Sunday morning.
Home.
Dong Xuebing woke up before 7 am and tried on a few sets of clothes in front of the mirror.
Xie Huilan walked out of the room and saw him. “What are you doing?”
“I am picking my outfit. Help me see which set looks better.” Dong Xuebing replied.
“Why are you dressing up? Haha…. Are you going to meet your lover?”
“What are you saying? I am bringing a team out for inspection, and I must dress up nicely.”
“You are so vain. Alright. This set looks good on you.”
“Ok. I will listen to you. I will not be coming back these few days. You got to eat out. I estimate I will be gone for more than one week. If you cannot cope, call my Mum over. I worry about leaving you at home alone.”
“I know how to take care of myself. Haha…. Just go to work.”
“Give me a kiss before I go.”
“Go. Why are you so troublesome?”
“Hurry up and kiss me. I got to go soon.”
Dong Xuebing and Xie Huilan cuddled for a while before the former left with his luggage.
Dong Xuebing did not drive his car as it would be too prominent. That’s why he drove a car from his workplace. It was a 2.8L Passat, and it was suitable for this task. It will not stand out, and it was not too shabby too. He had informed his team members that he would visit the locations first and meet them on Monday.
One hour….
Two hours….
Three hours….
Dong Xuebing drove into Ma Yang County before noon.
Ma Yang County used to be an impoverished county. But because it is located next to Beijing, the property prices rise brought them out of poverty. The properties nearer to Beijing were higher than Fen Zhou City’s prime districts. This county has been doing well in recent years.
County city.
Along a busy street.
Dong Xuebing parked his car by the road and walked along the street. He looked around for a place to have lunch.
The wind was strong, and it was chilly.
Dong Xuebing tightened his collar and entered a nice restaurant.
When Dong Xuebing entered through the door, a couple tried to enter the restaurant beside him and knocked on him. He immediately frowned.
The couple frowned and shouted at Dong Xuebing. “Why are you trying to squeeze your way through?”
Dong Xuebing thought to himself. Who is the one trying to squeeze through the door? He was about to argue with them when he paused.
Dong Xuebing looked at that couple. “Eh? You are Dongdong.”
The woman remembered Dong Xuebing and pointed at him. “Dong Xuejing?!” She remembered his name wrongly.
Dong Xuebing smiled and extended his hand for a handshake. “I don’t know who Dong Xuejing is. I am Dong Xuebing.”
Dujuan slapped his forehead. “Oh yes. I forgot.”
Pang Shuo patted Dong Xuebing’s shoulder. “We had not met for many years. I did not expect to see you here. Why didn’t you attend our class gatherings in the past few years?”
Dong Xuebing sighed. “I was busy with work and did not have time.”
Pang Shuo laughed. “Alright. Since we met today, you are not allowed to leave. Let’s have a good meal. I will buy lunch. Let’s go.”
Dong Xuebing smiled. “No…. I will pay.”
“I should pay since we are here. Let’s go.” Pang Shuo waved his hand.
Pang Shuo and Dujuan were Dong Xuebing’s High School classmates. They had been dating then, and he did not expect them to be together after so many years. They were wearing wedding rings and should be married. He was not close with them in school and did not keep in touch after they graduated. He did hear from a friend that Dujuan and Pang Shuo had passed the civil servant exams and were posted to the Western region for work. He was not surprised they could not remember his name. During his High School days, he was a below-average student with below-average looks. He was also not good at sports and had nothing for others to remember him. It was a miracle when they remembered his surname.
Inside the restaurant.
The restaurant’s boss came out to welcome Pang Shuo. “Oh, welcome, Chief Pang, Director Du. Please come in.”
Pang Shuo smiled. “Give me a quiet private room.”
“Sure. Please follow me.” The boss said.
Dong Xuebing was surprised that Pang Shuo and Dujuan were so influential here.
Inside the private room.
Pang Shuo passed the menu to Dong Xuebing and smiled. “Just order whatever you want. Let’s get Maotai. We must have a drink today.”
Dong Xuebing ordered a few dishes and asked. “I heard both of you were posted to the western region after you all graduated from University.”
