Power and Wealth

Airport lobby.

Several people met.

The term "old foes meet on a narrow road" might be the most appropriate for the current situation. Adding any other words to describe it would seem redundant.

Xu Dong.

Xu Xianglin.

It had been a full three years.

He never expected to run into old acquaintances.

This father-and-son pair were old acquaintances of Dong Xuebing. Going back a few years, when Dong Xuebing had just graduated from university and obtained this inexplicable tability, he and Xu Dong were preparing for the civil service examination together. Chief Xu and Xu Dong were neighbors of Dong Xuebing and his mother, living upstairs and downstairs. Because Director Xu was a cadre in the customs, they held themselves in high regard in their area and always looked down on Dong Xuebing and his mother, Lu'an Xiaoping. There were quite a few conflicts between the two families. The most significant conflict happened when Dong Xuebing was appointed Deputy Section Chief of the State Security General Affairs Office. They had a big argument in their corridor, ultimately falling out. But they didn't know Dong Xuebing already had a bit of power. At that time, Dong Xuebing's colleague Guo Panwei came. Guo Panwei's uncle was a leader in the customs, and his rank was much higher than Chief Xu's. Chief Xu had to yield, and from then on, he becsubmissive and lost face. The last tDong Xuebing returned to his old house, he overheard his neighbors talking about the past with relish. Chief Xu, with his wife and children, eventually moved away. As for what happened to this family afterward, Dong Xuebing didn't know. He had lost contact with them, so he was pretty surprised to see Director Xu and his son at the small airport in Xiaxing City. However, after sthought, it was normal for Xu Xianglin to be assigned or promoted to this place, considering he used to work in the customs.

"Chief Xu, when did you transfer here?"

"About two or three years ago. I also owe a bit of your blessing for that."

"Is that so? I'm not sure about that."

Seeing that Xu Xianglin didn't shake hands with him, Dong Xuebing just smiled. He withdrew his hand and sat down in the rest area.

Xu Dong looked at Dong Xuebing indifferently, memories stirring in his heart. They were old enemies. Naturally, he hated Dong Xuebing to the core. If it weren't for him, he wouldn't have been unlucky back then, and his father wouldn't have been marginalized in the unit. As a result, he was reassigned here. But now, Xu Dong was satisfied with his life. Xiaxing City had beautiful mountains and rivers, and the environment was good. Moreover, his father had climbed up again. He was now the main person in charge of the airport. Although this place was small, because of its size, authority was more concentrated. At least around the airport area, under Xu Xianglin's authority, Xu Dong could almost do as he pleased.

Hatred

Maybe it wasn't as intense anymore.

It was more of a resentment towards Dong Xuebing.

Xu Dong glanced at his father, hoping he would deal with Dong Xuebing properly. There was no need for Xu Xianglin. Xu Dong figured he could make Dong Xuebing feel nauseous on his own. He didn't know about Dong Xuebing's recent situation, only knowing that Dong Xuebing had been appointed Deputy Chief of a State Security department back then. Although it was just a Deputy Section Chief level position, it was not even a cadre, and even if he had been promoted in recent years, it wouldn't be much. This was Xiaxing City, their territory. It was not easy to catch up with their old foe. It would be strange if they let him go, especially since Dong Xuebing had offended Zheng Fei, the leader of the Agricultural Bureau. Then, he was in for a hard time.

Xu Xianglin didn't look at his son's expression, but he knew what he was thinking. He looked at Dong Xuebing and said, "Although we have spersonal acquaintances, work is work. I will handle it fairly." Many people were watching, and Xu Xianglin said it with dignity.

Zheng Fei understood and chuckled.

Dong Xuebing asked, "Then how should we handle official matters?"

Xu Xiangling said, "You were the one who cursed first and even resorted to physical violence, which is disrupting the order at the airport."

Dong Xuebing chuckled and replied, "Did you hearcurse first? Did you seeinitiate physical violence first? You've only just arrived for a minute and already concluded. Is this what you call fair treatment?"

The surrounding bystanders, not fools themselves, understood the situation quite well. However, they couldn't afford to offend these officials. They could only whisper and gossip, feeling that this young man was probably in trouble. Meeting so many officials, Dong Xuebing, was bound to suffer today. Using their authority to suppress others was something they had witnessed often. In their small community, connections were everything. If you had connections, you were the boss. If not, you just had to endure it. Nobody would stand up for you.

Xu Xianglin coldly retorted, "It wasn't you who initiated the violence. Wasn't it Director Zheng, a cadre, who hit you first?"

Dong Xuebing exclaimed, "You're already prejudging the situation. Just because someone is a cadre, does that mean they can hit others first? Do cadres have immunity? Can cadres prevent you from investigating and directly label the situation?" He paused before pointing to the side, "Many people were present just now, and many saw who initiated the violence. Everyone knows it best."

