Evening.
County residential compound.
Under the dim glow of the moonlight, Dong Xuebing humd a little tune as he drove, bringing Xie Huilan into the unit compound.
It was the end of the workday, and the other officials from Xia Xing City who were here for exchanges and the officials from Baohong City were all arranged at hotels. Xie Huilan couldn’t stay at the hotel either; she was returning ho with Dong Xuebing. Before leaving, Xie Huilan had already instructed the accompanying personnel from Xia Xing City to designate a leading official to continue the exchange activities with the county’s investnt bureau tomorrow. She cited health reasons for not attending. Dong Xuebing knew Huilan wanted to spend a good day with him tomorrow, as they had little ti together. So, Dong Xuebing directly inford Zhang Dongfang, saying he would rest for a day tomorrow and wouldn’t co to work. Typically, county party secretaries rarely get traditional holidays; they can’t take a break often. But if they take a break, they are not obligated to ask for it, as they are at the top of the hierarchy. Dong Xuebing just let the lower staff know and there is no need for formal leave requests.
“It’s here, Huilan,” Dong Xuebing snapped his fingers.
Xie Huilan smiled, looking around. “The environnt isn’t bad. I walked around your county today, and I think it’s not much different from so ordinary prefectural or county-level cities. At least the urban planning and facilities are on par with city-level scales. There aren’t many county-level areas as well-planned as Focusing County.”
Dong Xuebing stopped the car, engaging the handbrake as he replied, “Of course. Our county was preparing to compete for a county-level city designation a few years ago. So, the planning was quite good. The previous and the previous-to-previous leaderships were very attentive, almost putting all their focus, energy, and financial resources into this. The county-level city didn’t work out in the end, though. The higher-ups directly rejected it, saying our county didn’t et the criteria.”
Xie Huilan raised an eyebrow. “Then why are you still here?”
Dong Xuebing chuckled. “Why can’t I be here?”
“An application that’s been rejected once won’t have any hope of passing within ten years. The fastest it could happen is ten years later. You know that, right?” Xie Huilan said. The approval files could technically be submitted every year. The problem was that it wouldn’t be aningful even if not approved.
Dong Xuebing shook his head. “That’s not necessarily true. There are always special circumstances.”
Xie Huilan smiled. “Even if you pull in One billion RMB in investnt this ti, there’s no hope. The county-level city proposal isn’t as simple as you think. If the higher-ups said you don’t qualify, you still lack sothing. Unless there’s a fundantal shift, there’s no chance. Besides, ten billion isn’t really that significant. Even if it is a good achievent for you, its impact on the whole county isn’t as big as you think. Moreover, the county-level city designation isn’t just about economic considerations; there are also regional environnts, policy orientations, and cultural histories to consider. If you think you can get a county-level city by pulling in investnts, that’s naive, young man.”
“You still call a young man.” Dong Xuebing was speechless.
Xie Huilan grinned. “Why do you always act so immature? I don’t want you to waste your ti, so I’m telling you first.”
Dong Xuebing replied, “You’ve already told at least five tis, and our mom has told at least three tis. My ears are sore from hearing it.”
Xie Huilan glanced at him. “This is all for your good.”
Dong Xuebing glanced at her and said, “You think you’re doing a favor, Huilan. You think I’m immature. How many tis do I have to say it for you to understand? Yes, I admit I can be impulsive and have a temper, but have I not handled everything seriously over the years? Haven’t I solved every problem smoothly and overco any trouble that ca my way? I know that pulling in investnts won’t solve the issue of a county-level city. I never even thought that way! How naïve do you think I am in your eyes?”
Xie Huilan laughed. “How naive? I don’t know, but certainly not very smart, hehe.”
Dong Xuebing snorted, “Enough talking about it. We’ve argued about this too much. Let’s put the issue aside for now. We’ll see. But wait, within half a year—no, four months—within four months, I’ll make you eat your words.”
Xie Huilan’s almond-shaped eyes smiled. “Alright, I’ll see how you manage to get promoted to deputy departnt level by twenty-seven.”
Dong Xuebing felt his temper rise at her smile. “Let’s make a bet then.”
“Your call,” Xie Huilan said nonchalantly.
Dong Xuebing lifted his chin. “If I do get promoted to deputy departnt level this year, you’ll have to kneel properly and say, ‘Husband, I was wrong.’”
Xie Huilan smiled. “And if you lose?”
Dong Xuebing said confidently, “You tell what to do, and I’ll do it.”
