Lui An City, urban area.
Dong Xuebing got lost and drove into a commercial area. This was his first time coming to Lui An City, and he did not know his way.
“Brother Dong, are you working in Fen Zhou City?”
“Yes. Huilan and I are working in Fen Zhou City.”
“Huh? Then why are we in Lui An City?”
“To help you find a job. I have some connections here, and you should work here temporarily. I am not helping you get a job in Fen Zhou City because my rivals might target you. Lui An City is quite similar to Fen Zhou City, and the person I am introducing to you can protect you.” The main reason for not getting Sun Kai a job in Fen Zhou City was Xie Huilan. She was in charge of education in Fen Zhou City and disapproved of Sun Kai and Xie Jing’s relationship. He can’t ask her for help.
“Alright. I will listen to you.”
“You don’t need to use honorifics with me. Just treat me as a friend.”
“No. I can’t do that.”
“Why not? You are only one or two years older than me.”
“You are Jingjing’s brother-in-law, and I got to treat you respectfully.”
“Never mind. Do as you like. Let’s find a place for lunch.”
When they were in Taiwan, Sun Kai did not use honorifics with Dong Xuebing because he felt uncomfortable using them on someone younger than him. He even felt awkward addressing him as ‘Brother Dong.’ But after Dong Xuebing’s encouragement and the lesson in the car earlier, he felt more comfortable.
Dong Xuebing found a hotel for Sun Kai. “Xiao Sun, stay here first. I paid for the rooms, and I will help you find a school later this afternoon or evening. Just wait for my call. The latest is tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. Anyway, I will get you a job before school starts.”
“Thank you, Brother Dong.”
“Don’t mention it. Alright, I still have something on.”
“Go ahead. I will wait for your call.”
“Let me walk you out.”
“Save it. I am not concerned with these.”
Dong Xuebing left the hotel room and called his mother, Luan Xiaoping. “Hello, Mum.”
“Yes, but I don’t know where the City Party Committee family quarters are.”
“Oh, I forgot to give you the address. Write it down and ask others if you don’t know the way.”
Dong Xuebing wrote the address on a piece of paper. After his mother and Old Yang married, he had not visited them. He was too busy the past two months and did not have the time.
Luan Xiaoping gave Dong Xuebing her address and said. “Come over now. Old Yang had gone to the market this morning and said he would prepare a meal for you.”
Dong Xuebing replied. “Don’t trouble. How can I let him cook for me?”
Luan Xiaoping laughed. “You know he likes to cook.”
Dong Xuebing said. “Oh, Mum. I need a favor. I have a friend who teaches English in Beijing. Because of some issues, he is looking for a school in Lui An city. Can you arrange something for him? He is around twenty-six or twenty-seven and knows three foreign languages. Can you help him get a leadership position in a school?”
Luan Xiaoping replied. “Ok.”
“Then I will leave this to you.”
“How do I know how to do that? I will ask Old Yang to contact you.”
Dong Xuebing laughed. “Mum, you are the City Mayor’s wife now. You don’t need to ask Uncle Yang. Furthermore, it’s not convenient for him to appear for such a small matter. You teach in a school and should know the Education Ministry’s leaders. Just call the Education Ministry’s head will do. Call his deputy if the leader is not on good terms with Uncle Yang. You should know their numbers.”
Luan Xiaoping hesitated. “Is it alright for me to call?”
Dong Xuebing replied. “It’s better than asking Uncle Yang to call. Just tell the Education Ministry’s leader that you have a junior looking for a teacher’s job, and he will understand. You don’t need to say anything else. Just say you will introduce your junior over a meal. It doesn’t matter even if you don’t appear.”
“Yes. These government officials are smart and they will understand the underlying meaning.”
“Haha…. You sound like you are not a government official. My son is also smart.”
“Oh, don’t say you are your son’s friend to look for a job or anything else. It will lower your status.”
“Ok. I will help you ask around.”
“Where is Aunt Xuan? How is she?”
“Yunxuan returned to Fen Zhou City to retrieve her records.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“Wan Shizhao’s incident had blown up, and Old Yang discussed it with me. We felt it was better for Yunxuan to work at Lui An City TV station. Old Yang felt Huilan, and you are still new and don’t have a solid foundation in Fen Zhou City, and he can take care of her here. Furthermore, Qianqian needs her mother. Old Yang had arranged for her transfer. You don’t need to worry.”
“Ok. Wait for me. I am going over.”
Dong Xuebing went downstairs to the hotel lobby.
The TV in the lobby was loud. Dong Xuebing took a glance and saw his mother on TV.
It was footage of yesterday’s event on the news.
It was a piece of political news about Lui An City Mayor Yang Zhaode attending a charity event with his wife. Luan Xiaoping held his arm with a graceful smile.
Old Yang had been a leader for years and was used to attending these events.
But this might be Mum’s first time appearing in public as Yang Zhaode’s wife, and she was doing well.
Oh, Mum’s expression is right on point.
Dong Xuebing smiled and nodded to himself. It seems like his mother was getting used to her status as the Mayor’s wife now.