Power and Wealth
Chapter 1284 – Former neighbors
Afternoon.
After 1 p.m.
“I got to go, Second Uncle, Second Aunt.”
“What’s the rush? Chat a while longer.”
“Another day. It’s hard for you two to have a day off. I shall not bother you.”
“Let me get a car to send you. You are not driving, right?”
“No need. I can get a cab. Have a good rest with Second Aunt.”
“All right. Drop by when you are free. Oh, don’t create trouble recently. Focus on being a good Executive Deputy County Mayor. Your file in the military has the same security level as Senior Xie. This is unheard of. This shows how many troubles you have created. People on the ground might not know you, but many higher-ups are watching you. Watch out.”
“Huh? OK. I will try my best.”
Senior Xie’s file also requires the highest security level to access.
That’s right. This is because of his former position. Dong Xuebing had the same level because of the things he had done.
“I hope you will keep it in your mind. Let me know if you need help. I will help if I can. You don’t need to appear every time.” Xie Guojian would not say this in the past. But he has this authority after his transfer.
Dong Xuebing replied. “Thank you, Second Uncle.”
Ci Lifen added. “Be careful on your way back. Don’t knock into your wounds.”
Dong Xuebing nodded. “Yes. Please go back, Second Aunt.”
Dong Xuebing left the family quarters and walked to the nearest street to get a cab to his former one-bedroom apartment.
North He Ping Street.
Dong Xuebing’s former apartment.
Dong Xuebing opened the door and entered. It’s been a while since he came back. Aunt Xuan went to work in Fen Zhou City, and no one cleaned up the apartment. The apartment was dusty and had a moldy smell. He opened the windows quickly to air it and started cleaning up. He has a villa in Beijing, and the villa has a swimming pool. But he still likes this old apartment. He has lots of memories of this place. He felt at peace whenever he came.
Dong Xuebing’s phone rang when he was wiping the windows.
Dong Xuebing wiped his hand and looked at his phone. It was Sister Xu Yan. He answered and switched to hands-free mode.
“Hello, Sister Xu.”
“What are you doing?”
“Haha… I am doing some household chores.”
“You know how to do household chores?”
“Of course. I returned to my old apartment to clean it.”
Xu Yan laughed. “I heard you enjoyed yourself in Hong Kong. Is it true?”
Dong Xuebing was dumbfounded. “You heard about it?”
“Old Zhang returned to Florida and told me over the phone.” Xu Yan said.
Dong Xuebing cleared his throat. “I… When you told me she received a threatening letter, I worried about her safety. She cared for me in the US. I don’t like to owe anyone, so I went without telling you.”
“Old Zhang told me everything. If it was not for you, her life might be in danger. I heard you all were attacked by over twenty people.”
“Yes. They are a bunch of hooligans.”
“You also helped Old Zhang settle her company’s financial issues.”
“Yes. We won some money at the casino.”
“Thank you.”
“Why are you thanking me? Sis Zhang thanked me before. It’s not a big deal.”
“Old Zhang is my best friend. You helped her means you helped me. I must thank you. Of course, I will reprimand you, too. You have not recovered from your injuries. Why did you go and get into fights? I was worried sick when Old Zhang told me what happened.”
“Ah… I am fine and came back.” Dong Xuebing quickly changed the topic. He said. “Oh, you say you want to thank me. How are you going to thank me?”
“Haha… how do you want me to thank you?”
“Err… like this. Anyway, I will look for you when I go back.”
“You are getting ahead of yourself now.” Xu Yan said. “Stop talking about these. How long are you going to stay in Beijing? Are you leaving today?”
“I am not leaving today. Maybe tomorrow or the day after that.”
“OK. Wait for me. I am reaching.”
“Huh? Why are you coming here?”
“I am on my way. It’s my off day today and tomorrow. I am going to Beijing to meet my ex-husband to talk about the custody of our son. My son wants to stay with me, and I am going to court to get his custody.”
