Power and Wealth

Beijing’s Standing Committee Villas.

Villa No. 1.

Xie Hao does not have the keys to the villa and needs to use the doorbell. He was chatting with Dong Xuebing when Xie Huilan opens the door for them. She was dressed in a black lady’s suit, high heels and her hair was tied up in a bun. It’s been a while since Dong Xuebing saw her and he noticed Xie Huilan had become more beautiful. Dong Xuebing’s heart rate increases and looked at her from top to toe unknowingly.

Xie Huilan smiles. “You are here.”

“Huilan.” Dong Xuebing changed the way he addresses her. After all, he is supposed to be Xie Huilan’s ‘boyfriend,’ and it will be weird if he calls her Sister Xie.

“Come in. My mother is upstairs and will be coming down soon.” Xie Huilan leads Dong Xuebing into the house.

Dong Xuebing stepped into the house warily and looked around. “Err... Secretary Xie is not around?”

Xie Huilan nodded. “The City Party Committee is having a meeting now. He might not be returning tonight. Xiao Hao, go and get a cup of tea for your Brother Dong.”

“Ok!” Xie Hao ran off to get the electric kettle.

Dong Xuebing sat down on the sofa, and Xie Huilan laughed at him. “Can you don’t be so stiff?”

Dong Xuebing nodded and tried to relax his body. He asked softly. “Sister Xie, what should I say later?”

Xie Huilan looked at him and laughed. “Just say what you want. Don’t overthink... Hahaha. Did you miss me?”

“Huh?” Dong Xuebing did not expect her to ask this so suddenly and immediately blushed. “Yes.”

Xie Huilan held Dong Xuebing’s hand. “Haha... how much do you miss me? How come I can’t tell you missed me?”

“Errr... I missed you a lot.”

“Really?”

“Yes!”

Xie Huilan seems to be satisfied with Dong Xuebing’s answer and smiles.

Dong Xuebing can’t tell what Xie Huilan was thinking and don’t know if she really treats him as her real boyfriend, or just using him to stop her family from forcing her to get married. But if she really treats Dong Xuebing as her shield, why is she saying all these when her mother is not around? If she really thinks of Dong Xuebing as her boyfriend, why are her tone and attitude so demanding and overbearing? Dong Xuebing also can’t feel her intentions of wanting to be in a relationship with him. Sister Xie... What are you thinking? Can you just tell me?

After a while, Xie Huilan’s mother still has not come downstairs.

Xie Huilan frowned as she slowly sipped on her tea.

Dong Xuebing knew Xie Huilan’s mother might not agree to him dating Xie Huilan and purposely made him wait.

After about 5 minutes, Xie Huilan’s mother, Han Jing, came down from upstairs slowly. She is a middle-aged woman who resembles Xie Huilan. She wore a long dress, and her disposition is similar to Xie Huilan, but she looks more gentle. Xie Huilan’s temperament is more overbearing and sharper.

Xie Hao, who was watching a football game, put down the remote control and greeted Xie Huilan’s mother. “Aunty.”

Dong Xuebing quickly put down his teacup and stand up. “Aunty.”

Xie Huilan laughed. “He is Dong Xuebing.”

Han Jing smiles and nodded. “Have a seat. I want to thank you for saving my daughter’s life.”

Dong Xuebing smiled awkwardly. “Don’t mention it.”

“Are you accustomed to the working environment at the grassroots level?” Han Jing looked at him and asked.

“Thank you for asking. Everything is fine.”

Everything seems fine as they chatted for a while, but Dong Xuebing knows this is only the surface. Han Jing acted like she was welcoming, but Dong Xuebing could tell from her eyes that she was judging him, and she dislikes him.

Dong Xuebing’s guess was right. Han Jing was not satisfied with him. Wei Nan is a better choice for Xie Huilan. In terms of looks and family background, Dong Xuebing cannot be compared to him. Han Jing felt Xiao Dong is not worthy of her daughter and they were worlds apart. But no matter what, Dong Xuebing had saved Xie Huilan and Han Jing was grateful to him. That’s why she did not show her displeasure on her face.

