Power and Wealth

Afternoon.

The meal continued.

However, after a few phone calls, many people began to leave individually.

The first group to leave included Deputy Director Chang and several police officers. They were full and had received a call from the station for an emergency, so they had to go.

"Mr. Dong, we'll head out first."

"Stay a bit longer? We haven't had much of a chance to chat."

"Next time. We've got an urgent call."

"Alright, I won't keep you from your work. Let's meet again next time."

"Mr. Zhou, we're leaving now. Thank you for the hospitality today."

After exchanging some polite words, Deputy Director Chang and the police officers left the restaurant.

Next to leave was Yu Meixia. She received a call from her daughter, Yu Qianqian. After the harrowing interview experience, Yu Meixia temporarily gave up on the idea of acting to earn money. She didn’t want to stay in Beijing any longer, mainly because no one looked after her daughter. With no one else to care for her, Yu Meixia couldn’t stop worrying about her daughter being alone in Fenzhou City. She had been away for a couple of days, and after taking the call, she told her daughter she would be home that evening.

"Xuebing, I’m leaving," Yu Meixia said, bidding farewell.

Dong Xuebing replied, "About your acting job, I’ll..."

Yu Meixia whispered, "Let's forget about it for now. I... I’ll think about it later."

Dong Xuebing didn't try to stop her because she was eager to go home. "Alright, can you manage on your own? Let me find a car to take you back."

Yu Meixia softly said, "No need, I can manage."

"Come on, I can't let you go alone," Dong Xuebing insisted. "I'll make the arrangements."

Despite her age, he couldn’t help but worry about her because of her gentle and fragile nature.

Without further ado, Dong Xuebing took out his phone in the private room and made a call. "Hey, Xiao Han, it’s me... Can you find a car and a driver to take someone to Fenzhou City?... Yes, right now... Have the driver come to the restaurant on the west side of Shuangjing... It’s a lady in her forties... Tell the driver to look for the most beautiful woman on the street; that’ll be her... Haha, I probably won’t be coming back to the office today... Yes, I have some things to deal with. Make sure Director Luo handles things well there. If there are any issues, call me... Right, that’s it." After hanging up, Dong Xuebing told Yu Meixia, "Wait outside; the driver will be here in ten minutes. He’ll take you right to your doorstep."

Yu Meixia nodded, "Okay, thank you."

Dong Xuebing escorted her out and gave her the driver’s phone number.

Seeing this, Chen Ying followed them outside. After Dong Xuebing sent Yu Meixia off, she walked back with him.

"How's everything going?" Dong Xuebing asked as they walked.

"It’s going okay," Chen Ying replied. "Mainly because Mr. Zhou has been looking after me. Otherwise, I wouldn't have made it this far. I’m just an ordinary college graduate. Which film would dare cast me? Even most graduates from film academies struggle to find roles. Mr. Zhou has always been good to me. It’s quite sad; his daughter was about our age and looked much like me. But she passed away in a car accident... Sigh. Xuebing, can you do me a favor? Let’s give them a pass this time, okay?"

Dong Xuebing pondered for a moment. "We'll see."

"Xuebing, I..." Chen Ying started to say.

But Dong Xuebing interrupted her, "Let's talk about something else. By the way, are you free this afternoon? Let's catch up. It's been long since we last met, and now you're a big star. Haha, I have a lot to talk about. My boss has already marked me absent for the day, so it doesn't matter if I return."

Chen Ying blinked, "Are you an official now?"

Dong Xuebing nodded, "Kind of. I'm with the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection."

"Wow, that's a place with significant authority." Chen Ying didn't fully understand the intricacies of the government system, but she knew what the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection was. "Are you... at the section chief level?" For someone Dong Xuebing's age, the section chief level was already a high rank, so Chen Ying guessed conservatively.

But Dong Xuebing replied, "Division Chief level."

Chen Ying was stunned, "…Deputy Division Chief?"

Dong Xuebing cleared his throat, "Division Chief."

"What? Division Chief?" Chen Ying exclaimed, "That's so high!"

Someone in their late twenties? At the Division Chief level? In the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection?

No wonder he could bring Mr. Zhou's company to such a state with just one phone call!

Dong Xuebing said, "I was lucky to have achieved a few merits, so I got promoted quickly. It's nothing. My wife’s rank is much higher than mine; I can’t compare."

"You're married? You'll have to introduce me to your wife someday," Chen Ying said.

Dong Xuebing laughed, "Of course. My wife has probably watched your TV shows."

"I got married early, too," Chen Ying whispered, "but please don't tell anyone. My agency has contracts that make this kind of news... problematic for us."

Dong Xuebing understood, "I get it. You're worried it might affect your popularity."

Chen Ying sighed, "It's what we rely on. It’s quite difficult."

"By the way, I need to use the restroom," Dong Xuebing said and headed to the bathroom.

Chen Ying quickly returned to the private room where only Mr. Zhou and the company staff remained. Mr. Zhou had already settled the bill and was waiting for them.

"Yingying," Mr. Zhou said eagerly, "how did it go?"

Chen Ying shook her head, "I asked him, and he said, 'We'll see.' He disagreed."

Mr. Zhou smacked his lips, "Did your classmate mention any conditions?"

"No, he just said he wanted to chat with me this afternoon," Chen Ying replied.

"You’re old classmates, so you must have a good relationship. That should help..." General Manager Wu, another company executive, interjected.

"Old classmates are just old classmates," Chen Ying said. "We were never particularly close in elementary school and didn’t stay in touch afterward. There’s not much of a relationship to speak of."

Mr. Zhou gestured for the company staff to leave and told the other young actresses who had come to entertain to go as well. He left Chen Ying alone in the private room, speaking earnestly, "Yingying, Brother Zhou is counting on you this time. You’re his classmate. I hope you can talk to him. You have an advantage in this regard. You must help me out. If we can’t get his support, our company is finished. He said he wanted to talk to you alone this afternoon. I think he might..."

Chen Ying remained silent.

"Did you learn anything else?" Zhou asked.

Chen Ying replied, "He’s now a Division Chief level leader in the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection."

Zhou's eyes widened, "What? Division Chief level? No wonder! No wonder! He must have a significant background because he is so young at that level!" After a pause, he continued, "Yingying, what do you think..."

Chen Ying said quietly, "I already told you. I... know what to do."

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