Power and Wealth

Chapter 1802

Noon.

Jiaolin County Police Station.

Everyone had gone to the cafeteria for lunch, but the cafeteria was right across from the duty room where Dong Xuebing was staying. Almost everyone passing the windows couldn’t help but glance inside the duty room.

Curiosity.

Amazement.

Speechlessness.

That was the general reaction.

Dong Xuebing seemed so incredibly at ease and relaxed that no one could figure out his thoughts. He just smiled and cooked, ignoring the onlookers and unaware of being in a police station. His behavior was particularly self-centered.

Suddenly, a car drove into the courtyard.

“Director Chang!”

“Uh, Director Chang.”

Several people quickly greeted him respectfully.

Chang Lin came in and asked, “Where is Secretary Dong?”

A police officer sighed and said, “In the duty room, cooking.”

Chang Lin was taken aback and said, “Cooking? You let Secretary Dong cook for himself?”

The police officer quickly explained, “The deputy director told us to stay out. Someone tried to help with the cooking, but Secretary Dong refused and said we shouldn’t interfere.”

Chang Lin, hearing this, didn’t say much more. He figured Dong Xuebing probably had this kind of temperament. But Chang Lin felt a bit awkward about cooking himself. He might have felt a bit guilty too. Dong Xuebing had come to assume his new position, and instead of being welcomed properly, he had been detained, beaten, and nearly run over by a minibus. The people in the black car were friends of the station head, Hu Hanbin. Chang Lin naturally felt uneasy about this.

Chang Lin was taken aback. “Some alcohol? I’m flexible. Just tell me what you have.”

Dong Xuebing pointed to his suitcase. “I have some baijiu here, brought from home. If you’re okay with it, we can have a few drinks. I worry about you working in the afternoon; it might be inconvenient.”

Chang Lin immediately agreed. “I’m fine with it. I like drinking baijiu too. Being from the North, it’s not unusual.”

Dong Xuebing was pleased and rummaged through his suitcase, pulling out a box of Moutai and placing it on the table. The baijiu he brought was of high quality, and the Moutai was certainly not ordinary; it was aged and mostly gifted to him.

Chang Lin's eyes lit up when he recognized the quality. “Good liquor.” He didn’t wait for Dong Xuebing to open it. He took the box, opened it himself, and poured drinks for both of them, using large glasses typical of Northern drinking customs.

“Try the food first.”

“Hmm, let me try. It’s delicious, really delicious.”

“Is it?”

“Yes, it’s really good. And the soup is tasty too. You’ve never made this spicy soup before? Wow, that’s impressive. I think even the spicy soup from the provincial capital doesn’t smell as good as yours.”

“Haha.”

Dong Xuebing knew this praise was probably insincere and didn’t take it seriously.

At this moment, Chang Lin lifted his glass and stood up. “Secretary Dong, I must toast you. I’m truly sorry for the trouble caused by my subordinates. They failed to recognize the importance of the situation and created a lot of trouble. Let me drink to this, and you can drink as you please.”

Dong Xuebing was quite agreeable. He raised his glass and clinked it with Chang Lin’s, emptying his glass as well.

Seeing that Dong Xuebing was so accommodating, Chang Lin felt somewhat reassured. This was a clear signal. He continued, “I’ve had people investigate the incident overnight, and today we have reached a conclusion. We’re handling it because Hu Hanbin, the head of the Chengguan Police Station, is being dismissed and investigated for misconduct. The other officers involved are also under suspension and investigation. As for the people in the black car, they have been taken over by the county police and detained. There will be further actions taken.”

Dong Xuebing smiled. “You’re the director; I trust your judgment. No need to ask me.” He then poured more wine and raised his glass. “Let’s drink.”

Chang Lin understood that Dong Xuebing was probably satisfied with this resolution and felt relieved. He had made a firm decision on the punishment, fearing Dong Xuebing’s dissatisfaction. If Dong Xuebing had rejected the proposed handling, Chang Lin would have been in a difficult position. So, he decided to address everything that could be dealt with directly.