Indeed, someone had witnessed it. They saw Zheng Fei lift his arm and hit Dong Xuebing first. However, from their recent understanding, everyone knew that Zheng Fei was a cadre. At this point, nobody stood up to speak up for Dong Xuebing. There was no need for that. Everyone pretended not to have seen it. You couldn't afford to offend leaders like them.

No one spoke up.

The scene suddenly quieted down.

Xu Xianglin looked around and sarcastically remarked, "You claimed that everyone saw it, but why didn't I see anyone testifying for you?"

Dong Xuebing shrugged, "Because you all are cadres."

Zheng Fei sneered, "You're just whining." Then he looked at Xu Xianglin and said, "Old Xu, just handle this matter as you see fit, quickly. I have to go back in the afternoon."

Xu Xianglin nodded, "Okay, but we have to follow the procedure."

"I still have time. I can wait for an hour." Zheng Fei didn't leave. He just wanted to see how they would deal with Dong Xuebing. He was annoyed today. His arm, twisted by Dong Xuebing, still felt sore. Sometimes, a person's life was just about persevering, and cadres were no exception.

Xu Xianglin turned around and said, "Contact the airport police station."

Father and son agreed in unison, and Xu Dong immediately made the call.

Dong Xuebing had anticipated this. "Are you not going to review the surveillance footage?"

After Xu Dong made the call, he retorted, "The police station will handle it. You don't need to teach us."

A few minutes later, the police station sent a few officers, led by a stout, short deputy director. After exchanging a few words with Xu Xianglin, he nodded slightly, indicating he understood, then turned to Zheng Fei and greeted him politely.

"Is everything alright, Director Zheng?"

"Still hanging in there."

"Where are you injured?"

"Just twisted my arm a bit. You guys handle it."

"Alright, rest assured. We'll give you an explanation."

He didn't even glance at Dong Xuebing, his attitude already clear.

They reviewed the footage.

Checked the records.

Verified their identities.

Once everything was done, the airport police station deputy Chief approached Dong Xuebing and said firmly, "You wait here for now."

Dong Xuebing said, "Why should I wait here?"

"Why?!" The deputy director's tone was firm, "You cursed and hit someone, disrupting the airport's order. Now that things have cto this, do you still want to leave? What do you think this place is?"

Xu Xianglin, Xu Dong, and Zheng Fei were all coldly observing from the sidelines.

Pointing to Zheng Fei, Dong Xuebing asked, "Then what about him? Check the surveillance footage. Who made the first move?"

The deputy director glared, "We've checked everything we needed to. You stay here obediently and reflect on your actions. Once you have a proper attitude, then you can leave."

Xu Xianglin added, "There's no need to talk to him anymore. Control him."

The deputy chief nodded and called over two policemen. They stood in front and behind Dong Xuebing, not handcuffing him but preventing movement. Perhaps he had heard from Xu Xianglin that this young man might be a cadre, so he didn't employ harsher measures. However, being a cadre didn't matter here; they had to follow their orders.

The situation was set.

The bystanders began to discuss heatedly.

It was evident they were protecting each other, and speople couldn't bear to watch, but they didn't dare to speak up.

Zheng Fei thought Dong Xuebing would get angry or shout or maybe plead or apologize. To his surprise, Dong Xuebing didn't react at all. He remained seated there as if the matter had nothing to do with him.

Xu Dong sneered and said to the crowd, "Everyone, disperse."

Xu Xianglin said, "Stop looking and don't disrupt the order."

People moved away, but many still lingered nearby, watching.

Xu Xianglin then looked at Dong Xuebing and said, "You have nothing else to say?"

"I do," Dong Xuebing replied, "But there's no point in saying it to you."

The deputy director interjected, "Why are you in Xiaxing City? Are you here for tourism or to visit relatives?"

"My wife works here," Dong Xuebing shrugged.

"Alright, then giveyour wife's phone number. We'll wait for her to cover before deciding how to proceed," the deputy chief instructed.

Zheng Fei nodded, and Xu Xianglin and Xu Dong seemed quite satisfied. This move was mainly to irritate Dong Xuebing.

At this, Dong Xuebing's expression turned strange. "Do you need to contact my wife? She's quite busy with work."

The deputy director becirritated. "Stop bargaining with us. Give us the number. If she doesn't cimmediately, you won't leave today either."

Xu Xianglin looked at Dong Xuebing and said, "Cooperate."

Dong Xuebing couldn't help but find it amusing. "So, you really want my wife's number?"

"What nonsense!" Xu Dong was also angry. "At this point, you're still bargaining? Can't you see the situation?"

Nevertheless, Dong Xuebing persisted, "Letconfirm again. Are you sure you want my wife's number?"

Xu Xianglin was impatient. "Sure. Will you give it, or should we get it ourselves?"

"Fine, go ahead and call," Dong Xuebing relented, reciting the number.