Afternoon.
Old Yang’s apartment.
After playing with Little Qianqian for a while, Dong Xuebing felt he had become much younger and was in a good mood.
“My baby…. Smile for daddy.”
“Ya… ya… hee….”
“Haha… good girl. Let me kiss you.”
“Yee… yee… ya… ya….”
“Haha… you are adorable.”
Dong Xuebing kissed Qianqian’s cheeks and rubbed his stubbles against her face. She giggled and tried to hit his chin. He had been carrying her for hours. Luan Xiaoping told him she needed to sleep, but he refused to put her down. This was the difference between people from Beijing and other regions. People from Beijing would not leave their children alone.
Luan Xiaoping complained to Old Yang. “Look at Xiao Bing. You still dare to say I am spoiling the baby? Look at him now.”
Yang Zhaode laughed. “He had not seen his daughter for several days.”
Luan Xiaoping shook her head. “He had spoilt her. How are we going to take care of her?”
Yang Zhaode laughed. “You are also hugging her every night to sleep. You are also spoiling her.”
Luan Xiaoping argued. “That’s different. I am afraid she wet herself or is hungry, and I can hear her cry if I carry her.”
Yang Zhaode laughed. “Both of you are the same.”
Luan Xiaoping was annoyed. “Stop talking about me. Do you think I don’t know you carried her out to show off to others this morning?”
Yang Zhaode laughed. “I did not say I don’t dote Qianqian. She is adorable. I don’t have kids, and of course, I doted her.”
Luan Xiaoping paused for a second. “You should also show some concern for Xiao Bing. He doesn’t listen to me. You must reprimand him if he makes any mistakes. I can tell he respects you.”
Yang Zhaode smiled and nodded. “Ok.”
Suddenly, Luan Xiaoping walked over. “Alright, Xiao Bing. Stop carrying Qianqian so high. You might drop her. Let me carry.”
Dong Xuebing refused. “Mum, why are you fighting with me for Qianqian? I am going back tomorrow.”
“You are playing too dangerously with her. Let me carry.”
“Ah…. What are you talking about?”
“I will carry her while you chat with Old Yang.”
Dong Xuebing gave Qianqian to his mother reluctantly and walked over to Yang Zhaode. “Uncle Yang.”
“Haha…. Let’s talk in the room.”
“Ok.”
“Inside the bedroom.”
They closed the door.
Yang Zhaode said. “It’s only the both of us now, and you can speak your mind. Haha…. Your mother wants me to reprimand you, but there’s nothing much for me to say. You are a Deputy Division Chief through your own efforts. I am sure you have your own ideas and working style. I will not force you to follow my steps. It’s unnecessary.”
Dong Xuebing laughed. “You understand me, well.”
Yang Zhaode spoke softly. “Your mother is worried and is always losing sleep because of you.”
“Yes. That’s her character since many years ago.”
“That’s why you should stop making her worry.”
“I understand, Uncle Yang.”
“Since you know what you should do, I shall not say more. Haha…. To be honest, I am impressed with your working style. I was not as capable as you at your age. A Deputy Division Chief at twenty-five, holding a Discipline Inspection leader position. You cannot find someone else with your achievements in the province. You are young and capable and have a good wife, Huilan. You will do better than me in the future. Haha… have you considered your future? How are you doing now?” Yang Zhaode asked.
“Still fine.” Dong Xuebing thought for a while. “The Discipline Inspection position might be powerful, but it’s all bullshit. I still have to follow my leader’s instructions. I can only investigate whatever cases he approved. I cannot do any investigation if he wants to cover up. I am only trying to gain some experience and move on.”
“You will be a Division Chief if you move one more step.”
“Yes…. I had been thinking about it.”
“You are just promoted to Deputy Division Chief and thinking about Division Chief. Having a target is good, but it’s too difficult for you to be a Division Chief your age.”
“I know. That’s why I am taking it slow.”
“Yes. Don’t rush. You got to take one step at a time.” Yang Zhaode paused for a second and said. “I must say this even if you don’t like to hear. You should ask for advice from Huilan. She is your wife and would not harm you. She is a Deputy City Mayor at thirty-one and is more capable than me. She grew up in a political family, and you should learn from her.”
Dong Xuebing laughed. “I understand what you mean. Huilan is smarter than me, and I always felt she is most suitable for government work.”
“You are also suitable.”
“Stop mocking me. I know myself well. I am a God of Plague. I am not boasting. I am good at fighting and not afraid of anyone. Regarding political rivalry, Huilan handles it better than I do. I only know how to offend others, and I don’t think I can change.” Politics is about give and take and balancing between all parties. However, Dong Xuebing could never do it. He will never give in to others.
“You ah…. Haha….”
“I will remember what you said and will get advice from Huilan in the future. I will continue doing my job this year and wait for an opportunity to get promoted.”
Dong Xuebing had a clear target in his mind. He wants to move up the ranks.
After becoming a Deputy Division Chief, he was thinking of how to get promoted to Division Chief.
