Power and Wealth

Xie Guoliang’s office.

“We are done with business. Have you taken your lunch?”

“Not yet. I will be having lunch with my colleagues later.”

“Ok. I still got lots of work to do. I will not ask you to stay.”

“Go ahead. Are you and Aunt free tomorrow? I want to treat you all to dinner.”

“Haha…. Let’s talk about it tomorrow. I am not sure if I am free tomorrow.”

Fifty million RMB fund is settled.

Dong Xuebing’s work in Beijing is completed.

The County only had a shortfall of 10 million, and the Party Committee’s target for Dong Xuebing was between 2 million to 10 million RMB. However, they got five times their target in one day. Dong Xuebing was overjoyed. This fund will make achieving his goals in Zhen Shui County and establishing his authority easier.

Outside.

Along the corridor.

Chief Qian, Yan Yizhi, and Chen Xiaomei waited quietly outside.

The three of them looked at Dong Xuebing when he came out of the office. Chief Qian wanted to say something but hesitated.

Yan Yizhi asked anxiously. “Mayor Dong….”

Dong Xuebing nodded. “It’s done.”

Yan Yizhi and Chen Xiaomei were excited. They had gotten the fund!

Dong Xuebing passed the memo to Chief Qian. “Chief Qian, this is for you.”

Chief Qian took the memo with both hands and looked at it. 50 million RMB! This shows the good relationship between Minister Xie and the young man before him. A small leader from a county will never get this much. Sigh…. Chief Qian cursed and swore in his heart when he heard Dong Xuebing addressing Xie Guoliang as Eldest Uncle. Why did you look for me when you know Minister Xie and are his relative? Are you kidding me?! He remembered his attitude towards them and regrated it. Luckily, he did not say anything nasty, or he would be in trouble.

Chief Qian looked at Dong Xuebing and said politely. “I apologize for my attitude earlier, Mayor Dong.”

Dong Xuebing waved his hand. “It’s fine.”

“Come with me and wait in my office. I will do the paperwork.”

“Sorry to trouble you.” Dong Xuebing did not make things difficult for Chief Qian.

“It’s alright. Oh, I need your County’s financial report.”

Chen Xiaomei gave him the report. “Here.”

“Ok. This way, please.”

Chief Qian’s office.

Chief Qian left his office and let Dong Xuebing and the rest wait. He even got someone to send drinks to them.

Yan Yizhi asked immediately. “How much funds did we get, Mayor Dong?”

Chen Xiaomei was also curious as they did not see what was written on the memo.

Dong Xuebing did reveal the amount he got from Xie Guoliang. “The money is not issued, and I am unsure what amount we will get. You all will know when the money is in a few days later.”

Yan Yizhi did not continue to ask.

Chen Xiaomei glanced at Dong Xuebing secretly.

No one said a word.

Dong Xuebing smiled and looked at them. “Why are you two looking at me like this? Don’t tell anyone about what happened with Minister Xie.”

Yan Yizhi replied with a straight face. “Don’t worry. We will not tell anyone.”

Chen Xiaomei added. “I will not say it, Mayor Dong.”

Dong Xuebing nodded. “I don’t need to hide it among us. We had gotten the fund through connection, and it will not be good for us if others know about it.”

“We understand.” Yan Yizhi and Chen Xiaomei replied.

Chief Qian was more efficient this time as he dared not let Dong Xuebing and the rest wait too long. He returned around 15 minutes later.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Mayor Dong.”

“Is it done?”

“Yes. It’s done. The money will be transferred to your County soon.”

“Ok. We will go now. Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. Err…. I will walk you out.”

“No need, Chief Qian. Carry on with your work.”

“No… no… I must walk you all out.”

Chief Qian walked Dong Xuebing and the rest out of the office building and waited until they left the compound. He ignored everyone’s stares and stood there waving at Dong Xuebing. Everyone was curious about who he was sending.

Wang Fu Hotel.

The three of them took a cab to their hotel.

A female staff ran up to them when they entered the lobby. “You are back, Mr. Dong. Do you have any requests?”

Dong Xuebing looked at her. “It’s you again.”

The female staff Dong Xuebing met outside his room this morning. “Yes. My manager assigned me to service you during your stay….”

Dong Xuebing interrupted her. “No need. Just carry on with your work.”

The staff replied. “But my manager says….”

Dong Xuebing said. “Tell him it is my instruction.”

