Night.
Beijing Airport.
It is after 8 pm, and the sky is dark.
Dong Xuebing arrived at the airport late. He looked at the taxi’s meter and gave the driver a 100 RMB note. “Keep the change.” He got out of the taxi and looked around.
“Xuebing.” A woman called.
“Xuebing.” Another man called him.
Dong Xuebing turned and smiled. “Tan Zhi, Zhuang Zhi.”
These two are Sun Zhuang and Tan Limei. They were Dong Xuebing’s colleagues at the Beijing State Security West branch. They were close, and he was happy to see them again.
“Have you waited long?”
“No. We just reached.”
“I told you all not to e. I can go to you all.”
“Haha… you are a leader now. How can I make you e to us?”
“Are you teasing me? I heard both of you are doing well. Congratulations.”
“Don’t say that. I was recently promoted to Deputy Section Chief, and it is nothing pared to you. I heard you are an Executive County Deputy Mayor and a Party mittee member. You are a Deputy Division Chief. You moved up too fast.”
Tan Limei is as cheerful as before. Nothing had changed.
Sun Zhuang is shy and does not talk much.
But Dong Xuebing can feel their changes. They matured a lot pared to the past.
Dong Xuebing patted Sun Zhuang’s shoulder. “You had gained weight. Haha… I heard you two got married. Why didn’t you inform me?”
Sun Zhuang laughed. “We have not held our wedding ceremony.”
Tan Limei said. “We registered our marriage. I will not hold the wedding ceremony if he cannot meet my requirements. We will get a divorce immediately.”
Sun Zhuang smiled.
Dong Xuebing is amused.
A few years ago, Tan Limei and Sun Zhuang were cautious around Dong Xuebing after his promotion. It made him feel unfortable. After Tan Limei got promoted, she became more confident and could act naturally in front of him. They joked and chatted. They were friends, and friends should not feel restrained.
They had not met for a long time and started chatting.
They chatted about their time when they joined the government service. They were green and made lots of mistakes.
The three of them were staff members a few years ago.
Now, they are leaders. Sun Zhuang is a Deputy Chief too.
Ten minutes later.
Sun Zhuang tapped Tan Limei. “It’s 9 pm.”
Tan Limei slapped her forehead. “Ah, I forgot about the time. Here, Xuebing. Everything is ready.”
Dong Xuebing took it and said. “Thank you. I will not trouble you if this is not an emergency.”
Tan Limei retorted. “You are not treating us as your brothers if you say that.”
Dong Xuebing laughed. “Of course. Call me if you need any help.”
Tan Limei laughed. “Sure.”
Sun Zhuang looked at Dong Xuebing. “You are going to Hong Kong for…”
Dong Xuebing smiled. “You can say it is for work.”
“But you…” Sun Zhuang looked at Dong Xuebing’s injured arms and legs.
Dong Xuebing replied. “These injuries are minor. It’s fine.”
Tan Limei looked at the time. “Let’s stop chatting. Xuebing, you should get past the security checks now. The flight is at 9.40 pm. If you miss this flight, you got to wait until tomorrow.”
“Ok. This is for the tickets.” Dong Xuebing took out the money and gave it to Tan Limei.
Tan Limei gave Dong Xuebing a stare. “Take it back… take it back. What are you doing?”
Sun Zhuang explained. “Tan Zhi has some influence at the bureau, and she did not need to spend money on the tickets. She called the Sixth division, and they arranged everything. You should know our department worked closely with the airport. But this is last minute, and we can only get you an economy class seat.”
Tan Limei said. “You got to hurry, Xuebing.”
“Haha… Let’s catch up when I am back.”
“Sure. Good luck.”
“Oh, don’t tell anyone about me leaving the country.”
“Don’t worry. Our lips are tight.”
Dong Xuebing waved goodbye to his friends and went to clear the security.
On board the plane.
Dong Xuebing was the last passenger to board. He almost missed his flight because of the delays at the security checks. Luckily, he managed to get on the plane in time. He found his seat and fastened the seatbelt. He looked out of the windows and called Zhang Longjuan.
The phone was switched off.
Dong Xuebing shook his head and closed his eyes.
One hour…
Two hours…
Three hours…
Dong Xuebing woke up when he heard the announcement. The plane was landing on the runway.
Finally.
Dong Xuebing looked at the time. It is 1 am.
Dong Xuebing got off the plane with the other passengers. This was his first time ing to Hong Kong. He looked at the unfamiliar city and took out a piece of paper. He stopped a passerby. “Sorry, how do I get to this hotel?”
That man was also a tourist. He looked at the address and said. “Oh, you can walk along this road. It is a few hundred meters from the airport. You can reach there within five minutes.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Dong Xuebing took a deep breath and limped in that direction.
Dong Xuebing lied to Xie Huilan, his mother, and the rest that he was returning to Beijing for treatment. He does not want them worried, but Sister Zhang might be in trouble. He cannot pretend not to know or sit around and watch. He must protect her as she had treated him well.
I hope nothing will happen.
Huilan, his mother, Aunt Xuan, and the rest would know if he caused any trouble.
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