Power and Wealth
Chapter 369 – Xiao Dong’s performance!
8.10 pm.
The Ball had been ongoing for some time.
One song… three songs… five songs…
After dancing with Xie Huilan, Dong Xuebing became very busy. First, Hu Silian, followed by Luo Haiting, a Civil Affairs Bureau female leader in her forties from the Civil Affairs Bureau, and female staff from the County Party Committee Hostel. After dancing with the female staff, a young lady from the County’s Art Troupe invited Dong Xuebing boldly. The rest of the dancers from the troupe started inviting Dong Xuebing. Despite having good stamina, Dong Xuebing was exhausted after so many dances.
Dong Xuebing seldom rejects women and accepted all their invitations.
Everyone at the ball realized that Chief Dong is very popular with the ladies.
Especially for older female leaders, all of them seem to want to dance with him.
But this is not surprising. Other than being a legendary figure in Yan Tai County, Dong Xuebing’s age is his advantage. Most male leaders are in their forties or fifties, and Dong Xuebing is the youngest. Compared to those old men, which woman doesn’t want to dance with a young man?
Luo Haiting is another popular figure at the Ball. She still has her charms and can dance well. Also, she never rejected anyone who asked her for a dance. So, most male leaders would rather ask her than getting rejected by Xie Huilan and Hu Silian. Dong Xuebing is pleased as Luo Haiting, and he is representing the Investment Promotion Agency. But Sister Luo, can you bring your passion for dancing to your work? Dong Xuebing wanted to speak to her about her dressing these days but doesn’t know how to say it. Luo Haiting’s attention is not at her work, but nothing had happened yet, and Dong Xuebing cannot reprimand her.
“Xiao Dong!” Someone called.
Dong Xuebing looked around and saw Xie Huilan calling him.
Xie Huilan smiled and waved him over. “Come over. You are finally free. Haha.”
Dong Xuebing quickly walks over. “Mayor Xie.”
“It’s so hard to call you over. I wanted to call you a few times, but you were dancing.” Xie Huilan laughed. “The Ball will be ending soon, and the final program for tonight is a dance performance by the Arts Troupe. But Party Secretary Xiang and I felt this performance is not interesting enough. Did you prepare any magic tricks to perform? The dancers from the Art Troupe can be your backup dancers. How is it? If you don’t have any tricks prepared, it’s fine as this is too last minute.”
Dong Xuebing blinked and lowered his voice. “Dance and magic show? Can both go together?”
“Why not?”
“Err… I can perform my magic tricks anytime. But… is this a good idea?”
Xie Huilan looked at Dong Xuebing. “I think you should show your face more often in front of other leaders. What do you think?”
“Alright.” Dong Xuebing knew this must not be Xie Huilan’s idea. But since Sister Xie did not say anything, he is fine with it.
8.30 pm.
The Ball is coming to an end.
The music stopped, and Hu Silian walks up the stage. She held the microphone and represented the County Government to thank everyone for attending. After that, she smiled and said. “This will be the last song for tonight, and we have the honor of having our Investment Promotion Agency’s Chief Dong to perform magic for us.” She walked down the stage, and the music started.
Clap… clap… clap…
Many people are looking forward to watching Dong Xuebing’s magic performance. Dong Xuebing’s performance at the Lunar New Year Celebration had left a deep impression.
The magic performance is additional, and dancing is the focus of this Ball. Many people are still dancing on the dance floor, and they moved aside to give the dancers from the Arts Troupe some space. The dancers started dancing in front of the stage, and this is the last song. Many people started to find partners to dance, and even Xiang Daofa invited Hu Silian to dance. Ding Li had also invited Luo Haiting to dance.
Dong Xuebing walks up the stage with the props he got the staff prepared earlier.
A big piece of cloth, a coin, and a marker.
Dong Xuebing smiles as he held the microphone. “Good evening, everyone. It is an honor to perform at this Ball. Because this performance is decided at the last minute by Mayor Xie and Party Secretary Xiang, I did not bring any props with me, and I can only perform a simple trick.” The people dancing turned and look at Dong Xuebing. Dong Xuebing held the 1 RMB coin up. “This is 1 RMB. It is a real coin issued by the state and is not a magic prop.”
