Power and Wealth

3rd day of Lunar New Year.

Dong Xuebing woke up to the sounds of firecrackers. He got off his bed with heavy eye bags. He went to wash up, and after breakfast, he sat on his sofa slapping himself on the forehead. He thought back on what happened last night and knew his relationship with Xie Huilan was over. So what if he had saved her life? He had used her stockings to do that type of thing, and she must be furious.

What should I do?

After thinking about this for the whole morning, Dong Xuebing got an answer. What should he do? Nothing! He could only wait for Sister Xie's revenge!

At about 11 am, Dong Xuebing was about to go out and set off some firecrackers to vent his frustrations. Just when he was about to step out of his house, his phone rang. He looked at the caller display and turned pale. It was Xie Huilan's number. She must be embarrassed last night and did not expose him. She must be called to settle the score now. What should I say if she asks about the stockings?

Answer or do not answer?

After hesitating for a few seconds, Dong Xuebing answered the call. "Hello, Sister Xie?"

"Xiao Dong, are you free now? My car is parked outside your neighborhood. Let's have lunch together."

Dong Xuebing's heart skipped a beat. She wants to get back at him?

"…… Xiao Dong, are you there?"

"Ah…… Yes. But…… you no longer have a fever?"

"I am fine after a good night's sleep. I will be waiting for you at the entrance. Do you understand?"

"Huh? Ok. I will go over now."

After Dong Xuebing hangs up, he wonders if Sister Xie had brought people with her to beat him up. But he still got to go out and meet her. Dong Xuebing grabbed his hair and paced around in his living room. Suddenly he stopped and gritted his teeth. He still got to face it no matter what. He grabbed his bag and walked out of his estate. He had used the stockings of a Central Government's leader to do that sort of thing. This was not a small issue. He could be charged in court. He decided to face the music and let Xie Huilan do whatever she wants to him. He was in the wrong, after all.

Outside of the estate.

There was a black Audi A6l parked by the road, and Xie Huilan was in the driver's seat. She seems to be alone in the car.

Dong Xuebing was guilty and strolled towards the car.

There were a few entry permits on the windscreen of the Audi. This vehicle should be assigned to Xie Huilan by her department. The Party and Government had changed all their cars recently. In some places, governments were restricted to vehicles worth 180,000 RMB and below. The capacity of the vehicles was also limited to 1.8 liters. But the Central Government's Publicity Department does not have any restrictions. They have luxury vehicles for the leaders. Of course, this Audi might also be Xie Huilan's personal car. However, this was almost impossible, as Beijing was the capital of China. All government officials in Beijing had to keep low profile. Even if they have the means to buy personal vehicles, they will avoid getting expensive cars. Xie Huilan was a high ranking officer with the government, and other officers at her rank were still riding motorcycles.

After a few seconds, Xie Huilan saw Dong Xuebing, and she rolled down the windows. "What's wrong with your leg?"

Dong Xuebing wanted to tell her that he just caught a disease that causes him to lose his ability to walk. He really wants to return home. But when he saw Xie Huilan, he knew there was no way for him to escape. He gritted his teeth and walked faster. "I'm fine. My leg had muscle cramps." After thinking for a while, he walked to the passenger door and entered the vehicle. His head was hung low and was too ashamed to face her.

Come. I am prepared for your scolding. You can question me about your stockings!

Dong Xuebing was mentally prepared to be questioned.

"…… Xiao Dong, fasten your seatbelt."

Dong Xuebing did not fasten his seatbelt immediately. He turned towards Xie Huilan: "Xie…… Director Xie, please scold me." He changed the way he addresses Xie Huilan. He no longer dares to call her Sister Xie.

Xie Huilan looked at him: "……. Why should I scold you?"

Dong Xuebing replied embarrassedly: "I…… Yesterday it was…… Errr……. I am really……"

Xie Huilan burst out laughing. "You have saved my life and took care of me yesterday. I should be the one thanking you. Why should I scold you? Xiao Dong, what's wrong with you? Eh?" Xie Huilan smiled and tucked her hair behind her ears. "Also, why are you calling me Director Xie? I think Sister Xie sounds nicer."

