Chapter 282 – Problems at work! (1/2)

Monday.

Dong Xuebing left Beijing at 5 am for work at Yan Tai County Public Security Bureau.

This is Dong Xuebing’s first day of work after solving the Provincial Museum break-in case, and he has lots of work lined up for him. After arriving at the Bureau, he went to report to the leaders. He met up with some close colleagues, before starting work in his office. Hui Tian Village Station had sent lots of documents to his office. Most of the documents are officers’ requests for rewards for solving cases and files for filing. It is almost year-end, and Dong Xuebing has to prepare year-end reports for the higher-ups.

At around noon, Dong Xuebing’s office phone rang.

“Chief Dong, come over to my office.” It’s Liang Chengpeng.

Dong Xuebing immediately replied. “Yes, Sir.” He quickly drops whatever he was doing and left his office.

Liang Chengpeng smiles as he asked Dong Xuebing to sit. “How are your injuries?”

“Thank you for your concern. I am fine now.”

“Good.” Liang Chengpeng nodded slightly. “Recently, there is an increase in crimes, like theft and burglary in the County. You should know that a Japanese company will be visiting our County for a site inspection for their investment. Although the investment is not confirmed, the deal is almost completed, and the County is very concerned about this. Party Secretary Xiang will be receiving the Japanese team himself, and he ordered us to leave a good impression with them. We must maintain law and order at the site, and everything must be in order.

Dong Xuebing knew Chief Liang is going to assign this job to him.

Liang Chengpeng continued. “I think you are the best person for this job. Remember, nothing must go wrong.”

Dong Xuebing replied. “Rest assured. I will complete this task.”

“Ok. You can get the details from Chief Meng of the Investment Promotion Agency.

“Yes, Sir.”

Yan Tai County’s geographical location is not good, and getting investments from overseas investors had also been a headache. That’s why this Japanese company’s site visit is very important to the County, and County’s Party Secretary Xiang Daofa is very concern about this. Liang Chengpeng had assigned Dong Xuebing to take charge of the Japanese team’s safety. Still, the real reason is he needed Dong Xuebing to solve all the problems that arise suddenly. They want to show the Japanese the ‘good side’ of the County and cover up all the flaws. They must make sure the Japanese will invest in the County.

Back in his office, Dong Xuebing smoked a cigarette and thought about this task.

This is not a good task. If he performs well, he will not get any credit, and if he messes up, he will have to bear responsibility.

Dong Xuebing thought for a while and called the Investment Promotion Agency Chief Meng.

“Hello? Who is this?” The background on the other line is very noisy.

“Oh, Chief Dong.”

“Has the Japanese team for site visit arrive? The Bureau asked me to ensure their safety.”

“They are supposed to be arriving today, but I had just received a call from them saying that there will be a delay for about a day. They should be arriving tomorrow.”

Chief Meng is the person-in-charge of receiving foreign investors, and his full name is Meng Xianglin and is below 50 years old. He is also the County’s Investment Promotion Agency Chief. Dong Xuebing had met the County’s Investment Promotion Agency’s Deputy Chief Lui Dafa but have not met Meng Xianglin in person yet. However, after working in the County for so long, he knew Meng Xianglin is Xiang Daofa’s trusted aide and got this position because of Xiang Daofa.

Late afternoon, Dong Xuebing finished his work and left the Bureau.

Dong Xuebing called Xie Huilan in front of the Public Security’s Family Quarters, but her phone is switched off. She should still be in meetings.

Xie Huilan is very busy, and they seldom have time to meet. Since Dong Xuebing went to Lui An City for undercover investigation, he had only spoken to her over the phone and had not met her. He thought for a while and drove to the County Party Committee’s quarters. He parked his car at another street and bought some food, before making his way to the quarters.

Sister Xie’s apartment.

Dong Xuebing used his keys to open the door and went straight to the kitchen.

After Dong Xuebing was discharged from the hospital, he discovered a bunch of keys in his bag. It was the bunch of keys he returned to Sister Xie before, and he knew it must be Sister Xie who place it in his bag. This means that she is willing to forgive him. Of course, she might also be doing this to prevent his condition from getting worse. Until now, Dong Xuebing still cannot tell what Xie Huilan is thinking.

Washing, cutting, etc. Dong Xuebing started preparing dinner.

After a while, the doorbell rang.

Dong Xuebing jumped and tiptoed to the door. Through the door’s peephole, he saw a middle-aged man who looks like a leader. He does not recognize this man but felt he looks familiar and should have seen him around the County’s government. He did not open the door and quickly return to the kitchen.

Ten minutes later.

Click… it was the sound of someone opening the main door.

Dong Xuebing heard it and quickly ran into the bathroom to hide.

The door opens. “… Mayor Geng, please come in.” Xie Huilan said.

“Can I use this pair of slippers?”

“It’s fine. You don’t need to change your shoes. Haha… have you waited long?”

“Not really. I had just arrived not long ago.”

“I returned to the County’s committee after the meeting and did not know you are coming over.”

Mayor Geng? Dong Xuebing remembered who this man was. Geng Yuchao, Yan Tai County’s Deputy Mayor. He is also the only Deputy Mayor, other than the Executive Deputy Mayor, to be on the County’s Party Committee. Dong Xuebing heard that Geng Yuchao had clashed with Xiang Daofa when the latter was still the Mayor. But from his tone now, he should have joined Xie Huilan’s faction.

“Mayor Xie, I will be leaving in a while, and you don’t need to prepare tea for me.”

“You should have a cup of tea first, right?”

“Ah… Let me pour the tea myself.”

After a while, they started talking about work. Geng Yuchao said. “Mayor Xie, the Investment Promotion Agency, is a department of the County Government, and it should be the County Government job. Party Secretary Xiang had brushed us aside to bring in foreign investors. This is too…”

“Haha… Secretary Xiang is also doing this for our County’s development.”

“You might be right, but they only inform us today about the site visit, and still assign Chief Meng to receive them. Secretary Xiang is not giving the County Government any credits, and you should know about Chief Meng’s relationship with Secretary Xiang. Since he is doing this for the County, why didn’t he let you or the Deputy Mayor who oversees investments take charge of this? This is…”

Dong Xuebing immediately knew Geng Yuchao is talking about the Japanese investor’s site visit and investment. Xiang Daofa had not informed the County Government and tasked his trusted aide to take charge of it. This is too overbearing, and he is not letting Xie Huilan and the County Government get involved. He is telling everyone that he is in charge of the County and disregarded Xie Huilan.

Dong Xuebing frowned. He had saved Sister Xie’s life and helped her several times. Even when he did not say anything, everyone will think he is from her faction. Then the thankless task of taking care of the Japanese team must be given to him by Xiang Daofa. Xie Huilan’s faction will not get any credit, and the tasks where mistakes might occur easily is given to her people. This is like slapping her in the face. Seems like the rift between Sister Xie and Xiang Daofa is growing.