Noon.
The commotion at Lui An City Party Committee family quarters ended.
An officer mumbled to his colleague. “Luckily, we did not arrest anyone.”
The other officer nodded in agreement. “That’s right.”
Luckily, Deputy Chief Hou had stopped them. If they had arrested Dong Xuebing, they would be in trouble.
Who would expect that guy is Madam Luan’s son?!
This guy is not someone these officers can afford to offend.
The staff and family members upstairs were dumbfounded by Madam Luan’s son. He can create trouble, and his actions today have left a deep impression on Lui An City’s leaders.
Dong Xuebing did not pursue it after Chief Meng, and his family apologized. This matter had been settled, and he would create trouble for his mother and Uncle Yang if he continued to pursue it. It would affect Uncle Yang’s reputation. He walked over to Geng Yuehua as his mother was chatting with Deputy Mayor Zhou.
“Secretary Geng.” Dong Xuebing said.
Geng Yuehua replied coldly. “We should go now. That’s it.”
Dong Xuebing said. “How about going upstairs to have lunch together?”
Geng Yuehua waved her hand. “Let’s talk about it another day.”
Shen Fei added. “Director Dong, we are going back now.”
Dong Xuebing blinked and said. “I think Xiao Ma should go to the hospital for checks. We don’t know if her leg injuries are serious or not. Stay here tonight. I will arrange your accommodation.”
Ma Jian replied. “Thank you, Director Dong. I am fine.”
“How do you know if you are fine? The doctors should check it first.” Dong Xuebing wanted Geng Yuehua to stay because he wanted to be with her tonight.
Geng Yuehua interrupted. “Let’s go. We will talk about this later.”
Dong Xuebing did not continue. “Alright. Drive safely.”
Geng Yuehua nodded and boarded the car with Ma Jian and Shen Fei.
Dong Xuebing immediately took out his phone and sent Geng Yuehua an SMS.
Dong Xuebing: Stay here tonight. I need to meet you.
Geng Yuehua: What is it?
Dong Xuebing: I want to check on your condition and see if you are alright.
Geng Yuehua: I have recovered.
Dong Xuebing: I need to see it for myself.
Geng Yuehua did not reply, and Dong Xuebing did not know if she would stay. From his previous experiences with her, he knows she would never complete her statements. He would ask her again this evening.
A while later, Luan Xiaoping called Dong Xuebing, and they left for a building beside them.
Along the corridor.
Dong Xuebing showed a thumbs up to his mother. “Mum, you were great earlier. You changed after you became a Mayor’s wife.”
Luan Xiaoping chided Dong Xuebing. “You still dare to say?! I had only asked you over for lunch, and you created such a mess. Can you stop for a while? I am doing great?! Old Yang and I can hear you scolding upstairs and see what happened from the windows. I wanted Old Yang to help you, but he said it’s not good for him to get involved. I am the better person to stop the conflict; he taught me how to handle it and what to say.”
Oh, it’s Old Yang who taught you.
No wonder you become full of political wisdom suddenly.
Dong Xuebing laughed. His mother handled the situation well and did not side with him. She scolded him since she appeared, and Deputy Mayor Zhou scolded Chief Meng. It was also Chief Meng who apologized without his mother saying anything. It was handled well and de-escalated the situation. Thinking back, it was not something his mother would do.
Dong Xuebing laughed. “I saw lots of changes in you. You were awesome at the charity event TV news report.
Luan Xiaoping blushed. “Rubbish.”
“I am telling the truth. Haha….”
“Stop your nonsense and go upstairs now. Your Uncle Yang is waiting.”
“Sure. I have not seen him for some time.”
Upstairs. Luan Xiaoping opened the door and let her son enter before closing it.
The apartment was filled with food fragrances. Dong Xuebing inhaled deeply. “Smells delicious.”
The kitchen door opened. Yang Zhaode walked out in an apron. “Xiao Bing, you are here. Lunch is ready soon.”
“Happy New Year, Uncle Yang.” Dong Xuebing greeted. “Have you and Mum eaten?”
Yang Zhaode laughed. “We are waiting for you. Let’s eat.”
