Chapter 2018
Gengâs Family.
It was quite late.
Suddenly, the bathroom door opened, and Geng Yuehua emerged, not in a bathrobe or pajamas, but dressed in a freshly changed business suit. âWhere are you taking the child?â She hadnât been seen for a while, but Geng Yuehua still exuded the same grace as before. Although her face was still stern, the healthy glow on her skin suggested that her health was still in good condition; otherwise, her complexion wouldnât look so vibrant.
Lin Pingping cleared her throat. âSister, itâs nothing.â
âThen what were you talking about?â Geng Yuehua looked at them.
Dong Xuebing smiled and stood up. âSecretary Yuehua.â
It seemed like Geng Yuehua just noticed him, and in a stiff tone, she said, âWhy are you here?â
Gengâs mother couldnât help but glare at her daughter. âWhy are you speaking like that? Xiao Dong came here to see us and to talk to you about something.â She knew her daughter had a sharp tongue, but that didnât mean she wasnât welcoming, so she made an excuse. Of course, if it were in the past, Gengâs mother wouldnât have said that. After all, Dong Xuebing used to be just a street office director, a far lower position than Geng Yuehuaâs, and he was once her subordinate. So back then, her daughter could speak however she wanted, as the leader had that privilege. But now, things were different. Dong Xuebing, who had been a small street office director just a few years ago, was now about to become the municipal party secretary. Although the secretary of a county-level city was still a deputy department-level official, it was still a higher position than Geng Yuehuaâs, so she couldnât treat him like a subordinate anymore. Moreover, after their daughter was diagnosed with cancer, Dong Xuebing had helped in various ways, and Gengâs mother had grown to appreciate him more and more.
However, Geng Yuehua completely ignored her motherâs words and continued to speak to Dong Xuebing in the same tone. âWhat do you need from me?â
Dong Xuebing wasnât upset. He was used to it by now. He smiled and said, âItâs nothing major, just a work-related matter. Maybe we can talk later.â
Geng Yuehua replied, âThen we can talk at my place later.â
âSure.â Dong Xuebing understood. âIs your health alright?â
âQuite well.â Geng Yuehua answered briefly without elaborating.
Geng Xinke spoke up, âMy sister has been going for health check-ups once a month for two years now, and thereâs been no sign of cancer cells. Sheâs in great condition, even healthier than before.â
At this point, Gengâs mother looked at Dong Xuebing with a warmer gaze. âThe wild ginseng you brought back, over twenty boxes, has worked wonders. We made sure Yuehua takes it every day. After we ran out, it was also Xinke who went everywhere to buy more, even at auctions.â
Dong Xuebing replied, âDonât stop. Keep taking it.â
Gengâs mother laughed. âWeâve been making her take it; we dare not stop. Who knows, if we stop, it might relapse. What would we do then?â
Dong Xuebing said, âIâll ask a friend to get more wild ginseng for you and send it over. If you run out, just let me know.â
Gengâs mother sighed, âI just donât want to trouble you too much. And that stuff is expensive.â
Gengâs father also said, âYes, Xiao Dong, you shouldnât always spend money on us. Weâre not really that close.â
âSecretary Yuehua took care of me back then. If it werenât for her, I wouldnât have reached this position today. If Secretary Yuehua needs help, how could I not help? Itâs just a small favor, nothing to thank me for. You two donât need to be polite,â Dong Xuebing said.
Gengâs mother said, âAh, thank you, youâre such a good kid.â
It wasnât about being good or not. Geng Xinke had always had a suspicion. He felt that Dong Xuebing treated his sister with extra care, and he had a hunch that their relationship was not ordinary. Geng Xinke had even asked Lin Pingping about it and tried to analyze it with her, but Lin Pingping didnât say anything. She knew the inside story, but she still helped Dong Xuebing conceal it. She always told her husband that Dong Xuebing was a good person, someone who valued relationships and was very sentimental, which was why he helped their family so selflessly.
