Chapter 922 - 888: The Rebellious Youth

At this moment, Zhao Hongxia returned. Both of them didn’t expect her to come back so quickly. Zhao Hongxia indicated that she had already sought the opinion of the leaders and agreed to sign the strategic cooperation agreement. The main reason was that she just heard a piece of news; the director of the Gastroenterology Department, Liang Guangsu, had been called for tea by the relevant departments for the second time, as it was said new issues had been discovered.

Recently, during this phase of medical anti-corruption, it is crucial not to offend people, especially not Xu Chunliang. The fate of Liang Guangsu from the Gastroenterology Department was right before everyone’s eyes.

Now, there is a consensus within the Infectious Disease Hospital that even if it means offending Director Yan Huaiyi, they cannot afford to offend Xu Chunliang. This guy has too much influence. Take this incident involving Liang Guangsu, for example. It was supposed to be over, but he foolishly went around reporting everywhere, and now he’s finally done himself in. Xu Chunliang didn’t even give him a second glance.

Moreover, signing a strategic cooperation agreement with Mulan Group is actually beneficial to Dongzhou Infectious Disease Hospital. The quality of the traditional Chinese medicine produced and processed by Mulan Group is well-acclaimed.

After signing the agreement, Zhao Hongxia personally escorted Xiahou Mulan downstairs. Xu Chunliang accompanied Xiahou Mulan to the parking lot. Xiahou Mulan pointed at the welcome banner hanging on the hospital’s inpatient department building and said, "Equatorial Capital invested in your hospital?"

Xu Chunliang told her about the cooperation intentions between both parties.

Xiahou Mulan said, "The trend of investing in hospitals started with the unprincipled crowd."

Xu Chunliang said, "It’s still quite a few now."

Initially, it was a group of profit-driven unprincipled scions who set up sexually transmitted disease clinics in major hospitals, just in time to catch a wave of early liberalization benefits, each making a fortune. After several cleanups, streetwalkers became fewer and fewer. Even if there are any, they start paying attention to personal hygiene, and hidden diseases are becoming less. These unprincipled scions have also adapted with the times.

They began focusing on other departments, mainly the outpatient departments of major hospitals, such as gynecology, urology, ophthalmology, ENT, dentistry, and physical examination centers. Despite repeated orders from above to strengthen medical control, these people still manage to infiltrate various hospitals in every possible way.

However, now they do it more covertly, primarily acting as the financial backers behind the scenes. On the frontline are a group of retired old experts, and some even directly employ hospital staff. As long as the remuneration is sufficient, nothing is unachievable.

Xiahou Mulan said, "One is willing to fight, and the other is willing to endure. Hospitals need external financial assistance for development. I also have investments in this aspect, such as the linear accelerator at Dongzhou Oncology Hospital, which I invested in."

Xu Chunliang said, "How about I introduce you to invest in our new hospital?"

Xiahou Mulan said, "Infectious Disease Hospital doesn’t seem to have much potential for development." Infectious Disease Hospital is a unique entity within the health system. Their specialized nature determines they can’t have the broad audience that other general hospitals do. This time, the plan to build a comprehensive treatment center is to change this status quo.

"Don’t jump to conclusions so quickly. Come to my office, and I’ll introduce it to you."

Xu Chunliang again invited Xiahou Mulan to the Director’s Office at the Project Office and introduced her to the plans for Phase II of the new Infectious Disease Hospital. Xiahou Mulan looked at the renderings and studied the surrounding plan, feeling that their project indeed had great potential. Although it’s promoted under the guise of building a new Infectious Disease Hospital, in reality, the first and second phases of construction are essentially two hospitals: the first phase is the Infectious Disease Hospital, and the second phase is a modern general hospital.

Xu Chunliang said, "Don’t let fertile water flow into outsiders’ fields. Let me be candid, I’m planning to build an international first-class cardiothoracic surgery center in the new hospital..."

Before he could finish, Xiahou Mulan understood: "Last night, you invited Dr. Shu to dinner for this matter, huh?"

Xu Chunliang laughed and said, "He invited me."

"But your new hospital seems too remote, a bit far from the city center."

"That’s an outsider’s view. What matters to a hospital is not the location but the talent. As long as I gather outstanding talent in the new hospital, patients won’t care where our hospital is, as long as it can save lives. Even if we set up a hospital on the summit of Mount Everest, people would climb up there for treatment."

Xiahou Mulan knew he was telling the truth but couldn’t stand how he was flaunting himself: "Don’t think I don’t know about the medical situation in Dongzhou. The affiliated hospitals and Central Hospital have built new facilities and started operations, but their businesses are quite slow."

"Invest if you want to, I’m only sharing these insider insights with you because I see you as our own. I’m not bragging, but currently, those rushing to invest could circle around the Third Ring Road of Dongzhou." Xu Chunliang was just boasting; currently, only Equatorial Capital was confirmed to invest.

Xiahou Mulan didn’t expose him: "I’ll go back and think about it."

"Sure, contact me anytime if you need anything."

Hearing him say this, Xiahou Mulan’s ears felt warm again. Knowing he was talking business, she couldn’t help thinking about other things, just because this guy left too deep an impression on her.

Xu Chunliang originally wanted to invite Xiahou Mulan to experience their hospital’s working meal, but just then, Ji Jiajia called. It was his other disciple, Fu Xuedong, who had returned.

Xu Chunliang found it a bit strange that Fu Xuedong didn’t contact him but instead went to find his senior sister Ji Jiajia.

