Power and Wealth

Evening.

In the provincial capital.

At 8:40 PM, stars adorned the night sky.

Outside a star-rated hotel, the Land Rover and the bus stopped at the entrance. Dong Xuebing, without bothering about the star rating, chose a hotel near the airport, entered the lobby, and arranged rooms for the foreign guests who had accompanied him. Over the past few days, Dong Xuebing had become friends with these foreign visitors. Despite their insistence on paying, Dong Xuebing naturally refused, personally footing the bill for the best rooms. For Dong Xuebing, it was a matter of respect, and if he ignored these investors right after they had completed their investment, it would create a negative impression. Besides, even if he couldn't reimburse these expenses later, Dong Xuebing could afford it. Considering his and Huilan's assets, including several hundred million RMB worth of pink diamonds, Dong Xuebing's real estate, and bank deposits, he was much wealthier than the least affluent among these foreign investors. Of course, excluding Zhang Longjuan, who owned a company worth over a billion, Dong Xuebing couldn't compete.

After busy arrangements.

In the blink of an eye, it was nine o'clock.

Dong Xuebing accompanied them upstairs, inquired about their needs individually, and finally agreed on the time to pick them up the next morning. Only then did he and Zhang Longjuan go downstairs and leave the hotel.

"Shall we go?"

"Yes, let's go."

"I'll inform Ms. Xu."

"Yes, ask Ms. Xu to inform the gatekeeper."

"That old guy has a big attitude; if we don't inform him, we won't get in."

"Cough, it's the residence for the families of the State Security and the dormitory of a bureau-level unit. Definitely won't work."

The car drove on.

After more than twenty minutes.

The car stopped outside a secluded residential area. The buildings inside weren't new or old, about ten years old. There were no signs outside, and the electric iron gate was closed. The guard on duty came out when he saw the light, glanced at the license plate, and went back to the room without saying anything and opened the gate with a creak. It was evident that Xu Yan had informed them. Dong Xuebing smoothly drove the car in.

Building No. 2.

Third floor.

Dong Xuebing knocked on the door.

A few seconds later, the door opened. Xu Yan's face appeared.

"Sister Xu," Dong Xuebing said.

Xu Yan nodded, "Come in."

Zhang Longjuan smiled, "Old Xu, did you make a midnight snack for me?"

Xu Yan looked at her, "Hungry? Make it yourself; I won't serve you."

Zhang Longjuan laughed, "Look. The treatment is different. Whenever I hear that Xiao Bing is coming to your place, you always eagerly make meals for your little boyfriend."

Xu Yan said, "Stop joking. We're not that young anymore."

"Haha, I'm just kidding. Look, the treatment is different. I heard that when you entertain Xiao Bing at your place, you always enthusiastically cook for your little boyfriend."

Dong Xuebing certainly dared not enter without being invited. Seeing that Sister Xu's home had wooden floors, he took off his shoes at the entrance and casually picked up a pair of slippers to put on.

Xu Yan and Zhang Longjuan continued chatting.

"Old Zhang, you seem to be getting older recently."

"Oh, why does that sound like what I wanted to tell you?"

"Hehe, am I old? I feel younger lately."

"Haha, you are getting younger. You have a young man who moisturizes and feeds you every day. If you don't feel young, it's strange. Look at this radiant face."

"The child is listening behind; don't talk nonsense."

Both are mature women, but one is steady while the other is unrestrained. Each has her charming side. The two mature and beautiful women sat on the sofa, creating a lively atmosphere. Dong Xuebing also watched with some envy, thinking how beautiful it would be to sit between them and embrace each one. Of course, it was just a fleeting thought, not to mention embracing two; he didn't even dare to embrace one now.

After chatting for a while.

Xu Yan looked at Dong Xuebing and said, "Are you hungry, Xuebing?"

Dong Xuebing touched his nose, "It's okay, a little bit."

Xu Yan nodded, "Then let me, prepare something for you."

Zhang Longjuan made a sarcastic remark again, "Look! When I'm hungry, no one cares, but when Xiao Bing is hungry, certain people get so concerned."

Xu Yan pointed at her, "Your mouth is always so improper."

Zhang Longjuan raised her eyebrows, "Xiao Bing is still so young, and you dare to eat. Which one of us is more improper?"

Xu Yan helplessly said, "I have nothing to do with Xuebing, and you keep holding onto it."

Zhang Longjuan smiled, "Haha, I find it hard to believe you. You old lady, just pretend. Regardless of what happens, we both know in our hearts, right?"

Dong Xuebing was also blushing and couldn't bear it.

Xu Yan glanced at Dong Xuebing, "Ignore her; that's how she is."

Dong Xuebing coughed, "Well, then, let me cook. Sister Xu, you talk to Sister Zhang. You two old classmates don't meet often."

Zhang Longjuan pulled Xu Yan's arm, "Right, there are some things I need to ask you. Let's be honest."

In the kitchen.

Dong Xuebing walked in, looked around, and started preparing food. Xu Yan's house was spacious. Although it was a two-bedroom apartment, it was one of those large two-bedroom layouts with two living rooms. Xu Yan was currently a deputy bureau chief, so her treatment was naturally different. The configuration of the apartment also indicated this, and the interior decoration and furniture were all top-notch. Therefore, Dong Xuebing was very careful when cooking in such a clean home, fearing he might make a mess.

Outside, fragments of their conversation could be faintly heard.

