Power and Wealth

Chapter 1708

Chapter 1708

The next day.

Early in the morning, upon waking up.

Dong Xuebing was awakened by a phone call, or more accurately, by his daughter's crying after she heard the phone ring.

"Hello?"

"Xuebing."

"Who is this?"

"It's me, Yu Meixia."

"Oh, Sister Yu, I was just sleeping."

"I know. I have something to ask you."

"Alright, go ahead, what is it?"

"Somebody wants me to act in a movie, saying my appearance fits their next film."

"Acting in a movie? Is it reliable? Don't tell me you're being scammed again. There are so many scammers nowadays. Did they ask for money? How much did you pay?"

"They didn't ask for money, so it must be real."

"How do you know it's a legitimate film company?"

"I am in Beijing, and I have visited their company, it's quite big. I've seen the producers and investors, too. I had a friend check them out. Their credentials match, with photos identical to them. It's genuine, and they've made many movies."

"Are they offering you the lead role?"

"No, it seems to be a supporting role."

"That's not bad then."

"If you say okay, I will go."

"You should check it out first and be smart about it."

"Alright, I understand. Today is the audition. I don't know if I'll pass. If I do, I will call you again."

"Why are you suddenly interested in acting?"

"I can't always rely on you. Qian Qian will be taking the college entrance exams next year. I want to earn money for her tuition. It's not right to keep taking your money."

"You're too polite."

"It's not about being polite, it's different."

"Okay, if you want to go, go ahead."

After hanging up, Dong Xuebing wasn't sleepy anymore. He yawned and got up. Regarding Yu Meixia's matter, Dong Xuebing wasn't surprised. Big Sister Yu was exceptionally beautiful and remarkably virtuous too. Though she might not have much acting skill, playing a role that suited her natural demeanor wouldn't be a problem. As for why Yu Meixia didn't want to spend her own money was probably a matter of her pride, which Dong Xuebing understood.

"Wow!" Little Qian Qian was still crying.

Dong Xuebing quickly picked up his daughter and kissed her several times. "Good girl, don't cry. Daddy is here. Let's go, it's not early, let's go to work with Daddy." Last night, Dong Xuebing didn't return to the courtyard until around ten o'clock. Instead, he went straight to the family housing compound. Mainly because Fang Wenping was too fond of little Qian Qian, and she wouldn't let go. Little Qian Qian also liked her a lot. The big and small ones were very affectionate; if it hadn't been so late, Dong Xuebing would have stayed there, and tongues would have been wagging.

The call ended.

Dong Xuebing put away his phone with a grim expression. Among the people he cared about, Yu Meixia was the one he cared about the most. She had the most pitiable background and a somewhat timid personality. Despite being older than him, Dong Xuebing couldn't help but look after her. With a serious face, Dong Xuebing bent down to pick up little Qian Qian from the floor. "No more playing, Qian Qian. Daddy has to go out for something."

Everyone noticed that Dong Xuebing's expression was wrong when he was leaving.

"Director Dong, are you..." They could see something was off.

But Dong Xuebing didn't answer directly. He asked, "Where's Director Luo?"

Zhang Lili said, "Director Luo went out for business. It's been an hour. She probably won't be back until the afternoon. What do you need... Should I call Director Luo back?"

"Call her back now? It's too late for that!" Dong Xuebing didn't say anything more. He left the office area and headed straight to Fang Wenping's office. It was strange indeed—among everyone in the Nineth Office, Dong Xuebing trusted Luo Haiting the most. She was experienced, and he felt completely at ease leaving his child with her. Zhang Lili was also trustworthy, but Dong Xuebing wasn't as confident in her for some reason. Conversely, he felt surprisingly reassured with Fang Wenping, whom Dong Xuebing had deeper conflicts with and didn't particularly like. Relationships between people were complex, and trust was often difficult to explain.

At the entrance to the director's office.

Still, without knocking, Dong Xuebing pushed the door open and entered.

Inside, Fang Wenping was in conversation with another cadre. Seeing Dong Xuebing enter without knocking, her expression soured, clearly displeased.

The other cadre, obviously of lower rank than Dong Xuebing, sensed the atmosphere and excused himself tactfully, closing the door behind him as he left.

"What's the matter?" Fang Wenping didn't give him a friendly look.

Dong Xuebing put down his child. "I need to go out for something. Can you look after Qian Qian for me?"

Fang Wenping's expression darkened. "Am I indebted to you, or is your home's nanny? Do I manage your affairs? You're not very polite."

Dong Xuebing was already impatient. "I have urgent business!"

"Are you not coming back this afternoon? Then consider yourself absent for the day!" Fang Wenping said coldly.

"Write it down however you like! Can you take care of my child or not?" Dong Xuebing retorted.

Fang Wenping stared at him coldly. "...Go on then."

Dong Xuebing squatted, speaking gently to his daughter, "Daddy needs to go out. Auntie Fang will take care of you today, okay?"

Little Qian Qian babbled in response, seemingly unsure if she understood.

Dong Xuebing couldn't worry about it anymore. "Listen to Auntie Fang, behave yourself. Daddy's leaving!" With that, he nudged his daughter gently.

Little Qian Qian blinked her eyes and awkwardly and clumsily toddled toward Fang Wenping.

Fang Wenping stood to greet her, her previously reluctant expression softening into a gentle smile. She bent down to lift Qian Qian, kissing her cheeks a few times, once on each side. "Ignore your dad and play in Auntie's office, okay?"

"Ah! Yi!" Qian Qian giggled happily.

"Hehe! Such a good girl!"

"Giggle! Ah! Ah!"

Soon, Qian Qian happily played with Fang Wenping.

Only then did Dong Xuebing relax. Seeing this, he closed the door and turned away, his expression darkening.