Power and Wealth

Inside the bus.

Everyone was silent.

The driver dared not speak, and others stared blankly at Dong Xuebing and the big man he had thrown off the bus. Many hadn’t even processed what had just happened.

What’s going on?

How did a fight break out?

How did such a burly man get thrown out like that?

And by someone so thin, as if he were tossing a chicken?

After being thrown out of the bus by Dong Xuebing, the big man crashed hard onto the ground. The pain snapped him into some clarity, and he couldn’t believe what had just happened. He only remembered trying to grab the young man’s collar, but the next thing he knew, he was flying. Furious, he tried to push himself up with his arms, but his legs gave way, and he collapsed again, lacking even the strength to stand. The kick had been too fierce.

“Little bastard!” The big man gasped in pain, pointing at the bus and shouting, “You wait for me. You’re dead!”

Dong Xuebing looked down at him from the bus door, “I’m waiting.”

The big man, sweating and gasping, said, “You wait and see.”

Dong Xuebing smiled and nonchalantly replied, “I told you, I’m waiting.”

The big man could only curse a few more times before he fell silent, clutching his stomach and taking deep breaths. He had been beaten by someone he had completely underestimated. After so long on this route, he had always thrown others off the bus. He didn’t expect to be the one thrown off today. His pride was hurt, and he couldn’t let it go.

“You little punk.”

“You’re finished.”

The big man picked up his phone, ready to call for help. He had strong connections, having operated on this route for so long, with its irregular charges and being an unregistered vehicle. He had grown up with the head of the local police station, who was almost like a brother to him. Although the influence of a police station head in a big city might not be significant, their words carried a lot of weight in a small county like theirs. Because of this, the big man had always been fearless. He saw Dong Xuebing, an outsider, as someone looking for trouble. He hated Dong Xuebing to the core and was determined to get revenge.

Dong Xuebing, however, had no time to deal with him. He was heading to Jiaojin County and had many passengers on the bus. He didn’t care much about the incident and turned to the driver, saying, “Drive.”

The driver was startled, “What?”

Dong Xuebing stared at him, “I told you to drive.”

The driver glanced at the big man outside. “But…”

Dong Xuebing blinked, “If you want to get out too, that’s fine. I can drive this minibus myself. We don’t need you.”

The driver shivered at the thought and immediately closed the door. After a final glance at the big man glaring back, the driver gritted his teeth and stepped on the gas, driving away, leaving the big man on the ground and making phone calls.

Dong Xuebing’s face showed no sign of unease or tension as if he had merely done something trivial. He calmly walked back to his seat.

Everyone looked at Dong Xuebing with complex expressions.

An old man said, “Well done, young man.”

Dong Xuebing smiled and didn’t say anything.

Seeing that even the driver was intimidated by Dong Xuebing, the other passengers started speaking up.

“Yeah, people like that are too despicable.”

“Tickets are already expensive enough, and now they’re charging for highway fees.”

“That guy dropped the money on the ground. Let’s take our money back.”

“Alright, let’s get our money back.”

When Dong Xuebing kicked the big man out, his bag had fallen inside the bus, scattering coins and small bills everywhere. Everyone went up to retrieve the ten RMB that they had just paid. Although they were still on the minibus, they weren’t afraid of Dong Xuebing around.

Only Su Yan, sitting next to Dong Xuebing, frowned and said, “Comrade.”

Dong Xuebing responded with a “Hmm” and looked at him, “Thanks for earlier.”

Su Yan replied, “You’re welcome, but you should be careful.”

After checking Su Yan's credentials, Dong Xuebing heard what the big man said and knew that Su Yan was a deputy section chief of the Jiaojin County Party Committee. Although his rank was not high, he would be one of Dong Xuebing’s subordinates in the future. Given Su Yan’s actions earlier, Dong Xuebing had some goodwill toward him. It was rare to find someone standing up for the ordinary people in such situations, and his demeanor seemed genuine.

“Why should I be careful?” Dong Xuebing asked.

Su Yan advised, “They must know people in Jiaojin County; otherwise, they wouldn’t be so bold. Since you fought with them, it’s hard to say what might happen once you get off the bus. He was already on the phone; he might be calling someone. It’s best if you get off the bus early when we get close to Jiaojin County. Avoid the situation if possible. I suggest you leave earlier and take another vehicle or find a ride. It’s safer.”

“Yeah, young man.”

“You should get off the bus first.”

“Otherwise, ask the driver to change routes.”

The passengers admired Dong Xuebing’s courage and were offering their advice.

Dong Xuebing, however, brushed it off casually, “It’s fine.” He looked nonchalant.

Su Yan became unhappy, “Why don’t you listen to everyone? Get off the bus first. This isn’t the time to show off. It’s all for your good.”

Dong Xuebing ignored him and instead leaned back, pretending to doze off.

But they didn’t know that Dong Xuebing was coming to Jiaojin County to assume the position of county party secretary.

Avoiding?

Getting off early?

That’s not a joke.

Even if Dong Xuebing were just a tourist, his temper would never allow him to avoid anyone because of such a thing.

He was always the one others avoided.

When has it ever been heard that the Plague God avoids others?

That would be an international joke. It’s simply ridiculous.