Power and Wealth

Chapter 1623

Two days later.

Houhai Courtyard.

It was a little after eight when Dong Xuebing lazily climbed out of bed, dressed, and glanced at the clock. He grabbed his bag and headed out of the courtyard.

"Xiao Dong."

"Hey, Aunt Zhou."

"Where are you going?"

"Oh, I'm going to work today."

"You haven't had breakfast yet, have you? Auntie will give you some steamed buns here."

"Oh, Aunt Zhou, you're too kind."

"Uh, okay, thanks, Aunt Zhou. I'll stew some pork belly for you later."

A few minutes later, holding the steamed buns given by the neighbor whom he met just a day ago, Dong Xuebing got into his Xia Li car and felt warm inside. Seeing someone else greeting him, Dong Xuebing rolled down the window and exchanged a few polite words before driving out of the alley. After the incident two days ago, everyone had a good impression of Dong Xuebing. They also learned that a young man with much influence had moved into the courtyard, uninhabited for two or three decades. Dong Xuebing had also integrated into the community.

Driving along, Dong Xuebing found some time to eat the steamed buns. They were delicious, with generous meat filling, much better than the ones from the breakfast stalls. He enjoyed them thoroughly, finishing all of them.

Eating his fill made him feel better about going to work. However, as he thought about work, Dong Xuebing felt a bit discouraged. It was just too dull, low-key, low-key, and low-key. His mind was filled with this word. Dong Xuebing might not even be aware of it, but deep down, he was probably still combative. So, now that he was at the Commission for Discipline Inspection, he felt uncomfortable all over. But he had to go. He couldn't take leave every day. He had already been on a business trip for half a month. If he took more leave, he would feel embarrassed.

Around nine o'clock.

He arrived at the compound of the organization.

Dong Xuebing glanced at his watch and realized he was already more than ten minutes late. Since he was already late, he didn't hurry. He leisurely drove toward the gate.

But then, at this moment, he heard the sound of an engine nearby.

A silver Audi A4 rushed over, its speed relatively fast.

Although the gate of the disciplinary committee was not small, it was past rush hour. The gate was already halfway closed, leaving only enough space for one car to pass. Two cars couldn't enter side by side. The Audi A4 probably saw a car ahead and slowed down, but the next moment, upon seeing Dong Xuebing's old second-hand Xiali, it accelerated again. Ignoring that Dong Xuebing was about to pass, the Audi A4 rushed ahead and squeezed in first. It is evident that the driver, realizing he was late, was in a hurry. As a result, Dong Xuebing had to brake hastily to avoid a collision.

The two cars passed each other.

The driver glanced back at Dong Xuebing.

Dong Xuebing saw that it was a man in the Audi A4, probably a little older than himself but not more than five or six years. Most likely, he was a leader since he could afford to drive such a car to work. Dong Xuebing narrowed his eyes, unhappy and not particularly pleased with the man's demeanor. How could he drive like a maniac?

But the man didn't even apologize. He drove off into the distance, obviously not considering Dong Xuebing's Xiali important. He probably didn't think Dong Xuebing was a cadre either because people from their department wouldn't drive such a poor-quality car. Even if they walked to work, they wouldn't drive an Xiali.

The car stalled.

After several failed attempts to start it, Dong Xuebing realized that the car was too old.

He tried to start the engine again, feeling even more annoyed with the boredom.

Usually, with Dong Xuebing's previous temper, how could he hit the brakes when someone cut him off during a meeting? He would curse at them and confront them immediately. But since he started working at the Commission for Discipline Inspection, Dong Xuebing felt restrained at every turn. He had to be cautious here, low-key there. It was as if he had been locked in a cage, unable to fly or run freely. Dong Xuebing knew that the advice from the elders and his wife's way of handling things was reasonable, but he was not that kind of person at all. He followed his mother-in-law's instructions, but everything felt awkward.

What was the point of living?

While others might aim for promotion and wealth, Dong Xuebing wasn't. He also wanted to climb the ranks and was ambitious, but he wanted to live freely even more. Though calm and low-key, the current situation didn't make him happy. It completely contradicted his outlook on life and values. For example, the incident two days ago when he had the police car towed from the alley was what Dong Xuebing liked to do, being free and uninhibited.

Creak, creak.

The engine still didn't start.

The security guard nearby noticed and came over. "Let me give you a push," he said politely, probably recognizing Dong Xuebing as a leader.

Dong Xuebing leaned out and said, "Okay, thanks."

"No problem, it's just a small effort." The security guard then pushed the car from behind.

