Power and Wealth

The next day, Sunday.

Huamei estate. Yu Meixia's apartment.

Dong Xuebing slept until 10 am before he got out of bed. He laughed at himself as he felt his body aching. It is not an easy task to fight a tiger, and he was fine yesterday. But today, he realized he had pulled some of his muscles after he woke up. He walked out of his room in pain and saw Yu Meixia watching the replay of Dong Xuebing's interview on the news.

"I am a Party member. If I don't step forward, who else will save the child?"

Dong Xuebing nodded as he felt his answer is perfect.

"Good morning, Sister Yu. Where is Qianqian?"

"Oh, you are awake? Qianqian went out with her classmates."

"Did she just go out? Is she not coming back for lunch?"

"She says she will have lunch at her classmate's place and will return in the afternoon." Yu Meixia entered Dong Xuebing's room to tidy the bed. "What would you like for lunch? I will go to the market later."

"Anything." Dong Xuebing went to the bathroom to wash up. "Just prepare something simple."

"What about breakfast?"

"It's already 10 am. I will skip breakfast."

After washing his face, Dong Xuebing sat on the sofa to watch his interview. He nodded to himself and took out a cigarette. Yu Meixia had just tidied up his bed and quickly took out her lighter to light Dong Xuebing's cigarette. Dong Xuebing did not say anything, and she went to the back of the sofa to massage his shoulders.

"… Xiao Bing."

"Huh?"

"I heard that you want to be promoted to Section Chief." Yu Meixia asked.

Dong Xuebing replied. "I had almost forgotten about this if you did not mention this. Sigh… I am only nominated for the promotion, but it is hard for me to get the promotion."

"But didn't you make significant contributions?"

"This is different. The County's Party Committee must approve promotions through voting."

"I didn't know about this."

"Simply put it. I had offended Xiang Daofa, and he controls more than half of the Committee's votes. That means if the Party Secretary does not agree, I will not get the promotion. Now, this has nothing to do with what I had done for the County."

"Oh…"

The County Party Committee meeting is next week, and Dong Xuebing does not have much time. He is sure that he stands no chance against Lui Dafa, and Lui Dafa will become the Chief of the Investment Promotion Agency. Lui Dafa is one of Xiang Daofa's men, and Xiang Daofa will take care of his men first. Furthermore, Dong Xuebing is under Xie Huilan's faction, and Xie Huilan is Xiang Daofa's political rival. Xiang Daofa can't let Xie Huilan's people to get promoted!

Sigh… Section Chief… Do I have to wait until next year or the year after next?

Just when Dong Xuebing is thinking about his promotion, his phone rang.

Yu Meixia stopped massaging Dong Xuebing and helped him get his phone from the room. "It's Secretary Hu's number."

"Thank you." Dong Xuebing answered. "Hello, Sister Hu?"

Hu Silian said. "Are you at home? Is it convenient to talk now?"

"Yes." Dong Xuebing asked. "What is it?"

Hu Silian replied. "I heard a rumor, and the Mayor asked me to check with you. Is the child you rescued at the Tiger Sanctuary, Secretary Duan's relative?"

Dong Xuebing realized he had forgotten to tell Sister Xie about this yesterday. "Yes. That boy is Secretary Duan's son."

"So, it's true…" Hu Silian kept quiet.

"Sister Hu, what happened?"

"Hold on for a minute. I need to inform the Mayor first." The other line becomes quite, and Hu Silian seems to have muted the phone. About half a minute later, Hu Silian said. "Chief Dong… The County's Party Committee meeting is in a few days. The Mayor is asking you to use this opportunity to get close with Secretary Duan and get his vote."

Dong Xuebing was stunned for a moment. "Ah… Why did I forget about this?!"

"The Mayor also mentioned that you are quite close with Secretary Cao…"

"I understand… I know what to do now. Thank you."

"You don't need to thank me. I am just a messenger."

After hanging up, Dong Xuebing slapped his forehead. Why am I so stupid? Duan Zhengan is the Commission for Discipline Inspection's Secretary and is one of the Party Committee Members. Although he was 'leaning' towards Xiang Daofa's faction and had some differences with Dong Xuebing in the past, Dong Xuebing had saved his son. Saving his son will overshadow all their grudges, and if Dong Xuebing can get his vote, he might turn the tides. Xie Huilan had also asked Hu Silian to remind Dong Xuebing that Cao Xupeng, the County Party Committee's Deputy Secretary, still owe him a favor. If Dong Xuebing can get Cao Xupeng's vote, then…

Damn!

My chances to get Section Chief is higher now!

Dong Xuebing got excited. "Sister Yu! Sister Yu!"

"What is it?" Yu Meixia asked from the kitchen. "Do you want braised pork for lunch?"

"Don't prepare my lunch. I am going out now and should not be back for dinner too." Dong Xuebing grabbed his keys and bag and rushed out of the house.

Dong Xuebing does not have much time left.

