Before noon.
After leaving Xie Huilan's house, Dong Xuebing and Xie Huilan parted ways. Both of them had driven to Yan Tai County, and Dong Xuebing had not packed his things. He decided to return to Yan Tai County at night or tomorrow. So, he drove to an art shop and spent 10,000 RMB to get Senior Xie's calligraphy to be framed. After that, Dong Xuebing looked at the calligraphy with satisfaction and drove home.
North Heping Street.
Dong Xuebing stretched and opened the door with his keys. He had gained a lot from this trip to Xie Huilan's house.
Dong Xuebing was in a good mood and hummed the National Anthem as he sat cross-legged on the sofa.
Suddenly, Dong Xuebing's bedroom door opened as if he had seen a ghost!
"… Big Brother!"
"Xiao Bing, you are back?"
Dong Xuebing got a fright and looked at the bedroom door. "Ah … are you two trying to scare me? What happened?" It was Yu Meixia and Yu Qianqian in the room. "Didn't you two return to Yan Tai County last night?"
Yu Meixia replied embarrassedly. "My car broke down on the way, and the driver said we will wait for the next car. But … but there are too many people on the car, and Qianqian and I could not squeeze in. It was too late, and I don't know what to do. I wanted to call you but was afraid I would interrupt your work. So … so, I came back."
Dong Xuebing slapped his forehead. "You have the keys to your house?"
"… Qianqian has the keys." Yu Meixia replied.
Qianqian blushed. "When I came to Beijing, I was afraid you and my mother will not be at home. So, I secretly brought Aunt Luan's keys over."
Dong Xuebing was impressed. "You two are great."
Yu Meixia lowered her head. "I'm sorry."
Dong Xuebing replied. "I'm not scolding you two, but if your car breaks down, you two should get the driver to take care of you. Even if it's not working, you two can go back to the bus station. If not, you can just give me a call. I might be busy, but how can I not care about you two? I am in Beijing, and both of you are prettier than me. What if something happens to you two? Who can I look for? Don't act on your own in the future! Do you understand? At least tell me! "
Qianqian's eyes turned red from the criticism.
Dong Xuebing quickly said. "Err … don't cry. I don't mean anything else. I am just worried about you two. Alright … it's good that you are fine."
Yu Meixia looks at Dong Xuebing. "Are you going back today?"
"Let's go. I'll take a break first. I'll drive you back in the afternoon."
"… Shall I make you a cup of tea?"
"Yes, I'm thirsty. Thank you."
Dong Xuebing saw Yu Qianqian is not in a good mood and quickly comforted her by telling her a few jokes. After Yu Meixia poured a cup of tea for him, Dong Xuebing took the teacup from her and rubbed some oil on her hand. Yu Meixia blushed when she saw Yu Meixia's teacup.
Just then, the doorbell rang. Ding dong, ding dong.
Dong Xuebing was stunned and thought to himself. Who is it? He quickly walks over to open the door.
The person standing outside is in his early thirties. He has small eyes, a sharp nose, and is wearing a brown jacket and black trousers. He is holding a bag in his arm and looks like a leader from a government agency. Dong Xuebing did not recognize him at first glance and laughed. "I was wondering who it is. Panwei!" The person knocking on the door is Guo Panwei, Dong Xuebing's former subordinate from State Security's Western District Branch's General Affairs Office.
Guo Panwei asked politely. "Chief Dong, am I disturbing you?"
Dong Xuebing is happy to see his former subordinate. "You are not disturbing me. Come in. Sister Yu, brew a cup of tea."
"No … I can do it myself." Guo Panwei is still the same as before. He is very cautious in front of his leader.
Dong Xuebing laughed. "Don't stand on ceremony. Have a seat. I am not your leader anymore."
Guo Panwei heard Dong Xuebing's words and immediately replied. "Chief Dong, if you had not recommended me to Chief Xu before you left, I will not be promoted to General Affairs Office's Deputy Chief. It is all because of you. No matter if you are still in State Security or not, you will always be my leader!"
Dong Xuebing points at Guo Panwei. "You are still good at bootlicking."
Guo Panwei replied anxiously. "I am telling the truth."
"Haha … Oh, how did you know I am back?"
"I went to Si Ji Qing Bridge to visit my father this morning and saw you driving a Mercedes MPV when I was crossing the road. I am afraid I saw wrongly and am not sure if it is you." Guo Panwei placed a big bag of fruits on the coffee table. "I bought some things to visit you, and I didn't expect you to be here."
Dong Xuebing patted Guo Panwei's shoulder. "Thank you. Have a seat and have some tea."
Guo Panwei greeted Yu Meixia and Yu Meixia politely and sat on the sofa.
