Power and Wealth

Chapter 2025

Two days later.

Friday noon.

Tomorrow would be the day Xie Ran and Fang Shuiling got engaged. After handling all the affairs with Geng Yuehua and Qu Yunxuan, Dong Xuebing returned to Beijing. Of course, he still had one last person to visit—Yu Meixia. Her daughter, Yu Qianqian, had been accepted into university this year, and impressively, it was a university in Beijing. Qianqian was a year older than Xie Hao, but due to family issues, she had missed a year of school and had to beg with her mother. That’s why she only just caught up with the college entrance exam this year, a year later than usual. Now the university had been open for some days, and Yu Meixia had moved to Beijing with her daughter, reportedly renting a place near the campus.

Interestingly—or perhaps not so coincidentally—Qianqian had applied to Dong Xuebing’s alma mater, United University. United University wasn’t a prestigious school, had relatively low entry requirements, and offered more spots to students from outside the capital. That might be why Qianqian chose it. She was a good student, but not exactly top-tier in the entire province—more middle-of-the-pack.

After getting off the plane, Dong Xuebing called Yu Meixia.

“Big Sis Yu, I’ve arrived in Beijing. Let’s meet up. Where are you?”

Yu Meixia was surprised, “I’m in the place we rented.”

Dong Xuebing replied, “Near Qianqian’s school. Alright, I know the way.”

Dong Xuebing chuckled, “I studied at United for four years. Of course, I know the way. Don’t worry about it—make sure you and Qianqian don’t eat. I’ll be there in about two hours.”

“Okay, we’ll wait for you,” Yu Meixia said.

This time, Dong Xuebing didn’t take a taxi because he thought it would be slow and there might be traffic. Instead, he took the airport express to Dongzhimen, transferred to the subway, and then finally hailed a cab to his old villa at the Sijiqing Bridge.

As soon as he arrived, the place was bustling.

“Put it here, put it here!”

“Don’t bring the fireworks out yet!”

“Move the lanterns a bit to the left—yes, yes, like that!”

More than ten people, most of whom Dong Xuebing didn’t recognize. They looked pretty young, likely Xie Ran’s friends and classmates.

Dong Xuebing had already given the villa to Xie Ran and Fang Shuiling as their marital home, which was something the Fang family had requested as part of the bride price. Tomorrow was their engagement. While not as grand as a wedding, it was still a big deal. Naturally, the house needed to be decorated at least a bit, especially since the couple would be starting to live there after the engagement.

“You are…?” someone asked as they saw Dong Xuebing.

Dong Xuebing replied, “Carry on with your work, don’t mind me.”

Just then, Xie Ran came out of the villa.

“Oh wow, Brother-in-law, you’re back!”

Dong Xuebing waved and smiled, “Just got off the plane. I know you’re all busy—I’m just here to pick up a car. It’s too inconvenient without one.”

Brother-in-law.

Xie Ran’s brother-in-law.

Many people who were aware of the situation looked at Dong Xuebing curiously and with surprise. Some had long heard of his infamous nickname—The God of Plague. They hadn’t expected him to look so ordinary, not outstanding at all. Was this the legendary Dong Xuebing?

But Dong Xuebing ignored their looks. He entered the garage and drove out the black Porsche sports car he had previously bought for Huilan, then sped off. His Land Rover was still back in Shaanbei. This Porsche was the only car he had in Beijing, and since he had already given away the house, he figured he might as well claim the car before it disappeared, too.

1:30 p.m.

United University, at the school gate.

Yu Meixia arrived and called her daughter, informing her that Dong Xuebing was coming. Not long after, Yu Qianqian came out excitedly with three of her dorm mates.

“Mom!” Qianqian called out.

Yu Meixia replied, “These are your classmates?”

“Yes, they’re my good friends from the dorm,” Qianqian said, introducing them.

A cheerful girl smiled and said, “Hello, Aunt Yu. Qianqian talks about you all the time.”

Yu Meixia wasn’t very good at social interaction and said awkwardly, “Hello to you, too.”

Suddenly, a silver Audi sports car sped toward them and screeched to a halt in front of the group.

Qianqian’s roommate pouted, “This Sun Bang again. Why is he back?”

Another girl snorted, “He’s so annoying. Doesn’t he know Qianqian isn’t into him? Just because he’s got some money doesn’t mean he can keep pestering her.”

The third roommate, a chubby girl, stepped in front of Qianqian, “Don’t worry, Qianqian. If Sun Bang dares bother you again, I’ll sit on him!”

That made everyone laugh.

