That afternoon.
Dong Xuebin's phone kept ringing.
"Old leader, it's Liu Dahai." Liu Dahai, chief of Huitian Township Police Station in Yantai County, said, "I heard you're getting promoted. Congratulations."
"Who said I'm getting promoted? I'm just going to the Party School for further study."
"Then you'll definitely move up a level when you come back. And it's the Central Party School."
"Your news travels pretty fast. I only found out myself not long ago."
"Will you be coming back to Yantai County before you leave? If not, we'll come over. A few old colleagues said they wanted to treat you to dinner and had me call you. You have to give us this honor."
"Heh, all right. Tomorrow, then. I'll go back tomorrow and treat you all to dinner."
"No way, we agreed that we'd treat you."
After hanging up, several more colleagues and officials called. Without exception, they all wanted to treat Dong Xuebin to dinner. Ever since offending Wang Anshi, Dong Xuebin had gone far too long without attending official social functions. Now they had all come at once, leaving him somewhat helpless. Still, he could not refuse this courtesy. He turned down what he could, but had no choice but to attend the invitations he could not decline.
For instance, that evening, seven or eight officials from the Guangming Street Office practically dragged Dong Xuebin to a private room at a restaurant. They ordered plenty of dishes and alcohol as well.
Geng Xinke raised his glass. "Director, congratulations first of all."
"Director, let me toast you too."
"Let's all toast Director Dong first."
"Congratulations on your promotion."
For a moment, everyone raised their glasses and clinked them with Dong Xuebin's.
Unable to refuse their warm hospitality, Dong Xuebin could only drink with them cup after cup.