Power and Wealth

The accident scene.

"Chief Dong, how are we going to settle this?" The Officers waited for Dong Xuebing's instruction.

Dong Xuebing walked back from the young couple and said. "That couple agreed to settle this privately for 30,000 RMB and an apology from the driver." He paused for a while and continued. "The County is very concerned about this investment site visit. Let's not talk about the driver driving without a valid license now, and don't record the driver had hit that couple. Just treat this as a normal traffic accident, and after they paid the medical fees and compensations, they can leave." Although Dong Xuebing did not want to let that driver off, he knew he had to.

"I understand."

The Traffic Police walked over to the Toyota and told them what was discussed.

When the driver heard that they need to compensate the couple and apologize to them, their face changed. "I said we are not at fault! What is the meaning of this?"

The other Japanese man, who had hit the couple, was mad too. He shouted something in Japanese and points to the young couple angrily.

The Traffic Officer replied. "I don't know how Japan handles road accidents and fights. But in China, this incident is caused by you all, and you all must take responsibility for it. We had given in by not charging you for driving without a valid license and hitting others. You all only need to apologize and compensate them. If not, this incident will not be settled." The Officer said and looked at the accompanying translator. "Please translate to your boss."

The translator spoke to Sakamoto softly.

Sakamoto looked at them and shouted to his assistant impatiently. "Ka-sei-lu."

The assistant took out 30,000 RMB from a bag and threw it at the Traffic Officer. The Japanese were willing to pay the compensation because they knew they are in the wrong. But when the Traffic Officer asked the ones who hit the couple to apologize, he was shouted at. One of the Japanese men started shouting in Japanese and gesturing towards the couple.

The driver shouted. "We will not apologize! They started scolding us when they alight from their car! They should be the ones apologizing to us!"

Dong Xuebing is furious. "Do you all want to settle this peacefully?" If they were ordinary folks, the Traffic Officer would have brought them back to the station. Dong Xuebing had already sided with the site visit team, and they are still not satisfied?

The driver exclaimed. "I think you are finding trouble with us! You want us to apologize?! Then you should talk to our boss's lawyer!" He shouted and entered the driver seat of the Toyota to start the engine.

The young couple immediately blocks the car. "F**k! Don't think of leaving if you all don't apologize!"

The Traffic Officer was also mad. "Chief Dong, this group of Japanese is not listening!"

Dong Xuebing looks at Toyota coldly. He was also furious by their actions.

When both sides were still in a standoff, Dong Xuebing's phone rang. He looks at the number, and it's calling from the Party Committee.

"Hello! I am Xiang Daofa!" The County Party Secretary shouted over the phone.

Dong Xuebing replied. "Secretary Xiang, how can I help you?"

"Why is the traffic accident not settle yet?! Let them go now!"

"Secretary Xiang, we have confirmed that the Japanese team had caused the accident. They had beaten up the other party, and the driver is driving without a valid driving license. We are trying to handle the situation, and the couple who were beaten up wants an apology from them. But they…"

"Don't tell me all this! Just release them immediately!"

Dong Xuebing's eyes twitched. "Then what am I going to tell the couple?"

"That is your job! The investment site visit team is the most important now!" Xiang Daofa slammed the phone down.

After getting scolded, Dong Xuebing felt like throwing down everything and leave. How can this group of Japanese cause an accident, beat up others, and don't apologize for their actions? I still have to let them go?! Are we not going to take care of Yan Tai County's residents because of these Japanese? Dong Xuebing is getting pissed by how Xiang Daofa does things. This investment should be a win-win situation for both parties. But now, he is worshiping this group of Japanese like his grandfather!

Screech! An Investment Promotion Agency car arrived.

Meng Xianglin alighted from the vehicle. He is furious when he saw the Japanese team were still there, and the young couple is still blocking the car. He quickly ran over to the Toyota and told the people inside. "Mr. Sakamoto. Sorry for the trouble. I will settle it now."

The translator translated what Meng Xianglin said to Sakamoto.

Sakamoto nodded and said something.

The translator told Meng Xianglin. "Mr. Sakamoto is very unhappy with Yan Tai County's efficiency."

Meng Xianglin's face changed and is panicking in his heart.

The Toyota driver said. "My Boss has a dinner appointment with his friend. Can you all hurry up? We are already late!"

"Yes. We will settle it now! Give me five minutes."

Meng Xianglin walks over to Dong Xuebing angrily. "Why is this not settled yet?"

"Hah, Chief Meng, you should be asking them and not me." Dong Xuebing replied.

The Traffic Officer explained the situation to Meng Xianglin. All the officers at the scene understood that it's not that they do not want to settle this minor traffic accident. It's the group of Japanese that's too much. They knew Yan Tai County want their investment and become arrogant. If this had happened in Japan, they would never behave this way.

