From Evil Sect Leader to Doctor

Chapter 744: Chapter 714: Freedom of Choice

Xu Chunliang shook hands with him, and Xing Yongjin smiled at Su Qing: "Miss Su, my wife is a fan of yours."

Su Qing smiled and said, "I don’t deserve such praise."

Xing Yongjin invited them into the house, and his wife, Su Mingxiu, came straight over to Su Qing: "Miss Su, you’re even more beautiful than on TV."

Xing Wenhua’s voice came from the kitchen: "Xiaoxu, Xiaosu, you’re both here, have a seat. Later, try the dishes I personally cooked."

Xu Chunliang thought to himself that letting Old Xing cook himself was quite the honor.

The decor in Xing Wenhua’s home was quite ordinary, but the most captivating were the photos on the walls. Old Xing was a photography enthusiast, and the photos he was satisfied with were all developed and hung on the walls.

Xu Chunliang stood appreciating them for a while. Xing Yongjin brewed tea for them and came over to introduce the origin of the photos to Xu Chunliang.

Just then, Xing Wenhua’s daughter, Xing Yongqing, returned home. She worked as a counselor at Nanjiang University. As Xu Chunliang chatted with her, Xing Yongqing mentioned that she knew his aunt, Xu Jiawen. Xu Jiawen was a recent high-level recruit at Nanjiang University and was highly regarded by both teachers and students for her profound knowledge and modest nature.

Xing Yongqing said, "I didn’t expect Nanjiang to be such a small world, to find mutual acquaintances in just a chat."

Xing Wenhua said, "That’s why I invited Xiaoxu over, so you young folks can get to know each other better."

Xing Wenhua’s wife, Zhang Meilan, worked in the medical field; she was presently working in the cardiology department at the Provincial People’s Hospital. Xu Chunliang thought of Su Yunquan from cardiology but didn’t bring it up. After all, he knew Su Yunquan through Luan Yuchuan and didn’t have much of a relationship, plus Su Yunquan had a bit of an attitude, which Xu Chunliang didn’t like.

Xu Chunliang waited for Xing Wenhua to finish before taking out the painting he had brought as a gift.

With just a glance at the signature, Xing Wenhua could tell the gift was quite valuable, and the painting’s meaning was auspicious — a quick promotion. After all, anyone in the system would prefer good fortune and a quick rise rather than a downfall.

After some polite declines, Xing Wenhua accepted the gift.

Inviting Xu Chunliang and Su Qing to sit, Xing Yongjin brought out a glass wine vessel with pre-poured Moutai. Those in the system always paid attention to such details. In fact, with their family’s condition, drinking some Moutai was no big deal.

After a few drinks, Xing Wenhua finally told them the main reason for their visit this time. First, it was to return the favor to Xu Chunliang for the rustic meal he previously treated him to, and secondly, to introduce his son, Xing Yongjin, and Xu Chunliang to each other. Xing Yongjin had already received his appointment and would be heading to Dongzhou next month to take charge of credit work at Dongzhou Nanjiang Bank. Xing Yongjin didn’t have many friends in Dongzhou, so Old Xing thought of Xu Chunliang.

Though their interaction at the Taiming Lake meeting wasn’t long, Xing Wenhua had already thoroughly affirmed Xu Chunliang’s capabilities. Helping young people to connect would ensure his son had someone to rely on when he went to Dongzhou.

Xu Chunliang clinked glasses with Xing Yongjin, who said, "I’m a few years older than you, so I’ll just call you Xiaoxu. When I come to Dongzhou, you’ll have to help me out more."

Xu Chunliang smiled and said, "You’re the God of Wealth; in the future, you should be the one helping me."

Xing Wenhua said, "Young people should help each other and advance together. Yongjin, don’t be fooled by Xiaoxu’s youth; you’ve got a lot to learn from him about dealing with people."

Xing Yongjin was extremely humble, nodding repeatedly: "Of course, Xiaoxu, truthfully, I’ve hardly ever left Nanjiang in my life. I’m not familiar with Dongzhou, and I’m clueless about how to begin credit business there."

Xu Chunliang thought that, given Old Xing’s status, he really didn’t need him. As the head of Pinghai Culture and Tourism, Old Xing had enough connections within the system that just a hint could complete the task for Xing Yongjin. On second thought, someone like Xing Wenhua preferred not to make a fuss; introducing him to his son was both to pave the way for his son and to acknowledge Xu Chunliang’s abilities.

Su Mingxiu was very interested in TV station matters and kept asking Su Qing questions. Su Qing exchanged contact information with her, offering to host her at the TV station when they had time, or even visit some program scenes.

Though Xing Yongqing and Xing Yongjin were siblings, she only found out today that her brother was heading to Dongzhou for a position. Xing Yongqing gleefully said, "Great! I was just planning to go to Dongzhou for some barbecue. Once my brother’s in Dongzhou, I can visit often."

Zhang Meilan reproached, "Your brother’s moving so far away, and you’re not even a bit sentimental."

"What’s there to miss? With the current rapid transport, it’s only a bit over an hour away. Mom, my brother is already settled in his career, and it’s time for you to let go."

Zhang Meilan said, "Where haven’t I let go? Let your sister-in-law say."

Su Mingxiu smiled; deep down, she believed her mother-in-law was too intrusive, particularly with Xing Yongjin, taking care of him meticulously. This time, Xing Yongjin decided to take the position in Dongzhou thanks to her encouragement, as Su Mingxiu couldn’t stand her mother-in-law’s coddling of him.

