(Recommendation Tickets requested!)
The next day, afternoon.
Sweating profusely, Dong Xuebin returned to the Family Compound from the County Public Security Bureau beneath the blazing sun.
"Oh, Director Dong, you're back?"
"Yeah, I got two days off."
"I heard you received Second-Class Merit. Congratulations."
"Heh, thanks."
Along the way, quite a few family members from the Public Security Bureau warmly greeted Dong Xuebin.
The apartment was stifling, like stepping into a steam room. The moment he got home, Dong Xuebin grabbed the remote and turned on the air conditioner, setting it to twenty-two degrees. Then he took an ice-cold canned beer from the fridge and gulped it down before finally cooling off a little. Sitting on the sofa with one leg crossed over the other, Dong Xuebin pulled a newspaper from his bag. The photograph on it showed him, covered in blood, shaking hands with the old lady at Nanliu Elementary School yesterday, surrounded by applauding police officers and civilians. It looked quite imposing.
This was the third page of the Provincial Newspaper, positioned prominently. It described how the County Party Secretary, County Chief, and Public Security Bureau leaders had directed matters so correctly, while saying little about Dong Xuebin's personal deeds. In short, it covered the general picture. There was another newspaper in his bag, the County Newspaper. Its report was the front-page headline, taking up half a full page and detailing how bravely and fearlessly Dong Xuebin had stepped forward and how he had rescued all the hostages.
Dong Xuebin set down the newspaper with satisfaction and took another gulp of beer.
He had saved people, earned a reputation, and gained political achievements. Nothing could be better than that.
That morning, the bureau had held a commendation ceremony for Dong Xuebin. Not only had County Leaders in charge