Power and Wealth

Evening.

Lu An City, City Party Committee family quarters.

Mayor’s apartment. Yang Zhaode and Luan Xiaoping were cooking in the kitchen when Dong Xuebing entered.

“Where is Huilan?” Luan Xiaoping asked.

“She is working and is unable to come.” Dong Xuebing replied as he changed into slippers.

Yang Zhaode walked out of the kitchen. “Xiao Bing, you are here. Wash your hands. Dinner is ready.”

Dong Xuebing replied. “Let me help, Uncle Yang.”

Yang Zhaode laughed and shook his hand. “It is ready.”

Luan Xiaoping said. “Xiao Bing, I heard from your Uncle Yang that you will be transferred. Where will you be going?”

Dong Xuebing replied.” I don’t know, but it should be someplace far. It will not be easy for me to return in the future.”

Luan Xiaoping got mad. “What are you thinking? Why can’t you stay in Fen Zhou City? Why must you go to the grass root level? Huilan is pregnant. How can you leave like this?”

Dong Xuebing scratched his head and said. “I….”

Yang Zhaode interrupted. “Let Xiao Bing go. This is a rare opportunity for him. Although the grass root level is tough, it is a good place to gain experience. He can get outstanding results easily and will be promoted when he returns. Not many people can get such an opportunity.”

Luan Xiaoping’s eyes turned red. “I will miss my son.”

Yang Zhaode laughed. “It’s not like he is not coming back. He might be a Division Chief within six months with his capabilities.” He turned to Dong Xuebing. “Don’t forget to visit your mother after you get there. Try to call us every few days to let us know you are safe.”

Dong Xuebing replied. “I know, Uncle Yang.”

Luan Xiaoping gave Old Yang a stare. “You are always helping him.”

Yang Zhaode laughed. “Let’s eat.”

Luan Xiaoping let out a hmph and entered the kitchen to bring out the dishes.

“I am going to see my daughter.” Dong Xuebing heard crying and entered the bedroom. Little Qianqian had grown bigger, and he was excited to see her. He carried her and kissed her. “My precious girl has grown fatter and taller now. Haha…. Did you miss me?”

Little Qianqian was still crying. “Wah… wah….”

“Stop crying. Daddy will lift you.” Dong Xuebing carried her above his head and started running around the room.

Little Qianqian likes being carried high up, and she stopped crying. She started to giggle and wave her tiny hands and feet. “Ya… ya… Yi… yi….”

“Do you like it?”

“Ya… ya….”

“You are so adorable. Let’s go! Daddy will let you fly again.”

“Ah… ya… ya….”

Little Qianqian was overjoyed.

Luan Xiaoping saw them after she came out of the kitchen and immediately gave Dong Xuebing a stare. “Stop playing like this. Be careful not to drop her! Let her down and have dinner first.”

Dong Xuebing refused. “I want to carry her a while more.”

“You just don’t listen.” Luan Xiaoping smacked her lips.”

Yang Zhaode said. “Xiao Bing will be transferred these few days. Let him play with his daughter for a while. Let’s eat first. If the food turns cold, heat it for Xiao Bing later.”

Luan Xiaoping gave Old Yang a stare. “Why are you always siding with Xiao Bing?”

Yang Zhaode laughed. Luan Xiaoping is Dong Xuebing’s mother, and she can scold her son. But he is not his father, and got to watch what he says to him. He will not scold or criticize him unless it is something serious.

A while later, Dong Xuebing sat at the dining table. But he was still carrying and playing with Little Qianqian.

“Mum, where is Yunxuan?”

“She is working the night shift.”

“Oh, is Yunxuan reporting the evening news now.”

“Yes. She had been reporting the evening news for some time now. Can you show some concern towards her?”

“Ah, I was too busy recently. I will look for Yunxuan tonight. Ah, I will be busy meeting my colleagues these few days.”

Yang Zhaode looked at Dong Xuebing. “Who are you meeting?”

Dong Xuebing replied helplessly. “They are my friends, leaders, and some who have grudges against me. But I rejected some of them. If I meet every one of them, it will take at least two weeks.”

Yang Zhaode laughed. “I suggest you meet all of them, including those you are not close with. Your transfer order is not out yet, and you will have time. They want to get closer to you since they called, and you should give them a face. You will go to the grass root level, but your wife, friends, and colleagues are still working in Fen Zhou City. It’s better to have more friends than enemies.”

Yang Zhaode has worked in the City Party Committee Organization Department for many years and is better at human relationships than Dong Xuebing.

Dong Xuebing thought for a while and replied. “You are right. I will be leaving, but Huilan is still here. I will try to meet everyone and not let Huilan clear my mess.”

Luan Xiaoping knocked her bowl with her chopsticks. “Eat… stop talking.”

Dong Xuebing and Yang Zhaode laughed. “Ok. Let’s eat first.”

Yang Zhaode called Dong Xuebing to his room after dinner.

Old Yang said. “I had asked where you are going, but I have not received any replies. I only heard you might be going to a few places. These places are far and considered impoverished areas. There are pros and cons if you go there, depending on your abilities.”

“Huh? What should I take note of?” Dong Xuebing asked.

Yang Zhaode thought for a while and said. “You should keep a low profile. You had worked in Fen Zhou City for some time and made many friends here. With Huilan and me around, your enemies will not dare to go overboard. However, things are different when you go to the grassroots level. You have no friends to help you, and you cannot control your men without local backing. I might be Lu An City Mayor, but we have no dealings with the local government there. Huilan and I cannot assist you, and you got to depend on yourself. Think carefully before you act. Going there is equivalent to starting from scratch again. You got to build your contacts again.”

Dong Xuebing nodded. “I will remember this, Uncle Yang.”