A week later.
It was New Year's Eve.
Dong Xuebin still arrived at work early. There was practically no one left in the compound, even fewer than in previous days. Only a scattered twenty-odd people remained to pull the final shift. Today essentially counted as a holiday, but there were still a few final matters to handle. Once those were dealt with, everyone could go home at noon for the New Year's meal. The people who had come to work all wore distracted expressions; their hearts were nowhere near the office and had long since flown home. Dong Xuebin was the only exception. He did not particularly care.
"Director Dong."
"Happy New Year."
"Happy New Year, Director Dong."
Whenever they ran into each other, they exchanged greetings.
Dong Xuebin also wished them a happy New Year. "Happy New Year."
Among the Civil Servants who had come in today, Dong Xuebin was probably the highest-ranking official. Along the way, several people from other departments asked him about work and sought his approval on when they could go home. Dong Xuebin made the call and told them that once they cleaned their offices and organized their documents, they could leave. That was what he intended to do himself as well. He still had to go home for lunch at noon.
Second Office.
Office.
People came and went, organizing documents.
Dong Xuebin quickly finished up. Looking at the time, it was already ten o'clock.
Just then, Xie Huilan's call came through on his phone. Ring, ring, ring.
Dong Xuebin answered. "Hello, Huilan. When are you coming back? Everyone's waiting for you."
"Hehe, probably not today." Xie Huilan smiled. "Things here still haven't been dealt with. And there's a social engagement I can't get out of. I'll have some things to do on