Power and Wealth

Chapter 981: Stunned

Evening.

Inside the hotel’s private dining room.

Everyone was surprised to see County Party Secretary Sun Yitao knew Dong Xuebing.

They knew each other?!

But why did Secretary Sun address him as Director Dong?

Director? What Director is he?

Sun Yitao shooked Dong Xuebing’s hand and said. “Director Dong, I didn’t know you were having dinner here.”

Dong Xuebing looked at his former classmates. “We are having a High School gathering. We have not met for a few years.”

“Oh….” Sun Yitao smiled. “I apologize for interrupting your dinner.”

Dong Xuebing shook his head. “You all are in the wrong. We booked this private room and enjoyed our dinner when that Director Wang barged in. He demanded we leave without any reason. He acted as if this room belonged to him. Secretary Sun, I don’t understand why this is happening. This place is supposed to be a place for people to dine and rest. Why were we getting chased away during our dinner? Is this how Ma Yang County works?”

Director Wang wanted to retort, but he knew he had offended someone powerful from how Sun Yitao treated Dong Xuebing. He kept quiet and wondered who this person was. Why is Secretary Sun treating that guy as an equal? Director Dong… Director Dong…. How come this name sounds so familiar?

Sun Yitao looked at Director Wang. “Xiao Wang…. They have not finished their dinner. What’s the rush?”

Director Wang quickly replied. “I thought they had finished.”

Sun Yitao pointed at the table. “You think they had finished?! Does this look like they had finished eating?!”

Director Wang did not argue as he knew he was wrong.

Sun Yitao turned to Dong Xuebing. “Director Dong, please forgive him. Xiao Wang is quite hardworking most of the time. Maybe I had rushed him to get a private room, and he was desperate. It’s my fault.”

Dong Xuebing is the leader of this inspection team and represents the City Commission for Discipline Inspection. His rank might be lower than Sun Yitao. Still, he can interfere with anything within Ma Yang County. He waved his hand and said. “Alright. It’s not a big deal.”

Sun Yitao glanced at Director Wang.

Director Wang quickly turned to Dong Xuebing. “I am sorry for what happened today, Director Dong.” He grabbed an empty glass and filled it with alcohol. “I will drink this glass as a punishment. I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine.” Dong Xuebing replied.

Director Wang finished that glass of alcohol and exhaled loudly.

All of Dong Xuebing’s former classmates were still stunned.

Director Wang turned to Du Juan and Pang Shou. “I’m sorry for what happened, Xiao Pang and Xiao Du. I will treat you all to dinner another day as an apology.”

Du Juan and Pang Shou were surprised. They do not dare to let their leader apologize to them. “It’s fine…. You don’t need to apologize.”

Dong Xuebing had not planned to create trouble, but Director Wang had gone overboard. He demanded all of them to leave the moment he entered the room. If he had talked nicely, he might give in and not let his former classmates, Du Juan and Pang Shou, be sandwiched between them. However, he cannot accept getting chased away in the middle of his dinner with his status. The County Party Committee plays host to the City leaders and Dong Xuebing’s subordinates. How can he leave to let his subordinates use the private room? He would be a laughing stock if it happened.

This incident was over after Director Wang apologized.

Sun Yitao introduced Dong Xuebing to the other County Party Committee and County Government staff behind him. “Let me introduce. He is Fen Zhou City Commission for Discipline Inspection, Inspection First Office’s Director, and the team leader for Inspection Team 3, Dong Xuebing. Director Dong.”

Everyone’s jaws dropped.

Dong Xuebing?! This guy is Dong Xuebing?!

Director Wang took a deep breath, and cold sweat trickled down his forehead. He knew Dong Xuebing was extraordinary from how Secretary Sun spoke to him. But he did not expect him to be the Team Leader of this inspection team. He had heard of Dong Xuebing’s nickname, God of Plagues. He deeply regrated his actions earlier.

Luckily Secretary Sun arrived in time before the conflict got worse.

Director Wang could not imagine what would happen if he offended the God of Plagues.

Director Wang immediately picked up his glass and filled it with alcohol. “Director Dong, I just finished one glass as punishment. I… I will drink two more glasses.”

Dong Xuebing replied. “No need. It’s fine.”

“No… no…. This is my punishment.” Director Wang finished two more glasses of alcohol.

Director Wang could not stand properly after drinking. He seems to have reached his limit.

Many people might have let the County Party Secretary notice them, but Dong Xuebing is different. Director Wang knew who he was and changed his attitude towards him. He needs to settle their conflict immediately as he does not want to offend him.

The other County Party Committee staff looked at Director Wang.

Even people in Lui An City had heard of Dong Xuebing, let alone people in Ma Yang County.

“Director Dong.”

“Team Leader Dong.”

“Hi.”

Everyone greeted and shook Dong Xuebing’s hand.

Dong Xuebing smiled as if nothing had happened earlier.

Pang Shou and Du Juan saw the County leaders’ expressions and were speechless. They were transferred two months ago and had not heard of Dong Xuebing’s feats. They did not expect the quiet and often overlooked classmate had become a high-rank leader. They could tell Dong Xuebing is famous in Fen Zhou City. Just his position as the City Discipline Inspection, Inspection First Office was more than enough to get the attention of all the County leaders.

Inspection First Office Director….

Deputy Division Chief rank….

A twenty-five-year-old man holds such an important position?! Shouldn’t the promotion within the government sector be based on seniority? How can someone become a Deputy Division Chief at this age? It is impossible, even if he gets promoted every year.

A while later.

A staff whispered to Sun Yitao.

Sun Yitao nodded and said. “Director Dong, the private room is ready.”

Dong Xuebing smiled. “I will stay here with my former classmates. I shall not join you all. Have a good dinner.”

Sun Yitao did not force Dong Xuebing and left with his men.

The room was quiet after they closed the door. Everyone looked at Dong Xuebing curiously.

Dong Xuebing felt uncomfortable and smiled. “Pang Shou, Du Juan. Sorry for not telling you about my identity. I did not want to hide my identity from you all. When we were having dinner yesterday, you all mentioned our Discipline Inspection coming to the County for rounds. It would be awkward if I told you all I am leading the inspection team. I’m sorry.”

Du Juan and Pang Shou wanted to bury their heads in the ground. They remembered complaining about Discipline Inspection leaders coming for an inspection, and Du Juan even scolded the leader. She did not expect Dong Xuebing to be the person she was scolding.

Du Juan was nervous. “No…. it’s alright.”

Dong Xuebing said. “Let’s continue eating. I am not full yet.”

Du Juan quickly agreed. “Yes… yes…. Let’s go back to our seats and eat.”

Pang Shou and Old Liu did not sit. They looked at Dong Xuebing and said. “Xuebing, err…. You should sit at the main seat.”

Dong Xuebing waved his hand. “It’s fine….”

Pang Shou replied. “I don’t dare to eat if you don’t sit at the head of the table.”

Du Juan added. “That’s right. Xuebing should be sitting in the main seat. We would be thrown out of this room if it was not for you.”

Everyone agreed and wanted Dong Xuebing to sit at the main seat. How can they let a Deputy Division Chief sit at the end of the table?

Dong Xuebing had no choice and walked over. But he did not sit at the head of the table alone. He grabbed Pang Shou and made him sit beside him. He was here to chat with his former classmates and not here to show off his position.

After dinner.

Pang Shou insisted on paying the bill, and Dong Xuebing did not fight over the bill with him. He knew someone had settled their bills.

The waiter came over and told them the County Party Secretary had paid.

Everyone exchanged looks. They were more impressed with Dong Xuebing. After all, he made the County Party Secretary pay for their dinner.