Level One of the Mansion. Living room.
Xie Guobang put down his newspaper and said. “Xiao Dong, I heard you will be transferred to the Investment Promotion Agency after the New Year?”
“Yes.” Dong Xuebing replied with a serious look.
“Can you adapt after switching from the Public Security to the Investment Promotion Agency?”
“I am confident I can take on this role and will do my best to improve the economy of the County. I will…”
Xie Huilan interrupted. “Haha… Are you going to be the Chief of the Investment Promotion Agency or the County Mayor?”
Han Jing, who was listening by the side, laughed.
Dong Xuebing thought to himself. I am showing my determination to the leader. Why are you interrupting me? But… I know what I said is exaggerating. Dong Xuebing cleared his throat and continue. “To do my job well, I cannot see things from the perspective of the Investment Promotion Agency. I must have a helicopter view of things on the whole County, and this way, I can improve the economy. Once the economy is revived, the people will have a better life…” Dong Xuebing is not good at bragging and is not shy about it.
Han Jing laughed. “Every time you all meet, you all are talking about work and politics…”
Xie Huilan narrowed her eyes and laughed. “Xiao Bing, my Mum is unhappy.”
Dong Xuebing quickly continues to chat with Mdm. Han, and asked about their health.
Suddenly, Dong Xuebing heard footsteps from upstairs. Ta… ta… ta… the footsteps are slow, and he knows it must be Senior Xie coming downstairs. Dong Xuebing and Xie Huilan stood up and walk over to the foot of the stairs. They saw a young man and woman coming down the stairs, and they are around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old. The man is handsome and should be Xie Huilan’s younger brother (cousin), Xie Ran, the Deputy Director ranked Leader in Beijing’s Youth League. The woman beside him is pretty and looks like Xie Huilan. But she is not as pretty as Xie Huilan, and she should be Xie Jing, who is working at Xin Hua News Agency.
Dong Xuebing was impressed. They are indeed the third generation of a prestigious family. Oh… Xie Hao is exceptional.
Xie Ran and Xie Jing are holding on to Senior Xie’s arms, helping him down the stairs.
Senior Xie still has a serious look on his face. From one look, one could tell he is very stubborn and overbearing.
Dong Xuebing had experienced Senior Xie’s overbearing character during the last time they met, and he was still feeling sore about it.
“Grandfather.” Xie Huilan smiles. “You look much better.”
Senior Xie gave Xie Huilan a glance and said. “You are not in Beijing, and there is no one at home to make me mad. Of course, I will look better.” He paused for a second and said. “I thought I can have a few more days of peace. Why are you back?”
Xie Huilan did not get angry and laughed. “Haha… Why did I hear that you called for me in your dreams?”
Senior Xie stared at Xie Huilan angrily. “Who did you hear that from? How come I don’t know about this?”
Xie Huilan laughed. “I cannot tell you who is my undercover.”
Senior Xie stroked his beard. “I called your name in my dreams is because you made me mad!”
The rest of the people felt awkward when Senior Xie and Xie Huilan started arguing the moment they met.
Dong Xuebing cleared his throat and said. “Grandfather, Happy New Year.” He stepped forward with the box of Wild Ginseng. “This is a gift from Huilan and me. This is a 50-years Wild Ginseng. I wish you longevity.” Xie Jing, who was standing beside Senior Xie, took the gift from Dong Xuebing. She was surprised by how rich Dong Xuebing is. This gift is worth a few hundred thousand.
Senior Xie ignored Dong Xuebing and walked past him as if he is transparent. He walks over to Xie Guobang and Han Jing. “Where is Guoliang and Guo Jian?”
Dong Xuebing was slightly embarrassed, but this was what he expected.
Xie Ran walks over to Xie Huilan. “Sis, Happy New Year.”
Xie Jing also greeted Xie Huilan. “Sis, I wish you a Happy New Year too.”
Xie Huilan nodded. “Haha… let me introduce. This is Dong Xuebing. This should be the first time you all meet him, right?”
“Yes.” Xie Ran extended his hand for a handshake with Dong Xuebing. “Nice to meet you.”
Xie Jing also laughed and shook hands with Dong Xuebing. “Brother Dong, I had heard a lot about you.”
Dong Xuebing was slightly embarrassed by how Xie Jing addressed him. He is only 24 years old, and Xie Jing is older than him by three to four years. But he is Xie Huilan’s boyfriend, and in terms of seniority, Xie Jing should address him as ‘Brother.’
Not all of the Xie Family had returned. But Dong Xuebing had met most of them. Other than Senior Xie is giving him the cold shoulders, the rest did not make things difficult for him. This situation is so much better than he imagined.
“Sister, how long will be in Beijing?” Xie Jing asked.
