In the afternoon.
It was time to knock off.
The sun was setting, and the sky was dyed red. Dong Xuebing followed the address and went upstairs to open the door.
He entered the house.
He looked around.
Then he sat down and smoked.
Dong Xuebing was not surprised. He had prepared himself for this place. This 30-years-old building was old and run-down. The corridors, rooms, walls were full of cracks, and many parts of the walls had fallen off. Luckily, this one-bedroom apartment was still clean and tidy. Although the TV, computer, and air conditioner were not new, it was better than nothing. Dong Xuebing knew that his apartment was considered one of the better accommodations in the quarters, and the rest of the staff's houses should be worse. That's why he was not picky.
Dong Xuebing finished his cigarette and stubbed it in the ashtray.
Actually, Dong Xuebing did not expect the higher-ups to give him the position of Executive Deputy Mayor. At first, he thought a Deputy Mayor who can enter the County's Party Committee would be the highest rank. That's why when he received the transfer order, he was excited. Executive Deputy Mayor is only in charge of some departments, but the Executive Deputy Mayor's job is to assist the Mayor in managing the County Government's daily affairs. Even the Executive Deputy Mayor's ranking in the County's Party Committee is different. If he has more experience, achievements, and prestige, his ranking will be higher. How can Dong Xuebing not be excited? It was like a pie falling from the sky.
But when Dong Xuebing arrived at Zhen Shui County, he understood why the higher-ups had arranged for him to be the Executive Deputy Mayor. It was because the living conditions here were too poor. That's why he was promoted to the County Government's second in command. If Dong Xuebing is from a normal County, he will not get such treatment. He will need at least one and a half years to be promoted to Executive Deputy Mayor.
Therefore, this was an opportunity.
It was a once in a blue moon opportunity.
Dong Xuebing felt he must seize this opportunity. If he can achieve something here, his starting point will be different, and it will save him years of hard work!
…
Six o 'clock.
Dong Xuebing walked out of the hostel and strolled to a bus stop. He looked at the stop sign and wanted to look for a ride to the estate near Yao Cui's house. His luggage is still in the Land Rover's trunk, and he will not be able to sleep tonight if he does not have any luggage.
This car won't do.
Hmm, this one seems to be able to go there.
The County is poor, and Dong Xuebing, an Executive Deputy Mayor, does not even have a car. There are very few taxis in the area, and he can only wait for the bus.
How long has it been since he took the bus?
Even Dong Xuebing does not remember.
The buses in this area were slow, and there was not a single bus. Just as Dong Xuebing was waiting for a bus to arrive, a domestic brand Chang 'an tri-compartment appeared on the side road behind him. The car stopped slowly, and the windows wound down. Jiang Fangfang's beautiful face appeared from the car window.
Dong Xuebing was stunned. "Mayor."
Jiang Fangfang looked at the bus stop sign. "Are you waiting for a bus?"
Dong Xuebing nodded. "My luggage is on the other side. Go and get it."
Jiang Fangfang nodded and alighted from the car. She said to the driver. "Send Mayor Dong to get his luggage."
The driver is a middle-aged man, and he was stunned. "Err … I will send you back to your quarters first. There is still a long way to go."
Jiang Fangfang replied calmly. "I can walk back myself. It's not far. Go ahead." She turned to Dong Xuebing. "Let Old Wang send you."
Dong Xuebing quickly said. "How can I do this? No, no …"
Jiang Fangfang's lips curled up slightly. She looks like she is smiling, but Dong Xuebing could not tell. "It's fine."
Jiang Fangfang turned and walked away slowly.
Dong Xuebing rubbed his nose. "Then … thank you, Mayor Jiang."
Jiang Fangfang turned her back to Dong Xuebing and waved at him calmly.
Since Jiang Fangfang had said so, Dong Xuebing must accept her kindness. If not, he will offend her. So, after Jiang Fangfang left, Dong Xuebing boarded the Mayor's car. But he did not sit in the back seat. Instead, he went to the front passenger seat. After all, this is not his car, and Dong Xuebing knows his limits. He had been paying attention to these details.
The driver, Old Wang, asked. "Mayor Dong, where are you going?"
"I am not sure about the exact location. It's not far to the west." Dong Xuebing replied.
"Ok." Old Wang turned the steering wheel and drove west.
On the way, Old Wang kept looking at Dong Xuebing from the corner of his eyes. In the end, he could not help but ask. "Mayor Dong, do you know Mayor Jiang?"
Dong Xuebing asked suspiciously. "I don't know her? What's wrong? "
Old Wang paused for a second. "Nothing. I just feel that Mayor Jiang treats you well. Sigh … I am not good with words, and I hope you don't mind."
