Chapter 1043 - 1008: Checking Homework

Xiahou Mulan was surprised to hear that the Traditional Chinese Medicine Administration was involved. After thinking for a bit, she guessed that Xu Chunliang had definitely used his godmother’s connections, and she felt a sweetness in her heart.

"No need, I can handle this myself."

Xu Chunliang lifted her chin with his hand and said, "Anyone bullying you is looking for trouble with me. I have to stand up for you and make things right."

Sometimes a woman’s feeling of being moved is just so simple and sudden. Xiahou Mulan’s body softened, and she voluntarily leaned into his embrace.

Xu Chunliang reached out to lock the door, preventing any oblivious person from barging in and ruining the moment.

Xiahou Mulan said, "Aren’t you getting off work?"

Xu Chunliang replied, "There’s no rush." He whispered something in her ear, and Xiahou Mulan’s face turned crimson as she pouted, "What nonsense are you talking about, I..." Her lips were already sealed by Xu Chunliang’s, and her body lifted off the ground by his strong arms.

Xiahou Mulan lightly punched him on the shoulder and whispered, "Put me down."

Xu Chunliang shook his head.

Xiahou Mulan had to soften her approach and whispered in his ear, "How about we continue at the hotel tonight?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Tonight is tonight. Diligence leads to success; playfulness leads to ruin. I must first inspect your progress and see how well you’ve been practicing."

"There’s not even a bed here."

Xu Chunliang laughed, "Think about it from a different angle, I can guide you through this."

Xiahou Mulan said, "Come on, don’t forget you’re still at work."

Xu Chunliang said, "Work isn’t as important as you are."

Xiahou Mulan scoffed, "Your mouth is like it’s smeared with honey, which of your words are true, and which are false?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Practice is the sole criterion for testing truth, you’ll know once you try." Then he drew the curtains.

Xiahou Mulan said, "Put me down first."

Xu Chunliang said, "Just for a little bit."

"Don’t fool me..."

"If I’m lying, I’m a dog!"

...

Night fell unnoticed. Xiahou Mulan, with her hair disheveled, sat on Xu Chunliang and hugged him tightly, her body trembling. After a while, she leaned next to his ear, gasping, and scolded, "You’re a dog."

Xu Chunliang laughed, "Then what are you?"

Xiahou Mulan lowered her head and gave his neck a fierce kiss, leaving a large hickey.

Xu Chunliang patted her firm butt quietly and said, "How about I help you adjust your inner energy again?"

Xiahou Mulan punched him on the chest and asked, "Aren’t you tired?" Her body was sore from Xu Chunliang’s antics, but her heart was filled with joy. She hugged Xu Chunliang tightly and said, "Chunliang, you didn’t wear anything... Will I..."

Xu Chunliang said, "Don’t worry, you’re in your safe period."

Xiahou Mulan said, "Safe periods aren’t always accurate."

The phone on the table rang, reminding Xu Chunliang of the workgroup meeting scheduled for tonight, which he had forgotten about while helping Xiahou Mulan practice.

Xu Chunliang picked up the phone, while Xiahou Mulan quietly slipped away to a corner to get dressed.

Xu Chunliang informed Li Kaiqiang that he would meet with the workgroup shortly.

They both finished dressing, and Xu Chunliang turned on the light. Xiahou Mulan tidied herself in front of her phone, complaining, "You messed up my hair."

Xu Chunliang pointed at her skirt, and Xiahou Mulan noticed a white mark on it, her face blushed, and she stomped her foot. Xu Chunliang moistened a towel to wipe it off, but it only made it more obvious, looking more unsightly.

Xiahou Mulan said, "Hateful, it’s all your fault."

Xu Chunliang said, "No worries, it’ll dry soon."

Xiahou Mulan said, "I’ll head back to the hotel, take a shower, and change."

Xu Chunliang said, "Alright, drop me off at the second conference center on your way, the workgroup’s here, I’ll meet with the other members."

Xiahou Mulan just realized he was also a member of the work group.

On the way to the second recruiting site, Xiahou Mulan had to remind Xu Chunliang to be cautious, as his hands weren’t quite honest. She told him the streets were full of HD cameras, and being caught on them wouldn’t be good. Xu Chunliang, being part of the system, and Xiahou Mulan having business ties with the Infectious Disease Hospital, things might get awkward if people assumed the hospital leadership was involved in a scandal with the traditional medicine group head.

Xu Chunliang got out of the car at the entrance of the second recruiting site, before leaving, Xiahou Mulan gave him a genuine and affectionate kiss.

Xu Chunliang smiled and said to Xiahou Mulan, "I’ll come find you after I’m done."

Xiahou Mulan blushed, "Honestly, I can’t take you anymore."

Watching Xiahou Mulan leave in the distance, Xu Chunliang turned and went into the second recruiting site, heading first to Li Kaiqiang’s room.

Li Kaiqiang had just finished showering, and invited Xu Chunliang inside. "Brother, the facilities here at the second recruiting site are too outdated, the shower water temperature keeps changing."

