The next day. Afternoon.
Dong Xuebing had returned to the Family Quarters from the Bureau. The weather is very hot, and his forehead was covered in sweat.
“Oh, Chief Dong, you are back so early?”
“Yes. I am not working these two days.”
“I heard you are given Second Class commendation. Congratulations.”
“Haha, thank you.”
On Dong Xuebing’s way back to his apartment, many family members of the Public Security stopped to congratulate him.
Dong Xuebing’s apartment was like an oven when he returned. He immediately took out the remote controller and switched on the air conditioner. He set the temperature at 22 degrees Celsius and took a bottle of beer from the fridge. He finished the beer and felt slightly cooler. Dong Xuebing sat on his sofa and took out a copy of the newspaper from his bag. There is a picture of him covered in blood, shaking hands with the old lady. Many other officers and villagers were clapping around him.
This report is on the third page of the Provincial Newspaper, and it describes what the County’s Party Secretary and the Public Security’s leaders did. The article did not read a lot on what Dong Xuebing did but gave an outline of the operation to save the hostages. In Dong Xuebing’s bag, there is another copy newspaper. It is the County’s newspaper, and yesterday’s incident was the headlines. The report had described how courageous Dong Xuebing was and how he saved all the hostages.
Dong Xuebing put down the newspaper and gulped beer.
Dong Xuebing had saved the hostages, gained fame and even got the credit. Nothing is better than this!
In the morning, the Bureau held a meeting to praise Dong Xuebing. Not only the County’s Secretary of the Political and Legal Committee, Huang Li, was at the meeting, but even the Provincial Public Security leader was also present at the meeting to give Dong Xuebing the Second-Class commendation award. “Due to Dong Xuebing’s outstanding performance in the hostage situation, he will be awarded the Second-class Commendation award.” After the wars, very few First-class commendation awards were given out. A personal Second-class award is already outstanding, honorable, and prestigious. This is the confirmation given by the Party, and it’s a significant achievement!
Considering Dong Xuebing had some light injuries during his fight with the escapees, Liang Chengpeng gave him two days to rest at home. Chief Dong’s achievement had made Liang Chengpeng and the County’s Public Security proud. But when asked about how he takes down the escapees, everyone was stunned. Chief Dong claimed he was lucky, but the rescued teachers and students said Chief Dong could dodge bullets. They couldn’t describe it properly. Anyway, Chief Dong had only tilted his head, moved his body sideways, lowered his shoulders, and not a single bullet hit him.
This was too weird, and no one believed it was possible. The only explanation is Dong Xuebing was lucky not to get shot.
But everyone agreed that Dong Xuebing had top-notched fighting skills. There’s no argument on this!
Living room.
Dong Xuebing had lost count on the number of times his phone rang.
Dong Xuebing answered his phone, and this time, it is the County’s Deputy Party Secretary, Cao Xupeng.
Dong Xuebing’s phone had been ringing nonstop since yesterday afternoon. Some calls were from the students’ parents, his colleagues, leaders, and his relatives. Everyone who heard of the incident called him to ask about it. His mother was shocked when she learned about the incident and called to remind him not to put himself in danger in the future.
Dong Xuebing was exhausted after the call with Deputy Secretary Cao.
Not only Dong Xuebing was physically tired, but he was also mentally exhausted. He had killed nine people and will not get over it in a day or two. Just this morning, he had cooked an egg for breakfast. But the smell reminded him of the blood yesterday, and he lost his appetite. Even during the lunch with the County’s leaders, Dong Xuebing did not eat a single piece of meat.
Sigh... he is mentally affected.
Dong Xuebing felt he should relax and laid down on his sofa, listening to some soothing music.
Half an hour had passed.
Ding Dong, Ding Dong. The doorbell rang.
Dong Xuebing stood up from the sofa and switched off the music, before opening the door. “Oh, Sister Hu.”
Standing at the door is Hu Silian, who was suspended from her duties. She was not in her Police uniform and was wearing a light-colored dress with white heels. “Hehe, Chief Dong. I heard you had just returned home, and I am here to congratulate you. Am I disturbing you?”
