Power and Wealth

Inside the Royal Hotel.

There was a bit of unpleasantness over a piece of luggage.

In front of many people, Hou's father scolded Hou's mother.

However, Dong Xuebing didn't think much of it. He didn't even consider it a big deal. Even though Hou's mother hadn't looked at Dong Xuebing properly at the airport or in the car, she was still the mother of an old classmate. Dong Xuebing's relationship with Hou Wen was there, so he didn't take it seriously. As Xie Huilan said, Hou's mother was Dong Xuebing's elder, and he should address her as "Auntie." It shouldn't be a big deal to carry her luggage.

Mayor Wang pretended not to see anything.

Hou's mother couldn't bear to lose face. After gritting her teeth momentarily, she relaxed and forced a regular expression. "Givethe luggage."

Dong Xuebing disagreed. "It's alright, Auntie."

Hou's mother insisted, "It's not appropriate. Auntie will take it herself."

"It's not that serious. I'll carry it up for you later," Dong Xuebing persisted.

Hou's mother hurriedly said, "How can I let him carry?"

She couldn't compete with Dong Xuebing, so she glanced at Hou's father.

Seeing that Dong Xuebing and his wife were indifferent, Hou's father felt relieved but didn't dare to be rude to Dong Xuebing. So, he took matters into his own hands and reached out to take his wife's suitcase. "You also need to take the luggage upstairs yourself." With that, he threw the suitcase to Hou Wen.

Hou Wen caught it and brought it over.

Dong Xuebing shook his head helplessly and didn't say anything more.

Xie Huilan looked at her watch. "The car hasn't arrived yet, has it?"

"It should be arriving soon. They're probably preparing over there," Mayor Wang replied.

Xie Huilan smiled. "Then I'll go upstairs with my husband to put away our things first and return later. Mayor Wang, Mayor Hou, Sister-in-law, see you later."

Dong Xuebing said, "Then we'll leave first."

Hou's father immediately said, "Mr. Dong, join us for the development zone inspection."

Dong Xuebing chuckled. "I won't go. I just made plans with Hou Wen to go out for a while this afternoon."

"How about having dinner tonight?" Hou's father tentatively suggested.

Dong Xuebing pondered for a moment. "Maybe next time. I'm planning to have a drink with Hou Wen. It's been a long tsince we've seen each other. I guess we'll have to talk about our university days. I don't think you and Auntie would be interested in that. Anyway, I'll be in Macau for quite a few days, even the day after tomorrow."

Hou's father nodded. "Okay, I'll treat you then."

Dong Xuebing knew that Hou's father was trying to make amends for his wife, but he didn't think it was necessary. It wasn't a big deal. Although he might sometimes lack stolerance, Dong Xuebing showed respect when it cto good friends' parents. But seeing Hou's father like this, Dong Xuebing didn't know what to say. Saying too much would seem affected.

After a few words, Dong Xuebing turned and walked towards the elevator with Xie Huilan. Ding, the elevator door opened, and the two of them went up and disappeared into the lobby.

Meanwhile, Mayor Wang and his subordinates were waiting outside for him and also left.

Nearby, only Hou's father, mother, and son remained, and the atmosphere was a bit tense.

"Take your things. Let's talk upstairs," Hou's father said to Hou's mother, glancing at her. His expression didn't look good. Then, he went over and pressed the elevator button without waiting for her response.

Hou's mother was also irate and didn't understand why her husband was so angry today. But she couldn't afford to lose face, so she reluctantly accepted a suitcase from her son and went over with him. Hou Wen blinked his eyes, equally puzzled, but he didn't ask much. He knew he would get an answer later. This was the hotel lobby, with many people and much noise. His father wouldn't explain to them here.

Upstairs.

In a business suite.

Mrs. Hou was the last to enter the room. She threw her suitcase to the side and angrily slammed the door shut. Well, ‘slammed' might be more accurate, as it made quite a noise. Hou Wen jumped in surprise. Seeing his parents about to argue, he wisely kept silent. He generally avoided getting involved in such matters, pretending he hadn't seen anything, and went to sit in the living room. But he kept his ears open; he was also puzzled.

Why was his dad being so polite to his classmates?

Why was Mayor Wang also showing so much respect to his classmates?

Even if it was the husband of a member of the municipal party committee, it shouldn't be like this. Even if they respect him, they should respect the Party Secretary more. Family members csecond. But now it's the other way around.

But Mayor Hou was even angrier than her. He turned back, pointing at her. "So, you're slamming doors now, huh? You've got quite the temper. Who are you trying to impress by slamming the door like that?"

Mrs. Hou, with red eyes, glared back. "Why are you shouting at me?"

Mayor Hou shouted, "If I don't shout at you, who else would I shout at? I spoiled you too much in the past, and now you've developed such a bad temper."

Feeling wronged, Mrs. Hou said, "With so many people around, including Mayor Wang and many leaders from the province, what were you saying aboutin the lobby?"

"I wasn't talking about you, so who was I talking about?" Mayor Hou retorted.