Xu Chunliang said, "Nowadays, most leaders don’t stay here. The city’s administrative center moved to the New City District, over there at Longhu No.1 the conditions are great, why did you choose to stay here?"

Li Kaiqiang replied, "Director Lin advised us to avoid contacting Dongzhou and instead conduct an independent investigation. Currently, only you are aware of the details here in Dongzhou."

Xu Chunliang asked, "Have you eaten?"

Li Kaiqiang said, "I plan to have a buffet later."

Xu Chunliang replied, "There’s nothing special about a buffet, let me give you a taste of Dongzhou’s local specialties instead."

Li Kaiqiang agreed, "Sure, let’s call Old Huang, isn’t he familiar with you?"

Xu Chunliang nodded, and Li Kaiqiang brought Huang Gongxian along. Xu Chunliang consulted him briefly before asking Xiahou Mulan to send over the documents.

First, he took the two to the nearby Mao’s Mutton Restaurant.

Dongzhou’s mutton is very famous, Xu Chunliang booked a small private room, the three of them sat down, Xu Chunliang ordered several specialty dishes, and also roasted a kilo of lamb skewers.

Xiahou Mulan also arrived at this time, bringing along two pounds of Maotai.

Li Kaiqiang knew of the connection between Xu Chunliang and the Mulan Group, and upon meeting Xiahou Mulan, realized immediately that she must have an unusual relationship with Xu Chunliang.

Xiahou Mulan and Huang Gongxian were acquainted, his Huiren Hall was a major client of the Mulan Group, his father Huang Wanglin was one of the four elders of the Weary Sect, and Huang Gongxian himself was a disciple. Seeing Xiahou Mulan show up, he was extremely courteous, truly respectful, because Xiahou Mulan was currently the Weary Sect Leader Dai.

Huang Gongxian remarked, clearly speaking on Xiahou Mulan’s behalf, "The Mulan Group’s medicine has always been known for its high quality, how could such issues arise this time?"

Xiahou Mulan brought samples, handing them to Huang Gongxian, "Boss Huang, please take a look. This is the scorpion we produced, and this is the scorpion sold by Changsheng Chinese Medicine Wholesale Center. They look different on the surface, but their weights vary significantly. Our initial investigation shows that after purchasing from us, Changsheng illegally increased the weight through sand-filling and repackaging to make a profit."

Xu Chunliang said, "This is really despicable, not only do they earn dirty money, but they also tarnish your reputation under your banner."

Li Kaiqiang asked, "Aren’t the units found by surprise inspections to have substandard medicines not directly purchasing from you?"

Xiahou Mulan replied, "According to the list we’ve gathered now, only the Nanjiang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine directly purchased from us among the units using non-compliant medicines. However, they should have bought a portion from the Mulan Group and part from other channels."

Li Kaiqiang furrowed his brow, realizing this operation is common in many hospitals, not only revealing quality issues but likely uncovering corruption as well.

Xu Chunliang said, "It looks like we need the prosecutor’s office to intervene."

Li Kaiqiang asked, "Has Changsheng taken any action yet?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Dongzhou Pharmaceutical Supervision Bureau has already taken measures against Changsheng and sealed their warehouse."

Li Kaiqiang commented, "It seems the matter isn’t too complicated, purchasing receipts can prove the Mulan Group’s innocence."

Xiahou Mulan said, "Nonetheless, this matter has severely impacted our group. Now there are various unfavorable messages about us circulating online."

Huang Gongxian had suffered from public opinion before, once being highly criticized for aconite use, and still feeling the repercussions. He said, "The internet is not a place for illegal actions, irresponsible comments can destroy a brand and the efforts of a company over many years."

Xiahou Mulan said, "The first to report this was Dongzhou TV Station. I’ve had our lawyer contact them, requesting a public apology for the inaccurate reports and compensation for our losses."

Li Kaiqiang said, "Our work group is still at the evidence-gathering stage, wait for the results before seeking compensation. Rest assured, as a traditional Chinese medicine base supported by the state, we will not sit idly by, nor allow ill-intentioned people to tarnish our national enterprises."

Xu Chunliang’s phone rang, it was Xue Meizhen, director of the TV station’s news department. News professionals have sharper instincts than most, and Xue Meizhen increasingly sensed the shift in direction, calling Xu Chunliang to gauge the Mulan Group’s stance.

It wasn’t convenient to speak in front of everyone, so Xu Chunliang stepped outside to answer the call.

"Xiaoxu, today the Mulan Group sent us a lawyer’s letter."

Xu Chunliang said, "Sister Xue, isn’t that quite expected? Your broadcast had such a negative impact on them, I’ve already mentioned it, advised to act swiftly, yet from the time I saw you until now, you haven’t issued a statement, addressed the concerned party, or even deleted that news piece. You’re really gutsy."

Xue Meizhen said, "Xiaoxu, there are some things I can’t decide. Wang Lichuan is Director Hou’s son-in-law; I can hardly bypass station leadership and directly manage him, right? As for an apology statement, I consulted with leadership, but they think our reporting was accurate and disagree with issuing one. What can I do?"