Dong Xuebing exclaimed. “I told Mum I had taken lunch and didn’t need to wait for me.”
Yang Zhaode replied. “You can still eat some. Go wash your hands and try my food.”
“Let me help.” Old Yang is a City Mayor, and Dong Xuebing could not let him do all the work.
“No need. Take a break with your mother. I am also done with cooking.” Yang Zhaode waved his hand and closed the kitchen door.
Luan Xiaoping replied. “Let him be. Cooking is his hobby, and we should wait for his food.”
Dong Xuebing nodded.
Uncle Yang treated Dong Xuebing’s mother well, and he cooked every time he visited. It seemed Luan Xiaoping was free and had nothing to do. Dong Xuebing was happy for his mother and grateful to Uncle Yang. After his father passed away, his mother had never smiled so happily.
“Oh….” Dong Xuebing looked around. “Where is Qianqian?”
“In the room. Let me see if she is awake.” Luan Xiaoping entered the room.
Dong Xuebing followed into the room. Little Qianqian was awake and looking around.
“Oh, you woke up.” Luan Xiaoping smiled. “My precious granddaughter. Let me carry you.”
Little Qianqian saw her father and got excited. She started shouting and waving her arms and legs excitedly.
Luan Xiaoping carried Qianqian up.
Qianqian refused and started crying.
“Ah… stop crying….” Luan Xiaoping quickly cuddled her.
“Mum, let me carry her.” Dong Xuebing took her daughter from his mother and kissed her chubby cheeks.
Luan Xiaoping was slightly jealous. “You are always playing happily with me. Now you see your father, and you don’t want me. Sigh….”
Dong Xuebing laughed. “Look, your grandmother is angry. Go and cheer her up.”
Dong Xuebing carried Qianqian closer to Luan Xiaoping and let her grab her hair.
Luan Xiaoping smiled and kissed Qianqian on her forehead. “You naughty girl. Go and play with your father.”
“Let’s go. I will carry you above my head.” Dong Xuebing walked to the living room and lifted Qianqian above his head. “Fly…. You are flying….”
Little Qianqian giggled loudly. “Ya… ya….”
Luan Xiaoping laughed. “This child is very close to her father.”
Dong Xuebing looked at his mother. “Uncle Yang, and you can carry her high up. She likes it.”
Luan Xiaoping replied. “Our neck and back are not good at our age, and she is getting heavier. We don’t have the strength to carry her, and we are afraid of dropping her. Only when Yunxuan is around, can she play like this.”
“Oh, is Yunxuan coming back tonight?”
“No. She went to retrieve her file and would be back a few days later. Is Huilan coming later?”
“She had not been home for some time. I asked her to accompany her parents, and she will return to work from Beijing tomorrow.”
“Are you staying over tonight?”
“Let’s talk about it later. I might have something on tonight.”
Yang Zhaode opened the kitchen door. “Food is ready.”
“Alright.” Luan Xiaoping smiled and helped Yang Zhaode to bring out the food.
They sat at the dining table and had some red wine.
Luan Xiaoping said. “Old Yang, you should tell Xiao Bing off. He is always creating trouble and never learns his lesson.”
Yang Zhaode smiled. “I can tell Xiao Bing knows what he is doing. We don’t need to say anything.”
Dong Xuebing laughed. “You are right, Uncle Yang. Here’s a toast to you.”
“Cheers.” Yang Zhaode laughed.
Luan Xiaoping gave Yang Zhaode a stare. “He played funeral songs at someone’s wedding and blocked the entrance of the City Party Committee family quarters. How can he know what he is doing? Have you ever seen a Discipline Inspection leader behaving this way?!”
Dong Xuebing smacked his lips. “Mum, I was forced. It was that Meng fellow who refused to give in. This does not concern me. It’s about the pride and reputation of our Fen Zhou City. I will not let him off for disrespecting us.”
Luan Xiaoping stared at her son. “You only know how to use violence to settle problems.”
“If I don’t fight back, people would be stepping all over me.” This was Dong Xuebing’s belief and working style.
Yang Zhaode laughed. “You are right. You should fight back when you encounter trouble.”
Luan Xiaoping gave up. “You two…. Sigh….”
