Chapter 1664
Chapter 1664
The next day.
Monday morning.
Dong Xuebing was still enjoying his sleep when his phone started buzzing, startling him awake. He blinked and looked at the bright phone screen beside his pillow, took a breath, yawned, and reached out to answer.
It was a call from Zhang Dongliang.
"Hello, Director Dong," Zhang Dongliang said cautiously, "I hope I didn't disturb your rest."
"It's already past seven," Dong Xuebing checked the time, "I should be up by now. What's up?"
Zhang Dongliang hesitated, "It's about the event organized by the Discipline Inspection Commission today. They've been mentioning it in meetings these past few days. If everything goes as planned, they should be visiting our office this morning. Director Yin attended a meeting the day before yesterday, but I heard it didn't concern our department. They won't be visiting the Eighth Division for inspection or communication. They'll probably visit the Discipline Inspection Commission's press room and then come to our office. Director Yin said we should continue working as usual, but he asked me to inform everyone to come in earlier today, to avoid being late."
"Okay, got it," Dong Xuebing replied.
Notifying everyone not to be late was probably just a formality. Dong Xuebing knew Zhang Dongliang was saying it tactfully. Generally, on important days like this, no one would be late. But others saw Dong Xuebing as an oddball, so the leaders were probably worried and had someone inform him just in case.
Ah.
Look at this reputation of mine.
Zhang Dongliang asked, "Do you have any other instructions, Director Dong? If not, I'll..."
"Oh," Dong Xuebing was about to hang up but remembered something, "By the way, Dongliang, do you know anyone from the driver's team? Anyone will do. If someone's available today, give me a call."
Zhang Dongliang was puzzled, "Do you need a car?"
Dong Xuebing didn't dodge the question: " You just need to send a friend. It's not far, just to Hebei Province."
Zhang Dongliang didn't question further. Although, according to procedures, only leaders could use the official car and driver for official business, there weren't always official matters to attend to. So, most of the time, there was a certain degree of private use of the official car. This was unavoidable in any government department. Zhang Dongliang didn't see any problem with it. Even the Discipline Inspection Commission would consider it a trivial matter. If leaders didn't have this kind of authority, what kind of leaders would they be? "Okay, no problem. I'm already at the office. I'll go to the driver's team and see who's available. I'll send you the driver's number later."
"Okay, thanks." Dong Xuebing said, "I appreciate it."
"You're welcome, I'll go now." Zhang Dongliang hung up.
Dong Xuebing lingered for a while before sluggishly getting out of bed to brush his teeth and wash up.
Zhang Dongliang was efficient and attentive. Ten minutes later, he sent Dong Xuebing a phone number labeled "Old Han."
Dong Xuebing took a look and immediately called Luo Haiting.
"Hey, Xuebing," came Luo Haiting's laughter.
"Sister Luo," Dong Xuebing said, "Are you returning today?"
"I am. There's nothing to do here anyway," Luo Haiting replied.
Sister Luo came on an emergency mission this time, and the government car from Fenzhou City brought her here. However, since Fenzhou City was also short on vehicles, being not so affluent, the car had already returned that day. So, if Sister Luo wanted to leave, she would have to contact the Fenzhou City Discipline Inspection Commission to arrange another car, which might take some time and be troublesome. Dong Xuebing decided to take care of it so she would avoid taking a long-distance bus back home. "Okay, don't bother contacting your unit for a car. It's too much trouble. I've arranged it for you here. I'll give you a number. The driver's name is Old Han."
Luo Haiting exclaimed, "Look at you being so considerate. You don't have to, don't bother."
Dong Xuebing said, "It's no trouble at all; it's just a small matter. When the time comes, you can call this number to have the driver pick you up and take you back."
Luo Haiting replied, "You've bought so many things for me, and now you're arranging a car for her. It's not appropriate. If you keep being so courteous, I might not come next time, hehe."
"Don't say that," Dong Xuebing chuckled, "Next time, I won't be so polite. Alright, this time, listen to me. Quickly, remember the number."
"Okay, got it," Luo Haiting agreed.
After saying goodbye, Dong Xuebing added, "Have a safe trip, and keep in touch."
Luo Haiting whispered, "If you come to Fenzhou City for business someday, give me a call in advance." She said this in a low voice, sounding quite ambiguous.
Dong Xuebing cleared his throat, "Hmm, alright."
After hanging up the phone, Dong Xuebing hummed a little tune and headed to work.
It was past eight o'clock.
At the unit's compound.
