Friday morning.
Guang Ming Subdistrict family quarters.
Dong Xuebing is prepared to stay in Beijing for a few days and return on Sunday or Monday. After all, it’s not easy to establish a relationship with Leaders. He has to treat the Leaders to meals and might even need to send gifts. That’s why he brought a few sets of clothes. It’s the weekends, and staying a few days in Beijing will not affect his work.
Dong Xuebing went downstairs to his car and started to load his luggage.
After a while, Wang Yuling walks out of the building with big luggage. She looks very excited.
Dong Xuebing laughed. “Your luggage is big.”
“These are all clothing.” Wang Yuling smiles. “Director, which car are we using?”
“Use mine. The road condition is poor, and an SUV is more convenient. Place your luggage here.”
“Ok.” Wang Yuling got more excited. This Cayenne is more powerful than the Subdistrict Office’s cars. She looks like she is going on a vacation. Although Fen Zhou City is not far from Beijing, she has only been there a few times.
After a while, Zhou Yanru and a little girl, around fifteen or sixteen, appear with their luggage. They saw Dong Xuebing is waiting by his car, and she walked over quickly.
“Sorry to keep you waiting. I was searching for some things, and it took a while.”
“It’s alright.” Dong Xuebing helped Wang Yuling with her luggage. “I will put your luggage into the boot.”
“I can do it myself….” Zhou Yanru is touched. Her Leader had helped her with the luggage, and this shows his respect for her.
Wang Yuling also did not let Dong Xuebing carry Zhou Yanru’s luggage. She smiles and helps her put it into the car boot. After that, she stroked the girl’s cheeks. “You have grown taller.”
The girl blushed. “Sister Yuling.” Dong Xuebing asked. “Who is this?”
Zhou Yanru quickly answer. “This is my daughter, Chen Chen. Chen Chen, this is Uncle Dong.”
“Uncle Dong.” Chen Chen greeted and helped her mother with her luggage. She seems to be scared of strangers.
Zhou Yanru had brought a few pieces of luggage. After loading everything into the car, she smiled embarrassedly. “Her Aunt is working in Beijing, and she is going to stay with her for a while during her vacation. But she can’t bring too much luggage when traveling alone. So, I am bringing some of her luggage for her.” Dong Xuebing nodded. “Alright. She can come together with us.”
Zhou Yanru replied. “This… this is not suitable.”
Dong Xuebing understood what Zhou Yanru meant. They are going to Beijing for official business, and it’s not right for them to mix personal matters. But he is not an unreasonable person. He waved his hand. “We are not outsiders. What’s there to worry about? Furthermore, are you sure you want to let her travel alone to Beijing?”
Dong Xuebing patted Chen Chen’s shoulder. “Let’s go. Have you gotten all your luggage? If you are ready, we will go now.” Zhou Yanru wants to bring Chen Chen along, or else she would not ask her to help her with her luggage. She immediately turns to her daughter. “Hurry and thank Uncle Dong.”
“Thank you, Uncle Dong.” Chen Chen replied with a sweet smile.
“Don’t mention it. Haha… let’s go.”
“Director, please sit at the back.” Wang Yuling immediately volunteers. “I will drive!” Dong Xuebing asked with a smile. “Xiao Wang, do you have a driving license?”
“Of course. I had gotten it when I was in University.” Wang Yuling replied. “Don’t worry. I promise we will get there safely. Hehe…”
Dong Xuebing had driven Wang Yuling and Zhou Yanru around previously, but those were short distances. It is different this time. It will take at least one to two hours, and it’s not right to let him drive them to Beijing. But Dong Xuebing felt Wang Yuling just wanted to try driving his Cayenne.
Dong Xuebing is fine with it.
Half an hour….
One hour….
Two hours….
Wang Yuling drove the Cayenne excitedly. She kept praising the car’s performance. Of course. How can a two million car be the same as a two hundred thousand car?
Beijing.
This is a city bustling with life. Chen Chen’s eyes are opened wide as if this is the first time she has come to Beijing.
Wang Yuling is also unfamiliar with the roads. She slowed down and asked. “Director, where should we go first? Err… I don’t know the roads here.” Dong Xuebing looked at his watch and laughed. “It’s almost noon. Let’s have lunch first. Chen Chen, what do you want to eat?”
Chen Chen shyly reply. “I am fine with anything.”
“What is anything? Name something.”
