At 4:30 in the afternoon, before getting off work, Dong Xuebin took a taxi back to the Investment Bureau Compound.
On the way, calls from friends and colleagues came in one after another. Some asked about the case, but more were concerned about the news spreading through the county that Xie Huilan and Dong Xuebin were getting married. Liu Dahai from Huitian Township Police Station opened with, "Is it true?" Su Jia, who was hosting a cadre exchange at Xinhua News Agency in Beijing, also said with a giggle, "Xuebin, you're really something." And so on. There was no hiding it now, so Dong Xuebin could only admit it honestly and confirm that the news was true.
Once the taxi stopped, Dong Xuebin paid the fare, got out, and entered the Investment Bureau.
At that moment, several people from the Business Section who had just returned from errands all looked toward Dong Xuebin in unison, surprise in their eyes.
"Director."
"Director Dong."
Clearly, everyone had heard about it.
Dong Xuebin nodded to them and went straight upstairs to his office. But the moment he entered, before he could even pull out a cigarette and take a puff, someone knocked on the door.
Dong Xuebin smiled. "I was just about to send for you. Perfect timing."
Luo Haiting gave a bitter smile. "Director, I heard..."
"No need to hear anything." Dong Xuebin smiled helplessly. He had already said these words countless times today. "It's true. Any other questions? Ask them all at once." Seeing her draw in a breath without saying anything, he added, "No more questions? Then it's my turn. Heh. How did the Investment Conference arrangements go after I left this morning? How's the coordination between departments? Give me a brief rundown. Oh, and call Section Chief Lin and