From Evil Sect Leader to Doctor

Chapter 653 - 624: Don’t Misunderstand

Xu Chunliang laughed, "So you knew who he was all along?"Li Xiumei replied, "Of course I knew."

"You didn’t mention this to anyone, did you?"

Li Xiumei was momentarily stunned, then quickly understood what Xu Chunliang meant. She shook her head and said, "No, I didn’t say anything."

"Even Secretary Zhou knows."

Li Xiumei immediately understood his implication and quickly explained, "Xiaoxu, please don’t misunderstand. Even if I wanted to say something, I don’t have any contact with Secretary Zhou."

This was indeed true. Secretary Zhou usually coordinated with the Director and Deputy Director of the Beijing Office during visits to the Capital City, while she only managed the Dongzhou Restaurant. Secretary Zhou rarely interacted with her, mainly to avoid suspicion, let alone any private contact.

Xu Chunliang asked, "Who else knows about Deming?"

Li Xiumei thought for a moment and said, "I’ll ask at the front desk."

Soon after, she returned and whispered to Xu Chunliang, "When you helped him inside last night, Deputy Director Qin was in the lobby and specifically asked the front desk about who you brought back."

Xu Chunliang nodded.

Li Xiumei said, "I’m not one to gossip recklessly. I know what to say and what not to say. Young people over-drinking is quite common; such a small matter isn’t worth reporting to the superiors."

Xu Chunliang laughed, "Thank you for your hard work, Sister Li. By the way, Secretary Zhou is coming the day after tomorrow."

Li Xiumei was taken aback. Secretary Zhou coming to the Capital City? She hadn’t received any notification. Secretary Zhou had a habit of making surprise visits, but a room was always reserved for him, so there wouldn’t be any rush. However, this did show Xu Chunliang’s connection with the Zhou family; both the elder and the young were won over by him. This young man’s skills were impressive for his age. She still didn’t know about Xu Chunliang’s relationship with Mrs. Zhou. Xu Chunliang now had the Zhou family across three generations under his thumb.

Xu Chunliang hadn’t had the chance to return to his room when Zhen Chun sent her flight number. This girl was decisive; she had already boarded the plane. Calculating the time, she should land in just over three hours.

Xu Chunliang asked Li Xiumei to prepare a room and, upon returning, saw Zhou Deming still lying there half-alive. He patted Deming’s shoulder and showed him the message.

Zhou Deming sat up suddenly, "What? Zhen Chun is coming! Hey, why didn’t you tell me sooner?"

Xu Chunliang said, "I didn’t want to tell you. I planned to give you a surprise."

Zhou Deming didn’t want Zhen Chun to see him like this, so he quickly rolled out of bed and rushed to the bathroom.

"Where are you going? Take a shower and change your clothes. I need to head to the airport."

Xu Chunliang shook his head. Truly, this guy was something; Zhen Chun was like a stimulant to him, and upon hearing she was coming, he was energized like a rooster on energy drinks.

Zhou Deming also asked, "Chunliang, got a spare shirt I can borrow?"

Xu Chunliang replied, "Want new underwear too? I haven’t even worn them yet."

"Yes!"

Xu Chunliang called Pu Jian and asked him to accompany Zhou Deming to pick up Zhen Chun from the airport that evening. Pu Jian was a bit reluctant, "Why me? He’s old enough, and if he’s picking up his girlfriend, why can’t he drive himself? The Beijing Office cars aren’t out of reach for him."

Xu Chunliang said, "It’s all your fault; you got him drunk last night. What, not taking responsibility now? Quit the excuses and hurry over."

Xu Chunliang had thought it through and decided to send Pu Jian, mainly because Secretary Zhou’s family didn’t like using official vehicles.

An hour later, Pu Jian arrived, but he hadn’t driven. He borrowed Chen Qianfan’s Mercedes-Benz van, saying it was fitting to greet important guests with style. In reality, he just didn’t want to drive. Xu Chunliang pulled Pu Jian aside and whispered a reminder.

Pu Jian was aware of who Chen Qianfan was, but he thought if Chen liked to use sweet coatings, surely he could peel off the coating and send the bullet back—Old Chen had plenty of money, after all.

Even looking at Pu Jian’s confident demeanor, Xu Chunliang couldn’t bear to crush it. With Pu Jian’s schemes and strategy, he wasn’t likely to outperform Chen Qianfan—and they should probably drop the word "likely."

Xu Chunliang didn’t plan to personally pick up Zhen Chun, leaving it as an opportunity for Zhou Deming. His presence could create invisible pressure. As for how far Zhou Deming and Zhen Chun’s relationship would develop, that was their business. Nowadays, personal choice in relationships was valued. Xu Chunliang had no intention of using this connection to climb closer to Secretary Zhou. With his abilities, he didn’t need such means.

After sending them off, Xu Chunliang turned and returned to Dongzhou Restaurant, running into Beijing Office Director Qian Aijun and Deputy Director Qin Lixin at the hotel entrance.

Xu Chunliang hadn’t planned to greet them, but when Qian Aijun saw him, he called out with delight, "Xiaoxu!"

Xu Chunliang had no choice but to approach and greet, "Hello, Director Qian, Deputy Director Qin!"

Qian Aijun thought Qin Lixin didn’t know Xu Chunliang, so he introduced him, "Old Qin, this is Xu Chunliang, Director of Changxing Hospital’s branch." His information was vastly outdated.

