Chapter 1371: Xie Huilan was too captivating

Whispers and discussions continued in the County Party Committee courtyard.

"Didn't expect this."

"Mayor Dong has such good luck."

"Yeah, never thought Mayor Xie and Mayor Dong were a couple."

"Sigh, if I could marry such a beautiful person, I'd willingly live ten years less."

"Give it up, you. Comparing yourself with Mayor Dong, he's got some skills."

Even Meng Rui and Zhang Wanshui were somewhat astonished when Dong Xuebing had such a beautiful and high-ranking wife. Not to mention others, many young leaders felt a bit envious. Comparisons are inevitable in life, and everyone feels a bit inadequate.

Zhang Feng also felt a bit sour. After glancing at Xie Hui Lan and Dong Xuebing, he approached Meng Rui, saying, "Secretary Meng, your wife has arrived."

A car had quietly entered at some point, carrying several women, including Meng Rui's wife and Zhang Wanshui's wife.

Meng Rui nodded, "Let's go."

Zhang Wanshui, Chu Peng, and other County leaders got in the cars.

Seeing this, the following staff members also entered a minibus.

Dong Xuebing couldn't stay longer to talk with Xie Huilan, "I'm leaving now. I need to go for a condolence visit. We'll talk in the evening. I'll give you the house key."

Xie Huilan looked at him, "Condolences for what?"

Dong Xuebing sighed, "A few days ago, a family quarters collapsed, and many people were injured. I'm going down to check on the families and the relocation situation."

Xie Huilan smiled, "Secretary Meng and Secretary Zhang are bringing their families. I will join you. I got nothing to do also."

Dong Xuebing remembered, "You're going?"

"What do you mean? I'm hearing that I'm not very welcome," Xie Huilan teased.

"Oh no, no. We said we'd bring our wives, so that's perfect. I was just worried that it might be inconvenient for you, being pregnant and all. If you can go, that's the best."

"Hehe, let's go then."

"Alright, let's go. Get in my car."

Dong Xuebin told Lui Zhi, "Mayor Lui, my wife is coming with me. Please take care of the comrades from Fen Zhou City. They can go to the guesthouse."

Lui Zhi smiled, "Yes, I'll arrange it."

Dong Xuebing said, "Thanks."

Xie Huilan also informed Liao Yiming and the others.

Finally, Secretary Meng's car led the way out of the courtyard.

Dong Xuebing looked and gestured for Xie Huilan to get in. Seeing that Yao Cui and Ma Bin hadn't moved, he lowered the window and waved, "Xiao Yao, Old Ma, get in."

Yao Cui and Ma Bin quickly got into the Land Rover.

They took the back seats. Once they got in the car, they glanced at Xie Huilan, sitting in the front pa.s.senger seat.

Dong Xuebing caught up with the car in front. He smiled as he introduced himself. "Huilan, this is Director Ma Bin, the County Government Office Director. This is Yao Cui, my old cla.s.smate from university."

"Mayor Xie."

"h.e.l.lo, Mayor Xie."

Yao Cui and Ma Bin greeted Xie Huilan.

Turning to Ma Bin, Xie Hui Lan exchanged a few words before turning to Yao Cui, smiling as she shook hands, "My husband has always relied on your care."

Yao Cui waved her hand, "No, it's Mayor Dong who takes care of us."

Xie Huilan smiled, "There's no need for such formalities. You can call me Huilan or Sister Xie, whichever feels less formal."

Yao Cui smiled, "Then I'll call you Sister Xie."

"Sure." Xie Huilan asked Dong Xuebing, "How do you address our old cla.s.smate?"

Dong Xuebing said, "Call her Cui Er."

"Can I call you this, too?" Xie Huilan asked Yao Cui.

Yao Cui immediately responded, "Of course, you can call me anything."

The voices of Xie Huilan and Yao Cui chatting could be heard throughout the journey. The two women had endless topics, and Dong Xuebing and Ma Bin couldn't get a word in. Watching Xie Huilan's gestures and demeanor, exuding a solid and dignified aura, Ma Bin also admired Dong Xuebing. To marry such a woman was truly enviable. Ma Bin thought about his wife at home, and a sense of indescribable emotion arose. They were both wives, but why was there such a big difference?

After more than ten minutes, the convoy stopped in the courtyard of the county hospital.

Secretary Meng and Zhang Wanshui got out of the car first.

Dong Xuebing pulled out the key and hurriedly exited the car to the other side, but Ma Bin was quite discerning. He got off first and opened the car door for Xie Huilan, using his hand to s.h.i.+eld her as she got out.

"Please be careful."

"Okay, thank you."

"You're welcome."

Without considering that Xie Huilan was a Deputy City Mayor, her ident.i.ty as Mayor Dong's wife made Ma Bin try to impress her.

Dong Xuebing came up and supported her, "Is it okay?"

"I'm not paralyzed. I can walk by myself, hehe." Xie Huilan said.

