Chapter 1039: Sensitive Topic

Qin Zhengyang laughed: “You’ve got me wrong. When I spoke to Secretary Wang, I said I couldn’t handle it. Secretary Wang then named you directly and has always appreciated you. Plus, you have relevant work experience, so he thought you were the most suitable candidate.”

Lu Qi said: “Where you fall is where you should get back up. It’s good for you.”

Xu Chunliang said: “When have I ever fallen?”

Lu Qi laughed: “I misspoke. You’re like an indestructible little cockroach.”

Xu Chunliang said: “If you could drink, I’d get you drunk. You’re the little cockroach.”

Lu Ming said: “What’s wrong with being a little cockroach? You young folks should have the spirit of the little cockroach.”

Qin Zhengyang said: “Yeah, if everyone had an indestructible spirit at work, what revolutionary cause couldn’t be achieved?”

Xu Chunliang said: “I can work for a revolutionary cause, but I shouldn’t be confused about my position. I’m currently with the Infectious Disease Hospital, why would I be giving orders at the command? It wouldn’t convince people either.”

Qin Zhengyang detected his subtle ask for a promotion and smiled slightly: “Secretary Wang already said, who would dare not give you face?”

Xu Chunliang said: “Let’s not avoid the main issue. You need to help reflect on this matter for me. If you don’t say anything, I’ll go directly to Secretary Wang.”

Qin Zhengyang said: “Alright, I’ll reflect on it for you. Secretary Wang has been particularly busy lately, you need to give me some time.”

Qin Zhengyang evidently did not want to continue discussing this topic and turned to Lu Qi: “Lu Qi, any leads on the Jianjie Square case?”

Lu Qi sighed: “Duan Yuanhong admitted it, but Tang Jinglun is too tight-lipped, he won’t admit anything. I was late today because of him. He said he had important information to share but once we met, he claimed I wasn’t high-ranking enough. Then he said the Jianjie Square case was intentionally leaked out, with the real purpose being to seize the Tang Family’s wealth. It was purely to create obstacles for me and divert my attention.”

Qin Zhengyang remained silent while Lu Ming quietly kicked his brother under the table; some words really shouldn’t be said outside.

Xu Chunliang said: “Tang Jinglun is a slippery one, but his words aren’t completely without reason. Changxing Hospital and Jianjie Square are quality assets under their brothers’ control, with frequent incidents lately, there must be someone pushing this from behind.”

Fan Lidada rarely spoke, but now he hastily raised his glass to change the subject: “Let’s all drink together.”

Xu Chunliang said: “Brother Fan is truly wise, knowing what to say in any situation. If there had been a lady here today, this wouldn’t have been suitable.”

Everyone paused for a moment, but quickly understood and burst into laughter.

Qin Zhengyang jokingly cursed: “You’re the youngest, yet unmarried, but you talk the most lewdly.”

Lu Ming followed: “Drink together, then drink together, who’s afraid of whom?”

Everyone laughed even harder, and the sensitive topic was left behind.

That night, only Lu Qi didn’t drink. At the end, he offered to drive people home, Qin Zhengyang had already called ahead, and his wife was waiting at the door to pick him up.

Fan Lidada lived nearby and walked home with Lu Ming.

Only Xu Chunliang caught a ride with him. Lu Qi said: “Chunliang, did I say something wrong tonight?”

Xu Chunliang said: “We’re all friends, so it’s nothing, but Tang Jinglun did say something right. The case is too broad, you can’t handle it.”

Lu Qi said: “You mean the Tang brothers really got set up?”

Xu Chunliang said: “Is there any progress on the case of Pan Weidong’s throat slashing?”

Lu Qi said: “It’s suspected that Tang Jingwei hired someone to do it, now Tang Jingwei has fled, and this case won’t be solved anytime soon.”

Xu Chunliang said: “What did you find in the Capital City?”

Lu Qi hesitated for a moment but then spoke candidly: “Zhao Feiyang getting beaten in the Capital City really had nothing to do with Tang Tianyi. Among those who attacked him, one used to work at OMMIA Nightclub, and was Pan Weidong’s associate.”

Xu Chunliang deliberately asked: “Why would Pan Weidong have someone beat up Zhao Feiyang?”

Lu Qi said: “I’m still investigating, but there must be a reason.”

Xu Chunliang sighed: “Listen to me, you shouldn’t investigate this case, finding out won’t help the investigation anyway.”

“You know?”

Xu Chunliang nodded: “It’s all past events now, have you heard of Jishi Medical, which acquired Changxing Hospital?”

Lu Qi nodded.

“Pan Weidong is a shareholder of Jishi Medical…” Xu Chunliang explained the relationships briefly.

Lu Qi was dumbfounded: “You’re saying they intentionally framed Tang Tianyi and used this matter to pressure Tang Jingwei into selling the hospital’s shares at a low price?”

Xu Chunliang said: “I don’t have any evidence, and you won’t find any either. Anyway, the final result is that Tang Jingwei sold Changxing.”

Lu Qi said: “So Tang Jingwei couldn’t swallow his pride and hired someone to retaliate against Pan Weidong.”

Xu Chunliang said: “Lu Qi, the background of this matter is very complex. I even suspect that Tang Tianyi’s death couldn’t have been suicide. Considering his habits, someone living so indulgently couldn’t possibly commit suicide. I can only say that Pan Weidong’s incident might indeed have been orchestrated by Tang Jingwei. Tang Jinglun wasn’t wrong when he said this place is too deep for you to handle.”