Dong Xuebing was stunned: "But I……"

Xie Huilan looked at him curiously and smiled. "What's wrong? You can tell me."

After hearing what Xie Huilan said and attitude, Dong Xuebing was confused. Could Xie Huilan really think that the stuff on her stockings was his spit? Impossible. Whose spit looks like this? Also, her facial expressions yesterday…… She knew what that was. But why was she acting like nothing had happened yesterday? Damn. What does she mean by behaving this way? She's not going to pursue this matter? Dong Xuebing quickly replied: "Huh…… Nothing. Nothing happened."

"Really?"

Dong Xuebing gave a firm answer: "Yes. Nothing happened!"

Xie Huilan laughed and nodded. She did not act differently. "Ok. Let's go for lunch now. Let's go to Wang Fu Hotel. Ok?"

Dong Xuebing could only agree. Since Sister Xie did not mention about last night's incident, he also did not want to bring it up. From Xie Huilan's attitude, she seems to be not pissed with the stocking incident. Although Dong Xuebing could not tell what she was thinking, but…… Hahaha, the danger is over, and I am saved. Look at her…… Central Government's leader is different. She's so forgiving…….

The Audi drove towards Wang Fu Hotel.

Xie Huilan was wearing a black women's suit. It was a tailored suit, and it's considered half casual.

Dong Xuebing fastened his seatbelt, and from the corner of his eyes, he saw Xie Huilan's heels and her skin-colored stockings. His heart started beating faster and quickly look away. Even if Xie Huilan had behaved like she forgave him, she should still be thinking about that white stuff in her mind. Dong Xuebing's face was red and burning. He dares not to look towards Xie Huilan's direction and look around the interior of the car. He was feeling more rigid and uncomfortable than yesterday.

Dong Xuebing got no choice. Xie Huilan had got something on him.

"Hahaha…… what are you looking for?" Xie Huilan turned to look at Dong Xuebing with a smile.

"Nothing……" Dong Xuebing pointed to the entry permits on the windscreen. The entry permits were for the City's Party Committee, Publicity Department, Central Government departments, and a lot of government department's quarters. "I…… I am looking at these."

"Oh, hehe, I need to visit a lot of places for my work. That's why I got more entry permits."

Work? You are from the Publicity Department. What work do you have in the Beijing Municipal building? Ministry of Finance? Dong Xuebing was curious, but he did not ask anything.

Half an hour later.

They finally reach the Wang Fu Hotel. Dong Xuebing felt very awkward and embarrassed in the car.

Wang Fu Hotel was located in one of Beijing's oldest 5 stars hotel. They have 7 ballrooms and all sorts of meeting rooms. They also offer translation and secretarial services. There were a few restaurants in the hotel, offering western and Chinese cuisines. They also provided all sorts of services to serve their guests. There were childcare services, tours, safe, shoe polishing, vehicle rentals, money exchange, ATM, delivery, laundry, etc.

The car stopped, and the guilty-conscious Dong Xuebing quickly alight to help Xie Huilan open her door. He hopes he would be able to leave a good impression.

But the bellboy or staff of the hotel ran over to open the door for Xie Huilan, giving Dong Xuebing no chance to perform. That young man took note of the license plate number and helped open the door for Xie Huilan. After Xie Huilan alighted, that young man whispers something to another young man with a notebook. After that, he said something into his walkie talkie. Dong Xuebing thought this was the hotel's service to all guests. But after he and Xie Huilan alighted from the vehicle, another car arrived. This time, the staff did not open the door for that car. Those two staff just stood there and did not move.

Dong Xuebing was speechless. What's happening? Special service? Most of the people that come to Wang Fu Hotel were wealthy, and even if Xie Huilan frequent this place or she's a leader in the Central Government, the hotel staff should not treat her differently.

Xie Huilan seems to be used to this sort of treatment. "…… Xiao Dong, let's go in."

"Ok." Dong Xuebing quickly followed her. He purposely walks slightly behind her.

