"Uncle, let me be straightforward, there's going to be subway construction here. You should know, according to the plan, it won't be completed in three to five years."
"The subway doesn't pass by Huichun Hall."
"But it affects your business. As soon as construction starts, there will be barricades at the entrance, and they might even close off the road from the north junction. No business can endure such disruption for that long."
"Dean Gao, are you done?" Xu Changshan was already losing patience and pointed at the road outside, signaling for Gao Xinhua to leave once he was finished speaking.
Gao Xinhua laughed heartily, "No need to rush, today I saw Xu Cong on my phone. The college entrance exam results are out? How did he do?"
Xu Changshan threw the half-smoked cigarette on the ground and crushed it with his foot in cloth slip-on shoes, his imposing gaze making Gao Xinhua shiver from the core.
"Why do you bring up the most embarrassing things? She's not like your daughter's, a top student at Shuimu. I must apologize for the embarrassment."
"Uncle, I didn't mean it like that. Considering the relationship you have with my dad, I wouldn't dare to mock you. I'm here today to help."
"Thanks, but I don't need it!"
Even though Gao Xinhua hit a wall, he still wore a congenial smile, "Uncle, we're like family. You know I have your back, right?"
"Dean Gao, I don't see it."
"Uncle, others might not, but you should know, I'm just a deputy, responsible for logistics. I'm not even in the top five at Changxing Hospital. I'm here today really for little Cong. The online videos have gone viral. Please don't worry. I definitely don't mean to mock your family. Even if little Cong didn't do well in the entrance exam, even if he gets into a regular college, finding a job after graduation is tough. The job market in the medical field is very grim right now. Take Changxing Hospital for example, the human resources department won't even give a second glance to regular undergraduates. Even getting into clinical practice as a master's graduate requires strong connections."
Xu Changshan understood the implication behind Gao Xinhua's words and extended his hand.
Gao Xinhua caught the hint, immediately pulled out a cigarette and handed it over, helping to light it with respect. As a veteran who climbed his way up the hospital's security department, he relied on his ability to read situations.
The hospital had given him an ultimatum to resolve Huichun Hall's relocation by the end of the year. He had tried all means but to no avail. Today, seeing the police rescuing Xu Cong in a video opened his eyes. Everyone has weaknesses, and Xu Changshan is no exception.
From the rhythm Elder Xu took his drags, Gao Xinhua judged his mood had calmed down, giving him half a cigarette's time to contemplate before saying, "If you now ask the hospital to solve your grandson's employment issue, I believe the hospital will agree."
Xu Changshan took a puff of smoke and looked up at the still cloudy sky, "You really are ruthless."
"Uncle, I'm only thinking of you. Whether or not you agree, don't mention it to outsiders, or the hospital might think I'm betraying them."
Their eyes met, exchanging a knowing smile, while Gao Xinhua felt anxious, still unsure of Elder Xu's clear stance. The second phase expansion plan at the hospital was urgent, and the dean had given him strict orders, leaving him under a lot of pressure.
Xu Changshan looked inside before making up his mind, "The previous terms stay the same, and secure a formal job for Chunliang."
"No problem!" Gao Xinhua said, then realized he agreed too quickly.
"Hold on, let's be clear. I want a formal job, an official position, just like yours, with the full benefits package."
Gao Xinhua frowned a little, thinking Elder Xu was quite bold in his demands. Full benefits were manageable, but an official position? Xu Cong barely graduated high school; why not ask for a dean position? Yet, upon seeing the golden sign of Huichun Hall and the outdated ward building not far away, he quickly weighed the options.
"Uncle Xu, I will promptly convey your demands to the hospital leadership."
Xu Changshan shook his head, "Do you know why I don't like cooperating with you guys? I hate the bureaucratic delay and cumbersome work style. Call them now. If you can't decide, then find someone who can. I'll give you half an hour to agree! Sign the contract tomorrow, and I'll move out. If you don't agree, I'll pass Huichun Hall on to my grandson, and Changxing can forget about laying a finger on this place."