Power and Wealth

The Mayor's office.

Huang Li was still shocked over Dong Xuebing, and Xie Huilan is dating.

He was so shocked until he didn't know what to say, and it created an awkward silence in the office.

Xie Huilan looked at Huang Li and smiled. "Secretary Huang, other than my family members, no one else knows about my relationship with Xiao Dong. You should also know the rules in government service. Although I am not Xiao Dong's direct supervisor, it good to avoid rumors and gossips. I am only letting you know this, and we will announce our relationship when we are engaged."

Are you only telling me about this?

Huang Li was touched. This is the trust Mayor Xie had in him, and it means she had accepted him into her faction and did not treat him as an outsider. Huang Li knew this is one of the strategies used by the leaders to recruit people over to their side. He immediately knew what to do. This might not be against the regulations, but Huang Li knew this secret must be kept and will not even tell his wife and children.

After a while, Huang Li left.

Dong Xuebing smiled and asked. "Sister Xie, why did you tell Secretary Huang?"

Xie Huilan narrowed her eyes as she looked at Dong Xuebing. "Secretary Huang is my father's former subordinate. He had supported Party Secretary Chang previous, and after Secretary Chang left, he had to join my side. Now, he is one of my men, and it's fine to let him know. This will also let him know I trusted him, and he will give me his full support. Also, you are in the Public Security, and Huang Li is the County's Secretary of the Political and Legal Committee, which is your direct supervisor. It will be good for him to know you, in case you offended him with your foul temper."

Dong Xuebing smacked his lips. "But I am not the one who offended others."

Xie Huilan looked at Dong Xuebing. "From the County's Party Secretary to the Public Security Deputy Chiefs. Who else have you not offended?"

"They are the ones who tried to step all over me. They had harmed the interest of the people and me…"

Xie Huilan interrupted Dong Xuebing. "Hahaha. You always have your reasons."

Ring… ring… ring… the phone on the table rang. Xie Huilan answered. "Hello? Oh… Xiao Hu… Who? Ok… alright… Fine… Ask him to wait five minutes before coming in." After hanging up, Xie Huilan laughed. "Alright. You should leave now. I still have work to do."

Dong Xuebing doesn't want to leave. "Why don't you ask that person to come back in half an hour?"

Xie Huilan laughed and glared at Dong Xuebing. "You think work can be postponed? Go back."

Dong Xuebing was looking at Xie Huilan's slim body and her pretty face. He wants to take a longer look at her, as the last time he returned to Beijing, it was to accompany Xie Huilan's mother to the hospital and did not spend much time with her. He missed her badly and couldn't understand why. Dong Xuebing guess it should be a while since he "released."

Xie Huilan smiled and took out a bunch of keys from her drawer and passed it to him. "Here."

Dong Xuebing looked at the keys. "What keys are these?"

"It's the keys to my apartment in the family quarters." Xie Huilan laughed. "If you are not worried about tarnishing my reputation, come over at night."

Dong Xuebing hesitated for a while. "Err… I think not… It will not be good if other people see us."

Xie Huilan pushed the keys forward. "Haha… take it. Just try to avoid others. I also want to have a chat with you. It's been a while since we chatted." She wrote her address on a piece of paper and gave it to Dong Xuebing. "The family quarters might be crowded at night, and you can go over earlier in the afternoon. I should reach around 7 pm. Wait for me for dinner, Ok?"

Dong Xuebing nodded. "Alright. I will see if I can sneak in without your neighbors noticing."

After leaving the office, Dong Xuebing drove to the supermarket to buy groceries, like potatoes, carrots, poultry, wine, etc. Dong Xuebing and Xie Huilan are separated most of the time, and they are finally together in Yan Tai County now. Dong Xuebing wants to prepare something special for their first dinner after so long. He thought for a while and went to buy some candles and a bunch of roses.

County Party Committee Family Quarters.

It was getting windy, and the sky is covered by dark clouds. A thunderstorm is brewing.

Dong Xuebing did not dare to drive into the estate because his Mercedes is too outstanding. He parked his car along the road outside of the estate and carried the groceries out. The roses are wrapped tightly and cannot be seen by others. If the other items were seen by other people, they could think Dong Xuebing is sending gifts to some leaders. But roses are unexplainable. Dong Xuebing took a deep breath and walked into the Family Quarters.

The guard did not stop him, and Dong Xuebing entered without any problems.

