The root cause is that He Tiantian explained to her daughter that Mei Ru Xue is the Town Mayor. In this society, the ideology of official-centricism is deeply rooted in people's minds, and even children are not exempt.

Although He Tiantian also feels that Mei Ru Xue is approachable, she still cannot overcome the sense of distance in her heart. In the eyes of most ordinary people, officials and them are two different groups, and those people are just a level higher.

It's not that others are noble, but because you are used to looking up while kneeling. This mindset has long been rooted and is hard to change.

After finishing her tasks, He Tiantian came over to accompany her. She asked her daughter not to cling to Mo Han, chuckling, "My daughter is shy and rarely clings to others. I guess it's because Miss Mo is too beautiful..."

As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized she had misspoken. It's not polite to say such things in front of Mei Ru Xue, so she quickly added, "The Town Mayor Mei and Miss Mo both look like movie stars."

"Sister He, I disagree with that statement. Comparing them to movie stars isn't flattering them, is it?" In past times, stars were considered actors, and Xu Chunliang felt the sentence wasn't complimentary.

"Right, right! Much better looking than stars. I'm not good with words, Town Mayor Mei, please don't mind."

Mei Ru Xue chuckled and said, "Sister He, you can just call me Xiaomei. I'm just an ordinary civil servant, not as exaggerated as you said." Raising her teacup, she said, "Miss Mo, welcome to Hu Shan Town as our guest."

Mo Han asked, "Do you never drink alcohol?"

Mei Ru Xue nodded, "I never drink alcohol."

Mo Han remarked, "Qiao Rulong is quite the drinker, isn't he?"

Mei Ru Xue was startled internally. Qiao Rulong was her eldest brother. Although they were born of the same mother, she followed her mother's surname while her brother followed their father's, so one was named Qiao and the other Mei. Very few people knew of their relationship.

Mo Han casually mentioned her brother's name, proving she had investigated her background and could ascertain familial ties, indicating that Mo Han was absolutely not simple.

Mei Ru Xue smiled and looked at Mo Han, "Do you know him?"

"Just met once, not familiar!" Mo Han raised her wine glass, clinked it lightly with Mei Ru Xue's teacup, and took a small sip.

Xu Chunliang listened at the side, not knowing anyone named Qiao Rulong. Mo Han's comments further proved she had ulterior motives in coming to Weishan Island.

Mei Ru Xue took a sip of tea and asked, "Where does Miss Mo work?"

Mo Han took out her business card and handed it over. Mei Ru Xue took a glance, "Market Director at Equatorial Capital. Forgive my ignorance, but I hadn't heard of this investment company before."

Mo Han said, "It was just recently established, so it's normal you haven't heard of it."

"How did you come to know Dean Xu?"

Mo Han glanced at Xu Chunliang, smiled, and said, "He hasn't mentioned it? We met in Nanjiang."

"Let me explain." Xu Chunliang noticed that every word Mo Han said was filled with traps. If he let her continue explaining, it would only lead Mei Ru Xue further astray into misunderstanding. He didn't want Mei Ru Xue to misunderstand.

He briefly recounted the acquaintance without mentioning the high-speed rail rescue incident involving Luan Yuchuan.

Actually, Xu Chunliang underestimated Mei Ru Xue's intelligence. After Mo Han mentioned her brother's name, Mei Ru Xue realized that Mo Han didn't come for Xu Chunliang.

From the first glimpse of Mo Han, she felt a sense of hostility from her. Originally, she thought it was because Mo Han was mistaken about her relationship with Xu Chunliang. But now she realized it wasn't the case.

Mei Ru Xue no longer wanted to continue the conversation with Mo Han. She was quite cautious of this suddenly appeared Mo Han.

Just then, Kong Xiangsheng called, and she used the excuse of having other matters to leave first.

Mo Han watched Mei Ru Xue's departing figure and mysteriously smiled at Xu Chunliang, "Good choice."

Xu Chunliang was both amused and exasperated, "My relationship with her is the same as with you, just ordinary friends."

"Doesn't seem ordinary. I can see you're worried she might misunderstand. When a man explains his relationship with another woman in front of one woman, it proves he has ulterior motives."

Xu Chunliang lifted his glass to hers and said, "If you hadn't said it, I wouldn't have realized. It seems like I'm explaining to you."

"It's different. You're wary of me, just like Mei Ru Xue, doubting my motives for being here."

"Mo Han, I never realized you were so scheming, intentionally setting traps for others. Do you have a grudge against her?"

Mo Han said, "Since you consider me a friend, let me give you a reminder: your Town Mayor Mei's background isn't simple."

"What does that have to do with me?"

Mo Han poured him another glass of wine, saying, "She follows her mother's surname. She's a bona fide red aristocrat."

Xu Chunliang laughed, "Would a pampered red aristocrat come to this remote and poor place to be a Town Mayor?"

Mo Han said, "You're simply a political idiot. With your kind of political awareness, I don't even know how you became a deputy dean."

Xu Chunliang said, "It's all title, no substance. I'm just a staff member; our dean uses me like a pawn."

"I think so too."

