From Evil Sect Leade Chapter 534 - 505: Growing Further Apart

Chapter 534: Chapter 505: Growing Further Apart

Anyone can talk grandly, but very few actually implement those words.

Taking advantage of Qin Zhengyang’s statement just now, Zhao Feiyang said, "With Secretary Qin’s words, we’re relieved. To be honest, the main reason I’m here today is to express my stance face-to-face. During the construction of the Healthy Elderly Care Hospital, because of our oversight, certain loopholes emerged, which negatively impacted both us and the Hu Shan Town Government. Here, I formally express my apologies to all of you."

Zhao Feiyang raised the teacup in front of him. His attitude represented Changxing’s stance, represented Hua Nian’s stance. Zhao Feiyang made such a concession after careful consideration. To keep moving forward, one must first learn to bow their head; nobody has a completely smooth journey.

Qin Zhengyang said, "Dean Zhao, you’re too kind. Jiang Ailian’s tragedy was something none of us wanted to see happen. But since it has, we must learn from the experience and lessons to avoid such tragedies in the future. Over the past two days, we’ve had your two companies carry out rectifications, and within our Hu Shan Town cadre team, we’ve also conducted criticism and self-criticism. We’re deeply reflecting and summarizing the shortcomings in our work."

Qin Zhengyang’s words clearly gave Zhao Feiyang and Zhang Hengyang an out, and Xu Chunliang silently sighed, thinking that all the goodness was being monopolized by them.

Zhang Hengyang was not to be outdone: "Secretary Qin, I also want to make a statement in front of everyone. Our Da Heng Weishan Island department had a lot of problems in previous sales, exposing the low quality of the entire sales team, which also related to my oversight. After the incident, we revamped the sales team and devised specific solutions for the problems that emerged in previous sales."

Qin Zhengyang chuckled: "We’re having dinner, not conducting a work report. I’ve known both of your attitudes for a while now. It’s understandable, after all, this is just a part of your work. The two bosses need to focus on the group’s strategy, and it’s impossible to be personally involved in everything. Some oversight is unavoidable."

Qin Zhengyang’s words gave both of them enough face, and those present understood that Qin Zhengyang had no intention of pursuing matters further.

Qin Zhengyang shared a cup of tea with them individually and then turned his gaze to Xu Chunliang, saying, "I heard that the distillery found a hot spring?"

Xu Chunliang nodded, "That’s our preliminary assessment; the specific situation still requires expert inspection and verification."

Qin Zhengyang turned to Li Guangtian and said, "Old Li, follow up on this. Get the relevant departments to conduct a study as soon as possible."

Li Guangtian indicated that it was already being handled, but given the holiday period, it might take until after the break for experts to visit.

Zhang Hengyang said, "Secretary Qin, I have an idea. The discovery of a hot spring on Weishan Island has positive implications for the island’s tourism industry. As a developer based on the island, we’d be happy to contribute to the tourism industry’s growth. Da Heng has extensive experience in developing and utilizing hot springs."

Xu Chunliang chuckled and said, "President Zhang, don’t you already have Hot Spring Town?"

Zhang Hengyang was publicly exposed by him. Hot Spring Town was just a name; there was no hot spring at all. The name was originally meant to deceive homebuyers, and everyone present knew the inside story. Zhang Hengyang was eager to join in simply to get a piece of the pie. If they could join the hot spring development, Hot Spring Town would be justified in name.

Zhao Feiyang said, "Only through resource sharing can maximum value be realized. If the water output and quality of the hot spring are ideal, it could become another iconic feature of Weishan Island."

Qin Zhengyang nodded with a smile. To him, this was also good news; the state-level tourist resort command center had not yet made an appearance, and with this happening now, all the merits would naturally fall on his head. It’s said that Xu Chunliang is truly a lucky star.

Qin Zhengyang said, "Dean Zhao is right, only through resource sharing can maximum value be achieved."

Xu Chunliang thought to himself, "Sharing my ass, the current contractor of the distillery is Mo Han, and the boss behind the scenes is me. Why should I share the place I’ve staked out with you guys?"

At this moment, Li Guangtian’s phone rang. It was a call from the Dongzhou Ecological Environment Construction Investment Group. They had also heard about the discovery of the hot spring, and the call was somewhat impolite. The purpose of this call was not for consultation but notification.

They emphasized that the Dongzhou Government had authorized the Ecological Environment Construction Investment Group to manage the development of hot spring water resources within Dongzhou’s administrative region in a unified manner, with unified planning, management, supply, and operation. This meant that regardless of who the contractor was, the discovery of a hot spring meant it was theirs. Neither the contractor nor the Hu Shan Town Government had the right to decide the usage rights for the hot spring.

Despite their words, the tone was too harsh, which made Li Guangtian somewhat unhappy. He informed them that it was not yet determined whether it was indeed a hot spring.

After hanging up, Li Guangtian reluctantly recounted the content of the previous call.

Xu Chunliang said, "Who do they think they are? Hot springs belong to the state, and we are also state officials. We don’t intend to monopolize the hot spring."

