Power and Wealth

Chapter 2013

Seven days later.

Saturday morning.

The engagement banquet for Xie Ran and Fang Shui Ling was scheduled to take place in just a few days. Dong Xuebing had already informed Zhang Dongfang and several key leaders in the county that he would be taking a break in about three days. However, the phone call he received this morning changed his mind.

It was from Zhang Longjuan.

It was unclear what time it was in Fuzhou, considering the time difference, but from Zhang Longjuan’s voice, it sounded like she was about to go to bed, speaking in a lazy tone.

“Kid,” Zhang Longjuan said.

“Sister Zhang,” Dong Xuebing replied, still a little groggy.

“I’ve got something to tell you,” Zhang Longjuan said directly. “Your Sister Zhang is pregnant, ha.”

Dong Xuebing was taken aback. “When did this happen? Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

“It’s been more than two months,” Zhang Longjuan explained. “I didn’t know in the first month, and the second month was so chaotic that I even forgot about my period. It wasn’t until nearly three months later that I went to the hospital for a checkup, haha. The doctor was speechless, saying I was too careless, not realizing I was pregnant for so long.” She paused, then added, “Well, there’s nothing else. I need to sleep. Don’t worry about me here.”

Dong Xuebing said, “I’ll come to see you another day.”

“Let’s see if you have time. If not, forget about it,” Zhang Longjuan responded.

Dong Xuebing insisted, “I’ll make time. It’s my child. How can I not have time?”

Zhang Longjuan chuckled. “Good, at least you have some conscience.”

“You’d better be careful in the future. Don’t get too caught up in work. Money can’t be earned endlessly. Take care of your health, understand?” Dong Xuebing advised.

“I’ve got it, bye,” Zhang Longjuan said and hung up the phone.

After hanging up, Dong Xuebing felt a complex mix of emotions, mostly joy and a sense of responsibility. When Zhang Longjuan had mentioned wanting a child before, she had told him that once she was pregnant, he didn’t need to worry about anything else. At the time, Dong Xuebing had some concerns, but now that Sister Zhang had told him she was pregnant with his child, he felt pleased and wished he could fly over to see her right away. However, since his passport wasn’t ready, he knew he couldn’t just leave.

He lit a cigarette and thought for a long while.

Xie Huilan, Qu Yunxuan, Geng Yuehua, Yu Meixia, Zhang Longjuan, Xu Yan, Jiang Fangfang, Fang Wenping, and even Luo Haiting from a one-night encounter—Dong Xuebing had entangled himself with so many women. Reflecting on it, he realized that this was a direct result of his accumulated fortune over many lifetimes. He felt satisfied, but also a deep sense of guilt. In his work, Dong Xuebing had done well, and his efforts had gradually elevated him to his current position, something many people envied and admired. But in matters of the heart, he had never handled things well, always hesitating and indecisive, which had led to a tangled mess of relationships.

Breaking up?

That was not possible.

Even if he wanted to cut ties, he couldn’t bring himself to, and, frankly, it was impossible to.

Snuffing out his cigarette, Dong Xuebing decided in his heart. He wanted to apologize to everyone. He felt an urgent need to do this.

No more hesitation.

Dong Xuebing picked up the phone and called Su Yan. “Little Su, book me a plane ticket to Qingxi Province as soon as possible. The sooner, the better. I’ll be at the airport in an hour.”

Su Yan didn’t ask any questions. “Okay, Secretary.”

Next, Dong Xuebing called Zhang Dongfang. “Old Zhang, something urgent has come up. I need to head back today. You keep an eye on things here, and if anything comes up, let’s keep in touch.”

Zhang Dongfang paused for a moment. “Okay.”

Dong Xuebing called his driver, Xiao Wang, and left for the airport without even taking his luggage.

Morning.

Around 10 AM.

The two provinces were not far from each other, and the flight only took a little over an hour. After arriving, Dong Xuebing took a taxi and called Xu Yan.

“Hello, Sister Xu, are you busy?”

“No, I’m off today.”

“Then I’ll come over to see you. It’s still the same compound, right?”

“Yes, come over. Where are you now?”

“I’m in the provincial capital. Just landed.”

“Why are you in such a hurry? You didn’t mention anything in advance.”

“Let’s talk when I get there, Sister Xu. I’m on my way.”

About twenty minutes later, Dong Xuebing arrived at the Provincial National Security Bureau’s compound. He knew the way well and found Xu Yan’s place easily, ringing the doorbell.

Ding-dong.

Xu Yan, dressed in a lady’s suit, opened the door. “You’re here.”

Dong Xuebing nodded and walked inside. “Is there anyone else at home?”

“No, my son is still studying in Beijing, living with his uncle,” Xu Yan said, letting him sit down.

Six months ago, the court had awarded Xu Yan full custody of her child, severing her relationship with her ex-husband. This matter had been something Dong Xuebing had been involved in. It was related to the case where he had confronted the infamous leader of the Beijing National Security Bureau. At the time, Dong Xuebing had gone to great lengths for Xu Yan after her ex-husband had gotten drunk and assaulted her. With Dong Xuebing’s temper, he couldn’t let that pass.

Xu Yan poured him some water. “How long are you staying?”

“Just half a day. I’ll probably leave in the evening,” Dong Xuebing replied.

Xu Yan was surprised. “You’re leaving so soon? What’s the matter?”

Dong Xuebing looked at her and said, “I didn’t come for business, just to see you, Sister Xu. Don’t be busy. Sit down. Let’s talk for a bit.”

“Specially came to see me?” Xu Yan sat down.

Dong Xuebing nodded but hesitated to speak further.

“Go ahead,” Xu Yan said, gently stroking his hand. “What’s the matter?”

Dong Xuebing felt a little embarrassed, but after some hesitation, he said, “Actually, there’s nothing much. It’s just that something happened today that made me think a lot, so I immediately asked my secretary to book me a plane ticket and rushed over. I just wanted to, well, apologize to you.”

“Apologize?” Xu Yan smiled. “For what?”

Dong Xuebing scratched his nose. “Just… I’m sorry. You know me better than anyone. I’ve always caused you trouble in matters of the heart.”

Xu Yan chuckled. “Is that it?”

Dong Xuebing nodded. “If I didn’t apologize, I’d feel uncomfortable.”

“You came all the way here for this? I thought something serious had happened,” Xu Yan said helplessly, squeezing his hand. “It’s fine, you don’t need to apologize. Relationships between men and women can be complicated at times. Things can’t always be clear. Besides, it was mutual, so do you need to say sorry? If anyone should apologize, it should be me. I’m older than you, and my child’s not much younger than you. It’s more like an old cow eating young grass. I should be the one feeling guilty.”

Dong Xuebing quickly replied, “No, I—”

Xu Yan interrupted, “It’s fine. My point is, it’s mutual, and if you overthink, you’ll suffer. Haha, let’s have some tea and talk about something else.”

Dong Xuebing nodded, deciding not to bring it up again.