Xie Hao could not tell what Han Jing was thinking and said. “Aunt, you don’t know how capable my brother-in-law is. It was almost like a tale from the storybook when he saved Sis from drowning....” He kept addressing Dong Xuebing as Brother-in-law.

Han Jing stops smiling. “Don’t call him Brother-in-law.”

Xie Hao doesn’t care and replied. “It’s only a matter of time.”

Han Jing could not do anything to her nephew and did not reprimand him, as she knows Xiao Hao only listen to Xie Huilan.

Dong Xuebing felt embarrassed and change the topic. “Oh, Aunty, I brought a gift for you.” He picked up a paper bag by his side and passed it to Han Jing. “I wish you good health and longevity.”

Han Jing looked at Xie Huilan. Is this the ‘future son-in-law’s gift”? Xie Huilan really wants to be with Dong Xuebing? “Xiao Dong, thank you for your gift. But I will not accept it. Bring it back later.” Han Jing still has not agreed to their relationship and will not accept any gifts from Dong Xuebing.

Dong Xuebing said. “Aunty, this is only a small gift...”

Han Jing waved her hand and refuse to accept it.

Xie Hao said excitedly. “Aunt, Brother Dong is also not an outsider, why can’t you accept it? Let me see what this gift is.” Xie Hao knew what Sis called him over today. Xie Huilan needs him to liven up the situation. Xie Hao quickly took out the box from the paper bag and was stunned. “Wild Ginseng?”

Xie Huilan was surprised and laughed. “You really know how to pick gifts.”

Dong Xuebing looked at them puzzledly.

Xie Huilan explained. “My mother’s health is not well, and the doctors suggest her to eat wild ginseng to condition her body. It would be better if the wild ginseng is above 30 years old. But wild ginseng is rare, and most ginseng is cultivated. Even if there are wild ginseng for sale, they are around 10 years old. No one will sell older wild ginseng. Haha... I had been searching for wild ginseng these few days.”

Xie Hao asked. “Brother Dong, how old is this wild ginseng?”

Dong Xuebing replied. “50 years old.”

Han Jing’s eyes twitched. 50 years old? This box should cost at least 100,000 RMB.

Xie Huilan knows Dong Xuebing is wealthy and is not surprised.

Han Jing was tempted, but she still refuses to accept it. “It is too expensive.”

Xie Hao replied with a cheeky smile. “Aunt, Brother Dong is your future son-in-law, you don’t need to care whether if it is expensive.”

Xie Huilan laughed. “That’s right. This amount is nothing to Xiao Dong. Previously, we went to the temple fair at Liulichang, and Xiao Dong bought a small antique bowl, which I thought was a counterfeit. But when we went to Rong Bao Qi to sell it, they offered a few hundred thousand for that bowl. He has more money than me now.”

Dong Xuebing pushes the box of wild ginseng forward. “Aunty, please accept it.”

Han Jing hesitated for a while. 50 years old wild ginseng is rare and can’t be bought with money. As she really needs wild ginseng to improve her health, she accepted it in the end. “Thank you for your gift, Xiao Dong.” Her impression of Dong Xuebing improved. Not anyone can give out gifts, worth more than 100,000 RMB.

Ring, ring, ring... The phone in the living room rang.

Han Jing walked over and answered it gracefully. She spoke on the phone for a while and then turned to Xie Huilan after she hangs up. “Your father has a meeting at night and might not be back for dinner. Let’s not wait for him.” After that, she turns to Dong Xuebing. “Xiao Dong, stay for dinner tonight.”

Dong Xuebing politely replied. “No, thanks. I shall not bother you.”

Han Jing laughed. “Haha, is my cooking really so bad?”

“No... I am afraid to trouble you.”

“It’s fine.” Han Jing looked at her watch and said. “I will prepare dinner now. You, youngsters, can stay here.”

