Chapter 942 - 908: Beaten Up

Zhao Feiyang clinked glasses with Xu Chunliang and said, "Xiaoxu, you recently brought us quite some trouble at Changxing." He was referring to the incident where Ji Jiajia caused a disturbance at Changxing Hospital.

Xu Chunliang replied, "Dean Zhao, wasn’t that matter already cleared up?"

Zhao Feiyang said, "Although it was clarified, many in society still believe that little nurse is from our hospital, which badly affected Changxing’s reputation. If it weren’t for you, I definitely wouldn’t have let it go so easily."

Xu Chunliang indeed felt at fault for that incident, and Zhao Feiyang was holding a grudge. In front of Fu Guomin and Xu Ying, Xu Chunliang still gave him some face: "No matter what, that incident did trouble Changxing. Dean Zhao, let me toast to you."

Zhao Feiyang happily drank the wine and said, "I’ve always seen you as my little brother and I’m really happy to see you make a name for yourself at the Infectious Disease Hospital. Who knows, we might have the chance to collaborate in the future."

Xu Chunliang was somewhat annoyed by his big brother demeanor and deliberately said, "Is Dean Zhao planning to acquire our hospital?"

Zhao Feiyang laughed, "There are many forms of cooperation, acquisition isn’t the only way."

Xu Chunliang nodded, "I’ll remember that. If we need Dean Zhao’s help in the future, I’ll come directly to you."

Xu Chunliang felt that this meal was pointless. He and Zhao Feiyang had different ideologies, and both forcing themselves to sit at the same table was just pretense.

Fu Guomin wasn’t too enthusiastic either. Although Zhao Feiyang tried to appear low-key, it was still evident that he hid a sense of pride. Fu Guomin didn’t need his sympathy either; the reasons they left their jobs were different. Zhao Feiyang left public office to seek greater benefits, while he did it to maintain his dignity. They walked different paths. Consequently, the meal ended in less than two hours.

Zhao Feiyang initially wanted to arrange a driver for them, but Fu Guomin declined, stating that his home wasn’t far, and he preferred to walk.

Xu Chunliang also didn’t let Zhao Feiyang arrange transport. He walked with Fu Guomin.

After seeing them off, Xu Ying lingered a while longer. She hadn’t said much tonight, but as an observer, she saw things more clearly. She sighed softly and said, "Feiyang, didn’t we agree to catch up? Why bring up unhappy topics?"

Zhao Feiyang said, "That kid’s been a bit too arrogant lately. I just wanted to remind him out of goodwill to prevent him from falling flat on his face. After all, I mentored him."

Xu Ying said, "Everyone has been young and reckless. Now you’re not in the same unit, having more friends is better than having more enemies."

Zhao Feiyang responded, "He started the trouble, drawing trouble towards me. The troublemaker Ji Jiajia was his person, pretending not to know. No matter what, he came from Changxing; I promoted him. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be where he is today. How did he repay me? By repeatedly targeting Changxing. Changshan Gastrointestinal Hospital is practically owned by the Xu Family, does he really think I don’t know? He installed Gu Houyi as the dean, Zheng Peian is working part-time there, and even our Changxing’s head nurse Tang Mingmei went there on unpaid leave, not to mention they recently poached quite a few nurses from our hospital. Isn’t this turning against us?"

Xu Ying realized the real reason for Zhao Feiyang’s anger and laughed, "Is that really worth getting angry over? You need to broaden your perspective. If they can attract people over, it proves their conditions are better. You should reflect on the reasons for Changxing’s talent loss."

Zhao Feiyang said, "Though I’m angry, I’m not going to argue with him on every point. Xu Chunliang is always competing with me. He’s planning some second phase project after joining the Infectious Disease Hospital, essentially building a general hospital."

Xu Ying said, "You can build a joint-stock hospital, why can’t they build a new hospital? I don’t agree with you there."

Zhao Feiyang replied, "Didn’t you hear him deliberately mention the cardiothoracic department? I’m worried his first move once the hospital is built is to poach our Changxing staff."

Xu Ying said, "Competition is everywhere. If you’re worried about others poaching your talents, you should solidify your foundation first. Feiyang, it’s not my place to say, but the new Infectious Disease Hospital hasn’t even started construction yet, you really don’t need to stress over it. You and Xu Chunliang aren’t in direct competition. You see running a hospital as your life’s work, while Xu Chunliang seems to be building a hospital just for fun."

Zhao Feiyang’s expression darkened. What did Xu Ying mean? That Xu Chunliang’s skills surpassed his own?

Seeing his displeasure, Xu Ying knew he wasn’t listening. She smiled and said, "Let’s not talk about it. I should get going."

"I’ll see you out."

Zhao Feiyang escorted Xu Ying outside. As the driver pulled up, a car stopped near them. Four burly men got out, surrounding Zhao Feiyang without a word, and started throwing punches.

Zhao Feiyang was dumbfounded, unable to grasp the situation. He hadn’t offended anyone in the Capital City.

Xu Ying screamed and rushed forward, only to be pushed to the ground by one of the men. The group was well-trained; the entire ordeal from parking to leaving took less than two minutes.