Mo Han drank another glass of wine. "Political genes are about inheritance. If you understood more about the Qiao family's background, you'd know how powerful this family is. Mei Ru Xue became the mayor of Hu Shan Town at twenty-three. Looking nationwide, there aren't many examples like her."

Xu Chunliang said, "What's that got to do with me? You don't need to investigate someone's background to be friends, right?"

"You might not need to for friends, but you definitely would for romance. I'm not talking about you, but the Qiao family. Given Mei Ru Xue's qualifications, how could she not have suitors? There are only three reasons she doesn't have a boyfriend: one, her standards are too high; two, others feel inferior and back off; and three, her family absolutely wouldn't allow ordinary people near her. That's the most important point. Do you get what I mean?"

Xu Chunliang blinked with a silly expression, but he really understood inside.

Mo Han said, "If the Qiao family thinks you're not good enough for her, yet she likes you, then you're in trouble."

"So, according to you, I must be in great danger?"

Mo Han nodded, "Dealing with a tiger, you must consider the consequences."

"So what's the reason you can't find a boyfriend?"

Mo Han stared coldly at him, as if she wanted to kill him with her eyes.

Xu Chunliang secretly wanted to laugh. The three conditions Mo Han mentioned might just be a reflection of herself.

##

Zhao Feiyang arrived at Weishan Island Branch early on Friday, accompanied by Vice Dean Geng Wenxiu, Vice Dean Gao Xinhua, Office Director Lin Yansheng, and the newly appointed Head of the Nursing Department, Tang Mingmei. This lineup was quite extravagant for Changxing, a truly elite team.

Tang Mingmei actually didn't want to come, but Zhao Feiyang mentioned her by name, so she had no choice but to comply. Had she known this earlier, she wouldn't have left so soon.

She left to avoid suspicion, but once she really left, she found that some rumors wouldn't disappear just because she did. Even at the Changxing Headquarters, many were spreading rumors about her and Xu Chunliang. Intellectuals' interest in gossip is not less than that of ordinary farmers; it might even be more.

Gao Xinhua contacted his old comrade Tong Guangsheng in advance. Tong Guangsheng specially arranged for his yacht to pick them up, with a rather grand reception, not only because Gao Xinhua was his old war buddy but also because Tong Guangsheng was interested in collaborating with Changxing. He was very interested in Changxing's plans.

The branch had initially planned to send a car to pick them up but canceled after hearing that Xianhong Farm had arrangements made. The branch's two old cars were really not presentable.

At 10 a.m., a driver from Xianhong Farm drove a Range Rover to deliver Zhao Feiyang and his party to the hospital.

Yan Huaiyi led the leadership team of the branch to the parking lot to greet them. Zhao Feiyang was the first to get out of the car, smiling broadly as he walked toward Yan Huaiyi and extended his hand.

Previously, Yan Huaiyi would definitely greet with both hands, but times have changed. He's saying goodbye to Changxing next week, so he doesn't need to demean himself as he did before.

He is about to become the head of a hospital, feeling that his status is now equal to Zhao Feiyang's, so he stretched out one hand to shake Zhao Feiyang's.

Zhao Feiyang noticed this subtle change and fully understood Yan Huaiyi's shift in mindset. He could no longer use power to restrain him, hence lost the capital to make him fear.

But in some sense, Yan Huaiyi should be thankful; if not for Zhao's constant pressure, he wouldn't have been so eager to leave. This opportunity to lead the Infectious Disease Hospital could be considered a blessing in disguise.

There are no permanent enemies in the workplace. Zhao Feiyang's goal in forcing Yan Huaiyi out was to optimize the management structure by placing the right people in suitable positions, not due to any personal vendetta against him.

When encountering a stumbling block along the way, you just need to move the stone aside; there's no need to destroy it.

Yan Huaiyi wouldn't seek revenge against Zhao Feiyang either. Although he dislikes him, from now on, they'll part ways, and there's no need to hold a grudge. After all, they will remain within the same health system, frequently crossing paths.

No matter how much dislike he holds inside, polite words must still be said: "Welcome, Dean Zhao, for coming to the branch to guide our work."

Zhao Feiyang laughed, "Old Yan, thank you for your hard work during this time. Under your leadership, Quality Control Group Two has performed outstandingly. You all deserve a collective first-class merit."

Everyone around laughed along. Although Zhao Feiyang hasn't been in Changxing long, he loves to paint grand promises. A collective first-class merit is just a grand promise that these Changxing Hospital veterans have never heard of.

With his mindset adjusted, Yan Huaiyi was much more at ease dealing with Zhao Feiyang, teasingly saying, "Dean Zhao, it would be better if you gave more specific bonuses to encourage us."

Zhao Feiyang roared with laughter. Others also noticed the change in Yan Huaiyi; clearly, he isn't really concerned about the bonus. In the past, he wouldn't have dared to speak like this to Zhao Feiyang.

Zhao Feiyang released Yan Huaiyi's hand and turned to Geng Wenxiu, saying, "Old Yan's suggestion is good. Where's Xu Chunliang?"

Xu Chunliang was at the end of the welcoming line on the phone. Hearing Zhao Feiyang mention his name, he raised his hand, "Dean Zhao, I'm here."

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