Evening.
The sky had turned dark.
City Party Committee family quarters.
Xie Huilan returned, and Dong Xuebing called her to the dining table for dinner.
“Here, have a taste and tell me what you think.”
“Ok. Haha…. Not bad.”
“Tell me how good it is.”
“It smells and tastes good. My husband’s dinner is still the best.”
“Is it better than the restaurants?”
“Yes. Much better.”
“Hmm…. I like what you say. Hurry up and eat.”
Xie Huilan continued eating when Dong Xuebing asked. “Oh, how much should we donate later at the event?”
Xie Huilan looked at Dong Xuebing. “I think ten to twenty thousand RMB is enough. I know what you are thinking. Most people are not making a lot of money. If you donated a large amount, they might talk behind your back. This event is more about politics. Most of Hebei Province City’s leaders and top businessmen will be around. As civil servants, we will lead this fundraising, and the businessmen will make the most donations. Also, the stars of this event are the Cities’ No. 1 and No. 2. You will be taking the attention away from them if you donate more than them.”
Dong Xuebing thought about it and nodded. “You are right.”
“Hurry up and eat. You still have to help me pick a dress.”
“It’s only fundraising. Are you going to wear an evening gown? A suit will do.”
“Suits also have different colors and designs. Help me choose.”
Women are troublesome when they are going out. Xie Huilan finally chose a suit after picking it for a long time. To Dong Xuebing, all female suits look the same, but he still says, “This looks good on you.”
Both left for the event.
They were not driving their Porsche or Land Rover and went in Xie Huilan’s unit government car.
Hotel entrance.
They got out of the car and took the elevator to the ballroom on the top floor. Fen Zhou City usually holds large-scale events at this hotel. When Dong Xuebing and Xie Huilan arrived, most people had entered. A few hotel and Party Committee Office staff were outside, checking the invitation cards. However, Xie Huilan does not need to show her invitation card.
Inside the ballroom.
Around thirty people were in the ballroom. Most were Fen Zhou City, other neighboring cities’ leaders, and businessmen. Some celebrities, famous calligraphers, and authors were present too.
When Xie Huilan enters, she immediately becomes the center of attention.
Dong Xuebing was used to Xie Huilan getting all the attention. After all, she is too beautiful. Even after knowing her for years and getting married, he is still surprised by her beauty. She’s too charming.
“Mayor Xie, you are here.” A businessman walked over to greet Xie Huilan.
“Mr. Song. Haha….” Xie Huilan shook hands with him. “It’s been a while. How are you?”
“Thanks to you, I am doing good.” Mr. Song looked at Dong Xuebing and shook his hand. “You must be Mayor Xie’s husband, Director Dong. Nice to meet you.”
Dong Xuebing shook his hands. “Nice to meet you too.”
A few people came over to greet them. Xie Huilan introduced them to Dong Xuebing. Of course, she did not need to introduce Fen Zhou City’s leaders. Anyone who worked in Fen Zhou City government knows Dong Xuebing. Maybe some might not know Xie Huilan, but everyone had heard of Dong Xuebing.
The City’s Commission for Discipline Inspection Secretary, He Shuien, and his wife were there.
The City’s Commission for Discipline Inspection Deputy Secretary Zhan Guiping and his wife were there.
Luo Haiting was also there without her husband.
“Xuebing.” Mrs. Zhan saw Dong Xuebing and walked over to speak to him.
Zhan Guiping smiled and chatted with Xie Huilan.
After a while, all the VIPs start arriving.
The first to arrive was Fen Zhou City Mayor Zhong Zhengwei. He is in his fifties and combed his hair neatly.
The following person was Fen Zhou City Party Secretary Wan Fanglei.
This was not Dong Xuebing’s first time meeting Party Secretary Wan Fanglei. Secretary Wan had visited him after he was hospitalized during the earthquake. They were on good terms and had fallen out because of Wan Sizhao’s incident.
“Mayor Xie, you are here.” Mayor Zhong Zhengwei looked at Xie Huilan and smiled.
Xie Huilan held Dong Xuebing’s arms and walked over. “Mayor Zhong, where is your wife?”
Zhong Zhengwei smiled. “She caught the flu and could not attend. This must be your husband.”
Dong Xuebing shook his hands with both hands. “Mayor Zhong.”
Dong Xuebing could tell Zhong Zhengwei and Xie Huilan got along well. At least on the surface.
