Noon.
County Party Committee Courtyard.
After receiving the news, Dong Xuebing sighed and walked to the window, opened it for fresh air, leaned there, and lit a cigarette. His mood was indescribable.
Sadness.
Concern for Mayor Jiang.
A bit of regret.
Well, maybe it's all there.
If he had used REVERSE earlier to give the old man so more ti, Mayor Jiang's father might have lived a little longer, and Mayor Jiang could have spent a few more days with her father. But now it was too late to say anything. Life, aging, illness, and death even with Dong Xuebing's abilities, he couldn't make everyone live a long life. So things happened, and the only choice was acceptance. Dong Xuebing hoped Mayor Jiang could withstand this blow and recover soon.
Shortly after, most people in the courtyard got the news.
Dong Xuebing heard many people discussing when he was upstairs. He turned around and called Yao Cui with a phone call.
A few minutes later, Yao Cui ca in after opening the door. "Xuebing, Mayor Jiang's father"
Dong Xuebing was silent montarily and said, "How are funerals usually handled in your area?"
Every place has different customs, so Dong Xuebing asked.
Yao Cui said, "It's mostly the sa, but I heard that Mayor Jiang didn't have a funeral when her husband passed away. After cremation, they scattered the ashes at sea, keeping it simple."
"How much money is appropriate to give?"
"Mayor Jiang might not accept it. It seems like they didn't ask for anything last ti."
"Let's decide later. Lets prepare as it's never wrong."
"Okay, when do you think we should go?"
"Well, put aside your afternoon tasks for now. I'll call you when everything's ready. Let's go to the hospital together. I'll also ask Secretary Pu for the latest updates."
"Got it. I'll go back and change my clothes first. I'm wearing red on top, which is not suitable."
Dong Xuebing nodded. When Yao Cui left, he called Secretary Pu An and Director Jian Xiangrong. After discussing it for a while, they decided to go now.
After going downstairs, Dong Xuebing sent Yao Cui ho to change clothes and went to the County Party Committee Building courtyard to pick up Secretary Pu An and Director Jian Xiangrong. When they were waiting for the car to stop, the Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Committee, Chu Peng, also ca downstairs. Without saying anything, he got into Dong Xuebing's car. Soon after, Secretary Pu's wife and Director Jian's wife also arrived. Since the car couldn't accommodate everyone, Pu An arranged for another car. They set off to the hospital.
County Hospital.
When Dong Xuebing and the others arrived, they found that County Party Secretary ng Rui's car was already downstairs. As for so lower-level leaders, it was apparent that they couldn't co at this ti. Those who could co imdiately were Mayor Jiang's family and so higher-ranking county leaders.
Upstairs.
The old man was still in the ward.
Just as they entered the corridor, they heard crying in the distance. Many people.
At this mont, Secretary ng and his secretary Zhang Feng had already left the ward. Dong Xuebing, Pu An, and the others nodded slightly when they saw them.
Inside the ward were Mayor Jiang's relatives. The old man on the bed had already passed away. People of all ages surrounded the bed, and several won were crying.
Mayor Jiang Fangfang was not seen.
Also, I don't know where Mayor Jiang went.
Dong Xuebing and the others bowed, not saying much. At this mont, everyone's emotions were not good, and saying more would be inappropriate. They were here, and that was enough. Pu An's wife seed to know the old man, and tears welled up in her eyes. Seeing this, Jian Xiangrong's wife also had red eyes.
Over there, several hospital staff ca in. "The car is ready, isn't it?"
"Wait a mont, my aunt hasn't arrived yet." A girl, crying while speaking, seed to be talking about Mayor Jiang Fangfang's mother. Indeed, she was not seen.
Everyone present was a family mber. Dong Xuebing, Pu An, and the others did not linger.
After going out, Dong Xuebing saw Jiang Jie's secretary, Li Xiaona, walking over from a distance.
"Secretary Li." Dong Xuebing called her.
Pu An and the others also asked, "Where is Mayor Jiang?"
Li Xiaona said in a low voice, "Mayor Jiang went to pick up her mother."
After a few more questions from Jian Xiangrong and others expressing their concern about Jiang Fangfang's condition, Li Xiaona, after finishing, looked at Dong Xuebing. "Mayor Dong, can I have a word with you?"
"Sure." Dong Xuebing followed Li Xiaona to a corner of the corridor. "What's the matter?"
Li Xiaona said, "Mayor Jiang may be unable to co to the office next week. She asked to tell you to take care of the county governnt's affairs. You can act as a proxy and make decisions if there is anything; you don't need to consult Mayor Jiang. Let's talk about other matters after Mayor Jiang completes the funeral."
Dong Xuebing nodded heavily. "Okay, I understand."
Li Xiaona, in a low mood, said, "Then I'll go first."
Dong Xuebing uttered a sound of agreent. "Go ahead with your work."
As the Deputy Mayor of the County Governnt, Dong Xuebing was the second-in-command. When the leader had sothing going on, the deputy would naturally handle the overall work.
