Power and Wealth

Evening.

In the county outskirts.

Just past 8 o'clock.

The sky had darkened, and the moonlight was obscured by clouds, appearing faintly.

Dong Xuebing drove into the small community where Jiang's mother lived, hesitated, reversed the Land Rover, found a nearby alley, and parked there. Only then did he leave the car and walk into the community. There was no other way; the car was too conspicuous. Everyone in the Zhen Shui County government knew it was Dong Xuebing's car. He was here to help Jiang Fangfang deal with her elderly mother, who suffered from senile dementia. Since the deceased spouse of Jiang's sister resembled him, he came to divert attention. It wasn't something he could publicize, so keeping a low profile was better.

In an old building.

Dong Xuebing climbed the stairs and knocked on the door.

Creaking, the door opened.

Jiang Fangfang came out. She was casually dressed, wearing a pair of tight-fitting leggings and a short-sleeved sports T-shirt.

"Sis… Fangfang." He called her wrongly and quickly corrected himself.

Jiang Fangfang moved aside faintly. "Come in. Your complexion doesn't look good."

Dong Xuebing was indeed exhausted but forced a smile. "I'll get a break after tomorrow."

"Still tomorrow?" Jiang Fangfang looked him up and down. "I think you can't even make it through today. Work is important, but your health is more crucial. I wouldn't have known if it hadn't been for Director Zheng calling me. Have a seat. I'll make you something to eat. What do you feel like having?"

"Anything is fine."

"Then it's leftovers."

"Hehe, leftovers are the best. Don't bother."

"Wait here. I'll warm it up in the kitchen."

"No need, I'll go myself. You've had a tiring day, too."

As Dong Xuebing was about to rush to the kitchen, his legs suddenly weakened, and his head spun as if it had a mind of its own.

Jiang Fangfang quickly supported him. "I told you."

The bedroom door opened, and Jiang's mother smiled at him. Then, her expression changed. "Xiao Tao is here. What's going on? Xiao Tao, what's happening?"

Dong Xuebing, supported by Jiang Fangfang, barely smiled. "Mom, I'm fine."

Jiang's mother anxiously said, "You can't even stand. How can you say you're fine?"

Dong Xuebing chuckled. "Forgot to eat. Got a bit of low blood sugar. I just need to eat something."

Jiang's mother complained, "Look at you, look at you. When you're working, you act like your life depends on it. Fangfang, what are you still doing? Quickly, go warm up some food for your man."

"Sure." Jiang Fangfang helped Dong Xuebing sit on a chair and entered the kitchen.

Jiang's mother continued to express her concern. "Feeling better now? Aren't you dizzy anymore? You don't let me worry. Look at how hard our child has worked you. You don't know when to take a break. How many days have you been busy? You even forget to eat. You're incredible. Drink some water quickly."

"Mm, thanks, Mom."

"Don't talk, drink quickly."

After finishing the water, Dong Xuebing sighed, "These days, work has been busy, and there's no other choice. Everything relies on me alone, so I worked a few extra days. Nothing major." The microwave beeped.

Jiang Fangfang came out of the kitchen. "More than just a few days. It's been over a week. You come home after midnight and leave before five in the morning."

At her words, Jiang's mother stared at Dong Xuebing. "Are you trying to get yourself killed? How can you do this?"

Jiang Fangfang looked at Dong Xuebing. "Finish your meal and rest early."

Dong Xuebing waved his hand. "No need. I have to go back to the foreign investors."

"Today, you're not allowed to go anywhere. Rest well."

"I don't need to. I'm not at ease about tomorrow's signing. I still want to communicate with the investors tonight and see if they have any concerns."

Ding, the microwave beeped, and the food was ready.

"Everything that needs to be said has been said. It doesn't matter for this one night. They have decided, and it's not something you can change with a few words," Jiang Fangfang said while getting the food from the kitchen.

Jiang's mother added, "Right, finish your meal and sleep. No going anywhere. With your current condition, I can't rest easy if you drive. If you still don't feel well tomorrow, stay at home. You don't need to be so hardworking. Listen to me; that's settled."

The meal arrived.

It was the leftovers from the two of them for the night.

Dong Xuebing didn't care. When Jiang Fangfang brought the dishes to the table, he picked up the chopsticks and ate hungrily. He was starving. Considering he only had a few steamed buns Yao Cui brought him this morning and nothing else to eat since then, coupled with the busy day running around, his energy consumption was significant. Dong Xuebing would be surprised if he wasn't hungry. He finished all the leftovers within three minutes and even ate three steamed buns. His appetite was never big, but today might be the most he had eaten in recent years.

"Phew, delicious."

"Finish eating before you talk."

"Mm, swallowed. Fangfang, do you have water?"

"Yes, I'll get you some warm water."Google seaʀᴄh ɴovᴇl(ꜰ)ir(e).nᴇt

"No need, it's summer. Cold water is fine."

Dong Xuebing and Jiang Fangfang had some subtle flirtation, and the atmosphere at home was right. With his newfound courage, Dong Xuebing dared to give orders to Jiang's county leader. When she brought the water, Dong Xuebing, feeling bold, drank a large jug of water, then leaned back on the chair, satisfied and full.

Jiang Fangfang said casually, "After this, you shouldn't skip meals."

Dong Xuebing smiled awkwardly. "It won't happen again. Today was an exception. I was too busy. Even if you didn't mention it, I would have forgotten if I had eaten lunch and dinner."

Jiang's mother chuckled. "You're both confused. Both of you."

Jiang Fangfang said, "It's sleep deprivation. Four hours a day. You can manage one or two days, but a whole week—anyone would collapse. Even you, who have good physical fitness, would have fallen." After cleaning the bowls and chopsticks, Jiang Fangfang checked the time. "It's almost nine. Rest early, Xiao Tao."

Dong Xuebing still insisted, "But the matters in the county."

"You don't need to worry. Turn off your phone. Get a good night's sleep. I'll make a few calls."

Putting the dishes in the kitchen to soak, Jiang Fangfang called Zheng Dayou. "Hello, Director Zheng. Mm, it's me. Mayor Dong almost fainted earlier. He couldn't hold up physically. You'll be in charge if there's anything important tonight in the investment promotion. Don't contact Mayor Dong. If necessary, call me. Mm, he's fine. I think he's just tired. Let everyone rest assured. Tomorrow morning, let him go to the signing. Mm, you all worked hard tonight. Good."

Seeing that things were irreversible, Dong Xuebing had no choice but to stay.