Power and Wealth

It's three o'clock.

In his own office.

The sunlight was getting lower, casting shadows over Dong Xuebing's back. He reached back to twist the blinds, breaking the light into shards, then cupped his tea and lowered his head to look at the documents brought by the petition office. This was his first assignment, but it wasn't much. It involved several cities in a large province, and Dong Xuebing didn't have the authority to decide much. At most, he would glance through the documents, but ultimately, Director Yin made the decisions. Dong Xuebing didn't even consider offering his opinions or taking any actions. He tossed the documents onto the desk and continued sipping his tea.

At that moment, his phone rang.

Dong Xuebing calmly set down his cup, took out his phone, and glanced at it. He was slightly surprised to see that it was his teacher, Jiang Min, calling. He quickly answered.

"Teacher Jiang."

"Hello, Xuebing."

"Has your school started? No classes today?"

"No classes for the past couple of days. The school has a few days off."

"Hmm, but it's not even National Day yet. Why the break?"

Jiang Min replied softly, "Didn't I tell you last time? Our school is celebrating its 30th anniversary. The classrooms, teaching buildings, and auditorium have all been renovated. It's quite grand. The school leadership attaches great importance to it. I'm asking if you'll ctomorrow—it's the anniversary. Will you be joining us?"

Dong Xuebing blinked. "Tomorrow?"

Jiang Min asked, "What's the matter? Don't you have time?"

Dong Xuebing chuckled, "Haha, it's not that. I have plenty of tnow."

"That's good. I thought you might be busy settling into your new job." Jiang Min chuckled.

"Not at all, not at all. Even if I were busy, I couldn't refuse your invitation, Teacher Jiang. If you've personally invited me, I must attend, even if it means going through fire and water." Dong Xuebing laughed.

Jiang Min said, "You brat, always teasing."

Dong Xuebing asked, "What tshould I arrive tomorrow?"

Jiang Min pondered for a moment. "You should cearly, preferably before six o'clock, because there's a school-wide assembly in the morning. Many leaders, including those from the City Education Bureau and other old graduates who are local officials or businessmen, will be attending. By the way, several of your classmates from Yao Cui’s class have also been contacted bythis time. About three or four people are coming. I've applied for passes for you all. You represent the old graduates. Considering how articulate you've beclately if you want to give a speech on behalf of the old graduates, you can. Just givea draft in advance, and I'll submit it for you. I can also help you revise it and see if it passes."

Dong Xuebing quickly declined, "No need for that, Teacher."

Jiang Min spoke earnestly, "This is a good opportunity for you. Do you know how many old graduates are vying for this chance? Now that you've entered the government as a civil servant, you need to perform well if you want to be promoted. Although our university is not prestigious or a key university, many old graduates have becleaders and officials. There will be thousands of people in the auditorium during the meeting. If you perform well, someone might notice you, which will benefit your future career."

“Cough, it's unnecessary. I know you mean well. But really, I'm not interested. I'm quite shy, and if I were to go up there, my legs would start trembling. There would be so many people watching. Besides, with my level of education, even if I wrote a draft, it definitely wouldn't pass. I won't join in this hustle and bustle." Dong Xuebing was adhering to his principle of keeping a low profile. He barely spoke at work, so how could he confidently give a speech on stage?

Jiang Min's voice sounded indifferent. "If you don't want to, then forget it. I just mentioned it casually. Maybe other teachers and school leaders have already chosen someone else."

Dong Xuebing asked, "Then why should I ctomorrow?"

Jiang Min smiled, "Hehe, cearly for a while. I thought I'd have you cover to helpmove sthings and maintain order."

"Oh, move things?" Dong Xuebing sweated a bit.

"Why? Don't you want to?" Jiang Min asked in return.

Dong Xuebing quickly assured, "No, no, absolutely not. It's such an honor to serve you, Teacher Jiang. Don't worry, I'll be there on time. I also want to see my old classmates. It's been so many years since we last contacted each other, and I miss them."

"You're quite the talker." Jiang Min chuckled.

"You secretly left last tafter the trip, and I didn't even drive you home. I felt quite embarrassed about it. Are you free tonight? Lettreat you to dinner."

"At night? I'm not sure how late I'll be. It might be after seven."

"That's okay, no problem, no matter how late. I'll cpick you up in the evening."

"Or maybe we can eat at your place. I just told my kids not to wait forfor dinner tonight. Hmm, let's find a random restaurant. I'll treat you."

"You're underestimating me. Alright, it's a deal. I'll treat you."

"Hehe, let's discuss it later. I must get busy now; the banners haven't been hung yet."

"Just tell the students what to do. Don't get too busy running around. Be careful not to fall."

After hanging up the phone, the tea had gone cold. Dong Xuebing poured out the remaining tea, brewed a new cup, and then reminisced while snacking sunflower seeds. He wondered which of his old classmates would be there, but he didn't ask over the phone. He didn't want to spoil the sense of anticipation. Although Dong Xuebing's university life was even more low-key than his current self, and he didn't have many friends, he still cherished those youthful years.

