Second day of Lunar New Year.
Dong Xuebing's mother, Luan Xiaoping, had said she will be leaving yesterday. But because of her son's promotion, she decided to stay with her son for another day. In the morning, Dong Xuebing sent his mother to her car. Before he left, his mother was crying and said that Dong Xuebing had made her proud. Now, she will be able to hold her head high in the village. She even asked Dong Xuebing to visit the village when he is free. Dong Xuebing is not close to his mother's family and rarely visits them. But when he saw his mother crying, he reluctantly agreed to go back in a few days.
When Dong Xuebing reached home, he was alone in his apartment.
Aunt Xuan was still celebrating Lunar New Year at home, and Chang Juan and the rest had sent gifts yesterday. No one should be visiting these two days.
Dong Xuebing felt bored and went online to look for his university and high school classmates to chat on QQ. But no one is online. He switched off his PC and suddenly remembered if he should give gifts to the leaders. This is not a bribe. In China, this is etiquette. Since it is not convenient for him to visit the State Security quarters, he should be able to visit Xie Huilan. Xie Huilan had helped him a lot during the incident at the news agency. He should be able to thank her personally.
That's right. He should visit Sister Xie. She is a leader from the Central Government, and it will be beneficial to have a good relationship with her.
So, Dong Xuebing went to the shopping mall and bought a bottle of perfume worth more than 1,000 RMB.
Giving gifts to leaders is also a skill. Normally, one should not call in advance to tell the leaders that he will be visiting them. This will only invite rejection, and you might not know if it is a polite rejection or if the leaders really do not want you to go. If you want to give gifts, you must visit them directly or call them when you are downstairs. Gifts had to be paid attention to. If it was too expensive, the leader might not accept it. Honest people might even look down on you. If it was too cheap, the leader might be unhappy. He might think that you didn't value him and were too stingy. That's why this bottle of perfume is not too expensive and is suitable for female leaders.
North Bridge.
Dong Xuebing had met Xie Huilan in the past, and she had told him her quarters is here.
Dong Xuebing asked around and finally found the quarters of the Central Publicity Department's News Bureau. It was an old estate surrounded by cement walls, and there were about three to four grey buildings. Dong Xuebing took a look and walked in with the gifts. The guard at the entrance looked at him and knew he was here to send gifts. He did not stop him. The guards would usually let these people who walked with confidence. They only stopped those who were trembling with fear and sneaking around the entrance.
It was quiet outside the estate, but when Dong Xuebing entered the estate, it was an eye-opener for him. Wow, there are so many people here.
Some of them came out of the unit empty-handed, while others carried bags of all sizes and were about to head upstairs. The most noteworthy one was the entrance to Unit 6. There were three men and women carrying their bags and waiting there. Not long after, the password-protected door opened and a person came out. Then, of the three people waiting outside, one entered while the other two continued to wait. It felt like … they were queuing up.
Dong Xuebing is speechless. The Central Government's departments have different reactions.
Dong Xuebing took out his phone and called Xie Huilan. He still doesn't know if she is at home.
Ring … ring … ring … the line got through. "Hello."
Dong Xuebing quickly said: "Sister Xie, thank you for helping me with the newspaper agency. I am at the News Bureau's quarters and would like to visit you. Is it convenient for you?" Before Dong Xuebing knew Xie Huilan's identity, he had been using the word 'you' to address her. But after knowing she is the Deputy Chief of the News Bureau's Research Department, Dong Xuebing had to use the word 'you'.
Dong Xuebing heard Xie Huilan laughing. "You don't have to be so polite. I still owe you a favor. Let's call it even. "
Dong Xuebing replied: "How can my favor be compared to yours? I must thank you in person."
"Since you are here, fine. I am at Unit 6, 303. Wait for 10 minutes before coming up."
After hanging up, Dong Xuebing realized that there should be many leaders from the News Bureau living in Unit 6. Those few people were queuing at the entrance of Unit 6. Xie Huilan's family should also be sending gifts. If not, she will not ask him to wait for 10 minutes. Sigh … … There is no way he can compete with her.