The car slowly moved forward, and Dong Xuebing asked, "Who was that guy just now?"

The guard hesitated momentarily and replied, "Seems to be Deputy Director Yang Zhen from the General Office of the Eighth Supervisory Office."

The Eighth Office, General Office.

In the same department as him.

There were many departments in the Eighth Office, and the organization of the disciplinary committee itself was pretty big. Dong Xuebing didn't know him. He hadn't seen him before, which wasn't surprising. Even if he had been working at the Commission for a few years, it was impossible to know every cadre. At most, he would feel familiar with their faces. The organization's personnel were too extensive. Dong Xuebing guessed that the other party probably didn't recognize him either. He hadn't even attended a full meeting of the Eighth Division. Later, he kept a low profile, so it was strange for others to know him.

Yang Zhen.

Deputy Director Yang.

Dong Xuebing remembered him.

After the Xiali was pushed into the gate of the compound, Dong Xuebing finally managed to start the engine with some effort, afraid that the car would stall again. He dared not stop the car, so he waved to the security guard behind him to thank him and slowly drove in. When he parked under his department's office building, Dong Xuebing saw Deputy Director Yang Zhen's Audi A4L in front of him. He glanced at it, exited the car, and went upstairs.

Upstairs.

Office area of the Second Division.

When Dong Xuebing entered, everyone was still working.

Seeing Director Dong Xuebing was late again on the day he returned from his business trip, everyone was speechless.

Taking leave.

Being late.

Not doing anything.

What kind of leader was he?

Everyone was fed up with him. Strictly speaking, Dong Xuebing had been in office for over a month, but he had arrived late for nearly a month, and then on his first day, he was late. On the second day, he took leave again, followed by an extended vacation. It was unacceptable.

Look.

He's late again today.

Han Fei was the most influential character among these people. She seemed to have a bias against Dong Xuebing. She lowered her head and continued working, pretending not to see him. Her father was the director of the Second Bureau of the Organization Department, so she had the confidence to act this way.

"Director Dong."

"Director Dong."

He Zhou, Sun Zhaobang, and others symbolically greeted him, already having opinions about this unsociable Dong Director. Their greetings were not very enthusiastic.

Dong Xuebing nodded slightly. "Is Director Yin here?"

The lowest-ranking Zhang Dongliang said, "He's in his office."

"Okay." Dong Xuebing didn't go to his office but to the leader's office first.

He knocked on the door, heard a "come in" from inside, and pushed the door open. "Director Yin, I'm back to report to you."

Yin Cheng'an smiled and asked, "How's your child?"

Dong Xuebing replied, "He's fine now. The illness has cleared up. By the way, I'll prepare a report for the business trip." After speaking, he took it out and handed it to him. "Thanks again for this time."

Yin Cheng'an casually glanced at it and didn't read it. Everyone knew this business trip was just an excuse for Dong Xuebing to take a break. "Alright, as long as the child is okay. That's it. Go back to work, and if you have any issues, come find me."

Dong Xuebing said, "Then I'll go back first."

"Go ahead." Yin Cheng'an didn't mention Dong Xuebing's lateness again, as if he knew nothing about it. He was very easygoing.

It was the first time Dong Xuebing had encountered such a friendly leader, making him feel a little embarrassed. He couldn't help but explain, "I moved house these two days, so I was busy in the morning, that's why..."

Yin Cheng'an smiled, "It's okay. There's not much work here, and there haven't been any tasks lately. Adjust your work time as you like. There's no need to be so particular. Try to come earlier when there are leadership inspections or important tasks. Otherwise, it's fine."

Leaders had the right to be late, which was a potential benefit. Even if Dong Xuebing was a bit late, it didn't matter much. But it was the first time he had heard a leader tell him it was okay to be late. Look at him; this was a good leader. Dong Xuebing had a good impression of Director Yin, unlike the disciplinary committee cadres, who were always stern and official. Dong Xuebing liked people like him.

Outside.

After leaving, Dong Xuebing met Chen Dayou, the Deputy Director of the Second Division, who had just returned from outside.

"Director Chen."

"Mm, Director Dong."

They passed each other, and Chen Dayou didn't say much either. He just went into his office. From his expression, he probably also had some opinions about Dong Xuebing. Director Chen was utterly different from Director Yin. He was a very traditional disciplinary cadre and meticulous in his work, so he looked down on Dong Xuebing, a leader who was always late and absent. The entire department almost marginalized Dong Xuebing.

But Dong Xuebing didn't care. Being low-key was the way to go now, and this time, he was genuinely keeping a low profile.