Power and Wealth

The second day.

Tuesday.

A little past 6 in the morning.

Dong Xuebing woke up early, brushed his teeth, and started packing after washing up. He didn't bring much, not even a suitcase, just a big bag. He stuffed sclothes and a few pairs of socks in it, and that was about it. He calmly opened the door and went downstairs. It was during working hours, and many people were already out. Facing him, Han Fei and He Zhou from the Second Division also lived in the sbuilding and cout from another unit. They crossed paths with Dong Xuebing.

He Zhou said, "Director Dong."

Dong Xuebing nodded. "Going to work."

"Yeah, you're on a business trip today," He Zhou said.

Dong Xuebing nodded again, then waved and said, "I'm off."

Han Fei followed behind without saying anything, muttering to herself. It wasn't clear what she was saying.

Dong Xuebing knew he had left a bad impression on his colleagues, but he didn't care. Instead, he smiled inwardly. That's how people were. When they were at a lower level, they tended to take things more seriously and not give in easily. This was directly related to self-esteem. The more insecure one was, the more afraid they might be looked down upon. Dong Xuebing used to be like this. But as he climbed the ranks, he becmore tolerant. He could see things more openly and let go more quickly. He felt that apart from certain women, nothing could shake him anymore.

He hailed a cab.

To the airport.

About an hour later.

Dong Xuebing got out of the car, took his bag, and walked into the airport lobby.

This wasn't the Capital Airport but the Nan Yuan Airport in southern Beijing. It used to be a military airport, but now it is a relatively minor civilian airport compared to Capital Airport. He chere to catch a flight because there were no flights to Xialing from the Capital Airport today, where Huilan was. Only Nan Yuan Airport had tickets. Xialing was a prefecture-level city, one of the few prefecture-level cities with an airport. Of course, the airport was relatively small and newly built as well. If it weren't for Huilan's call yesterday, Dong Xuebing wouldn't have known about it. He didn't know much about Xialing. After all, he had never been there. But regardless of the size of the airport, from this perspective, if Huilan told others that she was going to a very small prefecture-level city for her new job, it was obviously modest. Even if the city was small and economically underdeveloped, with an airport, it was probably stronger than Fenzhou, where they had previously worked. It was just that Jiangnan Province developed too well. Xialing City was a bit smaller than other cities in Jiangnan Province.

He took his ID and got his boarding pass.

He didn't check his luggage. It wasn't much anyway. He went straight to boarding.

After shustle and bustle, Dong Xuebing finally boarded the plane. It was a small plane without a first-class cabin, and it seemed like a business class wasn't even. He booked the ticket quickly and could only get an economy-class seat. At least it was better than going to the provincial capital directly from the Capital Airport. He could get there without changing buses if he had to take a long-distance bus after arriving at the provincial capital. Who knew when he would arrive? He liked things to be simple.

"Let's go."

"Faster."

"Quick, quick, quick."

People were urging from behind.

Dong Xuebing was speechless. Every the took a flight, the first class and business class were fine, but the economy class felt like a battle every the boarded or got off the plane. Everyone was squeezing, as if being a second late meant they couldn't get on the plane, as if being a second behind meant they couldn't get off the plane. They had bought tickets, and their luggage could fit, so what was there to squeeze about? Even if they boarded the plane earlier, it wouldn't take off sooner.

Dong Xuebing felt a suitcase bump against his leg with a clatter, knocking into him several times. He couldn't help but furrow his brows and turn around. "What's all this pushing for? The person in front ofhasn't moved yet. Can I even get through?"

The man, who looked around thirty, dressed in a smart suit, had quite a temper. Zheng Fei looked at him and said, "Can't you just step aside?"

"If I step aside, can you even get through?"

"How do you know I can't?"

"Heh, looking for trouble, are you?"

"Who's looking for trouble? You're blocking the way."

"I'm just standing here. What are you going to do about it?"

Dong Xuebing, what kind of temper was this? He had just boasted about becoming more tolerant, but it was a show of bravado. His personality couldn't change. He had adopted a different personality to survive and work in the unit these past few days. His wife and mother-in-law had instructed him to keep a low profile. But now, Dong Xuebing didn't need to be polite to this guy outside. He stood there, not moving even when the person before him had left.

Zheng Fei also got angry. "Are you going or not?"

Dong Xuebing said, "I'll go when I feel like it. If I don't feel like it, then I won't."

People behind them started to complain loudly because they were all being blocked.

At this moment, a pretty flight attendant hurried over. "Gentlemen, please calm down and be considerate of each other. The people behind are still waiting to board."

Dong Xuebing still didn't move.

The flight attendant looked at him and said, "Sir, could you please move?"