A few leaders' family members walked past Dong Xuebing, and Dong Xuebing didn't know most of them. However, he noticed someone familiar in the distance. But no one will purposely greet each other when they see Dong Xuebing carrying so many things unless they bump into each other face to face.

A few moments later, Dong Xuebing found Xie Huilan's apartment building.

This is a new building, and it's about ten stories with an elevator.

"Eh? Chief Dong?" Someone called Dong Xuebing from behind.

Dong Xuebing's heart skipped a beat and panicked, as he is guilty conscious. But when he turned around and saw who was calling him, he was relieved. "Xiao Hua?" Xiao Hua is the teenager Dong Xuebing was supposed to arrest for hacking into the Government websites. "Why are you not in school today?"

Xiao Hua replied softly. "It's Summer Holidays."

Dong Xuebing nodded. "Study hard and stop creating troubles."

Xiao Hua nodded. "My parents had locked my PC, and I seldom touch it now." He was grateful to Dong Xuebing, as he thought he would be going behind bars. But Chief Dong let him go, and from then on, he dare not to hack into any websites.

"Brother Dong, where are you going?" Xiao Hua asked.

Dong Xuebing replied. "Err… some work-related matters."

Xiao Hua laughed. "You are sending gifts?"

Dong Xuebing gave him a stare. "Stop asking the obvious. Go… Go back home."

After chasing Xiao Hua away, Dong Xuebing entered the lobby and took the elevator up. Ding! The elevator reached, and Dong Xuebing looked at the surroundings worriedly. He was afraid of the neighbors seeing him. Still, Sister Xie's unit was just next to the elevator, and the unit on the right of the elevator is blocked by a wall. Even if the neighbors looked out of the door viewer, they would not see him. Dong Xuebing was relieved and entered Sister Xie's apartment with the groceries.

The apartment was clean, and the fittings and furniture were better than Dong Xuebing's unit.

Dong Xuebing had wanted to 'explore' Sister Xie's bedroom, but he looked at the time. He did not have much time left and quickly put on the apron to prepare dinner. While he was cutting the ingredients, he suddenly realized that he was too weak in front of Sister Xie. He had washed her clothes and stockings before and is now cooking for her. He still has not held her hands before… Dong Xuebing felt he must take the initiative today.

At about 7 pm, it started pouring.

Not long after the rain started, the door opened, and Xie Huilan entered the living room, drenched.

Dong Xuebing walked out of the kitchen and was surprised. "Why are you wet?"

Xie Huilan took off her shoes and smiled. "I asked my driver to drop me off at the entrance, but it started pouring before I enter the building."

Dong Xuebing replied. "Oh, go and get a shower first. I will wait for you."

Xie Huilan nodded and looked at the kitchen. "Thank you."

"Hurry up before you get a cold."

Xie Huilan's pants were sticking to her slim legs, and her stockings and white blouse were soaked.

Dong Xuebing could feel his throat getting dry as he looked at Xie Huilan.

Xie Huilan looked at him and giggled, before going into the bathroom. A few minutes later, Dong Xuebing could hear her showering."

Dong Xuebing quickly took out the bouquet of roses and lit the candles.

The water sounds from the bathroom stopped, and Xie Huilan shouted from inside. "Xiao Dong, help me get a set of clothes from my wardrobe. Pajamas or suits are fine. Oh, don't forget my underwear too."

"Ok. Please wait a while."

"Thank you."

Dong Xuebing rubbed his palms excitedly and entered Sister Xie's room. While choosing the clothing, Dong Xuebing remembered that he had never seen Xie Huilan wearing skirts. She is always in suits and looks like she does not have other clothing. He searched for her wardrobe and noticed there are five sets of suits and a few office dresses. Most of her clothes are either black, white, or dark colors.

This will do!

Dong Xuebing picked a dark brown dress and a set of black underwear and stockings.

"Sister Xie, I got your clothes. Please open the door." Dong Xuebing stood outside the bathroom with the clothes.

The door opened, and Dong Xuebing could smell shampoo fragrance from inside. Xie Huilan was standing naked in front of him, without trying to cover herself up. She smiled and took the clothes from Dong Xuebing. Dong Xuebing was curious why Sister Xie is not shy like other women.

Dong Xuebing pretended not to look at her, but his heart was racing.

Very soon, Xie Huilan walked out of the bathroom in an office dress. "Hehe… it's been a while since I wore a dress."

Dong Xuebing looked at her in a daze. "Sister Xie… why… why are you so pretty?"