Xie Huilan smiled and stood up. “Let me help you.”

Han Jing looked at her daughter. “Oh, did the sunrise from the west today?” She said before walking into the kitchen.

Xie Huilan followed her mother into the kitchen and asked. “What’s your impression of Xiao Dong?”

“What do you think?” Han Jing glanced at Xie Huilan and took out the vegetables from the fridge. She grumbled as she was washing the vegetables. “I don’t know what you are thinking. Are you repaying Xiao Dong for saving your life? To be honest, both of you don’t match each other. Your looks, status, age, characters, etc. are so different from him. Huilan, tell me honestly. You really want to be with Xiao Dong?”

Xie Huilan narrowed her eyes and asked her mother back. “What do you think?”

Han Jing sighed. “I need to discuss with your father first.”

Xie Huilan acknowledge and did not say anything.

“Oh, are you the one who bought that wild ginseng?”

Xie Huilan laughed. “No. I also don’t know where Xiao Dong gets it from.”

“Ok.” Han Jing replied. “This kid is very thoughtful.”

“He is not only thoughtful. He is also capable.”

During dinner, Xie Huilan said. “Mum, you are going to the hospital for checks tomorrow? The Newsagency has a meeting in the morning, and I can’t accompany you.” She turns to Dong Xuebing and smiles. “Xiao Dong, accompany my mother to the hospital tomorrow morning.” The wife of City’s Party Committee Secretary is going to the hospital and it should not be Dong Xuebing to accompany him. But Dong Xuebing knew Sister Xie is creating opportunities for him to be closer to her mother.

Dong Xuebing immediately agrees. “Ok. I will fetch Aunty tomorrow morning.”

Han Jing smiles. “No need. Ask your dad to get Xiao Shen to send me.” Xiao Shen should be Party Secretary Xie’s assistant.

Xie Huilan replied. “There are more people who know Secretary Shen than you. If Xiao Shen accompanies you, there will be a commotion. Also, if he informs the hospital before reaching there, there will be a group of people welcoming you. Haha... It will become an inspection from the leaders.”

Han Jing also wants to keep a low profile and felt what Xie Huilan said was right. “You should also ask if Xiao Dong is free tomorrow first.”

Dong Xuebing thought to himself. Even if I am busy, I also have to make time for you. What’s more important than accompanying you to the hospital for a checkup. He immediately tells Han Jing that he is free tomorrow.

Han Jing nodded. “Sorry to bother you.”

“Don’t say this. It’s fine.”

Xie Huilan reminded him. “Don’t drive your friend’s car tomorrow.”

Dong Xuebing was afraid his Buicks will lower Han Jing’s status. “Err... I drove Buicks MPV back. Is this fine?”

Xie Huilan laughed. “As long as it is not a bicycle. Are your Buicks from your bureau? What’s the plate number? I will help you get an entry permit for this estate. This way, you will not be stopped by the guards every time you come.

Han Jing looked at her daughter and did not say a word.

Huh? Entry permit? Dong Xuebing immediately gave Xie Huilan his car plate number.

The next morning.

Dong Xuebing drove his Buicks MPV to the Xi Shan Villa District and entered the Standing Committee Villa. The guards at the entrance looked at the entry permit pasted on the windshield and allowed him to enter. Han Jing and a helper were the only ones in Villa No. 1. After fetching Han Jing, Dong Xuebing drove to 305 Hospital carefully. He was worried Mdm. Han would be angry if he suddenly accelerates or brakes.

305 Hospital is a military hospital, but they also accept regular patients.

After alighting, Dong Xuebing quickly walk over to open the door for Mdm. Han.

“Thank you.” Han Jing smiled. “Let’s go and look for Deputy Director Qin at the East building.”

Dong Xuebing knows Han Jing does not need to get any queue numbers at the hospital. She should be meeting Deputy Director Qin for her checkup. Deputy Director Qin is one of the top doctors in this hospital, and the best doctor ordinary folks get to meet is only the head of departments. Deputy Director Qin is a well-known doctor in China and will only treat patients with special status like Mdm. Han.

