Power and Wealth

Afternoon.

It was time to knock off.

The sun was setting, and the sky was red. Dong Xuebing followed the address to a neighborhood near the County Party Committee building. He went upstairs and took out his keys.

Dong Xuebing’s apartment.

Dong Xuebing looked around and lit a cigarette.

He was prepared for the harsh surroundings. This building is at least thirty years old, and cracks were everywhere. Some of the paint had peeled off. Luckily, the old apartment was clean. Although the TV, PC and air conditioner were old, it was better than none. He knew his apartment was much better compared to other leaders, and he was not unhappy.

Dong Xuebing snubbed his cigarette in the ashtray after he finished.

Dong Xuebing did not expect the higher-ups to give him the County Executive Deputy Mayor position. He thought he would only be a Deputy County Mayor and a County Party Committee member. He almost jumped with joy when he saw the transfer order. An Executive Deputy Mayor is different from a Deputy Mayor. A Deputy Mayor oversees some departments, and an Executive Deputy Mayor assists the Mayor in managing the County Government. A newcomer will typically be in the last or second last position in the Party Committee. However, he is positioned third or fourth as an Executive Deputy Mayor. With results and experiences, he might reach a higher level. How can he not be excited?

Dong Xuebing slowly understood why the higher-ups gave him this position after arriving at Zhen Sui County. He had gotten this position because this place was too poor. He would not get this position if he were posted to another county.

This was an excellent opportunity for Dong Xuebing.

Dong Xuebing must gasp at this opportunity. His starting point will be different if he can achieve results here. He can save a few years of hard work if he can succeed here.

After 6 pm.

Dong Xuebing left his apartment and walked to a bus stop. He looked at the sign, hoping to find a bus to go to Yao Cui’s neighborhood. His luggage was still in his Land Rover, and he needed to get it, or he could not sleep tonight.

This bus does not go there.

Hmm… this bus also does not go there.

The county is so poor that the Executive Deputy County Mayor does not have a car, and there are very few cabs around. Dong Xuebing could only wait for the bus.

It has been years since Dong Xuebing took public transport.

The frequency of the buses was slow. Dong Xuebing had waited for a long time when a domestic brand, Chang An, sedan drove past him and stopped. Jiang Fangfang sticks her head out of the car.

Dong Xuebing was surprised. “Mayor?”

Jiang Fangfang looked at the bus stop sign. “Are you waiting for the bus?”

Dong Xuebing nodded. “I left my luggage on the other side of the town. I am going to get it.”

Jiang Fangfang nodded and got out of the car. She turned to her driver. “Send Mayor Dong to get his luggage.”

The middle-aged driver was surprised. “I will send you to the family quarters first. It’s quite far from here.”

Jiang Fangfang replied calmly. “I will walk back myself. It’s not that far. Just go.” She said and turned to Dong Xuebing. “Let Old Wang send you.”

Dong Xuebing quickly says. “How can I let you walk back? No….”

Jiang Fangfang smiled faintly. “It’s fine.”

Jiang Fangfang turned and walked away slowly.

Dong Xuebing rubbed his nose. “Thank you, Mayor Jiang.”

Jiang Fangfang waved slowly without turning back.

Dong Xuebing accepted this favor, or he might offend Jiang Fangfang. He waited until she walked away before getting into the car. He sat in the front passenger seat as this was not his car.

The driver, Old Wang, asked. “Where are you going, Director Dong?”

“I am not sure of the exact location. It is towards the west, not far from here.” Dong Xuebing replied.

“Ok.” Old Wang turned the car and started driving towards the west.

Old Wang glanced at Dong Xuebing while driving and asked. “Mayor Dong, do you know Mayor Jiang before?”

Dong Xuebing was puzzled. “No. What’s wrong?”

Old Wang paused for a second. “Nothing. I just felt Mayor Jiang treats you differently. Sigh…. I am not good with words. Please don’t be offended.”

Dong Xuebing will not get offended and was interested to know more. “Why do you say this?”

