Before noon.
The sun is shining brightly. Many Guang Ming Subdistrict Office staffs were on their way to the cafeteria. They did not notice Dong Xuebing had just entered.
“This is going to be interesting.”
“What happened? Did something happen?”
“Didn’t you hear about it? Ping An Subdistrict had almost screwed up their inspection.”
“Really? Tell me what happened. How did they mess up the inspection?”
“Do you remember the missing elderly from the nursing month six months ago? The family had gone to the nursing home to create problems again.”
“Huh? They went there during the inspection?!”
“That’s right. I heard it was chaotic, and one of Ping An Subdistrict Office’s staff had knocked the inspection team leader down. His jade pendant, worth over a million RMB, was shattered.”
“Hahaha… Serve them right.”
“I don’t think they will get the nomination now.”
“Lower down your volume. Don’t let others know about this.”
Both Subdistricts are adjacent, and Guang Ming Subdistrict’s staffs are the first ones to know about this. They are boasting and laughing at them.
Dong Xuebing overheard them and smiled. Zhou Yanru should have only told him a small portion of the grudges between both Subdistricts, and they should have more clashes. If not, Guang Ming Subdistrict Office’s staff should not be so happy. He had set this up to create some problems for Chu Qinghua, but the result was more than he expected. Not only did he help Su Xiaochun and her family get justice, but he also got Chu Qinghhua into trouble. It will be hard for them to pass the inspection as they had offended the inspection Team Leader Cheng Yandong.
Cafeteria.
It is Saturday today, but most of the staff are working.
“Director.”
“Director Dong.”
Everyone greeted Dong Xuebing.
Dong Xuebing nodded and got his food. He sat by the windows and ate slowly.
“Oh, you are here.” Zhou Yanru walks over with her food. “Can I join you?”
Dong Xuebing gestured to her and smiled. “Sister Zhou, you have a small appetite. How can you be full with so little food?”
Zhou Yanru sat down and laughed. “I had gained some weight recently, and my daughter kept telling me I am fat. It’s time for me to go on a diet.” They chatted for a while, and she suddenly said. “Director, Ping An Subdistrict Office….”
“I heard about it.” Dong Xuebing stopped smiling as many staffs were around. He cannot show his joy, as the District Government wants Ping An Subdistrict to get the nomination. “This is a lesson for us too. I will meet Secretary Qu later, and you will get some staff to inspect our neighborhoods to assist him in settling all existing disputes between the residents and our nursing homes.”
Zhou Yanru nodded.
“Oh….” Dong Xuebing asked. “Is this the only inspection for our province?”
“I think so.” Zhou Yanru replied. “There are around ten nominations, and the inspection team had inspected five of them. Ping An Subdistrict is the sixth.”
“How many will be selected?”
“Based on previous years, around four nominees from our Province will be selected. But they still have to go through the Central Government’s Leaders’ selection. Two units from our Province had made it to the Role Model Unit’s next round in the previous two years, and only one was nominated three years ago.” Zhou Yanru explained. Things are not looking good for Ping An subdistrict, but they might still get through the first round.
“Oh…” Dong Xuebing thought for a while and asked. “Can a unit who had not applied for this award be nominated?”
Zhou Yanru paused for a second. “I don’t think so. The applications were submitted a few months ago.”
“What if there are not enough nominees?”
“That might be possible.” Zhou Yanru recalled. “I remember the inspection team had only selected three units out of nine nominations the year before because of some problems at a senior activity center. The inspection for that year was very strict. The inspection team picked a neighborhood committee, which was not one of the nominations, as the fourth unit.”
Dong Xuebing blinked. “So, it is possible.”
“Yes, this had happened before. But….” Zhou Yanru suddenly realized something, and her face turned pale. “Director, we cannot do this! We must not do this!”
Dong Xuebing smiles. “Why are you so nervous?”
Zhou Yanru felt a chill down her spine.