Five o'clock.

The office hours ended.

Before anyone in the Second Department office area noticed, Dong Xuebing had almost timed it perfectly to push open the door, carrying his bag and files. Everyone just realized it was tto leave. Glancing at the clock, it was precisely five o'clock, not even a minute late. Everyone couldn't help but look at Dong Xuebing speechlessly. Not even a minute extra, you must miss home.

Zhang Dongliang smiled, "Director Dong, we just planned to have dinner tonight. Feifei found a great restaurant a few days ago, and the dishes are amazing."

Han Fei rolled her eyes.

Dong Xuebing smiled, "Next time, I have plans for tonight."

Zhang Dongliang nodded, "That's okay. Maybe next time."

Han Fei pouted and glanced at Dong Xuebing while He Zhou looked at him.

"Director Yin hasn't cback yet?" Dong Xuebing looked towards the open door of an office.

A deputy section-level cadre said, "He should still be in the propaganda office, maybe."

As they spoke, footsteps could be heard from outside. Shortly after, Yin Cheng'an's smiling face appeared at the door of the office area. He looked at everyone, "Oh, you're all still here."

Han Fei immediately said, "We were just about to leave, Director Yin. How about we go out for dinner tonight?"

"Haha, I'll have to check who is treating first." Yin Cheng'an joked.

The Second Division was entirely cadres, and even if they didn't mention it, based on their basic salaries, no one would have trouble paying for this meal.

Han Fei said, "You're being stingy. Okay, okay, I'll treat. I'm feeling generous tonight."

Yin Cheng'an chuckled, "I'm free tonight, too, so I'll go. Wherever you decide to eat, Director Dong, you should ctoo. We'll need two cars."

Dong Xuebing was about to speak.

But Han Fei quickly interjected on his behalf, "Director Dong has plans tonight."

Yin Cheng'an smiled, "Well, there's nothing we can do about it. Director Dong just returned to Beijing, so he must have a lot of things to take care of. It's okay; we'll have plenty of time."

"Director Yin." Dong Xuebing handed him the documents, "These are from the Public Complaints and Proposals, and the General Office."

"Okay." Yin Cheng'an took them and flipped through them, probably already aware of the contents. He then put the documents away. "Let's talk about this tomorrow. It's already tto go home."

Dong Xuebing added, "I might need a day off tomorrow. I have something to attend to."

Yin Cheng'an didn't hesitate, "Sure, let's count it as annual leave then."

"My annual leave quota has already been used up," Dong Xuebing explained.

"It's okay. You can make it up later when you have more annual leave," Yin Cheng'an replied.

Dong Xuebing accepted Yin's offer without any fuss.

However, when Han Fei, Sun Zhaobang, and the others heard this, they were nearly ready to bang their heads against the wall. On his first day in office, Dong Xuebing arrived over an hour late, didn't do any work, didn't communicate with anyone, spent the whole day in the office listening to music and drinking tea, and just a few seconds after it turned five o'clock, he was already pushing the door to leave. Everyone thought this new Director Dong was already quite unbelievable, but he was even more unbelievable. On his second day in office, he needed to take leave.

"What the heck! Are you here to work?"

"It's obvious you're here to retire."

"Even those soon-to-be retired officials from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection who are in their sixties don't have such a carefree and indifferent attitude. A director-level supervisor who doesn't show a hint of ambition, we don't know how to evaluate him anymore."

Dong Xuebing left.

The office area was now only occupied by their group of old colleagues.

Han Fei didn't hold back her thoughts, "What kind of person is he?"

"Ahem." Sun Zhaobang tapped her arm gently, reminding her not to speak recklessly.

But Han Fei was somewhat rebellious, "I've never seen anyone like him. He has no sense of belonging to the team at all. He didn't even treat us to a meal on his first day of work. When we offered, he didn't even give face. He's just a higher rank. What's so great about that?"

Yin Cheng'an criticized, "Watch your words. Director Dong is just being low-key. Just because he's not as outgoing as you don’t mean anything. And Director Dong is your superior. Speaking ill of him behind his back is disrespectful and makes people laugh. I'll let it go this tbut won't allow it in the future."

Han Fei snorted, looking displeased.

Sun Zhaobang, He Zhou, and a few others were also uncomfortable. They had never seen someone work like Dong Xuebing before. Even in the discipline inspection department, being low-key was excessive.

The next moment, after criticizing Han Fei, Yin Cheng'an put on a smiling face again. "Haha, I'm hungry. It's not easy for Xiao Han to treat us once. Let's go, let's go eat."

"Yeah, let's go eat."

"We have enough cars, so I won't drive. Let's go in the unit’s car."

With that, everyone dropped the topic of Dong Xuebing and left for dinner.

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