Chapter 2025
Two days later.
Friday noon.
Tomorrow would be the day Xie Ran and Fang Shuiling got engaged. After handling all the affairs with Geng Yuehua and Qu Yunxuan, Dong Xuebing returned to Beijing. Of course, he still had one last person to visitâYu Meixia. Her daughter, Yu Qianqian, had been accepted into university this year, and impressively, it was a university in Beijing. Qianqian was a year older than Xie Hao, but due to family issues, she had missed a year of school and had to beg with her mother. Thatâs why she only just caught up with the college entrance exam this year, a year later than usual. Now the university had been open for some days, and Yu Meixia had moved to Beijing with her daughter, reportedly renting a place near the campus.
Interestinglyâor perhaps not so coincidentallyâQianqian had applied to Dong Xuebingâs alma mater, United University. United University wasnât a prestigious school, had relatively low entry requirements, and offered more spots to students from outside the capital. That might be why Qianqian chose it. She was a good student, but not exactly top-tier in the entire provinceâmore middle-of-the-pack.
After getting off the plane, Dong Xuebing called Yu Meixia.
âBig Sis Yu, Iâve arrived in Beijing. Letâs meet up. Where are you?â
Yu Meixia was surprised, âIâm in the place we rented.â
Dong Xuebing replied, âNear Qianqianâs school. Alright, I know the way.â
âYou know it? Should I come get you?â Yu Meixia asked hurriedly.
Dong Xuebing chuckled, âI studied at United for four years. Of course, I know the way. Donât worry about itâmake sure you and Qianqian donât eat. Iâll be there in about two hours.â
âOkay, weâll wait for you,â Yu Meixia said.
This time, Dong Xuebing didnât take a taxi because he thought it would be slow and there might be traffic. Instead, he took the airport express to Dongzhimen, transferred to the subway, and then finally hailed a cab to his old villa at the Sijiqing Bridge.
As soon as he arrived, the place was bustling.
âPut it here, put it here!â
âDonât bring the fireworks out yet!â
âMove the lanterns a bit to the leftâyes, yes, like that!â
More than ten people, most of whom Dong Xuebing didnât recognize. They looked pretty young, likely Xie Ranâs friends and classmates.
Dong Xuebing had already given the villa to Xie Ran and Fang Shuiling as their marital home, which was something the Fang family had requested as part of the bride price. Tomorrow was their engagement. While not as grand as a wedding, it was still a big deal. Naturally, the house needed to be decorated at least a bit, especially since the couple would be starting to live there after the engagement.
âYou areâŠ?â someone asked as they saw Dong Xuebing.
Dong Xuebing replied, âCarry on with your work, donât mind me.â
Just then, Xie Ran came out of the villa.
âOh wow, Brother-in-law, youâre back!â
Dong Xuebing waved and smiled, âJust got off the plane. I know youâre all busyâIâm just here to pick up a car. Itâs too inconvenient without one.â
Brother-in-law.
Xie Ranâs brother-in-law.
Many people who were aware of the situation looked at Dong Xuebing curiously and with surprise. Some had long heard of his infamous nicknameâThe God of Plague. They hadnât expected him to look so ordinary, not outstanding at all. Was this the legendary Dong Xuebing?
But Dong Xuebing ignored their looks. He entered the garage and drove out the black Porsche sports car he had previously bought for Huilan, then sped off. His Land Rover was still back in Shaanbei. This Porsche was the only car he had in Beijing, and since he had already given away the house, he figured he might as well claim the car before it disappeared, too.
1:30 p.m.
United University, at the school gate.
Yu Meixia arrived and called her daughter, informing her that Dong Xuebing was coming. Not long after, Yu Qianqian came out excitedly with three of her dorm mates.
âMom!â Qianqian called out.
Yu Meixia replied, âThese are your classmates?â
âYes, theyâre my good friends from the dorm,â Qianqian said, introducing them.
A cheerful girl smiled and said, âHello, Aunt Yu. Qianqian talks about you all the time.â
Yu Meixia wasnât very good at social interaction and said awkwardly, âHello to you, too.â
Suddenly, a silver Audi sports car sped toward them and screeched to a halt in front of the group.
Qianqianâs roommate pouted, âThis Sun Bang again. Why is he back?â
Another girl snorted, âHeâs so annoying. Doesnât he know Qianqian isnât into him? Just because heâs got some money doesnât mean he can keep pestering her.â
The third roommate, a chubby girl, stepped in front of Qianqian, âDonât worry, Qianqian. If Sun Bang dares bother you again, Iâll sit on him!â
That made everyone laugh.
