Power and Wealth

Three days later.

In the morning, Beijing.

The sun was shining brightly, and it was hot.

Dong Xuebing, who had just woken up, walked out of the villa wearing only swim trunks, yawning and stretching lazily. He leisurely strolled to the backyard pool, did simple warm-up exercises, and dove into the clear water. After swimming a few laps, he didn't get out of the pool but instead sat on the steps beneath the water's surface, leaning back with his hands resting on the edge. He closed his eyes and basked in the sun, completely relaxed and content. It was pure enjoyment.

His hwas indeed the best.

Living in the dormitory family quarters always felt awkward.

This villa near the Western Hills was bought by Dong Xuebing a long tago. Although he later said it was a gift for his mother, who insisted on staying in Fenzhou, she refused and left it to Dong Xuebing to live in. With a view of the winding mountains in the distance, it was a suitable place to live, especially for retirement. Getting up in the morning, swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying the mountain scenery was incredible. With Huilan about to give birth in a few days, living here was perfect for them to spend quality ttogether. Of course, they had to make the most of it.

One lap.

Two laps.

Three laps.

Dong Xuebing got tired from swimming and sat by the poolside, smoking a cigarette.

Suddenly, a lazy voice cfrom the window upstairs.

"Xiaobing."

"Hmm?"

"Where's my little husband?"

"I'm downstairs. What's up?"

"Where is my little husband?"

"Oh, I told you, I'm downstairs."

"Hehe, cup here."

"Okay, okay, I'm coming."

Dong Xuebing quickly extinguished his cigarette and rushed out of the pool. He didn't bother to dry himself and hurriedly ran into the villa and up the stairs.

Second floor.

Master bedroom.

As Dong Xuebing pushed the door open, he saw Xie Huilan leaning against the bedside, gently touching her big belly, her crescent-like eyes half-closed as she smiled at him. She didn't say anything, just lazily pointed toward the table. Dong Xuebing blinked. "You woke up so early, I thought you'd sleep a little longer. What are you pointing at?"

Xie Huilan smiled and said, "Geta glass of water, my dear."

Dong Xuebing almost fainted. "But it's right there next to you."

"I know it's there, so I'm pointing it out to you."

"Con, you could have just reached out and gotten it yourself." Her logic defeated Dong Xuebing.

"I am in a delicate condition now, so I am precious. Hurry up and serve me." Xie Huilan said matter-of-factly, waving her hand again.

"Fine," Dong Xuebing surrendered. He hurried to pour her a glass of water and brought it to the bedside.

Xie Huilan then found fault again, "I don't drink overnight water, and I don't drink cold water."

Rolling his eyes, Dong Xuebing said, "I just boiled it after I got up. It's warm, just right."

"Okay, that's acceptable." Xie Huilan didn't move; she just opened her mouth. "Hey, feed me. I'm tired and can't be bothered to lift a finger."

Dong Xuebing was speechless as he leaned over to feed her. "Is that okay now?"

Gulping down a few sips, Xie Huilan nodded. "Hmm, not bad."

Dong Xuebing sighed and laughed, "You're bossingaround, huh? You're even harder to serve than the emperor."

"Oh." Xie Huilan chuckled. "Did you ever serve the emperor?"

"You served the emperor." Dong Xuebing stared at her. "What are you getting up for?"

Xie Huilan elegantly yawned. "I thought about it, but my belly's too big. I can't move, and no one bothered to helpto put on clothes."

"All right, I'll serve you, okay?"

"Okay, accepted, hehe."

"You're not very polite, are you?"

"Why be polite with my little husband? Mom boughta new maternity outfit. It should be in the suitcase. Get it for me. I will wear it. It's more spacious."

"Okay, I'll get it."

"Yeah, and make smillet porridge for me. Skip the fried eggs. They're too greasy. Just boil seggs, but make sure they're small. They taste better."

"Got it. I'll do it in a moment. Do you have any other orders?"

"Hmm, not for now. That's all." Xie Huilan, looking regal, said, "Helpchange."

Dong Xuebing helped her put on her clothes and then assisted her down the stairs and onto the sofa. He turned on the TV for her, changed the channel to the news with the remote control, and then, sweaty and out of breath, went into the kitchen to prepare breakfast. It was quite a busy morning, and he was exhausted.

The two of them had returned to Beijing last night.

