Power and Wealth

Chapter 2024

Morning.

The incident was over.

The teacher surnamed Zhou, whom Dong Xuebing had beaten like a grandson, was carried away in an ambulance. Several medical staff examined his injuries and, after a brief check, all glanced meaningfully at Dong Xuebing, the one who had done the beating. They could tell right away that this man was a battle-hardened veteran. Teacher Zhou looked bruised all over, with a swollen face and battered body, but truthfully, there wasn’t a single injury that was life-threatening. His beatdown had been calculated to perfection. Of course, that didn’t mean there were no consequences—he’d be bedridden for at least a month.

Then, Hou Jing arrived with her team. “Mr. Dong, we’ll need you to come with us. Regardless of the reason, you laid your hands on someone. We need to take a statement.”

Dong Xuebing looked at her. “Right now?”

“Please cooperate,” Hou Jing said in an official tone.

Dong Xuebing nodded, giving her face—they were old acquaintances after all. “Sure, let’s go.”

Once Dong Xuebing left the kindergarten, the principal and many teachers finally breathed a sigh of relief. They’d managed to send this menace away at last.

Hou Jing asked quietly, “Did you drive here?”

Dong Xuebing grunted and pointed to a Mercedes parked by the roadside.

Hou Jing then said, “Give me your keys.”

Without even asking why, Dong Xuebing handed them over. Hou Jing passed the keys to a subordinate officer with a signal.

The officer understood and got into Dong Xuebing’s car.

Meanwhile, Dong Xuebing got into the police car, and they drove off.

Once they reached the next intersection, Hou Jing said, “Okay, stop the car.” Then she smiled at Dong Xuebing. “Alright, you can head back now. That’s our job done. However, you’ve caused me a great deal of trouble again. You better treat your big sister to dinner tonight.”

Dong Xuebing replied cheerfully, “No problem at all.”

Hou Jing chuckled. “Then it’s settled. I’ll wait for your call tonight, depending on your schedule.”

“Sure. I’ll pick the time, you pick the place. Let’s have a few drinks—it’s been a while since we last met.” With the dinner plans made, Dong Xuebing got out of the car. The officer who had driven his Mercedes pulled up beside them and handed the keys back to Dong Xuebing politely. Dong Xuebing nodded, waved goodbye to Deputy Director Hou, and drove toward Aunt Xuan’s home.

They weren’t going to take him back for a statement or any interrogation. The ride in the police car was just a formality. After all, with so many civilians, teachers, and kids watching, they had to make it look proper to avoid gossip.

At Home.

Ding-dong. Ding-dong.

Dong Xuebing rang the doorbell.

His mother, Luan Xiaoping, opened the door. Seeing her son, she gave a cold snort and turned back into the living room.

Dong Xuebing entered and shut the door. “Ma, come on now, still mad?”

His temper had cooled, and he tried to make up for shouting at her earlier.

Luan Xiaoping retorted, “You’re always like this. Got a temper, don’t you? So tough, huh?”

Dong Xuebing said, “It wasn’t about being tough—I happened to witness it. Who else was going to teach him a lesson if not me?”

Luan Xiaoping said unhappily, “You call that a lesson? Look at how badly you beat him. What if something serious had happened?”

Dong Xuebing replied, “I know what I’m doing. However bad his actions were, that’s how bad I hurt him more, no less. It wasn’t enough to kill him. Don’t you trust your son’s judgment?”

Luan Xiaoping was about to scold him again when little Qianqian jumped down from the sofa.

“Grandma, grandma, don’t scold daddy,” the little girl pouted.

Luan Xiaoping sighed, “You always take your daddy’s side.”

Little Qianqian declared with pride, “Daddy is a big hero!”

Qu Yunxuan laughed, “Do you even know what a hero is?”

“I do!” Qianqian insisted. “Daddy is one!”

Dong Xuebing was overjoyed. He scooped up his daughter and kissed her several times. “Of course, you know your dad best. That’s right! Daddy is a big hero who beats up bad guys. My main job is to serve the people. My side gig? Dealing with anyone who doesn’t listen!”

Luan Xiaoping interjected, “Don’t teach her nonsense.”

But little Qianqian loved hearing this, giggling and wrapping her arms around her dad’s neck. “Daddy’s awesome!”

“You know it!” Dong Xuebing boasted. “If anything like this happens again, just tell Daddy. Our family doesn’t look for trouble, but we’re not afraid of it either. If anyone bullies my daughter, your mom, or anyone in our family, Daddy will deal with them!”

“Daddy’s the best!” Qianqian cried out.

Dong Xuebing turned his cheek toward her. “Then give Daddy a kiss.”

“Mmm!” Qianqian happily gave him a big kiss, then giggled, “Drool! Hehe!”

Dong Xuebing wiped his face. “You little rascal, got my whole face wet.”

After cheering up the child, Dong Xuebing turned to his mom. “It’s handled. That Teacher Zhou got fired. The kindergarten head who hired him has been transferred—probably to some middle-of-nowhere school. The notice should come down in a few days.”

Luan Xiaoping nodded. “Teachers these days—unbelievable.”

Qu Yunxuan said, “There are always a few bad apples, but most teachers are still good.”

Luan Xiaoping said, “I’ll speak with Old Yang when I’m back. The education sector requires significant reform. It’s a mess. This is supposed to be the city’s top kindergarten? Who would trust them with their kids after this?”

Qu Yunxuan agreed, “Exactly. Good thing Xuebing was there today. Otherwise, we might never have found out.”

Dong Xuebing laughed, “Didn’t you two try to hold me back?”

Luan Xiaoping glared at him. “What else could we do with your temper? You’re about to become a City Party secretary, and still so immature—always resorting to fists. There are many ways to solve problems, but you always pick the most violent.”

Dong Xuebing said indifferently, “The most direct method teaches the best lesson. People like him—unless you give them a real beating, they’ll never learn and keep doing it. Mom, I did the public a favor—cleaned up the trash once and for all so he won’t bully other people’s kids.”

Luan Xiaoping rolled her eyes. “You always have a reason.”

“Of course.” Dong Xuebing always had his logic. Even when he seemed unreasonable, it was only because he was following his logic, not anyone else’s.