Power and Wealth

11 am.

The Investment Promotion Agency Chief's Office.

Dong Xuebing and Luo Haiting sat on the black leather sofa to discuss where to get money. He also asked Guo Panwei, who was organizing some documents, for suggestions. In the end, they could not find a solution. The Investment Promotion Agency's duties cannot generate any forms of income, after all. If the agency can generate income, everyone will be fighting for the Agency's Chief position. Dong Xuebing will not get it.

"Never mind. Let's not talk about this anymore." Dong Xuebing leans back on the sofa. "We will think of ways to get money in the future."

Luo Haiting looked at Dong Xuebing. "Oh, your car keys." She took out Dong Xuebing's keys from her pocket.

"Hold on to the keys." Dong Xuebing smiled. "I will be using the Camry these few days, and your department can use my car. If anyone from the Business Sections wants to use it, they will look for you."

Luo Haiting smiled. Her authority grew since the day Dong Xuebing was appointed.

Guo Panwei left after consolidating the meeting minutes.

The office's door was closed, and only Dong Xuebing and Luo Haiting remained in the office.

Luo Haiting is wearing a bright red knee-length skirt with black stockings. Her top is wearing a casual women's jacket, and she has makeup on. To others, Luo Haiting's dressing might be too fanciful. Still, the women around Dong Xuebing, like Qu Yunxuan, Xie Huilan, and Yu Meixia, were all older than him. That's why Dong Xuebing knows how attractive mature women are and likes how Luo Haiting dressed up.

Luo Haiting stood up and poured a glass of water for Dong Xuebing.

"Thank you." Dong Xuebing took a sip. "The agency is progressing well, and your department has played an important role in it."

Luo Haiting sat beside Dong Xuebing. "It's all because of your leadership. I don't dare to claim any credit."

Dong Xuebing laughed. "Stop being modest. How is your work? Are you facing any difficulties?"

"No. Deputy Director Dan Enguo is working with me now, and our Office Department is very united."

Everything is progressing smoothly, and Dong Xuebing has nothing to do in the morning. So, he chatted with Luo Haiting. Opposites attract, and he prefers to be around women than men. But this is not lust. For example, he had chatted with Lin Pingping a while ago and likes to chat with Hu Silian when they were in the Public Security Bureau. Even when he was with State Security, he enjoys chatting with Chang Juan and Tang Limei.

They chatted, and Luo Haiting moved her thighs closer to Dong Xuebing.

Dong Xuebing's left hand is on the sofa rest, and Luo Haiting's thighs brushed against his fingers with her movements. Dong Xuebing's heart started beating fast as he felt the smooth, silky stockings on his fingers, and he looks at her.

Luo Haiting continued to talk about her work as if nothing has happened. She is smiling, and the brushings seem unintentional.

Dong Xuebing doesn't know if Luo Haiting had done this purposely, but he did not move his hands.

The edge of Luo Haiting's skirt is pressed against the back of Dong Xuebing's hand, and her legs moved slightly while they chatted. The ticklish feeling of the skirt and stockings on Dong Xuebing's hand made him realized how soft Sister Luo's thighs were.

This Sister Luo…

Dong Xuebing felt awkward and wonder if he should retract his hand.

But if he moved his hand, will he hurt Sister Luo's feelings? Maybe it was unintentional.

In the end, Dong Xuebing felt these little movements are nothing and should pretend nothing has happened.

One minute…

Five minutes…

Eight minutes…

Suddenly, someone knocked on the door rapidly, and Guo Panwei entered.

Luo Haiting moved her thighs quickly, away from Dong Xuebing's hand, and looked at Guo Panwei. She knows something urgent must have happened.

Dong Xuebing asked. "Panwei, what is it?"

Guo Panwei replied quickly. "Chief, someone is looking for you outside. He seems to be here with bad intentions. I had asked the guards to stop him outside and did not allow him to come up."

Dong Xuebing frowned. "Do you know who this man is?"

"… I think his name is Wang Shaoyan." Guo Panwei replied.

"It's him?" Luo Haiting's face changed, and she is looking terrible. "Why is he here again?"

The office's door is not closed, and they can hear someone shouting downstairs. "Get lost! I want to meet your Chief! Get aside!" A man is shouting at the ground floor.

Dong Xuebing turned to Luo Haiting. "Director Luo, what is going on?"

