Power and Wealth - C.1538: First assignment

Dong Xuebing and his colleagues walked out of the third cafeteria after lunch.

"It's alright here, Director Dong," one of them commented.

"It's very delicious. Thank you for treating us, Director Yin," Dong Xuebing replied.

"Hehe, you're welcome. I have some work to attend to," Yin Cheng'an said as he headed off.

"Alright, I'm going back to the office too. Let me know if there's any work for me," another colleague said.

"Sure, but when there's no case, we don't have much work either," Yin Cheng'an replied.

Although Dong Xuebing was now assigned to the Eighth Discipline Inspection and Supervision Office, Second Division, in terms of rank, he and Yin Cheng'an were about equal. Even though it was a nominal position, their rank was at the Division Chief level. However, Dong Xuebing knew he was still technically Yin Cheng'an's subordinate and had to listen to him regarding work tasks. How to handle relationships with colleagues is easy for Dong Xuebing after several years of work. He was generally a friendly person and wouldn't make such low-level mistakes.

As Yin Cheng'an walked away, Dong Xuebing nodded to the others and smiled before returning to the supervision office.

Keeping a low profile, Dong Xuebing achieved it to the extreme on his first day at work.

Once Dong Xuebing was out of earshot, the others started talking.

"Isn't our new leader too low-key? He's been in office but doesn't seem to know anything. He didn't even treat us to a meal or engage in any communication. He's even late on his first day. How did he get promoted to director? I heard he should have reported for duty half a month ago, but he only came yesterday," Han Fei grumbled.

"He's not considered a leader, just a colleague," He Zhou said.

"He's a Division Chief level inspector. Even without a specific position, he's still a leader. It all depends on how the higher-ups allocate the work. But why is he so young?" Sun Zhaobang remarked.

"And he's boring, can't even make a fart with an iron rod," Han Fei muttered.

Zhang Dongliang laughed. "He's just a disciplinary inspection officer. Miss Han, not everyone talks as much nonsense as you do. Do you think everyone has the same background as you? I almost spat out my food when I heard you just now. Fortunately, Director Dong didn't seem to get angry."

Han Fei glanced at him. "Xiao Zhang, do you dare to criticize me?"

Zhang Dongliang raised his hands in surrender with a wry smile. "Of course not. Who dares to criticize you, Miss Han?"

Everyone laughed. Perhaps it was because of the easy-going demeanor of the top leader, but the atmosphere within the Second Department of the Disciplinary Inspection Office was amicable. There wasn't as much intrigue as in other departments. It was expected to joke around and gossip. Perhaps because the atmosphere was too relaxed, Han Fei had asked Dong Xuebing a direct question earlier. However, Dong Xuebing's casual response had upset her a bit.

They went to the convenience store to buy some ice cream and cold drinks and Han Fei, He Zhou, and others returned to the office building while eating and drinking. They returned to the office area of Department Two.

Inside, there was no one around.

In Director Dong's office, Beethoven's symphony was playing again. The volume wasn't high, but everyone could hear it clearly, leaving them all speechless.

On the first day of work, it's like this.

Is this guy too leisurely?

Did he come here to work or to play?

Even Zhang Dongliang, who had just spoken up for Dong Xuebing, felt dumbfounded. He had worked for many years and had seen all kinds of leaders: some were lecherous, some were wealthy, some were powerful, some had terrible tempers, some had good personalities, and some were hypocritical. But Dong Xuebing, a leader who was so relaxed and shut himself in on his first day, was something he had never seen before.

How did we end up with such a leader?

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Inside the room.

Dong Xuebing listened to the music while smoking a cigarette. After finishing his meal, he wiped the tea set again and started brewing tea. This time it was Pu'er tea to change the flavor.

Rinsing the tea leaves, brewing the tea, drinking it.

Dong Xuebing's technique became more and more skilled.

While drinking, Dong Xuebing took out his phone. He wanted to ask his wife about the situation, but he was afraid she was too busy to answer the call. So, he sent a text message instead.

Ding ding.

The reply came: Having lunch with some colleagues.

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Dong Xuebing: Haha, I just finished eating too.

Xie Huilan: How's it going over there?

Dong Xuebing: Drinking tea, smoking, listening to music. It's pretty enjoyable.

Xie Huilan: It's good that not many people there know about your background. Keep a low profile.

Dong Xuebing: Yeah, Mom said the same. I'm glad to get some rest finally.

