Power and Wealth

Afternoon.

On the other side.

While Dong Xuebing was still immersed in the joy of his upcoming promotion, Xie Ran drove alone out of the alleys of Houhai. Instead of following his mother and aunt, he went west by himself. After making a phone call, he stopped the car at an intersection. Shortly after, a delicate figure slowly approached—it was Fang Shuiling, the granddaughter of the Fang family. It was evident that the two had arranged to meet.

"Ran ge."

"Xiao Ling."

"Your mother and them..."

"They've all left, gone home."

"Oh, where are we going?"

"Let's get in the car first. We'll talk in the car."

Fang Shuiling got into the passenger seat, and the car started.

Xie Ran said, "The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection is going to reform this time, and my brother-in-law might have to move to a new department."

"I know about the reform." Fang Shuiling held Xie Ran's hand, "My aunt told me this morning."

Hearing this, Xie Ran sighed, "How's your aunt? Is she still staying at home? Hasn't she gone to work yet?"

"Same as Brother Dong, ordered by the unit to reflect at home." Fang Shuiling's mood was not very good, "I don't know how they got into this mess."

Xie Ran said, "It's my fault. I shouldn't have taken you over there."

"It's my choice to follow, not your fault."

"Now it's hard to handle. If your aunt and my brother-in-law get into this mess, it will affect the family. If my older sister finds out, she won't agree. Our two families already have historical conflicts. My mother even suspected I was dating today and asked me, but I didn't dare say anything. I have no idea how to bring it up. With my brother-in-law and your aunt's situation, it's unlikely that the family will agree."

Fang Shuiling felt depressed, "What should we do then?"

"Does your family know?" Xie Ran asked.

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"No." Fang Shuiling said, "My aunt hasn't told the family yet."

"Then it's better not to tell them now. Hmm, what do you think about this? Let's persuade my brother-in-law and your aunt to communicate with each other first and let them resolve their conflicts first?"

"Can that work?" Fang Shuiling wasn't sure.

Xie Ran shook his head. "We can only take it step by step. Actually, the conflicts between our two families are mostly from the older generation. In recent years, our two families have been relatively peaceful, with no major conflicts except for your aunt and my brother-in-law. If they can reconcile, the resistance will be reduced slightly. The family might agree to our matter due to political factors."

Fang Shuiling pondered momentarily, "I don't know, I'll listen to you."

Xie Ran decided, "Okay, let's do that, let's..."

...

Evening.

It was past seven o'clock.

Dong Xuebing was alone in the study, drinking tea and listening to music, looking very content.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the courtyard door. Dong Xuebing didn't close the door and didn't know who came in, so he turned off the music and went out to look.

"Xiao Ran?"

"Brother-in-law."

The one who came in was Xie Ran.

Dong Xuebing smiled, "Why are you back again?"

Xie Ran smiled slightly, "Hey, I am here to invite you."

"Invite me?" Dong Xuebing blinked, "What for?"

Xie Ran said seriously, "Well, today is Xiao Ling's birthday. It's not fun for us, so I thought it would be more lively with more people. That's why I wanted to see if you had time so we could go to KTV together and sing a couple of songs."

Dong Xuebing immediately shook his head, "I can't sing."

"You're being modest. What can't you do? Come on, brother-in-law, let's go together."

Dong Xuebing still waved his hand, "It's your birthday celebration for you two. I have things to sort out. Forget it, forget it. I will stay at home and watch a movie."

Xie Ran persisted, "It's not just the two of us; there are others, too."

"I won't go. You guys have fun." Dong Xuebing didn't want to join in the fun.

But Xie Ran kept pulling him, "Please give me face, brother-in-law. Xiao Ling has invited friends over. If I don't have anyone here, it would be so embarrassing. Everyone else's birthday celebrations are lively with friends. If Xiao Ling's birthday only has two or three people, where can I put my face?"

Dong Xuebing hesitated, "Then call Xiao Hao and Xiao Jing. Xiao Hao likes to join in the fun, and Xiao Jing is off today, so she should be able to come, right?"

"I called them, but they're both busy." Xie Ran didn't listen and continued to pull Dong Xuebing out, "Come on, brother-in-law, the private room is already booked."

Seeing no way out, Dong Xuebing could only agree, "Okay, then... By the way, what gift should I bring?"

Xie Ran pulled him out, "No need, no need. You already gave Xiao Ling a lot of money last time. What else do you need? Your presence is enough."

Eight o'clock.

A KTV in the west of the city.

It was only a five-minute drive from Houhai.

Dong Xuebing didn't know what Xie Ran was up to. After getting out of the car, he straightened his clothes a bit and followed Xie Ran inside.

A waitress greeted them, "Hello, sir, how many people?"

Xie Ran said, "The private room is booked at 6106."

The waitress checked, "Are you Mr. Xie?"

"Yes." Xie Ran asked, "Have the people arrived?"

The waitress said, "Two ladies have already arrived. Please follow me."

Dong Xuebing and Xie Ran followed the waitress upstairs. Dong Xuebing asked Xie Ran in the elevator, "Why didn't you book a better place?"

Although the KTV was of good quality, it wasn't very famous.

Xie Ran smiled, "I'm afraid of running into acquaintances. Xiao Ling wants it to be quieter, and our affair is also confidential, so..."

Dong Xuebing nodded.

...

They arrived at the private room.

"This way. I shall not disturb you all." After the waitress led them there, she turned and left.

Xie Ran pushed the door open and entered the room. Dong Xuebing followed without much enthusiasm.

Fang Shuiling was already there, sitting and eating. But when Dong Xuebing saw the person next to Fang Shuiling, his face changed slightly!

That person's face also darkened when they saw Dong Xuebing!

"Fang Wenping?"

"Dong Xuebing?"

Dong Xuebing didn't expect Fang Wenping to be here!

Fang Wenping didn't expect Dong Xuebing to come either!

Enemies met, and both of them immediately turned cold!

Seeing the expressions of Xie Ran and Fang Shuiling, Dong Xuebing and Fang Wenping suddenly understood what these two were up to. Dong Xuebing turned and left without saying a word, and Fang Wenping stood up as if to leave!

Fang Shuiling hurriedly hugged her aunt, "Auntie! What are you doing? Today is my birthday!"

"What birthday? It's not even here yet!" Fang Wenping was a little angry.

Fang Shuiling said, "It's my lunar birthday today. Don't you remember this?"

Xie Ran also hurriedly grabbed Dong Xuebing, "Brother-in-law! Give some face! Give some face! Xiao Ling only has one birthday a year! Don't leave, please!"