“Let’s eat street food.”
Zhou Yanru turns and gives her a stare. “This kid is too much.”
“Haha… street food is good. You must try Beijing’s street food when you are here.” Dong Xuebing points to the front. “Go street from here, and turn towards east. We will go to Qian Meng.”
Wang Yuling paused for a second and remembered. “Ah, I forgot Director is from Beijing.”
Zhou Yanru also remembered she had seen Dong Xuebing’s resume. He is from Beijing, and his vehicle’s registration plate is from Beijing.
Dong Xuebing smiles. “That’s why I must play host when you all are in Beijing. Haha… there’s a food street at Qian Meng.”
Chen Chen blinked. “I have heard of Qian Meng. But I thought people from Beijing call that place Qian Meng Er?” Wang Yuling laughed. “That’s their accent. They like to add ‘Er’ at the end.”
Dong Xuebing is speechless. “Chen Chen, who did you hear this from? That’s not how it is called. Qian Meng, Tian An Meng, He Ping Meng, Di An Meng, and all other ‘Meng’ don’t have ‘er’ at the end. It is the same as everyone else. Oh, there are exceptions.” He thought for a while. “There’s a Dong Bian Meng Er, and Xi Bian Meng Er. These are the only two with Er at the end.” Chen Chen is confused. “Beijing’s accent is so difficult.”
Dong Xuebing shook his head. “I have never thought about this, but not everything can end with Er. I don’t know how to explain, but… haha… there doesn’t seem to have any rules to it.” He really doesn’t know how to explain as this accent was passed down for generations.
Chen Chen listened attentively. “Uncle Dong, can you tell me more about Beijing?” Dong Xuebing smiles. “What’s wrong? Are you very interested in Beijing?” “Yes!” Chen Chen nodded.
Zhou Yanru smiled and explained. “Director Chen Chen had just finished her Middle School exams, and she is going to a High School. Her Aunt is living in Beijing, and Chen Chen wants to study here. That’s why she is looking forward to coming here. I had asked around about the entry requirements. I heard it’s hard for outsiders to enter the schools here.”
Her Middle School exams had finished?
Dong Xuebing nodded. “Is her Aunt’s household registration (Hukou) in Beijing?”
“No.” Zhou Yanru replied. “They are from Fen Zhou City. It’s not easy to get to Beijing Hukou. They are registered under their workplace.”
Dong Xuebing nodded. “Then she must pay a sponsorship fee to study here. I heard it’s not a small amount. How are Chen Chen’s results?” “She has just completed her exams, and the results are not out.” Zhou Yanru continues. “But she had checked her answers and should be getting good results. That’s why I want to see if she can enter one of the top High School in Beijing.”
Top High School?
It’s quite difficult. The top schools might need the students to take an entry exam, and it might be over. Also, there are limited spots, and sponsorship fees might not even work. Of course, Dong Xuebing did not tell Zhou Yanru about these.
On the way, Chen Chen asked a lot of questions. Dong Xuebing is considered a ‘native’ as he had grown up here. He patiently answers Chen Chen’s questions until they reach the food street. He told Chen Chen the history behind Qian Meng and the origins of the street food names.
Many people are looking at them because they have three pretty women in their group.
Dong Xuebing felt good. He likes to bring women around as it feels better to be surrounded by women than men.
Dong Xuebing noticed the women were looking around excitedly after lunch and decided. “Alright. I had checked, and the Ministry of Civil Affairs, National Respect and Care for the elderly’s model unit award office are working on Saturday and Sunday. We are going there today. It’s free and easy today. You all can go shopping or visit attractions today. Don’t need to report to me.” Wang Yuling cheered. “Thank you, Director!”
But Zhou Yanru is worried. “Director… this is not right… we…”
“Just listen to me. We need to have a work-life balance.” Dong Xuebing is a caring boss. He passed his car keys to Wang Yuling. “I will leave my car with you. Go and enjoy yourself, and we will carry on with our work tomorrow.” Wang Yuling was stunned. “Ah… how can I take it? Then, what will you be driving?” Zhou Yanru also felt it was not right. “No… we can’t do that.” I will have a car. Just go.” Dong Xuebing waved his hand.
Wang Yuling and Zhou Yanru exchanged looks. Dong Xuebing had paid for their lunch, given them time off to enjoy themselves, and let them drive his car. Where can you find such a Good Leader?
