It's Lunar New Year.
On Lunar New Year's Eve, a few children in the County Party Committee Quarters are wearing down jackets and jumping around to set off firecrackers. Xiong Zhiyong's son, Xiao Hua, is also around, and they set off firecrackers, firecrackers, and some quiet fireworks. Dong Xuebing leaned against the third-floor window and smoked leisurely. The children are having a good time, and the atmosphere in the quarters is not as serious as usual. Instead, it is a festive atmosphere.
Seems like everyone loves Lunar New Year. Dong Xuebing also likes it. He looks at his watch and called his hometown.
Dong Xuebing's uncle answered. "Hello, Xiao Bing? Happy Lunar New Year. "
"Happy Lunar New Year to you too." Dong Xuebing laughed. "Is my mother around?"
"Xiaoping and the rest are making dumplings and might not be available. Can you wait for me to call her?"
"No need. I just wanted to inform her that I will not be returning to the village for Lunar New Year as I have some matters to attend to here. I will return tomorrow on the first day of the lunar New Year. Sorry to inform my Grandma, Eldest Aunt, Eldest Uncle-In-Law, Aunt, and Second Aunt." Dong Xuebing snubbed his cigarette.
"Alright. Carry on with your work. Anyway, it's Lunar New Year tomorrow." Dong Xuebing's Uncle knows Dong Xuebing is no longer the same as before. He is now a leader in the County. Although the government agencies are on a long holiday, leaders will still be busier during Lunar New Year. Furthermore, Dong Xuebing had just been promoted to the Investment Promotion Agency's Chief, and he still needs to manage his connections.
After hanging up, Dong Xuebing put on his coat and drove out.
Dong Xuebing did not have time to prepare for Lunar New Year's Eve as Sister Yu, moving house, and the Gala Dinner are all at the same time. Dong Xuebing drove to a nearby tobacco bar, but it was closed. He had no choice but to go to a supermarket on the commercial street to buy a box of Maotai and a box of Chunghwa cigarettes. After paying, he asked someone to move the items into the back seat of his Mercedes-Benz. After that, he went to the commercial street to buy some cosmetics. These are not for himself and are for the leaders.
On Lunar New Year's Eve and the first day of the lunar New Year, the leaders in the government agencies will call and greet each other.
On the second, third, and fourth days of Lunar New Year, Dong Xuebing will visit the families there. Yesterday, Dong Xuebing had counted the number of families he will visit, and it will be too late if he doesn't prepare.
Ring, ring, ring. The phone rang.
"Chief Dong, Happy New Year." It was Liu Dahai. He was also the first to wish Dong Xuebing a happy New Year.
Dong Xuebing smiled. "Thank you. I wish you a happy family and a bright future."
"Hehe, thank you for your kind words …"
After that, many people called to wish Dong Xuebing a happy new year.
Dong Xuebing did not idle around. After shopping, he drove home and searched the internet. He downloaded some greetings messages and sent them to his colleagues. It is disrespectful to send text messages to other leaders. For example, Senior Xie, Xie Huilan's parents, Huang Li, Geng Yuchao, etc., Dong Xuebing called all of them.
Who said that leaders should be lenient?
Dong Xuebing spent the whole afternoon answering and making phone calls.
It's past 6 pm, and the skies turned dark.
Dong Xuebing saw it's almost time and called Xie Huilan. She does not have any relatives or friends here, and she will be alone during Lunar New Year. Dong Xuebing had decided to accompany her during Lunar New Year, and that's why he did not return home. But no one answered. Dong Xuebing looked out of the window and called her secretary, Hu Silian.
"Hello, Sister Hu. I'm Dong Xuebing."
"Do you think I don't know your number? What's up? "Secretary Hu asked curiously. They had just called to wish Dong Xuebing a Lunar New Year.
Dong Xuebing nodded. "Is Mayor Xie at home? Why is no one answering? "
"Oh, the Mayor is attending the County's Lunar New Year Gala Gala."
"Eh? I remember the gala is tomorrow."
"It will be aired on the first day of the lunar New Year, but the gala is not broadcasted live this year. That's why it was recorded earlier. I am waiting outside the venue now, and it will end around 8 or 9 pm."
"Ok. Thank you, Sister Hu."
"Haha, don't be so polite."
Hu Silian is the County Government Office's Deputy Chief. Although her rank and position are not as high as Dong Xuebing, she is the Mayor's secretary and has a special status. That's why Dong Xuebing is still polite to her even after he was promoted. It's just like Xie Huilan's driver, Old Xing. Although he does not have any rank, even the County Government Office's Chief, Yao Yi, will greet him with a smile.
After hanging up, Dong Xuebing thought for a while and ran to the kitchen. He took out a bundle of leeks, a box of minced meat and a bottle of Maotai and walked downstairs. He looked around at the entrance of the building and entered another building. He took the elevator up and looked around. When he was sure no one was around, he used his keys to open Xie Huilan's door.
