Chapter 2016

Chapter 2016

Power and Wealth

Afternoon.

Zhenshui County.

After handling things with Jiang Fangfang, Dong Xuebing was finally able to put one thing to rest. In front of Sister Jiang, he contacted some familiar people and made arrangements for someone to pick up Jiang Fangfang’s mother. Seeing Sister Jiang so busy, he said his goodbyes and left. Dong Xuebing hadn’t planned to stay today since Xu Yan would soon return to Beijing for her post, and his second uncle was trustworthy. As for Jiang Fangfang’s transfer, Dong Xuebing would wait until the county was upgraded to a city and Yanbei County was incorporated into their new city. After that, he would work on getting Sister Jiang transferred. They would meet more often in the future, so there was no rush. Calculating the time, he had plenty of places to go.

Leaving.

Dong Xuebing went downstairs.

“Xuebing, you’re back and didn’t even say anything?” The county’s discipline inspection secretary, Pu An, greeted him with a cheerful smile. He had probably come on purpose.

Dong Xuebing smiled back. “Secretary Pu.”

“I heard work’s been going smoothly recently,” Pu An said.

“It’s going okay. How’s your health?” Dong Xuebing replied.

Pu An smiled. “Good, good. I’ve been thinking about having a meal with you. How about I call a few old friends over tonight?”

Dong Xuebing felt a bit embarrassed. “Maybe another time. I’m in a hurry today, just got back for some urgent business. It’s not that I don’t want to give you face, Secretary Pu. When I have time, we’ll get together. By the way, it’s good timing that you’re here. I’m on my way to the airport, and a taxi won’t be able to get me there in time. Could you help me find a car to take me to the provincial city?”

Pu An waved it off. “It’s no trouble at all. Wait a moment, I’ll make a call.”

Soon, a car arrived. Dong Xuebing and Pu An were old friends, so they didn’t stand on ceremony. After chatting for a bit, Dong Xuebing left.

Airport.

By the time he arrived, it was already 5 PM.

Dong Xuebing had booked his ticket that day, and the only available option was an economy-class ticket, which was a full-price ticket. Luckily, he didn’t have any luggage, and he smoothly boarded the plane.

After sitting down, Dong Xuebing took out his phone and thought for a moment. The flight was heading to Beihe Province. He planned to visit Geng Yuehua and Yu Meixia next. He also needed to visit Aunt Xuan and the children, as they were all in the area. As for Fang Wenping, Dong Xuebing had decided not to see her. He felt that it was challenging to apologize face-to-face after everything that had happened. Dong Xuebing wasn’t sure what to say, so he decided to send a message instead.

He wrote: “Sister Fang, I’m sorry for what happened before. If there are any scars from the incidents, let me know and I’ll help you treat them.”

Beep beep.

Fang Wenping replied with a single word: “Hmm.”

Dong Xuebing continued: “If you need anything in the future, feel free to ask. If it’s within my ability, I’ll help. I’m starting my vacation today and plan to rest for a while before going back. When I return to the province, I’ll come to see you. Take care of your health, eat regularly, and make sure to eat more fruit.”

Fang Wenping replied: “Got it.”

Dong Xuebing sent another message: “Alright, the plane’s about to take off, so I’ll turn my phone off now.”

There was no further response, so Dong Xuebing turned off his phone as instructed by the flight attendant.

8 PM.

The plane landed in Beihe Province.

After exiting the airport, Dong Xuebing noticed it had already gotten dark. He went straight to the taxi waiting area, got in line for a cab, and when he got into the car, he hesitated for a moment before deciding to visit Geng Yuehua first. He could visit Xuan Aunt and the kids when he had time. As for Yu Meixia, the last time she came to Beijing for a movie-related event, she almost got swindled. Dong Xuebing had met with her during that time. However, it had been a long time since he last saw Geng Yuehua, and since she had battled cancer in the past, Dong Xuebing had used time reversal to save her. She had been using wild ginseng and other anti-cancer remedies ever since. Dong Xuebing was eager to see her first.

Fenzhou City.

Nanshan District.

Dong Xuebing was familiar with the area, as every street felt like home. This was the place where he had worked the longest, from his early days as Deputy Director of the Public Security Bureau in Yantai County to his tenure as Director of the Investment Bureau. He had worked here for many years, first at the District Street Office and later in the Municipal Discipline Inspection Office. He had been assigned here after a brief stay in Beijing, and over the years, he had developed a deep connection with the area and its people. Returning now, he felt nostalgic.

The car stopped at the entrance of the Guangming Street Office’s residential complex.

