Visiting the Secretary's Home

Evening.

County Party Committee Family Compound.

Inside Dong Xuebin's dormitory.

The place was huge—a two-story duplex on the top floor. Including the guest room, it had three bedrooms and two bathrooms, one upstairs and one downstairs. The second floor even had a small open-air terrace. In short, it was spacious and bright. Dong Xuebin had his own villa and a Courtyard House, but after all his years of work, he had never received this level of accommodation in a Family Compound. This time, he got to experience it. He could not say he was overjoyed, since he had lived in even better places, but he was quite satisfied. As a newcomer, it would not have been appropriate for him to buy a house here right away. If the environment had been worse, he would have had to make do, but now that did not seem necessary. Dong Xuebin was very content with his current living conditions.

A duplex.

The appliances were all there.

The quilts, mattresses, and pillows were all brand-new.

Even the refrigerator was packed full of all kinds of vegetables and meat.

Dong Xuebin had been about to cook. After opening the refrigerator and taking a look, he nodded slightly. He was not someone who craved luxury, but this treatment was also recognition of his achievements over the years. He had reached this point through his own efforts. Sometimes, what people sought was simply recognition of their social worth. He did not know about others, but for him, it made him feel that he had not lived in vain, that all those years of exhausting work had not been wasted. That was the motivation that kept Dong Xuebin fighting and striving onward.

He cracked some eggs.

He sliced some tomatoes.

Dong Xuebin cooked himself a bowl of tomato noodles and carried it upstairs. Not caring whether it was cold outside, he took the bowl straight onto the terrace and sat in a bamboo lounge chair. The chair creaked beneath him. Turning his head, Dong Xuebin looked out over the county town's nightscape as he ate.

After dinner.

His phone kept ringing. Dong Xuebin answered several calls—some were about work, while others invited him out for meals—but he turned them all down. He did not want to see anyone today. It was not out of work or political considerations, but simply because of his mood. He wanted one quiet day. Whatever it was could be handled tomorrow. One day would not matter. So Dong Xuebin put on his coat and headed downstairs. He wanted to take a more direct look at Jiaolin County, to blend himself into the city and gain at least a little sense of belonging.

Five minutes...

Ten minutes...

Half an hour...

Dong Xuebin wandered around without even knowing where he had gone. He only felt that the area was becoming more and more remote. A street sign read Hengchang Road.

Hengchang Road?

That sounded familiar.

Dong Xuebin had some recollection of it. He remembered seeing it when he had looked through Su Yan's file today. It seemed that this was the address of his new secretary's home. Looking around, Dong Xuebin no longer recognized the way back. There were no taxis in sight, and he could not be bothered to call his driver. He had just sent him home that afternoon, so it would not be appropriate to call Xiao Wang out again now. Maybe the man was having dinner.

Dong Xuebin called Meng Hanmei, Director of the County Party Committee Office.

She answered with a smile. "Hello, Secretary."

Dong Xuebin said, "What is Su Yan's home address? Tell me."

"Ah? Secretary Su's? Please wait a moment. I'll text it to you right away." Meng Hanmei did not ask further. As long as she properly handled what the leader instructed, that was enough.

Dong Xuebin smiled. "All right, thanks, Big Sister Meng."

A moment later, an address came through. Sure enough, it was on Hengchang Road, Courtyard No. 37.

Dong Xuebin did not notify Su Yan. He was only taking a walk, so there was no need to make it formal. After finding Su Yan's residential compound, he went inside.

Meanwhile.

Inside one of the homes in the compound.

Ding-dong, ding-dong. Su Yan rang the doorbell.

The door opened. An elderly mother with quite a bit of white hair stood behind it, frowning as she complained, "Why are you getting home so late? What time is it?"

Su Yan smiled and raised the bag in his hand. It was full of books. "I went to buy books."

Su's Mom said unhappily, "Even then, you should have called home. You did not say a word, and we were waiting for you to eat. The dishes have all gone cold."

Su Yan swallowed and squeezed into the house. "I'm starving."

Su's Dad was still eating in the living room. He turned around and looked at him. "You're back?"

"I'm back, Dad." Su Yan set down the books, looking to be in an excellent mood.

Su's Mom nudged him. "All right, wash your hands and hurry up to eat. I'll heat the food again."

Su Yan said, "Mom, heat it later. I left in a rush this morning and didn't even shower. I feel awful all over, and after running around all day, I need to take a shower first. Heh."

Su's Mom looked at him. "What are you grinning like an idiot for? Did something good happen?"

Su's Dad said from the side, "He beat someone up not long ago. What good thing could happen to him?"

At work, Su Yan had not shown anything, because he knew that acting too pleased before things were finalized might make the leaders dislike him and consider him immature. But that did not matter at home. The matter had not yet produced an official result, but it was already settled. There was nothing he could not tell his family. Su Yan could not hold it in any longer. He was bursting with excitement.