Dong Xuebing glanced at her. "Fine, I'll do it for you." He had a soft spot for beautiful women. That was a character trait he probably couldn't change in this lifetime.

"Thank you." The flight attendant glanced at his boarding pass. "Your seat is in this row."

Dong Xuebing then went in, put his luggage overhead, and sat in the window seat without paying more attention to the man.

Zheng Fei glared at him from behind before walking away.

Shortly after, the plane took off, beginning its long journey.

One hour passed.

Two hours passed.

Three hours passed.

The small plane was a bit slow and took over three hours to arrive.

When the plane landed, Dong Xuebing looked at his watch and saw it was already noon. But he had already eaten the chicken rice meal on the plane, so he wasn't hungry or in a hurry. When the plane slowly stopped on the runway, Dong Xuebing reached for his luggage bag and followed the crowd, walking down the aisle and heading straight for the lobby. However, the airport was relatively small, and the aisle was narrow. It was still very crowded outside, especially with those behind him walking fast as if they would die if they were a minute late. Many people brushed past Dong Xuebing, who was strolling, making him feel helpless.

Suddenly, the bag in his hand was bumped by someone.

No, to be accurate, a piece of luggage bumped it. Dong Xuebing had been very relaxed, not exerting any force, so his bag flew out of his hand with a thud and fell to the ground.

Thunk!

Dong Xuebing looked annoyed. He turned his head and saw many people around, but he quickly spotted the man who had clashed with him during boarding. He was pretty sure that he had bumped his bag. However, after the man glanced at him, he withdrew his gaze and continued walking forward casually, as if he hadn't bumped into anything or didn't care.

"Stop!" Dong Xuebing shouted.

Zheng Fei continued walking, completely ignoring him.

"I'm talking to you. Didn't you hear me?" Dong Xuebing shouted.

Zheng Fei's face darkened as he turned to look at him. "Are you crazy? Born in the year of the dog, huh?"

Dong Xuebing was furious but laughed sarcastically. "You bumped into my bag, didn't apologize or pick up my bag. And now you're acting like you're in the right and cursing at people."

Zheng Fei said, "You were the one cursing."

As the two argued, the surrounding passengers consciously avoided them, walking around them.

Dong Xuebing pointed to his bag, which was knocked over a meter away. "Pick it up for me."

Zheng Fei said coldly, "If you don't hurry up and move, you're in the wrong for blocking the way."

Dong Xuebing replied, "Whether I want to walk fast or slow is my freedom. My legs are mine, and I'll walk at whatever speed I want. Why do I need to consult with you? Who do you think you are?"

Zheng Fei chuckled. "You're quite arrogant, aren't you?"

Dong Xuebing retorted, "I feel like you're more arrogant. You bumped into me, yet you think you're justified. What kind of logic is that? I have to walk at your pace. If someone walks slower than you, is it their fault for getting bumped by you? You're acting like you're the boss. Lettell you, pick up my bag and apologize, or you won't be leaving here today."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Fei stopped and turned back, standing before Dong Xuebing. He put down his luggage and said, "I'm not in a hurry today either. I'd like to see how you won't letleave. You didn't letpass, so I'll tell you to pick up your bag and apologize. I even want you to apologize to me. Are you sick? Blocking the way in the middle and strolling. Do you have a problem? I'll accompany you if you're blocking others' way and being fierce."

Dong Xuebing replied, "If I'm blocking the way, you can walk behind me. If you want to pass, go around from the side. You bumped intointentionally, didn't you?"

Zheng Fei got angry. "Who are you cursing at?"

Dong Xuebing pointed at him. "I'm cursing at you."

Zheng Fei slapped Dong Xuebing's arm hard, but Dong Xuebing was quick. He grabbed Zheng Fei's arm and twisted it.

Zheng Fei was strong. Being in his thirties and still in his prime. He was a tall and strong northerner with a lot of strength. Seeing Dong Xuebing dare to fight back, Zheng Fei beceven more furious. He kicked out with his back foot and cursed. He didn't expect anyone to dare fight him here in Xiaxing City.

Dong Xuebing dodged and twisted his arm again.

Zheng Fei was agile. He turned his body and kicked at Dong Xuebing again.

Dong Xuebing had held back. After all, this was Xiaxing City's airport and under his wife's jurisdiction. As a newcomer and a family member of Huilan, it wouldn't look good for him to start a fight. But he couldn't suppress this anger if he didn't fight back. So, he only controlled Zheng Fei's arm without causing any fractures.

But at this moment, many airport staff rushed over.

"Stop it!"

"Don't fight!"

"Everyone calm down, and don't cause trouble!"

"What are you doing? Let go of each other!"