As Dong Xuebing drove his Land Rover in, he saw many people bustling about in the courtyard—some were hanging banners, and others were tidying up. The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection has established friendly relations with anti-corruption agencies in over 80 countries and regions. This event was organized by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and invited 24 politicians, think tank scholars, and veteran journalists from 24 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, and America to visit the commission's office, inspect the Party's disciplinary inspection organs, and learn about the Party's efforts in anti-corruption and building integrity. So, when faced with such visits, everywhere had to be busy "putting on a show." Even the Commission for Discipline Inspection was no exception. Of course, this temporary act of putting on a show could also be called a sign of respect for foreign guests.
In short, everyone was busy preparing for the morning's visit.
Dong Xuebing seemed indifferent, as it had little to do with his Second Office. He casually parked the car downstairs and took his time.
At this moment, the director of the Second Section, Yin Cheng'an, walked over from the other side, holding a notebook. Seeing Dong Xuebing, Yin Cheng'an immediately said, "Director Dong, you're here."
Dong Xuebing smiled, "Director Yin, good morning."
"Good morning to you, too," Yin Cheng'an said quickly, "You came just in time. I won't be going upstairs. There's another meeting waiting for me over there. Could you tell everyone that the foreign dignitaries, inspectors, and media personnel are expected to arrive around ten o'clock? There isn't much time left, so ask everyone to be alert. If there's nothing urgent, stay in the office. Don't go downstairs. Various departments have strict requirements. I'll leave first."
Dong Xuebing nodded, "Got it, you go ahead."
"Alright, I'll leave this to you then," Yin Cheng'an said, quickly walking towards another office building in the distance. As the leader, he was busier than others.
Almost everyone took this Open Day event very seriously. There was no choice—the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection was expecting many media outlets, including Xinhua News Agency, Youth Daily, People's Daily, and more, and it involved foreign dignitaries, making it even more sensitive. It had to be taken seriously. So, every person had a serious and urgent atmosphere, more serious than usual.
Of course, Dong Xuebing was an exception.
This guy had no idea what urgency was. Since he had fun with Sister Luo, he had been hanging onto a relaxed attitude.
Upstairs.
Second Office's office area.
As soon as Dong Xuebing stepped in, he saw that almost everyone was already there. Counting, not one person was missing—they had all arrived very early.
"Director Dong."
"Good morning, Director Dong."
Han Jing and He Zhou both greeted him busily.
Dong Xuebing smiled faintly, "Good morning." He paused for a moment, his expression slightly serious. He gently clapped his hands to attract everyone's attention. "Director Yin has gone to a meeting, so let me say a few words." Seeing Zhang Dongliang and Sun Zhaobang slowly standing up from their chairs as a sign of respect, Dong Xuebing pressed his hand, "Sit down. There's no need to be so formal. Today's open day and everyone knows about it. Be alert, work seriously, and don't slack off. Although it wasn't mentioned above that there will be an inspection of our Eighth Division, with so many journalists coming this time, someone might be passing by our door. If they capture photos of us playing games or chatting, our Second Division will become famous. Nobody wants to see that happen, so let's all be more cautious."
"Yes."
"Understood."
Everyone responded.
If Director Yin said this, it would be fine, but Dong Xuebing, who had just fought in the unit, felt awkward saying it himself. This wasn't his leadership style. His leadership style had always been gentle and considerate. Even though his position had changed to the strict Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, Dong Xuebing's leadership style hadn't changed. Anyone who had worked under him knew that Dong Xuebing took care of his subordinates almost better than anyone else. So, he laughed again at the end, "I also know that there isn't much work for us here, and everything that needs to be done has been done. If you want to play games or chat on QQ, go ahead. But when you hear footsteps outside, minimize them quickly. It's a test of your reaction time, but after working in the government for many years, I believe everyone has already honed their reaction speed. Don't think I don't know you're playing games during work hours."
Han Fei chuckled.
He Zhou and Sun Zhaobang laughed too, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"Well, that's it. Get back to work." Dong Xuebing waved his hand and went into his office. Suddenly, he turned back and said, "Who wants tea leaves? Come to my office to get them."
"I want, I want," Han Fei immediately called out.
He Zhou chuckled, "You're not polite at all."
"Why be polite with Director Dong? We're all close here. I'll help you guys get some, too. Director Dong's tea leaves must be good quality," Han Fei said as she followed him into the office.
After a few days of getting used to each other, Dong Xuebing couldn't be low-key. But his relationship with his subordinates and colleagues was getting better and better.
It's a good sign.