Power and Wealth (1/2)

6.30 pm.

Xu Yan’s apartment bedroom.

Xu Yan picks up a piece of clothes and puts it over her shoulders after hearing the doorbell rang. She looked at her damp pajamas and turned to Dong Xuebing. “Xiao Dong, wait for me in the room, ok?”

“Ok. Wear another piece of clothing. Don’t catch a cold.”

Xu Yan nodded and closed the door behind her as she left the room.

Dong Xuebing knows Chief Xu doesn’t want others to know he is in her apartment. Her pajamas are wet with sweat, and others might get the wrong idea if they saw Dong Xuebing with her alone. Regardless of age, being alone with the opposite sex in an apartment is taboo in the government sector.

Dong Xuebing heard the main door opening.

“Oh, it’s Old Song. Did you just finish work?”

“I heard you were not feeling and dropped by to check on you. Are you feeling better?”

“I feel better now. Come in and have a sit.”

Dong Xuebing sat on the bed and listened to the conversation outside. The visitor is a middle-aged man from his voice and sounded quite familiar. He immediately recalls who this person is. Song Shoujie. He is the State Security Western District Branch’s Commission for Discipline Inspection Secretary, Xu Yan’s former classmates. They are close, and when he was working in the General Affairs Office, they had helped him a lot.

Song Shoujie asked. “Are you running a fever? Are you alone at home?”

“Yes. I just woke up, and my fever had subsided.”

Song Shoujie signed. “Xu Yan, you cannot carry on like this. You are so sick, and no one is looking after you. It’s about time to consider looking for a partner. We are not young anymore, and it will get worse when we get older. Although my daughter is useless, at least she is by my side. But you? Who is going to care for you when you are old? I know you don’t like to hear these, but I must still say it.”

Xu Yan shook her head. “I prefer to be alone, and how long more can I live? Just let nature take its course.”

Song Shoujie could tell Xu Yan is feeling down. He frowned. “Your transfer… is not successful?”

Xu Yan sighed. “It’s not that easy. Feng Zhou City is too complicated. Although I had gotten my connections to help me, many others have stronger connections than me. I know at least three people are eyeing this position, and all of them are more experienced and have strong backings. Anyway, I do not have high hopes for it to be successful. This transfer will be across provinces, and the position is two levels higher. By right, this position should be succeeded by at least a No.1 Deputy Chief. You should know what position I am in the Bureau. It is too difficult.”

Song Shoujie paused for a second and asked. “How about asking for a Deputy Chief’s position?”

“Sigh… why did things sour between you and Zhen Anguo?”

“It’s too late to say anything. He is the one who keeps finding trouble with me. If all else fails, I will just fight it out with him. I am also not a pushover!”

“You are still young, and it will be better for you to develop your career at the grassroots level. Don’t destroy your own career.”

“I had thought about this too. But if I take on a lower position like the Deputy Political Committee Chief… sigh… that will be my position until I retire.”

Song Shoujie kept quiet. If it is not a position with powers, Xu Yan might remain in the Western District Branch. The State Security’s system is about the same as the Public Security. A Deputy Bureau Chief and a Deputy Political Committee Chief might be of the same rank, but the authority level is different.

Xu Yan is unhappy when he mentioned this. It’s just like what she told Dong Xuebing about her work at the Bureau. Chief Zhen had been suppressing her, and her subordinates are not listening to her orders. Basically, all her powers had been removed, and some subordinates even dare to defy her. She had fallen sick this time because her son had not visited her for almost two months, and her troubles at work.

Song Shoujie knows it is tough for Xu Yan but doesn’t know how to help her.

After chatting for a while, Song Shoujie said. “Come over to my place for dinner. I will ask my wife to prepare your share.”

“No thanks. I want to sleep a little longer. You should go home early too.”

“Alright. Just give me a call if you need anything. If you are not getting better, go visit the doctor at the hospital.” A few minutes later, Song Shoujie left.

Xu Yan sighed to herself and closed the door.

The bedroom door opened, and Dong Xuebing walks out. He had heard everything and felt he must do something to cheer his former Leader up. “Haha… Leader, I didn’t have the chance to tell you earlier. Err… I have a piece of bad news for you. Can I tell you now?” He joked.

Xu Yan laughed. “I have enough of bad news recently and is used to it. Just tell me.”