Power and Wealth

Noon.

Finance Department.

Side building. Everyone in the building is tense.

Staff members rushed back to their desks along the third-story corridor. The people waiting to meet the Finance Department leaders to seek money at the waiting area were ushered into a room. The Finance Department Staff were worried these people would go up to their top leader to ask for money. The hallway and waiting areas were cleared, and a few staff members rushed out to wipe the fingerprints off the glass windows.

The leader is here for an inspection.

This was more important than anything.

The offices in the side building were nervous.

Chief Qian’s office.

Chief Qian said to Dong Xuebing. “Don’t go out first. Stay in the office. Oh, show me your county’s financial report. I will take a look at it again.”

Chen Xiaomei passed the documents to Chief Qian. “Here it is.”

Chief Qian nodded and started reading the document.

Yan Yizhi saw this and returned to his seat.

Dong Xuebing hesitated. He overheard their conversation and knew Xie Guoliang had returned and was in this building for an inspection. He thought for a while and sat down. He knew Chief Qian kept them in his office because he did not want them to meet the leader. What if they block the leader and ask him for funds? Chief Qian would be in trouble. Of course, Dong Xuebing decided to remain in the office, not because of Chief Qian. He remained there because he didn’t know how to face Xie Guoliang.

Ten seconds….

Thirty seconds….

One minute….

Footsteps got nearer.

Chief Qian pretended to read the report while listening outside. Most inspections will not affect the department’s operations or check the offices. But today’s inspection seemed to be different.

The door opened.

Zhang Hui and another staff entered. “Chief Qian, the leader is here.”

Chief Qian stood up and asked. “Are they checking every office?”

The staff beside Zhang Hui said. “I heard they are checking the prohibition on smoking within the office.”

Chief Qian was relieved. He does not smoke in his office, and there’s no cigarette smell. “Alright. Then you all….”

Footsteps got nearer before Chief Qian could finish his sentence.

“Minister Xie.”

“Minister Xie.”

“Chief Sun.”

“Director Zhou.”

Zhang Hui and the staff quickly turned and greeted the leaders. Although they were leaders, too, their levels were too far apart.

Chief Qian quickly walked over to greet the leaders.

Chen Xiaomei got nervous.

Yan Yizhi was also tense.

Only Dong Xuebing has a different expression. He looked uneasy and kept looking around, wanting to hide. But he thought for a second and felt no need to hide. They are a family; even if Xie Huilan’s Eldest Uncle and Aunt were unhappy with him, he does not need to avoid them. He stood there and glanced outside, hoping Xie Guoliang would not see him.

A while later.

The Finance Department Leaders reached the office, and one of the leaders stepped into the office and looked around. He did not smell any cigarette smell and saw the office was clean. He turned and left.

“Not bad.” That leader said after he left the office.

Xie Guoliang nodded and said. “Let’s continue.”

A leader beside him said. “Let’s go to the West Building.”

Xie Guoliang nodded. “Ok.”

When Xie Guoliang walked past Chief Qian’s office, he looked into the office and saw Dong Xuebing.

Dong Xuebing knew he was seen and smiled wearily.

Xie Guoliang looked at Dong Xuebing again and smiled. He wanted to point at him but stopped. He smiled and shook his head.

“Minister Xie.”

“Nothing. Let’s go.”

“Ok.”

The leaders continued on their rounds.

Chen Xiaomei whispered to Yan Yizhi. “Chief Yan, who is that leader in the center.”

Yan Yizhi replied softly. “He is Minister Xie, Finance Ministry’s First Deputy Minister. I heard he might be moving up after the term change this year.”

Chen Xiaomei blinked. “I think Minister Xie looked at Mayor Dong earlier and smiled at him.”

“Really?”

“Huh? Yes. I think I saw it.”

“Are you sure? I did not notice it.”

“Maybe I had to see wrongly.”

Chen Xiaomei felt it was impossible and did not continue.

The leaders left, and Chief Qian returned to his grumpy expression. “Alright. You all can leave. Just send such requests to your City government will do.”

Dong Xuebing glanced at Chief Qian. He does not like him, and he leaves the office with Chen Xiaomei and Yan Yizhi. They returned to the waiting area.

