Just before eight in the morning.
Geng Yuehua's home, bedroom.
District Governor Yuehua's voice came through the landline on the table. "Dong Xuebin? What is it?"
"What do you mean, what is it?" Mother Geng frowned. "Your brother was sent to Party School because of him, and he made you lose face too. But Xin Ke called me this morning. From what he said, you danced with Dong Xuebin at the district committee ball last night?"
"That's all?"
"That's all. Why did you have to pay any attention to him?"
"I have my reasons. Don't interfere in matters at work. I'll handle it myself!"
"I'm just reminding you. That kid Dong Xuebin is too young and hotheaded, with no sense of propriety at all. Deal with him less in the future. Find an opportunity and transfer him out. The Political Consultative Conference, the People's Congress—wouldn't either one do? Every time I see that kid in the residential compound, I get furious. Did your brother provoke him or something? Who handles things the way Dong Xuebin does? It's outrageous!"
"All right, I know."
"It's good that you know. Mom knows you have good judgment, so I won't say any more."
"Mm, then that's it."
"That's it. Get back to work, and don't wear yourself out."
"...Mm."
Click. Mother Geng hung up in the bedroom, got to her feet, and left the room.
Curled up beneath the bed, Dong Xuebin gave a bitter smile. Well, Mother Geng had been badmouthing him. He had really offended the entire Geng family.
A moment later, he heard the sound of a door opening and closing outside.
Seeing that Mother Geng had left, Dong Xuebin hurriedly crawled out from under the bed. Covered in dust, he patted himself off with a helpless smile, gathered his clothes,