"Dad, Mom, I need to tell you something." Su Yan sat down solemnly on the sofa, then cleared his throat. "Well, my position is about to change."

Su's Mom was startled. "You got removed from your post?"

Su's Dad's face sank as well. "You got sent away?"

Su Yan did not know whether to laugh or cry. "What are you talking about?"

"You've never been liked by your leaders. If you weren't being sent away, could you possibly be getting promoted?" Su's Mom did not quite believe him.

Su Yan smiled. "I really am being promoted. The leader has already spoken with me. It'll happen in the next day or two. Um, I'll be deputy director of the County Party Committee Office."

Su's Mom was dumbfounded. "Huh? Really?"

Su Yan said, "Of course it's true. Why would I lie to you about that?"

Su's Dad was excited too. "Oh, that's wonderful! Does this count as becoming a cadre? Deputy section level? Good! Great! My son has finally made something of himself!"

Su Yan interrupted, "Ahem, I haven't finished. The deputy director position at the County Party Committee Office is just a title. I won't actually be taking up that post."

Su's Dad did not understand. "Huh? Then where are you going?"

Su Yan's tone carried pride. "You know the new County Party Secretary, right? Ahem, Secretary Dong personally named me to be his secretary."

"Huh? His secretary?"

"The County Party Secretary's secretary?"

Su's Dad and Su's Mom were both utterly stunned!

Su's Dad had once worked at a state-owned enterprise. Though he was retired now, there was no way he did not know a thing or two about the government system. Naturally, he understood the weight carried by a county party secretary's secretary. That was the county's First Secretary. Sometimes, a single word from him could carry more weight than a deputy county chief's. But precisely because he understood this, Su's Dad found it even harder to believe. "Impossible. How could something this good fall into your lap? Didn't the County Party Secretary just take office? Why did he take a liking to you? Your record isn't even impressive."

Su Yan said somewhat awkwardly, "There was something I hadn't told you. When I beat up that Black Car Driver, Secretary Dong was actually in the car too, sitting right next to me. So we had already spoken days ago, but I didn't know then that he was the County Party Secretary, and... after I found out, I was scared out of my wits. I've been on edge these past few days. Who would've thought Secretary Dong would actually name me to be his secretary? I never expected it either."

Su's Dad was still uneasy. "It's already settled?"

Su Yan gave an affirmative hum. "Secretary Dong and Director Meng both spoke with me. It's settled. Tomorrow, I won't be going back to the Secretarial Section. I've packed everything up. Tomorrow, I'll report directly to Secretary Dong."

Su's Mom immediately slapped her thigh and burst out laughing. "Good! Good! Our son has really made something of himself this time! First Secretary—how incredible is that? Oh, I just remembered. When I came back from buying groceries this afternoon, Lao Liu's wife and Old Han's wife suddenly greeted me so warmly. They were even worried I could not carry the groceries and wanted to help me take them upstairs. They were never this enthusiastic before, and they were never particularly close with our family. I was wondering about it earlier. So they must have heard some news. This is all thanks to my son!"

Thinking it over, Su's Dad said helplessly, "I got calls from two old colleagues just now too. We haven't been in touch for seven or eight years. No wonder."

Su's Mom said, "If they all know, then it really is settled."

Su Yan gave a bitter smile. "Secretary Dong said it himself. How could it be wrong?"

Su's Mom was so excited that she immediately said, "No, no, forget this meal. It's all vegetarian dishes. Mom will make you a proper feast to celebrate!"

Su Yan waved his hand. "Don't, don't. What a waste. This is fine. Anyway, enough talking. I'll shower first. My hair is itching like crazy."

Beaming, Su's Mom said, "Go on, son." As she spoke, she even patted his butt. "You're such a good son. Didn't I say my son was bound to make something of himself? Look, look! Heh. Those leaders who didn't favor you before just had no eye for talent. See? Leaders from the Capital City are different, aren't they? What vision! He recognized my son's ability at a glance. Xiao Yan, work hard from now on."

Su Yan shut the bathroom door. "I know, I know."

Su's Dad said with a laugh, "Look how happy this old woman is."

Su's Mom rolled her eyes. "My son has shot straight to the top. Can't I be happy? Oh, right, should we invite the County Party Secretary to dinner? Uh, forget it. With his status, we couldn't possibly invite him." After muttering to herself for a while, Su's Mom remembered something else and suddenly smiled smugly. "Hmph, hurry up and eat. Remember to heat up the food after our son finishes bathing. I'm going to call a few relatives and tell them the good news. Oh, and that Lao Zhang family whose daughter went on a blind date with our son last time. Their daughter looked down on our Xiao Yan? Said he had no future? Those blind fools! Just wait! I'll make them choke with anger over the phone!"

Su's Dad said, "Harmony is precious. Don't make trouble."

Su's Mom said, "Their daughter pointed at our son's nose and lectured him. To hell with harmony!"