Power and Wealth - C.1578: The people from the Province left

It's noon.

Things have concluded.

It might not be appropriate to say who won and who lost because using those terms wouldn't quite fit. It's more accurate to say that the balance of power has been determined.

Dong Xuebing said, "That's it, then."

Director Zhou and the young man from the Discipline Inspection Commission didn't say anything.

The other provincial officials looked towards Deputy Provincial Governor Jia.

Deputy Provincial Governor Jia glanced at Dong Xuebing, reached out to shake his hand, and finally spoke, "We will accept the criticisms and suggestions from the leaders of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. However, the provincial government and the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission have not received any notice of inspection from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection recently."

Dong Xuebing also shook his hand out of politeness, "Then you can understand it as a covert visit."

Deputy Provincial Governor Jia nodded slightly, "I see. Then, I also represent the province in welcoming the supervision of the leaders of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection." His tone was a bit stiff, but it wasn't surprising. After being criticized by Dong Xuebing for so long, it would be strange if he were cheerful. After all, he was a deputy provincial governor, and in terms of rank, he was much higher than Dong Xuebing. Even if Dong Xuebing could exert some pressure on him with his position, the other party probably wouldn't fear him. It's just that there were some concerns, so there was no need to be as polite to Dong Xuebing like that the young man from the Discipline Inspection Commission.

"We will. You can continue." Dong Xuebing said.

Deputy Provincial Governor Jia grunted, then turned and continued the inspection with Director Zhou.

Dong Xuebing also turned around and looked at Xie Huilan and Mayor Xia and others, smiling, "I've been talking all this time. Sorry for delaying the work of the comrades in Xiaxing City. I've said everything I need to say, so you can continue your work. There's nothing for me here. Secretary Xie, Mayor Xia, I'm leaving." Speaking as if he didn't know Xie Huilan, but it should be said like this. The meaning of Dong Xuebing's words was to express his attitude, telling others that he wasn't criticizing them because they criticized his wife but because of his role as a cadre of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. Of course, this was just a show of face; everyone knew that Dong Xuebing was angry because of his wife's situation.

Finally, Dong Xuebing turned and went into the office building.

People upstairs and downstairs stared at his back.

"Mr. Dong."

"Dong, Director Dong."

Dong Xuebing smiled, nodded at a few people, took the elevator upstairs, and returned to the party secretary's office. He looked down at the situation below. This time, the people from the provincial inspection team didn't nitpick again. They were pretty wary of Dong Xuebing. After walking around, they reviewed all the areas that needed inspection. It felt rushed, and only about twenty minutes had passed. Dong Xuebing saw Deputy Provincial Governor Jia and Director Zhou leading the group towards the Audi cars. It seemed like they were about to leave.

"Governor Jia."

"Director Zhou, it's already noon, lunch—"

"We're not eating. We have to go to the next place."

"The food is ready, why don't we—"

"Next time, let's all get back to work."

The leaders of Xiaxing City exchanged a few polite words, and then they didn't stay.

One by one, the provincial officials got into their Audi cars without much courtesy, and the cars drove out of the compound of the City Party Committee. Their departure felt a bit awkward. These past two days of inspection, every time they entered and left with arrogance, every place they went, they were accompanied by carefulness. However, Xiaxing City made them hit a wall, which embarrassed many people. Deputy Provincial Governor Jia had no expression and couldn't tell what he was thinking, but Director Zhou's emotions were quite obvious. After getting in the car, he wore a dark expression and remained silent.

Upstairs.

Closing the window, Dong Xuebing sat back on the sofa and poured himself a cup of tea, thinking that these people from the province still had some insight to retreat like this, which could be considered giving him face. If these people still insisted on picking faults with Xiaxing City, then Dong Xuebing wouldn't hesitate to deal with them. As a deputy Inspector in the Eighth Division, although Dong Xuebing's authority wasn't great, he could still handle a few people. Even if it was Deputy Provincial Governor Jia, Dong Xuebing couldn't touch him directly, but couldn't he still deal with one of his trusted aides, a cadre from the Discipline Inspection Commission? There were many methods to check on him, making anyone anxious occasionally.

Ring, ring, ring.

The phone rang.

Dong Xuebing answered, "Hello, Huilan."

Xie Huilan asked, "Where are you?"

"In your office, are you done?" Dong Xuebing replied.

"I'm done. Wait for me. I'm coming with Mayor Xia." Xie Huilan hung up.

Dong Xuebing put down the teacup and looked downstairs. Xie Huilan and Mayor Xia were walking into the office building together. A few minutes later, the door opened, and they entered the room.

Dong Xuebing smiled, "Welcome back."

