Chapter 926 - 892: Caught in the Rain

He Wanying further inquired about the specific progress of their new hospital construction and said she would report this matter to the school leaders as soon as possible.

Xu Chunliang knew that this kind of matter couldn’t be accomplished overnight. After bidding farewell to He Wanying and leaving Mining University, he received a call from Fu Guomin. The two of them had reconciled and were now on a high-speed train.

Xu Chunliang had initially agreed to let them leave with him tomorrow, but Fu Guomin still used the excuse that he had matters to handle in the Capital City and left first. Mainly because being in Dongzhou inevitably reminded him of past sorrows, and he didn’t want to stay even a minute longer.

Xu Chunliang contacted Xiahou Mulan, and Xiahou Mulan sent him a location. This time, it was indeed a return to Qiaocheng. This trip to Dongzhou was truly rewarding.

Xu Chunliang returned to the hospital and first reported to Director Yan Huaiyi about the discussion and collaboration with Mining University.

Yan Huaiyi was fully supportive of this. If they could successfully negotiate with Mining University, their hospital would be the first in the Dongzhou health system to bear the brand of a 211 university affiliate.

Xu Chunliang spoke about his plan to go to the Capital City for centralized learning tomorrow. He intended to take this opportunity to visit the Traditional Chinese Medicine Administration and meet Lin Sijin, Ye Qingya’s mother, as the administration was currently drafting a key protection list for Chinese medicine. Xu Chunliang wanted to include his brands, Huichun Hall and Renhe Hall, in it.

This was something he heard from Huang Wanglin, Master Huang San. The Huang Family’s Huiren Hall had been on this list since five years ago.

Xu Chunliang’s awareness of brand protection was also getting stronger. Taking advantage of his current connections, he wanted to get this done quickly.

Xu Chunliang returned to his office and saw a car usage application from Deputy Director Pan Junfeng. He was going to the Capital City tomorrow to attend the National Disease Prevention and Control Conference, and since several department heads were going along with a lot of materials, they decided to use the unit’s Coaster bus.

Although Pan Junfeng was his direct supervisor, procedures still needed to be followed. After signing off, Xu Chunliang called Pan Junfeng and told him he would also be heading to the Capital City tomorrow.

Pan Junfeng immediately invited Xu Chunliang to travel with him and even asked if Xu Chunliang had arranged accommodation. If not, he would arrange it immediately.

Xu Chunliang said that he had already made arrangements. His trip to the Capital City was both business and personal, and he didn’t plan to take advantage of public resources. After all, not long ago, Liang Guangsu accused him of using public vehicles for personal use, and the Audi A6 was damaged while he was using it. Xu Chunliang didn’t want to be caught on something like that again, especially with so many colleagues going along. So he politely declined Pan Junfeng’s invitation.

Pan Junfeng understood his concerns and didn’t press Xu Chunliang, agreeing to find some time to drink together once in the Capital City.

It started pouring rain the day Xu Chunliang arrived in the Capital City. On the way, he called Hua Zhuyue. Hua Zhuyue had gone to Taipa for a few days and wasn’t in the Capital City. Xu Chunliang vaguely guessed that Hua Zhuyue’s trip might have something to do with Wu Yuanyi.

The Fumen had officially cut ties with Wu Yuanyi, and Hua Zhuyue wouldn’t tolerate such a big threat existing for long. After Wu Yuanyi sent people into Hidden Lake Villa last time, endangering their lives, Hua Zhuyue had decided to eliminate him, mobilizing all resources to track Wu Yuanyi down. This time, she’ll make sure to strike while the iron is hot.

Pu Jian also wasn’t in the Capital City; he had gone to Yungang to attend a cultural relic exchange meeting.

Looking at the heavy rain outside the car window, Xu Chunliang had no choice but to call a rideshare.

Initially hoping to surprise his grandpa, he arrived at the Ji Family’s courtyard, only to find the old man wasn’t home. Elder Ye had him picked up for chess today.

Xu Chunliang thought he should have checked the horoscope; today seemed a bit unlucky. After some consideration, he decided to call Ye Qingya.

Ye Qingya was at the studio and didn’t know the two old men had arranged a chess meeting, but hearing that Xu Chunliang was in the Capital City excited her. She offered to drive over and pick him up.

Seeing the heavy rain, Xu Chunliang told her not to bother since the studio wasn’t far away, and he preferred to take a cab. He was mostly worried about Ye Qingya’s driving skills in such a downpour.

Xu Chunliang arrived at Ye Qingya’s studio in the rain, and Ye Qingya had already boiled water and prepared the tea set.

Xu Chunliang took out two cakes of Pu’er from his bag and said, "Ancient tree tea from Xianhong Farm, have a taste."

Ye Qingya said, "Just right, I have some Chenpi from Xinhui here."

Xu Chunliang sat down by the tea table, next to a floor-to-ceiling window, through which he could see the nearby park scenery. The rain had washed the Capital City anew, making the greens of the trees vivid.

Ye Qingya washed the tea while saying, "I just called home; the two old men are playing chess. They get along particularly well."

Xu Chunliang laughed and said, "Sister Qingya, you didn’t tell them I was coming, did you?"

Ye Qingya shook her head, guessing that Xu Chunliang wanted to surprise Elder Xu. She poured the brewed tea.

Xu Chunliang remarked, "Nice pot."

Ye Qingya said, "A friend who makes pottery gave it to me. I have a few more. See if you like any, and I’ll give you one."