Lu Qi said: “I can’t handle it, but the law can.”

Xu Chunliang said: “The law requires evidence. You know who did it, but with no evidence in hand, you’re helpless.”

Lu Qi said: “How do you know I can’t find evidence? The net of justice is vast and sparse but none escape. As long as they committed a crime, I’ll find the evidence.”

At the entrance of the complex, Xu Chunliang didn’t let Lu Qi drive him in: “Alright then, I wish you success soon.”

Lu Qi lowered the car window and called to him: “Chunliang, do you know something?”

Xu Chunliang said: “Hurry home, since you’re sober, spend some effort on your wife at home.”

Lu Qi glared at him: “Who asked you to interfere?”

Xu Chunliang said, “Did you use that recipe I gave you the other day for having a baby boy?”

Lu Qi replied, “What if I just want a daughter?”

Xu Chunliang waved his hand, “Have a pretty daughter to keep my son company in bed.”

“Ugh! Say that again and I’ll get mad.”

Xu Chunliang grinned, “If you dare to get mad, I’ll just make you calm down again.”

Back home, he found Ji Jiajia there, diligently copying a prescription.

Xu Chunliang went over for a peek, “Well, your calligraphy has improved a lot.”

Xu Changshan came out with a teapot, chuckling, “Jiajia has been really enthusiastic about learning medicine lately, and she’s improving quickly.”

Xu Chunliang glanced at Ji Jiajia; why had she suddenly changed? Was she just putting on a show for him?

Ji Jiajia said, “Master, I heard you’ve been short on money lately?”

Xu Changshan was shocked, “What’s up? If you need money, just tell me.”

Xu Chunliang glared at Ji Jiajia, “Talking nonsense all day long, what money am I short of? Do I look like someone short of money? Be honest and copy the prescription.”

Helping his grandfather into his room, he smiled, “I’m not the one short on money; it’s the investment for the Infectious Disease Hospital that fell through.”

Xu Changshan said, “How much are we talking? You can take some from me if needed.”

“Three billion.”

Xu Changshan coughed, “The weather does get a bit chilly after Autumn Begins.”

Xu Chunliang laughed; his grandfather’s experience showed even in smoothly changing the subject.

Xu Changshan said, “What’s so funny? By the way, has that useless dad of yours been in touch lately?”

Xu Chunliang said, “No, didn’t he say he’d come back for Mid-Autumn?”

Xu Changshan hesitated.

Xu Chunliang felt his grandpa seemed troubled, and asked with concern, “Are you hiding something from me?”

Xu Changshan said, “What could I possibly hide? It’s just that I had a bad dream yesterday.”

Xu Chunliang said, “Tell me about it, I’ll help you decipher it.”

Xu Changshan said, “Dreams aren’t real; it was just my imagination running wild.”

Xu Chunliang observed his expression and guessed most of it, “Did you dream something happened to him?”

Xu Changshan’s face changed, “Don’t talk nonsense, didn’t he seem fine in the last video call?”

Xu Chunliang knew he’d hit the mark and laughed, “How about I contact him for you, so you can scold him a bit.”

Xu Changshan said, “Is that necessary?” Though he said that, he still wanted to contact his son.

Xu Chunliang made a video call but got no answer, so he called instead, only to find the phone off.

Xu Changshan got visibly worried upon hearing it was off, “Why on earth would his phone be off?”

Xu Chunliang said, “Don’t worry, maybe the battery’s dead, or there’s no signal. With his survival skills, he can handle anything, anywhere.”

Xu Changshan nodded, “True, well, let’s leave it be then.”

After taking a shower, Xu Chunliang tried contacting Xu Jiaxuan again, but it was the same; he left a message, hoping for a quick reply once he saw it.

There came a knock at the door, and it was Ji Jiajia, done with copying the prescription, looking for him.

Xu Chunliang asked, “What brings you here today?”

Ji Jiajia said, “Didn’t you say you’d teach me some skills?”

Xu Chunliang scratched his head; last time Ji Jiajia wanted to learn some poisoning skills, ordinary techniques wouldn’t satisfy her. He had something prepared for her, starting with a recipe for itching powder, and gave her the antidote too, whispering, “Learn the basics first, but promise me you won’t use these skills on our own people.”

Ji Jiajia’s eyes sparkled, “Sure, you can count on me.”

Xu Chunliang said, “And don’t go causing trouble, or there won’t be a next time.”

Ji Jiajia snatched it from him, “You’re even more nagging than Sister Hua.”

Xu Chunliang watched the little girl leave happily, feeling speechless. Given her personality, she’d surely cause him trouble in the future, but he didn’t fear trouble anyway.

The phone beside him rang, and Xu Chunliang thought it was a call from his father, but when he picked it up, it was Ye Qingya, who rarely called him.

Xu Chunliang answered, “Sister Qingya, I was just thinking of calling you.”

Ye Qingya asked, “Really?”

Xu Chunliang had grown used to this; anyone else would know he’s just making conversation, but Ye Qingya didn’t catch it.

Xu Chunliang laughed, “Have I ever lied to you?”

Ye Qingya sighed, “Of course, I trust you.”