Mayor Xia stepped forward first, extending his hand to shake Dong Xuebing's. "Director Dong, hello. Let me introduce myself formally. I'm Xia Hui, the mayor of Xiaxing City."

"Hello, Dong Xuebing," Dong Xuebing replied.

"Previously, I didn't know that you were here to inspect Jiangnan Province, and I didn't come to greet you. It's our fault for not doing our job well. Please forgive us," Mayor Xia said.

Dong Xuebing waved his hand, "It's not that serious, Mayor Xia. Although I'm here with a mission to inspect some cadres' property declaration and public disclosure, it's also a task from above. But I'm also here because my wife has been on a research trip for a few days. There's no outsider in the room, so Mayor Xia, you don't need to be so polite, and don't call me Director Dong all the time. Just call me Xuebing. My wife has been telling me these past two days that she needs to familiarize herself with the situation in Xiaxing City, and you've helped her a lot. We're not strangers."

Mayor Xia smiled, "It's nothing. Secretary Huilan has always been helping me. That's the truth."

"Hey, it doesn't matter who helps whom. We're all the main leaders of the locality. Helping each other is normal, all for the sake of doing a good job," Dong Xuebing said.

"Yes, all for the sake of work and serving the people," Mayor Xia replied.

After exchanging a few words, Mayor Xia bid farewell with a smile and left. He came here to meet with Dong Xuebing formally. Mayor Xia obviously wouldn't have to do this if it were an ordinary leader's family member. But obviously, Dong Xuebing wasn't an ordinary family member, and he even came down with work to supervise and understand certain situations in Jiangnan Province. From a business perspective, Mayor Xia certainly had to make a statement.

People left.

Only Dong Xuebing and his wife were left in the office.

Xie Huilan sat on the sofa, "Pour me a cup of tea, hehe."

Dong Xuebing glared at her, "Pour it yourself, lazybones."

"Fine, I'll pour it myself," said Xie Huilan, still smiling, as she picked up the teapot and poured herself a cup, then filled Dong Xuebing's cup.

Dong Xuebing took a sip and teased, "It's rare that you know how to serve me for once."

Xie Huilan chuckled, "Yes, today, my little husband performed quite well, with determination, confidence, intelligence, and articulate speech."

Dong Xuebing laughed, "Of course, when have I ever lacked confidence?"

Xie Huilan grinned, "Your confidence used to be all about your fists and tongue. Today, it's different from before. Your confidence today comes from within. It's quite impressive. Sister Xie can't help but admire you. Come on, kiss me."

Dong Xuebing chuckled, "Enough of that. It's still daylight out, and hearing you praise me like this once makes me uncomfortable. I'm getting goosebumps all over." He paused, adding, "But it's because they dared to argue with you. You are my wife, and I haven't scolded you, yet they haven't stopped criticizing you. I would have dealt with them if they weren't from the province. They don't know any better. I came all this way for tourism, and they didn't even bother to arrange my flight, let alone inquire about who I, Dong Xuebing, am. They're lucky I'm giving them face. They should take my criticism lightly and watch their behavior in the future."

Xie Huilan clapped exaggeratedly, "Impressive."

Dong Xuebing scowled at her, "Stop being sarcastic."

"Hehe, it's almost noon; let's go; let's get ready for lunch," Xie Huilan waved her hand and took out a mirror to check herself, adjusting her clothes. "The cafeteria food is ready."

Seeing a hair strand fall off her blouse, Dong Xuebing reached out to remove it, "This time, I practically had a falling out with Deputy Governor Jia and Director Zhou. They may have left, but they must be feeling uncomfortable. I've moved, and they can't do anything to me. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"They won't come after you?"

"I have my little husband here, don't I? As long as you're sitting in this position, you'll deter them," Xie Huilan said with a smile. "You did well with the statement about getting the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission to cooperate with your inspection of the officials' financial declarations. Coupled with your previous criticism, it was well said. If they ever think of targeting Sister Xie or causing trouble for her, they'll have to think twice about my little husband. As long as there's hesitation, I can stand firmly and not fear any obstruction. I've been in this job for ten years; I can handle this."

"Alright, you're amazing."

"Hehe, stop being sarcastic."

"Learn from me." Dong Xuebing also picked up his bag and was ready to go downstairs with her for lunch. "But this time, we cooperated quite well. In the past, you covered for me and held the fort. I didn't expect that I could also support you one day. It feels pretty good. You'd better take good care of me tonight."

Xie Huilan's eyes twinkled with a smile. "Take care of what?"

"What do you mean, ‘take care of what'?" Dong Xuebing cheekily squeezed her buttocks.

"You, you rascal," Xie Huilan chuckled. "That's all you've got."

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