Before noon, around 11 am.
After leaving the hotel, Dong Xuebing arrived at a guarded neighborhood according to the address given by his mother. This is Lui An City Party Committee family quarters. He noticed several red ‘Double happiness’ paper cuttings around the buildings, and people were letting off firecrackers. A wedding convoy, consisting of a Mercedes, and Audi A6s, were inside. All of them had government registration number plates. It was crowded, and many people were there to attend the wedding. It seems that a leader’s son or daughter is getting married, and the convoy is there to receive the bride.
The ten cars had blocked the roads within the neighborhood.
Dong Xuebing frowned as the roads were blocked, and he could not enter. So, he parked along the roadside outside of the neighborhood. These people were inconsiderate. How can they block the road and prevent others from entering the neighborhood? However, he did not argue with them as it was a happy occasion.
After getting out of the Porsche, Dong Xuebing walked into the neighborhood.
The guards looked at Dong Xuebing but did not stop him.
“Congratulations, Chief Meng.”
“Hahaha…. Thank you.”
“Your daughter and her husband are a match made in heaven.”
“That’s right. They are perfect and made for each other.”
“You are so blessed, Chief Meng. I am sure you will have a grandson soon.”
“Hahaha…. Thanks for the kind words.”
Dong Xuebing overheard them when he walked passed the convoy and crowd. It was Lui An City’s Audit Department Chief’s daughter’s wedding. The Audit Department Chief was an important position in the City, which is why so many people came to congratulate him. He followed the address and found Old Yang’s block.
Dong Xuebing was in a good mood as he would see his mother and daughter again.
Suddenly, Dong Xuebing’s phone rang. It was his mother. “Xiao Bing, where are you?”
Dong Xuebing covered one ear and replied loudly. “I have reached the family quarters, and it is going up now.”
“Ok. Old Yang and I are waiting for you. Hurry up. The baby is crying again.”
“Alright. There’s a wedding here, and they are letting off firecrackers. I can’t hear you.”
“Ok. Just come up now and don’t bring anything. We have everything at home.”
Dong Xuebing kept his phone, and a kid ran past him, nearly crashing into him. The kid was around ten and was holding a lighted incense stick and a double-bang firecracker. He was about to light the firecracker, and Dong Xuebing quickly stopped him. “Wait until I passed before you light it.” He continued walking, but the kid ignored him and lit the firecracker. The adults around him did not stop the kid.
Bang!
The double bang firecracker exploded.
It landed a few centimeters behind Dong Xuebing, and he could feel the heat on his feet, frightening him.
The firecracker flew up and exploded with a loud bang.
Dong Xuebing was mad and looked at the kid. “Didn’t you hear what I said? Light it after I leave!”
The kid ignored Dong Xuebing and started lighting the second firecracker.
This brat….
Dong Xuebing was getting angry as he stared at the kid coldly.
A middle-aged man frowned as he looked at Dong Xuebing. “What do you want?”
“What do you think?” Dong Xuebing looked at that man. “Didn’t you see his firecracker almost hit me?!”
“It did not hit you. Why are you shouting?” The middle-aged man argued.
Dong Xuebing smiled. “Oh, you think you are right?! Are you this kid’s guardian?”
“This is Chief Meng’s youngest son.” That man replied.
“Don’t talk to me if you are not his guardian.” Dong Xuebing retorted.
That man was about to argue when a middle-aged woman came over to stop them.
“Let it go, young man. He is just a kid.” The woman said.
This woman might be some leader’s wife, and that man did not continue. Dong Xuebing could tell that man should be a low-level staff and was here to kiss the leaders’ ass. He was trying to please the leader’s youngest son. Dong Xuebing glanced at that man and decided to let it go. After all, it was a joyous occasion, and he did not want to blow it up. He patted off the dust on his clothes and left for the building opposite.
Dong Xuebing suddenly notices a familiar person.
