Chapter 1074: The Onlooker Sees Clearly

Huang Wanglin said, “Perhaps when people reach a certain level, they no longer put the pursuit of maximum profit first.”

Xu Chunliang laughed, “Although I don’t know Zhai Pingqing well, in the end he’s just a businessman. I don’t think he’s investing in our hospital out of a desire to save lives or contribute to public health.”

Huang Wanglin also laughed; Xu Chunliang’s assessment of Zhai Pingqing was basically correct.

The two of them entered the tea room and sat down. Huang Wanglin told Xu Chunliang that recently, people were still sending dragon bones, hoping he could help make connections. He worried some of these might have illicit origins, so he stayed away from them. Later he introduced Xie Boxiang to Mo Han.

Last time Xu Chunliang was in Capital City, Xie Boxiang invited him to dinner, and Xu discovered Xie Boxiang had longstanding business ties with the Xiahou Family.

Huang Wanglin brought up this matter with good intentions. Although Xie Boxiang is famous in the antiques business, he’s got a shady background, often dealing with items of unknown origin, and he’s not shy about counterfeiting and selling fakes for profit. Huang Wanglin met Mo Han through Xu Chunliang and was very impressed with her, so he wanted Xu to advise Mo not to go astray in pursuit of temporary gains.

Xu Chunliang thanked Huang Wanglin for the advice and said, somewhat puzzled, “I remember last time dining with Master Xie, he said himself that he’s retiring from Jianghu.”

Huang Wanglin sighed, “Once you enter Jianghu, it’s as deep as the ocean; it’s not so easy to leave. Even if Master Xie has such intentions, it’s not something he can achieve in the short term. His numerous disciples still need to eat, and if he lets go, what happens to them?”

Xu Chunliang said, “I’ll remind Mo Han about this, but I doubt she’ll listen.”

Huang Wanglin replied, “Regardless, at least we’ve fulfilled our duty as friends.”

That evening, Xu Chunliang proposed visiting Fu Guomin’s Dongzhou Barbecue.

Hua Zhuyue wasn’t particularly interested in barbecue, primarily due to the lingering smoky smell, but since Xu suggested it, she didn’t object.

They arrived near Dongzhou Barbecue and, after a struggle, found a parking spot.

At the entrance of the barbecue restaurant, they saw it was almost full inside.

It was Sunday, and Fu Xuedong was also helping out at the restaurant, getting a taste of society ahead of time.

Seeing Xu Chunliang enter, he exclaimed in delight, “Master, when did you arrive?”

Xu Chunliang smiled and ruffled his hair, “Go and find us a table.”

Just as two guests settled their bill and left, Fu Xuedong swiftly cleaned up the table and seated Xu Chunliang and Hua Zhuyue, serving them a pot of tea before notifying his dad.

Hua Zhuyue said, “Your little disciple has grown up. He knows how to help out at home now.”

Xu Chunliang replied, “Jiajia is also maturing.”

Hua Zhuyue sighed, “I thought she couldn’t stay long in Dongzhou and would return soon, but I didn’t expect her to actually settle down there. You really have a way.”

Xu Chunliang said, “I take no credit. She suddenly became interested in traditional Chinese medicine; my grandfather also likes her quite a bit and taught her many things. More importantly, she recognized Uncle Gao as her godfather and found the warmth of family.”

Hua Zhuyue nodded, “We’ve never really understood what she wants. The Sect Leader is her father, but he doesn’t really know his daughter.”

Xu Chunliang said, “Ji Buyao is rather deep in thought.”

Hua Zhuyue gave a light smile, “Anyway, I won’t let you suffer any losses.”

Xu Chunliang felt a stir in his heart, “How do you plan to compensate me?”

Hua Zhuyue’s eyes sparkled playfully as Fu Guomin arrived, wiping his hands and saying, “Chunliang, you should have called ahead and let me prepare.”

Xu Chunliang said, “This is a sudden inspection, to see how your barbecue business is doing.”

Fu Guomin replied, “You’ve seen it; it’s like this every day. I’m so busy I’m dizzy.”

Fu Xuedong brought over a large plate of ingredients.

Xu Chunliang said, “I haven’t ordered anything yet.”

Fu Guomin said, “At my place, there’s no need to order. I’ll take care of it. Xiao Dong, go get the Maotai I saved; I’m going to have a good drink with Uncle Xu.”

Xu Chunliang said, “Alright, go focus on your business. I’ll take care of myself.”

Fu Guomin said, “It’s fine; your sister-in-law is here today too.” He took the Maotai delivered by Fu Xuedong and poured some for Xu Chunliang, who took the bottle and poured it for him.

Hua Zhuyue originally planned to be the driver and not drink, but Xu Chunliang said they could hire a driver, so she poured herself a full glass too.