Xie Huilan replied. “I still have worked at the County, and should be leaving tomorrow.”
Xie Ran was surprised. “So early? I still want to get some advice from you.”
“About work?” Xie Huilan narrowed her eyes. “No problem. We can have a chat after dinner. Oh, I forgot to congratulate you on your promotion.”
Dong Xuebing could tell Xie Huilan commanded a lot of respect from her cousins.
After a while, Xie Guoliang, Xie Guojian, and his wife entered the mansion. Xie Ran and Xie Jing went over to them.
Xie Huilan took the opportunity to tell Dong Xuebing. “The family has high hopes for Xiao Ran. Although he is getting experience with the Youth League now, he will be transferred to the grassroots for training soon. My father’s generation can be considered doing well, but they are preparing for the next generation. The whole family’s resources will be used to help Xiao Ran move up the ranks in the future. Both my Grandfather and father want Xiao Ran to be the successor.”
Dong Xuebing nodded and asked. “What about Xiao Hao?”
“Him?” Xie Huilan laughed. “Do you think he is suitable to be a government official?”
Dong Xuebing replied. “You cannot say this. Xiao Hao is still young, and I was not as matured as him when I was at his age.” Dong Xuebing had met Xie Hao many times, and quite like this rascal.
Speaking of the devil.
The door opened, and Xie Hao ran in shouting. “Is my Sister here?” Xie Hao had arrived in the early afternoon and had gone to the backyard to learn martial arts with Senior Xie’s guards. Xie Jing scolded him jokingly. “You only know your Big sister. Don’t you know how to greet me first?”
“Heehee… Second Sis, I had greeted you when we are at the backyard.” Xie Hao exclaimed.
“You called that greeting?!” Xie Jing imitates Xie Hao’s action and voice. She waved her hand and said, “You are here?!” “You call this greeting me?! Ah?”
Everyone laughed except for Xie Guojian. He stared at Xie Hao angrily. “How can you be so rude? Where are your manners?!” Xie Hao just giggled.
Xie Huilan hooked her arm onto Dong Xuebing’s arm and walks over.
“Why are you giggling over there? Have you found money on the streets?” Xie Huilan teased Xie Hao.
“Haha! Sis! You are finally back!” Xie Hao shouted, and he saw Dong Xuebing. He almost jumped up and ran over with his arms spread out. “Ahh… it’s my idol!” Dong Xuebing is speechless as Xie Hao gave him a bear hug. “Brother-in-law! Idol! I finally get to see you! No… you must teach me a few moves now! I had been learning Wushu these few days!”
Dong Xuebing pushes Xie Hao away. “I don’t know any martial arts.”
Xie Jing was confused. “Brother Dong knows Wushu?”
“Hee hee… Didn’t I tell you about this?” Xie Hao explained excitedly. “Brother-in-law not only knows Wushu, even the black belts in Seoul also are not his match!” Xie Jing was stunned. “The guy who challenged seven Taekwondo schools in Seoul is him?”
“Of course! Do you still need to ask?” Xie Hao proudly replied. Xie Jing looks at Dong Xuebing with interest. After all, she is working with a news agency.
Dong Xuebing is pissed. Why did Xie Hao bring up this matter? To the young men and ordinary folks, what Dong Xuebing did is uplifting, but not everyone thinks like this. Dong Xuebing had wanted to leave a good impression with Xie Huilan’s family and doesn’t want others to know he is rash and impulsive.
Actually, everyone in the mansion knows about this matter, except for Xie Jing.
Xie Hao had been talking about this incident these two days, and even the guards know about this. Xie Jing had not been to Senior Xie’s mansion recently and did not hear about it. She quickly asked for the details, and Xie Hao told her about the whole incident. But most of the things he said are rubbish, as he was not there to witness all the challenges.
With Xie Hao around, the mansion becomes livelier.
During dinner, Xie Hao was the only one talking non-stop.
The elders in Beijing have lots of customs. Although not many people are following these customs anymore, Senior Xie still follows some of them. For example, when there is a guest at home, women are not allowed to be seated at the table. But Han Jing and Ci Lifen are not anybody, and Senior Xie cannot really stop them from sitting at the table. So, a smaller table is set up beside the main table for them and the third generation.
How can there be no liquor during dinner?
The helpers served a small glass of Baijiu to everyone.
Dong Xuebing is a junior and also a guest. He has to toast to all the elders. After toasting everyone individually, he felt slightly giddy. Dong Xuebing cannot hold his liquor well.
Xie Hao lifted his glass of fruit juice to drink with Dong Xuebing. Xie Ran and Xie King also want to drink with him.
Xie Huilan saw them and stopped them. “Xiao Bing is not good at drinking. Don’t try to make him drunk.”
“I’m fine and is not drunk.
