Birthday Banquet!

One day...

Two days...

Three days...

In the blink of an eye, a week had passed. That week, the Investment Bureau's work proceeded in an orderly manner. Thanks to the efforts of every department, letters of investment intent began piling up in Dong Xuebin's office. A letter of intent was not a formal contract, only a plan, but it was not far from becoming one. In response, Dong Xuebin held another full bureau meeting, calling back the top leaders of the external investment offices as well. He affirmed everyone's achievements and assigned task after task, demanding that the letters of intent be turned into signed projects as soon as possible.

Friday afternoon.

County Party Committee Family Compound.

Dong Xuebin was exhausted after returning home from work. The moment he entered, he collapsed onto the sofa, ready to doze off. Though he was a little hungry, he had neither the mood nor the strength to cook.

Ring Ring Ring. His phone rang. It was Xie Huilan's number.

Dong Xuebin answered listlessly. "Huilan..."

"Hehe, why do you sound so weak? Have you been worn out these past few days?"

"Yeah. I've been running around on projects nonstop, going out to the countryside and into villages. Don't even mention it."

Xie Huilan chuckled. "My Xiao Bin has worked hard. How about this—come over to my place."

"Uh, is something up?" Even though it was Sister Xie inviting him, Dong Xuebin truly did not want to move. He just wanted to lie down and sleep. Besides, the next two days were days off.

"Come over, okay?"

"...All right. I'll take a shower first."

Forcing himself off the sofa, Dong Xuebin yawned and reluctantly went into the bathroom. He stripped off his clothes and took a hot shower, washing away the dust he had picked up during that day's grassroots inspection. After drying his hair and changing into clean clothes, he headed downstairs while rubbing his forehead. After glancing left and right, he slipped into the neighboring building, took the elevator up, and sleepily made his way to Sister Xie's door.

Ding-dong, ding-dong, ding-dong.

The door opened. Xie Huilan, dressed in a women's suit, stood behind it with a smile curling at her lips.

"Xie—" Before he could say "Sister," Dong Xuebin suddenly noticed there was someone else in the living room.

It was Cheng Keliang, the Deputy County Chief in charge of science and education! The guy who was supposedly pursuing Huilan lately!

Seeing Dong Xuebin, Cheng Keliang was slightly taken aback as well, but he did not stand. He remained seated as steadily as a mountain, drinking tea. Dong Xuebin's rank was not high enough.

Dong Xuebin immediately changed his words. "County Chief Xie, I came to report some work to you, um..."

Xie Huilan smiled and stepped aside. "Little Dong, come in. No need to change your shoes."

Dong Xuebin knew that if County Chief Cheng had already been there when Xie Huilan called him, she definitely would have mentioned it. In other words, Cheng Keliang had just arrived. Dong Xuebin had spent quite a while showering, so it looked like the guy had probably been there for ten minutes. This bastard had some nerve. He even dared set his sights on Huilan? And he had the gall to come shamelessly to Sister Xie's home? What the hell were you trying to do?

"County Chief Cheng, you're here too?" Dong Xuebin greeted him with a fake smile.

Cheng Keliang nodded formally but said nothing. In truth, he was somewhat displeased. His rank was what it was. Dong Xuebin, you saw I was here and still came inside? What did you mean by that? At a time like this, you should have found an excuse and said you would come another day. Yet here you were, barging right in without a hint of courtesy? You really didn't take me seriously, did you? Did you think you could act so arrogantly just because you had gotten close to County Chief Xie?

Little did he know that Dong Xuebin found him utterly irritating too.

After entering, Dong Xuebin still had not regained his energy. He rubbed his sleepy eyes and casually chatted with Xie Huilan about the state of Investment Promotion.

Xie Huilan nodded slightly and listened attentively. "Good. The work is progressing quite well."

They talked for over ten minutes, leaving Cheng Keliang completely out in the cold.

Dong Xuebin had always been thin-skinned around women, but under these circumstances, his skin was thicker than a wall. He chattered on endlessly, showing no intention of leaving, as though he could keep talking until the next morning.

Cheng Keliang frowned at the sight. Finally, unable to take it any longer, he happened to receive a call and used it as an excuse. "County Chief Huilan, I'll head back first. There's something going on at the Education Bureau."

Xie Huilan turned her head and smiled. "All right, shall I see you out?"

"Oh, no need. You haven't eaten yet, have you? I won't disturb your dinner."

The door closed, and Cheng Keliang left.

Dong Xuebin snorted. "Why did he come?"

"To discuss some work with me."

Dong Xuebin thought, Discuss what work? That guy was definitely up to no good.

Xie Huilan was as beautiful as ever. Her bewitching eyes narrowed ever so slightly, making her simply irresistible. But as the saying went, desire followed a full belly and warm body. Dong Xuebin was hungry and exhausted now, so he truly had no mood to admire Sister Xie's lovely face. His gaze immediately fell on the bed in the open bedroom. At the moment, he found the bed more attractive than Sister Xie. All he wanted was a good sleep.

Hm? What was that smell?

Dong Xuebin blinked and sniffed. His gaze fell on the kitchen, and he froze. Three or four steaming dishes had already been laid out on the counter, and the rice was cooked too.

This was...