After this conversation, Geng Yuehua sat down. But she hadnât forgotten the few things she overheard in the bathroom. She looked at Geng Xinke and asked, âWhere are you taking the child?â
Geng Xinke, who always felt a bit intimidated by his sister, coughed. âWell, IâŠâ
It was Gengâs mother who spoke up, âItâs because Xiao Dong is short of a secretary, and he wants to transfer your brother to help him. The secretary of a county-level city party committee is at the deputy section level.â
When Geng Yuehua heard this, her face instantly darkened. âNo.â
Lin Pingping became anxious and immediately said, âSister, Xinke has worked for so many years, and his development here is limited. A change of environment would greatly help his future political career.â
Geng Yuehua resolutely said, âI donât agree.â
Gengâs father looked at her. âWhat use is your disagreement? Do you want your brother to stay in the street office his whole life? Youâre not helping, so whatâs wrong with him trying to sort things out himself?â
Geng Yuehua furrowed her brows. âHe doesnât have the ability. Heâs not mature in many aspects. The street office may have limited authority, but itâs a good place for training. Spending a few more years here will greatly benefit him. Once heâs matured and his abilities improve, Iâll help him find a suitable place. But being the secretary of a county-level city party committee is the most important secretary position in the city. The level is high, and the authority is vast. But not everyone can handle such a position. With Xinkeâs abilities, there will be problems once he takes office.â
Geng Xinke got angry. âSister, why am I incapable? Why do you always think I canât do it? You always think my work ability is poor. After everything you said, I donât even have a chance to prove myself! Youâre so domineering!â
Geng Yuehua stared at him. âHow are you talking to me?â
Geng Xinke fell silent, turning his face away with a cold expression.
Lin Pingping was also upset. She wanted her husband to advance in his career, not remain stuck in a small office. But in the Geng family, it was always Geng Yuehua who made the decisions. Even sometimes when Gengâs parents spoke, it didnât have much effect. So Lin Pingping didnât dare to say much.
Seeing that they were arguing, Dong Xuebing couldnât help but chuckle bitterly and interjected, âSecretary Yuehua, donât be in such a hurry to dismiss it. Iâm not asking Xinke to come for personal reasons. Itâs not about favors. Youâve always taken care of me, but work is work. Iâm very clear about that. I canât simply appoint a secretary at random. What Iâm looking at is Xinkeâs ability. My previous secretary was someone I had temporarily selected, someone with good character and a personality that matched mine. At that time, I was starting and needed a trustworthy secretary, so I hired him. However, our county is now set to become a city, and many things will change. My current secretary wonât be able to handle the workload in the future. Thatâs why I thought of letting Xinke help me. Iâve worked with him for many years, and our families are well acquainted, so heâs the most suitable candidate.â
Geng Yuehua coldly replied, âHeâs not capable.â
âXinkeâs fine. I think his work ability is good. For someone our age, we canât expect everyone to be old and flawless. There are people like that, but theyâre mostly senior colleagues. If I, a 27-year-old, hire a 40-50-year-old secretary, do you think thatâs reliable?â Dong Xuebing chuckled. âEven if someone dares to be my secretary, I wouldnât dare to boss them around. The age gap is too big, and it would be awkward at work and in life. Thatâs why I need someone about my age. And among those around, Xinke is the top one. The key is, I trust him completely. Secretary Yuehua, finding a secretary isnât easy. Donât mess this up for me.â
Geng Yuehua furrowed her brows tightly, remaining silent.
Gengâs mother quickly added, âWhat Xiao Dong said makes sense. Heâs looking at Xinkeâs ability. You, as his sister, shouldnât interfere.â
Geng Xinke also didnât want to argue with his sister anymore. âSister.â
Geng Yuehua remained silent, saying nothing.
Seeing this, Dong Xuebing immediately said, âAlright, itâs settled then. Xinke, in about a month or two, our side will finalize things. But you might need to start preparing now. Itâll probably be within this month. Iâll transfer you first so you can get familiar with the environment. Once the county-level city is confirmed, you can be the deputy director of the county party office.â
Lin Pingping glanced at Geng Yuehua, who still hadnât spoken, and felt reassured.
Geng Xinke was very happy. âOkay, thank you, Secretary Dong. Iâll be ready within ten days. Iâll wait for your news.â
Dong Xuebing nodded and looked at Lin Pingping. âIf you two are going together, make sure to plan. After all, moving with a child is not a small matter. Youâll need to consider everything. If Xiao Lin decides to go, let me know, and Iâll arrange a job for her. Of course, itâll probably be at the deputy section or section level, nothing too fancy. Just keep that in mind.â
Geng mother sighed, âXiao Dong, sorry to trouble you again.â
Dong Xuebing smiled, âAuntie, itâs nothing.â
At that moment, Geng Yuehua stood up from the sofa and walked over to grab her bag. âIâll go with Xiao Dong to discuss some matters, and then weâll head back.â
Dong Xuebing also stood up and said, âRight, I need to discuss some things with Secretary Yuehua. Auntie, Uncle, Iâll head out now. Iâll come over another day when I have the chance.â
Gengâs mother said, âWhy donât you stay the night here? Let Xin Ke find a guesthouse for you.â
Dong Xuebing replied, âNo need, Auntie. I have to leave soon, I have other matters to attend to.â
If you find any errors ( Ads popup, ads redirect, broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.