Power and Wealth

Chapter 1759

Several days later.

The Lantern Festival has passed.

This morning, around eight o'clock.

In the Houhai Courtyard, Dong Xuebing got up from his bed at home. First, he dismantled the stove in the west room, extinguished the fire, and removed the chimney. Anyway, he would be leaving the day after tomorrow, and this house wouldn't need a fire anymore. He wasn't hurrying to dismantle the stove in the north room; he would do it tomorrow. But other things needed to be prepared in advance because he definitely wouldn't be coming back to live here in the short term. There was a lot of luggage and belongings to pack up. With such a large courtyard and so many things, Dong Xuebing roughly calculated that today's workload looked quite substantial.

The chimney was stuffed with newspapers.

The stove was covered with plastic sheeting.

He also cleaned up the ashes and soil on the ground around the stove.

Just clearing a path took Dong Xuebing over an hour's effort; there was no way around it. This was quite troublesome, especially waiting for the stove to cool down after putting out the fire.

But Dong Xuebing wasn't in a hurry anyway; he could take it slow. After all, these days before the fifteenth, Dong Xuebing had already handed over everything that needed to be done at the office. The new director of Section Two hadn't been decided yet. The position was vacant and temporarily filled by Luo Haiting. Of course, this interim arrangement was genuine; based on Sister Luo's qualifications, it definitely wouldn't be permanent. But Dong Xuebing didn't bother with it anymore; he couldn't control it. As of yesterday, he had officially stepped down, and everything at the office was no longer his concern.

These days, Dong Xuebing had also hosted many people for meals—colleagues, leaders, and a meal with his family on the fifteenth, which could be considered a farewell dinner. It was Dong Xuebing's farewell to everyone. Although he would return later, social etiquette still had to be observed. If he left without saying goodbye or treating everyone to a meal, people would have ideas. Of course, this time, there was no extravagant banquet; it was just a casual meal. In others' eyes, Dong Xuebing's move this time wasn't a promotion but rather a demotion, so making a big deal out of it wouldn't be appropriate. Even with this casual meal, the atmosphere at the dinner table was somewhat awkward. Dong Xuebing could still imagine everyone's complex expressions now—some hesitated to speak, some felt awkward congratulating Dong Xuebing on his promotion, and coughed awkwardly and fell silent. That was the atmosphere, making Dong Xuebing's dinner a bit awkward.

In the morning.

The house was almost packed up.

At this time, Han Jing called.

"Hey, Xuebing, do you need Mom to come over and help you pack?" Han Jing said.

Dong Xuebing hurriedly said, "No need, it's almost done. Thanks, Mom."

Han Jing said, "You're leaving tomorrow, so I'll ask Xiaohao and Xiaojing to come and see you off."

" Mom, there's no need. I'm not leaving for good. It won't be long before I come back. Don't have Xiaojing and the others come." Dong Xuebing said.

Han Jing paused, "Okay then, sigh."

Dong Xuebing laughed, "Why the sigh?"

"After you leave, I won't have anyone to talk to." Han Jing said, "Huilan won't return for a few years. You two..."

Dong Xuebing said, "If she can't return, I'll return. Don't worry, I promise I won't stay as the County Party Secretary for too long. And I'll fly back to see you whenever I have time."

"Okay, have you booked your plane tickets?" Han Jing said.

"No, I plan to drive there." Dong Xuebing said.

Han Jing said, "Then be careful on the road. The conditions aren't great over there."

"I got it, Mom. I'll be careful. Take care of yourself, too. If anything comes up, call me," Dong Xuebing felt his mother-in-law's concern. He felt quite reluctant to leave here, but there was no choice. Men prioritize their careers, and Dong Xuebing wouldn't miss such a good opportunity.

He hung up.

Dong Xuebing prepared some food, but the phone rang again, this time from Luo Haiting. He picked up and said, "Hello, Sister Luo."

Luo Haiting said, "Xuebing, you're leaving tomorrow."

"Yeah, it should be tomorrow morning," Dong Xuebing said apologetically, "I'm sorry this time, making you come over to help, and I'm leaving in less than two months. It's inappropriate to bring you over every time just before I leave."

"Why would you think that?" Luo Haiting said, "Big Sister has been promoted. I should be thanking you instead. How could there be any other thoughts? I believe that your choice of Jiaolin County must have your own considerations and benefit you. Others might not know, but Big Sister knows. Every time before, you've never made a wrong choice. Hehe, Big Sister knows your capabilities."

That was the most heartening thing Dong Xuebing had heard these days. It was true that Old Luo understood him. They had worked together for so many years, and it wasn't for nothing.

Luo Haiting said, "We'll come to see you off tomorrow. Han Fei and the others said so."

Dong Xuebing said decisively, "No, please don't. I can go by myself. Every time, it's quite sentimental; it's unnecessary. We'll see each other again anyway, so no one should come. Tell them that, and I don't know if I'm leaving tomorrow or the day after. It's not decided yet."

"Alright then," Luo Haiting said helplessly.

Dong Xuebing blinked, "I'm going to eat."

But Luo Haiting suddenly said, "Wait a moment. I called to talk about this. I don't know if you've heard, but I just got the news today. It's said that Director Fang from our Ninth Division is also being transferred and promoted to Deputy Governor of Shaanbei Province."

Dong Xuebing was taken aback, "Director Fang, Fang Wenping?"

Luo Haiting confirmed, "Yes, today everyone just mentioned it."

"Are you sure she's going to Shaanbei Province?" Dong Xuebing was a bit stunned. This was something he hadn't expected or heard about. But thinking about it, it wasn't surprising he hadn't heard; Fang Wenping was from the Fang family, enemies of the Xie family, and Han Jing probably didn't like mentioning her much, so she didn't inform Dong Xuebing. As for the office, Dong Xuebing had left many days ago, so of course, there was no word.

"I'm sure. The transfer order has already been issued," Luo Haiting said, "But I don't know when she'll take office. Anyway, be careful."

She knew Dong Xuebing had clashed with Fang Wenping. If Fang Wenping had gone to Shaanbei and become Deputy Governor, Dong Xuebing's days wouldn't have been easy.

However, Dong Xuebing didn't think that way. He remembered what Fang Wenping had said to him on that snowy night of the second lunar month. She had shown resistance to the environment of Beijing and the work atmosphere conflicting with family life more than once. Thinking about Fang Wenping's transfer, Dong Xuebing wasn't surprised. She must want to change her environment, and with her qualifications, she had been in the Discipline Inspection Commission for many years. It wasn't surprising for her to be promoted to Deputy Governor.