Power and Wealth

Afternoon. Hui Tian Village.

Outside of Luan’s family house.

Qin Yong called Dong Xuebing on his mobile phone, and the first thing Dong Xuebing heard when he answered was laughter.

Dong Xuebing asked. “Chief Qin, can you say something?”

“Brother Dong, you can’t even stop when you are injured? I heard about what happened earlier.”

“I also wanted to rest at home, but this matter involves my Sister, and I can’t pretend to see it.

“Don’t worry about this. I had instructed the officers in the station to teach them a lesson. Just recuperate at home, and don’t get angry over these people. Everyone in the Bureau is waiting for you to return. Haha.”

“Thank you for missing me. I should be back at work in another ten days.”

“Alright. Take care of yourself and don’t be rash.”

Qin Yong is in charge of Wu Tian Village Station, and his officers had told him about the incident. He was shocked to learn Dong Xuebing can even fight with both arms bandaged and did not act like a patient. Qin Yong laughed and shook his head when he thought about Lu Dafa. Why do you have to offend Dong Xuebing for no reason? You got nothing better to do?!

Yu Meixia hanged up the phone and asked. “Are you ok?”

Dong Xuebing laughed. “I am fine. Help me inside.”

Yu Meixia nodded and helped Dong Xuebing towards the house.

Dong Xuebing’s Uncle, Second Aunt, and her family are in the house, and Tang Jin had returned with Dong Xuebing. Her parents are examining the wound on her head, but Tang Jin does not care about that. She was shouting excitedly. “You all did not see what Brother did. He shouted at that boss. ‘Who is the one that hit my sister?!’ But that boss did not reply to him. Guess what Brother did. He walked up and kicked him! Crash.... The glass display shelves shattered.”

Dong Xuebing’s Second Aunt gave Tang Jin a stare. “Idiot! You had caused trouble for your brother!”

Dong Xuebing’s Second Aunt’s husband saw Dong Xuebing walking in and asked. “Xiao Bing, are you hurt?”

Dong Xuebing laughed. “I am fine. Those two can’t hurt me.”

Tang Jin added excitedly. “That’s right! My brother is the best!”

Dong Xuebing’s Second Aunt sighed. “Xiao Bing, you had spoiled this brat, and had offended a leader.”

Tang Jin remembered that cigarette shop’s boss has a strong backing. But Dong Xuebing did not care about him and even arrested both the boss and his young employee. Tang Jin is very grateful to Dong Xuebing. “Thank you!”

Dong Xuebing waved his hand. “It’s a small matter. Eh? Where is Liu Li?”

The second Aunt looked at Tang Jin, puzzled. “Who is Liu Li?”

Tang Jin blushed. “My boyfriend.”

Dong Xuebing’s Second Aunt’s husband frowned. “When did you have a boyfriend? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Tang Jin replied. “You did not ask. Mum, Dad, Liu Li, is in the car outside. Can I bring him in?”

Dong Xuebing’s Uncle’s wife laughed. “Xiao Jin has a boyfriend. It’s a good thing.”

Dong Xuebing’s grandmother said. “Ask him to come in. Why is he staying outside?”

After a while, Tang Jin returns with Liu Li. Liu Li had gone to buy gifts and was nervous when he met Tang Jin’s parents. Dong Xuebing’s Second Aunt and her husband started questioning Liu Li on how he met Tang Jin, his family’s conditions, etc.

Dong Xuebing left the house with Yu Meixia. He does not want to interrupt his Second Aunt and her family.

Dong Xuebing and Yu Meixia strolled along with the small village, and they could smell the rustic farmlands.

Half an hour...

One hour...

When Dong Xuebing returned to Luan Family’s house, he saw his mother, Luan Xiaoping, in the courtyard packing some stuff.

Luan Xiaoping saw her son and gave him a stare. “Why did you get into a fight again?”

“Mum, it is not fighting. I am enforcing the law.” Dong Xuebing laughed. “Where are Second Aunt and the rest?”

Luan Xiaoping points to the western room. “Your Second Aunt and Xiao Jin are in there. Liu Li had left.”

Dong Xuebing was surprised. “Why did he leave? The second Aunt did not invite him to stay for dinner?”

“Your Second Aunt and her husband felt Liu Li’s family condition is not good. His parents are not healthy, and the village he is living in is famous for its poverty.” Luan Xiaoping sighed. “They felt Xiao Jin would suffer if she gets married to him, and don’t agree to their relationship.

Suddenly, Dong Xuebing could hear Tang Jin crying from the western room.

Dong Xuebing, Luan Xiaoping, and Yu Meixia entered the room and saw Dong Xuebing’s Second Aunt’s husband sitting there with a straight face. The second Aunt was holding Tang Jin’s hand and persuading her, but Tang Jin is stubborn. She cried. “I don’t care! I don’t care! I just want to be with Liu Li.”

The second Aunt scolded. “Xiao Jin!”

Tang Jin covered her ears. “I don’t want to hear!”

Dong Xuebing smiled wryly. If Liu Li had not stepped forward in front of him today, he would be injured. Dong Xuebing said. “I can tell Xiao Liu is a good man.”

