One day….
Two days….
Three days….
It is a hot day. Although it’s morning and still not the hottest period of the summer, Dong Xuebing could not stand the heat. He is afraid of hot weather after being stranded on that coral rock for days. He was sweating under his blankets and kicked them aside before continuing to sleep.
The door opened.
Luan Xiaoping entered the room. “Why are you not covering yourself with your blanket?”
“It’s too hot.” Dong Xuebing mumbled.
“You are covered in sweat and will catch a cold. Get up. It’s already past 8 am.”
Dong Xuebing mumbled. “Let me sleep a while longer. It’s been tiring these few days.
Luan Xiaoping shook her head and sat on the bed. She covered Dong Xuebing’s legs with the blanket. “Has Huilan’s younger brother and sister left?”
“They left two days ago.”
“What about Yunxuan?”
“I sent her back yesterday.”
“Everyone had shown concern for you during the funeral, and you must not forget to treat them to a meal. Are your colleagues and Leaders aware of it?”
“Mum, I know what to do.”
“… Have you treated them?”
Dong Xuebing smiled wearily and rubbed his eyes. “What do you think I had been doing the past few days? We had a meal with our relatives that afternoon, and I treated Aunt Xuan and the rest later that night. The next day, I invited Mayor Zhao, other Government Leaders, and I treated a few of my colleagues that evening. I also went to drink with my former colleagues at Hui Tian Village Police Station. I returned to Beijing for a meal with Huilan’s family. I had been running around, eating, and drinking these few days. It is too tiring.”
“Do you have anything on today?”
“I settled everything and just want to sleep a little longer.”
“Alright.” Luan Xiaoping stroked Dong Xuebing’s hair. “I will wake you at 10 am.”
Dong Xuebing rolled his eyes. “How am I supposed to return to bed after chatting with you for so long? I am awake now.”
Luan Xiaoping laughed. “Then get up. I will prepare breakfast for you.”
“No.” Dong Xuebing turned and patted his back. “Mum, my whole body is aching. Help me massage my back.”
“You brat. How dare you order your mother?”
“Hurry. It’s been years since you give me a message.”
Luan Xiaoping smiled and started massaging his back after slapping his butt lightly. “Do you know how scare I was during those few days? I still have not settled the score with you. Oh, I can tell Yunxuan and Meixia worries about you.”
Dong Xuebing’s heart skipped a beat. “Really? Maybe it’s because we are close.”
Luan Xiaoping asked. “Is your Aunt Xuan going to get married? Her tummy is so big, and she did not say anything when I asked her. Sigh… Yunxuan is such a nice girl. I wonder who is so lucky to be with her.”
“Err… Mum… take a break. You don’t need to massage anymore.”
“I am not tired.”
“I don’t want you to be tired. I am feeling better now. Thank you.”
“Haha… don’t mention it.” Luan Xiaoping forgot what she was saying after Dong Xuebing interrupted her. “Get dress while I prepare breakfast.”
“Ok. Don’t you have lessons today?”
“It’s the weekend today.”
Dong Xuebing was stranded in the sea for two weeks and had forgotten about the days. “Are you going back to the City later? Old Yang should be off too.”
“I am not leaving during the day. I will accompany you.”
Dong Xuebing had been busy entertaining his colleagues and friends and was seldom at home. Luan Xiaoping is the happiest person to see him again, and he has many things to say. Today, he has finally settled on entertaining his colleagues and friends, and she has an opportunity to chat with him. It doesn’t matter to her what they chat about, as long as he is alive and is in front of her.
After breakfast, Dong Xuebing massaged his mother’s shoulders and accompanied her to watch TV. They chatted happily, and after the air crash experience, he cherished spending time with his loved ones more.
Ring… ring… ring… Dong Xuebing’s phone rang.
Luan Xiaoping turned to Dong Xuebing. “Stop massaging me, and answer your phone.”
Dong Xuebing released his hands on his mother’s shoulders and smiled. “My phone had been ringing non-stop these few days.”
“There’s nothing to be proud of.” Luan Xiaoping is amused.
Dong Xuebing had not only been busy with his colleagues and friends. He also had to replace his identification card, bank cards, etc. Of course, he doesn’t need to do these himself. He just gave his Hu Kuo, photographs, and authorization letter to Guo Panwei, for him to settle all these. Everything should be ready by next week. The phone he is using now is the newly bought iPhone 4S.