Xie Huilan: cultivating a low-key image now will lay the foundation for the future. You shouldn't always be in the spotlight, no matter how capable you are. Moderation is the way to govern. You'll understand it yourself. I won't bother you anymore. I'm busy.

Dong Xuebing: Okay, go ahead. I'll see you when you're free.

Xie Huilan: I contacted an old friend from the Discipline Inspection Commission yesterday. He'll come to see you today, that's all.

Dong Xuebing: Your friend?

Xie Huilan: A family member of a leader close to our family.

Dong Xuebing: Also from the Xie family's network. Got it. Take care, okay?

After closing the message, Dong Xuebing threw his phone on the table, crossed his legs, extinguished the cigarette butt, and continued to enjoy his Pu'er tea with its rich flavor.

Afternoon work began.

However, Dong Xuebing continued to do things his way, showing no intention of working at all.

Around two o'clock, there was a sudden knock on the door, knock, knock, twice.

Dong Xuebing looked up and casually turned off the music on his computer, cleared the tea set away, and confidently said, "Please come in."

As the door opened, a man in his thirties walked in, holding a document, and smilingly said, "You must be Director Dong Xuebing."

Dong Xuebing glanced at him and replied, "Yes, that's me. And you are?"

He hadn't seen this person before; he wasn't from Department Two.

The man walked in, closed the door behind him, and introduced himself, "I'm Lan Xuewen, the deputy director of the Comprehensive Information Department of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection."

Dong Xuebing was surprised but stood up to shake hands with him, "Nice to meet you, Director Lan."

Lan Xuewen also shook his hand and smiled, "Just call me Old Lan."

"Do you have something to discuss?" Dong Xuebing invited him to sit and pushed a tea cup toward him. "I just brewed this tea."

"I'm quite thirsty. Thank you." Lan Xuewen smiled, took a sip of tea, and nodded approvingly. "This Pu'er tea has been aged for quite some time. It's excellent." Afterward, he handed the document to Dong Xuebing, "This is a report letter we received, along with the handling suggestions from the General Office. Originally, it was meant for Director Yin, but since he's not here and Deputy Director Chen Dayou is away on a business trip, I just spoke with Director Yin, and he asked me to give you a copy. You can show it to Director Yin later. Please take a look."

Dong Xuebing didn't want to take on additional tasks voluntarily, but since the work had come and Director Yin had instructed him, he couldn't refuse. That would be a matter of work attitude. So, he opened the document and skimmed through it. It wasn't a significant case; it involved a Deputy Mayor of Jiangdong Province, who had allegedly initiated several large-scale infrastructure projects and meaningless constructions during his term, resulting in a significant waste of resources. It implicated two cities and the Deputy Provincial Mayor, so it was reported to the Eighth Office. However, Dong Xuebing also noticed that there were no instructions from higher-ups for an investigation; they only needed to understand the situation. Although Dong Xuebing had just taken office at the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, he had worked for local disciplinary committees for quite some time. He could tell from the instructions that this matter wouldn't escalate to a full-scale investigation. Most likely, they were just supposed to monitor and supervise it, sending a message to those below. If they were going to take action against the Deputy Mayor, they wouldn't have a member of the petition office deliver the documents so casually. Dong Xuebing understood this at a glance.

After reading it, Dong Xuebing nodded and said, "Okay, I'll pass the document to Director Yin later."

"Thank you for your help." Lan Xuewen smiled but didn't leave, still sipping his tea.

Dong Xuebing glanced at him suspiciously but didn't kick him out. After all, they were nearly equal in rank.

At this moment, Lan Xuewen suddenly said, "Sister Xie called me yesterday. She knows I've been working here for many years and I'm familiar with various aspects of the situation. So, she asked me to come and help you sort out the situation here, to facilitate your understanding and work."

Dong Xuebing was stunned for a moment, then he smiled and stood up again, extending his hand, "I see. I just spoke with Huilan. She told me."

The two shook hands again.

Dong Xuebing said, "Then I'll call you Brother Lan."

Lan Xuewen quickly smiled and said, "Please don't. Just call me Old Lan. Your wife and I are old friends from years ago. I must address her as Sister Xie or Sister Huilan when I see her. If you call me Brother, won't I feel like I'm getting old? Besides, if Sister Xie finds out, she might give me a hard time. Hehe."

Since they were all insiders, their conversation became much more intimate.

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