Meng Xianglin listened to the Officer and felt the Japanese site visit team had done nothing wrong. He felt the Public Security is making a fuss out of nothing, and did not think of the bigger picture. He did not even look at Dong Xuebing and walked over to the couple to threaten them. "Do you all know what you all are doing?! Ah?! They are the site visit team from an overseas MNC! They are guests invited by the Party Committee! Are you all trying to disgrace our County?! Get lost! Are you all going to take responsibility you all mess up this investment?!"

The young man retorted. "Their car had knocked into us, and we were beaten up by them! Why is it our fault?!"

Meng Xianglin stared at the young man. "Didn't they compensate you with a sum of money?! What more do you want?! Are you trying to blackmail them?! If you all are unhappy, go and speak to the Public Security!"

The few Traffic Officers looked at each other angrily.

Dong Xuebing frowned. This Meng Xianglin is abusing his authority to help outsiders!

Meng Xianglin knows he can scare these commoners by mentioning the Public Security Bureau. He is implying that if the couple continues to block the car, they will be arrested. The young couple can tell that the people from the Government are siding with those Japanese and will not help them. They do not want to enter the Police station, and they might be locked up. In the end, the young couple left the scene angrily. Before the young man drives off, he glared at Dong Xuebing. Dong Xuebing was the one who agreed to let the other party apologize to him.

Dong Xuebing and the other officers at the scene were frustrated.

Meng Xianglin was relieved and walked over to the Toyota with a smile. He spoke to them for a while before Sakamoto waved him off. The driver gave Dong Xuebing a side glance and drove off.

The Traffic Officer does not care about Meng Xianglin. He only knows Chief Dong is his direct superior, and when he saw the driver driving off, he shouted. "Why are you still driving?! Your license is…"

Meng Xianglin stared at that Traffic Officer. "Enough!"

The Toyota driver ignored the Traffic Officer's shouts and stepped on the accelerator.

An Officer looks at Dong Xuebing. "Chief Dong."

"The leader said we must think of the bigger picture!" Dong Xuebing does not want to remain there. "Let's go!"

Meng Xianglin looks at Dong Xuebing's back as the latter left. He is furious with Dong Xuebing as he felt the investment is more important than this accident.

Public Security Bureau Family Quarters.

Dong Xuebing threw his bag on the sofa when he reached home. He cannot stand the way Xiang Daofa and his men do things. Although Dong Xuebing knows many government officials place benefits and interests before their morals, residents, and even family and friends, but he can never do that. That's why he got more furious when he thinks about what happened.

If it was someone who blocked the Japanese team cars and asks for 'toll fees,' Dong Xuebing will be the first one to rush forward to handle the situation. He does not want to let the Japanese have a bad impression of the County. But what happened earlier is different. It's the Japanese who are driving without a valid license and even hit others after they got into an accident. How can we still protect those Japanese in this situation? Do we have to sacrifice our residents to please them? Are the Japanese going to have a good impression of our County by doing this?

Bullshit!

The more you kiss their ass, the more they look down on you!

Dong Xuebing had become a scapegoat today. He had promised the young couple to get an apology from the Japanese, and they should think that they had been lied to by him. The Japanese team will also hate him and think that he is finding trouble with them. Xiang Daofa and Meng Xianglin should also hate him. In the end, Dong Xuebing is the one taking all the blame!

I am taking all the blame, and you all are getting all the credits?!

WTF?!

Dong Xuebing smoked a cigarette and called Liang Chengpeng. "Hello, Chief Liang. I think I am not suitable for the task of protecting the site visit team. Can you assign someone else for this task?" Although Liang Chengpeng is standing on Xiang Daofa's faction, he is still on good terms with Dong Xuebing and has an upright character.

"What happened?"

"Nothing. It's just…"

Liang Chengpeng had heard of what happened and sighed. "Chief Dong, you had agreed to take on this task, and it's not your character to give up halfway." Liang Chengpeng persuaded Dong Xuebing and kept emphasizing to think of the big picture.

After hanging up, Dong Xuebing threw his phone on the table.

Big picture, my ass! In the end, everything is for Xiang Daofa's credit!

Suddenly, someone opened the door from outside. Luan Xiaoping entered the apartment and saw her son sitting on the sofa angrily. She quickly changed into slippers and asked. "What happened? Are you not happy at work? You were still fine this afternoon."

Dong Xuebing smacked his lips and said. "Don't talk about it."

Luan Xiaoping looks at her son. "You… since young, you took everything to heart. Just stop thinking about those unhappy things, and everything will be over after a good sleep."

Dong Xuebing nodded. "Oh, why are you here?"

Luan Xiaoping smiled and took out a magazine from her bag. "My school's Teacher Liu has this magazine, and there are a few nice scarfs on it. I am thinking of knitting a scarf for you, and it should be ready within a month." She sat on the sofa and showed her son the magazine. "Which design do you like? I will buy the yarn tomorrow."

Dong Xuebing replied. "Didn't I tell you not to tire yourself? I can just buy one off the shelves."

