North suburban crematorium.
Although news of Dong Xuebing’s return is spreading, some people still don’t know about it.
Some people are still coming to the crematorium with wreaths, and all of them were stunned when they saw Dong Xuebing alive and kicking. They threw the wreaths on the floor in shock. Qin Yong and Sun Shuli were among those that came later. They were held up at work and almost got a heart attack when they saw him.
“Brother Dong?”
“Chief Dong?!”
Qin Yong and Sun Shuli couldn’t believe their eyes.
Dong Xuebing smiled and waved to them. “Old Sun, Old Qin, you all are here? Thank you. Come in. It’s warm inside.” He had to host them for coming to his ‘funeral’ and had to explain again.
Dong Xuebing was the only person talking in the memorial service hall.
“I managed to escape death by jumping off the plane before the crash.”
“Eh, Uncle, Aunt, can you remove my picture?”
“Eh, Mum. Leave those things in the coffin. Those are just my pillows and some of my belongings. We have spare at home. Throw those away. It’s bad luck.”
“Hi, Old Chen. You are here?! Thank you.”
“Eh? Chief Liu? Please come in.”
The funeral is supposed to be solemn, but this funeral is different. Everyone is speechless when they see Chief Dong playing host at his own funeral. This is too weird. A few TV station crew quickly recorded this scene. Many of the people in the memorial service hall have seen all sorts of things in their lives. But they had never seen a funeral like a gathering. Chief Dong is always full of surprises.
Suddenly Dong Xuebing’s mother pulled Dong Xuebing aside and said softly. “It’s Old Yang’s call.”
Dong Xuebing smiled wearily. “Don’t let Uncle Yang come.”
Luan Xiaoping is in a good mood. “Old Yang has arrived in Yan Tai County. But since you are fine, I asked him to go back. He wants to speak to you.”
Dong Xuebing nodded and answered. “Hello, Uncle Yang.”
“…….” Yang Zhaode did not reply.
“Uncle Yang?” Dong Xuebing thought the signal is not good. “Can you hear me?”
Yang Zhaode sighed in relief. “I am relieved to hear your voice. I had heard everything from Xiaoping. You must take good care of her. She had been crying these few days and was almost hospitalized for high blood pressure. Don’t make her worry for you again.”
“Yes. I will not make her worry.”
“Haha… you must be busy, and I will not go over. Let’s meet up when you come to the city.”
“Sure. Thank you for your concern. I will treat you to dinner when I am back.”
After Dong Xuebing hangs up, Xie Huilan waved to him with her phone. She passed him her phone. “My mother, hehe….”
Dong Xuebing cleared his throat and walked to a quiet corner before answering. “Hello, Auntie.”
Madam Han scolded softly. “Are you trying to scare everyone?!” She paused for a second. “Are you alright?”
Dong Xuebing laughed. “Sorry to worry you all. I am fine. Haha…”
“I can tell from your voice that you are fine.” Han Jing laughed. “I can finally have a good sleep. Hahaha… Wait a while. Your Uncle wants to speak to you.” Madam Han passed the phone to Xie Guobang.
Dong Xuebing is more respectful to Xie Guobang compared to Han Jing. He is a member of the Politburo Standing Committee, after all. “Uncle.”
Xie Guobang replied. “You are back?”
“… Yes. I am back!”
Xie Guobang did not say much and what he said was the same as Xie Huilan.
Is this call like daughter like father?
After hanging up, Xie Huilan told Dong Xuebing. “My parents and Xiao Hao’s mother are on their way here. Hahaha… they are almost reaching.”
Dong Xuebing replied. “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”
Xie Huilan laughed. “But they had returned now. My Mum asked you to return to Beijing when you are free. They want to talk with you.”
“Alright. Tell them that I will go over tomorrow.”
Ring… ring… ring… Luan Xiaoping’s phone rang again. She answered and passed the phone to Dong Xuebing. “It’s your old Leader.”
Xu Yan, Sister Xu?
“Hello, Chief Xu?”
“You are really lucky!”
“Err… I was really lucky this time. Why did you call this number?”
“I just heard about what happened to you and couldn’t get through to your phone. So, I asked my men to find your mother’s phone number.” This is an easy task for the Fen Zhou City State Security Bureau Chief. She laughed. “I have doubts when I heard that you died in an air crash. Others might not know about you, but I do. How can you die so easily? Haha…. I am right.”
Dong Xuebing heard traffic sounds in Xu Yan’s background. “Where are you now?”
“I am in your County’s northern suburbs, in front of the crematorium.”
“Ah, Sister Xu… don’t go back first. I will treat you to lunch.’
“I know you are busy now. Let’s meet another day when you are free.”
After hanging up, Dong Xuebing looked around and moved closer to his mother.
Luan Xiaoping asked. “What is it?”
“Err….” Dong Xuebing asked softly. “I couldn’t get through to Aunt Xuan’s phone. Did she come? How come I never see her?” He had thought of this earlier but didn’t ask as Xie Huilan was beside him.
“You still dare to ask? Yunxuan was hospitalized two days ago.”
“Ah? What’s wrong with her?”
“Maybe she was too worried for you. I wonder who’s child she is pregnant with. Do you know she is five to six months pregnant? I had been accompanying her at the hospital these few days. Oh, you should visit her at the hospital to stop her from worrying. She had been taking care of you when you were living in Beijing.” Luan Xiaoping doesn’t know about their relationship and thought Yunxuan was hospitalized because of poor health.
But Dong Xuebing knew she was hospitalized because of him.
No!
Dong Xuebing doesn’t have the mood to remain there anymore. He hosted a few more newcomers and dismissed this ‘funeral.’