Just as Xu Chunliang was about to correct him.

Qin Lixin said, "Director Qian, your information is incorrect. Xiaoxu has now been transferred to the Department of Culture and Tourism, on a temporary assignment as Vice Mayor of Hu Shan Town."

Xu Chunliang clearly felt that although Qin Lixin held a deputy position, he showed no humbleness before Director Qian Aijun. In fact, both held the same rank, and Qin Lixin had more seniority.

Xu Chunliang smiled and said, "Deputy Director Qin is indeed well-informed."

Qin Lixin added thoughtfully, "Young and promising." His reassignment was initially due to the Weishan Island Winery hot springs. Although he never directly dealt with Xu Chunliang, Xu Chunliang was the culprit behind his demotion. Naturally, Qin Lixin held no good will towards Xu Chunliang.

Xu Chunliang replied, "And you are still robust at an old age!"

Qin Lixin felt displeased. Though he was forty-nine, perhaps describing him as robust at an old age wasn’t quite appropriate.

Qian Aijun asked Xu Chunliang how long he planned to stay this time and suggested they book a time to eat together.

Xu Chunliang indicated that he would contact him when he had time, which was actually a polite refusal.

The three parted ways in the lobby, and Qian Aijun noticed that Qin Lixin looked displeased and joked, "Old Qin, have you known Xiaoxu for a while?"

Qin Lixin shook his head, "I don’t know him, but I’ve heard of him."

Qian Aijun said, "This young man’s remarkable, Secretary Zhou holds him in high regard."

Xu Chunliang took out his room card but hadn’t opened the door yet when Hua Zhuyue called, "Chunliang, where are you?"

"Where else could I be, at Dongzhou Restaurant."

"I’m coming over; there’s something I need to tell you in person."

Hua Zhuyue was a person of swift action and arrived at Dongzhou Restaurant fifteen minutes later.

In that time, Xu Chunliang had already arranged for a private room with Li Xiumei, since Hua Zhuyue arrived around dinner time, he ought to host her.

But Hua Zhuyue wasn’t there for a meal; she mainly wanted Xu Chunliang to accompany her tomorrow night to meet with Blue Star Group’s President Ji Buyao.

Xu Chunliang was puzzled, "Why do I need to meet him?"

Hua Zhuyue said, "I don’t know, but it was President Ji’s request, he wants to meet you."

Xu Chunliang thought to himself, Ji Buyao is quite a notable figure, the head of the Orchid Sect, and President of Blue Star Group.

Hua Zhuyue said, "You don’t need to be nervous, I’ll accompany you. President Ji is actually easy to talk to."

Xu Chunliang laughed, "Why would I be nervous?"

Hua Zhuyue said, "Have you seen Pan Weidong in the past couple of days?"

Xu Chunliang said, "You mean that rich kid from He Dong?"

Hua Zhuyue nodded.

"Why? Does your boss think I have some dealings with that guy?"

Hua Zhuyue said, "I just have some suspicions."

Xu Chunliang said, "OMMIA’s issue didn’t cause you any trouble, did it?"

Hua Zhuyue said, "President Ji has been incredibly kind to me, or I would not stay with Blue Star." In fact, she had her criticisms on Ji Buyao’s business strategy in the past two years. As He Dong expanded, Pan Tianhua became increasingly aggressive, and Blue Star Group’s nationwide store closures were largely due to pressure from He Dong’s competition.

Ji Buyao, as the leader of the Orchid Sect, seemed indifferent to Pan Tianhua’s constant expansion, even voluntarily relinquishing traditional territories.

In Hua Zhuyue’s impression, Ji Buyao was not like this. Maybe he was getting older, or perhaps he’d amassed enough wealth for a graceful retreat. But she thought Ji Buyao’s inaction against He Dong’s expansion was irresponsible to Blue Star Group, considering so many employees rely on it for their livelihood.

While they were chatting, Li Changmin called.

A knowing smile played on Xu Chunliang’s lips, as if saying, "He’s scared after all; let’s see who he got to detox him."

Li Changmin’s voice trembled, "Where... where are you?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Why? Looking to meet me?"

Li Changmin said, "The person you wanted me to find, I’ve got him, and he wants to meet you too."

Xu Chunliang said, "Alright, Dongzhou Restaurant."

Li Changmin said, "We’re on our way."

Xu Chunliang hung up the phone and gave Hua Zhuyue a smile.

Hua Zhuyue said, "If it’s something important, I’ll leave first."

Xu Chunliang said, "The guy who drugged Gao Xiaobai is coming to see me."

Hua Zhuyue frowned, "Dare he cause trouble here?"

"I’d like to see him try."

Half an hour later, a black Audi A8 stopped in front of Dongzhou Restaurant. Li Changmin was the first to get out, followed by a middle-aged man with almost entirely white hair.

Li Changmin was extremely respectful to the man, leading him to Xu Chunliang’s private room, knocking on the door before entering.

Xu Chunliang gazed at the man, while Li Changmin said something in Korean to the white-haired man.

Though Xu Chunliang couldn’t understand, Hua Zhuyue translated for him in a low voice, saying that Li Changmin had said, "Uncle, he’s the one who poisoned me."

The white-haired man walked straight up to Xu Chunliang, extending his hand, "Hello Mr. Xu, I am Lu Taiyu, the chief Korean physician of Mingde Group."