Power and Wealth

Morning.

In the Second Section.

Dong Xuebing returned empty-handed.

"Chief Dong."

"Where's Qianqian? Why hasn't she come back?"

"Director Fang took the child somewhere."

Zhang Lili, Han Fei, and others immediately showed concern.

Dong Xuebing waved his hand lightly. "It's okay; everyone gets back to work. Finish up those work plans; I'll review them in the afternoon. Hurry up."

Han Fei said, "But Qianqian—"

Han Fei was quite surprised. She knew Director Dong's personality, having interacted with him these days. Why didn't he get angry today?

Noon.

Everyone went downstairs to the cafeteria for lunch.

Then, Han Fei, Zhang Lili, and others finally understood why Dong Xuebing wasn't angry and hadn't mentioned the child being "taken away." Inside the cafeteria, Fang Wenping brought little Qianqian along, hand in hand. To accommodate the little one's height, Fang Wenping consciously bent slightly at the waist, her big hand holding Qianqian's chubby little hand as they walked forward. They queued up for food at the window, then sat at a table near the heater. They didn't even pay attention to their own meals; instead, they happily fed Qianqian. Sometimes, when the meat chunks were too big, Fang Wenping would chew on them first before carefully feeding them to the baby.

The maternal love was evident.

Everyone in the cafeteria was amazed, staring at Fang Wenping in disbelief. They couldn't believe this notorious disciplinary committee member, known for her bad temper and abrasive personality, could smile so happily.

Bad-tempered.

Abrasive personality.

Never give anyone a friendly face.

That was everyone's impression of Fang Wenping.

So, this scene truly overturned everyone's senses.

"Whose child is that?"

"Director Fang has a child now?"

"I didn't know. I haven't heard about it."

"It's not Director Fang's child. It seems to be Chief Dong's relative's daughter."

"That's right. I saw it this morning. Chief Dong brought the child here from the Second Section."

"Sigh. No wonder Director Fang likes her. She's at such an age and still doesn't have a child. Her ex-husband even got her into prison, so..."

"Mainly because this baby is so cute."

"Yes, really adorable. How could she be so cute?"

The people in the cafeteria were all discussing animatedly, pointing over at Fang Wenping and the child.

But Fang Wenping didn't care at all. She didn't seem to see or hear them, wearing an indulgent smile as she fed Qianqian. She occasionally teased her, and Qianqian sat in Fang Wenping's arms, giggling incessantly. After spending the morning together, it seemed like she had bonded well with Fang Wenping. She seemed to like this aunt-like figure, giggling happily and occasionally acting coquettish towards Fang Wenping, looking particularly cute.

Dong Xuebing saw this but didn't go over to their table; they didn't even say a word. He found another place to sit down and eat. He feared that if he went over and talked to Fang Wenping, they would end up arguing again. That wouldn't look good, especially since Dong Xuebing had just been disciplined. It wasn't about avoiding trouble but consciously avoiding conflict with Fang Wenping, at least not letting everyone see it. After all, Fang Wenping was now Dong Xuebing's immediate superior, and since Old Fang cared so much for Qianqian, Dong Xuebing didn't have any worries. If she wanted to hold her, let her hold her.

After lunch,

Watching Fang Wenping and little Qianqian walk away hand in hand with smiles, Dong Xuebing didn't mention bringing the child back. Back in his office, he had many things waiting to be done, so he got busy immediately. He had been leisurely for several months since joining the Commission for Discipline Inspection, either on leave or watching movies in the office. Now Dong Xuebing had to make up for lost time, concentrating all his energy on work. Since arriving at the office in the morning, he hadn't had a moment's rest.

One hour passed.

Two hours passed.

Three hours passed.

Work was done by the time the afternoon ended.

Dong Xuebing stretched lazily. "Director Dong, everything's organized," Zhang Lili knocked on the door and handed over a few things.

"Let me take a look," Dong Xuebing said, flipping through the documents. "Alright, that's it for today. Everyone, go home early. We'll discuss the rest tomorrow."

"Okay, then I'll leave first," Zhang Lili smiled.

Han Fei said, "Director Dong, I'm off too."

"Take care on the way," Dong Xuebing waved goodbye to everyone.

After Luo Haiting left, Dong Xuebing was the only one left in the office. It's not that he didn't want to leave early, but he had to go to Fang Wenping's office to pick up the child. He had just called over, but there was no answer from Fang Wenping's office. Dong Xuebing thought she might be out on business or in the restroom, so he waited in the office area. It was nearly 7:30 pm when Dong Xuebing made another call, but there was still no answer. Frustrated, he strode towards Fang Wenping's office. He tried the door, but it was locked. Knocking on it yielded no response either.

