Night.
Beijing Airport.
It is after 8 pm, and the sky is dark.
Dong Xuebing arrived at the airport late. He looked at the taxi’s ter and gave the driver a 100 RMB note. “Keep the change.” He got out of the taxi and looked around.
“Xuebing.” A woman called.
“Xuebing.” Another man called him.
Dong Xuebing turned and smiled. “Tan Zhi, Zhuang Zhi.”
These two are Sun Zhuang and Tan Lii. They were Dong Xuebing’s colleagues at the Beijing State Security West branch. They were close, and he was happy to see them again.
“Have you waited long?”
“No. We just reached.”
“I told you all not to co. I can go to you all.”
“Haha… you are a leader now. How can I make you co to us?”
“Are you teasing ? I heard both of you are doing well. Congratulations.”
“Don’t say that. I was recently promoted to Deputy Section Chief, and it is nothing compared to you. I heard you are an Executive County Deputy Mayor and a Party Committee mber. You are a Deputy Division Chief. You moved up too fast.”
Tan Lii is as cheerful as before. Nothing had changed.
Sun Zhuang is shy and does not talk much.
But Dong Xuebing can feel their changes. They matured a lot compared to the past.
Dong Xuebing patted Sun Zhuang’s shoulder. “You had gained weight. Haha… I heard you two got married. Why didn’t you inform ?”
Sun Zhuang laughed. “We have not held our wedding ceremony.”
Tan Lii said. “We registered our marriage. I will not hold the wedding ceremony if he cannot et my requirents. We will get a divorce imdiately.”
Sun Zhuang smiled.
Dong Xuebing is amused.
A few years ago, Tan Lii and Sun Zhuang were cautious around Dong Xuebing after his promotion. It made him feel uncomfortable. After Tan Lii got promoted, she beca more confident and could act naturally in front of him. They joked and chatted. They were friends, and friends should not feel restrained.
They had not t for a long ti and started chatting.
They chatted about their ti when they joined the governnt service. They were green and made lots of mistakes.
The three of them were staff mbers a few years ago.
Now, they are leaders. Sun Zhuang is a Deputy Chief too.
Ten minutes later.
Sun Zhuang tapped Tan Lii. “It’s 9 pm.”
Tan Lii slapped her forehead. “Ah, I forgot about the ti. Here, Xuebing. Everything is ready.”
Dong Xuebing took it and said. “Thank you. I will not trouble you if this is not an ergency.”
Tan Lii retorted. “You are not treating us as your brothers if you say that.”
Dong Xuebing laughed. “Of course. Call if you need any help.”
Tan Lii laughed. “Sure.”
Sun Zhuang looked at Dong Xuebing. “You are going to Hong Kong for…”
Dong Xuebing smiled. “You can say it is for work.”
“But you…” Sun Zhuang looked at Dong Xuebing’s injured arms and legs.
Dong Xuebing replied. “These injuries are minor. It’s fine.”
Tan Lii looked at the ti. “Let’s stop chatting. Xuebing, you should get past the security checks now. The flight is at 9.40 pm. If you miss this flight, you got to wait until tomorrow.”
“Ok. This is for the tickets.” Dong Xuebing took out the money and gave it to Tan Lii.
Tan Lii gave Dong Xuebing a stare. “Take it back… take it back. What are you doing?”
Sun Zhuang explained. “Tan Zhi has so influence at the bureau, and she did not need to spend money on the tickets. She called the Sixth division, and they arranged everything. You should know our departnt worked closely with the airport. But this is last minute, and we can only get you an economy class seat.”
Tan Lii said. “You got to hurry, Xuebing.”
“Haha… Let’s catch up when I am back.”
“Sure. Good luck.”
“Oh, don’t tell anyone about leaving the country.”
“Don’t worry. Our lips are tight.”
Dong Xuebing waved goodbye to his friends and went to clear the security.
On board the plane.
Dong Xuebing was the last passenger to board. He almost missed his flight because of the delays at the security checks. Luckily, he managed to get on the plane in ti. He found his seat and fastened the seatbelt. He looked out of the windows and called Zhang Longjuan.
The phone was switched off.
Dong Xuebing shook his head and closed his eyes.
One hour…
Two hours…
Three hours…
Dong Xuebing woke up when he heard the announcent. The plane was landing on the runway.
Finally.
Dong Xuebing looked at the ti. It is 1 am.
Dong Xuebing got off the plane with the other passengers. This was his first ti coming to Hong Kong. He looked at the unfamiliar city and took out a piece of paper. He stopped a passerby. “Sorry, how do I get to this hotel?”
That man was also a tourist. He looked at the address and said. “Oh, you can walk along this road. It is a few hundred ters from the airport. You can reach there within five minutes.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t ntion it.”
Dong Xuebing took a deep breath and limped in that direction.
Dong Xuebing lied to Xie Huilan, his mother, and the rest that he was returning to Beijing for treatnt. He does not want them worried, but Sister Zhang might be in trouble. He cannot pretend not to know or sit around and watch. He must protect her as she had treated him well.
I hope nothing will happen.
Huilan, his mother, Aunt Xuan, and the rest would know if he caused any trouble.
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