Dong Xuebing laughed and opened the gates. “No. Come in.”
Hu Silian entered Dong Xuebing’s apartment and laughed. “It’s a pity that I am not at the scene yesterday and couldn’t see your heroic pose.”
Dong Xuebing waved his hand, and his face turned slightly red. “What heroic? I was just lucky. I had almost died yesterday.”
Hu Silian held back her laughter and looked at Dong Xuebing with her big eyes. “You are too humble. If it’s someone else, no... even an elite Armed Officer, cannot suppress nine criminals with both hands handcuffed. You are equivalent to a team of Armed Police Officers. I had read the papers this morning, and everyone in the family quarters is talking about you. Your reputation had increased.”
Dong Xuebing laughed and poured a cup of tea for Hu Silian. “Stop flattering me. I think I had become more notorious.”
Hu Silian took the cup of tea from him, and curiously asked. “Why?”
Dong Xuebing replied helplessly. “Nine people are dead after I entered school. My nickname, God of Plague, will be the talk of the town.”
Hu Silian laughed. “That’s everyone’s respect for you. Hahaha... Now, everyone in Yan Tai County will show a thumbs up when your name is mentioned. What the newspaper wrote is true. Courageous and fearless. You are placing the hostages’ safety before oneself. I think all leaders should learn from you. Chief Dong, I am impressed by you. I even suspect you are one of the secret agents when you are with State Security.”
Dong Xuebing laughed. “Secret agent? My job there is to write speeches and deliver documents. It’s an administrative job.”
Hu Silian was not the only person who asked him this.
After some mindless chatting, Dong Xuebing asked. “Sister Hu, are you here to see me for anything?”
Hu Silian shook her head. “Nothing. I am just here to thank you. Because of the blunder by the Command Center, two lives were lost. I couldn’t sleep for the past two days. Sigh... now, the case is closed, and the criminals are all killed by you. I felt much better. Thank you.
Dong Xuebing waved his hand. “How’s your new job assignment?”
Hu Silian sighed when she heard this. “There is still no news. Maybe I will be transferred to other stations.”
Dong Xuebing looked at her. “Your position?”
Hu Silian smiled. “What position? At most, I will be getting the same treatment as the junior staff. I can never take on the leader role. Chief Dong, I am here also to bid farewell. I guess I will be transferred away these few days, and I am too embarrassed to stay in the Public Security’s Family Quarters.” Hu Silian is only 30 years old and still has a long way to go. But that mistake made by the Command Center had stopped her career advancement. Most likely, she will be wasting her life in a powerless department and will never have the chance to get promoted again.
Dong Xuebing felt this was a waste. “Do you want me to try helping you?”
Hu Silian sighed. “It’s the County Government who decided on my suspension. Even Chief Liang cannot do anything.”
Dong Xuebing patted Hu Silian’s shoulder. He doesn’t wish for her to leave. There were too few women in the government service, and smart women like Sister Hu was rare. Dong Xuebing had seen the danger of being in the government servant. One wrong move, and you lost everything. Sometimes, even when it’s not your fault, you will also get into trouble, and you can only consider yourself unlucky.
Maybe Hu Silian was trying to avoid gossips, and she left after 10 minutes.
After Hu Silian left, Dong Xuebing looked at his watch. He hesitated for a while and picked up his phone to call Xie Huilan. Since Xie Huilan come to Yan Tai County, both of them had not met privately. Dong Xuebing wanted to meet her. After yesterday’s events, he missed Xie Huilan and Qu Yunxuan badly. When the bullet hit him in his head, both their images appeared in his mind.
Ring... ring... ring... the phone rang for a while before it was picked up.
“Hello?” Xie Huilan’s sexy voice answered.
“Hello, Mayor Xie. I’m Xiao Dong from Public Security.”
“Haha... Chief Dong. What is it?”
Dong Xuebing rubbed his nose. “I want to report to you on my work progress. Will you be free in the afternoon?”
Xie Huilan laughed. “I have a meeting in the afternoon. How about tomorrow?”
Dong Xuebing replied. “Sure. I will call you tomorrow.”