Ji Jiajia told Xu Chunliang that Fu Xuedong was somewhat out of sorts this time, intending to run away from home and specifically instructed her not to tell their master. She suspected that Fu Xuedong had gotten into trouble, so she still contacted Xu Chunliang.

Xu Chunliang praised Ji Jiajia over the phone, asking her to stabilize Fu Xuedong first, and that he would be there soon.

Seeing he was busy, Xiahou Mulan didn’t plan to delay further and prepared to say goodbye. Xu Chunliang asked her to give him a ride to Changshan Hospital on her way.

On the way, he first attempted to contact Fu Guomin, but after several consecutive calls, found that his phone was off. Since the incident with the Department of Culture and Tourism, Fu Guomin had been exposed for a series of issues and received a demotion. His phone had often been off, and currently he was on long-term sick leave.

It wasn’t the first time Xu Chunliang tried contacting him, so he was psychologically prepared. Xu Chunliang then contacted his wife, Zhao Xinting.

Zhao Xinting’s father has been hospitalized recently, and she has been back in her hometown for a week. Xu Chunliang, upon hearing this, guessed that she wasn’t aware of Fu Xuedong’s situation, so he didn’t mention it to her, mainly to avoid worrying her.

Receiving a call from Xu Chunliang, Zhao Xinting started talking non-stop as if she was seeing a relative, mainly about her husband Fu Guomin. This time, Fu Guomin suffered quite a blow, becoming somewhat reclusive and indifferent to everyone, frequently losing his temper, leaving both mother and daughter at a loss. She hoped Xu Chunliang would find some time to counsel him.

Xiahou Mulan had already arrived at the entrance of Changshan Hospital and asked Xu Chunliang if they should drive inside. Xu Chunliang pointed ahead and said, "No need, just follow that boy in the baseball cap."

From the figure, Xu Chunliang had already determined that the young guy walking out of the hospital was indeed Fu Xuedong. He had clearly asked Ji Jiajia to keep an eye on him, so how did this guy still manage to escape?

Fu Xuedong walked while looking around, appearing very cautious. He noticed something off about Ji Jiajia and suspected she had betrayed him, so he used the excuse of going to the bathroom to escape.

Xu Chunliang instructed Xiahou Mulan to park by the roadside.

As soon as Xu Chunliang got out of the car, Fu Xuedong spotted him and immediately turned to flee.

Xu Chunliang shouted, "Stop right there!" The moment he shouted, Fu Xuedong ran even faster.

Xiahou Mulan accelerated past Fu Xuedong, and Fu Xuedong turned and ran to the opposite side of the road. Although he was fast, he still couldn’t outrun Xu Chunliang and was pinned down in the center of the road by him.

Xiahou Mulan quickly maneuvered the car in front of them to block the oncoming traffic. Cars were passing by on the busy road, making it very dangerous.

Fu Xuedong’s right arm was pinned by Xu Chunliang, and he kept slapping the ground with his left hand, saying, "Let go of me! Master, let go of me!"

Xu Chunliang cursed, "You little brat, you still know I’m your master? Get up and get in the car, now!"

At this time, Ji Jiajia also caught up, "Fu Xuedong, why are you running?" She helped Xu Chunliang get Fu Xuedong into the car.

Xiahou Mulan found herself unable to leave now. After consulting Xu Chunliang for his opinion, he instructed her to drive the car to the parking lot ahead.

Xu Chunliang stared intensely at Fu Xuedong and said, "You actually came to Dongzhou without telling me? Really? Does your dad know?"

Fu Xuedong turned his neck, looking silently out the car window.

Ji Jiajia said, "They had a fight, and his dad hit him."

Fu Xuedong shouted, "You promised not to tell!"

Xu Chunliang laughed out of anger, "I thought it was something serious, a father hitting his son is just the way it is."

Fu Xuedong said, "You haven’t seen what he’s like now, drinking and smoking, living in a daze, and lethargic. He made a mistake himself, so why take it out on us?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Your dad didn’t make any mistakes, don’t listen to the nonsense out there." Looking at the backpack on Fu Xuedong’s back, he asked, "Where do you plan to go with this?"

Fu Xuedong’s eyes reddened, but he held back his tears.

Ji Jiajia said, "He wants to go south to find work and asked me to help with introductions."

Fu Xuedong was quite unhappy with Ji Jiajia for selling him out, "Traitor!"

Xiahou Mulan said, "Is that how you speak to a girl? Have some class, will you?"

Fu Xuedong kept silent, and Ji Jiajia curiously looked at Xiahou Mulan, "Who are you? This is a matter between us apprentices, not your concern."

Xu Chunliang said, "She’s my friend, be polite and call her Sister Mulan."

Ji Jiajia said, "Master, you have so many girlfriends, I can’t keep track."

Looking at Fu Xuedong’s disheveled appearance, Xu Chunliang knew the kid had hurriedly come over from Capital City and had suffered quite a bit. He sighed and said, "You haven’t eaten yet, have you?"

Fu Xuedong didn’t reply, but his stomach growled loudly.

Xu Chunliang told Xiahou Mulan to drive to the beef restaurant ahead, saying they needed to feed this kid first.

Worried that Fu Xuedong might run off again, Xu Chunliang asked Xiahou Mulan to help order the dishes. Xiahou Mulan was both amused and exasperated, wondering what role she was playing at this moment. When she went to order, Ji Jiajia followed, asking, "Sister Mulan, what’s your relationship with my master?"

Xiahou Mulan smiled and said, "Don’t be curious, just ordinary friends."