Geng Yuehua was now the district party secretary, but her parents still lived in the old residential complex. She had never moved to the district’s official residential area and continued to live with her parents for convenience.

Back to the familiar place.

Returning home in glory.

Dong Xuebing didn’t rush inside. Instead, he stood outside the courtyard, looking around.

The small shop was still there.

The ramen shop was still open.

Dong Xuebing smiled nostalgically, then took out his phone to call Geng Yuehua. The phone rang, but no one picked up. Dong Xuebing called Geng Yuehua’s younger brother, Geng Xinke, instead. After a few rings, a young man’s voice answered.

“Hello, Director Dong,” Geng Xinke said, sounding surprised.

Dong Xuebing smiled. “Is Yuehua at home? I couldn’t get through to her.”

Geng Xinke said, “My sister is in the shower. She just went in. If it’s urgent, wait for her to come out, and I’ll have her call you back. It’ll probably be about ten minutes.”

Dong Xuebing was familiar with Yuehua’s efficient nature. She never took long showers, usually no more than seven minutes.

Dong Xuebing asked, “Are you all at your parents’ house?”

“Yeah, we’re having dinner together. What’s up, Director Dong?” Geng Xinke replied.

“I’m downstairs,” Dong Xuebing said.

“Ah, downstairs at Guangming Street?” Geng Xinke asked, surprised.

Dong Xuebing nodded. Just then, the curtains of the window upstairs opened, revealing Lin Pingping’s face. Dong Xuebing smiled and waved at her. Lin Pingping had once worked under Dong Xuebing in Yantai County’s Investment Bureau. She had gotten pregnant before marriage, but eventually married Geng Xinke with Dong Xuebing’s help. Dong Xuebing had deep ties to Geng Yuehua’s family, and their relationship had a lot of history. It was perhaps fate that brought them together.

Lin Pingping waved back, her mouth moving as if she was calling something, but Dong Xuebing couldn’t hear her through the window.

Dong Xuebing spoke into the phone. “Xinke, is it convenient for me to come up? Your parents aren’t asleep yet, are they?”

Geng Xinke immediately replied, “Of course, come up right away! You don’t need to be so polite; just come up! We’re not outsiders.”

“Alright, I’ll come up.” Dong Xuebing hung up, went to the small shop to buy some fruit, and prepared to head upstairs.

Just as he was about to go up, a few people came down.

“Ah!”

“Hey!”

“Director Dong!”

“Is that Director Dong?”

The people were surprised to see him. Dong Xuebing recognized them, but they weren’t old friends, probably just staff from when he had been the head of the Guangming Street Office.

Dong Xuebing didn’t stand on ceremony. He smiled and nodded at them before heading upstairs.

After he disappeared into the hallway, the people stood there, still in shock, whispering to each other.

Dong Xuebing was well-known in this area, and even though he had been away for a long time, the local civil servants and residents hadn’t forgotten the “God of Plague” of the past.

The God of Plague is Back.

The God of Plague is Back.

This time, let’s hope no trouble arises.

Many people were scared of Dong Xuebing. Wherever he went, something always happened. They feared that his return might bring another disaster, like an earthquake or a landslide.

If Dong Xuebing had heard their thoughts, he would probably have vomited blood.

This was just a case of rumors getting out of hand. The more exaggerated they became, the more sinister the rumors grew. People had turned him into a feared figure, making everyone who saw him terrified.

Upstairs.

As soon as he walked over, the door was already open.

Geng Xinke and Lin Pingping were waiting for him at the door.

“Director Dong,” Geng Xinke said with a smile.

“Little Director Dong,” Lin Pingping greeted warmly. “Please come in, please come in.”

Their titles were different, but both referred to positions that Dong Xuebing had previously held. Even after several years, they were still accustomed to calling him that way.

Dong Xuebing smiled with satisfaction as he looked at the two of them. “Look at you two, glowing with health. It seems like you’re living well. How’s the child? How’s he doing?”

Lin Pingping smiled modestly. “The child’s sleeping, and we’re all doing well.”

Inside, both Geng’s father and mother came out to greet him. “Little Dong is here, come in and talk!”

“Auntie, Uncle,” Dong Xuebing quickly put down the fruit. “I brought you some fruit. I just got off the plane and came straight here. Didn’t have time to buy anything special late at night.”

“What’s the point of buying anything? Look at you, always wasting money,” Geng’s mother said unhappily. “It was you who saved Yuehua’s life, and you’ve been giving her wild ginseng to keep her cancer from coming back. We don’t even know how to thank you, and you’re still being so polite, buying this and that. Didn’t we say before? From now on, we’re family. If you keep being so polite, Auntie will get upset!”

Power and Wealth

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