He rejoined Pu An, Jian Xiangrong, Chu Peng, and others. After a brief discussion, they all went back. If funeral arrangents were to be made, they could co back later.
On the way, Pu An and his wife sat in Dong Xuebing's car. In the back seat, Pu An's wife was still in a sad mood, tears streaming down. "The old man was such a good person. He left so early."
Pu An sighed, "Life, aging, illness, and death, no one can escape."
His wife said, "Mayor Jiang is also suffering. Her husband passed away, her father passed away, and her mother's illness, alas, it's so unfair."
She added, "No, I have to check on Mayor Jiang tonight. This is when she needs soone to accompany her." Since Pu An got closer to Jiang Fangfang, his wife's relationship with her had also beco closer. Of course, they might have had a good relationship before.
"She still has to keep a vigil. It's a busy ti. What are you going to do?"
"I'm not at ease with Mayor Jiang. Compared to n, won are always more emotional."
Pu An patted her hand. "Rest assured, Mayor Jiang is much stronger than you think. These setbacks won't knock her down."
His wife said nothing, wiped her tears for a while, and then said, "Fate is really unfair to Jiang. Old Pu, Xuebing, if you have single friends, quickly arrange soone for Mayor Jiang. Otherwise, how can she live alone? It's too hard. I don't know how she has survived all these years."
Pu An shook his head. "I asked Mayor Jiang about this before, but she doesn't seem to intend to remarry. You, don't worry too much."
She didn't listen and said to Dong Xuebing, "Xuebing, your friends are young. You must help Jiang find soone. Watching her, my heart aches."
"Alright, sister-in-law." Dong Xuebing also felt sorry. He nodded and said, "I'll keep an eye on it."
Pu An's wife said, "Try to avoid divorced ones and not be too old. After all, Mayor Jiang is only in her thirties. I think soone around thirty is suitable. Even a bit younger than Mayor Jiang is fine. Around thirty should be about right. Oh, and the family conditions should be better. Mayor Jiang beca the Mayor at such a young age. Her future will be much better than our Old Pu's. You must find soone good for her." The elder sister's maternal feelings were overflowing.
Pu An sighed, "Enough, you. Mayor Jiang has her plans, and you're worrying about it blindly. Are you her mother?"
His wife was dissatisfied, "I'm her elder sister. What's the matter?"
Pu An told Dong Xuebing, "Don't listen to her, Xuebing, she's just causing trouble."
"My sister-in-law is right." Although Dong Xuebing felt uncomfortable, he still thought remarrying might be a good choice for Jiang Fangfang. At least having soone to accompany her could alleviate so loneliness. "But it still depends on Mayor Jiang's intention. If she agrees, I'll go ask. I know so people in Beijing, and many singles have good conditions. If Mayor Jiang isn't interested, then forget it."
Seeing Dong Xuebing say this, Pu An said, "Let's see what Mayor Jiang thinks."
His wife said, " Mayor Jiang may not say it openly. Maybe she's just saving face. I'll talk to her when I can and see how she reacts."
After sending them back to the family quarters, Dong Xuebing didn't go ho but drove again.
Pu An, Jian Xiangrong, and the others knew Dong Xuebing must be busy. With the Mayor absent, he would have to oversee the county governnt's work, which involved a lot of tasks.
At the County Party Committee compound in the afternoon, when Dong Xuebing returned, he also bought so food. However, after going upstairs to his office, he lost his appetite after a few bites. He was still worried about Jiang Fangfang. He wanted to call her but didn't know how to comfort her. He ended up smoking alone, looking a bit anxious. Now Dong Xuebing realized that his feelings for Jiang Jie were not just those of a leader to a subordinate or friend. He was genuinely concerned about her.
Knock, knock.
The sound of knocking on the door ca.
Dong Xuebing looked up. "Co in."
County Governnt Office Director Ma Bin walked in with so docunts in his hand. "County Head Dong, the departnts below have submitted cases. Originally, Mayor Jiang was supposed to handle them, but Secretary Li called and said to give all the docunts to you."
"Okay, I'll take a look." Dong Xuebing took the docunts and quickly glanced through them. He apparently couldn't make decisions lightly, so he put them aside. "I'll review them later."
Ma Bin said, "What about the site selection for the family quarters project?"
Dong Xuebing thought montarily and said, "Let's go with what I said last ti. Report to the County Party Committee. They can negotiate with the landowners and start construction as soon as possible."
"Got it. I'll go now."
A mont later, the phone rang.
Deputy Mayor Cui Boyang called, seeking Dong Xuebing's opinion on a case. The two of them were both mbers of the County Party Committee. Although Dong Xuebing's position was one level higher, it wasn't much higher. However, now that Dong Xuebing was acting as a proxy for Jiang Fangfang's work, Cui Boyang naturally needed to inform him.
Despite being busy, Dong Xuebing didn't feel a sense of inflated authority. His mind was still on Jiang Fangfang, far away.
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