Deputy Director Qin’s office.

Han Jing smiled. “Director Han, I’m here to bother you again.”

Deputy Director Qin was not informed of Han Jing’s visit and quickly stood up to receive her. “Mdm. Han, why did you come over personally? If you need anything, you can just give me a call, and I will bring all the equipment over to your place.” The former Director of 305 Hospital and Deputy Director Qin, got their positions because of Senior Xie. They are loyal followers of the Xie faction and treated all family members of the Xie family differently.

Han Jing waved her hand. “It is too troublesome. I am only here for a checkup.”

Deputy Director Qin looked at Dong Xuebing. “This is...”

“He is Xiao Dong.” Han Jing paused for a second. “One of my juniors.”

“Director Qin.” Dong Xuebing greeted Deputy Director Qin, and Deputy Director Qin knew Dong Xuebing’s status. If the person accompanying Mdm. Han is sent by Party Secretary Xie, Mdm. Han will not introduce him like this. This Xiao Dong must be close to the Xie family.

Han Jing said. “Xiao Dong, my checkup should be around 1 to 2 hours. You can wait for me downstairs.”

“Ok. I will wait in the lobby. Call me if you need me.” Dong Xuebing knows he should not be around when Han Jing to go through her checks.

Level Lobby.

The lobby is filled with people queuing up to see doctors and getting medicines. It was so crowded that there were no empty seats. Dong Xuebing could not find a place to sit, and he walked out to the hospital’s entrance to have a smoke. The healthcare system in Beijing is like that. The neighborhood clinics and smaller hospitals were almost empty, but all triple-A hospitals are packed. Once, Dong Xuebing’s mother had some eye problems and he went to Tong Ren hospital at 5 am to get a queue number, but he could not get any queue number to see an eye specialist. He asked the people at the front of the queue and found out they had started queuing at 3 am! Tong Ren Hospital is considered not very crowded compared to other hospitals like Fu Wai Hospital. Patients must begin queuing up one day before to meet a Cardiovascular specialist!

305 Hospital is also like this. Most people will not get to meet specialists or heads of departments.

“Eh, Chief Dong?”

Dong Xuebing heard someone calling him and turns around. “Chief Liang?”

Standing behind Dong Xuebing was Yan Tai County’s Public Security Bureau Chief Liang Chengpeng and his wife. “Why are you here?”

Dong Xuebing quickly threw his cigarette away. “I accompanied someone to see the doctor. What about you?”

Liang Chengpeng looks very tired and frustrated. He sighed and said. “I accompanied my mother here to see the doctor. Last night, my mother suddenly felt pains in her chest, and I brought her to the People’s Hospital for checks. Her Cardiac enzyme levels had shot up and the doctors quickly did a scan and found out her arteries were blocked and the blockage between two main arteries. It is a complicated procedure and the risk is too high. The medical standard at our county is not high and the doctors there dare not do this operation. They were not confident, and I had to rush here at night.

“Blocked arteries?” Dong Xuebing asked. “How is she now?”

Chief Liang’s wife sighed. “We heard 305 Hospital is good at Cardiovascular interventional surgery, and we came here. But who knows, the doctors here also dare not operate on her because of her age and the location of the blockage.”

Dong Xuebing frowned. “But the operation should still be done. This is very dangerous and cannot be delayed.

Liang Chengpeng’s wife said. “That’s right. But the doctor says the success rate is not high and there is a 60% chance the patient might... He told us to be prepared.” After saying this, her eyes turn red. Liang Chengpeng’s mother is a kind lady and is good to her daughter-in-law.

Dong Xuebing asked. “Then...”

Liang Chengpeng rubbed his face in frustration. “My mother is still in the ICU. We still have not decided whether if we should do this operation.”

Liang Chengpeng’s wife said. “Old Liang says we should seek a second opinion at another hospital, but... but she is in pain and who knows how long she can last. If we go to another hospital, I’m afraid...”

