<h4>Chapter 1738</h4>


    Afternoon.


    Finished eating.


    Dong Xuebing had a bit too much to drink, and coupled with having stayed steadfast at his work post all morning, he was pretty tired and hadn''t rested much. Seeing this, Han Jing had Xie Jing help her husband upstairs to find a room and take a nap, not letting Dong Xuebing stay downstairs. Dong Xuebing didn''t refuse, swaying upstairs and lying under the covers. After all, the real celebration would be in the evening; it was still early.


    One hour.


    Two hours.


    Three hours.


    Not sure how much time has passed.


    Dong Xuebing was startled awake by bursts of firecrackers, crackling sounds ringing in his ears. Startled, he jumped out of bed, looked around, and realized it was already dark. He sighed, rubbed his still, slightly throbbing head, got out of bed, went to the bathroom, and sshed his face with cold water, instantly feeling more awake andfortable.


    Exhale.


    Downstairs.


    It was already past eight, and the Spring Festival G had started.


    Dong Xuebing picked up his phone and nced at missed calls and a dozen text messages. He started calling back as he went downstairs, greeting everyone for the New Year one by one, then sent some text messages, swiftly handling the New Year''s greetings. Some of the calls were from former subordinates whom Dong Xuebing didn''t recognize, maybe even forgot, but he still pretended to be familiar, nodding along and managing to get through the calls, wishing them well. It wasn''t that Dong Xuebing was showing off; it was just how things were done here. What could he say if someone reported their name and Dong Xuebing didn''t recognize it? He couldn''t exactly say he didn''t know them, especially on such a big asion. So, this was the only way to handle it.


    Dong Xuebing suspected that some of these were indeed misdialed. That’s why he didn''t recognize them. However, this system wasn''t necessarily about how much you achieved or how good your work abilities were. Sometimes, not making mistakes was what mattered most. If a call came from an influential leader and Dong Xuebing forgot their name, pretending to know them and offering New Year''s greetings was the safest bet. Politeness never hurt, and Dong Xuebing was already considering aiming for the deputy bureau director level.


    Downstairs.


    Dong Xuebing descended to the first floor of the vi.


    Xie Guobang, Xie Guoliang, Xie Guojian, and others were all holding phones scattered throughout various parts of the rooms: the sofa, chairs, window corners—all on their phones. Even Xia Yanzhen and Ci Lifen were the same. Their ranks were much higher than Dong Xuebing''s, and they knew more people, naturally making them busier than him.


    After returning missed calls, Dong Xuebing quickly drank a ss of water, gulping it down, "Xiao Jing, Grandpa isn''t sick anymore, right?"


    Xie Jing was idle and smiled, "He''s fine. He''s outside watching Xiao Hao set off firecrackers."


    Dong Xuebingughed, "There are firecrackers? Then I''ll set off a couple too. Why didn''t you go, Xiao Jing?"


    "I just got back," Xie Jing said helplessly, "The noise was too loud. It hurt my ears, hehe. But if you''re going, I''ll take a look too."


    "Are Xie Ran and the others outside, too?" Dong Xuebing asked.


    "Yeah, Hou Ming and youngest Aunt are out there too," Xie Jing said.


    "Alright, let''s go then. Let''s go look," Dong Xuebing said, taking the lead out.


    Bang, bang, bang.


    Crackle, crackle.


    Outside, the noise was deafening.


    Dong Xuebing opened the door and went out. He saw Xie Haoughing heartily while lighting firecrackers, with Hou Ming joining in. Some other elders were gathered around Senior Xie in the backyard, watching.


    "Wow."


    "Haha."


    "So beautiful!"


    Everyone cheered loudly, creating a festive atmosphere.


    "Hey!"


    Xie Hao saw Dong Xuebing and said, "Brother-inw is here!"


    Xie Guoyue smiled and squinted, "Awake now, Xiao Bing? You should light a few, too."


    "Sure, Aunt," Dong Xuebing replied, lighting a couple with a bang. It was a gesture, as Dong Xuebing wasn''t into setting off fireworks.


    "Brother-inw, light one more! There are plenty left," Xie Hao urged.


    Dong Xuebing chuckled, "That''s enough for you guys."


    Grandpa Xie has recovered well and is in high spirits today. He chuckled and, with the support of Xie Guoyue and Han Jing, also lit a firecracker. At his age, he hadn''t been like this for a long time. During thest few New Year''s, he mostly stayed in bed. His current good health indicated that Dong Xuebing''s so-called traditional Chinese massage was very effective. Xie Guoyue and the others were pleased. Although Xie Guoyue and her husband, Hou Xing''an, mostly worked in Dongshan Province, she didn''t interact much with Dong Xuebing and didn''t say much. However, this incident made Xie Guoyue appreciate Dong Xuebing more. It seemed she was no longer questioning her favorite younger sister, Xiao Hun, for marrying such a young husband.


    Ambition is not measured by height.


    Maturity is not determined by age.


