Afternoon.
It was past four.
At the Municipal Party Committee Family Compound, Dong Xuebin drove back in. Looking at the long-familiar neighborhood and surrounding buildings, even the old poplars by the roadside looked especially pleasing. He had been born and raised in the Capital City, but during the two or three years since he started working, he had spent almost all his time living in Fenzhou City. People were not plants or trees—how could they be without feelings? Dong Xuebin had developed a special attachment to this place. He liked its streets, its trees, and its people. Since there was no rush to eat, he drove slowly, looking around as he went.
Nothing had changed.
It was still exactly as it had been when he left.
After parking downstairs, Dong Xuebin carried his bags upstairs. Knock, knock, knock. He knocked on his own door, too lazy to take out his keys.
The door opened.
Mom came out.
"Why did you get back so late?"
"Well, something happened on the highway."
"I know. Hui Lan called me. Oh my, why are you covered in blood?"
"I was saving people. It got on me—it's not mine."
"Get inside and change. Where's Hui Lan?"
"She went to the hospital. Transportation and health both fall under her responsibility, so she'll definitely be busy for a while."
"She's not coming back for dinner?"
"She said she'd be back by dinner tonight."
"Your wife's due date is coming up, and you still let her run around like that. Honestly."
"It was an emergency. Besides, you know what she's like. Would she listen even if I told her not to?"
"As long as you weren't hurt. When I heard there'd been a car accident, it scared the life out of me."
"Oh, right. Find somewhere to put