Qianqian looked embarrassed. âMomâŠâ
Yu Meixiaâs expression darkened. âWhatâs going on?â
âHe started chasing me on the first day of school. I donât like him at all, but he wonât leave me alone,â Qianqian said softly, like sheâd done something wrong.
âItâs not your fault,â the chubby roommate reassured her.
From the Audi stepped a not-so-handsome young man, probably in his early twenties, likely a few years above Qianqian.
âQianqian,â Sun Bang said affectionately.
Qianqian turned away, pretending not to see him.
âWhat do you want?â the chubby roommate demanded.
âI just want to invite Qianqian to dinner,â Sun Bang said. âYouâre all welcome to join too. Hey, whoâs this? She looks just like Qianqian.â
âIâm her mother,â Yu Meixia said coldly.
Sun Bang laughed awkwardly, âOh, I see! Hello, Maâam, Iâm Sun Bang, a junior. Iâm thrilled to meet you.â
Yu Meixia ignored him, watching him warily.
Sun Bang turned back to Qianqian, âCome on, Qianqian, bring your momâwe can all go have Western food.â
âYou still donât get it?â a skinny roommate snapped. âShe doesnât like you.â
Sun Bang grinned shamelessly, âFeelings can grow over time. Come on, hop in the car.â He was clearly showing off. After all, driving an Audi to campus did get attention.
âIâm not going,â Qianqian said.
âCome on,â Sun Bang insisted.
Yu Meixia was getting angry. âWhatâs wrong with you?â
Just then, a black Porsche with Beijing plates ending in 9999 roared up. This car wasnât even in the same league as the Audiâone cost a few hundred thousand, the other a few million. Even the engine sound was worlds apart. The Porsche immediately drew attention.
Dong Xuebing had arrived. When he saw Yu Meixiaâs irritated face, his expression turned cold. He knew she was gentle and even a bit timidâif she looked like this, she must be furious.
He stopped the car with a screech, got out, and said, âSis Yu, Qianqian.â
âXuebing,â Yu Meixia said quickly.
âUncle!â Qianqian called out happily.
Qianqianâs roommates were stunned. They hadnât expected her to know someone this wealthy.
Sun Bang saw the Porsche and instantly lost his confidence. Not just because of the carâs price, but also the license plate: Beijing 9999âthat meant serious status.
Dong Xuebing asked in a low voice, âWhatâs going on?â
Yu Meixia explained, âHe keeps bothering Qianqian even though sheâs not interested.â
Dong Xuebing looked at Sun Bang. âYou? Chasing our little Qianqian?â He scoffed. âDrive that and you think youâre somebody?â
Sun Bang retorted, âAnd who are you?â
Dong Xuebing snapped, âNone of your business. Iâll count to threeâget lost. And if you ever pester Qianqian again, donât blame me for getting ugly.â
Sun Bang shouted, âWhy should I leave just because you say so?â
Dong Xuebing smirked. âOh? You wanna go head-to-head with me, huh?â
Sun Bang thought Dong Xuebing looked youngâmaybe only a few years olderâso he didnât want to back down and lose face.
By now, a crowd had gathered, all university students excited by the commotion.
A school leader walked over with a frown. âWhatâs going on here?â
âVice Principal Zhang!â a student called out.
Vice Principal Zhang thought it was a fight at first, but when he got closer and saw Dong Xuebingâs face, he exclaimed in surprise, âIsnât this Director Dong?â
Dong Xuebing smiled, âHey, Vice Principal Zhang.â
The last time United University had an anniversary celebration, Dong Xuebing had attended in his capacity as Director of the Discipline Inspection Commission.
âWhat happened here?â Zhang looked around.
Dong Xuebing smiled, âNothing serious, just a small issue. I can handle itâno need to trouble you.â
He turned back to Sun Bang. âIâm counting to three. If you donât leave, donât blame me. Three⊠twoââ
Before he even got to âone,â Sun Bang scurried back to his car and drove off. He had realized the truthâthis guy was not ordinary. The Porsche, the plate, Vice Principal Zhang treating him so respectfully, and most tellingly, that titleââDirector Dong.â
Director.
It would be one thing if he were a director in a private company, but if it were in a government department or a state-owned entityâŠ
Sun Bang wasnât stupid. He could tell from Zhangâs attitude that Dong Xuebing was probably a real government officialâand possibly a compelling one. Sun Bang couldnât afford to mess with someone like that. Not even his parents could.
Seeing that he knew when to retreat, Dong Xuebing let it go, rubbed Qianqianâs head, and said, âAlright, problem solved.â
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