This time, encountering Fu Guomin, Xu Chunliang found him very different from the last meeting; Fu Guomin looked radiant and had no reservations in front of Xu, sharing that the barbecue business had been bustling since opening. Based on the current trend, it’s no problem to earn over a hundred thousand a year, an income he once couldn’t imagine.

Although Hua Zhuyue was young, she’d fought in business for many years and quickly realized that Fu Guomin lacked experience in restaurant management; while he’s profitable, his hands-on approach consumed too much energy.

Fu Guomin had emerged from his lowest point. When he first resigned, he couldn’t see the future, and taking over the barbecue place was simply a way to keep busy, but he hadn’t expected the restaurant industry to be so lucrative.

Xu Chunliang toasted Fu Guomin with a cup of wine and said, “Brother Fu, besides catching up, I’m here to discuss something. The city put me in charge of the Weishan Lake National Resort construction command; I’m looking for a few consultants. Would you be interested?”

Fu Guomin shook his head, “Don’t count me in; unless it’s something extraordinary, I avoid returning to Dongzhou.” Dongzhou setbacks had become a lifelong pain for him.

Xu Chunliang didn’t press him further and asked, “Do you have any advice for me?”

Fu Guomin said, “For others, I’d say that to survive in the system long-term, doing less is better than doing more, and doing nothing is better than doing less. But you’re different; the fact that Secretary Wang trusts you proves your ability.”

Xu Chunliang said, “Have you heard about the big reshuffle in the Dongzhou Culture and Tourism Bureau?”

Fu Guomin nodded, “I heard about it; people from the Beijing Office come by often, and I’ve heard quite a bit. By the way, Secretary Zhou and his wife were here yesterday.”

Xu Chunliang asked, “He came too?”

Fu Guomin looked around and whispered, “I estimate that Secretary Zhou may be transferring to work in Capital City.”

Xu Chunliang felt a stirring; having worked in the Beijing Office for many years, Fu Guomin had developed a keen intuition, especially sensitive to system changes.

Secretary Zhou had left Dongzhou in defeat, and given his age, he had little political future. If Fu Guomin were right about a job change to Capital City, it implied a promotion or at least a lateral move for Zhou.

Xu Chunliang casually asked, “Did Secretary Zhou tell you?”

Fu Guomin said, “He didn’t say, but I could read it from his expression.” Setting down his glass, he added, “I know you’d surely come to the Capital City because of your connection with the Ye Family. You’re bound to step up. I thought about visiting, but considering my lack of social ties with the Ye Family and having left the system, I don’t want misinterpretations. You’ve been busy with work and might not be aware of the rumors outside.”

Hua Zhuyue quietly ate, aware that Fu Guomin’s years of system experience hadn’t gone to waste, and although he retired, his sources remained extensive.

Xu Chunliang asked, “What are the rumors outside?”

Fu Guomin said, “It’s about the Qiao Family and Ye Family. The current head of the National Development and Reform Commission is Elder Qiao’s student, recommended by him. It’s said Ye Changyuan’s role at the Disaster Reduction Committee is related to Elder Qiao.”

Xu Chunliang replied, “Just rumors.”

Fu Guomin said, “We’ll soon see if they’re true.”

Xu Chunliang asked, “How to judge?”

Fu Guomin said, “The Ye Family has two sons. Ye Changquan is currently handling Neon’s foreign affairs, so it’s unlikely for him to be promoted shortly. Even if promoted, it would be in a field he’s familiar with. If we think logically, could Ye Changyuan’s death be tied to the Disaster Reduction Committee’s task assigned to him?”

Xu Chunliang nodded, acknowledging that if Ye Changyuan hadn’t joined the Disaster Reduction Committee, he might have avoided his fate.

Fu Guomin said, “The pain of losing a son is hard to forget. I can’t believe Elder Ye has no opinion whatsoever on the Disaster Reduction Committee or civic matters.”

Fu Guomin clinked his cup with Xu Chunliang’s, saying meaningfully, “In the eyes of those in power, people like us aren’t qualified to befriend them. They might even view any utility gained from us as a gift. After leaving the system, I feel liberated; Chunliang, you must always remain calm and keep a safe distance from those people.”

Xu Chunliang looked at Fu Guomin and nodded, suddenly forming a thought—did Fu Guomin feel this way, or view himself similarly, during his term at the Culture and Tourism Bureau?

The barbecue business was very busy; Zhao Xinting called Fu Guomin for help.

Xu Chunliang urged him to go.

Once Fu Guomin left, Hua Zhuyue remarked, “This man is not simple.”

Xu Chunliang laughed, “An observer sees things clearly. When he was within the system, he wasn’t so clear-minded.”

Hua Zhuyue said, “Money and power are the easiest to confuse people.”

Xu Chunliang added, “And also lust.”

Hua Zhuyue giggled, “You handle that area quite expertly; your skill at charming young women is not lacking.”