Power and Wealth

Morning.

Dong Xuebing is in a good mood after leaving the flight. He hummed a song as he walks over to a nearby hotel's carpark to get his car. He had parked his Porsche Cayanne at this hotel when he left for Japan. His keys are dried, and the remote is still working. He got into his car and started driving out. The security tried to stop him for the parking fees, but he doesn't have a single cent with him. His wallet, identification, etc., are all swept away by the currents, and he cannot afford to pay anything. He stepped on the accelerator and sped out of the carpark before the barrier came down.

Before Dong Xuebing left the carpark, he winded the window and waved. "I am in a hurry today and will pay you all double another day. Sorry."

Someone who is driving a Porsche is trying to escape without paying?!

Damn! This is the first time the security guards meet someone like this.

Dong Xuebing laughed as he heard the security guards scolding him. He drove towards a nearby restaurant serving typical home cook food.

Dong Xuebing entered the restaurant, and a middle-aged man went to serve him.

"Young man, how many people?"

"One. Oh, are you the Boss?"

"Yes. What would you like?"

"It's like this." Dong Xuebing smiled embarrassedly. "I had forgotten to bring my wallet. Err… I will call someone to pass me some money later. The dishes…"

The Boss paused for a second and waved his hand. "Don't talk about money. Just sit down."

Dong Xuebing felt embarrassed. "No… Boss, this is not right."

"It doesn't cost much anyway. It's fine."

The lady Boss frowned when she heard what her husband said and gave him a stare.

The Boss pretends not to see it and continued. "Have a seat, young man."

Dong Xuebing thanked the Boss again and sat down. He is starving after being chased by the Police for one night.

The Boss had seen the Porsche parked outside his restaurant, and Dong Xuebing has a Beijing accent. He knows Dong Xuebing is wealthy, and a meal doesn't cost much. There are no other customers at this time, and the Boss informed the kitchen to prepare a few dishes.

The Lady Boss is a calculative person and showed her displeasure with Dong Xuebing openly.

Dong Xuebing felt embarrassed. He has a net worth of 200 million RMB, and he cannot even pay for a meal now.

"Here's the food." The Boss has to serve Dong Xuebing himself as his wife doesn't want to serve.

"Thank you."

"Don't mention it."

Dong Xuebing drank a cup of tea and started eating. It's been too long since he ate freshly cooked food. It's too delicious.

"Boss, how's your business?"

"Sigh… We are just serving some regular customers and making ends meet."

"Oh, I will give you my number." These two dishes might not cost much, but Dong Xuebing must return this favor. He cannot take advantage of him. "This is my mobile number. Oh, I lost my phone and will get a new one these few days. If you intend to set up a restaurant in Fen Zhou City, you must give me a call. I can help you settle all the approvals."

The Boss is stunned for a second and did not think much of it. He smiled and kept the number, as he likes to make friends.

The Lady Boss heard what Dong Xuebing said and sulked.

After chatting for a while, Dong Xuebing is full.

"Boss, thank you for the meal. I shall make a move first."

"Sure. Come back when you are free."

"This meal is 50 RMB. I will pay you…."

"Don't mention it." The Boss interrupted Dong Xuebing. "It's only a meal. It's on me, and it's meaningless to talk about money."

"Alright. Thank you."

Dong Xuebing boarded his car under the scornful eyes of the Lady Boss.

"This person has money to buy a car and doesn't have money to pay for a meal?!" The Lady Boss grumbled.

The Boss retorted impatiently. "Enough. Stop grumbling about money!"

Dong Xuebing overheard what the Lady Boss said and started his car helplessly.

After Dong Xuebing drove about ten meters forward, a Health Bureau vehicle stopped outside of the restaurant. Three Health Bureau staff got out and shouted to the Boss before rushing in for an inspection.

"Someone had reported on the hygiene here!"

"Didn't you all inspected the last time? We had cleaned all the corners. Look. Is this not up to standards?!" The Lady Boss is furious.

That Health Bureau staff is furious. "You don't need to shout! We are not deaf!"

"You all had inspected this month and why…."

"That is the last time. How can it be the same?!"