Tang Jin finally found someone supporting her. “See! Even Brother says this!”

The second Aunt replied. “I did not say he is not a good man. But... his family... He still needs to take care of sick elders in his family, and his family is poor. The village he lived in is also poor, and you will suffer if you get married to him.” Because of Dong Xuebing, their lives had gotten better slightly, and Dong Xuebing’s Second Aunt hopes her daughter will find someone with better conditions.

Tang Jin argued. “I said I am not afraid of suffering!”

Tang Jin’s father added. “We will not talk about this now. You are still young and are not in a hurry to get married.”

Tang Jin retorted. “You all had asked me to get married earlier! Now, I brought my boyfriend back, and you all are telling me not to hurry?!” Tang Jin paused for a while and continued. “Someone in Liu Li’s family is taking care of his sick parents, and if you all are worried that I will suffer, I... Liu Li and I will move to the County town and rent an apartment there. Liu Li’s parents also want us to live our own lives and not to worry about them.”

Tang Jin’s father asked. “What about your rental?”

Tang Jin’s mother asked. “What about your jobs?”

Tang Jin was frustrated and turned to Dong Xuebing. “Brother! They are bullying me! You must help me!”

Dong Xuebing laughed. “What can I do? Your parents are doing these for your good.”

Tang Jin panics. “I just want to marry Liu Li and will not like someone else! Brother! Help me! Say something... please!” Dong Xuebing doesn’t know what to say, and Tang Jin ran over to hug Luan Xiaoping and cried on her shoulder. “Aunt! Help me speak to my parents, please!” Tang Jin knew Luan Xiaoping is softhearted and start begging her.

Luan Xiaoping looked at Xiao Jin’s parents and said. “Xiao Bing can help with Liu Li’s work transfer.”

Dong Xuebing’s Second Aunt hesitated. “This...”

Dong Xuebing cleared his throat. “I can help, but it will not be some good positions. At most, I can help him get a transfer to the Traffic department or the investigation team.” He looked at Tang Jin and laughed. “As for Xiao Jin, I think I can help her find a job in the County town.”

Tang Jin shouted excitedly. “Mum! Dad! Our jobs’ issues are settled!”

Dong Xuebing’s Second Aunt sighed. “Our family had never been wealthy, and Liu Li’s family is the same too. Even if you two move to the County town, your living expenses will be high, and your salaries might not be enough to cover it. What will you do in the future? What about your children? You are too impulsive and must plan carefully before you regret.”

Tang Jin retorted. “I will not regret my decision!”

Tang Jin’s parents did not reply to her.

Luan Xiaoping looked at Tang Jin and thought for a while, before taking out an ATM card. She gave it to Tang Jin and said. “Xiao Jin, your mother is right. You need money to survive. Here... there should be over a hundred thousand in this account and should be enough for a few years of rent. If Liu Li’s family can fork out a little more, you two can buy an apartment.”

Dong Xuebing’s Second Aunt quickly stopped Luan Xiaoping. “Sis, you cannot do this. How can we accept your money?”

Tang Jin pushed the ATM card back to Luan Xiaoping. “Aunt, I cannot accept it.”

Luan Xiaoping refused to take it back. “Just take it. This is a gift from me.” The money in this card is given to her from Dong Xuebing. Dong Xuebing had deposit 200,000 RMB into her account, and after these few months, she still has over 100,000 RMB in it.

Tang Jin refused to accept it and placed the card on the table.

Tang Jin’s father said. “Sis, we cannot accept your money. Keep it.”

Luan Xiaoping turned and looked at Dong Xuebing, who was smoking, and Yu Meixia was standing by his side with an ashtray. She got mad and scolded. “Smoke... smoke... smoke... why are you smoking all the time?! We are discussing a serious matter here, and you are smoking?! Look at your Sister. You... why are you not saying anything? Tell me, can you do something about Xiao Jin’s house?”

Dong Xuebing laughed. “That will depend on Xiao Jin’s performance. Hahaha...”

Luan Xiaoping gave Dong Xuebing a stare. “What is it?”

Although Luan Xiaoping had never said anything, Dong Xuebing’s Second Aunt and the rest knew Dong Xuebing is wealthy. He had bought an apartment for Yu Meixia, helped her pay her debts, and is driving a Mercedes Benz now. Luan Xiaoping secretly revealed that Dong Xuebing had made some money from reselling antiques and had set up a company with a friend.

Tang Jin heard what Dong Xuebing said and brightened up.

Tang Jin cannot accept money from Luan Xiaoping but does not mind asking her cousin for help.

Tang Jin turns to Dong Xuebing. “Brother... can I discuss something with you?”

“Hehe, what is it?”

“Can you lend me some money?”

Dong Xuebing teased Tang Jin. “Look at your tone. You are not sincere at all. Hahaha.”

“I am sincere!” Tang Jin grabbed the ashtray from Yu Meixia and held it up for him. “You bear to see your Sister suffer? Brother... I know you dote me.”

Dong Xuebing’s Second Aunt gave Tang Jin a stare. “You cannot accept your cousin’s money too!”

