Evening.
The sky is dark, and it is around 7 pm.
Luan Xiaoping is busy cooking dinner in the kitchen.
Dong Xuebing is watching CCTV news in the living room, reporting about the air crash incident. The newscaster announced the latest information. A Chinese male passenger on board the flight is the sole survivor of the crash. Based on his account, the emergency exits cannot be opened after the plane’s engine caught fire. The investigators are investigating the cause of the crash, and the people in charge are in custody.
The sole survivor is Dong Xuebing. Xie Jing had brought a Xin Hua News Agency reporter to interview him when he had dinner with Huilan’s family in Beijing. He did not hide anything and told the reporter his account. Of course, he briefly explained his escape and claimed it was luck. Many other news media want to interview him but were rejected, as he doesn’t want to be famous.
Ring… ring… ring…
Luo Haiting called Dong Xuebing’s mobile phone.
“Hello, Chief. I’m Xiao Luo.”
“Director Luo, oh… I should address you as Chief Luo now.” Dong Xuebing laughed.
Luo Haiting felt embarrassed. “Don’t call me that. Everyone knows that you are the one who brought in 500 million RMB worth of investment, and I am promoted because of you.”
“You are modest. The Agency will not do well without the Office department’s support.”
“Chief, I heard… you are going to be promoted?”
Dong Xuebing paused for a second. “No. Who told you that?”
Luo Haiting blinked and asked. “Everyone is saying this.”
News of him speaking to Huilan in the morning had spread so fast? There are no secrets in the government service.
“What promotion? Those are rumors.” Dong Xuebing laughed. “It should be a same-level transfer at most, and nothing is confirmed yet.”
“Haha. I am congratulating you in advance.”
“Thank you.”
Luo Haiting knows that even if it is a same-level transfer, but ‘Section Chief’ positions are different. For example, some experienced County Public Security Bureau Deputy Chiefs hold the rank of “Section Chief.” But suppose they want to be promoted to Deputy Division Chief. In that case, they must be the Public Security Bureau’s Executive Deputy Chief, followed by the Bureau’s Chief, and then enter the County Party Committee. There are many prerequisites, and this is the Public Security Bureau. It will be more difficult to get a promotion if it is in the Cultural Department. But an important County’s department Chief, or a City Area’s important department head with ‘Section Chief’ position, can be promoted to Deputy Division Chief directly. It is very different for a ‘Section Chief’ to get promoted while working in a Village Government.
The Investment Promotion Agency is not an important County department. Everyone knows Dong Xuebing will be transferred to a more important position.
Dong Xuebing is going to move up again after getting promoted three months ago?!
This is a first in Fen Zhou City!
After hanging up, Guo Panwei called.
Guo Panwei laughed. “Congratulations, Chief.”
“It’s not confirmed, and I don’t even know where I will be going.” Dong Xuebing is in a good mood. “Panwei, what are your plans?”
Guo Panwei replied after a short pause. “I will follow you wherever you go.”
Guo Panwei has high hopes for Dong Xuebing’s career development. How else can get to Dong Xuebing’s rank with less than two years of service in the government? He is also less than 25 years old, and his political achievements are shocking!
But Guo Panwei also has his ideas. He had just gotten his Deputy Section Chief rank with Dong Xuebing’s help, and he needs to find a stable department to gain experience. The Investment Promotion Agency is also doing well after Dong Xuebing took over. Transferring to another place is not good for Guo Panwei. But he cannot tell Dong Xuebing what he is thinking. If Dong Xuebing needs his help, he still has to follow him to other departments.
Dong Xuebing thought for a while and said. “My transfer is not confirmed, and you should remain in the Agency. Let’s talk again after you become the Office Director.”
“Office Director? I have never thought about it. It’s too far.”
“It’s not. Haha… I can tell Mayor Zhao and Old Sun want you to let you be the Agency’s Office Director.”
“But…”
“Alright. That’s settled.”
Dong Xuebing knows to bring Guo Panwei along for his transfer is not good for the latter’s career. That’s why he asked him to remain in Yan Tai County. With Xie Huilan and Dong Xuebing’s connections, he should have a bright future.
After a while, Dong Xuebing’s mother walked out of the kitchen and asked. “Has Huilan finish work?”
Dong Xuebing looks at his watch. “It is after her working hours, but she is always busy and seldom gets to go home on time.”
“Did you tell her to come over for dinner? I will not cook the dishes first. Let’s wait for her.” Luan Xiaoping wiped her hands and took off her apron.
“Do you want me to call her?”