A black Passat stopped at the neighborhood’s entrance, and a few people came out of it. Dong Xuebing did not know that young man, but he knew the other two. It was Geng Yuehua’s secretary, Ma Jian, and Nan Shan District Executive Deputy Mayor, Shen Fei.
One person was still in the car.
When Dong Xuebing saw that pair of beautiful long legs, he thought of Geng Yuehua.
Dong Xuebing stopped and looked at the car.
“Mayor Shen, Secretary Ma, thanks for giving me a lift.”
“It will take a while for your car to be repaired. It’s alright.”
“Secretary Yuehua, thank you. Bye.”
“Ok.”
It was really Geng Yuehua.
Why is she here?
Dong Xuebing overheard what they said and walked over, passing that young man. “Hi, Mayor Shen, Secretary Ma.”
Shen Fei was surprised. “Director Dong.”
Ma Jian was also surprised. “Why are you here?”
Dong Xuebing smiled. “I am here to visit someone. I was about to ask you all the same question too.”
Shen Fei and Dong Xuebing were not close when the latter was working in Nan Shan District. However, Dong Xuebing had become a City Discipline Inspection Leader, and Shen Fei’s attitude toward him changed. Both of them were Deputy Director level, but Shen Fei dared not to offend Dong Xuebing. Shen Fei replied politely. “The Province had a tourism development meeting and appointed Nan Shan District to attend. We are here with Secretary Geng. Xiao Liao’s car had broken down in the Province city, and we gave them a lift back.”
Dong Xuebing replied. “It’s New Year, yet you all are so busy.”
Shen Fei laughed. “It’s our duty.”
Dong Xuebing could understand. Geng Yuehua was promoted to District Party Secretary recently and was very busy. As the head of a district, she got to take care of everything and be contactable 24 hours daily. Attending meetings during Lunar New Year is common for people in her position.
A pair of long legs appeared. Geng Yuehua got out of the car and looked at Dong Xuebing expressionlessly. “Director Dong.”
Haha…. Geng Yuehua still had the same cold expression. However, Dong Xuebing missed her coldness.
“Secretary Geng.” Dong Xuebing shook her hand. “Happy New Year.”
Geng Yuehua nodded. “Same to you.”
Dong Xuebing asked. “How is your health?”
Geng Yuehua gave a short reply. “I am fine.”
“Good. Are your lungs fine now?” Dong Xuebing asked about her cancer.
Geng Yuehua nodded. “Thanks to you, I have recovered.”
“What’s there to thank? We have the same blood type, and I did not do much.”
Dong Xuebing missed Geng Yuehua, but he could not say anything as Shen Fei and Ma Jian were beside them. They exchanged some pleasantries, and he secretly tickled her palm when they shook hands. He learned this trick from Luo Haiting.
As they were chatting, a firecracker exploded and flew towards them.
People were letting off firecrackers, but this firecracker was loud and seemed to have exploded above them.
Dong Xuebing, Geng Yuehua, and the rest looked above and saw the exploded firecracker and smoke. Ma Jian looked towards the neighborhood and saw the kid who almost hurt Dong Xuebing with his firecrackers earlier. Chief Meng’s youngest son was wearing gloves and pointed a Double-bang firecracker at them.
Swoosh! Bang!
The Double-bang firecracker’s second bang exploded!
A smaller firecracker flew out from the holder towards them.
Bang! It exploded at Secretary Ma’s foot before anyone could react.
Ma Jian screamed and tried her best to dodge it. However, it was too late. A big part of her white pants turned black, and her shoes caught fire.
“Xiao Ma!” Shen Fei rushed over to help her.
Geng Yuehua also rushed over to put the fire on Ma Jian’s shoe.
Chief Meng’s youngest son was giggling and pointed another firecracker at them.
Swoosh!
Another firecracker flew towards them.
Dong Xuebing was furious! This brat is seeking his death!
Double Happiness
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_Happiness_(calligraphy)
