Power and Wealth

Chapter 1651

Noon.

Lunch is ready in the courtyard.

Dish after dish, Dong Xuebing cooked up but eventually succumbed to Fang Shuling's initiative, and she prepared the remaining dishes.

"Eat up, eat up," Dong Xuebing emerged from the kitchen, pushing the door open.

Xie Hao laughed heartily, "I could smell the fragrance from miles away."

Dong Xuebing waved, "Then stay seated and quickly help Xiao Ling serve the dishes."

Xie Hao was quite lazy. Upon hearing this, he sprawled lazily on the stone table. "I'm tired. My legs hurt."

On the other hand, Xie Ran, feeling sorry for his girlfriend, knocked Xie Hao's head and then went to help in the kitchen, smiling all the way. "I'll go."

Dong Xuebing didn't care much about Xie Hao's complaints and kicked him over. "Go inside, bring some chairs, and get a few more cups. I can't boss you around anymore."

Xie Hao grumbled and had no choice but to do as told.

Xie Jing’s temper had also subsided. She smiled as she said, "I'll go serve the rice, Brother-in-law."

"Good, don't forget the chopsticks," Dong Xuebing sat on a chair and smoked a cigarette. After a while, when Fang Shuling and Xie Ran both returned, he extinguished the cigarette. He had unintentionally used foul language while arguing with Fang Shuling about foreigners earlier, feeling that it damaged his image in front of her. So now, he paid more attention to his demeanor and refrained from smoking in front of her.

The food arrived.

Everyone sat down and began to eat.

Dong Xuebing said, "Come on, come on, taste my cooking."

Fang Shuling delicately picked up a piece and chewed on it. "Mmm, it's delicious."

Dong Xuebing proudly said, "Not bad. Then have some more. Don't be shy." After pointing to two dishes, he said to Xie Hao and the others, "Xiao Ling cooked these two; try them too." Then he took a bite himself, winked, and nodded in approval. "Delicious."

Xie Jing couldn't help but admire Fang Shuling as she tasted the food.

Fang Shuling modestly said, "No, your culinary skills are far better than mine."

"Hehe, I like hearing that," Dong Xuebing was utterly oblivious to humility.

Xie Ran also tasted the food and objectively remarked, "Indeed, Brother-in-law's cooking is better. There's been no doubt about it since the beginning of the year."

Dong Xuebing chuckled, "That's because I've done it more often and mastered the timing." Seeing Xie Hao only picking at the meat, Dong Xuebing couldn't help but add more vegetables to his plate.

Xie Hao complained, "I don't eat vegetables."

Dong Xuebing retorted, "Stop being picky. Eat up quickly."

Xie Hao grumbled and reluctantly shoveled the food into his mouth as if swallowing medicine.

Everyone laughed.

Dong Xuebing's authority in front of the younger generation at home was growing stronger. In fact, as the eldest brother-in-law, he felt a sense of responsibility and obligation, so he tended to be more authoritative in various aspects, especially towards the unruly Xie Hao. Dong Xuebing was quick to scold or even kick him when necessary. With Xie Huilan away in the south for work, their eldest sister was absent, so Dong Xuebing naturally had to take on this role.

After taking a few bites, Dong Xuebing felt the urge for alcohol and poured himself a glass. "You guys drink tea or other beverages. I'll have some myself."

Xie Hao called out, "I want some too."

"Wherever you are," Xie Jing gave her brother a disapproving look.

At this moment, Fang Shuling picked up her cup, stood up, and raised it towards Dong Xuebing. "Brother Dong, let me toast you first. Thank you for your hospitality. And about the meeting gift, it's not necessary, and it's too much."

Dong Xuebing smiled and said, "Just spend it as you like, buy some clothes or something."

"But we don't need that much," she said. It was one million RMB, after all. Fang Shuling didn't dare accept it, but since Brother Ran insisted, she felt a bit overwhelmed. She hadn't received such a heavy gift before. Even though her family was quite wealthy, one million was a significant sum. However, her pocket money from childhood didn't add up to one million.

Dong Xuebing clinked glasses with her and said at the end, "Take it. If you don't want it, I only have a watch to give you, but it's a men's watch." He touched his wrist.

"Don't," Fang Shuling's eyes were sharp. She could tell it was a Patek Philippe, the world's top watch brand. It was even more expensive than a bank card.

However, Xie Hao's eyes lit up. "Brother-in-law, nobody wants it; I want it!"

Dong Xuebing was helpless with him. "Eat your food; you're still in high school; what do you need a watch for?" He then added more vegetables and radishes to Xie Hao's plate.

Xie Hao started to act stubborn, complaining that he didn't want to eat anymore.

This kid was the biggest troublemaker in the family. With him around, there was always laughter at the table. As everyone ate, the atmosphere became pleasant. Even Xie Jing, who was not enthusiastic about Fang Shuiling, began talking to her.

After half-full, Dong Xuebing looked at Xie Ran. "You have a few days off."

Xie Ran nodded, "Including the weekend, it's three days off. I have to go back on Monday."

