Power and Wealth

Chapter 1637

At the office.

Around four in the afternoon.

Dong Xuebing leisurely returned in his dilapidated Xia Li, parking the car downstairs. However, he didn't rush upstairs. Instead, he casually took a piece of paper and a pen from his bag and hastily wrote a self-criticism letter. The words were full of remorse and promise to improve in the future, unite with colleagues, maintain harmony, and so on. In reality, he didn't take it seriously at all. After finishing writing, he reread it, was satisfied, and then got out of the car with the items.

Upstairs.

Dong Xuebing first went to Director Zhu Weiye's office in the Eighth Division, handed over the self-criticism letter for review, and settled the compensation for repair and medical expenses.

He gave seventy thousand.

Not too expensive.

After finishing these tasks, Dong Xuebing finally returned to his own office.

In the office area.

As soon as Dong Xuebing entered, it caused a commotion.

"Oh, Director Dong!" Zhang Dongliang exclaimed.

Han Fei also stood up from her chair in surprise. "You're back."

Dong Xuebing nodded as usual without saying a word. He just wanted to go to his office. It was almost time to leave work, and he considered watching a movie. In the morning, Dong Xuebing watched movies with a sense of boredom and monotony, feeling uninterested no matter what he watched; now, after going through this ordeal, he felt pretty fulfilled and wanted to relax properly.

However, Han Fei and the others didn't let Dong Xuebing go back this time. Instead, they stopped and bombarded him with questions, obviously having heard about the incident.

"The leaders talked to you."

"Why wasn't there any punishment?"

"How much did you compensate, Director Dong?"

"Does this have any impact on you?"

Dong Xuebing didn't want to dwell on it too much. He simply waved his hand and said, "It's nothing."

At this moment, Yin Cheng'an also came out. "Director Dong, has everything been resolved?"

Dong Xuebing couldn't ignore the leader's words, so he just nodded and said, "It's resolved. I wrote a letter of self-criticism and gave it to Director Zhu. The compensation matter has been settled, too. I gave seventy thousand to the General Office. They should be enough for the car repair. The leader said nothing afterward, so there's nothing to worry about."

Yin Cheng'an nodded. "That's good, that's good."

He Zhou said, "We were worried you might get punished. We thought the leader might have to give you a disciplinary action."

"It's fine," Dong Xuebing said casually. "It's just a minor dispute among colleagues."

Yin Cheng'an smiled. "Well, there's no more work left. You've been busy today. Go home and rest. It's almost time to get off work."

Dong Xuebing said, "Alright, call me if there's any work."

"Don't go yet," Han Fei interjected, blocking his way and stuttering for a moment before saying, "Director Dong, thank you today."

Dong Xuebing asked, "What are you thanking me for?"

Han Fei said, "Anyway, thanks to you for standing up for me."

Dong Xuebing responded indifferently, "I just couldn't stand Yang Zhen. It has nothing to do with you."

"How does it have nothing to do with me? Your tough words won't help. Anyway, I remember it. If you need anything in the future, I'll be there for you." Han Fei patted her chest like a young man, making Dong Xuebing and Yin Cheng'an chuckle. "Oh right, you've already paid the seventy thousand."

Dong Xuebing just nodded. "I did."

Han Fei anxiously said, "But that's not acceptable. How can I let you pay alone? This whole thing started because of me. It's my responsibility. At the very least, I should pay half." After some calculations, Han Fei realized she didn't have much money left. Eventually, her face reddened, and she coughed, "I've been spending quite a lot lately, and I don't have that much left. So, I'll give you twenty thousand for now, and I'll pay you the rest later. I'll need a few months' salary to cover it."

No one else said anything.

Dong Xuebing looked at her and said, "Forget it."

"That won't do. I'll pay half," Han Fei insisted.

Dong Xuebing replied, "I was the one who crashed into him and fought with him. It has nothing to do with you at all. Why should I take your money? Just focus on your work."

Han Fei glared, "You're just looking down on me."

Dong Xuebing sighed, "The thing is, I don't need your money. It's just seventy thousand. I can handle it."

Han Fei pouted, "Your monthly salary isn't much higher than mine. You're still young and only worked for a few years. Seventy thousand is still a small amount."

Others and society might consider them, civil servants and officials, as wealthy. But only they knew that their salaries, although slightly higher than average, were not significantly so. Moreover, they had high expenses for socializing. They were not as well off as those high-ranking officials in private enterprises. Han Fei was a typical member of the 'living from paycheck to paycheck' group. According to her understanding, Sun Zhaobang and Zhang Dongliang weren't much different from her. It wouldn't exceed three thousand even if they had some monthly savings.