Xie Huilan noticed this and laughed. She waved to Dong Xuebing: "Why are you so nervous? You are also not my secretary. Just walk beside me."

Dong Xuebing hesitated for a moment and nodded. He walked carefully beside Xie Huilan.

When both stepped into the hotel entrance, a middle-aged man, wearing a smart suit, walked over and extended his hand. "Thank you for coming, Ms. Xie. Sorry I did not welcome you outside." This man seems to have come out to receive Xie Huilan. It must be the hotel staff outside who informed him.

Xie Huilan smiled and shook his hand. "Manager Zhao. Stop joking with me."

Manager Zhao laughed: "Haha, I don't dare to joke with you. The VIP room is ready. You are here today is for……"

Xie Huilan waved her hand. "I am just having lunch with a friend. I will not use that room. I…… will dine in the Bamboo Garden."

"Sure. I will make the arrangements for you." Manager Zhao quickly makes a phone call and chatted with Xie Huilan for a while. He waved two hotel staff over and whispered something to them before leaving. After that, those two staffs lead the way.

Dong Xuebing could tell that the hotel treated Xie Huilan differently from others. Damn! Sister Xie is so influential? Even the Manager of the hotel had to come out to receive her? Even the Western District Party Committee Secretary does not have this treatment.

Bamboo Garden.

This was not a private dining room or a venue for special occasions. Bamboos were used to create small booths for the guests. All the tables and chairs were made of rattan. The floor was paved with little pebbles. There was also a pond there.

After the food was served, Xie Huilan cheerfully raised her glass. "I know about your department's regulation. But this is red wine, and you should be fine. Haha, let me give you a toast for saving my life and taking care of me."

Dong Xuebing blushed and raised his glass. "Thank you. It's my duty."

After drinking some wine, Xie Huilan and Dong Xuebing started eating and chatting.

"Xiao Dong, why are you not with your parents during Lunar New Year?"

"My mother is in Hebei Province. She's busy with her work and could only stay here on the eve and the first day of Lunar New Year."

"What are your parents working?"

"My mother is a teacher in a countryside village. My father…… had passed away."

"I'm sorry."

It was until now, Dong Xuebing could finally relax. He knew Xie Huilan was not settling the score with him over her stockings. She was only treating him for a meal because he had saved her.

Suddenly, Dong Xuebing saw a middle-aged man walking along the corridor. He looks very familiar. Dong Xuebing had seen him on TV before. Oh, he's Beijing City's Party Committee member and Public Security Bureau Chief Feng Xueliang. He was a smart-looking man in his 50s. The other side of the corridor might be the private rooms, and he should be heading there.

This was the first time Dong Xuebing met a Sub-Provincial (Ministerial) level official in person.

Just when he was thinking, Chief Feng looked towards his direction. He paused for a second and smiled. After that, he walked towards Dong Xuebing's direction.

Dong Xuebing was stunned. What's happening?

"Huilan! Hahaha!" Dong Xuebing was still in shock, and Feng Xueliang had arrived at his table. "It's Lunar New Year and why are you here at Wang Fu?"

Xie Huilan saw him and stood up. She shook his hand and replied. "I am here with a friend. Uncle Feng, Happy New Year. How's Auntie doing?"

Feng Xueling looked at Dong Xuebing, who was also standing up and smiled at him. He turned back to Xie Huilan: "She is still the same. She got high blood pressure, and she still refuses to watch her diet. She is in the private room eating whatever she likes now. I can't be bothered with her. Hahaha. Alright. I shall not disturb you anymore. Bye."

Xie Huilan laughed. "Then, I will drop by your private room to have a drink with you later."

"Hahaha, you think you can make me drunk? You can try!"

Dong Xuebing was in a state of shock. The City's Party Committee member had a smile to me? He had just given me a smile! Wow…… Sister Xie knows him?

Dong Xuebing knew Xie Huilan had some background and connections. If not, she couldn't climb to her current rank at her age. But all the entry permits in her Audi, the special treatment she received in Wang Fu Hotel, the casual conversation with Beijing City's Party Committee member…… Xie Huilan not only have some backings. She got huge backing!