Ten minutes later, it's almost lunchtime, and the number of people in the quarters is getting lesser.
Dong Xuebing walked to Unit 6 and pressed the button for Unit 302. "Sister Xie, it's me."
That line is directly connected to Xie Huilan's apartment. Dong Xuebing heard Xie Huilan's voice from the speaker. "Come up."
Dong Xuebing entered the apartment, but before he reached the second floor, he heard someone talking upstairs.
"Chief Xie, please wait a minute."
"Old Xu, I will not send you off."
"You don't have to send me off. I don't deserve it. Please go back."
When Dong Xuebing reached the second floor, he walked past Old Xu, who is in his forties. They looked at each other and did not say a word. Xie Huilan was standing at the door of Unit 303 on the third floor, waiting for Dong Xuebing with a smile. Dong Xuebing saw Xie Huilan and quickly walked up. "Sister Xie, Happy Lunar New Year to you."
Xie Huilan smiled. "Happy Lunar New Year. Come in."
When Dong Xuebing entered the living room, he saw a small cabinet filled with gifts. There are cosmetics, red wine, health supplements, fruit baskets, etc. All the gifts you can think of are here. Dong Xuebing placed the perfume on the cabinet and chatted casually with Xie Huilan as he followed her into the house. The layout of the apartment is a little old, but the decorations are exquisite. The lampshades, tablecloths, and other small details are meticulously designed. The overall feeling of the apartment is the same as Xie Huilan's. Elegant and elegant.
"What tea do you want? Scented tea or black tea? "
"No need. Plain water will do. I will pour it myself."
"Haha, don't be so polite."
In the end, Dong Xuebing poured himself a glass of water and sat down on the sofa. He is very reserved.
Xie Huilan was wearing a white shirt and black trousers. Her hair was tied up in a bun, and her legs were crossed. She was wearing a thin layer of nude stockings over her black heels. With her slender figure and beautiful face, this mature female official is unimaginable.
Dong Xuebing realized he could not control his eyes and kept looking at Xie Huilan.
What are you doing? Sister Xie is a very important person, and she is very important. Why are you looking at me? You already have Aunt Xuan, and you are still not satisfied?
Dong Xuebing scolded himself in his heart and took a sip of water to cover up his embarrassment.
Xie Huilan smiled and looked at Dong Xuebing. She picked up a piece of orange and placed it in her mouth. After swallowing, she smiled and pushed the fruit platter towards Dong Xuebing. "Have some fruits. Oh, Xiao Dong, I still don't know which unit you are working at."
Dong Xuebing pointed to his waist. "I am also working at the government agency. Western District State Security Branch, General Affairs Office."
"Oh, haha, State Security? One of my colleague's wife is also working at your branch. The work in the General Affairs Office is quite tiring. Which department are you in charge of?"
Dong Xuebing smiled embarrassedly. "My Chief had delegated a lot of authority to me. I am in charge of the logistics department."
Xie Huilan looked at Dong Xuebing in surprise and smiled. "Deputy Chief?"
"Yes." Dong Xuebing took the opportunity to look at Xie Huilan's chest again.
Xie Huilan was surprised. "Not bad. It is not easy to be promoted at your age. Work hard."
Dong Xuebing was speechless. You are not much older than me, and it is not easy to be promoted to Deputy Section Chief at your age. I am nothing compared to you. But Dong Xuebing felt he should be faster than her in terms of promotion speed. He was promoted to Deputy Section Chief after just four months of probation. How many people can be compared to him? Those highly educated people who started their career as Deputy Section Chief are not counted.
In the next few minutes, both of them chatted about useless topics. Dong Xuebing also wants to befriend Xie Huilan, but he had only met her a few times. Catching a thief is not a big deal, and they are not that close. She should be thinking highly of him if she lets him address her as Sister Xie. Dong Xuebing does not want to befriend her shamelessly.
After a while, Xie Huilan looked at her watch.
