Power and Wealth

Afternoon.

The summer breeze had blown a dark cloud over, and it seemed it would rain.

Dong Xuebing drove back to the Subdistrict Office and called a few department heads to his office. He told them the District Government’s instructions about attracting investments. They all had heard the District Leaders had scolded them during the meeting. They also understand that Dong Xuebing had offended Mayor Geng, and this will be common in the future.

"We must take high importance on this Japanese Investment Delegation."

"Director, I will get our men to prepare for their arrival later today."

"No. Get it done immediately. Director Zhou, you will oversee this matter."

"Yes. I understand."

"Chief Peng, take note of the security. Our Subdistrict will be the delegation’s second stop tomorrow afternoon. We don’t have much time to prepare."

"I know."

"Alright. That’s all. Call me if you encounter any problems."

Dong Xuebing let his staff return to work and lit a cigarette behind his desk.

Warning….

Criticize….

Dong Xuebing is calm as it will be weird if Geng Yuehua is not angry with him.

But Dong Xuebing is not worried. Geng Yuehua can scold him as she likes, and he doesn’t care. He doesn’t care if she is a Leader, and criticisms will not affect his position. He was prepared for this, and such incidents will not affect him.

After work.

The sun is still up, but the sky is overcast.

Dong Xuebing looks at the time. He didn’t feel hungry and did not go for dinner. Instead, he drove to the riverbank.

Riverbank.

There is a cooling breeze.

Dong Xuebing parked at an open-air carpark and crossed a road to a grass patch by the riverside. He strolled along the riverbank, listening to the insects and birds. He stopped once in a while and sat by the river for a smoke. Since he came to Nan Shan District, he has been troubled by work problems. He had to think about these problems even when lying in bed. Finally, he doesn’t need to think about all these as he offended both the District's No.1 and No.2. He felt relaxed as the situation could not get worse than this.

Human beings are complicated.

Suddenly, there was a clap of thunder and a heavy downpour. Flashes of lightning followed.

"It’s raining!"

"Hurry…. Run…."

"This rain is so sudden."

A few others, strolling along the riverbank, carried their children and ran for shelter.

Dong Xuebing covered his eyes and looked up. His clothes were soaked, but he continued sitting there and thinking about his plans. His legs are crossed, and it felt good to be under the rain. He had gotten into a big mess and had to change the way he works in the future. He had to make sure Geng Yuehua could not get a hold of him and got to stay low. He had to stand firm regardless of what Wang Anshi and Geng Yuehua thought of him and get more results. With more credits under his belt, he can move up easily even after offending both the District’s No. 1 and No. 2.

Stand firm.

Yes. I shall take one step at a time, just like what I had done.

With

Suddenly, Dong Xuebing sneezed. After that, he sneezed again and shivered. He realized he was not as fit as before and could fall sick from the rain.

Time to go.

Dong Xuebing shivered and ran from the riverbank.

Dong Xuebing had taken a long stroll and forgotten where he had parked his car.

The rain got heavier. Dong Xuebing braved the rain and ran for almost twenty minutes to reach that road he crossed earlier. He looked around and saw his black Cayenne was the only car in the carpark. Everyone had left, and there was no one around. He took out his keys and got into his car. He wiped the rain off his face and started driving home.

"Achoo!"

"Achoo!"

Dong Xuebing knew he had caught a cold, and he was running a fever.

Dong Xuebing worked day and night and didn’t have a proper meal. His body is weak, and he felt cold even with his car’s heater on. When he reached home, his head started spinning and aching.

Subdistrict Office Family Quarters.

The sky had turned dark as it was already past 8 pm.

Dong Xuebing felt terrible as he drove into the compound. He coughed as he got out of his car and ran into the building.

When one is unlucky, anything can happen.

Dong Xuebing struggled upstairs, and when he was about to open his door, he realized he did not have his keys. He got his car keys, but he could not find his apartment keys. He must have dropped it when he ran back to his car at the riverbank. He banged his metal gate in frustration and sat down against the wall. His hair is still dripping, and he is too weak to stand. His apartment’s spare keys are in the Subdistrict Office, and the Subdistrict Office is locked now. His only solution is to check into a hotel room. He tried to stand up but failed. His head was spinning, and he could not move.

He is running a high fever.

Luckily, tomorrow is Saturday, and he doesn’t need to work.

Dong Xuebing closed his eyes to rest before he tried to look for a hotel room. If now, he will go to the hospital.

But Dong Xuebing lost consciousness after he closed his eyes.

After a while, Dong Xuebing woke up and felt his body was weak and aching. He felt he was lying on something soft, but his body was still wet. He looked around and realized he was lying on a living room sofa. This apartment looks familiar, but it is not his apartment. He tried to get up, but his head was spinning.

Footsteps approached from the bathroom.

"Awake?" Geng Yuehua is dying her long hair with a white towel emotionlessly.

Dong Xuebing is stunned. "Mayor Geng? I…."

Geng Yuehua glanced at him. "I saw you lying outside at my doorstep."

"Did you carry me into your apartment?"

"Is there anyone else here?"

"Ah…. Thank you. I…. was caught in the rain and lost my keys."

Geng Yuehua did not reply and threw another towel to Dong Xuebing before going into her bedroom. She took out a blanket and threw it on the sofa. She seemed to have just returned and was caught in the sudden downpour. Her stockings and pants are soaked, outlining her long legs. Her blouse is also translucent from the rain, and he could faintly see her dark red lacy bra.

It’s red underwear again.

Dong Xuebing admired Geng Yuehua for a while and was impressed with himself. He is sick now, but he still has lustful thoughts.

Dong Xuebing felt terrible.

Geng Yuehua looks at Dong Xuebing with a poker face. "Take off your wet clothes yourself. I had given you a blanket and towel, and I don’t care about the rest." She said and returned to the bathroom.

*Sound of a shower.

Dong Xuebing looked at the bathroom door and sat up with difficulties. He slowly took off his wet clothes and dried himself with the towel before lying down on the sofa and covering himself with the blanket. Ah…. It felt so much better after taking off his clothes.

The bathroom door opens.

Geng Yuehua had finished bathing in less than four minutes. She is wearing a pair of black tights.

Dong Xuebing is not surprised by Geng Yuehua’s speed as he knows she likes to do things fast.

"Did you take off your clothes?" Geng Yuehua did not look at Dong Xuebing and walked to a cabinet.

Dong Xuebing blushed. "Yes."

"You had lost your keys. Stay here for the night if you want, or you can go and look for a hotel room yourself." Geng Yuehua said as she opened a drawer and took out some medicines. She threw it on the coffee table. "There’s fever medicine among these medicines." After that, she sat on a chair and switched on the TV to watch the evening news.

Dong Xuebing is speechless, but he is touched.

Dong Xuebing had offended Geng Yuehua. She still helped him into her apartment and gave him a blanket and medicine. He knows she dislikes him and will deal with him, but she has nothing personal against him. This had changed his impression of her.

But…. Shouldn’t you pour me a glass of water?

How am I going to eat the medicine without water?