Noon.
A private room in a mid-range restaurant.
Dong Xuebing had called Sixth Bureau Deputy Chief, Old Qian, out to treat him. Old Qian is still worried and kept asking if he has anything to do with the Tokyo National Museum break-in case. Although the had been brought into China and is on display in the museum, the damage to China’s foreign affairs is great. This had become an international dispute, and all major newspapers are reporting about this. If Dong Xuebing is involved, Old Qian might be implicated as his accomplice, as he had bought the air tickets for him.
Dong Xuebing refused to admit and claimed he had gone to Japan to look for someone.
Old Qian finally believes him and did not continue to ask.
Dong Xuebing felt guilty for implicating Old Qian and gave him three cartons of Zhonghwa cigarettes after lunch. He tried to refuse but accepted Dong Xuebing’s gifts after some persuasion. This is the Chinese culture of exchange gifts and favors, and the gifts don’t need to be expensive.
Old Qian told Dong Xuebing that Xu Yan had not come to work today and might be sick before leaving.
Dong Xuebing got worried. Chief Xu had treated him well, and he should pay her a visit if she is sick.
…….
1 pm.
Dong Xuebing looks around in the small road outside of Western District State Security Branch’s family quarters. Nothing had changed. The buildings are still one-story buildings and are still located within lots of complex alleyways. It was almost two years when Dong Xuebing used BACK to buy heart attack and asthma medication for Minister Lui. He had kept in touch with Xu Yan over the phone, and it’s been a while since they met. He had not visited her during New Year, and he should buy some gifts to visit her now.
The guard stopped Dong Xuebing at the entrance of the quarters. “Who are you?”
Dong Xuebing smiled. “I am Dong Xuebing. Is Xu Yan, Chief Xu, at home?”
“Wait here.” The guard returned to his post and made a call. After a while, he sticks his head out. “Chief Xu asked you to go in. Building 1, 202.”
“Ok. Thanks.” Dong Xuebing carried his gifts and entered.
Ding Dong… ding dong… Dong Xuebing pressed Chief Xu’s doorbell.
A few moments later, the door opened from inside, and a beautiful woman appeared in her early forties. She has above-average looks and is wearing silk pajamas. Her hair is pinned up, and she has a wool sweater over her sweater.
Dong Xuebing was stunned for a second. “Xu… Chief Xu?”
“Why do you look so surprised?” Xu Yan laughed and opened the gate. “Do you think I am an imposter?”
Dong Xuebing blushed. “Err… You looked pale, and I didn’t recognize you at first glance. I heard you are sick. How are you feeling now?”
Xu Yan stepped aside to let Dong Xuebing enter. “I am fine. I am only tired. Come in.”
Dong Xuebing had not recognized Xu Yan earlier as they have not met for a long time. His first impression of Xu Yan is an ordinary middle-aged lady with average looks. But this time, Dong Xuebing felt Xu Yan is prettier than before despite her features are still the same.
Dong Xuebing knows it is not Xu Yan who had changed. He is the one who changed.
In the past, Dong Xuebing had always look at others’ appearance and did not care about other things. But as he met more people of higher status, he learned not to judge by appearances. Now, he looks at his former leader and realizes he had not noticed she looks prettier after looking at her for a while.
The door closed, and only both of them are in the apartment.
“Sorry for the mess. I didn’t know you are coming over and do not tidy up.” Xu Yan saw Dong Xuebing kept looking at her and smiled. “What’s wrong?”
Dong Xuebing cleared his throat. He is no longer Xu Yan’s subordinate and can be more casual when speaking to her. “I noticed you had changed… Hmmm… you are prettier now.”
Xu Yan laugh. “You brat… how dare you to say such things to your former leader?”
“Ah… I am telling the truth.” Dong Xuebing looks around. “Oh, are you alone at home?”
Xu Yan nodded and sat on the sofa with Dong Xuebing. “You know I had divorced for many years and have been living alone. Here… have a cup of tea.”
Dong Xuebing knew Xu Yan is a divorcee and has a son studying in Junior High school. But her son is with her former husband and will live with Xu Yan two days every month. He felt bad for his former leader for being alone even when she is sick. He has always been grateful to Xu Yan and wants to do something for her. “Have you eaten?”