“Oh, Zhaozhao should stay with you.”
“I will visit you after I am done with my stuff.”
“OK. Do you want to have dinner at my place? I will prepare if you are coming.”
“OK. I will do my errands first and should reach your place after 6 p.m.”
“I will text you my address.”
“All right. Let’s stop chatting now. I am driving. See you later.”
Dong Xuebing sent his address to Sister Xu after they hung up. He continued to clean his apartment. Although he could only move one hand, he managed to clean his kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. Xu Yan is coming, and his apartment must be clean. Oh, he got to change the bedsheets too.
Dong Xuebing took out the blanket and bedsheets.
He sunned the blanket and washed the bedsheets.
Two hours passed, and Dong Xuebing was still busy cleaning the apartment.
Dong Xuebing looked at the time. It’s after 5 p.m. He left for the market to buy groceries. The old market was still around.
“Eh, Xuebing?” A woman, who was carrying a basket, called.
A few elderlies recognized Dong Xuebing after that woman called him. “Ah, you are Xiaoping’s son.”
Dong Xuebing smiled. “Aunt Liu, Granny Chen, Grandpa Zhang.”
They were former neighbors, and they were close.
Aunt Liu walked over. “When did you come back, Xuebing?”
“I just got back. I am getting groceries for dinner. Haha…” Dong Xuebing replied.
Aunt Liu smiled. “I heard you are a great leader now. Why do you need to cook for yourself?”
Dong Xuebing laughed. “I prepare my dinner when my wife is not around. Food prices are high now. It is expensive to eat outside.” He was modest. Although he is a millionaire, he does not spend recklessly. He is willing to spend on his mother and wife but seldom splurges on himself. He would cook or eat at roadside restaurants when he was alone.
Aunt Liu pulled Dong Xuebing. “Come and eat at my house.”
“Thanks, Aunt Liu. Another day, perhaps.” Dong Xuebing rejected her politely.
“Let’s go.” Aunt Liu pretended to be angry. “Do you want to make me angry?”
Dong Xuebing shook his hand. “No… I have a guest visiting tonight.”
Aunt Liu said. “Oh, you have a guest. Never mind, then. Your guest must be a leader, too.”
Granny Chen said. “Of course. I heard from Yunxuan’s mother that Xiao Bing is a County Mayor. He became a high-ranking officer at his age. He will have a bright future.”
Dong Xuebing quickly corrected her. “It’s Deputy. Deputy Mayor.”
Aunt Liu said. “Deputy Mayor is still a Mayor. I knew you were extraordinary when you were young.”
Dong Xuebing laughed. “Stop teasing me. I am only a small civil servant.”
“Not small. Remember Old Xu? That guy who moved out. He worked in the government and was only a Section Chief at fifty. You are only twenty-five, and you are a Mayor. Haha… He cannot compare with you. If Section Chief Xu knows your rank now, he will be mad.” Aunt Liu laughed. “Old Xu and his child insist on offending you, and they looked down upon you. You are more successful than him now.”
“Section Chief Xu’s life is also difficult.” Dong Xuebing replied.
“Stop speaking up for them, Xuebing.” Aunt Liu smacked her lips.
“That’s right. They are snobs and think their status is higher than everyone else’s. Look at you now. Your rank is much higher than Old Xu, and you did not put on airs.”
“Xuebing has grown up.”
“Xiaoping had taught her son well.”
“That’s right. I must learn from her when she returns. My son does not listen to me. I hope he can be as successful as Xuebing.”
Xiao Dong?
Section Chief Xu?
Dong Xuebing recalled the time when he took the civil servant exams. He no longer hates Section Chief Xu and his family. Maybe he has grown up and experienced a lot in the past few years. He is more forgiving now.
The neighbors were excited to see Dong Xuebing.
Dong Xuebing chatted with them when he bought his groceries. He missed this neighborhood after so long. It took him over an hour to finish shopping, as he spent most of the time chatting with his former neighbors.