Yet for Zhao Feiyang, those two minutes felt like half a century of agony, as fists, feet, and sticks rained down on him, leaving him a crumpled mess on the ground.

Xu Ying, crying and shouting, tried to charge through, repeatedly getting pushed down. The restaurant’s security arrived only after the attackers had left. Given their wages, it was already commendable that they showed up to help, as Zhao Feiyang wasn’t attacked inside the restaurant—it wasn’t their problem.

Xu Ying took out her phone to record the vehicle. At that point, Zhao Feiyang’s driver also arrived. Seeing Zhao Feiyang bloodied, he quickly went to support him, "Dean Zhao, Dean Zhao..."

Zhao Feiyang painfully waved him off, "Don’t move me... My ribs might be broken... Take me to the hospital..."

Xu Chunliang walked with Fu Guomin for a while. Having been in the system for years, Fu Guomin was longtime friends with Zhao Feiyang and had worked alongside Xu Chunliang, being familiar with both. Present throughout the evening, Fu Guomin said, "You were right not to choose to return to Changxing. A good horse doesn’t turn back to nibble on old pasture."

Xu Chunliang laughed, "Even if I wanted to go back, Dean Zhao wouldn’t have me."

Fu Guomin also laughed, with deep meaning, "He’s too close to the situation to see clearly. Although he resigned public office, he still hasn’t rid himself of his systemic thinking habits."

Xu Chunliang said, "Pei Lin’s death probably hit him hard, made his character more extreme."

Fu Guomin said, "Since we’re not on the same path, it’s better to have less association." This was his advice to Xu Chunliang, and also his own inner feeling.

Xu Chunliang’s phone rang, he picked it up: "Hello, Sister Xu, what?"

Fu Guomin realized something from his gaze.

Xu Chunliang hung up the phone and said to him, "Zhao Feiyang was beaten up."

"What?" Xu Chunliang’s face revealed a barely concealed smile.

Jin Xin Hui looked at the chaotic barbecue shop in front of her, tears couldn’t stop falling. This was the business they had built with great difficulty, and now it was completely destroyed.

Che Shixiong hugged her skinny body from behind, Jin Xin Hui grasped his hairy large hand and said softly, "Did you explain everything clearly?"

Che Shixiong nodded: "We’ll leave here tomorrow, go somewhere where no one knows us, and start a new life."

Jin Xin Hui didn’t speak, her illness was beginning to improve, but the biggest concern of her life had not been resolved; she hadn’t found her sister.

Che Shixiong said, "Don’t worry, I won’t give up. I’ll accompany you in searching for Xin Lan."

Jin Xin Hui said, "I’ve been a burden to you."

Che Shixiong laughed: "Without you, what’s the point of living? Pack up, see if there’s anything worth taking, be careful."

Jin Xin Hui turned on the flashlight and walked inside.

Che Shixiong checked the damage situation; there was really no need to come here this time. The explosion had already made the shop unrecognizable; there wasn’t really anything valuable left.

Sounds came from inside.

Che Shixiong said, "Xinhui? Are you okay?"

Jin Xin Hui did not respond to him.

Che Shixiong suddenly became vigilant, he picked up a brick from the ground.

At this moment, footsteps came from inside, a masked man was holding Jin Xin Hui hostage, his left hand covering her mouth, a shiny knife pressing against Jin Xin Hui’s throat.

Che Shixiong’s heart jumped into his throat: "Let her go, or I won’t let you leave alive."

The masked man sneered, responding in Korean: "What right do you have to bargain with me? Your woman’s life is in my hands now, kneel down!"

Jin Xin Hui struggled, desperately making a humming sound with her breath, even if she died, she didn’t want Che Shixiong to be humiliated because of her.

Che Shixiong took a step forward, the masked man’s knife pressed down, cutting Jin Xin Hui’s neck and blood seeped out.

"Kneel down!"

Che Shixiong bit his lip hard, and finally chose to succumb, slowly kneeling down, two shadows approached him from behind.

Someone rushed out behind him, swung an iron rod, and smashed it hard on the back of Che Shixiong’s head. Che Shixiong, hit hard, fell to the ground. He tried to fight back but thinking of Jin Xin Hui in their hands, he could only choose to give up.

The masked man said coldly, "This is the price of betrayal."

Sticks rained down like raindrops on Che Shixiong’s body, Che Shixiong’s burly body curled on the ground, enduring their beating, hoping his concession could ensure Jin Xin Hui’s safety.

Jin Xin Hui’s tears fell like rain, but alas, her strength was too weak to break free from their control.

Che Shixiong was covered in blood under their beating.

The masked man gestured, the two assaulters stopped, one of them grabbed Che Shixiong’s hair, lifting his blood-stained face, looking like he had lost the ability to resist, still saying, "This has nothing to do with her, let her go."

"So affectionate, if she dies in front of you, you’ll surely be in unbearable pain, right?" The masked man raised a short knife, ready to slit Jin Xin Hui’s throat.

"No!" Che Shixiong shouted.

Shoo! A sharp whistle tore through the night sky.

The masked man’s head jerked forward, an arrow shot into his rear brain, directly penetrating his skull, the arrowhead pierced through his forehead, exposed, the bloodstained tip reflecting a chilly glimmer.