“I have no appetite and am lazy to cook. I just took my medicine.”
“This is wrong.” Dong Xuebing rolled up his sleeves and stood up. “I will prepare something for you. Stay here.”
Xu Yan pulled Dong Xuebing back. “No need. You have just arrived. Sit down.”
Dong Xuebing replied. “Old Leader, you don’t need to be so polite with me. Look at your face. You are so pale. How can you skip your meals? Go and rest in your room, and I will call you when the food is ready.” He could tell Xu Yan had been resting in her room before he came from the way she is dressed. He helped her up and walk her to the room. Xu Yan is well developed, and her breasts jiggle as she laid down on her bed.
Damn… how come I didn’t realize Chief Xu is so alluring in the past?
Dong Xuebing quickly looks away. “Take a nap while I prepare lunch for you.”
Xu Yan smiled. “I thought you only know how to create trouble outside. I didn’t know you know how to care for others.”
Dong Xuebing covered Xu Yan with her blanket and replied shamelessly. “It’s not too late to know this. I am not good at a lot of things, but I am good at taking care of others.” He is not boosting. After his father passed away and his mother returned to the County to work, he took care of himself in Beijing for many years. Although Qu Yunxuan helped him wash his clothes later, he seldom washed his clothes or cook in Yan Tai County, but that does not mean he doesn’t know. He is just lazy.
After entering the kitchen, Dong Xuebing starts to cook.
About twenty minutes later, Dong Xuebing carried a bowl of hot porridge into the bedroom for Xu Yan and took out a thermometer to see if she is running a fever.
Xu Yan sighed. “It would be nice if you are my son.”
Dong Xuebing placed the empty bowl on the side table and heard Xu Yan’s lonely tone. He knows she felt lonely as she is separated from her son. “Then just treat me as your son. If you are not feeling well, just call me. I might not know a lot, but cooking and washing dishes is not a problem.”
Xu Yan laughed. “Thank you.”
“Look at you. I should be the one thanking you for taking care of me. I was rash in the past and caused you lots of trouble in the past.”
Xu Yan pulled the collar of her pajamas and placed the thermometer under her armpit. She is not wearing a bra, and her breasts swayed vigorously as she moved. Dong Xuebing quickly turned his head away and took the empty bowl to the kitchen to wash. After that, he took out an envelope with a pile of cash from his bag to the room. He placed the envelope on the side table. The money is to repay Xu Yan for paying for the air tickets and Yen.
After a while, the thermometer beeped. 37.9 degrees Celsius. It is almost a high fever.
Dong Xuebing found fever medication in the house and gave it to Xu Yan. “Eat the medicine and take a nap. If you are still not feeling well, you need to see the doctor.”
Xu Yan waved her hand. “Help me up. This is only a slight fever.”
Dong Xuebing gave her a stare. “No. I will not listen to you. Just take a nap and call me if you need anything. I will be watching TV outside.”
The medicine took effect, and Xu Yan felt drowsy. “You had traveled so far to see me. How can I let you do this?”
“This is what I should do. Are you treating me as an outsider?”
After Xu Yan fell asleep, Dong Xuebing went to the living room and closed the door lightly behind him.
It’s around 2 pm now.
Dong Xuebing knew Chief Xu had been unhappy at work. Did she feel sick because of this? Oh, Chief Xu had been looking for connections to be transferred to Fen Zhou City State Security sometime earlier, and he had asked Old Yang for help. He wonders if there is any good news, as he wants to give Xu Yan a surprise. So, he called Luan Xiaoping.
Dong Xuebing dares not to chase after Old Yang and can only ask his mother.
The line got through. “Mum, are you in class?”
“No. My class just finished. What’s wrong?”
“You remembered the last time I asked Uncle Yang about the State Security Bureau Chief position? How is it?”
“Ah… I have almost forgotten to tell you. This morning, your Uncle Yang mentioned that it is basically settled.”
Dong Xuebing’s eyes brighten up. “What is the probability?”
Luan Xiaoping replied. “Old Yang said it is basically settled, that means it should not be a problem. He had asked for your number this morning. He still has not called you? Then just give him a call. He had been monitoring this for you, and you should thank him.”
“Ok! I know.”
It’s settled!
