Power and Wealth

Afternoon.

3.30 pm.

Inside the family quarters.

Jiang Fangfang did not go upstairs. She laughed with Dong Xuebing in the car before saying she got something on. She drove away after that. She seems to be going back to her parent’s place for dinner.

Dong Xuebing realized Mayor Jiang had waited to send him back home. She could have gone to her parent’s place after the banquet. He was touched and remembered she had purposely let Secretary Pu and Deputy Party Secretary Zhang book their children’s wedding banquets on the same day. She did not tell her most trusted secretary Li Xiaona and only told him. This means she trusted him. It felt good, so he told her the accident was intentional.

Upstairs.

Dong Xuebing returned to his unit and looked at the dust on the gates. He reached into his pockets for his keys.

Eh?

Where are my keys?

Why is my pocket empty?

Dong Xuebing suddenly remembers leaving his luggage, keys, and belongings in the Land Rover. He had quickly lent his car to Secretary Pu’s family and forgotten about his stuff.

Sigh…. I got to make a phone call.

Dong Xuebing took out his phone and called County Government Office Director Ma Bing.

“Director Ma, it’s me.”

“What is it, Mayor Dong?”

“Are you in charge of the family quarters’ spare keys?”

“Yes. The County Government Office department is holding on to the spare keys.”

“I left my keys in the car and cannot enter.”

“Ah… your spare keys are not held by the Office Department. We only hold on to the staff’s spare keys. County Leaders’ apartment spare keys are kept in the store. It’s a non-working day, and Secretary Meng’s approval is required to get the keys. It’s a long process, and Secretary Meng might not return this afternoon. I think the earliest you can get the keys is tomorrow morning.”

“Oh, never mind then.”

“Are your keys in your Land Rover?”

“Yes. I left it with my luggage.”

“I will call Secretary Pu and inform him.”

“Never mind. It’s his family’s happy occasion, and he should be busy.”

Dong Xuebing did not let Ma Bing call Secretary Pu and hung up. Maybe he is from Beijing and does not like to bother others. He had lent his car to others and asked them to return after they were done. It would make him look petty if he asked them to send his luggage and keys. He might be reckless in politics but is mindful of his image. Anyway, it’s okay. He can go out for a while, and his car should return in the evening.

Dong Xuebing went downstairs and walked out of the family quarters.

Li Xiaona was still around and was waiting for a cab outside. She had waited for a while as there were not a lot of cabs in the County.

“Secretary Li.” Dong Xuebing walked over.

Li Xiaona turned. “You did not return home, Mayor Dong?”

Dong Xuebing nodded. “I am going out for a walk. Are you going home?”

Li Xiaona replied. “I am not going back. Mayor Jiang told me Secretary Pu’s daughter has another banquet in the evening, and she asked me to attend on her behalf.” She would not talk so much if it were others. But it is Dong Xuebing, and she has nothing to hide. Mayor Dong holds a special place in Mayor Jiang’s heart.

“You are going to Secretary Pu’s daughter’s place?”

“Yes. Are you going?”

“No. I am not going. I have something on.”

Li Xiaona suddenly remembers and asks. “Oh, Mayor Dong. Your car is still with Secretary Pu. Do you want me to help you drive it back?”

Dong Xuebing blinked. “It’s too troublesome.”

Li Xiaona smiled. “No, it’s not troublesome. I have gotten my driving license for years, and the best car I have driven is a Honda Accord. I have always wanted to drive a Land Rover. Haha…. Please don’t laugh at me.”

“Why should I laugh at you? Thank you.”

“It will be late after the dinner. Where do you want me to park your car?”

“Park downstairs will do.”

“Okay. I will call you and pass you the keys.”

The cab arrived, and Li Xiaona let Dong Xuebing get in.

Dong Xuebing did not reject her and got into the cab. He did not know where to go and asked the driver to send him to the nearest teahouse.

Dong Xuebing sat in the teahouse for a few hours. He drank tea, smoked, and took a short nap. The scenery is nice and relaxing. He was exhausted recently. He needs to familiarize the area quickly since he came, joined a faction, returned to Beijing to get funds, went to the US to save someone, and encountered troubles the moment he landed. He had not gotten a good rest in the past one month.

The tea is lovely.

Dong Xuebing closed his eyes to rest.

It was dark when he opened his eyes. He had fallen asleep again. He checked the time, and it was 8.40 pm.

Dong Xuebing paid and returned to the family quarters.

Night.

9 am.

Dong Xuebing looked around and did not see his Land Rover in the family quarters. He knew Secretary Pu’s family dinner had not ended, and they should be having fun. He cannot stay around waiting for his car. He can go to a hotel, but his luggage is in his car. He also needs some documents for work tomorrow morning.

Behind.

A car flashed its headlights and parked beside Dong Xuebing. The window wound down. It was Jiang Fangfang. “Mayor Dong, why are you standing here?”

Dong Xuebing cleared his throat. “I forgot my keys.”

“You left your keys in your car?”

“Yes. I asked Secretary Li to help me drive my car back. I think their dinner is not over yet.”

“Wait. I will call them.”

“Don’t…. it’s their wedding day today.”

“That’s right.” Jiang Fangfang got out of her car and said. “It’s cold out here. You can come and wait at my place.”

“Huh? It’s too late.”

A woman and a man together in an apartment at this time is….

Jiang Fangfang walked into the building without saying anything.