"Damn it. Did she leave after work?"

"Where's my child? Where did she take my child?"

Dong Xuebing was anxious. Everyone else might think this was Dong Xuebing's adopted daughter or a relative's daughter, but only Dong Xuebing knew she was his daughter. How could he not be worried?

"Fang Wenping!" Dong Xuebing shouted in the corridor.

At that moment, a female clerk walked over. "Director Dong, you haven't left yet."

Dong Xuebing suppressed his anger. "Where's Director Fang? Why isn't she in her office?"

"Director Fang left around six o'clock. I saw her leave. Um, she was also carrying a cute baby."

"She left early?"

"Damn it. Why did she take my child?"

Dong Xuebing was furious. "What's her phone number?"

"Um, I'm not sure about that. Let me go find out for you." The female clerk dared not delay. After all, Dong Xuebing was also a high-ranking official of a significant department. She promptly led him to a computer, quickly found Director Fang's phone number, and informed Dong Xuebing.

Dong Xuebing didn't have Fang Wenping's phone number. As a director-level inspector and the head of the Second Section, I found it impossible not to know the leader's number. However, Dong Xuebing was an exception. He had called Fang Wenping more than once, so why did he forget to ask for her phone number this time? Considering his pride, Dong Xuebing wouldn't ask anyone else for it.

He went downstairs.

He got into his car.

Dong Xuebing made a call.

Ring, ring, the phone connected. "Hello?"

"It's Dong Xuebing." Dong Xuebing got straight to the point, his tone tinged with irritation. "Where's Xiao Qianqian?"

"I have her here." Fang Wenping's tone wasn't pleasant either.

Dong Xuebing exploded, "Who allowed you to take my child away?"

Fang Wenping retorted, "Isn't she your relative's child? Why are you getting so worked up?"

"And now you're trying to justify yourself!" Dong Xuebing angrily continued, "You took my child away, spouting rules and regulations. You said you'd give me the child in the afternoon, but you left after work without a word. What are you playing at?"

Fang Wenping justified herself firmly, "What do you mean by leaving without a word? I called your office earlier, and no one picked up. Oh, so you expect me to look for a subordinate's number? You implied that I should have called again, but I made my judgment. Besides, the child likes me, so I took her out for food and fun. What's the problem with that?"

Dong Xuebing fumed, "I was out. Couldn't you have called again?"

"No need. It wasn't necessary." Fang Wenping dismissed him, "I'm having dinner with the child now. Come to my residential compound if you want to pick her up tonight."

"You're looking for trouble, aren't you?" Dong Xuebing accused.

"I don't have time to argue with you." Fang Wenping hung up.

Dong Xuebing was so angry he nearly threw his phone. This Fang Wenping—she's just trying to provoke me. She took my child away and now acts all self-righteous.

It was past eight o'clock.

Night had fallen.

Dong Xuebing didn't even return home. After a distracted meal outside, he went to the Discipline Inspection Commission's residential compound and directly to Fang Wenping's. He got the building and floor number from the security guard, who recognized him and didn't hide anything.

Bang, bang, Dong Xuebing knocked on the door from outside.

Footsteps approached, and the door opened from inside. Fang Wenping, in a long-sleeved pajama, frowned and opened the door, not even looking at Dong Xuebing. She turned and returned inside, saying, "Close the door."

Dong Xuebing entered and slammed the door behind him, making a loud noise.

Fang Wenping was irritated. "Could you be quieter? You're scaring the child."

Dong Xuebing confronted her, "Who are you to be concerned? She's not your child."

"With your irresponsible attitude, your relatives should reconsider leaving their child with you," Fang Wenping coldly remarked. "They've been blind."

Dong Xuebing retorted, "That's none of your business."

"The child calls me Auntie, so it does concern me. Such an adorable child. Having you look after her, something will go wrong sooner or later," Fang Wenping scoffed.

Dong Xuebing's anger peaked, "Do you think you know better than me how to care for a child?"

"Don't boast. Just look at yourself. Do you look like someone who knows how to care for a child?" Fang Wenping challenged.

"Have you ever taken care of a child?" Dong Xuebing felt the sting of her words. He snorted, clearly unwilling to admit it.

"My niece Xiao Ling was under my care since she was little. My brother and sister-in-law were busy with work. You can ask Xiao Ling. I changed her diapers. Don't joke with me that I haven't taken care of a child," Fang Wenping asserted.