Afternoon.
The wedding banquet had ended.
Everyone gradually left the hotel, some going back to work overtime, others heading home. Dong Xuebin, however, did not leave. Instead, he waved Yao Cui over.
"County Chief Dong."
"How much do people usually give as wedding gifts around here?"
"Uh, County Leaders usually give theirs in advance."
"I was away on a business trip a few days ago, so I should make up Secretary Pu's gift now. How much would be appropriate?"
"Our county's economic level isn't high. Usually, people give a few hundred. For you... how about a thousand?"
"Fine, then a thousand. I just got back and haven't bought any red envelopes. Help me find one?"
"All right, I'll go ask. What about Deputy Secretary Zhang's side? Should I... get a few red envelopes?"
"One is enough." Dong Xuebin was still holding a grudge. Give Zhang Wanshui's family a red envelope? Like hell.
Yao Cui gave a bitter smile. Officials, especially officials at Dong Xuebin's level, generally believed in leaving some room for maneuver. He could afford a four-million-yuan luxury car and cigarettes that cost several hundred yuan a carton, so he clearly did not care about a thousand-yuan wedding gift. Giving one would not have mattered. Yet Dong Xuebin seemed to have no intention of leaving any room at all. Yao Cui wanted to say something, but with so many people around, she remained silent and simply nodded before carrying out his instructions. Even between old classmates with a close relationship, many things still needed to be handled carefully. Yao Cui understood that. As his secretary, she only needed to carry out her leader's decisions.
The red envelope arrived.
Dong Xuebin immediately stuffed a thousand yuan in new bills into it, then looked over at Pu Tao, who was talking