During their two days in Fenzhou, Dong Xuebing had gathered all his old friends and colleagues for meals and socializing. In the end, he also met with Yu Meixia and Geng Yuehua, exchanging s"sentiments." He had seen almost everyone he could and, after a long time, tasted the flavor of Yu Meixia and Geng Yuehua again. Dong Xuebing felt very pleased with himself. At the dinner parties, his old friends and colleagues showered him with compliments and congratulations on his promotion. Dong Xuebing felt that this was the happiest moment of his life. But before he could enjoy it for two days, after arriving in Beijing last night and settling into the villa, Xie Huilan started acting like an aristocratic lady, bossing Dong Xuebing around everywhere, wearing him out. Dong Xuebing felt depressed. Huilan was still very ladylike and virtuous when his mother was at home. His wife's true colors had surfaced when Luan Xiaoping wasn't around.

It was intentional.

She must have found out about his phone calls with other women.

His wife was too clever, and often, Dong Xuebing felt helpless and guilty. What else could he do but serve her? Although Dong Xuebing complained verbally, deep down, he was also concerned about Huilan. He hadn't fulfilled his duties as a husband during her pregnancy. Now that they were reunited, he wanted to make it up to her. So, no matter what Huilan said, he immediately went to do it.

After breakfast, it was already eleven o'clock.

That was practically lunchtime, and they finally had sfree time.

Sitting on the sofa, Xie Huilan spoke again with an air of nobility, "Where's my little husband? Helpgo out and bask in the sun."

"Front yard or backyard?"

"Backyard, by the swimming pool. It's cooler."

"Okay, but watch your step."

"Hehe, I don't need to watch. You can watch for me."

"I swear, you're bossingaround."

"Well, of course, hehe. This is the only tyour sister Xie can make use of you. After I give birth, who knows where you'll run off to."

"Con, even when you weren't pregnant, you still bossedaround."

Dong Xuebing felt like he wasn't just a subject but a servant. He helped his wife to the backyard to sunbathe, then took a fan and gently fanned her. Xie Huilan now resembled Empress Wu Zetian, incredibly precious.

"Is it comfortable?"

"Hmm, it's okay."

"Just okay? Look at how sweaty I am."

"It would be better if the wind were a bit stronger, hehe."

Dong Xuebing snorted inwardly, thinking, wait until you've given birth and finished your confinement. I'll show you who's in charge. Xie Huilan acted like Empress Wu, even at her grandmother's house.

At one o'clock in the afternoon.

Dong Xuebing's arms were sore from fanning her for two hours, and then he even brought over a parasol, so he was constantly busy.

"Okay, you can stop fanning now," Xie Huilan said.

Dong Xuebing sighed in relief, his arms aching. "Givesspace; I need to lie down for a bit, too."

Xie Huilan smiled. "Let's wait until after lunch. It's already past twelve, tfor lunch."

Dong Xuebing protested, "Didn't we just have breakfast?"

"That was breakfast. Now I have a big appetite. I need to eat for two people. But lunch can be simple. How about you make two vegetable dishes for your sister Xie? Your cooking skills have been getting better lately. You deserve spraise. Go on, get started."

Dong Xuebing replied, speechless.

Xie Huilan glanced at him. "Fine, I'll do it myself."

Dong Xuebing relented. "Okay, I'll go."

Xie Huilan chuckled and lifted her chin. "My little husband is the best. Chere, letkiss you."

Dong Xuebing reluctantly went over and kissed her, feeling sweet inside. "Rest for a while. Half an hour will do."

Back in the house, Dong Xuebing began to cook. He carefully chopped the vegetables, thinking, "The due date is still seven or eight days away. When will this ordeal end?"

Once the vegetables were ready, he was about to start cooking when he faintly heard snoise from outside. He paused and listened again, confirming that there was indeed snoise. Dong Xuebing immediately turned off the range hood, and the kitchen fell silent. Then, he heard Xie Huilan calling from the backyard.

"Xiaobing."

"Yeah, Huilan?"

"Cquickly."

Dong Xuebing's face changed instantly because he could hear the pain in his wife's voice. He knew something was wrong. Hastily abandoning the frying pan, he dashed outside and ran towards the backyard. In the next moment, he saw his wife under the parasol, gripping her stomach, having fallen off the lounge chair. She was in pain, calling out Dong Xuebing's name. Her lower body was wet, her pants soaked.

"What's wrong, Huilan, what's wrong?" Dong Xuebing exclaimed.

He rushed over, and Xie Huilan grabbed his wrist tightly, gritting her teeth. "My water broke. We need to go to the hospital."

Dong Xuebing panicked. "But isn't the due date still a week away?"

Xie Huilan couldn't speak anymore, apparently in great pain. Her nails dug into Dong Xuebing's flesh. "Hurry!"

Dong Xuebing was also anxious. He lifted his wife from the ground without thinking too much and quickly grabbed the car keys inside the villa. Driving towards the hospital, he shouted reassuring words to Xie Huilan. "Hang in there, Huilan. Everything will be fine. You and the baby will be fine."