"When are you leaving?"

"The plane is tomorrow morning, leaving for the airport early."

"Then, have an early night's sleep. Don't miss the plane tomorrow."

"Well, I need to eat and drink enough before sleeping, and I haven't taken a shower yet."

"I haven't showered either. Otherwise, you go first, and I'll shower when you're having dinner."

"Xiao Bing is still cooking, probably early. Haha, I think we can shower together. Is the bathroom in your house big enough? Are you getting fat? Don't squeeze me out."

"Who's fat, we both know in our hearts. Hehe."

"Challenging me? Let's go. Let's see who's fatter when undressed."

"When we were young, you were fatter than me. Now that we're older, it's hard to say. Haha."

The two of them never stayed idle for a moment. After a few serious sentences, they started bantering again.

Then the bathroom door closed, and some laughter and sarcasm could still be heard from inside, but later it became unclear. Dong Xuebing glanced outside, knowing that the two women had gone to shower. He cleared his throat and spat out saliva, thinking of the scene where the two mature women were playfully entangled. His heart pounded, but he shook his head to dispel the distracting thoughts and continued to chop vegetables and cook.

Ten minutes.

Half an hour.

The rice was cooked, and the dishes were ready. It only remained to stir-fry them, but the two women hadn't finished showering yet. Dong Xuebing didn't want to stir-fry the vegetables and let them get cold. So, he wiped his hands, walked to the living room, sat on the sofa, and looked toward the bathroom. The sound of the shower could still be heard, occasionally mixed with some laughter and teasing. Dong Xuebing sat alone, finding it quite interesting.

"Old Xu, look at these excess fats."

"It's still better than you."

"Are you telling lies with your eyes wide open?"

"Hehe, I don't know who's stubborn."

Then Dong Xuebing heard the bathroom door closing, and the inside continued with some laughter and taunts, but he couldn't hear clearly. Dong Xuebing glanced outside, knowing that the two women had gone to shower. He cleared his throat and spat out saliva, thinking of the scene where the two mature women were playfully entangled. His heart pounded, but he shook his head to dispel the distracting thoughts and continued to chop vegetables and cook.

Ten minutes.

Half an hour.

The rice was cooked, and the dishes were ready. It only remained to stir-fry them, but the two women hadn't finished showering yet. Dong Xuebing didn't want to stir-fry the vegetables and let them get cold. So, he wiped his hands, walked to the living room, sat on the sofa, and looked toward the bathroom. The sound of the shower could still be heard, occasionally mixed with some laughter and teasing. Dong Xuebing sat alone, finding it quite interesting.

"Old Xu, look at these excess fats."

"It's still better than you."

"Are you telling lies with your eyes wide open?"

"Hehe, I don't know who's stubborn."

"Alright, let's call Xuebing in and let him evaluate and see who has more meat."

"You have no shame, you old thing. I don't even want you."

"Come on, you only say that verbally. Haha, your face is not much thinner than mine. We both know each other. Don't act mature in front of Xuebing."

"Don't make up stories about me."

"Haha, Xuebing, Xuebing."

"Why are you calling him?"

"Let him come in and evaluate."

"Then you go out naked; I still have some face."

"If you say that, I'll go out. Don't be jealous."

"Why would I be jealous? But Xuebing is still young. Don't lead him astray."

"See, you're still jealous. I knew you two must have something going on."

Dong Xuebing wiped his sweat continuously, and now he found a chance to say to the door continuously emitting steam, "Sister Zhang, are you calling me?"

Zhang Longjuan's voice came from inside, "Haha, is the food ready?"

"It's all ready; just need to stir-fry. Have you two finished washing?" Dong Xuebing said.

"We're almost done."

"Uh, about when are you coming out?"

"What's the matter?" Xu Yan asked.

"Cough, um, I, that… I want to use the toilet."

Dong Xuebing hadn't used the restroom since he left the county, and he had waited for almost half an hour now. He couldn't hold it anymore.

"Just endure a bit more," Xu Yan's voice came from inside after a pause.

Dong Xuebing coughed, "Well, can you two hurry up? I don't think I can endure much longer. It's been a long time since I went to the toilet."

Finally, Zhang Longjuan's voice said, "They're not strangers. Come in then. Haha, but the scene inside might be a bit stimulating. I am afraid you can't handle it."

Slap.

The sound of a palm hitting flesh.

"Don't talk nonsense, Xuebing, you wait a moment."

"Old Xu, are you touching my waist?"

"Is that your waist? I thought it was your butt. It's all meat. Hey, stop it; where are you touching? Okay, okay."

"Haha, it feels good."

"Open the door and let Xuebing in."

"You're quite reserved. Just let him in directly. What are you afraid of."

"What am I afraid of? We're both in our forties; why should I be afraid of a young guy seeing? I'm not afraid; you're pretending to be upright."

The two women continued their lively act, making noise inside.

After a while, there was a click, and the lock on the bathroom door opened, but the door was still closed. Only Xu Yan's voice was heard, "Alright, Xuebing, come in."

Xuebing hurriedly sat up from the sofa, walked over, blinked at the door, and said, "Sister Xu, Sister Zhang, can I come in now?"

"Yes, be careful of the slippery floor," Xu Yan inside reminded.Google seaʀᴄh novelenglish.net . (ꜰ)ire.ɴet

"Got it." Dong Xuebing took a deep breath and excitedly pushed open the door to the bathroom.