Power and Wealth

Noon.

It’s lunchtime.

Su Jia stayed in Dong Xuebing’s office for a while in the morning and left. He spent the rest of the morning reading documents and went for lunch with the meal card given to him by Zhou Yanru.

“Director Wang.”

“Good afternoon, Sister Wang.”

“Sister Wang, have you eaten?”

A girl in her mid-twenties, carrying a trendy handbag, is walking into the Subdistrict compound. She is average-looking, with short hair below ear level. She wore a short sleeves shirt and a pair of red leather shoes. Many Staff Members greeted her warmly when she enters the compound.

Dong Xuebing had seen her photograph and recognized her.

This girl is Wang Yuling, the Office Department’s Deputy Director and District Party Secretary’s Niece.

Wang Yuling has a youthful look, and she returned the greetings with a smile. Her hips sway as she walks and doesn’t behave like a Leader in the Subdistrict Office. She looks more like a young office lady.

Dong Xuebing’s first impression of Wang Yuling is she is spoiled.

Dong Xuebing returns to his office after lunch to continue reading the documents. He smoked a cigarette and thought about Wang Yuling. He had taught Geng Xinke a minor lesson and had established his authority. It should be Wang Yuling’s turn. She had applied for leave yesterday and did not turn up at the welcome dinner. This is not showing respect for him.

This girl is another troublemaker.

Knock… knock… knock…

“Come in.”

Wang Yuling entered Dong Xuebing’s Office and greeted him softly.

Dong Xuebing remained in his chair and smiles. “Director Wang? I didn’t expect our Subdistrict Office have a leader as young as you. Have a seat.”

Wang Yuling is used to such compliments and did not show any expressions. “Thank you.”

“I remember you are in charge of the Woman’s Association and Family Planning departments. Is there anything wrong?”

“Nothing. I was not at work yesterday, and I am here to greet you.” Wang Yuling looks distracted.

Dong Xuebing nodded and felt uncomfortable.

Zhou Yanru knocks on the door and enters the office at this moment. “Director, I have brought the various Neighborhood Committees’ data. When are you going to hold the Neighborhood Committee meeting?”

Dong Xuebing smiles. “Let me familiarized myself with the work first, and we will talk about this a few days later.”

Wang Yuling interrupted. “Director, if there’s nothing else, I will go back to work.” She turns and smiles when she saw Zhou Yanru. She whispered to her. “Sister Zhou, I had bought a new handbag. I will show it to you later. Hehe…” She said this despite being in the Leader’s Office, and she didn’t feel there’s anything wrong. She left the office happily and did not even look at Dong Xuebing in his eyes.

Zhou Yanru is embarrassed as she saw Dong Xuebing’s expression.

Dong Xuebing is irritated. He does know why the District Party Secretary had not met him when he arrived yesterday. Still, it was Secretary Wang Anshi who approved his appointment. That’s why he was polite towards Wang Yuling. But she is too disrespectful. She showed that she does not want to speak to him and behaves like a spoiled princess.

Zhou Yanru quickly says. “Director Xiao Wang is still young and immature. Please don’t blame her.”

Dong Xuebing laughed. “I can tell you two are very close.”

Zhou Yanru doesn’t know what to reply.

“Alright. Leave the documents here. I will look at them later.”

“Ok. I… I will go back to work. Please let me know if you need anything.”

Dong Xuebing’s face changed after Zhou Yanru left. I don’t mind you coming in late, but you should show some respect at least. What sort of attitude have you shown since you entered my office? Do you think no one dares to reprimand you because your uncle is the District Party Secretary? Dong Xuebing might be unhappy, but he does not intend to do anything to her. He had heard about her and knows she is not ambitious. She doesn’t have any political wisdom and is working at the Office Department to past time. That’s why Dong Xuebing decides to tolerate her behavior and pretends not to see her attitude. Who asks her to have a high-ranking uncle? He had offended Geng Xinke when he was transferred to Nanshan District, and he still doesn’t know how the District Mayor would react. He doesn’t want to have too many enemies for now.

Side building, level three staircase.

Zhou Yanru said helplessly. “Yuling, what’s with that attitude earlier? You should not behave like that.”

Wang Yuling and Zhou Yanru are walking down the stairs. She smacked her lips. “What’s wrong with my attitude? This is the way I am.”