Dong Xuebing answered his phone. “Hello.”
“Chief, I’m Sun Shuli.”
“Oh, Old Sun.”
“My wife and I are at your building, and we wish to visit you. Are you at home?”
“Yes.” Dong Xuebing is puzzled and looks out of the windows. “Alright. Come up, and don’t bring anything with you.”
“Haha… I had already bought them.”
“You are too polite. Come up now, and don’t bring any gifts next time.”
After hanging up, Luan Xiaoping asked curiously. “Is that your Agency’s Deputy Chief Sun? Didn’t you say you had dinner with them already?”
Dong Xuebing straighten his clothes. “Yes. Maybe he needs something from me.” He had noticed something peculiar with them. They had not told him anything about work because he just returned from the dead, but he knew what was coming and had his plans. That’s why he did not ask when they didn’t mention it. He didn’t even call the Agency these few days.
A few moments later, Dong Xuebing can hear footsteps coming up the stairs.
Dong Xuebing and Luan Xiaoping opened the door and gates to wait for them.
Sun Shuli saw Dong Xuebing standing outside and quickens his pace.
“Chief.”
“Old Sun. Is this your wife? Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you, Chief Dong and Auntie.” Chief Sun’s wife is in her forties, and looks mean. But she smiled politely.
Luan Xiaoping smiled. “Come in. I will prepare the tea.”
“Oh, thank you.” Sun Shuli and his wife replied.
Luan Xiaoping is used to her son’s colleagues, who are around her age, addressing her as ‘Auntie.’ But she still feels uncomfortable sometimes. Sun Shuli’s wife might be even older than her, calling her Auntie because of Dong Xuebing’s position.
After entering the apartment, Dong Xuebing drank tea, smoke, and ate fruits with them.
Sun Shuli felt awkward and has an embarrassed expression on his face.
“Old Sun, why did you give me so many health supplements? Thank you.” Dong Xuebing laughed. “I had been eating raw fish for days at sea and need nourishment. These are good for my recovery, and I can get back to work earlier.”
Sun Shuli’s expression froze when he heard this.
Sun Shuli’s wife also had an awkward expression.
Dong Xuebing asked curiously. “What is it? Are you feeling unwell?”
Sun Shuli knew Dong Xuebing might not know what happened, and he decided to tell him. “Chief, everyone thought you…. That’s why around ten days after the crash, the County Party Committee decided to let me take over your position as the Agency’s Chief… This…” This is the real purpose why Sun Shuli came. If Dong Xuebing is someone ordinary, he might not care. But he is Mayor Xie’s boyfriend, and Sun Shuli is in an awkward position. He is worried Dong Xuebing might be mad with him taking over the Agency.
“Oh…” Dong Xuebing rubbed his forehead, but he had expected this.
Sun Shuli had been speaking casually with Dong Xuebing because their ranks are about the same. But today, he is very respectful to him. He doesn’t know what is the County Government’s plans as this had never happened before.
Sun Shuli quickly continued. “I think I am not ready to be the Agency’s Chief, and I had spoken to Mayor Zhao this morning. Since you are back, you should carry on as the Chief. I…” He needs to say this regardless of what he thinks.
Dong Xuebing waved his hand and laughed. “Since the organization had decided on this, how can they take back this order? Haha, Old Sun, you are the best person to lead the Agency, and I am assured to hand it to you.”
“But…”
“Do your best and don’t worry about other things. Don’t need to worry about me being upset. I am not narrow-minded.”
Sun Shuli is relieved upon hearing this. He was afraid Dong Xuebing would create havoc at the County Party Committee after knowing this. Others might not do this, but Chief Xiao Dong will do it. His career will be in jeopardy. Furthermore, Xie Huilan and Dong Xuebing’s status had almost overtaken Xiang Daofa. He had to think about this carefully. He would rather not be the Chief than offend Dong Xuebing and Xie Huilan.
But Sun Shuli also knows it is impossible for him to return the Chief’s position to Dong Xuebing and continue to be the Deputy Chief.
The decisions made by the organization cannot be reversed like this!
