The Secretary - Chapter 9

Driver Da Zhao was busy loading things into the car. Xie Ting sat on the sofa, made two phone calls, and got up to leave.

Wei Wan saw his overcoat hanging on the chair back and quickly took it and followed him.

The car headed towards the Third Ring Road. Thankfully, there was little traffic during the holidays. 

Xie Ting didn’t say where they were going or what he needed her to do, so Wei Wan didn’t ask.

The car ride was a bit tiring, so she looked out the window. Thick snow covered the broad roads, piled high on Tiananmen Square’s ancient and majestic walls.

“Never been to Beijing?”

Wei Wan quickly glanced at him through the rearview mirror. Xie Ting was putting on a dark gray turtleneck sweater, his glasses perched on his nose as he flipped through some papers. 

He wasn’t looking at her, but she knew he was talking to her.

“Yes, I have. But every time I come, I’m still amazed.”

It wasn’t awe she felt, but nostalgia.  Remembering her parents holding a young Jiang, her clinging to their side as they stood in the square taking pictures.

Xie Ting hummed softly, “They are resting. You came with me today, you must be tired.”

A warmth spread through Wei Wan, dispelling the winter chill. Besides the gratitude, she couldn’t help but marvel at the art of leadership. 

They visited several government buildings and school dormitories throughout the day. All were homes to Xie Ting’s teachers, former leaders, and even acquaintances from his family.

Before each visit, Da Zhao would carry their belongings up first. Xie Ting would stand under a snow-laden locust tree, lighting a cigarette. 

Wei Wan walked over, crunching through the snow.

“Did you bring your lipstick?”

Wei Wan’s face flushed, and she nodded.

“Your makeup is too plain. It’s New Year’s Eve; it wouldn’t hurt to look a bit more vibrant.”

Wei Wan returned to the car and dug out a classic crimson shade, applying it evenly with her finger.

Xie Ting knocked on the car window. Wei Wan got out. He glanced at her and nodded. 

During the visits, Wei Wan made full use of her feminine charm. She couldn’t be too affectionate, but she had to show sincere concern. Of course, Xie Ting was still the master of the situation.

The last stop was a professor’s dormitory at the university. Xie Ting went up alone and stayed for an hour.

Da Zhao, bored, confided in Wei Wan that it was Xie Ting’s parents’ home. 

“Such a pitiful leader,” Da Zhao whispered, lowering his voice. “Sitting at this position, there isn’t even someone to care about him.”

Wei Wan’s heart skipped a beat. “How is that possible?”

Just as Da Zhao opened his mouth to answer, Xie Ting came out from the hallway. Their conversation stopped abruptly.

On the return trip, the man in the backseat was visibly upset; the car felt suffocatingly heavy.

Wei Wan retrieved Xie Ting’s coat and handed it to him. As soon as she opened the door, he was on the phone. He gave Wei Wan a look, and she quietly closed the door behind her. 

“Just us brothers catching up? Of course, no problem. See you later.”

Xie Ting hung up the phone, his tall figure pacing restlessly inside the room. His expression was somber.

After a quarter of an hour, he said, “Do you have anything planned for tonight?”

Wei Wan shook her head. 

“Accompany me to a dinner party. Can you drink?”

“I can have a couple of glasses.”

“Good. Go ahead and reserve a table at the XX Hotel; I’ll meet you there.”

Wei Wan already sensed from his demeanor that this was no ordinary evening.

The XX hotel had very few remaining private rooms. Wei Wan went to the lobby and negotiated with someone until she finally secured an expensive suite.

Xie Ting was on the phone outside when he came in, looking tense. He saw that the tea, water, wine, and fruit were all set up and was about to make a call.

At this moment, the hotel manager approached them. “I’m so sorry,” he said apologetically. “A big leader is coming to dine. Would it be possible for you to change rooms?”

This was an insult to Xie Ting’s face.

Wei Wan felt her bl00d boil. She looked at the manager coldly and said, “What kind of big leader? Even big leaders have to respect market principles; there’s a first-come-first-served system.”

A man in a suit followed the manager. His contemptuous eyes swept over them before settling on Wei Wan. “Our general manager wants to host a New Year’s Eve dinner for Minister XX of the Provincial Finance Bureau. What do you say?”

The ice water poured over her; Wei Wan could barely hold back the rage that surged through her. She couldn’t even imagine how Xie Ting, as the head of the provincial health department, would feel in this situation.

The tension hung thick in the air before it was broken by a light chuckle. Xie Ting, with a composed voice, said, “It’s fine; we’re just here to have a simple meal. It doesn’t matter where.”

He pulled out a business card and handed it to the manager.

The manager took the card and his attitude immediately improved. “Oh, you are Director Xie of the Provincial Health Department? My apologies for the inconvenience.”