuang gazed into the dark outside the window, feeling a bit scared. "Xiaowu, where are we?"

Xiaowu glanced at the navigation, "No problem, the main road isn’t far ahead."

Following the map’s route, they turned right. Before the car was fully turned, a dark Raptor pickup truck sped out of the night and crashed into the side of the Maybach with a loud bang!