The staff nodded and left.

Yan Yizhi and Chen Xiaomei noticed something was wrong and looked at Dong Xuebing.

Dong Xuebing turned to them. “I am going out this afternoon. We have completed our task, and you two can rest here for a few days. We don’t need to hurry back, and I might have something on tomorrow. So, I will not accompany you all. You all can dine at Wang Fu restaurant and bill it on my tab. Tell the staff if you two need anything.”

Yan Yizhi nodded. “Yes. Please carry on with your work.”

Upstairs.

Inside a standard room.

Chen Xiaomei came out from her shower and saw many missed calls from her cousin, Zhang Hui.”

Chen Xiaomei immediately returned the call. “Are you looking for me, Cousin?”

Zhang Hui said softly. “Is Mayor Dong beside you?”

Chen Xiaomei replied. “No. He went out.”

Zhang Hui relaxed a little. “Xiao Mei ah…. Why didn’t you tell me about Mayor Dong earlier? You almost made me embarrass myself today.”

“I got to know about him earlier too.”

“Never mind. It’s not your fault too. Oh, can you arrange a dinner with Mayor Dong for me?”

“I am afraid not. He seemed busy these two days and might not return to the hotel.”

“That’s right. Someone with his status should be busy. Xiao Mei, you must try to be close to Mayor Dong.”

“I will try my best.” Chen Xiaomei was speechless. She is in a different faction from Mayor Dong.

“Just take note of it. Oh, we have not eaten together for a while. Let’s have dinner tonight. I will treat.”

Zhang Hui’s attitude towards Chen Xiaomei had changed completely, and she could feel it.

Another standard room.

Knock… knock…. Chen Xiaomei entered Yan Yizhi’s room.

Yan Yizhi was chainsmoking, and the room was filled with cigarette smoke. He seemed to be thinking of something. “You are here.”

“Yes.” Chen Xiaomei knew what Chief Yan thought as they had worked together for many years.

“Have you seen the hotel staff’s attitude when we enter the lobby?” Yan Yizhi looked at her. “I finally understood why the service staff treated us so nicely yesterday. We don’t need to pay for anything. When we checked in yesterday, the staff knew Mayor Dong and arranged everything.”

Chen Xiaomei replied. “Mayor Dong must be a big shot in Beijing.”

Yan Yizhi said. “We cannot judge a book by its cover. I had made thought wrongly yesterday.”

“What should we do now?” Chen Xiaomei sat on the sofa. “Mayor Dong does not want us to tell anyone, but what if Secretary Meng asks?”

Yan Yizhi sighed. “I am troubled by this too. What do you think we should do, Old Chen?”

Chen Xiaomei shook her head. “I don’t know. My cousin called earlier and told me to maintain a good relationship with Mayor Dong. But the problem now is….”

Ring… ring… ring…. The phone rang.

Yan Yizhi looked at the number. It was Secretary Meng’s secretary, Zhang Feng, calling. He gritted his teeth and answered. “Hello, Secretary Zhang.”

Zhang Feng asked. “Secretary Meng wants to know how’s the situation at the Finance Ministry.”

Yan Yizhi thought for a second and said. “I am not sure. It was Mayor Dong who contacted the Finance Ministry.”

Zhang Feng asked. “Where is Mayor Dong?”

“He went out.”

“Is there anything else you want to report from your side?”

Yan Yizhi kept quiet. “……”

“Chief Yan? Old Yan?” Zhang Feng asked.

“Ah… ah…. I am here.” Yan Yizhi was forced to make a decision. He clenched his fists and said. “Everything is fine here.”

“Ok. Call me if anything happens. Secretary Meng is quite concerned with this trip.”

Zhang Feng hung up.

Yan Yizhi put down his phone and rubbed his temples.

Chen Xiaomei overheard their conversation and said. “Are we not going to inform Secretary Meng about Mayor Dong? What if he finds out we hid it from him? We….”

Yan Yizhi replied honestly. “I am not being disrespectful. Who would you rather offend, Secretary Meng or Minister Xie? Who do you choose?”

Yan Yizhi did not expect Chen Xiaomei to be bolder than him. “Mayor Dong has a strong background and oversees our County Finance Department. Let’s join his faction.”

Yan Yizhi was stunned.

Chen Xiaomei was also shocked by what she said. She quickly waved her hand. “I am only saying….”

Yan Yizhi kept quiet for a long time.