Power and Wealth

Afternoon.

Not yet four o'clock.

Royal Hotel, a business room on the upper floor.

After hanging up Hou Wen's phone call, Dong Xuebing didn't bother to pack his suitcase. He threw his things on the bed and straightened his sleeves in front of the mirror.

"I'm heading out now to eat with Hou Wen."

"You're leaving without packing your luggage?"

"You can tidy up a bit. Your clothes are inside, too."

"I had a long day, and I still have to go to the development zone for research."

"You're lazy. Would you even know how to remove your clothes if I'm not around?"

"Haha, callingfat and out of breath, you're trying to provokeagain. Alright, I'll tidy up the clothes and luggage later. You go ahead and do your thing. I'm leaving."

"Don't drink too much."

"I know, you don't have to worry."

"We might have an event tonight, so keep an eye on the time."

"Got it. If you need anything, givea call. We won't be far, just nearby."

After leaving, Dong Xuebing hummed a tune as he took the elevator downstairs, feeling good. In the lobby downstairs, Dong Xuebing saw Hou Wen sitting in the lounge area waiting for him. He waved and greeted him, but Hou Wen glared at him and didn't say a word. Instead, he gestured for Dong Xuebing to follow him and left the hotel without calling a taxi. They headed west, towards a restaurant not far from the Royal Hotel. Dong Xuebing guessed that Hou Wen had already looked up the address before coming and knew that there was a decent restaurant nearby. Since Hou Wen didn't speak, Dong Xuebing smiled and followed him, and they entered the restaurant together.

Inside.

"Don't need a private room?" said Hou Wen.

"Just the two of us. No need for a private room," Dong Xuebing replied.

"Alright, let's sit by the inside then. Follow me." Hou Wen led the way.

Initially, the two of them had planned to wander around and have sfun before having dinner, but it was clear that Hou Wen had a lot on his mind. They went to the restaurant instead, as it was a more convenient place for conversation. It was not yet dinner time, as it was still before four o'clock, and hardly any people were in the restaurant. They chose a table in a secluded corner. Dong Xuebing quite liked the environment. When the waiter came, they casually ordered a few dishes.

After the waiter left, Hou Wen's eyes widened, and he angrily slammed the table. "Spill it. Telleverything, or I won't be polite."

"Why so serious?" Dong Xuebing chuckled.

"Bring two bottles of Maotai," Hou Wen commanded the waiter without looking away.

"You're hoping I'll speak my mind after a few drinks?" Dong Xuebing laughed.

"Whether you confess voluntarily or I make you do it, it's up to you," Hou Wen replied firmly.

Dong Xuebing chuckled and said, "There's nothing to hide. There's too much to discuss, and I don't know where to start."

"Start with how you managed to marry Secretary Xie," demanded Hou Wen.

Dong Xuebing smiled and said, "We met on the street. I had just beca civil servant at the time, and later, when Huilan's wallet was stolen, I happened to see it and caught the thief. The real progress in our relationship ca few months later when someone fell into the river. Huilan jumped in to save them but got entangled in water plants and almost couldn't cup. I happened to be there and jumped in to save her. That's how our relationship progressed."

Hou Wen listened with interest, "Oh, a hero saves the beauty."

"It's something like that," Dong Xuebing replied. "After that, various things happened. She helped me, I helped her, and somehow we ended up together."

Hou Wen enviously remarked, "You've got sincredible luck."

Dong Xuebing sighed, "Yeah, I never expected her to marry me. It felt like a dream. She's older, higher-ranked, and comes from a prestigious background. Between us, I don't need to boast. Honestly, I always felt unworthy of her. So, after we got married, I always indulged her. I wouldn't let her cook, do laundry, or wash dishes. I took care of all the household chores. Even if she wanted to wash a chopstick, I wouldn't let her touch the detergent, afraid she might burn her hands."

Hou Wen empathized, "It's the sfor me. If I could marry such an amazing woman or even just a fifth of your wife, I'd treat her like a queen. Especially in critical moments, taking her out would earnso much face. She wouldn't have to do any work her whole life."

Dong Xuebing chuckled, "That's shallow."

"I've always been shallow, never pretended otherwise," Hou Wen shrugged, "And you, you're just riding on your luck now."

"It's not as simple as that," Dong Xuebing replied.

"See, you're already getting cocky after just a few words," Hou Wen teased.

Dong Xuebing laughed, "Haha, your envy won't change anything."

"I roughly know about you and your wife. The hero saves the beauty, love blossoms over time, yeah, it's passable," Hou Wen continued. But how did you manage to reach such a high rank? You're only twenty-six? How did you get promoted so quickly?"