Wan Fanglei and his wife did not even look at Xie Huilan and Dong Xuebing. They went straight to other cities’ leaders. Wan Fanglei’s wife did glance at Dong Xuebing emotionlessly before looking away. Not showing any emotions was a form of attitude. Many Fen Zhou City leaders saw that and started worrying. It seemed Wan Sizhao’s incident had caused Secretary Wan and his wife to have hatred for Dong Xuebing and Xie Huilan.
Zhan Guiping had heard about it and was worried for Dong Xuebing. After all, offending the top leader was not a joking matter.
When the fundraising event was about to start, the door opened again.
Yang Zhaode and Luan Xiaoping entered the ballroom slowly.
A leader who knows Old Yang went up to him. “Mayor Yang, you are late.”
“Haha…. It seems like I must use the traffic as an excuse.” Yang Zhaode laughed.
Yang Zhaode is one of the top leaders in the ballroom, and Wan Fanglei and other Fen Zhou City leaders smiled and nodded to him. Old Yang was formerly Fen Zhou City’s Organization Department Chief, and they have known each other for years.
Mayor Zhong Zhengwei smiled and went up to Yang Zhaode. “Mayor Yang, this must be your wife. You are so lucky. Do you want to come over to my place later at night?”
Yang Zhaode smiled. “Sure. We still have not eaten dinner.”
Luan Xiaoping smiled at Zhong Zhengwei and looked around.
“Madam Luan, are you looking for someone?” Zhong Zhengwei asked.
Yang Zhaode replied. “She is looking for Huilan and Xuebing.”
Zhong Zhengwei pointed. “They are over there.”
Luan Xiaoping looked in that direction and walked over. “Xuebing, Huilan, over here.”
Xuebing, Huilan?!
Is she referring to Dong Xuebing and Xie Huilan?
Many people were puzzled. Why did Lui An City Mayor’s wife look for these two people instead of speaking to other leaders at their level? Also, why is she addressing them so affectionally?
Dong Xuebing saw his mother and waved. “Mum.”
Xie Huilan narrowed her eyes and greeted. “Mum.”
Luan Xiaoping nodded and held Xie Huilan’s hand. She glanced at her tummy and asked. “Did you eat any spicy food?”
“No. I stopped eating those.”
“Good. Don’t eat spicy food and drink more milk.”
“I know.”
Mum?!
Everyone was shocked.
Zhan Guiping, Luo Haiting, and all other Fen Zhou City leaders were stunned.
Mum? Mayor Yang’s wife is Director Dong and Mayor Xie’s mother?!
How is this possible?! How come no one had said anything about this?
Most Lui An City leaders only heard about it yesterday, let alone Fen Zhou City’s leaders.
Everyone exchanged looks.
Only Wan Fanglei and Zhong Zhengwei were not surprised. They knew about it a long time ago.
Seeing Luan Xiaoping talking to Xie Huilan, Yang Zhaode waved Dong Xuebing over. “Xuebing, let me introduce a few friends to you.”
“Ok.” Dong Xuebing walked over.
Yang Zhaode had worked in Fen Zhou City for many years. Although his relationship with his former colleagues was not close after he left, it was better than Xie Huilan and Dong Xuebing’s network. It’s better for them to know more people to help with their work.
Luo Haiting inhaled deeply. No wonder she finds Luan Xiaoping familiar. She had met her before in Yan Tai County. It was Director Dong’s mother. So, Director Dong’s mother left Yan Tai County for Lui An City and married Mayor Yang. Director Dong’s mouth was tight. How can he hide this for so long? She can imagine what would happen tomorrow. Everyone in Fen Zhou City Government would know about it, and people would need to consider if they were to go against Dong Xuebing or Xie Huilan.
Everyone looked at Dong Xuebing weirdly and understood why Yang Zhaode and his wife were willing to travel so far to attend this event. They want to announce to everyone that Dong Xuebing is their child.
Wan Fanglei’s wife frowned.
Those leaders who tried to avoid Dong Xuebing were deep in their thoughts.
Many people were dumbfounded. Director Dong was indeed a God of Plague. He was just posted to the City and caused so much trouble. When is he going to stop?
The Charity event starts.
Fen Zhou City’s TV station’s number one host walked up the stage and broke the awkwardness. “Good evening, leaders and guests.”
Everyone returned to their seats.