Xie Huilan replied, “Alright, I’ve got sothing in mind if you lose. Just kneel and sing ‘Conquer’ for .”
“Deal. We’ll see,” Dong Xuebing retorted, feeling a little challenged by his wife. “Let’s go, get out of the car.”
Downstairs.
Many officials' family mbers were coming and going—so had just gotten off work, and so were returning from grocery shopping. This was a busy ti of day.
“Secretary Dong.”
“Oh, who’s this?”
“This is my wife, Xie Huilan.”
“Wow, your wife is beautiful.”
“Mrs. Dong, we just made dinner at our place. Why don’t you and your husband co over and have a bite?”
“No, thanks, Mrs. Zhou. We have food at ho.”
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Dong Xuebing and Xie Huilan took the groceries upstairs.
Ho.
As soon as Xie Huilan entered the house, she kicked off her high heels, plopped down on the sofa, unbuckled her belt, and crossed her legs, elegantly pulling off her coffee-colored pants and placing them on the backrest. Underneath, her deep black lace panties were revealed. Then she lounged comfortably, smiling, “Where’s my little husband? Hehe, get a glass of water, hubby. I’m thirsty, and also, I’m hungry.”
Dong Xuebing glared at her. “You always boss around like this, every ti. Why can’t you do it yourself? You’re so lazy.”
Xie Huilan smiled. “Well, when you’re as precious as , who will do it for you?”
“Whatever, you got there. I guess I’m tough,” Dong Xuebing said, laughing despite himself.
Though he said that, Dong Xuebing imdiately gave her a glass of water. Then he handed her the remote to watch TV while he dove into the kitchen with the groceries, bustling around. Dong Xuebing constantly dotes on his wife. Though he often teases her about this or that, he can’t bear to see her working—he’s too soft-hearted.
Washing vegetables.
Cutting vegetables.
Stir-frying vegetables.
In twenty minutes, Dong Xuebing had prepared the al. With practice, his cooking speed naturally increased; practice indeed makes perfect.
“Dinner is served!” Dong Xuebing set the plates on the table. “Here, try my cooking.”
Xie Huilan squinted and sat over, admiring the three dishes and a soup. “Still, I’ve got the best little husband. Here, a kiss from big sister Xie.”
Dong Xuebing leaned forward, offering his cheek. “Hmm.”
Xie Huilan laughed, kissing his nose. “Eat up.”
The couple began to dig in, chatting as they ate.
“How’s work going on your end? Any issues?” Dong Xuebing asked.
Xie Huilan chuckled. “What issues? I’ve got it all under control. The main task for now is economic developnt, taking it slow.” She picked up a piece of tofu for Dong Xuebing. “Your tofu-cooking skills are getting better and better. Try it; it’s delicious.”
Dong Xuebing put it in his mouth. “So, where are we going tomorrow?”
Xie Huilan smiled. “I’m not familiar with here either. I’ll leave it up to you. I’ve got a flight in the morning the day after, so tomorrow’s the only day I can spend with you.”
“So soon?”
“I’ve got a pile of things to handle back ho.”
“Then we can just roam around the county. Tomorrow, I’ll take you to try our local snacks. So are good, while others you might not like.”
“Okay, let’s see how my little husband plans it, hehe.”
“When are you going to stop calling ‘little’?”
“Haha, maybe when you get promoted to deputy departnt level.”
After dinner, Dong Xuebing went to wash the dishes. When he ca out, he found the living room empty. There were faint sounds upstairs; he took the stairs to their bedroom. It was the sound of the shower head in the bathroom. Dong Xuebing’s smile froze as he heard the door lock click from inside.
Click.
Damn, she’s locking it from inside.
Dong Xuebing almost fainted. He hurriedly knocked on the door. “Huilan, Huilan.”
“What?” Her voice floated from inside.
Dong Xuebing said, “Can you open the door? I’ve had a long day, too. Let’s shower together.”
The response was a laugh from inside. “I like showering alone. Just wait until I’m done.”
“Co on.” Dong Xuebing crossed his arms, complaining, “I’ve already removed my clothes; I’m freezing. Hurry up and open the door!”
“It’s almost sumr; why would you freeze?”
“It’s still cold, and the temperature here fluctuates daily. I’m going to catch a cold!”
After hesitating, the water turned off, and the door clicked open.
Dong Xuebing opened the door and barged in, slamming it shut behind him.
“What are you doing, you pervert?”
“Hehe, just a quick touch.”
“Hurry up and shower; stop fooling around; you’re tickling .”
Five minutes later, the bathroom filled with more rapid panting sounds.
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