Old Wang replied. “Everyone in our County knows Mayor Jiang had never lent others her car and had never asked me to send anyone. Even when the other leaders needed to use a car urgently, Secretary Meng let them use his car. She had never lent anyone for years, and you are the first person. That’s why I thought you all knew each other before.”

Dong Xuebing replied. “I met Mayor Jiang for the first time today.”

Old Wang was puzzled. Mayor Jiang had kept a distance from everyone and always had a calm composure. He had never seen her treat anyone as she did with Dong Xuebing. A Deputy County Party Secretary tried to borrow her car, and he was rejected. Why did she let Dong Xuebing sit in her car? She is a cleanliness freak and does not like others to touch her things. He looked at Dong Xuebing again and was curious about what was so special about him. Other than he is slightly younger, there was nothing special about him.

Dong Xuebing also noticed something weird from what Old Wang said and thought about the look in Jiang Fangfang’s eyes this morning.

I can understand if she wants to pull me to her faction.

But it was not so simple from what Old Wang said.

Never mind. I will know in the future.

They reached the neighborhood.

“You can drop me here.” Dong Xuebing opened the door.

Old Wang replied. “I will send you back after you get your luggage.”

Dong Xuebing replied. “No need. I still have something on and will take a bus back later.”

“Err… ok.” Old Wang treated Dong Xuebing respectfully because of Jiang Fangfang’s attitude towards the latter. “Call me if you miss the bus. I will come and pick you up.”

“Sure. Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. I will go back now.”

“Ok. Drive safely.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

Old Wang drove the Chang An sedan away.

Dong Xuebing entered the neighborhood and found his Land Rover. He opened the boot and took out two large suitcases.

The suitcases were heavy. Luckily, Yao Cui’s house was not far.

Dong Xuebing dragged his luggage to Yao Cui’s house.

Dong Xuebing did not see Yao Cui today and knew she did not come to work. He decided to visit her to show his concern.

Yao Cui’s house.

Dong Xuebing put his luggage down and knocked on the door.

“Who is it?” Yao Cui’s father asked as he opened the door.

Dong Xuebing smiled. “It’s me, Uncle Yao.”

Yao Cui’s father paused for a second and smiled. “Xiao Dong…. Come in.”

Yao Cui’s mother stood up. “Xiao Dong, you are here. It’s almost dinner time. Have dinner with us.”

Dong Xuebing replied. “Huh? I have not taken my dinner. Thank you.”

Yao Li was at the dining table, which was full of food. A while later, Yao Cui walked out of her room listlessly. “Oh, Xuebing. You are here.” She was in her pajama and looked cute.

Dong Xuebing smiled. “I dropped by for dinner. Haha….”

Yao Cui looked at Dong Xuebing’s luggage by the side. “Why did you bring your luggage along?”

“I got my lodging and am bringing my luggage over.” Dong Xuebing looked at Yao Cui. “Why do you look so pale? Are you sick?”

Yao Cui nodded. “I caught the flu and applied for a day off from work.” She said and sneezed.

Dong Xuebing apologized. “Did you fall sick when you brought me around Zhen Shui County?”

Yao Cui smiled. “It has nothing to do with you. I think I caught the flu last night. Let’s eat. You are in for a treat today. We have a lot of food.”

Yao Cui’s family was hospitable and invited Dong Xuebing to the table.

“Here, try this.” Yao Cui covered her mouth and said. “You should stay away from me. Hahaha…. I don’t want to spread my flu to you.”

Ring… ring… ring…. Yao Cui’s phone in her pocket rang. She looked at the caller, and her face changed.

Dong Xuebing looked at her. “What’s wrong?”

𝙛𝑟𝘦ℯ𝘄e𝙗nov𝙚𝑙. 𝐜𝑜𝗺

Yao Cui sighed. “It’s my leader.”

“Leader?”

“Our County Government Office Department Director, Ma Lin. He must be asking me to drink with him again. He is so irritating.” Yao Cui complained, but she had to answer the call.