Xing Wenhua said, "Where can’t you get barbecue? Must you go to Dongzhou to eat it?"

Xing Yongqing said, "Dad, you don’t know how popular Dongzhou barbecue is lately; it’s the birthplace of barbecue."

Xing Wenhua burst out laughing: "I’ve worked in culture and tourism for so many years and visited Dongzhou countless times. How come I’ve never heard of Dongzhou being the birthplace of barbecue?"

Xing Yongjin said, "Isn’t Xiaoxu from Dongzhou? Is it true or not?"

Xu Chunliang said, "It is!" He had a rubbing of the Han Dynasty Stone Carvings on his phone and directly sent it to Xing Wenhua.

Xing Wenhua zoomed in for a closer look and said with some surprise, "Huh, they really are eating grilled lamb skewers."

Zhang Meilan said, "I seem to remember hearing something like this during a comedy show, but I think it’s not really credible. If we talk about barbecue, humans have been grilling meat since they learned to use fire in primitive society. You can’t just claim Dongzhou is the birthplace of barbecue because of that."

Xing Wenhua looked at Xu Chunliang with a smile and said, "Is this a tactic from your Dongzhou tourism promotion?"

Xu Chunliang replied, "Secretary Xing, it’s really not our doing."

Xing Wenhua said, "Tourism promotion definitely needs storytelling. Why combine culture and tourism? Because at its core, tourism is about culture. Ultimately, it’s about culture. Without culture, tourism lacks depth and can’t be sustainable."

Indeed, he had noticed the sudden rise in popularity of Dongzhou Barbecue in the past two days. However, like most people, Xing Wenhua held a similar view. Having worked in the culture and tourism industry for many years, he had never heard of a city’s tourism booming solely from a short video. Based on his usual experience, he believed the popularity of Dongzhou Barbecue was just temporary and unlikely to last long.

Xu Chunliang couldn’t leave empty-handed, so he seized the opportunity to invite Xing Wenhua to visit Dongzhou for an on-site inspection and to guide the work of Dongzhou Culture and Tourism. Xing Wenhua readily agreed. Even if Xu Chunliang hadn’t invited him, he planned to visit anyway, as he was somewhat concerned about his son’s upcoming move to Dongzhou for work.

Xing Yongqing left early as she was currently living at the school.

Since it was his first visit, Xu Chunliang limited his drinking, consuming less than half a pound in total.

At 8:30 PM, Xu Chunliang and Su Qing left after saying goodbye. Xing Yongjin and his wife escorted them to the entrance, waiting until their car drove away before turning back indoors.

Su Qing remarked, "Secretary Xing is very attentive to this son of his."

Xu Chunliang also noticed, realizing that the Xing family’s son was cherished more than the daughter. During dinner, Zhang Meilan often served him food, disregarding the number of people present.

Xu Chunliang said, "Their family matters are none of our business."

Su Qing said, "Didn’t Secretary Xing ask you to look after his son more?"

Xu Chunliang laughed and said, "He doesn’t need me to take care of him. With the Dongzhou Branch of Nanjiang Bank in charge of loans, there’s a long queue of people seeking his help once he takes office."

Su Qing said, "I sense that their relationship with the daughter-in-law might be strained."

Xu Chunliang glanced at Su Qing, making her a bit embarrassed, she retorted, "What are you looking at?"

At a red light, a motorcycle stopped next to their Beetle. The driver was a long-haired man with no helmet, wearing a black tank top and a gold chain, with a dragon tattoo on his arm — a typical gangster look.

Xu Chunliang noticed the woman sitting at the back and immediately recognized her as Xing Yongqing. He informed Su Qing of his discovery.

Su Qing was astonished and said, "That’s impossible, wasn’t she supposed to be back at school?"

Xu Chunliang said, "I can’t be mistaken." Although the woman wore a helmet, Xu Chunliang recognized Xing Yongqing from her outfit.

Su Qing, curious about why a university counselor like Xing Yongqing would associate with someone like that, accelerated to follow them.

However, the motorcycle sped up quickly, soon leaving Su Qing far behind.

Xu Chunliang told her not to follow them. Everyone has their own life, and it’s Xing Yongqing’s choice who she wishes to be with.

Su Qing, puzzled, said, "But that guy looks like a delinquent. What kind of family does Xing Yongqing come from? She’s a university counselor; it’s unlikely you saw it wrong."

Xu Chunliang laughed, "I’m not exactly a good person either, but didn’t you still become my friend?"

"Who’s friends with you?" Su Qing said, feeling embarrassed after speaking.

As they passed the entrance of the OMMIA Bar, they saw Xing Yongqing and the man again, this time with several other men and women.

Xing Yongqing had taken off her helmet, and Su Qing recognized her too. It seemed Xing Yongqing was trying to prevent the man from entering the bar, and they had a quarrel by the roadside.

Su Qing parked nearby to see what was happening. Xu Chunliang thought her curiosity was commendable and reminded Su Qing that there was no need to pay attention to others’ affairs.

At that moment, the long-haired man shook off Xing Yongqing’s hand and was about to leave. Xing Yongqing stepped forward to grab his arm, which angered the man. He suddenly raised his hand and slapped Xing Yongqing, knocking her to the ground.

Su Qing instantly flared up, pushed open the car door, and rushed out. Xu Chunliang wanted to stop her but was too late. It wasn’t that he feared trouble; he was worried about exposing the situation since Xing Yongqing certainly wouldn’t want to be seen like this by others.

Su Qing ran over, helped Xing Yongqing up, and angrily said, "Are you even a man? How could you hit a woman?"