Pang Shuo replied. “Yes. We were there for two years. It was tough.”
“It’s torture.” Dujuan shook her head. “The environment there was harsh.”
Dong Xuebing asked. “What about now?”
Pang Shuo said. “I used my connections, and we were posted to Ma Yang County during Lunar New Year. We finally made it. Sigh…. Being a Civil Servant is hard without experience. No one cares, even if you are capable. Never mind. You will not understand even if I tell you. Being a Civil Servant is not glamorous as others think. People don’t understand how tough it is.”
Dong Xuebing blinked. “Then are you two Directors?”
“Deputy Directors.” Pang Shuo drank his tea and put down the glass. “I am working in the Construction Bureau. Dujuan works as a Deputy Director in the County Government Office Department.”
A Deputy Chief and a Deputy Director.
Both of them held Deputy Section Chief rank.
Dong Xuebing said. “Both of you are doing well.”
“Sigh…. We are only average.” Pang Shuo said that, but he looked proud. “We suffered a lot for our Deputy Section Chief ranks.”
Dujuan looked at Dong Xuebing. “What are you doing now, Xuebing?”
Dong Xuebing could not tell them what he was doing and lied. “Nothing much. I am in Ma Yang County for some business.”
Pang Shuo patted his chest. “Call me if you encounter any problems. I can still pull some weight in this area.”
Dong Xuebing smiled. “Sure. Thank you.”
Pang Shuo waved his hand. “We are old friends. What’s there to thank?”
Dujuan said. “All the dishes are here. Let’s eat while it’s hot.”
Dujuan and Pang Shuo were considered to be doing well. They became Deputy Section Chiefs after two years and held positions with authority. They can be proud of their achievements and keep talking about their work. Although it was primarily complaints and winnings about their work, Dong Xuebing could tell they were satisfied with their lives. They just wanted to show off. He did not say much, as he was quiet during his school days. He sat there and listened to them.
After a few rounds of drinking.
Pang Shuo placed his arm around Dong Xuebing’s shoulder. “Are you married now?”
Dong Xuebing smiled. “I just got married a few months ago. You two must be married now. I saw your rings.”
Pang Shuo nodded. “We got married two months ago. How are you doing now? How much are you making now?”
Dong Xuebing replied honestly. “Around 4,000 RMB.”
Pang Shuo was surprised. “Not bad. Considering the civil servants’ benefits, we are making around the same amount.”
Dong Xuebing replied modestly. “Haha…. How can I compare to you all?”
“Don’t say that.” Pang Shuo replied. “If you decide to quit your current company, look for me. I can recommend you a job with a few thousand RMB easily. I should be staying in Ma Yang County permanently. The job I recommend will surely be better than what you are doing now.”
“Let’s talk about this when the time comes.”
“Sure. Just let me know when you need help.”
Comparing among themselves is common during classmate gatherings. They would compare who’s wife is prettier or whose salary is higher. Dong Xuebing did not care about all these as he was not someone who liked to show off to others.
After lunch.
Pang Shuo was slightly drunk. “I did not know you could drink so well now. You did not drink during our High School days.”
Dujuan frowned. “Stop drinking. We still got work tomorrow.”
Pang Shuo sighed loudly. “The City is making our lives difficult.”
“Huh? What happened?” Dong Xuebing asked.
Pang Shuo replied helplessly. “The City Commission for Discipline Inspection had sent an inspection team. They will be arriving tomorrow. We don’t know what they will pick on. The City Commission for Discipline Inspection Committee is making us busy. The County government ordered every department to prepare for the Discipline Inspection’s leader’s arrival. We cannot make any mistake, especially our Construction Bureau. I heard a school building had collapsed in Fen Zhou City, and they are focusing their inspection on us.”
Dujuan also complained. “My side is also busy. We must make all the preparations to welcome the leaders. Can’t these City Leaders conduct fewer inspections?”
Pang Shuo quickly stopped her. “Don’t be so loud. People might hear you.”
Dong Xuebing smiled wearily in his heart. They were talking about him.