Xie Huilan looked at him with a smile. "I happened to look down from upstairs earlier and saw your car come back. The lights in your place weren't on either, so I knew you definitely hadn't cooked. Here, eat. I've been busy these past few weeks too and haven't eaten at home. Today, I finally got back early, so I made a few extra dishes." With Cheng Keliang gone, Xie Huilan went into the kitchen and brought out the dishes. She also served two bowls of rice and took out chopsticks.

Dong Xuebin was stunned. "You've been watching for me from upstairs?"

Xie Huilan smiled sweetly. "I just happened to glance over and saw you coming back, hehe."

His heart warmed, and Dong Xuebin immediately perked up. She just happened to see him with one glance? What were the odds? No wonder his phone had rung the moment he got home. So Huilan had been waiting by the window, watching downstairs for his car to return. Xie Huilan was the County Chief, burdened with countless responsibilities, and even busier than he was. Yet after getting home from work, she had waited by the window for him and made him such a lavish dinner. The feeling moved Dong Xuebin so much that all his drowsiness vanished, replaced by a swelling sense of contentment. "These dishes... you made them all?"

Xie Huilan smiled. "My cooking isn't very good. Just make do with it."

Dong Xuebin picked up his chopsticks and sat down. He wolfed down two bites. The taste truly was only average; Sister Xie had no real talent for cooking. Yet Dong Xuebin ate with great relish, mumbling through his food, "Delicious... mm... smells great."

Xie Huilan also sat down elegantly and picked up her chopsticks with him. "Eat more. If you're ever too tired to cook, call me beforehand and I'll make something for you. Hehe, if you don't like your Sister Xie's cooking, then we young couple can order some takeout instead. Just don't skip meals. No work is more important than eating. If you wear your body down, I'll be heartbroken too, won't I?"

"Mm." Dong Xuebin was so blissfully happy that words could not describe it.

After dinner.

Dong Xuebin was feeling stirred up. He boldly wrapped an arm around Xie Huilan on the sofa. "So... can I sleep in your room tonight?"

Xie Huilan smiled faintly. "You brat, are you taking the chance to cop a feel again? Hehe, once you make deputy division chief, you can sleep with your Sister Xie however you want. But right now, do you think that's appropriate? Hmm?"

Dong Xuebin settled for the next best thing. "I'm sleepy. Ahem, then let me sleep on your lap for a while. That's okay, right?"

Xie Huilan gave a soft "Mm" and smiled. "That's fine. Hehe, do you need me to get you a pillow?"

"No need. Your lap is more comfortable than a pillow."

"...Is that so?"

"Mm."

"Then suit yourself. But your Sister Xie still has some documents to finish. If I wake you up later, I'm not taking responsibility, understood?"

"It's fine. You could even use my head as a desk to write on. Mm, I'm going to sleep. I'm exhausted."

Unable to wait any longer, Dong Xuebin rolled over and lay down, resting his head against her taut thighs. Soft—so springy, too. Her thighs carried the fragrance of a mature woman, and Dong Xuebin's heart swayed. He closed his eyes and adjusted himself, hooking one arm around Huilan's waist. His palm faintly felt the outline of underwear beneath her thin suit pants; the edge of the panties curled in little loops, seeming to be lace trim.

His scalp itched as a woman's small hand slipped into his hair, idly playing with it.

Dong Xuebin's head was rather sensitive; being touched like that made him sleepy. Before long, he drifted off into dreams.

Half an hour...

An hour...

He had no idea how long had passed when he heard Huilan seemingly talking on the phone beside him.

"Tomorrow I'm going out to the countryside... Mm, there's a meeting in the city the day after tomorrow, so I might not be able to come back... Hehe, you can't blame me for that. Let me wish you a happy birthday in advance... Mm, Little Dong? He's sleeping on my lap. He's been worn out these past few days... Oh, I think he's awake. Should I let him speak to you?" She nudged Dong Xuebin's shoulder and placed the phone in his hand. "My mom wants to talk to you. It's her birthday the day after tomorrow, and she's asking whether you're going."

Dong Xuebin hurriedly took the phone, rubbing his eyes awake. "Aunt, this is Little Dong."

Han Jing's kind voice came through. "Xiao Bin, Sunday is Aunt's fifty-fifth birthday. Huilan is busy with work and can't make it back. Do you have time? Aunt is formally inviting you."

"Oh, of course I have to come for your birthday. Sure, sure. I'll bring a birthday gift and come wish you a happy birthday on Sunday."

"What birthday gift? No need. We're family; there's no need for all those formalities. Just having you there is enough, hehe..."

Dong Xuebin had been fairly busy lately, but since Xie Huilan could not go, he had to go no matter what. He would be attending on Sister Xie's behalf.

After hanging up, Dong Xuebin asked, "What kind of gift do you think I should give Aunt?"

Xie Huilan put away her phone and held his head, letting him continue lying on her lap. Smiling, she said, "It's not a milestone Birthday Banquet. It should just be a casual meal with a few Relatives from our family, no outsiders. The gift doesn't need to be anything extravagant. How about this—I'll buy it. It'll be from both of us, and you can take it to my mom then."

Dong Xuebin shook his head. "How would you have the time? I'd better buy it. I'll go back to Beijing tomorrow to prepare."

"Mm, that works."