Power and Wealth

Evening. Xie Huilan's apartment.

The TV shows a rerun of the news on the investment fair, and Xie Huilan is smiling and chatting with an investor on it.

"Huilan, you look good on TV."

"Really? I didn't notice it."

"You look beautiful on and off the TV."

"Haha… did you smear honey on your lips?"

"I am telling the truth."

Xie Huilan had changed into a beige long john after drying her hair and sat beside Dong Xuebing on the sofa to watch TV. She puts on a white blouse hanging on the sofa and sips on her teacup.

Every movement of hers is so perfect.

Lust took over, and Dong Xuebing reached over to Xie Huilan's butt to give it a light squeeze. It's soft.

Xie Huilan turns and looks at him. "Is there anything on my butt? Why are you squeezing it?"

"Err… there's an insect, and I killed it."

"Really?" Xie Huilan smiled. "Then should I thank you?"

"Ahh… no need." Dong Xuebing squeezed her butt again. "I killed another one."

Xie Huilan pushed Dong Xuebing's hand away. "Haha… it's past 9 pm. You should go back."

"I am not working tomorrow and can sleep later. Let me accompany you a while longer."

"If we wait anymore, there will be more insects in my clothes."

"It's true. Don't move. Let me get it out for you."

"Haha… don't worry about it." Xie Huilan laughed and pulled Dong Xuebing's hand away. "We are still not married. Stop it."

Fine. I can't take advantage of Sister Xie anymore.

Time passes quickly with Huilan, and it's 10 pm.

Dong Xuebing knows it's time for him to leave. He looked at the soft queen-size bed in Huilan's bedroom through the open doors and thought to himself. When can I sleep on it? He remembered about their marriage. Mdm. Han and Sister Xie's father said they could register their marriage after he is transferred from the County Government.

Dong Xuebing asked. "Huilan, can I be transferred now?"

Xie Huilan laughed. "Have you thought about it before asking this question?"

"I had thought about it." Dong Xuebing replied. "I had already completed the 500 million RMB target the County set for the Investment Promotion Agency in three months. It's 500 million. Do you think this is an easy task? The Agency might not even get more than 100 million RMB in the past. My performance is outstanding, and we might get more than 600 million RMB this year."

Xie Huilan puts down her teacup. "No one will doubt your capabilities, but you must remember that you had just gotten your promotion to Section Chief three months ago."

"I know it is impossible to be promoted to Deputy Divisional Chief. But I can be transferred to another department…."

"What's the difference with getting a promotion if you are going to be transferred to another department on the same level?"

Transferring to another department for the same rank's position have different meanings. For example, the Investment Promotion Agency's Chief getting a transfer to become the Finance Department's Chief, or the Cultural Department's Chief transferring to become a Town's Party Secretary, are considered promotions despite all these are Section Chief positions. Dong Xuebing had gotten 500 million RMB worth of investment for the County, and even the City Government is shocked. He cannot be transferred to another department without authority because of his achievements. He can only be transferred to a position with more authority. But he was only promoted three months ago, and his probation is not even over. It's too difficult.

Xie Huilan continued. "You have to wait for a year at least."

"A year?!" Dong Xuebing smiled wearily.

"Be content, and take a close look at your resume. How long did you take to get promoted from a Staff member to the Deputy Chief of your department? You only used a few months, while others need to use at least two to three years! How long did you take to get promoted to Deputy Section Chief of the County's Public Security Bureau? Six months! What about others? Even two to three years is considered fast! You are promoted to Section Chief on exceptional grounds in a year after your last promotion, and you are thinking of getting promoted after three months? Even if Secretary Xiang and I agree, do you think the City Government will agree?"

"You are right."

"It's rare to see Section Chief below 25 years old in the government service, and you can't get promoted. You will need to wait for at least one year."

Dong Xuebing also knows it's quite impossible. Other civil servants will be jumping with joy if promoted every three years, but he does not want to stop.

"Also, have you thought about which department you want to be transferred to?"

"… the No. 1 of a village town? If it's not possible, the No. 2 is also fine."

"This might be a good choice of others. Getting experience in a village town and then move up the ranks. But… I don't think this path is good for you."

"Eh? Why?"

Xie Huilan patted the back of Dong Xuebing's hand. "No one can have a smooth career forever in the government service, and it's not a good thing to stand out too much. You had stood out when you are with the Public Security, and I wanted you to stay low by transferring you to the Investment Promotion Agency. But you completed the target within a short time. Hehe… your capabilities might limit your career if you are transferred to become the No. 1 of a village town. Also, you are too young to become a village town's Party Secretary."

"What's wrong with being capable?"

"You will understand this in the future."

Dong Xuebing shook his head. "Are you telling me to pick an average department to stay low for some time?"

"This is only my suggestion, but it is still too early to talk about this. Haha… It is not up to me to decide which department has vacancies. Just wait for one or two years first."

Do I still need to wait for one to two years?

Actually, Dong Xuebing does not care about the department or the power that comes with it. It will be the same everywhere. Yan Tai County's Investment Promotion Agency is also an unpopular department, and he can also achieve outstanding results. He is more concerned about getting promoted because he wants to get married to Xie Huilan. He is sick of being targeted by Xiang Daofa. He just wanted a change of environment. Of course, he also doesn't want to be working in the Sports Administration or the Culture Department. If he is going to be downgraded, he might as well remain with the Agency for a few more years.

Dong Xuebing wants to be transferred to a good department, but it must not have too much power. It would be best if he can get transferred to the City… He suddenly realized he is too greedy.

But Dong Xuebing still wants to try to get a promotion as it is not his style to wait for things to happen.

After setting this target, Dong Xuebing will find the opportunity to get promoted.

Ring… ring… ring… Xie Huilan's phone rang.

Dong Xuebing stood up. "Go ahead and answer it. I will go back now."

Xie Huilan nodded. "Stop thinking about getting a transfer, and focus on the investors. Make sure those investors' capital investments are in as this is critical for you."

"I know."

"Haha… sleep early. Good night."

"Good night."

Xie Huilan answered the call after Dong Xuebing left. "Hello…"

Dong Xuebing returned to his apartment, washed up, and got under his covers. His phone rang. It was Xie Huilan.

Dong Xuebing answered. "What's wrong?"

"I heard the City would be organizing an investment fair in Japan, Tokyo, in a few days. This was planned from last year and had contacted Japanese companies and investors. This was supposed to be Feng Zhou City's investment fair, but the City Government decided to let the Counties' Investment Promotion Agency participate too."

"You are asking me to go?"

"It's not compulsory, but the City is taking a serious view on this event. You should attend as the Agency's Chief."

"How many people can I bring?"

"About three or four will do. The City's Investment Promotion Agency will give you all the details tomorrow morning. You can give them the name list then."

"Ok. I will make arrangements tomorrow."

"You had worked hard these few days and can treat this as a vacation. Haha."

Dong Xuebing thought nothing about it and fell asleep after hanging up. The City's Investment Promotion Agency should have plans for this investment fair, and the Counties' Agencies are only there to accompany the City's officials. The County Agencies will stand no chance of getting any investments from the fair. If he can get more investments for Yan Tai County on top of the existing 500 million RMB, they have now, his chances of promotion might be higher.

Forget it. It's too early to think about these now.

It will be great if he can bring in more investments. If not, he will just treat it as a vacation.

Dong Xuebing yawned and slowly drifted to sleep.