Qin Zhengyang laughed and said, "Xiaoxu, that’s just how the policy is set. However, there are always ways around the policies. The hot spring is ultimately on Weishan Island, even if they wanted it, they couldn’t take it away."

Everyone laughed, but each had their own calculations in mind.

After lunch, Zhao Feiyang and Zhang Hengyang approached Qin Zhengyang for a private discussion. Qin Zhengyang relented, agreeing to arrange for formal verification right after the holidays, thereby allowing operations to resume on the eighth day if everything went smoothly. The extension by one day, compared to the holiday period, was meant to provide an explanation to the public. Lifting the punishment immediately after the holiday would be akin to not punishing at all.

Zhao Feiyang and Zhang Hengyang accepted this outcome and were generally satisfied.

Xu Chunliang, despite feeling the knock wasn’t hard enough on the two companies, couldn’t dispute the chief’s decision. After all, he had successfully completed the task assigned to him by Qin Zhengyang.

Qin Zhengyang, understanding his hard work over the past few days, especially granted him a leave to rest starting today.

Xu Chunliang realized that Qin Zhengyang had, in effect, removed his authority to review the Huayuan Group, probably fearing that he might use public office for private revenge and keep causing trouble for Hua Nian.

Xu Chunliang was glad for the downtime, and besides, he hadn’t spent much time with his grandfather this New Year, so he decided to go back and relax for a couple of days in Dongzhou.

That afternoon, Xu Chunliang and Zhao Feiyang took the yacht from Xianhong Farm back to Dongzhou. They landed at the Ancient Spring Town pier, and Xu Chunliang got into Zhao Feiyang’s Audi A6.

Zhao Feiyang was well aware that despite their outward display of closeness, the gap between them was growing wider.

Zhao Feiyang sent an electronic invitation to Xu Chunliang, although he had been hesitating these past few days about whether to invite him.

When Xu Chunliang heard the notification sound, he glanced at it and couldn’t help but smile: "Congratulations, you’ve even saved an invitation."

Zhao Feiyang said, "I was worried it might not look good, so I’m handling it modestly."

Xu Chunliang said, "You don’t hold any official position anymore, so what’s there to be worried about?"

Zhao Feiyang felt his face get hot. Others might also think this, but few are as blunt as Xu Chunliang. He detected the sarcasm in Xu Chunliang’s words, and cracked open the car window slightly to let the cool breeze cool his face.

Zhao Feiyang said, "There will always be people who gossip. I discussed it with your sister-in-law and decided to minimize the scale as much as possible. Aside from family and friends that have to be invited, there are just a few close friends. I’ve also sent a note to Secretary Gao." He invited Secretary Gao not because of their relationship, but because of Secretary Gao’s connection with his father.

Xu Chunliang glanced at the date: "Dean Zhao, your wedding happens to be when I’m studying intensively in the Capital City."

Zhao Feiyang thought, "You’re not giving me any face, are you?"

Xu Chunliang continued, "But I’ll make sure to overcome any obstacles to attend your wedding ceremony."

Zhao Feiyang said, "It’s not that exaggerated. By the way, bring Secretary Mei along."

Xu Chunliang chuckled, "She doesn’t like crowds."

Zhao Feiyang said, "Chunliang, even though you’ve been seconded to Hu Shan Town, I’ve never considered you an outsider. Tell me honestly, do you plan to return when the secondment period ends?"

Xu Chunliang said, "One step at a time. I kind of feel like I’m in political asylum right now. Who knows what things will be like in three months?"

Zhao Feiyang nodded, "The reason the Healthy Elderly Care Hospital project was able to start smoothly is because you invested a lot of effort into it. You’re most familiar with the details; I need your help."

Xu Chunliang said, "Dean Zhao, I’m just a deputized deputy mayor in Hu Shan Town, not a member of the party committee. What power do I have? Don’t listen to their nonsense about being a firefighter, it’s just to have me take the blame. You don’t honestly think I single-handedly led the punishment of Hua Nian and Da Heng, do you?"

Zhao Feiyang smiled without saying anything, thinking to himself, "Don’t I know your nature? You certainly didn’t provide any constructive help."

Xu Chunliang said, "Dean Zhao, during the Spring Festival, I took some time in Nanjiang to catch up with Sister Xu Ying and the others."

Zhao Feiyang’s heart skipped a beat. Why was this guy bringing up Xu Ying in front of him?

Xu Chunliang said, "She asked me about how you’ve been doing lately."

Zhao Feiyang said, "She and I are old classmates. Honestly, I really miss Hua Jian Japanese Cuisine. Since she left Dongzhou, I haven’t had such authentic Japanese cuisine."

Xu Chunliang said, "Maybe it’s a matter of state of mind."

Zhao Feiyang heard the underlying message but chose not to engage.

Xu Chunliang said, "Sister Xu is quite perceptive on many issues. I gain a lot from our conversations."

Zhao Feiyang couldn’t help understanding the veiled insinuations, and was contemplating how to respond.

The car arrived in front of Huichun Hall, where Xu Chunliang asked the driver to stop, as he and Zhao Feiyang didn’t have much in common.