Coming in was naturally Xie Huilan.
When Dong Xuebing's wife appeared, the whole room was stunned.
No one had ever seen Dong Xuebing's wife, but everyone had imagined what she might look like. Some thought Dong Xuebing probably looked ordinary and his wife might not be beautiful possibly a very gentle homemaker type. Others speculated that given Dong Xuebing's high position at a young age, his wife must be quite beautiful. However, when they saw Dong Xuebing's wife, no one expected her to be so stunning – she was simply breathtaking, like a beauty from a country. Moreover, it seemed Dong Xuebing's wife might be much older than Dong Xuebing.
The couple sitting together looked so mismatched.
Regarding age, temperament, and appearance, no one would ever think they were married if this couple walked down the street.
The leaders at the table were also surprised.
Dong Xuebing introduced, "This is my wife, Xie Huilan."
"No, no." Zhang Dongfang's wife quickly interrupted. We were early. You just got off the plane and rushed over; it's not your fault. There's no need to drink; the alcohol content is quite high."
"Yes, Mrs. Zhang is right." Meng Hanmei said.
Chang Lin laughed, "Don't drink; otherwise, Dong Xuebing will come looking for us."
Who would dare let the wife of the county party secretary drink alone, especially since they hosted this dinner.
Xie Huilan still put the glass down. She looked at Dong Xuebing and said, "Why didn't you introduce me?"
"Almost forgot." Dong Xuebing replied, "This is Zhang Dongfang, the county mayor, and his wife; this is Wei Zhixuan, the county party secretary."
Xie Huilan greeted them one by one with a smile and got acquainted. Afterward, Xie Huilan said, "Then let's start eating. Haha, or the dishes will get cold." Her inherent assertiveness showed through, taking Dong Xuebing's usual lines.
Well, they're a couple, so it's okay.
Only then did everyone start eating. They chatted and laughed.
Zhang Dongfang's wife seemed to like Xie Huilan, holding Xie Huilan's hand after eating a few bites. "How old are you this year, sister-in-law?"
Xie Huilan smiled, "Thirty-one."
People thought Xie Huilan looked a bit older, which is why Zhang Dongfang's wife asked the question. After all, Dong Xuebing was only twenty-six or twenty-seven. She thought Xie Huilan should be around the same age as Dong Xuebing, no more than a year or two apart. However, it turned out that Xie Huilan was in her thirties, making her four to five years older than Dong Xuebing. This isn't uncommon in big cities, but in a place like Jiaolin County, the traditional mentality still runs deep. It's hard enough to accept a woman being older than a man by a few months, let alone by five years.
"What does your sister-in-law do for work?" The county deputy party secretary, Wei Zhixuan's wife, also asked curiously. This is the sort of thing only other women can comfortably ask.
Xie Huilan smiled, "I'm also a civil servant."
"Oh, where do you work?" Wei's wife asked again.
"In the Jiangnan area." Xie Huilan didn't provide further details.
Zhang Dongfang's wife exclaimed, "That’s quite far. You’ve always been living apart? Why hasn’t Dong Xuebing asked for a transfer for you?”
Zhang Dongfang didn’t say anything. This topic had come up earlier in the afternoon.
Xie Huilan replied casually, “We’ve been living apart for the most part. When I was in Beijing, he was in the countryside, and when I was back in the local area, he was in Beijing again. We hardly see each other, haha. I can’t move now because my work situation is quite complex, and I can’t leave.”
Zhang Dongfang’s wife sighed, “How about we ask our Old Zhang for help? Your child is just born; it’s not good for him to grow up without a father.”
Xie Huilan gave a vague reply and then glanced at Dong Xuebing.
Dong Xuebing didn’t look back. It wasn’t that he was intentionally hiding anything. People assumed earlier that Xie Huilan’s rank was lower than his because of her relatively young age, which led to repeated misunderstandings with Zhang Dongfang and his wife. But Dong Xuebing didn’t explain anything; it didn’t matter whether they knew or not. He was too busy enjoying his meal.
The wives chatted while Dong Xuebing Wei Zhixuan, Sun Changzhi, and a few other leaders also chatted.
Of course, most topics from either side revolved around Xie Huilan. The civil servants and their families eating downstairs couldn’t help but talk about her, too. It was inevitable – Dong Xuebing’s wife made such a stunning appearance. As the wife of a leader, she naturally became the center of discussion and attention.
“She’s so beautiful.”
“Dong Xuebing is impressive.”
“Yeah, such a beautiful wife is always a standout wherever she goes.”
“Sigh, I look at my wife, just an ordinary-looking woman. Life can’t be compared, can it?”
“Dong Xuebing’s wife has such grace too. Look at her demeanor; she exudes the style of a deputy section chief at the very least.”
People at several tables further away talked in whispers, occasionally glancing at Dong Xuebing’s wife. Everyone was entirely moved.
Dong Xuebing took in everyone’s expressions as he ate and drank, knowing Xie Huilan had once again made him proud. He felt very proud of his wife’s beauty. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have eagerly shown her photo to his college professor. He was secretly pleased.
Five minutes later, Xie Huilan excused herself, nudged Dong Xuebing, and addressed the group, “I’m going to leave with my husband for a bit, and I’ll be right back.”
Dong Xuebing had no choice but to follow her.
Nobody said anything.
Outside, Dong Xuebing asked, “What’s wrong?”
Xie Huilan pointed to the side and smiled, “Let’s go. Come with me to sit with the group at the city table. I’ve been out for half a day, and people are waiting for me. The city’s party secretary is there, especially hosting a welcoming dinner for me, and our folks from Xiexing City are all in that room, too. It wouldn’t be appropriate for me not to go back.”
Dong Xuebing furrowed his brows, “I can’t go there.”
“Why can’t you go?” Xie Huilan glanced at him.
Dong Xuebing replied, “You don’t know, my relationship with the city isn’t good. Otherwise, you could go alone. I can’t stand seeing them. It’s annoying.”
Xie Huilan said, “When have you ever had a good relationship with the leaders? Haha, you’re used to it, my husband. The city knows about our celebration dinner here. It’s not appropriate if you don’t go. Besides, I have to introduce you to them. Otherwise, it would look like we’re deliberately hiding something.”