The next day.
9:00 a.m.
After breakfast, Dong Xuebin reached out and opened the living room window, letting the chilly autumn breeze blow into the room. He had spent all of yesterday taking care of everything he needed to handle: reporting in to Director Liang, filling out the follow-up materials for the First Class Merit incident, having dinner with several colleagues he was close to, checking in with Mom, calling his second aunt Tang Jin and his grandmother to let them know he was safe, and calling Cao Xupeng and the other County Leaders to thank them for their concern. That evening, Deputy Captain Feng had someone deliver the keys to the Mercedes Business. The car had been repaired as well.
The only person he had not had time to contact was Xie Huilan.
So Dong Xuebin planned to spend the entire day with Sister Xie. Crossing one leg over the other as he sat on the sofa, he pulled out his phone and dialed Xie Huilan's number. Beep, beep, beep. The first call was busy and did not go through. He waited ten minutes before calling again, and this time the call connected.
"Hello." Xie Huilan's voice was faint on the other end.
Dong Xuebin smiled. "Sister Xie, I'm back."
There was a pause. "...Mm."
"Uh, it's been two months already. You're still mad?"
"Mad? Heh. I'm in a very good mood right now. I've never felt better."
Dong Xuebin sensed something off in Sister Xie's tone. It made his scalp prickle, and he could not help coughing. "Didn't I apologize already? I promise I won't be reckless again. I'll definitely take good care of myself from now on. Um, are you at home now? If you're not busy, should I come see you? If there aren't any groceries