"I'm just worried," Dong Xuebing said, still holding her hand.

Xie Huilan withdrew her hand from his and whispered, "There are reporters' cameras over there. You should be careful about your image. Holding me like this wouldn't look appropriate. When the news is broadcast, people might wonder if you visited the injured or for a medical check-up with your wife. This is a political show, and you need to be careful in every aspect. When you wear this official robe and stand on such an occasion, you represent yourself and the County. Do you understand?"

Dong Xuebing smiled bitterly, "It's only been a few minutes since we arrived, and you're already lecturing me. Don't I understand this? I'm just concerned about you."

"When we get home, you will have a chance to care for me when we are home. For now, let me hold your arm." Xie Huilan linked arms with him.

"Okay, okay. I'll listen to you."

"Don't keep smiling. In a hospital setting, a more serious expression is better."

"I'm not smiling. It's more of a wry smile."

"A wry smile is still a smile. Put it away." Xie Huilan always made an effort to share her experience with him. "Sometimes, an inappropriate expression in a particular situation can give your political opponents a chance. If you learn from these experiences only after suffering a loss, it'll be too late, right?"

Reluctantly, Dong Xuebing responded, "Alright, I understand."

Xie Huilan, being older than him and having more experience in age and work, was someone Dong Xuebing deeply respected in matters related to officialdom. He knew everything she said was based on her experience and for his good. However, Dong Xuebing couldn't help but feel a bit helpless. Being lectured by his wife daily was one thing, but dealing with family matters was another. Having a capable wife wasn't always an easy thing.

Glancing at him, Xie Huilan said, "Oh, my little husband seems upset."

Dong Xuebing replied, "I'm not upset at all."

"Alright, your sister Xie won't criticize you anymore." Xie Huilan said.

Seeing that she seemed unhappy, Dong Xuebing hurriedly said, "I'm not upset. Why do you think I am upset? I wouldn't know where to go if you didn't criticize me. You are my guiding light, and I can't find my direction without you criticizing me."

"You brat, always joking."

"Hehe, I'm telling the truth."

"The cameras are here. Stop smiling."

"Okay, let's go over."

Despite the complaints, Dong Xuebing felt extremely fortunate to have Xie Huilan supporting him from behind. The condolence activities began.

Secretary Meng and Zhang Wanshui walked in front, accompanied by their wives.

Xie Huilan, still holding onto Dong Xuebing, followed them into various hospital rooms to express condolences to the families of the injured. They brought flowers and fruits, all well-prepared.

"How is the injury, elder sister?"

"Thank you for the concern. It's much better now."

"We brought you some fruit. Wis.h.i.+ng you a speedy recovery."

"Thank you, thank you." The elder sister was moved to tears.

Dong Xuebing felt a bit uneasy, knowing that these people were probably arranged in advance or informed beforehand. Otherwise, why would the tears come so quickly?

The TV crew recorded the entire process.

Dong Xuebing felt it was somewhat fake, but Xie Huilan knew how to grab the limelight. After Secretary Meng expressed condolences, Xie Huilan pulled Dong Xuebin to another bedside, handing over flowers and fruits.

The teenage girl on the bed seemed nervous, likely unprepared for so many County Leaders entering the room at once.

Sitting directly beside the bed, Xie Huilan held the girl's hand with concern, looking at her injured left leg. A touch of compa.s.sion appeared in her eyes. After a moment, she turned to a doctor and asked, "How is her leg injury? Will there be any complications in the future?"

The doctor replied, "No, she has already had surgery."

Xie Huilan breathed a sigh of relief, touched the girl's hand, and said, "That's good. Take good care of yourself, and Auntie will come to see you again tomorrow."

The girl's parents, feeling confused, asked, "Leader, who are you?" They didn't recognize Xie Huilan. It was their first time seeing her.

Xie Huilan gently explained to the couple, "I am not a leader. I am Dong Xuebing's wife."

The girl's parents, upon hearing this, became emotional. The woman grabbed Xie Huilan's hand and said, "You are Mayor Dong's wife. Our daughter's life was saved by Mayor Dong when the building collapsed. Mayor Dong saved many people that day. However, he was busy rescuing people, and we never had a chance to thank him. Thank you."

The girl's father also expressed grat.i.tude, pulling Dong Xuebing aside to express their thanks.

This scene was not arranged. It felt more genuine than the condolences from Secretary Meng and Deputy Secretary Zhang. Reporters and TV crews immediately captured this moment, giving Xie Huilan a close-up shot for unknown reasons.

On that evening, after the condolences from Secretary Meng and Deputy Secretary Zhang, the news broadcast also aired the segment where a patient thanked Dong Xuebin and Xie Huilan.

Many ordinary people watched it earnestly.

Many officials and civil servants who were not in the county compound in the afternoon just found out that Mayor Dong's wife had come, and she was unexpectedly beautiful.

There was no way around it.

Xie Huilan's beauty was just too captivating.