At Geng’s father’s and mother’s house.
Geng Xinke’s child had already gone to bed in the small room, so everyone outside lowered their voices to speak.
“Xiao Dong, why are you back today?” Geng’s mother asked.
Dong Xuebing smiled, “Came back to take a look, and I also have some business with Secretary Yuehua.”
Geng’s mother pointed toward the bathroom, where the sound of water running could be heard, “She’s taking a shower, she’ll be out soon.”
At this point, Lin Pingping spoke, “Xuebing, I heard you’ve been quite famous lately, even appeared on TV. When they broadcast the ancient tomb excavation on CCTV, I saw you on screen.”
Dong Xuebing laughed, “Just a quick appearance.”
Geng Xinke admired him, “Not just county party secretary, my sister even said that in the neighboring county of Jiao, with the favorable circumstances, they’ll probably apply for city status soon.”
Geng’s mother was surprised, “A county-level city?”
Dong Xuebing nodded, “Yes, the application has already been submitted, and it should be approved soon.”
Geng’s mother exclaimed, “That’s great! You’ll be the city party secretary in no time!” She then looked at her son, frustrated, “Look at Xiao Dong, he’s younger than you, and he’s already the city party secretary. You? You’ll stay in the Guangming Street office for your whole life.”
In the past two years, Geng Xinke had been the director of the street office. This position had been passed down from Dong Xuebing after he left, but it couldn’t be helped. Geng Yuehua was very principled—public matters were separate from private ones, even when it came to her brother. As the district party secretary, she rarely gave him any help, so Geng Xinke had never benefited from his sister’s influence. Everything had to be done on his own, making promotion difficult.
Geng Xinke didn’t know what to say about this, and Geng’s father and mother had even tried talking to their daughter, asking her to help her brother move up, but it didn’t work. Geng Yuehua was just that kind of person.
Today, Geng Yuehua was taking an exceptionally long shower, and she hadn’t come out yet.
Dong Xuebing knew that Yuehua was probably doing a “big wash”—wiping down, scrubbing her thighs, cutting her nails, applying skincare products. Otherwise, knowing Yuehua’s efficiency, it should’ve only taken five or six minutes. So Dong Xuebing continued chatting with the Geng family.
Dong Xuebing’s phone rang. He glanced at the number, paused, and apologized to Geng’s father and mother. He stood up and walked to the window to answer the call. “Hello, Secretary He?”
On the other end was He Sui’en, the Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission of Fenzhou City, who had been Dong Xuebing’s former leader when he worked in the city’s discipline office. “Xuebing, I heard you’re back?”
Dong Xuebing smiled wryly, “I’ve only just arrived an hour ago. How did you find out?”
He Sui’en laughed, “You come back, and of course, a lot of people will notice. The news has already circulated here, so I’ve heard about it. I assume you’re here for some work?”
Dong Xuebing nodded, “Yes, there are some things.”
He Sui’en joked, “Last time you took Comrade Luo Haiting from me to the Central Commission, you still owe me a meal. When are you going to treat me?”
They chatted for a while before hanging up.
Before Dong Xuebing could return to his seat, a second call came in, this time from Zhong Zhengwei, the mayor of Fenzhou City. “Hello, Mayor Zhong.”
Zhong Zhengwei laughed, “You came back and didn’t even inform me.”
Dong Xuebing replied, “I just arrived, I was going to invite you to dinner the day after tomorrow.”
Zhong Zhengwei responded, “Alright, we’ll do that. I’ve been wanting to talk to you. I heard your county is about to be upgraded to a county-level city. You never disappoint, always impressing everyone with your work ability, both in the past and now.”
Dong Xuebing modestly said, “I don’t have any special ability, just happen to be in the right place at the right time.”
A few more calls came in, from former colleagues and old friends from the area. Dong Xuebing’s relationships in Fenzhou City were much deeper than in Jiao County. Even though his highest position while working in Fenzhou was just a deputy section chief in a city discipline office, everyone in Fenzhou knew him—he was a legendary figure.
Once the calls were done, Dong Xuebing returned to his seat, “Sorry about that, Auntie, Uncle.”
Geng’s parents had overheard him on the phone and could roughly guess who had called—The city’s Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary, the Mayor—this showed Dong Xuebing’s status. Within an hour of his arrival, so many people in the city already knew, which was incredible. It was unimaginable for someone who had left their position for one or two years to receive such treatment. Usually, city leaders might remember a person’s name, but they wouldn’t personally call for dinner arrangements.
The sound of running water from the bathroom stopped.
It was evident that Geng Yuehua was about to come out.
Lin Pingping suddenly moved her eyes and urgently nudged Geng Xinke’s thigh with her own, glancing at him.
Geng Xinke hesitated but stayed silent, saying nothing.
Lin Pingping, in a hurry, kept glancing at the bathroom, afraid that once Geng Yuehua came out, it would be too late to speak. So, she decided to speak up, “Old Leader, I heard that you’re going to change Jiao County into a city soon. With that, many things and departments will change. Xinke has worked in the street office for many years, and his qualifications are good. Do you think you can transfer him to your side for some experience?”
Geng’s father and mother remained silent.
Dong Xuebing immediately understood that this was Secretary Yuehua’s way of not using personal connections to promote her brother. That’s why they turned to him for help. “What position are you looking for?”
Geng Xinke, a little embarrassed, said, “Whatever position works, I don’t mind.”
Dong Xuebing thought for a moment before replying, “Once the approval comes through, I plan to send my secretary to the rural areas to handle things alone. I don’t know who to ask for a secretary yet, but Xinke, if you think it’s suitable, you can come and help. A deputy section chief position is available.”
The Secretary of the City Party Committee.
The First Secretary of Jiao County.
Geng Xinke was immediately excited, “I’m fine with it!”
Lin Pingping was thrilled as well, quickly saying, “Thank you, Old Leader, thank you so much!”
Dong Xuebing cautioned, “If Xinke comes with me, it’s quite far, and there will be many issues with the child. You need to think it over.”
Geng Xinke decisively replied, “We’ve thought it over. I’ll go.”
Lin Pingping said, “Yes, it’s fine. I’ll bring the child along.”
She knew Dong Xuebing would agree because, back when they were at the hospital, she had witnessed the close relationship between Geng Yuehua and Dong Xuebing. She knew Dong Xuebing would take their family’s matters seriously.