"How can the ones you bought from outside be the same as the one I knit? All those scarfs selling outside are using low-quality yarn."

"It's the same as long as the scarf can keep me warm. You don't need to waste your time."

Luan Xiaoping replied with an angry expression. "Hurry up and choose a design! I have nothing to do at home also."

Dong Xuebing did not want to argue with his mother and chose a simple design from the magazine. It should be easier to knit with a simple design. "I want this design."

Luan Xiaoping looked at the picture and nodded, before folding the corner of the page.

"… alright… it's late, and you should go to sleep. I will go back now."

Dong Xuebing looks at the time. "It's late now. Just sleep here tonight, or I can send you back."

"What's there to send? I know how to get back myself." Luan Xiaoping laughed. "The shops are still open now, and I want to pick a good yarn for your scarf."

Dong Xuebing laughed and held his mother's shoulder. "Mum, your son, is also a multi-millionaire now, and it's not that we cannot afford it. I don't want you to tire yourself, and I will be worried if you get a stroke because of overworked. If you want to knit a scarf, just knit it. But don't rush yourself. I can wear a scarf next winter."

Luan Xiaoping patted Dong Xuebing's hand. "Haha… I know what to do. Don't worry."

"Fine… fine… I will let you win."

"I am your mother, and I know more than you." Luan Xiaoping nagged at her son a while more before leaving. Dong Xuebing wanted to send her back, but Luan Xiaoping refused. She knows Dong Xuebing is not in a good mood and wants him to have a good rest.

After Dong Xuebing's mother's visit, his mood got better.

Dong Xuebing did not think of the incident and went to bed.

Half an hour…

One hour…

In the middle of the night, Dong Xuebing's phone rang.

Dong Xuebing woke up and looked at the time. It's already 9.30 pm. He wondered who is calling him at this hour and it's an unknown number. "Hello, who is this?"

"Chief Dong, I'm from the Traffic Department."

Traffic Officers again? Dong Xuebing sat up and asked. "What is it?"

"We are now at the hospital. Your…" The Officer sounded worried. "Your mother was knocked down by a car."

"What?!" Dong Xuebing jumped off the bed. "What did you say?"

"Your mother was knocked down by a car and is now at County's People Hospital."

Dong Xuebing shouted angrily. "When did it happen? Why didn't you all report to me earlier?"

"The accident happened about 20 minutes ago. Your mother had met an accident on the road south of the Shopping mall. She had fainted when we reached there, and we don't know her identity. It was until we found her identity card at the hospital, and we realized she is your mother. This…" almost everyone from Hui Tian Police Station knows Luan Xiaoping is Chief Dong's mother. But in the County Public Security, not many officers know who she is.

Dong Xuebing's face turned pale.

Dong Xuebing had only a few minutes of BACK left and cannot return to 20 minutes ago!

"How is her condition? Is she in danger?"

"No. She might have injured her hands and waist, but the Doctor says she is fine. They are still checking if she has any fractures."

"Is my mother awake?"

"She just woke up. She asked you not to worry, and she is fine."

Fine?! How can someone be fine after getting knocked down by a car?! Dong Xuebing shouted. "Wait for me! I will go over now!" He threw his phone aside and quickly got dress before rushing out. He sped to People Hospital!

Second floor.

Luan Xiaoping is on the drip in the ward.

Dong Xuebing barged into the ward. "Mum! Are you ok?!"

Luan Xiaoping replied. "Didn't I say I am fine? It was just a slight bump." The two Traffic Officers in the ward exchanged looks and waited outside.

Dong Xuebing gritted his teeth. "You can still say you are fine in this state?! Are your hands still painful?"

"Haha… It's not painful now." Luan Xiaoping continued. "My waist is also fine. Go home and sleep."

Dong Xuebing is furious. "How can I still sleep now?" He sat on the bed and looked at his mother's bandaged hand. He almost cried. "I told you not to buy the yarn so late at night… you…"

At this time, a doctor entered the ward. "Chief Dong."

Dong Xuebing asked. "Doctor, how is my mother's condition? Are the results of her checks out?"

The Doctor took out an X-ray and said. "She is fine. From the X-ray, we cannot see any fractures. But her blood pressure and heart rate are not very stable now because of the shock. We are putting her on the drip, and I suggest for her to receive treatment in the hospital for at least a week to control her blood pressure."

Dong Xuebing was relieved to hear that.

Luan Xiaoping laughed. "Didn't I say I am fine? You can rest assured now."

Dong Xuebing's eyes turned red as he held his mother's hand. "Have a good rest, and let me handle the rest!" He stood up and walked out of the ward. The moment the door closed behind him, Dong Xuebing's face changed, and he looked at the two Traffic Officers. "Where is the driver?!"

"… he escaped."

"Check the CCTVs! I want to find him!"

Translator's notes: No need to guess. It must be the same driver, and Dong Xuebing is going to explode!