Liang Chengpeng did not continue to chat with Dong Xuebing and start calling his friends in Beijing to ask if there are better hospitals. But the replies he got were 305 Hospital had the best success rate for such surgery. If even 305 Hospital thinks the success rate is not high, it will be the same for other hospitals. The only solution is to get the specialist to conduct the surgery personally. But Liang Chengpeng is only a County’s Bureau Chief. He is not even on the Standing Committee and is a nobody in Beijing. The hospitals in Beijing will not give him any special treatment, let alone a military hospital.

Ring, ring, ring... Liang Chengpeng’s wife’s phone rang.

She answered the phone, and her face immediately turns pale. “Old Liang! Go upstairs now! Mum cannot hold out any longer!”

Liang Chengpeng panicked and ran upstairs with his wife. Dong Xuebing also followed.

Liang Chengpeng’s mother had been pushed into the operating room. She is in critical condition.

The doctor stood outside the operating room told Liang Chengpeng and his wife. “Myocardial infarction cannot be delayed. The patient is suffering from another heart attack and is in critical condition. Maybe as we are speaking now, she might be gone. Have you decided if you want the patient to undergo surgery?”

Liang Chengpeng’s wife cried. “Doctor, you must save my mother!”

The doctor replied. “I can only do my best.”

Liang Chengpeng walked up and down anxiously, and suddenly, he told the doctor. “Go ahead with the surgery!”

The doctor said. “We will start preparations for the operation. We had given you the bill. Go and make payments now.”

Dong Xuebing looked at Chief Liang and his wife’s sad expression and quietly walked out to call Han Jing. Mdm. The phone rang for a while before Han Jing answered. “Hello, Aunty, one of my friend’s mother, is suffering from Myocardial infarction and needs to undergo surgery at 305 Hospital. It is an emergency and the old lady cannot last any longer. Can you...”

Han Jing paused for a second. “Where are they now?”

“At the operating room. The surgery is about to start, but the doctor says the chances are low.”

“Don’t panic and wait there for me. I will make the arrangements.”

After a while, Liang Chengpeng made payments for the operation and ran upstairs to pass the receipt to the doctor.

Suddenly, there were loud footsteps, and Deputy Director Qin appeared in a white surgeon gown.

The doctor was stunned. “Director Qin!”

Deputy Director Qin ignored the doctor and turn to Dong Xuebing. “Where is the patient?”

Dong Xuebing replied. “She is in the operating room.”

Deputy Director Qin told the young doctor. “Get Chief Liu and Chief Cheng over now. I will do the operation personally!”

The young doctor was shocked. “... Yes.”

Before Liang Chengpeng and his wife could understand what was going on, Deputy Director Qin entered the operating room with the young doctor. Liang Chengpeng looked at Dong Xuebing in shock. “Chief Dong, what...”

Dong Xuebing replied. “Director Qin is a specialist in this field. With him conducting the operation personally, your mother should be fine.”

After a while, Chief Liu and Chief Cheng ran into the operating room.

After they entered, the young doctor came out of the operating room. “Director Qin asked me to tell you that he had read the patient’s report and scans. He says the success rate is above 90%, and you all don’t need to be worried.”

Dong Xuebing was relieved. “Thank you.”

Liang Chengpeng and his wife knew it was Chief Dong who used his connections to help them. The success rate had increased from less than 40% to 90%? Liang Chengpeng’s wife was grateful beyond words. She held Dong Xuebing’s hands. “Thank you, Xiao Dong. Thank you so much.”

Liang Chengpeng looked at Dong Xuebing gratefully. “Chief Dong, thank you.”

A specialist conducting the operation and the specialist is still the hospital’s Deputy Director!

Liang Chengpeng’s wife might not know what this means, but Liang Chengpeng knew very well.

Maybe only the Provincial’s Party Committee Secretary or government officials equivalent to the rank of a Provincial Governor will get this treatment.