Power and Wealth

Night.

Yao Cui’s courtyard.

People come and go, and they almost break the door.

Half an hour….

One hour….

Yao Cui’s parents were exhausted from entertaining the guests.

All the visitors left around 8 pm.

Yao Cui’s father took a deep breath and smoked on his chair. “These people are too passionate.”

Yao Cui’s mother was also exhausted. She held her waist and drank a glass of water. “Ah…. I am exhausted. Cui Er, massage my back for me.”

“Alright. I will massage you.” Yao Cui laughed and walked over.

Yao Cui’s father gave his wife a stare. “Cui Er is also tired. How can you ask her to massage your back?”

Yao Cui’s mother replied. “Right. Xiao Li, come over and massage my back. Your Sister is tired, and she is somebody now. She should not be doing these chores.”

Yao Li nodded and walked over.

Yao Cui said. “Mum, are you teasing me?”

Yao Cui’s mother laughed. “Why should I tease you?”

“Sit, Bro. I will do it.” Yao Cui walked over and massaged her mother’s back skillfully. “I am still your daughter even if I am the County Party Secretary, let alone a secretary. You can order me around anytime.”

Yao Cui’s father said. “It will affect your image if others see it.”

Yao Cui replied. “Showing filial respect for one's parents is a virtue. Who dares to say anything?”

Yao Cui’s mother patted her daughter’s hand. “You are my good daughter. Haha….”

Yao Cui’s father sighed and took a big puff. “Our Cui Er is different now. Look at those visitors earlier. They are our County Government Department leaders, and we didn’t even dare to charge them when they ate at our breakfast stall in the past. Look at them now. They were cautious when they spoke to Cui Er. That State-owned enterprise leader had rejected Xiao Li, and he is begging him to join his unit. He even offered a supervisor position to him. Haha…. All these are because of Cui Er.”

Yao Li said. “Sis, I have not thanked you.”

Yao Cui interrupted. “Don’t thank me. They treated us differently because of Xuebing. You should thank him instead.”

“Mayor Dong and you are the same. Haha…. You two are the same.” Yao Cui’s father laughed. “We have succeeded now. Those relatives who looked down upon us before should hear about it by now. I wonder what their expressions are now. Haha….” He looked at Yao Cui. “You had made us proud, Cui Er.”

Yao Cui’s mother said proudly. “Of course. I am the one who gave birth to her.”

Yao Cui’s father smacked his lips. “Stop boasting. Do you think you can give birth to her without me?”

Yao Cui’s mother grumbled. “What are you talking about? The kids are here.”

Yao Cui’s father looked at his daughter. “Cui Er, you are a leader now and have grown up. We will not nag you in the future. You will decide everything yourself. Hahaha…. We will not care.”

Yao Cui’s mother said. “Who says so? We got to help her look for a suitable partner who matches her current status.”

Yao Cui’s father gave his wife a stare. “Enough. Cui Er is old enough to think for herself. We don’t need to worry, and she has studied in Beijing for many years. She knows better than us, and I believe she has not met the correct one. I don’t trust that guy who wanted to introduce a boyfriend to her. Cui Er is too good for him.”

Yao Cui’s mother grumbled under her breath.

Yao Cui laughed. “I know what to do, Mum, Dad. Don’t worry about me.”

Someone knocked on the door again, and Yao Cui’s parents exchanged looked.

Yao Li went to open the door. “Huh? Uncle, Aunty.”

A middle-aged couple entered with a smile. “Xiao Li, you have become fitter since we met a few months ago.”

Yao Li scratched his head. “No….”

Yao Cui’s mother greeted them. “Brother, Sister-in-law.”

Yao Cui stood up to greet them. “Uncle, Aunty.”

The couple saw Yao Cui, and the middle-aged woman walked over to hold her hand. “Cui Er, we heard you got promoted from someone. Why didn’t you tell us?”

Yao Cui smiled helplessly. “The official order is not out yet.”

“It’s the same…. Haha…. We did not expect you to be classmates with Mayor Dong. You will go far with this relationship.”

“I still don’t know if I can do a good job.” Yao Cui replied.

“I am sure you can do it. Our Cui Er is smart.” That woman laughed. “I know a leader secretary’s relative and have heard something from her. A leader’s secretary job is not tough. You only need to do whatever the leader wants you to and take care of his matters. Clean the leader’s office in the morning, or be his driver at times.”

People started to knock on their door when they were talking.

Neighbors came to congratulate Yao Cui with gifts.

“Cui Er, I am here to visit you.”

“Congratulations, Old Yao. Your Cui Er is successful now.”

“Do you still remember me, Cui Er? I had carried you when you were young.”

“Are you single, Cui Er? My son is also single. You have met Xiao Lei before. What do you think of him? You two should go out for dinner when you are free.”

“Cui Er, I knew you would be somebody since you were young. I even told my wife about it. Look, I knew it.”

After the leaders, it was the relatives.

After the relatives, it was the neighbors.

Yao Cui’s courtyard was packed with people again.

Yao Cui’s parents were overjoyed and proud.

But Yao Cui felt embarrassed. She was not used to it and found an excuse to leave. She said she would meet Mayor Dong, and no one dared to stop her.

Yao Cui wiped her sweat as she escaped from her house.