Three days later.
It was noon.
Jiangnan Province, Provincial City.
A taxi stopped outside the airport, and Dong Xuebing alighted after paying. He did not bring any luggage and only carried a small bag with him. He looked at his watch, and it's almost boarding time. Dong Xuebing looked at the beautiful scenery outside the airport and decided to go to Macau first. When he is free, he will go for a walk around the city.
Lobby.
Dong Xuebing went to settle the paperwork.
Ring, ring, ring … Dong Xuebing's wife's number appeared on his phone.
Dong Xuebing looked at his pocket and answered. "Have you arrived?"
"I just got off the plane and have arrived." Xie Huilan laughed. "What about you?"
"I had not boarded the plane yet and had just received my boarding pass. You are quite fast." Dong Xuebing replied.
Xie Huilan laughed. "How can the flight be slow? Take your time, and we will be going to the hotel to stay first."
Dong Xuebing nodded. "Send me the address, and I will look for you when I arrive."
"Do you need me to arrange a car to fetch you? I will inform the hotel. "Xie Huilan asked.
Dong Xuebing shook his head. "Forget it. You all are going for an inspection trip, and bringing your family members along is considered a benefit. Let's not give them special treatment. Deputy Governor Jia is the one leading this trip, right? Then you all must be careful. This trip is for fun, and we don't want any unnecessary trouble. "
"Haha … it should be him."
"Huh? What do you mean? "
"I received news this morning that Deputy Governor Jia is not feeling well and will not be coming."
"Oh, is he really not feeling well or is he pretending to be sick?"
"I don't know. I think no one will be leading the team this time."
"That's not good. Do you all have any activities in the afternoon?"
"I'm not sure. Many local officials are here to entertain them, and they must entertain them. But it has nothing to do with their family members."
"We are free to do whatever we want?"
"Yes. That's all for now. The car is waiting for me."
"Alright. Go ahead. See you later."
After hanging up, Dong Xuebing went to the security check. He does not have a good impression of Deputy Governor Jia, and it's better if he does not come.
Today is Dong Xuebing's visit to Macau, and there are no flights to Macau from Xiaxing City's airport. Dong Xuebing can only fly to the Provincial City. Although it is a visit, it is more like a holiday. This is considered an annual benefit. All the Jiangnan City's top officials will be attending, but there are restrictions on the number of people attending. Only the top and second leaders can attend, or it will be troublesome if something happens to the City Government. For example, Xiaxing City's Party Secretary, two Deputy Mayors, and three department heads will be attending. Although there are restrictions on the number of leaders, every leader must bring one or two family members with them. This is also the reason why Xie Huilan and the rest did not get any tickets on the morning flight. More than a dozen family members who applied for tickets were not able to get them and could only go on the later flights. Dong Xuebing is also the same. He had exposed his identity as a Commission for Discipline Inspection officer in Xiaxing City, and he had to be careful. He did not ask Xie Huilan to get the City's Party Committee to help him book the tickets. He booked the tickets himself and did not want to reimburse others. Dong Xuebing's unit might be a deterrent, but he also needs to pay attention to the Party's discipline.
After a while.
At the waiting area.
Dong Xuebing found an empty spot and crossed his legs. He looked at the planes taking off and landing through the window. He plugged in his earphones and started listening to music.
One minute …
Three minutes …
Five minutes …
The boarding gate is not open yet.
Dong Xuebing is getting impatient as he tapped his thighs.
Suddenly, a person seemed to be walking over from the opposite side. "Hey! Isn't this Xuebing?! "
Dong Xuebing's music is not loud, and he heard Hou Wen's voice. He looked up and was surprised to see someone knows him. "Hou Wen!"
"Haha! It's really you! "
"Ah … why are you here?"
"I was wondering why you are here!"
"You have changed. I can't even recognize you if you don't call me!"
"Hahaha … it's only been a few years since we last met, and I might have put on some weight. But I can still recognize you!"
"Haha … you are only a few kilograms, right?"
"You still look the same. You are still so skinny!"
A young man walked over. He is about the same age as Dong Xuebing. He has a round face with many pimples, and he is slightly fat. But he is not fat and is normal. But he is as skinny as Dong Xuebing when they were in university. That's why Dong Xuebing doesn't recognize him. Hou Wen is Dong Xuebing's university classmate and roommate. They had stayed in the same hostel for four years. Dong Xuebing had kept a low profile during his schooling years and does not like to interact with others. He does not have any close friends, but Hou Wen is one of them. After all, they had stayed together for four years, and it was an unforgettable period. That's why Dong Xuebing and Hou Wen were very excited to see each other here.