"How's the grassroots work?" Dong Xuebing asked, "Are you still adjusting?"

Xie Ran sighed, "It's a bit tiring. The county has a lot of work, and they're all trivial matters. Sometimes, a small issue can take weeks to resolve."

Dong Xuebing smiled, "You'll get used to it. You were parachuted down from above, and you've never really left Beijing before. Your perspective must be broad, but you shouldn't let the work adapt to you; you should adapt to the work and the grassroots environment. It's also a form of tempering."

Xie Ran nodded slightly, "I understand."

Although Dong Xuebing was several years younger than Xie Ran, it didn't seem inappropriate for him to educate him like this. In terms of status and rank, Xie Ran was lower than Dong Xuebing. Dong Xuebing's level was higher, and he had been working at the grassroots level for a long time. He had even been to nationally designated poverty-stricken counties. So, he had much more experience in this regard than Xie Ran. Xie Ran would listen humbly if he said a few words of experience. Of course, the truth was that Dong Xuebing didn't have much genuine political wisdom. He just repeated what he learned from Xie Huilan. It was like copying from the master. Otherwise, he wouldn't have any meaningful advice. Besides, he didn't work like this at the grassroots level. It was more like doing unto others what he didn't want others to do unto him.

Adapting to work.

Adapting to others.

I'm full. Why should I bother?

If someone were to say this to Dong Xuebing, he would think like that.

But just because he couldn't do these things didn't mean he wished others to be like him. Regarding Xie Ran, the Xie family had always had high hopes. Naturally, Dong Xuebing did too.

Fang Shuling said, "Brother Ran, I have to learn a lot from you."

Dong Xuebing waved his hand, "Don't learn from me."

Xie Ran smiled, "I can't learn Brother-in-law's way of working."

Xie Hao chuckled, "My brother's physical condition is too poor. He can't learn it."

"Hmm, why talk about physical fitness?" Fang Shuling clearly didn't understand Dong Xuebing's situation. She thought that he must have some work ability since Dong Xuebing had been working hard at the grassroots level for so long and had been promoted to a higher position than Xie Ran at such a young age. What's wrong with Xie Ran learning from him? How did it get related to physical fitness? Do you need to be physically strong and muscular to be an official? She said this to praise Dong Xuebing. After all, it was her first time visiting someone's home; they were her boyfriend's brother-in-law. It was natural to communicate in this way. Everyone liked to hear compliments. Why did everyone react like this?

Dong Xuebing coughed, "Let's eat, let's eat."

Xie Ran nudged his girlfriend and whispered, "Stop asking. I'll tell you later."

Fang Shuling blinked in confusion and muttered an acknowledgment but still couldn't understand what couldn't be said.

Of course, it couldn't be said. Dong Xuebing also cared about his reputation. It was their first meeting with Fang Shuling. As the saying goes, dirty laundry should not be aired in public. What could he say? His work style was "love whoever he loved," he would kick anyone who crossed him. That he had fought colleagues, superiors, and even ordinary people and cursed out City leaders to their face? How could Fang Shuling see him after hearing all this? Dong Xuebing still cared about his image as the big brother-in-law. This was what they call "being poor but particular." He didn't think there was anything wrong with his work style. So what if he hit people? If he did, he was in the right. But that didn't mean Dong Xuebing thought this work style sounded good. It was fine with acquaintances or people who knew his temperament, but bringing it up in front of strangers was inappropriate. It wasn't something to boast about.

The topic quickly changed.

"Xiao Hao, it's midterm exams."

"They're already done."

"How were your grades?"

"They were pretty good. I'm so smart."

"You're just bragging. I don't believe you even if you beat me to death."

Dong Xuebing also asked about Xie Jing's work and Xie Hao's studies. When he heard that Xie Jing had some friction with a leader recently, Dong Xuebing couldn't help but give her a few pointers, assuming the air of a big brother-in-law. "Xiao Jing, you can't be like this. You have to maintain good relations with your superiors. Otherwise, you'll have more trouble in the future." Fang Shuling was present, so Dong Xuebing had to maintain his demeanor. He looked earnest.

Xie Jing: "......"

Xie Hao almost sprayed the rice in his mouth.

Fang Shuling didn't understand Dong Xuebing, but didn't Xie Jing and the others know what kind of person their brother-in-law was? So, Dong Xuebing's criticism and education seemed proper, but Xie Jing didn't take it to heart. She hummed a few words in agreement without refuting, saving face for Dong Xuebing. But in her heart, Xie Jing couldn't help but feel profoundly powerless and speechless. From whose mouth did this "maintain good relations with superiors" come? Xie Jing felt that anyone should say it, as it was a matter of course. However, when it came from her brother-in-law, who had not only once but several times fought, cursed, and confronted superiors, Xie Jing could only feel a deep sense of powerlessness and speechlessness.

Just two days ago.

Who was it that hit someone in the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection?

They had heard about it from Han Jing before they came.

Xie Jing knew her brother-in-law had thick skin, but she didn't expect it to be this thick. After saying such words, he still didn't bat an eye or show any embarrassment.