Xie Huilan laughed. "Really?"

"Yes. You are beautiful beyond words."

"Haha… Thank you."

Dong Xuebing turned around and took out the bouquet of roses he had hidden. "This is for you."

Xie Huilan was surprised as she looked at the roses and the candles on the table. She smiled and accepted it. "You prepared all these? Thank you."

"I will start cooking?"

"Ok. Let me help you."

"No need. You should be tired. Go and watch TV."

About 20 minutes later, Dong Xuebing brought out a few plates of dishes from the kitchen, and he opened the bottle of red wine.

Xie Huilan had a smile on her face and was looking at Dong Xuebing. She seemed to be in a good mood and was swirling her wine.

Dong Xuebing raised his wineglass and said. "Let's have a toast to celebrate… err… what should we celebrate? Let me think…"

Xie Huilan laughed and knocked his glass. "Celebrate, I have found a good man."

Dong Xuebing felt embarrassed. "Sister Xie, stop poking fun at me. How can I be considered a good man?" In his heart, Dong Xuebing was overjoyed. All his efforts this afternoon was not wasted. After drinking the wine, Dong Xuebing start to put the food into her bowl. "I had wanted to prepare western cuisine for a candlelight dinner with you. But I don't know how to cook that, and it's inconvenient to order takeout. So, please bear with these few Chinese dishes."

Xie Huilan ate a piece of meat and nodded. "Taste good."

"Have more… here… try this…"

After dinner, both sat down on the leather sofa in the living room. The TV is showing a violin performance, and Xie Huilan was watching attentively. Dong Xuebing was not cultured like her, and it felt like he was listening to the leaders' speech. The more he listened, he sleepier he got. Suddenly, he remembered that he must take the initiative today. That's right. He must hold Sister Xie's hand today.

Dong Xuebing! This is a test of your courage!

Dong Xuebing mustered up his courage and started moving his left hand slowly towards his left side.

But before Dong Xuebing's hand could reach the target, a warm hand grabbed it suddenly. Dong Xuebing was shocked and realized Xie Huilan was holding his hand. Xie Huilan's eyes were still glued to the TV and holding Dong Xuebing's hand. Her fingers were caressing Dong Xuebing's hand slowly.

They had finally held hands.

Dong Xuebing was overjoyed and tightened his grip on Xie Huilan's hand.

Xie Huilan was playing with Dong Xuebing's fingers at a rhythm. It's like she is examining an antique.

Dong Xuebing got bolder after they held hands and was no longer satisfied with just holding hands. He released Xie Huilan's hand and moved his hand towards her thigh.

Xie Huilan took a glance at Dong Xuebing and did not say a word.

Dong Xuebing looked at her and rested his palm on her thigh.

Xie Huilan smiled and continued watching TV.

Dong Xuebing was overjoyed and felt his relationship with Sister Xie had reached another level. This is the feeling of being in a relationship. He continued to rub his palm against her thigh.

Xie Huilan smiled and asked. "Hehe, is there anything dirty on my leg?"

Dong Xuebing was surprised and did not expect this question from her. "Nothing…"

Xie Huilan looked at Dong Xuebing from the corner of her eyes. "Really? Why do you keep rubbing my thigh then?"

"Err… errr… nothing…"

"Haha… you…" Xie Huilan laughed and straightened her dress. "I am going to the bathroom."

Dong Xuebing thought Xie Huilan was angry and quickly removed his hand from her leg.

After a while, Xie Huilan returned from the bathroom with a small black plastic bag. She sat beside Dong Xuebing and passed the plastic bag to him with a smile. "Throw it away after you use it, or you can return it to me after it is washed."

Dong Xuebing doesn't understand what Xie Huilan was talking about.

Use? Use what? Wash it?

Dong Xuebing looked inside the plastic bag and was stunned. No words could describe his facial expression. It's the bra and stocking Dong Xuebing had picked for Xie Huilan earlier. She had taken it off and gave it to Dong Xuebing!

Damn!

Dong Xuebing quickly returns the bag to Xie Huilan. "Sister Xie, why are you giving me this? Take it back…" He knew why Sister Xie had given him her worn stockings. It is because of that incident in Beijing!

Xie Huilan laughed. "Hahaha… it's good that you don't need it. The clothes I wore before will get dirty, and it's not hygienic if you use it."

"Ah…!" Dong Xuebing made a stop gesture. "Change to another topic!"

Dong Xuebing finally realized that Sister Xie has thicker skin than him!