With rising prices and high housing costs, they had mortgages, living expenses, and raising children. Money was needed everywhere. Nowadays, money is not the same as before; it isn't as durable. Just one outing could exhaust it. Everyone knew that Dong Xuebing had just had a son. The child was young, so there were more expenses. And looking at the old, second-hand Xia Li he had been driving to work since he started working, everyone's impression was that Dong Xuebing, who had only been working for a few years, definitely wasn't wealthy. Have you ever seen a Director Chief level official from the Discipline Inspection Commission driving a nearly scrapped Xia Li to and from work daily? At the very least, they would drive a car worth over one hundred thousand or even a mainstream car worth over two hundred thousand. Even Yang Zhen drove a car worth over four hundred thousand.

He Zhou blinked, "How about we split it? I'll chip in, too. After all, it's an issue for our second division. The conflict started because of us."

Sun Zhaobang agreed, "Yes, everyone should chip in."

Seventy thousand yuan, even if several people shared it, it wasn't much for each person. They could afford it.

But how could Dong Xuebing let them pay? He was very concerned about his reputation. "Alright, I appreciate your kindness, but this has nothing to do with you guys. Don't worry about it. I've already paid the money, and that's the end of it. Why would I need your money?" Just seventy thousand yuan, Dong Xuebing would find it beneath him to spend that little. Why bother?

Han Fei didn't agree, "But..."

"No buts, let's leave it at that," Dong Xuebing said decisively.

Seeing Director Dong's firmness, Han Fei didn't say anything more. She knew her wallet wasn't fat and couldn't ask her parents for money. "Then, then, I insist on treating you to dinner tonight. You can't refuse this. Since you took office, we've often invited you out for meals, but you've never come. You're always busy and always have something to do. This time, it's not negotiable. I must treat you. If you don't come, you'll be disrespecting me. Director Dong, you've been so considerate this time, so I must show my appreciation."

Sun Zhaobang also said, "Yes, Director Dong, you've been in the office for a while now, but we haven't had a proper meal together yet. Xiao Fei says so, too, right?"

Dong Xuebing thought about it. Indeed, he had been too low-key and not very united with the masses since he took office. He hadn't paid much attention to these relationships. Now, he couldn't remain low-key anymore and didn't care much. He looked at Han Fei and said, "Alright, but how can I let you treat? It's my first official dinner since taking office. I should be the host."

Han Fei exclaimed, "I insist on treating!"

Dong Xuebing smiled, "Then I won't go."

"Oh, why are you like this?" Han Fei sighed, "Alright, this time you treat, and next time I'll treat. No one else can compete with me."

Dong Xuebing looked at Yin Cheng'an, "Director Yin, would you honor us with your presence tonight?"

Yin Cheng'an chuckled, "What's so honorable about it? If there's a dinner, I'll go. My spouse has something to do tonight and won't return until late. I was just wondering what to do for dinner."

Dong Xuebing said, "Then where should we eat? I'm not familiar with any good restaurants nearby."

Having just paid out seventy thousand yuan, Yin Cheng'an probably felt sorry for him. He suggested, "Hey, why spend that money? Dong Xuebing, I heard your spouse isn't in Beijing. How about we go to your place and buy some groceries? We can cook a lot and eat comfortably, right?"

Han Fei clapped her hands, "Right, I'll cook for you guys."

He Zhou chuckled, "I can make tomato and scrambled eggs. That's the only dish I know."

Dong Xuebing hesitated for a moment, "Go to my place?"

Yin Cheng'an looked at him, "If it's inconvenient, then..."

"Not really." Dong Xuebing pondered momentarily and said, "Alright, it's settled. My place is a bit far, near the Third Ring Road West. It'll probably take about half an hour to drive there."

"That's fine," Yin Cheng'an said.

"Alright," Dong Xuebing said, "I'll leave early to buy groceries."

Zhang Dongliang volunteered, "No, I'll go. I'll buy groceries and wait for you guys at the door. There's a supermarket nearby, very convenient." This kind of thing certainly couldn't let the leader do it personally. He had the lowest rank in the Second Office, so naturally, he would do it.

With everything settled, dinner was arranged.

Dong Xuebing and Yin Cheng'an each returned to their offices.

Outside, Han Fei and Sun Zhaobang started discussing in low voices again.

"Do you think Director Dong has such a big background?" Han Fei asked.

"Definitely; otherwise, why wouldn't he have received any administrative punishment from above?" He Zhou said.

"But he doesn't look like it. And why haven't I heard of him among the second-generation officials in Beijing? I basically know all of them," Han Fei said, her status not ordinary either.

He Zhou said casually, "Sometimes, the bigger someone's background is, the less you'll hear about it. And your dad knows him, doesn't he? If your dad can recognize him, he must be someone special."

Han Fei was extremely curious. "I'll ask my dad again later. He won't tell me anything. Really, why does everything have to be so mysterious?"