Luo Haiting paused for a second and explained. "It's like this. You don't know this man because you are just appointed not long ago. Wang Shaoyan had come to cause troubles last year because of the commission. The County Government's regulation had stated that not only the Investment Promotion Agency will get a commission if they bring in investors. Even the commoners can get a 1% commission if they bring in investors. Wang Shaoyan had managed to persuade his friend to invest 10 million RMB in our County late last year, and had gotten 100,000 RMB as commissions."

Dong Xuebing asked. "The County did not pay him?"

"No. The commission was given to him a long time ago." Luo Haiting replied. "But Chief Meng seems to have some agreements with him. I heard that he promised him additional bonuses if he can bring in the investments. During that time, none of us know that our County will be getting a few 10 million RMB investments in the later months. That's why a 10 million RMB investment is very important to us, and Chief Meng made that promise. I don't know about the details and what Chief Meng promised him. But our agency had achieved our target and gotten a total of 200 million RMB investment last year. After that, Chief Meng retired."

Dong Xuebing understood what was going on. "Is it a verbal promise?"

Luo Haiting nodded. Dong Xuebing thought for a while. "Alright. Bring him to my office." It is getting louder outside.

Luo Haiting hesitated. "Chief, this man is a hooligan. You…"

"Bring him over." Dong Xuebing sat down on his office chair. "Panwei, go and bring him over."

Guo Panwei nodded and went downstairs to fetch that man. Luo Haiting did not leave and took this opportunity to explain the details.

About 30 seconds later, someone entered the office. This man is around thirty and slightly balding. Although his face looks presentable, he dressed like those hooligans along the streets. He stared at Dong Xuebing up and down. "Are you Chief Dong? You should know the reason why I am here. Where is my money?! Meng Xianglin had promised me 50,000 RMB!"

Guo Panwei is furious. "Stop shouting! Do you know where this place is?"

Wang Shaoyan turned and stared at Guo Panwei. "I only know you all owe me money! Are you all going to return the money you all owe?"

Dong Xuebing had met many people like Wang Shaoyan after he was transferred to the grassroots level and is not afraid of them. "You said Chief Meng had promised you a sum of money? Do you all have any contracts? Do you have any documents about this? If you don't have any of these, there's no point talking anymore. Since Meng Xianglin had promised you, go and look for him!" Dong Xuebing was still thinking of ways to get money earlier, and someone comes asking for money from him. Dong Xuebing will not give him the money, as this is not recorded anywhere.

Wang Shaoyan looks at Dong Xuebing. "Meng Xianglin is the one who asked me to look for you all!"

"Look for us?" Dong Xuebing looked at Wang Shaoyan. "Why are you looking for us since he promised you the money?"

Wang Shaoyan pointed at Dong Xuebing. "You all don't try to pass the buck! I brought in the investment when Chief Meng was still around! That means the Investment Promotion Agency owes me money! Meng Xianglin told me that he had asked the agency to give me my money! 50,000 RMB!" He turned to Luo Haiting. "Director Luo, Chief Meng, asked your Office Department to give me my money in cash! If you don't believe me, you can call and ask him."

Luo Haiting is looking terrible. She knows the relationship between Meng Xianglin and Dong Xuebing, and he is purposely creating trouble for Dong Xuebing. "Chief Meng has retired, and he doesn't represent the agency anymore!"

Dong Xuebing narrowed his eyes. Meng Xianglin… you created this mess, and you want me to wipe your ass?! Fat hopes! You are retired, and instead of recuperating in the hospital, you want to order me around? You still want to interfere with the Investment Promotion Agency and want us to give money!? Who do you think you are?! Dong Xuebing still has not forgotten how Meng Xianglin set him up for the Lunar New Year's celebration. This old bastard is too much!

Wang Shaoyan roared. "Are you all not returning the money you all owe?!"

Dong Xuebing looked at Wang Shaoyan coldly. "I have not seen any contract or document about your deal with Meng Xianglin, so don't talk to me about our agency owes you money! This is between Meng Xianglin and you. Go and find him. Do you think a government department will give you money because of a private deal between you and Meng Xianglin?! Do you think it is possible?"

Wang Shaoyan nodded and pulled a chair over. He sat and shouted. "If I don't see my money, I will not leave! I will stay here until you all pay me!"

Luo Haiting scolded. "What are you trying to do?!"

Dong Xuebing can't be bothered and took out his mobile phone. "Hello, is this the Police Department? I am Dong Xuebing!"

Wang Shaoyan's face turned black, and shouted. "Fine. I don't believe you all dare to keep the money you all owe me! You just wait and see!" He turned and left.