Dong Xuebing knew Xie Huilan was rushing him to leave. He quickly stood up and said. "Sister Xie, it is almost 12 pm. I will not disturb your lunch. Thank you for helping me with the news agency. If you need my help in the future, just let me know." Dong Xuebing knew the last sentence is meaningless. Xie Huilan is a high-ranking official and has a powerful background. Why would she need his help? He is only trying to express his stance.
Xie Huilan crossed her legs and stood up. "Alright. I will not keep you. I still have a lunch appointment later."
"Then I'm leaving. Don't come out."
After leaving Xie Huilan's apartment, Dong Xuebing stood in the courtyard and took a deep breath. His performance was still not good. He chatted with Xie Huilan for half a day and still could not find anything she is interested in. Hmmm … not successful. But at least she had accepted his gifts.
Dong Xuebing was hungry when he reached the entrance of the estate. He looked around and found a restaurant and ordered some dishes. Xie Huilan's smile appeared in his mind again. The more he thought about it, the more his heart beats. Sigh … … Who would marry such a beautiful leader? Is Sister Xie married? Does she have kids? Sigh … … Dong Xuebing doesn't dare to think about it. He forced himself to forget about Xie Huilan's butt and ate his food.
"Director Xie, happy Lunar New Year. Are you going out?"
"Happy New Year to you too. Let's go out for dinner."
Xie Huilan appeared outside and was talking to a middle-aged man. Suddenly, the sound of a cannon was heard, and it sounded very close to Xie Huilan. That middle-aged man immediately moved in front of Xie Huilan. After the sound faded, that man said. "Director Xie, firecrackers do not have eyes. You must be careful."
Xie Huilan laughed. "Thank you. I will be careful."
"Take care."
Dong Xuebing felt the difference between him and Xie Huilan had increased by a few levels. His leadership circle was too small, and only those staff members in the General Affairs Office were respectful to him. But look at Sister Xie. Everyone she met was respectful to her. This was not only because of the difference in their ranks. Their aura was also different. Dong Xuebing was not as strong as Xie Huilan and did not have a strong leadership background.
Dong Xuebing looked at Xie Huilan's back view and tried to learn from her.
After dinner, Dong Xuebing walked out of the restaurant and towards the bus stop by the roadside.
Buses passed by, but the bus Dong Xuebing was waiting for did not arrive. Just when he was thinking about walking home, his iPhone 4 rang. Dong Xuebing looked at the caller ID and was stunned. It was Xie Huilan's number. Eh? Impossible. I am not close to Sister Xie. Why would she call me?
Dong Xuebing could not figure it out, but he still had to answer the call.
Dong Xuebing cleared his throat and answered. "Hello, Sister Xie."
But Dong Xuebing was stunned. It was not Xie Huilan. It was an old man. "I saw your number on this phone, and that's why I called you. Are you this girl's relative? If not … sigh … please inform her family. "
"What do you mean?" Dong Xuebing had a bad feeling and asked anxiously. "What happened to Sister Xie?"
"Just now, a little girl fell into the water while skating at the east side of the bridge. This girl happened to be passing by, so she threw her phone on the bank and went down to save her. In the end, the little girl was saved, but the girl's feet were entangled by water plants. I don't know how to swim, and a few people beside me didn't dare to go down when they saw the water plants. Now … now …"
Dong Xuebing's face turned pale. "Hurry up and tell me! What happened? "
The old man replied. "Sigh … she is dead, and her body is still in the water. We had called the police, and they are here to retrieve her body. Young man, please inform her family."
"Impossible! This is impossible! "
"Sigh … My condolences."
Xie Huilan is dead?
Xie Huilan is dead?!
Dong Xuebing hangs up in a daze. He could not believe his ears. Sister Xie, who was joking with him just a few minutes ago, is dead?
How did this happen?! How is this possible?!
One second …
Two seconds …
Suddenly, Dong Xuebing remembered something and shouted at the top of his lungs. "BACK! BACK！ BACK！ BACK！ BACK！ BACK！ BACK！”
I must save her!
I must save her!
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