Morning 9 am.
County Family Quarters. Dong Xuebing’s apartment.
“Old Sun, are there any other changes within the Agency other than you?”
“Luo Haiting is promoted to Deputy Chief, and the rest are the same.”
“Director Luo is promoted? Who took over her position?”
“Err… the higher-ups felt Panwei doesn’t have sufficient experience, and Chief Luo is temporarily overseeing the Office department now. Maybe Panwei will succeed her in the future.”
“What about Jia Yan?”
“Jia Yan’s position remains the same.”
Dong Xuebing nodded. Seems like Xie Huilan has full control over the Investment Promotion Agency now.
Dong Xuebing chatted for a while, and Sun Shuli suddenly mention. “A few Japanese investors might be coming these few days. Do you…”
“You are the Agency’s Chief now.” Dong Xuebing laughed and patted Sun Shuli’s arm. “You don’t need to ask me for any instructions. Just do your best at the Agency and don’t let the Leaders down.”
Sun Shuli paused for a second and continued. “You had attended the investment fair in Tokyo and had invited them. Should I… ask Mayor Xie first?” Deputy Mayor Zhao Xinglong oversees the Investment Promotion Agency, and Sun Shuli’s position is not high enough to reach Xie Huilan. But he mentioned this is to hint to Dong Xuebing that he is on her side.
Dong Xuebing nodded and did not say anything. Old Sun is good at these inter-relationships, and Dong Xuebing might have other ideas if he did not visit him today. But Sun Shuli had visited him sincerely and even brought gifts.
About ten minutes later, Sun Shuli and his wife left.
Luan Xiaoping asked anxiously after the door is closed. “Xiao Bing, I overheard what you all are saying… is your position gone?”
Dong Xuebing laughed. “This is only temporary. Don’t worry, and everything will be fine.” He paused for a second. “Oh, I am going out for a while.”
“Where are you going?”
“I am going to ask Huilan.”
“Then I will wait for you to have lunch. Bring Huilan back for dinner if possible.”
…….
County Government building.
Today is a rest day, but there are still much staff working overtime.
It’s been a few days, but many people are still surprised to see Dong Xuebing.
Why are you all looking at me in shock? Have you never seen a living person?
Dong Xuebing went upstairs to the Mayor’s office and entered without knocking.
Xie Huilan, dressed in a black suit, is speaking to her Office Director Yao Yi.
Xie Huilan saw Dong Xuebing and said. “Please knock before you enter next time.”
Dong Xuebing pretended to be angry. “Mayor Xie, I had only been away for a few days. Why is there a new Chief to replace me?”
Xie Huilan turned to Yao Yi. “Old Yao, you can decide on the other meeting agenda.”
Yao Yi nodded. “Ok. I will go out first.”
After the door is closed, Dong Xuebing walks over to Xie Huilan’s desk and sits down. “Mayor Xie, you cannot do this to me. Everyone can see my performance at the Investment Promotion Agency, and I had completed the 500 million RMB target. The trip to Tokyo is also considered a business trip. How can I be removed from my position? Who did I offend?! I lost my position and job now. What am I going to do?” He is very loud, and everyone along the corridor could hear him.
Xie Huilan laughed. “You brat…”
Dong Xuebing puts on a poker face. “Don’t call me a brat. I am serious now. What am I going to do now? You must give me an answer today.”
Xie Huilan smiles. “How come I feel that you are very happy now?”
“How can I be happy when I lost my job?!”
“Stop your nonsenses.” Xie Huilan is still smiling. “Just say what you want.”
Dong Xuebing knows he cannot fool Xie Huilan and laugh. “I had asked you for a transfer the last time, and you said it was not the right time, as I was just promoted to Section Chief less than three months and needed some time. But my position is taken away from me now, and the air crash is because of work. The County should not treat me like this with my outstanding performance at the Agency. I want to be promoted now!” There’s nothing to hide from her.
Xie Huilan laughed and scolded. “You are so desperate for promotion!”
Dong Xuebing replied. “A soldier who doesn’t want to be a General is not a good soldier, and a government leader who doesn’t look forward to being promoted is not a good leader. I want to be promoted to serve the people better.”
Xie Huilan looks at Dong Xuebing. “Where do you want to go?”
Dong Xuebing cleared his throat and asked. “Party Secretary of a Village Town?”
“Don’t even think about it.” Xie Huilan retorts. “Your length of service is too short to be a Village Town’s Mayor, and you want to be the Party Secretary?”
Dong Xuebing bargained. “Public Security Bureau’s Chief is also fine.”
“You are ridiculous. Are you thinking of getting promoted to Deputy Division Chief?”
“I am a Section Chief despite not a member of the Party Committee, and I think I have enough experience. Err… then where should I go?”
Xie Huilan is mad and amused. “Be content with what you have. You… this is a blessing in disguise for you.”
Dong Xuebing also knows this is a blessing in disguise for him. If the plane did not crash, he would have to wait for at least one year to get a transfer to another department. He was just promoted to be the Agency’s Chief three months ago, and he can’t get another promotion so soon at his age. No matter how outstanding he is, or his father is the Provincial Party Secretary, he will not get a transfer or promotion so soon. It will be against the regulations, but it’s different this time. Dong Xuebing’s position was removed, and he can’t return to the Agency. It is also not right for the County to transfer him to another department with the same authority. He had completed the Agency’s target of 500 million RMB ahead of the deadline. This is a significant achievement.
That’s why the County can only promote him, and no one can say anything about this!
“Huilan, where am I going to be transferred to? Stop hiding from me.”
Xie Huilan laughed. “I had been thinking these few days, but I cannot decide where you will be transferred to. There must be vacancies first.”
“Then what should I do?”
“Go back and wait for news.”
“How long will it take?”
“At least one week to a month.” Xie Huilan stopped teasing him. “Didn’t you mention that you want to go to the City? I will try to get you a position in the City area. Just go back and wait for the transfer order. I will do my best to help you.”
“That’s what I want to hear.”
I am finally going to get promoted!
Dong Xuebing had been waiting for this day!
Translator’s Notes: This “promotion” is a transfer to a ‘Deputy Division Chief’ rank position. It is for the ‘Section Chief’ to gain experience for their next promotion.
Their rank structure is as follows:
Staff Member: Deputy Section Chief: Section Chief: Deputy Division Chief: Division Chief: Deputy Bureau Director: Bureau Director: Deputy Sub-Provincial (Ministerial): Sub-Provincial (Ministerial): Deputy Provincial-Ministerial: Provincial-Ministerial: Sub-national leader
