Power and Wealth

Afternoon, 3 pm.

The air is dry, but it's not very sunny.

Dong Xuebing signed in relief as he walks out of the Public Security. Thanks to Xie Huilan, it was a close call. He did not let Deputy Team Leader Feng send him, and he took a taxi to the County Government Building.

County Government Building.

Dong Xuebing went upstairs and knocks on the door.

"It's not locked. Come in, please." Secretary Hu said.

"Sister Hu, are you busy?" Dong Xuebing opened the door and saw Hu Silian typing on her keyboard. "Is Mayor Xie in her office? Is she free now?"

Hu Silian saw Dong Xuebing and stood up. She smiles. "Chief Dong, you even kept me in the dark."

Dong Xuebing knew what she is talking about and smiled embarrassedly.

Dong Xuebing has been shy when it comes to women and relationships. Now, the whole County knows about his relationship with Sister Xie and slept together before marriage. This made Dong Xuebing uncomfortable. He had wanted to stay low these few days and even drove the rundown Santana around. But within a day, he becomes the headlines again, and it was even more shocking than the time he went to Da Feng County.

Hu Silian knew Mayor Xie had treated Dong Xuebing extremely well, but she did not expect them to be dating. She was stunned for a few minutes after she learned about this when the meeting ended.

"I was wondering how come you can recommend me to become Mayor Xie's secretary… Xuebing, I must thank you again." Hu Silian must thank Dong Xuebing again as she thought he had only recommended her to Xie Huilan. But after she knew they are dating, she understood she got the job, not because of her capabilities. It was Dong Xuebing who got her the job.

"That's so long ago. Just forget it."

"I know you don't like to hear this, but I must still thank you. Haha."

"Sister Hu…"

"Eh, stop calling me Sister Hu. If no one is around, you can call me Silian or Xiao Hu. You are dating Mayor Xie, and if you call me Sister Hu, I will be taking advantage of her. Are you trying to get me in trouble?"

"Sigh… it's not that serious."

Hu Silian poured a cup of water for Dong Xuebing respectfully. She cannot treat Dong Xuebing as the Chief of a department like before, as he is the Mayor's fiance now. It is ridiculous for the Mayor to be dating a Section Chief. Her status and authority are much higher than him. She represents the County, and the other is only a County Department Head. The difference is too big, but Hu Silian must still treat him with respect.

For example, Xiang Daofa's wife is not in the government service, but even Cao Xupeng must greet her politely. When she goes to the government offices for errands, the government staff must give in to her. Dong Xuebing was Xie Huilan's trusted aide, and everyone knows he is from Mayor Xie's faction. With their relationship exposed, everyone will think twice if they want to target Xiao Dong now.

Trusted aides and someone with a direct relationship with the Mayor are different.

The difference is huge!

Dong Xuebing sat down and felt uncomfortable with Hu Silian's actions. "Sister Hu, you don't need to serve me. You had given me two cups of water, and I'm full. I will stop coming here if you continue to treat me this way."

Hu Silian joked. "As Secretaries, we must serve our leaders, and it is the same for our leader's family members. You and Mayor Xie are getting married soon, and I must use this opportunity to please you now."

Dong Xuebing replied helplessly. "Are you poking fun at me?"

"Haha… Oh, the Mayor had just returned from the meeting and is in her office."

"Alright. I will go in. Let's chat again."

Although Hu Silian wants to foster a better relationship with Dong Xuebing, she is a woman after all. It's fine when she doesn't know about his relationship with Mayor Xie. But after knowing about it now, she doesn't dare to remain in the same office with Dong Xuebing alone for too long, as Mayor Xie might get jealous. His status is different now, and she must take note of her actions towards him.

…….

Mayor's office.

Dong Xuebing opened the door and entered. Everyone knows about their relationship, and he doesn't need to pretend to knock on the door.

Xie Huilan is leaning against the windowsill, thinking about something. "Haha… you are here."

Dong Xuebing nodded. "… yes."

Xie Huilan stood up and smiles. "Why are you looking at me like this? Eh? Don't give me that look."

Dong Xuebing thought he could risk everything for Xie Huilan but had never expected her to do the same. This is because Sister Xie had never shown her emotions on her face, and he could not tell a lot of things from her expressions. But this incident told him that she is also willing to do everything for him. She is even willing to use her career and reputation to protect him.

Dong Xuebing walked over and hugged her. "How can you tell others those things? You… Your career will be affected if anyone finds out you were lying. I will be very guilty if it happens."

Xie Huilan giggled as she pushed him. "Alright, alright… Stop saying all these."

"Let me hug you for a while more." Dong Xuebing wrapped his arms around her waist. "… thank you."

"The whole County knows we are dating now, and you don't need to be so polite with me."

"This is my fault. Your reputation is ruined, and I…"

"It's alright. We are both single and are not living together. We had only spent one night together, and no one will make a big fuss over it." Xie Huilan smiled and returned the hug. "It's you I am worried. We had disclosed our relationship, and I am afraid Secretary Xiang will use 'conflict of interest' as an excuse to create trouble for the Investment Promotion Agency."

They had never disclosed their relationship all this while is because of this reason.

Although they are only dating and are not married, it is still considered a conflict of interest. It will be fine if no one complains and Dong Xuebing can carry on with his work at the Investment Promotion Agency. She can continue to be the Mayor. But if someone with authority makes a fuss over it, their relationship will become a problem.

When mentioned Xiang Daofa, Dong Xuebing is furious. "I had turned the Agency around, and Xiang Daofa wants to replace me with his men to claim the credit! This old bastard is too much! I will settle this score with him sooner or later!"

Xie Huilan laughed. "Secretary Xiang is not that petty."

"You are still helping him? Fine. He is not as narrowminded as me!" Dong Xuebing replied angrily. "He ignored me when I helped him get credit and tried to bring me down when something happened. How can he do this? Old bastard! Everyone can tell this had nothing to do with me, and they still tried to set me up with my fingerprints. Damn!"

"Oh, I still have not to ask you. This incident… is someone trying to frame you?"

Dong Xuebing paused for a few seconds. "No. Li Hong should be an accident. If not, how can why would the person push her onto the road? There will be witnesses, and how are they going to frame me? My fingerprints are found on her bag is because I had sneaked into Lui Dafa's apartment to find evidence against him. I had touched almost everything in his house, and Li Hong just happens to carry that bag with my prints. Hmmm… even if she carries other bags, my prints will also be found on it."

Xie Huilan looks at Dong Xuebing and smiles. "You even went to his house to search for evidence? Have you learned your lesson now?"

"… Yes."

But Dong Xuebing is not referring he will not do this again. He had learned from this incident that he must wear gloves to prevent leaving his prints.

They chatted for a few minutes about this incident.

Xie Huilan slowly pushed Dong Xuebing away. "Alright. I'm getting sweaty from hugging."

"Just a while more."

Dong Xuebing refused to let go and continued to hug her. Luckily, Xie Huilan had returned in time and used her reputation to prove his innocence. If not, he might be charged and lose his job. He is very grateful to her, and his feelings for her grew further.

"Is it enough? It's been more than ten minutes."

"I can hug you my whole life."

"You… haha…"