“No need. I will get my secretary to call you. Ok?” After Xie Huilan said this, she paused. “Oh, I forgot I still don’t have a secretary. The Office Director had recommended a few candidates, but I find them not suitable. Are you familiar with the people in the County Government? The candidate does not need to be from the Secretary department. Let me know if you have any recommendations. It must be a female, must not be too old, and must be smart.”
Dong Xuebing thought to himself. The secretary of the leader is an important position, let alone the secretary to the Mayor. Everyone will be fighting for this position. In the past, Dong Xuebing felt the role of a secretary is only a messenger. But now, he doesn’t think so. If you want to advance rapidly in government service, becoming a secretary is one of the better options. You can learn the work of a leader and how a leader should act and gain their trust after a few years. Soon, you will be deployed to the grassroots and become a district head or district’s Party Secretary!
Xie Huilan wants me to recommend someone for this crucial role? This is her trust in me.
Dong Xuebing thought for a while. He is afraid that recommending the wrong person will bring trouble for Sister Xie. Furthermore, he does not know a lot of people in the County Government. The County’s Party Secretary Xiang Daofa was the former Mayor, and everyone in the Government might be his people. No wonder Sister Xie couldn’t make up her mind. First, she is too young, and having an older secretary will make her feel uncomfortable. Moreover, Sister Xie is a female, and a male secretary will invite gossips. This secretary candidate is too...
Eh?!
Wait a minute!
Female, not too old, must be smart?
A woman suddenly appears in Dong Xuebing’s head.
“Mayor Xie, what do you think about our Bureau’s former Office Director, Hu Silian?”
“Hu Silian? I remembered she was just removed from her position.”
“Yes. The mistake made by the Command Center had nothing to do with her, and she was only the scapegoat to shoulder the blame. Director Hu has a clean background and is familiar with Yan Tai County. She is also good with interpersonal relationships and is a smooth talker. She is not old and has a nice character. I think she fits your requirements.” Dong Xuebing wants to help Xie Huilan to find a good secretary and also help Hu Silian.
Xie Huilan paused for a while and said. “Ok. I will consider your suggestion.”
Dong Xuebing replied. “Err... ok. Sorry to disturb you. I will hang up now?”
“......” Xie Huilan kept quiet.
“Mayor Xie?”
“Xiao Dong, I don’t wish to see another incident like yesterday afternoon. I don’t care how good you can fight, how much you care for the safety of the people, you must remember that there are a lot of people that care for you. If you dare to do such things again in the future, I will remove you from your position.” Xie Huilan’s tone was cold, but Dong Xuebing could feel she cares for him. There were too many people around yesterday, and she must have kept these words to herself. When she gave the orders for the Armed Police to storm the building, it should also because she wants to rescue him.
Dong Xuebing felt warm in his heart. “Yes... I understand.”
“Good.”
“Errr... Is it convenient for you to talk now?”
“Yes. What is it?”
Dong Xuebing cleared his throat. “Errr... I want to see you.”
Xie Huilan smiled and replied. “Didn’t you see me yesterday? You even threw me into the car.”
Dong Xuebing heard this and quickly explained. “Ah... I was forced by the situation. I did it because I am afraid you might be hurt.”
“You are afraid I will be hurt, then I will not be afraid you will be injured?”
“Errr... let’s not talk about this. I promise I will take care of my safety in the future, ok?”
“You better keep to your words. You... once you get heated up, you don’t know what you are doing. But it is also because of this you jumped into the river to save me.”
“Why did you mention about that incident again? It’s all in the past, and let’s not talk about it.”
“Ok.”
“You should have a lot of work, right? I will hang up now?”
“......”
“Sister Xie?”
“Hehe... do you miss me?”
Dong Xuebing paused for a second and replied. “Yes.”
“How much?”
Dong Xuebing replied embarrassedly. “I..., I miss you badly.”
Xie Huilan giggled and was satisfied with his answer. “Alright. Let’s hang up.”
Dong Xuebing asked. “Did you miss me?”
“What do you think?”
“Huh? How would I know? That’s why I am asking you.”
“Hahaha... Bye.” The line was cut.
Dong Xuebing smiled to himself as he looks at his phone.