Mrs. Hou, feeling indignant, continued, "All I asked was for Xiaowen's friend to helpwith a bag. But it's not like I asked him to do it. You can ask Xiaowen. It was his classmate who offered to help me. What's wrong with that? I didn't even know he was married to Secretary Xie. How was I supposed to know? I don't deserve this treatment."

Mayor Hou glared back. "You still think you're right? You don't know anything. How dare you!"

Although Mrs. Hou had always been the one to criticize Hou Wen, her son mostly sided with her. Seeing this, Hou Wen tried to mediate. "Dad, calm down. I can testify to this. Mom didn't say anything. It was Xuebing who offered to help Mom with the bag. Con, it's not a big deal. You're blowing it out of proportion. I know Xuebing is now the husband of the Party Secretary, but you don't know the relationship betweenand Xuebing. We've been good friends since college. I had a suitcase in my hand and couldn't help, so Xuebing offered to take the bag. It's perfectly normal. When I went to his house for dinner, I helped Xuebing's mother with things. I even cooked instant noodles for Aunt Luan and Xuebing. It's not a big deal. And besides, my mom said she didn't even know Xuebing married Secretary Xie. And Secretary Xie didn't mind. Why are you so upset?"

Mayor Hou glared at his son. "You and your mom know nothing. Do you two ever use your brains? Even if your classmate is a cadre's family member, do I and Mayor Wang need to be so respectful? After all, I and Mayor Wang are at the Bureau Director, not to mention Secretary Xie."

Mrs. Hou was taken aback. "He's not a cadre's family member, then what is he?"

Mayor Hou looked at Hou Wen. "Did your classmate tell you what he does?"

"He did. He's a civil servant," Hou Wen blinked. "What's wrong?"

Mayor Hou said, "There are many civil servants. I'm also a civil servant. Did he tell you what he specifically does?"

Hou Wen hesitated momentarily, "He toldthat Xie Huilan is his wife, and my mom and I didn't believe him. We thought he was joking. Later, I didn't inquire much about his job. Dong Xuebing is just like me. He graduated only two or three years ago. What important position could he possibly hold? My situation in the state-owned enterprise is somewhat better. I could climb up faster by leveraging connections. But he is within the system and has to take things step by step. Many pairs of eyes are watching him. In three years, he probably meets the criteria for promotion. At most, he might becSection Chief. I think the possibility of him being a Deputy Section Chief is higher. Um, I've always thought Dong Xuebing was just an ordinary clerk. Isn't it, Dad? What's with all the fuss?"

Mayor Hou chuckled, "A clerk?"

Mrs. Hou also sensed that there might be a problem. She put aside her annoyance with her husband and lowered her tone, "Old Hou, what's going on?"

Mayor Hou replied, "You almost causeda big problem."

Mrs. Hou anxiously asked, "What happened? Just say it."

"Yeah, Dad," Hou Wen said in confusion, "Just tell us."

Mayor Hou took a deep breath, "A few days ago, something happened in Xiaxing City, you know?"

Mrs. Hou said, "I heard a bit about it but didn't catch everything. What happened?"

Mr. Hou continued, "It's Xiao Wen's classmate who carried your luggage. Provincial leaders went to Xiaxing City for an inspection, and he scolded them from head to toe. And do you know the result? The provincial officials didn't continue the inspection and left in disgrace. Initially, Deputy Governor Jia was supposed to lead the delegation but fell ill and couldn't come. A clerk! Have you ever seen a clerk scold provincial officials for half a day, and the other party dared not to retaliate?"

Mrs. Hou exclaimed, "What?"

Hou Wen was also stunned, "Really?"

"What do you mean?" Mr. Hou said, "The matter has already caused a stir. Everyone in the province knows about it."

Hou Wen sighed, "Now that you mentioned it, I think I heard something about it, but I didn't ask for details."

Mrs. Hou hurriedly asked, "Old Hou, what does Dong Xuebin do exactly?"

Mr. Hou explained, "You guys… Even in the hall, you didn't think carefully. Secretary Xie is such a beautiful young city party secretary. How many people are worthy of marrying her? How many can marry her? But she chose Xiao Wen's classmate. If Xiao Wen's classmate didn't have sability, do you think it's possible? Stupid! Look at my and Old Wang's attitude. Can't you tell? Things would have gotten worse if I hadn't taken a stand then."

Hou Wen urged, "Dad, please tell us quickly."

Mayor Hou sighed, "Your classmate is not any small fry now. Just because he's about the sage as you doesn't mean he's unimportant. He's a Division Chief level Inspector in the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, Eighth Inspection Office. He's in charge of our Jiangnan Province. With just a word, he can investigate the property declarations of provincial leaders. After obtaining approval, he has the authority to interrogate provincial leaders. You still asked him to carry your luggage. Why didn't you ask the governor to do your laundry?"

Hou Wen was shocked, " Division Chief level Inspector in the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, Eighth Inspection Office?”

Mrs. Hou was also startled, "I-I didn't know."