Dong Xuebing stood up and walked over. "What a coincidence."
Hou Wen lightly hammered Dong Xuebing's chest. "I had not heard from you for three years. Why didn't you contact me after you graduated?"
Dong Xuebing laughed. "Why didn't I contact you? You went to the South after graduation, and I can't see you. My calls are all long-distance calls, and I don't have so many phone bills. Why didn't you call me? After that, you changed your number, and I can't reach you."
Hou Wen replied. "Why didn't I call you? I had called your house several times, but no one answered."
Dong Xuebing paused. "Did you change your number these two years? I had not stayed at Heping Street for two years. "
"Anyway, you didn't contact me. I'm telling you, I remember. Let's quickly exchange phone numbers. When the time comes, you have to treat me to a meal!" Hou Wen said confidently.
Dong Xuebing laughed. "You had changed your number and did not tell me, and I still want to treat you? Bullshit! If you don't treat me to a meal, I will not let you off. No … it should be two meals. You had promised to treat us to a meal before graduation, and what happened? You went to the South after graduation! I didn't even see you! You still dare to ask me to treat you to a meal? I don't even care about that! "
Donkey barbecued meat was something they often ate in university. Every time there was a celebration, everyone in the dormitory would go and have a meal of donkey meat. Now, it seemed like it didn't cost much and was considered the most ordinary thing. But back then, everyone was poor students and had no money in their pockets. Being able to have a meal of donkey meat was like having a meal at the Shangri-La Hotel. They were so happy that every day was like having a meal at that time.
Hou Wen cleared his throat. "Err … I had something urgent to attend to. My father had arranged work for me, and I cannot miss a single day."
"You are in the wrong?"
"Fine … fine … fine … I am in the wrong."
"What do you mean by that? Haha … You are in the wrong."
"Alright, it's my treat. Don't make fun of me. I really miss our classmates."
"Why didn't you attend the school anniversary?"
"School anniversary? What school anniversary? I don't even know about it. "
"It's the United University's anniversary. I only know about it when I met Teacher Jiang. I also saw Ruhua, Zhao Meng, and Le Haidong."
"How are they?"
"They are fine. Some got married, some joined the government, and some joined the state-owned enterprises. Anyway, they are doing well. Come, sit down. Let's talk."
"Let's talk later. My mother is at the back. Have you met her before?"
Dong Xuebing noticed a middle-aged woman walking towards them. She does not look good, and Hou Wen looks like his mother. Dong Xuebing had met Hou Wen's mother before. It was when he was in his first year of university. He saw Hou Wen's mother walking Hou Wen to the dormitory. But he does not remember her as it had been many years. Still, he quickly walks over to her.
"Aunty." Dong Xuebing greeted.
Hou Wen's mother looked at Dong Xuebing. "This is?"
Hou Wen hugged Dong Xuebing's shoulders. "My university classmate, Dong Xuebing."
"Oh." Hou Wen's mother nodded at Dong Xuebing and went to the rest area.
Dong Xuebing remembered Hou Wen's mother is like this, and it's not surprising. Dong Xuebing had heard that Hou Wen's father is a government official in the south. But Hou Wen did not mention his father's rank. He is a low-key person and is very friendly to everyone. From his appearance, no one can tell he is the son of a government official. Maybe only a few of his roommates know about this.
Hou Wen looked at Hou Wen and pulled Dong Xuebing to sit opposite. "Which flight are you waiting for?"
"This flight." Dong Xuebing points to the airport.
"Oh, you are also going to Macau?" Hou Wen was surprised.
Dong Xuebing blinked. "You are also going to Macau? What a coincidence. "
Hou Wen is overjoyed. "Then we can chat more than an hour on the flight. What's your seat number? Let me take a look." Hou Wen immediately said, "It's almost time to board the plane. It's fine, I'll switch seats in a while. We have to have a good chat. Aiya, there's so much to talk about. You don't know how happy I am to see you. I've been thinking about the days when we were in university day and night. But you guys are switching phones, and I can't get through to you!"
Dong Xuebing felt touched. "Me too. It's been three years."
"That's right. It's been three years." Hou Wen sighed. "Only after going to class did I realize how good the school is. Only then did I realize how good our brothers are."
Dong Xuebing replied. "The friends I make now are not as real as us."
Hou Wen slapped his thigh. "You are right!"
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