Chapter 731: Chapter 701: A Sharpened Sword Emerges from Hard Grinding
After Tang Jinglun arrived in Dongzhou, he originally wanted to meet with Pei Lin, but since she is currently under police surveillance, no one but her immediate family is allowed to visit, so Tang Jinglun had to dismiss the idea.
Tang Jinglun handed the flowers he brought to a nurse, asking her to pass them on. Just then, Zhao Feiyang emerged from the ward.
Zhao Feiyang was not surprised by Tang Jinglun’s arrival; it would be unusual for the company’s top management to have no reaction to such a significant event.
Zhao Feiyang invited Tang Jinglun to the office, understanding that Tang Jinglun came for an explanation. He also considered the worst possibility and did not rule out the idea of ousting Pei Lin and her husband to avoid negative impacts on Huayuan.
Tang Jinglun did not come with an accusatory stance, speaking leisurely: "Feiyang, I heard Pei Lin encountered some trouble."
Zhao Feiyang replied, "Since she took charge of Huanyan Health, troubles have persisted." He subtly expressed his dissatisfaction with Tang Jinglun — you acted ignorant? If you hadn’t used Pei Lin to restrain me, forcing her into Huanyan Health, things wouldn’t have escalated to this extent.
Zhao Feiyang was very aware that Yang Mufeng was brought into Huanyan Health by Tang Jinglun. Thinking back, it’s highly possible that he knew about Pei Lin and Yang Mufeng’s past. Zhao Feiyang gritted his teeth in hatred; not a single one of the Tang brothers is decent, and he regretted ever partnering with them.
Tang Jinglun said, "Feiyang, a lie told a thousand times becomes the truth, and slander can ruin one’s reputation. Within the group, there are all sorts of rumors, and even within Changxing, some are eager to tattle, which is quite detrimental to you."
Zhao Feiyang replied, "President Tang, rest assured, I will bear the responsibilities I should." The meaning was clear enough — I will bear what I should, and don’t you even think about blaming me for what I shouldn’t.
Tang Jinglun laughed, taking out a pack of cigarettes, drawing one out while Zhao Feiyang quietly watched him, not intending to light it for him.
Tang Jinglun took out a lighter and lit the cigarette himself, speaking softly: "To be frank, your situation is precarious. The majority of the board members think your presence poses a risk to Changxing and the whole group."
Zhao Feiyang said, "Understood, I’d trouble President Tang to carefully review our initial contract."
Tang Jinglun took a puff and said, "I am supporting you. Before coming here, I advised my elder brother to temporarily change his mind."
Zhao Feiyang’s lips curled into a subtle, meaningful smile. He was skeptical about Tang Jinglun’s words; Tang Jinglun had recent signs of marginalization — a clay statue unable to ensure its safety dared utter such words, and Zhao Feiyang was not about to accept such a favor.
Tang Jinglun said, "One cannot hold up a collapsing building alone. Sometimes, one has to choose to band together for warmth." He pinpointed Zhao Feiyang’s deep mistrust, so he simply laid it all out.
Zhao Feiyang’s mind was as clear as a mirror; the Tang brothers treated him as nothing more than a pawn. Did they really think he was so easy to control? Reflecting on all he had done for Huanyan, Zhao Feiyang’s heart grew cold. Henceforth, he would be irreconcilable with them.
Recently, Zhao Feiyang underwent a significant change in mindset. Initially, as the head of Changxing Hospital, he was cloaked in the glory of Dongzhou Health Bureau’s youngest deputy-level cadre, basking in endless limelight, pressing forward with reforms, promoting public-private cooperation, and advancing healthcare marketization. He was quite the spectacle during that period.
However, with public-private partnerships’ success, he transitioned from a system cadre to a private enterprise, and although his income indeed increased markedly, he gradually lost the sense of satisfaction he once had. It was then that Zhao Feiyang realized what he truly needed wasn’t money but power; leaving the system was the most foolish decision of his life.
His acquaintance and romance with Pei Lin plunged him deeper into the mire, the flawed marriage constantly eroding his hospital reputation, even leading to his father’s passing. Now, Pei Lin encountered another colossal trouble, and Zhao Feiyang silently blamed the Tang brothers for it all.
He had sacrificed so much for Huayuan, yet what he got was such a fate; how could his heart remain balanced? It was unreasonable for all misfortunes to land on him alone while the Tang brothers reaped abundant profits from this partnership. Zhao Feiyang wanted revenge; he wanted the Tang brothers to taste the cost of betrayal.
Zhao Feiyang moved towards Tang Jinglun, sat down beside him, extending his hand.
Tang Jinglun understood his intention and handed him a cigarette.
Zhao Feiyang held the cigarette in his mouth, slightly turning towards Tang Jinglun.
Tang Jinglun cursed internally, thinking this guy is actually asking me to light his cigarette. At least nominally, I am the CEO of Huayuan Group — what are you? Just a dog, but he also understood that Zhao Feiyang still held some value, and to make him serve himself, a bit of incentive was necessary.
Tang Jinglun pulled out his lighter and lit Zhao Feiyang’s cigarette. Zhao Feiyang took a puff and narrowed his eyes, "The company wants to kick me out? As long as the city agrees, I have no objections."