Qianqian looked embarrassed. “Mom…”

Yu Meixia’s expression darkened. “What’s going on?”

“He started chasing me on the first day of school. I don’t like him at all, but he won’t leave me alone,” Qianqian said softly, like she’d done something wrong.

“It’s not your fault,” the chubby roommate reassured her.

From the Audi stepped a not-so-handsome young man, probably in his early twenties, likely a few years above Qianqian.

“Qianqian,” Sun Bang said affectionately.

Qianqian turned away, pretending not to see him.

“What do you want?” the chubby roommate demanded.

“I just want to invite Qianqian to dinner,” Sun Bang said. “You’re all welcome to join too. Hey, who’s this? She looks just like Qianqian.”

“I’m her mother,” Yu Meixia said coldly.

Sun Bang laughed awkwardly, “Oh, I see! Hello, Ma’am, I’m Sun Bang, a junior. I’m thrilled to meet you.”

Yu Meixia ignored him, watching him warily.

Sun Bang turned back to Qianqian, “Come on, Qianqian, bring your mom—we can all go have Western food.”

“You still don’t get it?” a skinny roommate snapped. “She doesn’t like you.”

Sun Bang grinned shamelessly, “Feelings can grow over time. Come on, hop in the car.” He was clearly showing off. After all, driving an Audi to campus did get attention.

“I’m not going,” Qianqian said.

“Come on,” Sun Bang insisted.

Yu Meixia was getting angry. “What’s wrong with you?”

Just then, a black Porsche with Beijing plates ending in 9999 roared up. This car wasn’t even in the same league as the Audi—one cost a few hundred thousand, the other a few million. Even the engine sound was worlds apart. The Porsche immediately drew attention.

Dong Xuebing had arrived. When he saw Yu Meixia’s irritated face, his expression turned cold. He knew she was gentle and even a bit timid—if she looked like this, she must be furious.

He stopped the car with a screech, got out, and said, “Sis Yu, Qianqian.”

“Xuebing,” Yu Meixia said quickly.

“Uncle!” Qianqian called out happily.

Qianqian’s roommates were stunned. They hadn’t expected her to know someone this wealthy.

Sun Bang saw the Porsche and instantly lost his confidence. Not just because of the car’s price, but also the license plate: Beijing 9999—that meant serious status.

Dong Xuebing asked in a low voice, “What’s going on?”

Yu Meixia explained, “He keeps bothering Qianqian even though she’s not interested.”

Dong Xuebing looked at Sun Bang. “You? Chasing our little Qianqian?” He scoffed. “Drive that and you think you’re somebody?”

Sun Bang retorted, “And who are you?”

Dong Xuebing snapped, “None of your business. I’ll count to three—get lost. And if you ever pester Qianqian again, don’t blame me for getting ugly.”

Sun Bang shouted, “Why should I leave just because you say so?”

Dong Xuebing smirked. “Oh? You wanna go head-to-head with me, huh?”

Sun Bang thought Dong Xuebing looked young—maybe only a few years older—so he didn’t want to back down and lose face.

By now, a crowd had gathered, all university students excited by the commotion.

A school leader walked over with a frown. “What’s going on here?”

“Vice Principal Zhang!” a student called out.

Vice Principal Zhang thought it was a fight at first, but when he got closer and saw Dong Xuebing’s face, he exclaimed in surprise, “Isn’t this Director Dong?”

Dong Xuebing smiled, “Hey, Vice Principal Zhang.”

The last time United University had an anniversary celebration, Dong Xuebing had attended in his capacity as Director of the Discipline Inspection Commission.

“What happened here?” Zhang looked around.

Dong Xuebing smiled, “Nothing serious, just a small issue. I can handle it—no need to trouble you.”

He turned back to Sun Bang. “I’m counting to three. If you don’t leave, don’t blame me. Three… two—”

Before he even got to “one,” Sun Bang scurried back to his car and drove off. He had realized the truth—this guy was not ordinary. The Porsche, the plate, Vice Principal Zhang treating him so respectfully, and most tellingly, that title—‘Director Dong.’

Director.

It would be one thing if he were a director in a private company, but if it were in a government department or a state-owned entity…

Sun Bang wasn’t stupid. He could tell from Zhang’s attitude that Dong Xuebing was probably a real government official—and possibly a compelling one. Sun Bang couldn’t afford to mess with someone like that. Not even his parents could.

Seeing that he knew when to retreat, Dong Xuebing let it go, rubbed Qianqian’s head, and said, “Alright, problem solved.”