    Xie Guoyue immediately called Dong Xuebing over, "It''s almost time for the New Year''s Eve dinner. Have a drink with me. We haven''t had a drink together yet. But I heard you can hold your liquor well. Howe you couldn''t handle it after drinking so little at noon and ended up taking a nap?"


    Han Jing chuckled, "He''s been working overtime, that''s why."


    "Why work overtime on New Year''s?" Xie Guoyue turned her head, "And isn''t Xiao Bing a Division Chief leader now? Who needs to work overtime?"


    Han Jing exined, "Some of Xiao Bing''s subordinates had things to attend to, some needed to return to their hometowns, and some were preparing for the New Year. He saw it and took care of it all. Sincest Sunday, he''s been working overtime until today. He even went to the office this morning to handle something and came directly from there. Just got off work."


    Xie Guoyue nodded approvingly, "Well done, young man."


    Dong Xuebing smiled modestly, "It''s my duty. I had to work overtime since no one else could do it."


    Grandpa Xie nodded slightly, saying, "That''s how it should be. Xiao Bing is good. You elders aren''t as good as Xiao Bing."


    Xie Guoyue snorted, "You''re ying favorites."


    There''s no need to say this—everyone knew that Grandpa Xie yed favorites. At home, although he often criticized Xie Han and disapproved of this and that, everyone knew he favored Xie Han the most. Now, it seemed he was fond of Dong Xuebing, too. Whether it was because of his love for Xie Hun or something else, even though Dong Xuebing had confronted Grandpa Xie in the past and said some nonsense after drinking, even calling him "Old Xie," which should have caused some issues, Grandpa Xie seemed to like him. Some things were hard to exin.


    Xie Guoyue felt that Xie Han and Dong Xuebing''s temperaments suited Grandpa Xie well. Perhaps it was because they were simr to Grandpa Xie in some ways. Grandpa Xie''s stubbornness was well-known, and so was Xie Han''s disregard for family ties. As for Dong Xuebing, although not many people had heard of him, his temperament was just as foul, something known to the family.


    Bang, bang, bang.


    Xie Hao and the others were still setting off firecrackers.


    At this moment, Xie Guobang and Xie Guoliang, the three brothers, also came out one after another. They apanied Grandpa Xie and chatted, watching the younger generation set off firecrackers.


    Han Jing sighed, "It''s rare for our whole family to gather like this."


    Xia Yanzhen smiled, "Yes, but Hun didn''t return."


    Suddenly, Xie Han''s phone rang on Dong Xuebing''s phone. Seeing the number, he answered with a smile, "Hey, Hun, we were just talking about you. You''re the only one not here this year." After a few words, Dong Xuebing handed the phone to Grandpa Xie, "Grandpa, Hun wants to wish you a Happy New Year."


    Grandpa Xie grunted, "She doesn''t know toe back and see me."


    "She''s busy over there and can''t leave," Dong Xuebing passed the phone.


    Grandpa Xie took it and grumbled a few times, but despite his tone, his expression was still very gentle.


    Dong Xuebing knew his grandpa was one to talk tough but have a soft heart.


    Before long, the phone was passed to Xie Guobang, Han Jing, and the others.


    Xie Hun wished each of the elders a Happy New Year. Since she couldn''te back, she had to make several calls.


    But just then, as Xie Hun''s call was being hung up by Han Jing and passed back to Dong Xuebing, an ident urred. Over where Xie Hao and Hou Ming were setting off fireworks, Xie Hao identally bumped into something, causing one of the fireworks to fall. It had already been lit, and as it fell, it was aimed directly towards Grandpa Xie, Xie Guoyue, and the others.


    "Hey, be careful!"


    "Damn, get out of the way!"


    Xie Hao and Hou Ming shouted in rm.


    This was too dangerous. Although called firecrackers, they were no different from firearms in essence. If one exploded on someone, there would definitely be serious consequences. Every year, countless people were blinded, disabled, or killed by such idents. Everyone tensed up immediately.


    "Oh no."


    "Grandpa!"


    "Guoyue, get out of the way!"


    Upon hearing themotion and seeing what happened, the security guards over there were also scared out of their wits and rushed over here, but it was really toote.


    Everyone gasped.


    Only Dong Xuebing remained calm. Upon the first shout from Xie Hao, he nced over and then at the direction the fireworks aimed.


    In the next moment,


    With a thud, the fireworksunched from the ground.


    "Danger!"


    "Be careful!"


    Someone shouted.


    But just as Xie Guoyue and the others were unable to move away in time and covered their faces to protect themselves, as other security guards rushed over here, in the blink of an eye, Dong Xuebing''s figure appeared unexpectedly in front of Grandpa Xie, Xie Guoyue, and the others. It was as if he had shed over in an instant. Expressionless, he lightly raised his hand and flicked it. With a snap, the flying firework was pped away by the back of Dong Xuebing''s hand and burst open in the sky with a whoosh.