Someone laughed.
Dong Xuebing looked around and asked. “Are there any leaders who are not dancing willing to help me with my performance?”
Most people are dancing on the dance floor, and Zhao Xinglong walks over with a smile. “Can I help?”
“Thank you, Mayor Zhao.” Dong Xuebing passed the coin to him. “Please check this coin and if it is alright, write something on it with this market. You can write anything on it.” Zhao Xinglong examined the coin and wrote the word ‘Zhao’ on it with the market. Dong Xuebing thanked him and showed the coin to everyone. “Mayor Xie had written the word ‘Zhao’ on it. I believe this coin is unique, and no other coins in this world are the same as this coin.”
The people dancing slowed down as they knew Dong Xuebing is going to perform the trick.
Some even stopped dancing and looked at the stage. They want to see Chief Dong’s performance.
“Now, let us witness this miracle!”
Dong Xuebing placed the coin on a table and covered it with that piece of red cloth. He showed the front and back of his hands to the audience and waved them around as if he is casting some spells. This is not the first time, and Dong Xuebing had gotten good at it.
STOP!
Time stopped!
Dong Xuebing looked at the people frozen in their tracks and took out the coin from under the cloth. He walked off the stage to someone dancing on the dance floor and returned to his previous spot about ten seconds later. He got back to his previous pose and mumbled.
STOP!
……
Time resumed!
Dong Xuebing suddenly smiled and slapped down on the cloth. “Har!”
“Alright!” Dong Xuebing lifted the cloth slowly and waved it around. The coin had disappeared.
Huh? Only a handful of the audience is clapping.
This is not a bad magic trick, but Dong Xuebing’s last performance is too boring. Dong Xuebing made ten bricks disappear in his last performance. This time, it is only a coin, and the audience is disappointed. No one can hide ten bricks on themselves, but anyone can hide a coin easily.
Dong Xuebing laughed. “Why is there not much response? Haha… my performance is not over yet.”
“Huh?” Many people were surprised.
Dong Xuebing continued. “This is the real miracle.”
Dong Xuebing managed to excite the crowd again.
Dong Xuebing rubbed his palms together and looked at Xiang Daofa, who was dancing. “Secretary Xiang. Sorry to disturb you. Can you check your right pocket?”
Everyone turned to Xiang Daofa.
Xiang Daofa let go of Hu Silian’s hand and reached into his right pants pocket. He frowned as he touched something cold and hard. It is a coin, but Xiang Daofa has never put anything in this pocket. How did this coin get into his pocket? He took out the coin and looks at it. He paused and smiled before passing the coin to Hu Silian.
Hu Silian examined the coin and held it up.
Everyone saw the back of the coin. It is the word ‘Zhao’ written by Zhao Xinglong earlier!
Everyone gasped, and a few young ladies from the Art Troupe covered their mouths in shock.
What is going on?
Zhao Xinglong doesn’t believe it is true and walks over to examine the coin. After examining for a few seconds, he turned to the rest and said. “This is my handwriting, and this is indeed the coin earlier.” He started clapping as this is a superb magic trick.
The stage is more than 10 meters from Xiang Daofa! How can the coin get into Xiang Daofa’s pocket from the table without anyone, including Xiang Daofa, realizing it? Damn! How did Chief Dong do it? Dong Xuebing had not left the stage! This is unbelievable! Of course, no one can guess that Dong Xuebing had stopped time and place the coin into Xiang Daofa’s pocket. They thought this is Chief Dong’s magic tricks!
Dong Xuebing knew his performance is a success from everyone’s reaction. He smiled and got ready to leave the stage.
But at this moment, a woman screamed. “Ahhh…”
It was Luo Haiting, who was dancing with Ding Li.
Many people turned to look at them. Dong Xuebing thought why Sister Luo’s reaction is so slow? Her reaction is half a minute slower than others. Eh? Wait a minute. Dong Xuebing noticed something is off. Luo Haiting looks mad and had stopped dancing. She pulled back her left hand from Ding Li and stormed off the dance floor. Her gasp is not because of Dong Xuebing’s magic performance!