Several days later.
Western suburbs villa.
The wedding preparations had entered the final phase.
“Xiao Bing, pass me the ‘Xi’ paper cutting. I will put it up.”
“Mum, take a break. I will do it.”
“Then go and put it up. Center…. no…. move towards your left slightly.”
“Here…. Is it ok now?”
“Come down and let me see it. Perfect.”
Yang Zhaode and his niece, Su Jia, are with Luan Xiaoping as Dong Xuebing’s family representatives. They helped decorate their wedding house and hung red paper cuttings on the windows.
Dong Xuebing took out bottles of mineral water from the kitchen. “Sister Su, take a break. You had been busy since you came.”
Su Jia laughed. “I am here to help.”
“Here.” Dong Xuebing passed the water to her. “Have some water. Uncle Yang, you should take a break too.”
Yang Zhaode laughed. “Ok. The window decorations are almost done.”
Everyone went to the poolside to rest.
Dong Xuebing felt terrible. “Mum, Uncle Yang, this villa was bought as your wedding gift. How come you turn it into my wedding house? I can buy another one. How can I use your house?”
Luan Xiaoping looked at him. “You need time to renovate and get furniture if you buy a new house. Your wedding is two days away, and there’s not enough time. This place is more convenient.”
“But….”
“We had done the decorations. Stop talking about this.”
“Alright. Anyway, Huilan and I will be staying here for a short while, and we got to move back to Fen Zhou City.”
Yang Zhaode said. “Your Mum and I have no intention of moving here. Just use it with Huilan. We don’t need to make it so clear. Haha….”
Dong Xuebing waved his hand. “No. I gave this house to you two means it is yours.”
Luan Xiaoping smiled. “Your Uncle Yang is correct. We are not staying here. Don’t you know that he is going to Lu An City? The city where you went undercover to investigate a case. It is next to Fen Zhou City.”
Dong Xuebing was surprised. “Uncle Yang is going to another city? A promotion?”
Yang Zhaode laughed and nodded. “The transfer order was just issued. I will be the acting Mayor for Lu An City.”
The Mayor of a Prefecture City is in a good position.
Mum is going to be a City Mayor’s wife!
“It’s a Bureau-Director level position.” Dong Xuebing laughed. “Mum, didn’t I tell you that Uncle Yang will not retire soon? He is in his prime and is going to be a Bureau Director. He might even be a Deputy Minister in two years.” He is not surprised by Yang Zhaode’s promotion as he was the one who made Fen Zhou Daily publish the earthquake warning article. He had also suggested to the City Party Committee to take earthquake precautions. Now, he is reaping the rewards for his efforts.
“What Mayor’s wife?” Luan Xiaoping replied. “Life is still the same.”
Dong Xuebing giggled. “I can tell you are jumping with joy inside. Haha…. Mrs. Mayor.”
“You are asking for a beating.” Luan Xiaoping laughed and smacked her son’s arm.
Su Jia suddenly said. “Xuebing, I might be moving up too.”
Dong Xuebing was surprised again. “Sister Su is also getting promoted? That’s terrific! Where will you be going?”
“I think I will still be with the news agency.” Su Jia smiled. “I should be promoted to Fen Zhou Daily’s news department’s Chief.”
“Oh… congratulations. We must celebrate today.”
“It’s all your credit.” Su Jia laughed. “If you had not asked me to publish that article, I might remain as a staff in the news department.”
Dong Xuebing laughed. “Ah…. I was lucky to guess it correctly.”
“Hmph…. Are you trying to be modest?” Yang Zhaode laughed. “All of us owe you for this. Xiaoping, I have finally seen our son’s real capability.”
Dong Xuebing replied. “Uncle Yang, stop praising me.”
Dong Xuebing is happy to see everyone around him get promoted.
Geng Yuehua was promoted to the District Party Secretary.
Yang Zhaode was promoted to the acting Mayor of an adjacent city.
Su Jia was promoted to the head of the news department.
Everyone around Dong Xuebing is promoted, and they can help with his career in the future.
Dong Xuebing and Xie Huilan’s new roles are not announced yet. He asked Yang Zhaode. “Uncle Yang, do you know where Huilan and I are going?”
Translator’s notes:
Xi or Double Happiness
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_Happiness_(calligraphy)