……

County's Party Committee Quarters.

Dong Xuebing stood in front of an apartment building and made a phone call. "Hello, is this Secretary Duan's apartment?"

"Who's this?" A woman answered.

Dong Xuebing smiled. "Is this Sister-in-law? I'm Dong Xuebing."

"Oh, it's Chief Dong. I was just about to call you. Are you free this evening? Old Duan would like to treat you to dinner this evening to thank you."

"Thank you. Errr… I at your apartment's lobby."

"You are downstairs? Please wait for a moment. I will go and fetch you."

"No need to trouble you. Just tell me your unit no. and I will go up myself."

After hanging up, Dong Xuebing took the lift with a bag of gifts. Ding! The lift's door opened, and Dong Xuebing saw Secretary Duan's door opened. Cheng Tingting was standing outside, waiting for him. She smiled and welcomed Dong Xuebing into her house before closing the door.

"How is Liangliang? Is he fine?" Dong Xuebing asked.

Cheng Tingting smiled and replied. "He is fine. Thanks to you, he is not injured and only got a fright."

Dong Xuebing passed a toy car to Cheng Tingting. "Good to hear that. This is a remote-control car for Liangliang. He should forget about yesterday's incident in a few days."

"Ah… there is no need for gifts." Cheng Tingting said.

The room's door opened, and Duan Zhengan walks out with Liangliang. "Xiao Dong, you are here."

"Secretary Duan." Dong Xuebing greeted Duan Zhengan. "I am not sure if Liangliang is injured yesterday and wants to see him. Sorry to bother you."

Duan Zhengan waved his hand. "It's fine. Have a seat."

Liangliang was still feeling down after the fright yesterday and was keeping to himself since the medical checkup at the hospital. But when he saw Dong Xuebing, he brightened up and went over to greet him. He held his hand tightly and refused to let go. He knows Dong Xuebing had saved his life and is thankful to him.

Cheng Tingting passed the toy car to her son. "Here… This remote-controlled car is from your Uncle Dong."

"Thank you, Uncle Dong!" Liangliang took the gift and immediately opened it.

"This child is only concern about toys. Haha…" Cheng Tingting is relieved to see her son feeling better. "Xiao Bing, have a seat. I will prepare the tea." She changed the way she addresses Dong Xuebing.

"Thank you."

"Don't stand on ceremony and just make yourself at home."

Dong Xuebing let Duan Zhengan sit down first before sitting on the sofa. He understands that it was Xiang Daofa who ordered the Commission for Discipline Inspection to investigate him, and it is not Duan Zhengan's fault. Also, Duan Zhengan had not troubled his relatives during his investigation and had not told his mother about it. Now, Dong Xuebing felt Duan Zhengan has nothing to do with his investigation, and they do not have any serious grudges.

"Secretary Duan, have a cigarette." Dong Xuebing took out his cigarettes.

Duan Zhengan picks up his cigarette from the coffee table. "Come… smoke mine."

Dong Xuebing had wanted to light the cigarette for Duan Zhengan, but Duan Zhengan was faster. He lit the lighter and offered to light Dong Xuebing's cigarette. "No…" But in the end, Dong Xuebing still let Duan Zhengan light his cigarette.

"Xiao Dong." Duan Zhengan said. "I would like to thank you for what you did yesterday."

Dong Xuebing replied. "It's my duty."

"I watched the news, and what you said is terrific! 'I am a Party member. If I don't step forward, who else will save the child?'"

"Ah… Thank you."

Duan Zhengan had changed his views on Dong Xuebing. In the past, he dislikes Dong Xuebing because he suspects Dong Xuebing had received bribes. But even after he knew Dong Xuebing had won the lottery, his views on Dong Xuebing still have not changed, because he does not like government leaders who love to flaunt. If a government staff is driving a car that's worth over a million and wearing a two million RMB watch, the public will have a negative impression on the government.

But after Dong Xuebing saved Liangliang from the tiger yesterday, Duan Zhengan's impression of Dong Xuebing changed. When his wife called him yesterday to tell him what happened at the zoo, his face turned pale. He realized how dangerous it was when he watched the video footage on the news. But Dong Xuebing still rushed out to rescue Liangliang selflessly in that dangerous situation, and this made him grateful. He does have some conflicts with Dong Xuebing because he had brought Dong Xuebing back to the Commission for Discipline Inspection for investigation a while ago. If it were someone else, they would just sit there and watch his son get eaten by the tiger. But Dong Xuebing did not, and he risked his life to save Liangliang.

Duan Zhengan felt apologetic towards Dong Xuebing, as he had just investigated Dong Xuebing, and Dong Xuebing saved his son afterward. He owes Dong Xuebing a great favor.

Cheng Tingting also knew about the investigation of Dong Xuebing and felt bad. After preparing tea, she said. "Xiao Bing, stay here for lunch. What do you like? I will go and buy it."

Dong Xuebing replied politely. "Sorry to bother you. I will be going back in a while."