Dong Xuebing frowned and stopped his car. He had seen such a situation countless times. If this is a routine inspection, all the restaurants along this street will be inspected. But the Health Bureau vehicle went straight to this restaurant. It's obvious someone had reported them, or the Boss had offended someone. He saw the Boss and his wife looking at the restaurant opposite and knows it must be their competitor behind this.

During normal times, Dong Xuebing will not be bothered. But the Boss had just given him a free meal, and he must return this favor. He drove his car back and checked his glove compartment. He found an entry permit and threw it on the dashboard before stopping his car in front of the Health Bureau vehicle.

The Health Bureau vehicle's driver is still in the car, and he honked at Dong Xuebing!

Beep! Beep!

"Why are you stopping here?!" The driver shouted through the open window.

Dong Xuebing ignored the driver and entered the restaurant. "Hey, what's going on?"

The Boss saw Dong Xuebing returning and sighed. "Our hygiene failed to meet the requirements, and they are going to fine us 5,000 RMB."

The Lady Boss is still arguing with the Health Bureau staff. 5,000 RMB is their shop's half month profits. If they are fined again this month, they will not have any profits. This is only a small business, and they cannot afford it.

"You all are robbing us!"

"Watch your words!"

"Don't think I don't know that it's the opposite shop that called you all! You all are…."

"Stop." The Boss tugged his wife."

The Leader of the Health Bureau staff looked at them coldly and started writing the fine.

Dong Xuebing frowned and walked over. "Which Bureau are you all from?"

One of the staff frowned and stared at Dong Xuebing. "Chao Yang District! What's wrong?"

The furious Lady Boss noticed Dong Xuebing had returned and looked at him.

Dong Xuebing nodded. "Chao Yang District?! Fine. This is Beijing, and you all dare to issue fines as and when you want?! This place is not hygienic?! I had just eaten here, and I can't tell which part of the restaurant is unhygienic? Tell me which part failed to meet the requirements?!"

Everyone in the restaurant is stunned. This person looks young but has an arrogant tone.

Dong Xuebing did not wait for their replies and continued. "Enough! Show me your passes! What are your names?!"

A young staff got mad. "You…"

The Leader pulled him back and stopped him from saying anything because he saw the driver signaling to him. All the staff looks out of the windows. Porsche? A top-tier Cayanne?! They saw Dong Xuebing getting out of the car earlier but did not notice his car. Now, they noticed it and saw the registration plate. Beijing 9999?! The Leader immediately frowned.

This person is wealthy?!

They had met many wealthy people during their work. Those big restaurant owners claimed to be millionaires, but they will still issue fines to them. But the Leader is cautious because of Dong Xuebing's tone and the way he demanded their work passes and names.

Then the Health Bureau staff noticed an entry permit on the dashboard of Dong Xuebing's car.

Eh?! That is…

The staff were stunned and exchanged looks.

That entry permit looks similar to ordinary neighborhood entry permits. It is ordinary and has the same colors. The name of the estate is written on it, and there's an additional red seal on it compared to other entry permits. But everyone working in Beijing's Government will know the name of this estate. That is Beijing's Executive Party Committee Members' Family Quarters villa estate!

It's easy to get the entry permit for the District Party Committee Members' Family Quarters.

Anyone with some connection can get the entry permit for the City's Committee Members' Family Quarters.

But not anyone can get the Executive Party Committee Members' Family Quarters' entry permit unless you have relatives living inside. Even the Leaders' subordinates will not get it. Not anyone can enter that villa neighborhood.

The Health Bureau staff knew they had met someone they cannot afford to offend.

Dong Xuebing looks at them. "Speak up! I want to see your passes!"

"Err… we forgot to bring it." The Leader quickly puts on a smile. "We had come here in a rush after receiving a complaint. Xiao Liu, check the kitchen again and see if the hygiene meets the requirements." They know they are in the wrong as the restaurant is very clean, and the person in front of them might be the City Leader's relative. They don't dare to continue to create trouble anymore. It's important to know your place in a special place like Beijing. Any wrong words might cost them their jobs.

Xiao Liu returned after a while. "Err… it's just some small issues."

The Leader nodded slightly. "Since it's some small issues, then let's forget it. It's hard for small businesses to survive these days."

The Boss and his wife were stunned and couldn't understand why there is a sudden change of attitude.