Xu Chunliang said, "I use a gaiwan when I drink tea now."

"You’re being too polite with me."

Xu Chunliang laughed, "I’m really not being polite. I’m not that particular about tea. Most of the time, I just brew goji berries in a thermos."

Ye Qingya also laughed, "You’ve learned about health now. Alright, I’ll get you some aged tangerine peel next time."

Xu Chunliang took a sip of tea. The combination of ripe Pu’er and tangerine peel was fresh, sweet, soothing to the liver and lungs, helping digestion. The tea was mild and mellow. The tangerine peel Ye Qingya used had been aged for thirty years, and a pound was priced at over thirty thousand. As the saying goes, a thousand-year-old ginseng, a hundred-year-old tangerine peel. The older the tangerine peel, the more valuable it becomes.

Ye Qingya inquired about his meeting with He Wanying, and Xu Chunliang briefly recounted it.

Ye Qingya said, "I don’t think it’s a big problem. Sister He is very measured in her actions. If she didn’t think it was feasible, she wouldn’t have met with you. Her agreeing to meet you proves she’s doing her best to make this happen."

Xu Chunliang said, "Sister Qingya, I’ve caused you a lot of trouble lately."

Ye Qingya laughed, "Why are you being so polite with me? I’m actually happy to help you. At least it proves I’m still useful."

Xu Chunliang said, "You’re too modest. You’re a talented scholar, a young artist with double excellence in calligraphy and painting."

Ye Qingya rolled her eyes at him, "Are you mocking me?"

"Just speaking the truth."

Ye Qingya said, "Don’t mention the double excellence in my presence anymore. In terms of calligraphy, I can’t compare to you."

Xu Chunliang said, "Don’t be modest. I heard one of your recent paintings was auctioned for over two million."

Ye Qingya was a bit embarrassed, "That was just people being supportive. It doesn’t mean much."

Xu Chunliang said, "Market price is also a reflection of artistic value. Sister Qingya, you’ll have to treat me to a good meal this time."

Ye Qingya said, "I donated the money, but don’t worry, you can choose whatever you want to eat, and I’m sure to treat you."

Xu Chunliang knew Ye Qingya wasn’t short of money. After she divorced Qiao Rulong, although she said she wouldn’t take anything, Elder Qiao insisted that Qiao Rulong split the family properties. In the end, it was Elder Ye who persuaded his granddaughter not to be too insistent, and she symbolically accepted a large flat in the core area of Capital City, a villa in West City, and three storefronts near the front gate.

Not to mention, just those three storefronts had an annual rent of five million. Ye Qingya had long achieved financial independence. She was naturally indifferent and didn’t care about money or power. Most of the proceeds from auctioning her artwork were donated to charity.

Xu Chunliang noticed that Ye Qingya had become noticeably more open and relaxed after the divorce. This was reflected in her recent works. Xu Chunliang hadn’t studied painting deeply, but he was an expert in calligraphy. Ye Qingya’s calligraphy had made considerable progress.

Ye Qingya showed him several of her recent proud works and asked for his opinions.

Xu Chunliang praised, "Sister Qingya, your recent progress is impressive. It feels like you’ve suddenly realized something and made a breakthrough. Anyway, I can’t point out any flaws anymore."

Ye Qingya said, "You’ve learned to flatter too. Progress might have been made, but flaws surely exist."

Xu Chunliang said, "In the past, your calligraphy was too restrained, like a timid little girl. But now, you’ve clearly let go."

"Are you saying I write without order now?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Order is just a human-imposed framework. Writing calligraphy is like practicing swordsmanship. At first, you have a sword in your hand but not in your heart. Then you have a sword in both your hand and heart. Next, there’s no sword in your hand but a sword in your heart. Finally, there’s no sword in either hand or heart."

Ye Qingya said, "Listening to you, I’m still at a relatively low level. I can only manage ’a sword in both hand and heart’ at most."

Xu Chunliang laughed, "You’ve now stepped towards being a top expert. Breaking away from the confines of order itself is a qualitative change."

Ye Qingya said, "To be honest, when I went with you to Du Yun Temple, Master Tonghui’s stone carvings were very enlightening. Later, I met Mr. He Shouren in Dongzhou and realized a principle from their calligraphy: there’s no need to seek novelty or change, just go with nature. Take bonsai, for instance. No matter how beautifully pruned a bonsai is, when placed beside a natural plant, it still lacks a certain spirit. This spirit is vitality."

Xu Chunliang praised, "Sister Qingya has found the way."

Ye Qingya was a bit embarrassed by his compliments, "I can only say these are some of my superficial thoughts, not yet fully formed. I’ve been exploring lately, but anyway, these outings for observation have benefited me greatly."

Xu Chunliang knew Ye Qingya was highly focused on calligraphy and painting. A focused person usually finds it easier to succeed than most. Of course, Ye Qingya’s recent progress likely had a lot to do with her marital status. Her finalized divorce with Qiao Rulong meant she no longer had to smile through gritted teeth or act in front of others. Without worries, her mental state relaxed, allowing her innate nature to be liberated.

Ye Qingya was very much enjoying her current state. However, she was somewhat worried about Xu Chunliang. Last time in Dongzhou, when they happened to meet Qiao Rulong, she could sense Qiao Rulong’s hostility towards Xu Chunliang. After a brief hesitation, she asked, "Have you seen Qiao Rulong since then?"