Tang Jin argued. “I will repay him in the future.”

“How much can you earn in money? How are you going to repay him?”

Dong Xuebing saw the mother and daughter are going to fight again, and he stop teasing her. “Alright... alright... Get ready to go out. We will go house viewing.”

Tang Jin heard Dong Xuebing and cheered. “Yay! Thank you!”

Tang Jin’s father quickly said. “Xiao Bing, it’s not easy for you to make money, and an apartment cost at least a few hundred thousand. We cannot let you spend this money.”

Luan Xiaoping interrupted him. “He is rich. Don’t help him save money.”

Dong Xuebing’s Second Aunt added. “No... This is not right.”

Luan Xiaoping said. “Xiao Bing is capable now, and buying an apartment for his Sister is fine. Ok. This matter is decided.”

Dong Xuebing’s Second Aunt sighed. “We...”

Tang Jin’s father said. “We still have some savings, and Xiao Jin should have some too. We cannot let Xiao Bing pay for everything.”

Dong Xuebing said. “Aunt, Uncle, before Xiao Jin dated Liu Li, I had decided to buy an apartment for her and will cover the renovation, furniture, and home appliances. This is the dowry I prepared for Xiao Jin. You two don’t need to use your savings. Oh... it is still up to you two whether to approve Xiao Jin and Liu Li’s relationship. I will not interfere with this.”

Tang Jin looked at her parents with puppy eyes. “Please allow us to be together. I like Liu Li!”

Luan Xiaoping and Dong Xuebing stood by the side without saying a word, as it’s not their family matters.

Dong Xuebing’s Second Aunt and her husband looked at each other and sighed. “You must be good to your cousin in the future, understand?”

Tang Jin knew her parents had approved and exclaimed excitedly. “Yes! Yes!”

Dong Xuebing laughed. “Since I am free today, let’s go and view houses together?”

Tang Jin, her parents and the rest, went out to take a taxi to the County town.

On the way, Dong Xuebing asked the driver if he knows any new real estate showrooms in the area. The driver could sense Dong Xuebing is a government official from his tone and brought him to a high-end housing estate. The apartments here are spacious and located in a good location, but it’s more expensive than other places.

Dong Xuebing’s Second Aunt got worried when she entered the estate. “The apartments here should be expensive.”

Her husband added. “Let’s go to other places.”

Tang Jin was looking at the tall buildings around her. “Let’s take a look first, and we can decide if we want it or not. Oh, Brother, errr... how much are you going to spend on the apartment you are giving me?”

Dong Xuebing’s Second Aunt slapped her daughter on her shoulder. “Brat! Don’t be too greedy!”

Dong Xuebing laughed. “We will just buy the one you like. Don’t worry about the price.”

Tang Jin was only joking with Dong Xuebing, and a cheap and small one-bedroom apartment is good enough.

The sales representative brought them around the estate and showed them the available apartments.

Luan Xiaoping was satisfied and pulled Dong Xuebing aside. She asked softly. “How much money do you have? Is it enough to buy a 2-bedroom apartment here?”

“Yes.”

“Then I will decide for you. Don’t regret it.”

“Hahaha... what’s there to regret? We will just buy the one Xiao Jin likes.”

After buying Yu Meixia’s apartment and his Mercedes, Dong Xuebing had used up all his money in his bank account. But his company had just completed the Spring Auctions, and he can ask Aunt Xuan to transfer money to him. Luan Xiaoping understood her son and walked over to Dong Xuebing’s Second Aunt to speak to her. Dong Xuebing’s Second Aunt kept shaking her hands, and her husband was also shaking his head.

The Sales representative continued to recommend the various features of the estate.

Tang Jin was listening attentively and looking at the surroundings. She likes this place and hopes she can live here in the future.

But the price...

Dong Xuebing asked. “Have you decided?”

Tang Jin hesitated. “This...”

“Just say what you think of this estate.”

“Errr... it’s fine... but it’s very expensive. A one-bedroom apartment costs 300,000 RMB.”

Luan Xiaoping turns to Tang Jin. “Why are you considering the one-bedroom apartment? You don’t want to have children in the future? Get the two-bedroom apartment.”

“Ah? Two bedrooms?”

Luan Xiaoping continued. “When you have children, two-bedroom apartments might be too small and not enough.”

“But...” Tang Jin felt sorry for making Dong Xuebing pay.

After some discussion, Luan Xiaoping made the final decision for Tang Jin and her parents and asked Dong Xuebing to pay the deposit for the apartment. As this estate is new, there are lots of available units, and they can choose the better ones. They chose a two-bedrooms 90 Sqm unit facing the south and cost slightly over 500,000 RMB.

After leaving the estate, Tang Jin starts to cry.

Dong Xuebing laughed. “Haha... you are still crying at your age?!”

Tang Jin wiped her tears. “Brother...”

Dong Xuebing looked at her. “What?”

“Thank you!”

Dong Xuebing replied. “Haha... Don’t mention it. We are a family, what’s there to thank?”

“Yes.” Tang Jin was overjoyed.