One hour passed.
Two hours passed.
Suddenly, Dong Xuebing heard the rattle of the keys, and the door opened.
After closing the door, Xie Huilan walked in tiredly and bent over to take off her slippers. Suddenly, she noticed a pair of men's shoes on the shoe rack. She looked up and laughed. "Haha, why are you here?" She took off her shoes and put on a pair of cotton slippers.
Dong Xuebing stood up. "It's boring for you to celebrate New Year's Eve alone. I want to accompany you."
"I'm fine. Isn't your hometown in Hui Tian Village?" Xie Huilan placed the shoes on the shoe rack elegantly. "Can I not go back?"
"It's fine. I had called you."
"Thank you. Thank you."
"I had told you earlier. There's no need to thank me."
Xie Huilan smiled and looked at Dong Xuebing. "I don't know what to say. Actually, I am quite happy that you are here to accompany me. Haha, on the way back, I was thinking about what I should do alone on New Year's Eve. It's boring to watch the Spring Festival Gala Night alone, right? Haha … since you are here, let's prepare something to eat. Hmmm … I should have brought back some frozen dumplings. "
Dong Xuebing points to the kitchen. "I had wrapped the dumplings. If you are hungry, you can cook them."
"… are you done wrapping them?"
"I just wrapped them. They are leek fillings."
"You must try our Xiao Dong's dumplings. Haha …" Xie Huilan looked at the kitchen and smiled. "But why do I feel it is inappropriate to ask you to prepare my meals every time? How about this, I'll personally cook two dishes to go with the wine. Hehe, don't look at me like that. Although I'm not a good cook, I can still make a cold dish. I can't let you do it alone, can I? "
Dong Xuebing blushed when he heard Xie Huilan calling him Xiao Dong. "Let me help you."
"No need." Xie Huilan laughed and walked towards the kitchen. "You must be tired. Just watch TV and rest for a while. Oh, the Spring Festival Gala Night is starting. Let's watch CCTV."
"Ok. Just mix some cucumber. Don't make too much."
"Ok. I will do as I see fit. Don't worry about it."
Dong Xuebing knew Xie Huilan is not a gentle person. But these few days, her attitude towards him had changed, and Dong Xuebing felt warm. This is the first time he had treated Xie Huilan this way after their falling out. Dong Xuebing had held Xie Huilan's hand and kissed her in the past. But after the incident with Aunt Xuan, those memories disappeared. This time, Xie Huilan's attitude gave Dong Xuebing hope. He might be able to hold her hand again after a few months.
Twenty minutes later, the dumplings were cooked, and the cold dishes were ready.
Dong Xuebing and Xie Huilan ate and drank as they watched the Spring Festival Gala Night.
Most people in the north have the habit of watching CCTV's Spring Festival Gala Night. But the Spring Festival Gala Night is getting worse every year. Dong Xuebing's favorite skits and crosstalks are getting worse. Luckily, this year's Spring Festival Gala Night is still acceptable.
Xie Huilan was enjoying the show. "Xiao Bing, I saw your magic yesterday, and it should not be a problem for you to appear on the Spring Festival Gala."
"Of course." Only the two of them are around, and Dong Xuebing did not try to be humble. "Huh? I am a government official, and it is not good for me to go there."
"Hehe, I was just saying. Did you really take it seriously?"
Dong Xuebing laughed and took a sip of Maotai. "Oh, how are the dumplings?"
Xie Huilan looked at Dong Xuebing and smiled. "How can our Xiao Bing's cooking be bad? Yummy, how many have I eaten? Twenty-five? Thirty? "
"Then eat a few more. There are still some that haven't been cooked yet."
"I can't. If I eat any more, I'll be stuffed." Xie Huilan looks at her watch and laughed. "There are still two more hours before the bell rings. Are we going to watch TV like this? Then this year's New Year is really too low standard, right? " Xie Huilan saw Dong Xuebing nodded and took out a napkin to wipe her mouth. "I am full. Shall we play poker? Just playing cards is boring. Hmm, whoever loses has to drink a glass of wine? Ok? "
Dong Xuebing quickly waved his hand. "I don't want to drink anymore. I can't drink anymore."
Dong Xuebing was still scared after losing his composure after drinking twice. He does not want to embarrass himself.
Xie Huilan laughed. "What do you think the penalty is for the loser?"
Dong Xuebing did not think and joked. "Anyway, your heater is very hot. The loser will take off his clothes." After saying that, he regretted. Huh? What am I thinking?!
But Xie Huilan laughed and looked at Dong Xuebing. "You are really not polite with me. Haha … fine. I am in a good mood today. Hmmm … the loser will strip." Dong Xuebing laughed. She stood up under Dong Xuebing's shocked gaze. "I did not wear much today, and I will go back to my room to wear some clothes. This is not against the rules, right?"
"No … no …" Dong Xuebing replied excitedly.
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