“No need.”
“Then let’s wait. She should be back soon.” Dong Xuebing nodded.
Luan Xiaoping looked at her son and asked. “Why are you so happy this afternoon? What happened?”
Dong Xuebing laughed. “I am going to be promoted, but I still don’t know where I will be transferred to. Most probably, it will be the city area, and it will be more convenient to visit you.”
Luan Xiaoping thought for a while. “Do you want me to ask Old Yang?”
“No.” Dong Xuebing quickly stop her. “Huilan and I can settle this ourselves. I also know some people, and I don’t want to bother Old Yang.”
Huilan is Dong Xuebing’s girlfriend, and it’s fine to ask her for help. But Yang Zhaode and Dong Xuebing’s mother are not married. He cannot keep asking him for help. Dong Xuebing doesn’t like to ask for favors from others and felt this might affect his mother and Old Yang’s relationship. Old Yang’s family might even look down on them because of this.
7.40 pm. Xie Huilan arrived at Dong Xuebing’s apartment.
Luan Xiaoping welcomed her in. “You must be tired. Come in. I will cook the dishes for your all. Xiao Bing, prepare tea for Huilan.”
Dong Xuebing replied. “She can brew the tea herself.”
Luan Xiaoping gave Dong Xuebing a stare. “Are you going to prepare tea or not?!”
“… fine… I will go now.” Dong Xuebing laughed.
“Cut some fruits for Huilan too.”
“Why are you ordering me around?” Dong Xuebing grumbled.
Xie Huilan put down her bag and smiled. “Mum, why are you still treating me like a guest?”
Luan Xiaoping laughed. “No. I am not treating you as an outsider. You must be tired from work, and I want to dote you.”
Dong Xuebing poured a cup of tea. “See, my Mum likes you so much. I have never enjoyed such treatment before.”
Luan Xiaoping laughed. “Nonsenses.”
Xie Huilan took off her jacket and said. “Mum, let me cook dinner today. My cooking has improved these few days. Haha…”
Dong Xuebing teased her. “What else can you cook other than Scrambled eggs with tomatoes?”
Xie Huilan smiled and gave Dong Xuebing a side-glance without saying anything.
Dong Xuebing knows she is annoyed. Sigh… She can’t take jokes. “But I love your Scrambled eggs with tomatoes. Mum, do we have tomatoes? Let Huilan cook it.”
Luan Xiaoping replied. “Go outside and wait. I will cook.”
In the end, Xie Huilan and Dong Xuebing also went to help out in the kitchen.
Luan Xiaoping suddenly brought up this subject during dinner. “Huilan, Xiao Bing, and you are not young. When are you all free to hold your wedding? Is your family fine with it?” She knows Xie Huilan was lying when she said they had registered their marriage during the funeral.
Xie Huilan puts down her chopsticks. “We planned to wait until Xiao Bing’s transfer.”
Luan Xiaoping asked. “Isn’t he is going to be transferred away soon?”
Dong Xuebing listened attentively as he is very concerned about his transfer.
“Yes. My Mum is making preparations.” Xie Huilan thought for a while. “I guess it should be around the end of the year.”
Luan Xiaoping has some consideration. “Let’s not hold it this year. Xiao Bing had just held a funeral, and it’s his Zodiac Year. It’s not auspicious to hold a wedding. Let’s hold it early next year.”
Xie Huilan smiled. “Ok. We will listen to you. My Dad also wants to wait until next year. It’s my Mum who is anxious to marry me off. Haha…”
Luan Xiaoping replied. “End of the year and early next year is about.”
“Ok. Let’s fix it as early next year. We will make the preparations.”
Luan Xiaoping nodded happily. “Good. Xiao Bing is lucky to have you.” She turns to her son. “You must treat Huilan well. If you dare to be unfaithful to her, I will not let you off!” She turns to Xie Huilan. “Huilan, Xiao Bing is much younger and is immature, unlike you. Please take care and give in to him in the future.”
Dong Xuebing rolled his eyes. “Do I need her to give in to me? I have been giving in to her most of the time.”
Xie Huilan goes along with Dong Xuebing. “That’s right. Xiao Bing has been giving in to me, and he is the one making most of the decisions when we are together.”
Luan Xiaoping nodded and is satisfied with her answer.
This made Dong Xuebing blushed. Since when he gets to make any decisions when he is with Xie Huilan. Her character is too overbearing, and how is it possible for her to listen to him? “…. I am getting a promotion and married soon. It’s double happiness. Let’s have a toast!”