After chatting for a while, Dong Xuebing found out that Guo Panwei's work had not been progressing smoothly after he left. Dong Xuebing had guessed this would happen. If Guo Panwei's work is progressing, he will not look for Dong Xuebing so urgently. Less than a month after Guo Panwei was promoted to Deputy Chief of the General Affairs Office, the Chief of the General Affairs Office, Li Qing, was promoted. Li Qing's position was replaced by someone from the Political Section, and Guo Panwei's position as the Deputy Chief of the General Affairs Office was taken over by someone from the Political Section. Guo Panwei's position as the Deputy Chief of the General Affairs Office was like a decoration. He could not carry out his duties, and he was not even promoted to Deputy Section Chief.
Guo Panwei complained to Dong Xuebing for a while and was disheartened.
The new Chief of the General Affairs Office was not young, but he was still far from retirement age. This meant that the new Chief was planning to retire in the General Affairs Office and would not move out of the office. That's why Guo Panwei had no hope of getting promoted. It was no wonder he was having a tough time.
Dong Xuebing sighed. "It's not easy everywhere."
"Sigh …" Guo Panwei sighed.
"How are Sun Zhuang and Tan Limei?"
After Dong Xuebing was transferred to the grassroots level, he had less contact with his former colleagues and friends.
Guo Panwei replied. "Xiao Sun had been transferred to the Political Section, and Xiao Tan is still in the General Affairs Office. Nothing has changed. Compared to you, we are still lacking." Dong Xuebing laughed.
Dong Xuebing laughed. "When are you free? I will treat all of you to dinner."
"Chief Dong … I am used to calling you Chief Dong." Guo Panwei asked. "Are you still working in the County's Public Security Bureau?"
"No." Dong Xuebing replied. "I will be transferred to the Investment Promotion Agency after Lunar New Year."
Guo Panwei does not know much about Dong Xuebing's situation after he was transferred to the grassroots level and was shocked. "First Leader?"
Dong Xuebing nodded. "I had just been reassigned. The transfer order was issued a while ago."
"Ah … congratulations on your promotion."
Guo Panwei is in awe of Dong Xuebing. When he was still in the General Affairs Office, Dong Xuebing had made an exception and promoted him twice. Dong Xuebing had been transferred to the grassroots level for less than a year, and he had been promoted from Deputy Section Chief to Section Chief. This is too fast!
Suddenly, Guo Panwei started thinking. He had wanted to ask Dong Xuebing for help as Deputy Bureau Chief Xu Yan and a few leaders from the Western District State Security Branch are close to Dong Xuebing. Guo Panwei wanted to use Dong Xuebing to get promoted. But when he heard Dong Xuebing had been promoted and is now the head of the County's Investment Promotion Agency, he changed his mind.
It's noon.
Dong Xuebing looks at his watch. "It's time for lunch. Are you all hungry?"
Qianqian rubbed her tummy and nodded. Yu Meixia and Guo Panwei had not eaten breakfast.
Dong Xuebing replied. "Alright. I will call the restaurant to order some dishes. Panwei, it's been a while since we last met. Let's have a few drinks today."
Guo Panwei noticed there is nothing left in his apartment and said. "I will go and buy alcohol."
Dong Xuebing replied. "Ok. There is a tobacco and alcohol store about 50 meters west. Oh, bring two packs of cigarettes with you. Yuxi."
"Ok." Guo Panwei is in a good mood, and Dong Xuebing did not stand on ceremony with him. This means Dong Xuebing did not treat him as an outsider.
Half an hour later, the dishes arrived.
Dong Xuebing passed his wallet to Sister Yu, but Guo Panwei rushed to pay the bill.
During lunch, Guo Panwei raised his glass to toast Dong Xuebing. "Old Leader, I wish you all the best in your career. Here's a toast to you." Guo Panwei raised his head and downed his glass.
"Thank you." Dong Xuebing also drained his glass.
After that, Guo Panwei toasted Yu Meixia and Yu Qianqian. Guo Panwei had always treated the people around the Leader well. He did not neglect Yu Meixia because she looks like a housekeeper from the countryside or Qianqian's age.
Dong Xuebing nodded in his heart. Guo Panwei is very observant.
During the banquet, both of them drank quite a lot of wine.
Finally, Guo Panwei felt that it was about time and brought up the main topic. "Old Leader, once you leave, our backbone will be gone. To be honest, I really want to follow you and work under you for the rest of my life. It's okay if I can't get promoted, but I want to feel at ease. I can't find another leader who takes care of your subordinates like you in the whole city." He was flattering Old Leader Guo again. The more he said, the more mushy it was.
Yu Qianqian giggled.
Yu Meixia quickly pulled her daughter back to stop her from laughing.
Dong Xuebing understood what Guo Panwei is trying to say and looked at him. "You want to go to the grassroots level? Let me make this clear first. The work at the grassroots level is very different from where you are working. It's not a good job, and it's hard to start your career. "
Guo Panwei replied seriously. "As long as I can work under you, I will do anything."
Dong Xuebing thought for a while and nodded. "Ok. I will help you when I get back."
Guo Panwei was overjoyed and quickly toasted Dong Xuebing with a few more glasses of wine.
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