The living room.
Several people watched the Spring Festival Gala.
Several people chatted.
A few others made dumplings.
At around nine o'clock, Xia Yanzhen and Ci Lifen both went off to do other things. The housekeepers had all left, and there was still plenty to do around the house. Only Han Jing and Dong Xuebin were left making dumplings. There were quite a few people in the Xie Family, more than ten in all, so they naturally needed a huge number of dumplings. Dong Xuebin switched seats and sat on the other side of his mother-in-law, using a rolling pin to roll out wrappers. He was not particularly good at making dumplings—not that he could not do it, but they did not look very nice. One out of every ten would even split open as soon as it hit the pot. But he had no problem rolling wrappers. Even if they were not perfectly round, Han Jing could turn them into beautiful dumplings with her deft hands. It did not matter what kind of wrapper she got; the old woman was very skilled.
Only the two of them remained in the small dining room.
Dong Xuebin blinked and looked at Han Jing, lowering his voice. "Mom."
"What is it?" Han Jing looked at him and laughed. "Why are you talking like you've got something stuck in your throat?"
"Cough, cough." Dong Xuebin coughed. "There's something I want to ask, but I don't know how to put it."
"Why so mysterious?" Han Jing said as she made dumplings. "Just say it if you have something to say."
Dong Xuebin hesitated, then whispered, "Well, do you think I have any chance of reaching Deputy Department Level within half a year?"
"Deputy Department Level?" Han Jing was speechless.
She spoke a little loudly,