Of course, Dong Xuebing will not mind. In fact, he is very interested. "Why do you say so?"
Old Wang smiled. "Everyone in our County knows that Mayor Jiang had never lent her car to anyone before, and she had never asked me to give her car to anyone. Even when the County's leaders urgently need a car, Party Secretary Meng will lend it to them. But Mayor Jiang had never lent her car to anyone before. You are the first person in years to do so. That's why I thought both of you knew each other when Mayor Jiang asked me to give you a lift."
Dong Xuebing replied. "This is also the first time I met Mayor Jiang."
Lao Wang was also a little puzzled. This was strange. County Head Jiang had always been indifferent. She was alright with everyone, but she seemed to keep a great distance from everyone. She always had a plain and indifferent attitude. He had never seen County Head Jiang being so nice to anyone. Even though Dong Xuebing is the Executive Deputy Mayor, Jiang Fangfang did not give him face when he borrowed the County's Party Secretary's car. Why is Mayor Dong an exception? Old Wang knew Mayor Jiang is a germaphobe, and she doesn't like others to touch her used things. That's why Old Wang was puzzled. That's why he kept looking at Dong Xuebing to see what's so special about him. But other than his young age, there's nothing else.
Dong Xuebing also felt something is not right from Old Wang's words. He remembered Jiang Fangfang's expression in the morning and doesn't understand.
It's fine if Mayor Jiang wants to rope me in.
But from Old Wang's tone, it doesn't sound like she wants to rope me in.
Never mind. Even if I don't understand, I will find out in the future.
… …
Dong Xuebing arrived at the estate.
"Let's drop you here." Dong Xuebing opened the car door.
Old Wang asked. "Can I send you back after you collect your luggage?"
Dong Xuebing replied. "No need. I still have something to do, and I will take my own car."
"Ok … Ok." Mayor Jiang treats Dong Xuebing differently, and Old Wang treated him differently too. "Call me if there are no buses later, and I will come over to fetch you."
"Ok. Thank you."
"Thank you. I will go back now."
"Ok. Drive slowly. Have a safe journey."
"Ok. Thank you."
Old Wang drove the Chang 'an three-seater and left.
Dong Xuebing entered the estate and found his Land Rover. He opened the boot and started to take out his luggage. There are two large suitcases in total.
It's a bit heavy, but Yao Cui's house is not far.
Dong Xuebing carried the suitcases and walked towards her house.
Dong Xuebing did not see Yao Cui at work in the morning and knew she had applied for leave. As her old classmate, Dong Xuebing had to visit her.
… …
Yao Cui's house.
Outside the courtyard.
Dong Xuebing placed his luggage on the floor and knocked on the door.
"Who is it?" Yao Cui's father asked, and the door opened.
Dong Xuebing laughed. "Uncle Yao, it's me."
Yao Cui's father was surprised and laughed. "Xiao Dong, come in."
Yao Cui's mother stood up and said. "Xiao Dong, you are here? We are about to have lunch. Come and join us. "
Dong Xuebing did not stand on ceremony. "Huh? I have not eaten yet. Then … … I will not stand on ceremony with you."
Yao Li was sitting at the table in the courtyard, and the table was filled with dishes. After a while, Yao Cui walked out of her room listlessly. "Xuebing, you are here?" At this moment, she was wearing pajamas with floral prints. She looked very cute. It seemed that she had not left the house for a day.
Dong Xuebing smiled. "I am here to freeload. Haha."
Yao Cui looked at the suitcases beside Dong Xuebing. "Why are you carrying your luggage?"
"The accommodation is ready, and I am preparing to move in." Dong Xuebing looked at her. "What's wrong? Why are you looking so pale? Are you sick? "
Yao Cui nodded. "I caught a cold and had applied for leave." She sneezed again. Her voice was nasal.
Dong Xuebing asked embarrassedly. "I had been asking you to accompany me around Zhen Shui District for the past two days. Did you catch a cold?"
Yao Cui laughed. "It's nothing to do with you. I had caught a cold last night. Come, let's have lunch first. We have lots of dishes today. You will be in luck."
Yao Cui's family was very hospitable and immediately invited Dong Xuebing to the table.
"Lai Xuebing, try this." Yao Cui covered her mouth. "You better stay away from me. Haha, I don't want to infect you."
As they were talking, Yao Cui's phone rang in her pajamas pocket. She took out her phone and looked at it, and her face changed.
Dong Xuebing looked at her phone. "What's wrong?"
Yao Cui sighed. "Our leader is calling."
"Leader?"
"It's Director Ma from the County Government Office. He must be asking me to drink with him again. Annoying!" But Yao Cui had no choice but to answer the call.
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