"It is not up to you since you are here." Cheng Tingting joked. "You all have a chat while I prepare lunch. You must stay here for lunch."

Dong Xuebing replied. "Then… Sorry to trouble you."

"No problem. Have some tea while I cook lunch."

Duan Zhengan and Cheng Tingting hosted lunch for Dong Xuebing and kept putting food into Dong Xuebing's bowl.

Dong Xuebing sighed as he felt things are unpredictable. Just a day before, he and Duan Zhengan dislike each other, and today, they are having lunch together.

"Here… have more of this." Cheng Tingting put some food into Dong Xuebing's plate.

Dong Xuebing quickly said. "Thank you, Sister-in-law. I will help myself."

Duan Zhengan is a man of few words. Even at home, he did not say much, and most of the time, it was Cheng Tingting chatting with Dong Xuebing.

After lunch, Cheng Tingting suddenly asked. "Old Duan, I heard Xiao Bing is also nominated to take over the Chief of the Investment Promotion Agency position?"

"Yes." Duan Zhengan nodded. "It will be discussed during next week's Committee meeting."

Dong Xuebing immediately brightens up when he heard this.

Cheng Tingting wants to repay Dong Xuebing and knew it's hard for Dong Xuebing to bring up this subject on his first visit. So, she brought it up. "Does he stand a chance? Can you help Xiao Bing?"

"I don't have the final say at the Committee meeting."

"But, you have a vote." Cheng Tingting is not pleased to hear her husband's reply. "How many government leaders are as capable as Xiao Bing? I think he is overqualified to be the Chief of the Investment Promotion Agency."

Dong Xuebing smiled. "Sister-in-law, you are flattering me…"

At Duan Zhengan's level, he knew what Dong Xuebing thinks when Dong Xuebing made an unannounced visit. He did not continue talking on this subject, but he had decided in his heart. Dong Xuebing also knew Duan Zhengan would not make any promises, and he left at 1 pm. He had done what he can, and the rest is not up to him.

After leaving Duan Zhengan's apartment, Dong Xuebing did not leave. He is pondering if he should invite Cao Xupeng out for dinner.

Secretary Cao's vote is very important to Dong Xuebing.

Cao Xupeng is the County Party Committee's Deputy Secretary, the third most powerful person in Yan Tai County. During the junior school's hostage incident a few months ago, the criminals wanted Cao Xupeng to be their hostage. If Cao Xupeng becomes a hostage in that incident, he would be killed. But Dong Xuebing volunteered to replace him and offered to be a hostage in handcuffs. He had saved Secretary Cao, and Secretary Cao had called him when he was hospitalized because he owes Dong Xuebing a favor.

Dong Xuebing must grasp this chance!

Dong Xuebing needs to fight every vote!

When Dong Xuebing was about to call Secretary Cao, a boy called him.

"Eh, Brother Dong?!"

Dong Xuebing turned and put down his phone. "Oh, it's you." It was Xiao Hua who called him.

Xiao Hua looks at Dong Xuebing. "Why are you here? Are you here to send gifts again?"

"Stop talking rubbish." Dong Xuebing gave Xiao Hua a stare. "I am here to visit a leader."

Xiao Hua was not bothered by Dong Xuebing's reply. "Brother Dong, if you are free, can you come over to my place? I had not touched a computer for so long. Can you talk to my parents? I promised them I would not hack any websites, but they still refuse to let me surf the net. If this carries on, I will go crazy!"

Dong Xuebing laughed. "That is because you have a history of hacking."

"I had changed." Xiao Hua replied.

Dong Xuebing's first case, after he was transferred to Yan Tai County, was the government website hacking case, and the hacker is Xiao Hua. This kid had changed the Mayor's picture with the Deputy Mayor's picture on the website and almost caused a political issue. Dong Xuebing managed to catch him, but let him go after finding out Xiao Hua's father is one of the leaders in the County Government.

That's right. Xiao Hua's father owes him a favor!

This is also a huge debt!

Dong Xuebing thought for a while and pulled Xiao Hua aside. "Where is your father?"

Xiao Hua replied. "You want to look for my father? He went out for lunch with Uncle Cao, and is not back."

"County's Party Committee Secretary Cao?" Dong Xuebing asked.

"Yes."

After the hacker case is closed, Xiao Hua's father had only called Dong Xuebing once to thank him. They had only met each other at the County's Party Committee and did not speak to each other. Dong Xuebing felt it's time for him to use this card and said. "Xiao Hua, I want to treat your father to dinner this evening. Can you set up this meeting?" Dong Xuebing thought for a while and felt he should contact Xiao Hua's father himself. "Never mind. I will call your father later."

"Why are you looking for him?"

"Stop being nosey."

"Hehe… I am just asking… Maybe I can help."

Dong Xuebing knocked Xiao Hua's head lightly and walks out of the County Party Committee Quarters to make phone calls. He needs to get more committee members' votes.