“Mayor Dong, what should we do now?” Chen Xiaomei asked.

Yan Yizhi replied. “Let’s go back. I can tell they are unwilling to give us money.”

Dong Xuebing calmly replied. “Let’s continue to wait. Why are we going back when we have not gotten the fund?”

Yan Yizhi was about to say something when Dong Xuebing’s phone rang.

Dong Xuebing stepped aside and looked at his phone. It was Xie Guoliang. “Hello, First Uncle.”

Xie Guoliang asked. “When did you come back?”

“Err…. I reached Beijing yesterday afternoon. We are here for some official matters.”

“You all must be here to ask for money, right?”

“Yes…. You should know about our county’s situation.”

“I know you were transferred to Zhen Shui County. Why didn’t you look for me?”

“I called Xiao Jing, and I heard you are away. That’s why I did not look for you.”

Xie Guoliang was amused. “Are you afraid I will bring up Xiao Jing’s boyfriend incident, and you dare not look for me? Huh?”

Dong Xuebing replied embarrassedly. “No… no…. I plan to visit you after I finish my work. Both you and Aunt can go ahead and scold me.”

“Haha…. Save it. I had dinner with your Grandfather a few days ago, and he mentioned you several times. I don’t dare to scold you.”

Dong Xuebing quickly replied. “Please don’t say that, First Uncle.”

“I was joking.” Xie Guoliang laughed. “How is Sun Kai now?”

Dong Xuebing thought for a while and replied cautiously. “He is doing fine. I have arranged a job for him, and he is doing his best. He is hardworking and can endure hardships.”

Xie Guoliang nodded. “He is as stubborn as Xiao Jing.”

Dong Xuebing smiled. “I think stubbornness is a virtue. Just look at me… Ah…. Don’t look at me. Oh, look at Grandfather.”

“You ah…. You are always speaking up for your Sister.” Xie Guoliang replied helplessly. “Alright. We are not angry with you for helping Sun Kai. You worried too much. But try not to give him too much help in the future. I want to see if he is resilient and will decide later. You should know our family’s situation. Not anyone can enter our family, and if we are unsatisfied with Sun Kai’s abilities, we will not let him be with Xiao Jing. He is not as capable as you, and I can’t see anything outstanding in him.” He implies that he acknowledged Xie Jing and Sun Kai’s relationship.

Dong Xuebing felt relieved and laughed. “Eldest Uncle, I didn’t know you and Aunt were so understanding. You are so much better than Huilan.” Xie Huilan will not listen to others once she has decided on something.

Xie Guoliang replied. “Yes. I will tell Huilan what you said.”

Dong Xuebing got a fright. “Wait… no…. Eldest Uncle, are you trying to kill me?”

Xie Guoliang laughed. “Alright. I am still on my inspection rounds. Wait for me outside. I will call for you later.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

“Ok. Bye.”

Dong Xuebing was relieved after he knew Xie Guoliang was not angry with him. No wonder everyone says he is the most amicable elder in Xie Family.

Dong Xuebing returned to the waiting area and waited with Yan Yizhi and Chen Xiaomei.

Half an hour later.

Chief Qian’s office.

Ring… ring… ring…. The phone on the desk rang.

Chief Qian answered. “Hello, who is it?”

A middle-aged man said. “I am Xie Guoliang.

Xie Guoliang?? Chief Qian thought for a while and jumped from his chair. He stood at attention. “Yes, Minister Xie.”

It’s Minister Xie.

Minister Xie had called him….

Chief Qian was only the Chief of a department. Although he has more authority, his power cannot be compared to the Finance Department's top leaders. Other than reporting to Minister Xie occasionally, he never gets to speak to him. Furthermore, it was Minister Xie who called.

Xie Guoliang asked. “Are Zhen Shui County’s staff still there?”

“Ah?! Zhui Shui County’s staff? Yes…” Chief Qian quickly replied. “I think they are outside. They had just left my office. I… I am not sure.”

Xie Guoliang said. “Check if they are still around. If they are around, bring them to my office. That’s all.”

“Yes… yes…. I will get to it immediately.” Chief Qian quickly replied.

Those leaders from that impoverished county?

Why does Minister Xie want to meet them?

Did they stop Minister Xie after they left my office?