Chapter 168 – Returning back to his hometown! (1/2)

After leaving the bureau, someone called Dong Xuebing. He turned around, and it was the Office Director Hu Silian. Hu Silian was pushing an electric bicycle towards him with a smile. “Chief Dong, let’s go back to the quarters together.” She was very considerate. She knew Dong Xuebing was new to the county and might not be able to find his way to the quarters. “Put your luggage on my bike. My bike basket is strong and can withstand the weight.”

Dong Xuebing laughed. “How can I do this? You should ride your bike. I should not make you walk with me.”

Hu Silian kicked the bicycle stand and went over to take Dong Xuebing’s luggage from him. “It is not far from here. Oh, the Bureau’s leaders are all not around and did not arrange for a welcome meal for you. How about coming over to my place for dinner? Haha, my husband’s cooking is delicious.” As the Office Director, Hu Silian’s political wisdom is much higher than Dong Xuebing. Back in the State Security, Dong Xuebing’s work is similar to Hu Silian. But he had a foul temper and offended many people. Hu Silian, on the other hand, was the total opposite of him. She is an all-rounder and treated all the leaders well. Maybe it was also because she is a woman.

Dong Xuebing replied. “It’s fine. I am going to Hui Tian Village at night to visit my mother.”

Hu Silian was surprised. Chief Dong’s hometown is also from Yantai County? She does not know about this.

County’s Bureau family quarters.

This is a small estate, and the buildings are about 20 years old. But the condition of the buildings is still okay. After Hu Silian brought Dong Xuebing to his apartment, he was speechless. The interior of the apartment was nicely renovated and well-equipped with home appliances. LCD tv, automatic washing machine, air conditioner, etc. It was almost like a hotel room.

After Hu Silian left, Dong Xuebing put down his luggage and lie down on the queen size bed. The grassroots level is very different from Beijing. They did not care about what others think. This apartment might even be better than Xu Yan’s residence. Oh, I should fetch Mum over to stay with me. She had suffered for most of her life, and it’s time for her to enjoy.

Dong Xuebing picked up his phone and called his mother’s village home.

“Hello? Who are you looking for?” It was a woman who answered.

Dong Xuebing replied. “I am Dong Xuebing. Is my mum there?”

“It’s you?” The woman paused for a while. “Wait a minute…… Xiaoping…… Xiaoping…… Your son is calling!”

After a while, Dong Xuebing’s mother, Luan Xiaoping, answered. “Xiao Bing? Why are you calling my house number?” Her son seldom calls her at home. He usually calls her at her school.

Dong Xuebing frowned. “Mum, who was that woman?”

“It’s your uncle’s wife.”

“Hmph! She is still the same after so many years. She sounds like I owe her money!”

“Nonsense. Your Aunt cares about you.”

“Mum, you don’t need to speak up for them. We know their true colors well.” When Dong Xuebing’s father was sick, Dong Xuebing and his mum had tried to borrow money from them. But his Uncle and First Aunt’s families did not lend them a single cent. It was his Second Aunt, who was not financially well to do, lend them her life savings. Dong Xuebing’s relationship with his mother’s family soured over this incident. He avoided contacting them all these years. The only people he contacted from his mother’s family are his Second Aunt and her husband.

“Xiao Bing, are you looking for me? I am cooking now. How about I call you later?”

“Why are you cooking again? You have been at work the whole day, and Uncle’s wife is at home the whole day. Why are you cooking for them?”

“It’s fine. We are a family and don’t need to be so calculative.”

“Mum, you are too honest. You should not do these!”

“I know what to do. This is none of your business.”

Whenever he mentioned about his mother’s family, Dong Xuebing was furious. He got up from the bed and said. “I am in Yantai County now. I will go over to your place later.”

“Eh? You are not working? Why are you here?”

“It is some work-related matters. I will tell you when I see you. I am heading over now.”

“Have you taken dinner? I will call your Second Aunt’s family over too. We will wait for you to have dinner.” During Lunar New Year, Luan Xiaoping had mentioned to Dong Xuebing before. Now, her son was finally willing to return home, and she was overjoyed. She thought her son had purposely took leave back to visit her.

Dong Xuebing boarded a long-distance bus and arrived at Hui Tian Village.

After alighting from the bus, Dong Xuebing saw his mum waiting for him. Dong Xuebing grumbled: “Why are you here? It’s so late, and it is dangerous for you to be here.” The security around here is not as good as Beijing. “Who is at home? Are Second Aunt and her family here?”

Luan Xiaoping laughed. “Your younger sister (cousin, Second Aunt’s daughter) is still at work. She says she will be coming back soon. The rest have arrived.”

Dong Xuebing held his mother’s hand. “Alright. Let’s go. Watch your steps.”