“Let’s carry on eating.” Dong Xuebing did not bring up this subject again, as he had gotten the information he wanted.
Last year’s incident showed Dong Xuebing a lot. The Inspection Team in Henan Province has the authority to submit a unit that was not nominated. This means they can do it again this year. If Dong Xuebing and his unit have a good relationship with the Inspection Team, they can still be selected. He had only been thinking of stopping Chu Qinghua from getting selected. He had not thought about letting his unit get selected. This will be significant for Guang Ming Subdistrict, and it is the political credit he needed. At the same time, he can slap Chu Qinghua!
Dong Xuebing got excited!
Dong Xuebing knows why Zhou Yanru has such a big reaction and knows this is no joke.
If Cheng Yandong decides to select Dong Xuebing’s unit, Ping An Subdistrict will not be selected. They are from the same Province, City, District and are adjacent subdistricts. They can’t be nominated. Suppose both subdistricts had done well in honoring and respecting elderly work. In that case, it should be the District Government that is nominated. If he wants to be selected, he needs to eliminate Ping An Subdistrict as one of the nominees and replace them. With the District Government and District Party Committee supporting Ping An Subdistrict and Chu Qinghua, he will be backstabbing them!
Should I do it?
Should I try to snatch the nomination?
Dong Xuebing ponders about this as he eats, and Zhou Yanru has a bad feeling!
After lunch, Dong Xuebing has decided. He looked around the cafeteria after Zhou Yanru left and saw Deputy Work Party Secretary Geng Xinke was about to leave. He walks over with a smile. “Secretary Geng, let’s walk together.”
Geng Xinke looks at Dong Xuebing curiously and smiles. “Sure.”
Both chatted as they walked out of the cafeteria.
It’s rare for the Subdistrict Office’s No. 1 and No. 2 to be walking together.
Party Secretary Office.
Dong Xuebing pulls out a paper cup. “What tea do you prefer? I still have not to buy new tea leaves this year and only have Longjing and Pu’er.”
“I’m fine with anything.”
“Let’s drink Pu’er. I heard this tea is good for the health.”
Dong Xuebing poured a cup of tea for Geng Xinke.
Geng Xinke is wondering what is going on. Why is Dong Xuebing pouring tea for him? Is he going to poison him? He has reasons to suspect Dong Xuebing because the latter had caused all sorts of trouble since his appointment. He had sent Geng Xinke to the hospital for overdrinking, beat up civilians, scolded the District Government Organization Department’s Leader, and cut the power supply. These acts are not what a normal government servant would do. He might put poison in the tea.
Geng Xinke pretended to drink the tea and asked. “Do you need me to do something?”
“No.” Dong Xuebing smiles. “We still have not communicated since my appointment. Let’s have a chat. Oh, have you heard of what happened in Ping An Subdistrict?”
Geng Xinke nodded. “Yes.”
Dong Xuebing replied calmly. “I think it’s hard for them to get selected. What do you think?”
“I am not sure.” Geng Xinke had been wary of Dong Xuebing since entering his office. “Ping An Subdistrict’s work on honoring and respecting the elderlies is quite good. They had also settled the missing person case. This incident might affect their chances, but it might not be a great deal.”
“You are right.” Dong Xuebing agrees with him. “I heard the Inspection Team’s Leader fell because a Subdistrict Office’s staff pushed him, and his pendant from his late mother was….”
Geng Xinke did not reply and waited for Dong Xuebing to continue.
Dong Xuebing slowly says. “Secretary Geng, I feel we are more suitable for this National Respect and Care for the elderly’s model unit award. If Ping An Subdistrict cannot get it….”
Geng Xingke understood before Dong Xuebing could finish.
What?!
You want to snatch Ping An Subdistrict Office’s nomination?!
Damn! Geng Xinke choked on his tea and almost fell off the chair!
He knows Dong Xuebing is daring, but he did not expect him to be so daring!