Tang Jinglun said, "Others may not understand, but I do — Changxing can’t do without you."
Zhao Feiyang exhaled a dense cloud of smoke, "You overestimate me. Frankly, the world can do without anyone, just as Huayuan would be the same without you." He clearly knew that Tang Jinglun’s situation in Huayuan was even more awkward than his own.
Tang Jinglun sighed, saying, "Therefore, you and I share the same misery. My elder brother is overly suspicious; he can only share hardships but cannot share prosperity. Despite all you’ve done for Changxing, when this issue arose, he first thought of kicking you out. I really feel it’s not worth it for you."
Zhao Feiyang said, "So be it, according to the contract, I should be able to take a considerable compensation package."
Tang Jinglun stated, "Feiyang, you’re not someone who cares about money."
Zhao Feiyang gave Tang Jinglun a look mixed with some sarcasm: "You know me well?"
Tang Jinglun remarked, "Fellow travelers at the end of the world, why should the encounter require past acquaintance? I sympathize with your current plight. Being forced to the end isn’t always a bad thing; adversity brings change, and change brings progress."
Seeing Zhao Feiyang not responding, Tang Jinglun continued, "Actually, my elder brother wants to oust me the most. I was the first to propose the transformation of Huayuan Group, to propose the Huanyan Health concept, to charge ahead for Huayuan Group, but after Huayuan and Changxing completed the cooperation, the first thing he did was to marginalize me!"
Zhao Feiyang said, "The reason he’s keeping your position is that Huayuan Group is at a crucial stage of debt restructuring. Changing the company’s CEO at this time carries enormous risks and may provoke external concerns about internal discord."
Tang Jinglun nodded, he always thought Zhao Feiyang was a smart person. Strangely, this upheaval made Zhao Feiyang start to show his sharp edge, like a treasured sword suddenly being unsheathed.
Zhao Feiyang extinguished his cigarette butt in the ashtray: "He won’t touch me before the debt restructuring either; currently, the most valuable and core asset of the Huayuan Group is Changxing Hospital."
Only after experiencing setbacks can one truly understand, Zhao Feiyang was well aware that Tang Jinglun wanted to use him, and he also saw his own value clearly.
Tang Jinglun said softly, "Dare not act now doesn’t mean they won’t dare later." He handed another cigarette to Zhao Feiyang.
Zhao Feiyang didn’t accept it; he decided not to remain passive: "Looks like I need to prepare to leave at any moment."
"Are you willing?"
Zhao Feiyang looked at Tang Jinglun; he’s not the only one unwilling.
Zhao Feiyang said softly, "The second phase of Changxing’s project cannot be delayed."
Tang Jinglun smiled and said, "I’ve helped you get back that fifty million."
Zhao Feiyang pursed his lips: "Don’t ignore the city’s 20% stake; how much Huayuan can take from Changxing is not decided by Changxing, nor by Huayuan."
Tang Jinglun extended his hand to him: "Actually, in this world, brothers can’t be relied upon."
Zhao Feiyang shook Tang Jinglun’s hand, silently saying in his heart, no one can take Changxing away from me.
Li Zhong entered Pei Lin’s hospital room accompanied by a female police officer.
Pei Lin was receiving an infusion; when she saw them come in, she showed no sign of panic and greeted them with a smile: "Officer Li, you’re here. Sit down, I can’t get up to welcome you, there’s water on the side, help yourselves."
Li Zhong secretly admired this woman, although they had many suspicious points, all of which pointed to Pei Lin, they still couldn’t convict her because they lacked the most compelling evidence.
After sitting down, Li Zhong said, "Pei Lin, how do you feel about your recovery? Can you take our questions?"
Pei Lin smiled: "It’s fine, go ahead, I guess ten to twenty minutes should be okay."
Li Zhong nodded. Before coming here, Lu Qi specially instructed that this woman was not easy to deal with and they must play virtual and real with her to try to break her psychological defenses in one fell swoop.
The female police officer turned on the recorder and sat aside to take notes.
Li Zhong said, "Please recall the circumstances on the day Yang Mufeng was murdered."
Pei Lin nodded and began to speak, very detailed. This time she voluntarily disclosed that Yang Mufeng had once threatened her, and for this, she specifically sought Xu Chunliang for help, to which Xu Chunliang agreed.
Li Zhong timely interrupted Pei Lin’s words and said, "Why didn’t you say this before?"
Pei Lin sighed and said, "I didn’t dare to say it, I was afraid you would suspect me, and also afraid my husband wouldn’t forgive me if he found out." Her explanation was reasonable and fair.
Li Zhong said, "Did you leave when you and Pei Yu were dining at Da Yu Japanese Cuisine?"
"Went to the bathroom."
"How long?"
Pei Lin said, "I don’t quite remember, probably about ten to twenty minutes. I like to browse on my phone in the bathroom, you know, when doing that sort of thing, usually there’s no sense of time."
"Do you know Chen Weiwei?"
Pei Lin nodded: "I went to her place a few times for manicure; my sister got a card there and took me along."
"Did you know about her relationship with Yang Mufeng?"
"I didn’t at first, but later, by chance, I saw Yang Mufeng and her together, then I knew."
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