"I got promoted out of the ordinary," Dong Xuebing explained.

"But even so, you can't get promoted every six months," Hou Wen was incredulous, "Normally, the quickest you can get promoted is every three years, and it's just a minor promotion. But you got promoted four times just three years into the system, from deputy section chief to section chief, then to deputy division chief and division chief. On average, you're getting promoted once a year, and it's the highest level of promotion. There are hurdles to overcome, even for promotions from clerk to deputy, deputy to full, or deputy division chief to division chief. It's all a challenge. Forget about not having a background. Even if you did, no one dares to climb up so quickly. It's unheard of. Even if the leaders and the organization department agreed, the discipline inspection commission wouldn't turn a blind eye. So, when I heard you beca division chief, I was dumbfounded."

Dong Xuebing paused momentarily, "I've been climbing step by step these years, not relying on any background. Although my relationship with my wife helped, I still relied on myself."

"What achievements have you made then?" Hou Wen asked curiously.

Dong Xuebing replied, "Remember the earthquake in Fenzhou City?"

"Of course, who doesn't know about such a massive earthquake," Hou Wen nodded.

"I was working in Fenzhou City at the time. I predicted the earthquake based on the reactions of sanimals. I had someone in the propaganda department send out an article urging many people to evacuate to other cities, which prevented many casualties. When the earthquake hit, I also rescued many people."

Suddenly, Hou Wen froze, staring at him motionlessly.

"What's wrong?" Dong Xuebing touched his face.

Hou Wen exclaimed, "So, the Director Dong mentioned in the news was you!"

Dong Xuebing nodded, "I was working in the Guangming District Office."

Hou Wen was almost fainting, "I've seen the news. It was broadcast countless times. They talked about Director Dong, and they mentioned your ntoo. But your nis too common. I had a thought at the time, but I didn't pursue it. I heard you were dead, and then you miraculously cback to life."

Dong Xuebing said, "I was buried alive, lucky to have survived."

Hou Wen finally understood: "No wonder you've been promoted so quickly these past few years. You've achieved something significant."

Dong Xuebing still felt lingering fear, "It's just luckier, to be honest. Several times were quite dangerous. If anything had gone wrong, we wouldn't be meeting today. Oh well, let's not dwell on it." Over the years, while others saw Dong Xuebing's steady rise, envied his marriage to a beautiful wife, and admired his repeated achievements and promotions, they had no idea what he had endured behind the scenes. They didn't know how many close calls he had experienced. He said that being alive and drinking with old friends here today was a miracle. Dong Xuebing would have died long ago if any link had been slower to react. These years hadn't been smooth for him, and no successful person had a smooth journey. Smight think that ssuccessful people relied on luck or weren't as strong as themselves, but in reality, they might have been blinded by their pride and competitiveness, unable to see clearly.

At that moment, dishes were brought out by the waiters.

Dong Xuebing invited Hou Wen to pick up their chopsticks, eat a few bites together, and then refill their glasses.

"Ah, I'm really happy for you," Hou Wen said, raising his glass. "Here, let's have another drink."

"Sure thing," Dong Xuebing clinked his glass with him, and they both drank heartily. "I'm also happy for you, living more freely than me."

Hou Wen waved his hand, "You've got it. My little freedom is superficial, or you could say it's all supported by my dad. Without my dad, I'm nothing in Jiangnan Province. In this aspect, I'm not as good as you. Unlike me, You've climbed up step by step on your own."

Dong Xuebing laughed, "You're being modest now."

"It's because of you," Hou Wen replied, "I always thought I was doing well. I have food and drink; sometimes, I can throw my weight around. I live quite comfortably. But compared to you, what kind of comfort is this? When I show off, it's with my dad's backing. But you, you don't need anyone's support. Just flash your work ID, and everyone has to treat you respectfully. Everyone has to acknowledge what it means to be impressive."

"But it's not like that," Dong Xuebing said.

"You're at the top now," Hou Wen laughed, patting his arm, "Bro, everyone's almost jealous of you. From now on, I'll rely on you. If there's anything good, think of me. If there are any pretty girls to introduce, think of me."

Dong Xuebing laughed, "Your dad's at the Bureau Director level. I still feel belittled. It's just the nature of our work. I have the authority to check on party discipline and conduct. But when it comes to real power, Mayor Hou is several streets ahead of me, both in rank and authority. I'm still counting on you to look out for me."

"You're just pulling my leg. Your wife is the city party committee secretary."

They alternated between teasing and praising each other, having a cheerful conversation.