Power and Wealth

Afternoon.

Just before one o'clock.

Hou's mother walked ahead with an indifferent expression while Hou Wen and Dong Xuebing walked arm in arm behind her. They boarded the plane together.

"Are you sitting there?"

"Yeah, just up front."

"Okay, I'll be right there."

"Let’s talk later after we get off the plane. Your mother…"

"No problem. Let me put down my luggage first. We'll go our separate ways after we get off the plane. Who knows when we'll see each other again? Wait for me."

Hou Wen went to the back.

Dong Xuebing raised his hand to put his luggage away and then sat in the window seat. He glanced back at the cabin and saw Hou Wen about to come over after stowing his luggage.

But Hou's mother frowned. "Where are you going?"

"I'm changing seats to chat with my classmate."

"You've been chatting for a long time just now. That's enough."

"Just a little longer. It's been several years since we last met." Hou Wen was unhappy.

"None of your classmates have any prospects. What's the point of interacting with them?" Hou's mother said harshly.

"My business is none of your concern. Every time, it's what you and Dad say. But look at the people I've been in contact with these past few years. They're all worthless. I'm tired of them. Those guys call themselves friends, but when you need help, who cares about you?" Hou Wen didn't like it and walked away.

"Learned to talk back, huh?" Hou's mother snarled.

Hou Wen had a deep affection for Dong Xuebing and his old university dorm mates. A lot happened during their four years of college. Even though those incidents were minor, they directly reflected a person's character. For example, there was a dispute between Hou Wen and a senior from another department at the cafeteria entrance in their sophomore year. The other guy had a lot of connections and called over twenty people with one phone call. On Hou Wen's side, only a few were from their dorm. When the senior saw they were vastly outnumbered, he got aggressive. But to everyone's surprise, Dong Xuebing, who was usually quiet and reserved both in the dorm and at school, suddenly kicked the senior's leg and pinned him down to the ground, hitting him. Despite being kicked by others on the other side, Dong Xuebing didn't let go. This incident made Hou Wen and the others look at Dong Xuebing in a new light. They finally realized what a silent dog biting was.

That's what a friend is.

Hou Wen felt that was what a friend should be.

Even though Dong Xuebing wasn't particularly fond of socializing during his university years and always kept his distance from everyone, Hou Wen never forgot about that incident.

In the front cabin.

Hou Wen went over. "Excuse me, miss."

Sitting next to Dong Xuebing was a girl. "Yes?"

"Could you do me a favor and switch seats with me? I'm in row seven in the back, also by the window." Hou Wen asked.

Dong Xuebing also turned to the girl. "We're old classmates who just bumped into each other at the airport. Our seats weren't together. Could you please?"

The girl nodded after hearing their request. "Sure, no problem."

"Thank you so much." Dong Xuebing and Hou Wen thanked her a few times.

Soon after, Hou Wen sat next to Dong Xuebing, and the plane began to taxi onto the runway.

"Xuebing, you haven't changed much in appearance, but you've become more outgoing in personality," Hou Wen said, looking at him. "You talk more and seem more cheerful."

Dong Xuebing smiled, "Just getting some exercise. But actually, I've always had this personality. It's just that my father's death hit me hard. I became much quieter during college. Before that, even though I didn't talk much, I was quite humorous. It's just that you didn't have a pair of observant eyes."

Hou Wen laughed, "You, humorous? Do you remember the fight in our sophomore year? There were just five of us against over twenty people. The other side had the numerical advantage, but they only punched me. You, on the other hand, went straight in with a kick, leaving me dumbfounded."

Dong Xuebing chuckled, "I did get quite beaten up that time, but that guy didn't fare well either. I heard he spent three months in the hospital. So, I'd say it wasn't a loss for us."

Hou Wen added, "Yeah, in the end, my dad had to settle it for us, or we would have been expelled."

Dong Xuebing boasted, "They should be grateful I went easy on them. If we fought now, I wouldn't need you guys. I could take down all twenty of them myself."

Hou Wen remarked, "I see your sense of humor now. It's dry humor."

Dong Xuebing asked, "I never knew what your dad did. You never said."

"He was just a cadre from the south—not high-ranking at all. Compared to places like Beijing, I didn't dare mention it. A brick could hit a few Division chief-level cadres there. What's my dad? Later, he got promoted a few levels, so it's slightly better now," Hou Wen said, lowering his voice.

"Then you're doing pretty well, too," Dong Xuebing remarked.

"Hanging in there. Working in a state-owned enterprise," Hou Wen replied.

"Well, that's good," Dong Xuebing said.

"Yeah, now I'm also a leader. The pay is not high, though. It's just okay. By the way, Xuebing, what do you do for work?" Hou Wen asked.

"We're pretty much in the same boat. I became a civil servant after graduation," Dong Xuebing answered.

"Wow, that's great. Aunt Luan must be thrilled," Hou Wen said.

"Yeah, my mom is quite happy. The older generation all love stable jobs. But, after entering, I realized it's not as good as imagined. It's not a secure job at all. You have to be careful in everything you do. It's troublesome," Dong Xuebing said.

"You hit the nail on the head with that one," Hou Wen agreed.

The two became increasingly excited, showing the joy of a long-awaited reunion.

Suddenly, Hou Wen asked, "I almost forgot to ask, why are you going to Macau? Is it for business?"

"It's considered a business trip," Dong Xuebing replied. "But mainly for tourism. Just going there to have some fun with my wife."

"You're already married, huh? I haven't tied the knot yet," Hou Wen chuckled. "Where's your wife? I want to meet her."

"She went ahead first. I'll introduce you when we arrive. How about you? Why are you going to Macau with Auntie?" Dong Xuebing inquired.

"We're also going for tourism. My dad's unit organized it," Hou Wen explained.

Dong Xuebing didn't think much of it and just smiled, "Quite low-key, huh? Your dad's rank should be quite high. Why not go for business or first class?"

"It's hard to book flights now, especially during the peak tourist season," Hou Wen shrugged. "And you know, officials have to pay attention to their image. First class is too conspicuous, and they won't reimburse you. Economy class is fine."

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