“Director Dong is our Leader, and you….” Zhou Yanru advised.

Wang Yuling giggled and interrupted her. “What Leader? He is so young and looks like he is younger than me. Let’s not talk about this anymore. Sister Zhou, come to my office now. I want to show you the handbag I bought yesterday. It’s beautiful. Haha… If you like it, I will buy one for you tomorrow.”

Zhou Yanru patted Wang Yuling’s hand. “When can you grow up?”

Wang Yuling argued. “Why are you still talking about this? Am I considered mature when I have to bow down and speak humbly to everyone? Why should I?” From the day she started working at the Subdistrict Office, everyone has been treating her respectfully. Even Geng Xinke did not find trouble with her, and she is used to it. That’s why she starts to do whatever she likes and didn’t treat her superiors with respect.

Zhou Yanru sighed and did not continue.

Wang Yuling hugged Zhou Yanru’s arm and pulled her to her office. “Let’s go and see my handbag.”

“Sigh… I have no words for you.”

Everyone in the Subdistrict Office knows Wang Yuling holds a special status in the Office Department. She is late at least three times and takes two days off from work every week. Other than Office Director Zhou Yanru, she almost doesn’t speak to anyone else. The Staff Members might even think she is the Subdistrict Office’s Director if they don’t know her. She also did not show any respect for the former Director. Still, everyone knows her uncle is the District Party Secretary. That’s why all the leaders let her do whatever she wants, as they don’t want to offend the District’s No. 1.

1.30 pm.

Dong Xuebing went downstairs for a round of inspection and noticed many issues. For example, the staff’s attitude at the Service Lobby, the attitudes of the various departments, etc. Seems like what he saw yesterday was only a show, and the staff showed their true colors after one day. Some staff was munching on melon seeds, and some were chatting among themselves. But he knows it takes time to solve these issues, as this is common in most government departments.

As Dong Xuebing walks past the Party Office Department’s Office, he overheard Wang Yuling giggling.

“Sister Zhou, I told you my handbag is beautiful.”

“You are young, and all handbags look good on you.”

“Hehe… you are not old. I think the blue color suits you. I will buy one for you tomorrow. It’s very cheap and cost around 100 RMB.”

“No need. I don’t need such trendy handbags at my age.”

Dong Xuebing frowned and thought to himself. It’s fine if you two are chatting during work hours, but there are limits to it. He doesn’t have anything against Zhou Yanru, but his impression of Wang Yuling got worse.

Suddenly, the door opens.

Wang Yuling walks out of the office with a smile. She immediately stops smiling and sulk when she saw Dong Xuebing. “Director Dong, why are you here?”

Hmph. Who are you to ask me this question?

Who is the Leader here? You or me?!

But when Dong Xuebing thinks of the District Secretary, he remained composed. “I am walking around. How’s your work?”

Wang Yuling replied nonchalantly. “It’s done.”

Dong Xuebing nodded and was about to say something when Wang Yuling excused herself and left.

“Someone is waiting for me in my office.” Wang Yuling still has her disrespectful attitude.

Dong Xuebing had wanted to ask Wang Yuling to make an appointment with the District Secretary. Still, he almost loses his temper because of her attitude. After the life and death experience in the sea, he is more composed now and less impulsive than before. He suppressed his anger and went to the carpark. He did not call for a driver and drove that Passat to the District Party Committee Building.

District’s Party Committee Compound.

Today can be considered Dong Xuebing’s official first day, and he needs to report to his superior.

Dong Xuebing went to the District Government Building first and knocks on the District Executive Deputy Mayor’s office. He waits for a while, and no one opens the door. He went upstairs to the District Mayor’s Office, and a Staff told him the Mayors have their monthly meeting today before he knocks on the door. Geng Yuhua and the Executive Deputy Mayor are in the smaller meeting room, which might take a few hours.

Dong Xuebing can only go downstairs again and walks to the District Party Committee Building, hoping to meet the District Party Secretary, Wang Anshi. He hopes he can get his support, as he can forget about getting Mayor Geng Yuhua’s support because of Geng Xinke.

Translator’s notes: A meal card is similar to a prepaid card for the workplace cafeteria. This is common in China’s Universities, factories, and large corporations with their cafeteria.