The next day.
Meeting, speeches and swear an oath. Dong Xuebing became a Probationarymember of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
After leaving themeeting room, Li Qing patted Dong Xuebing's shoulders and asked him to go tohis office. "My former office could not be used anymore. This is my new office.If you need to look for me, just drop by. Xiao Dong, you must not strainyourself. If you are still not recovered, you can rest for a few more days. Butyou do look better now compared to the time you were at the hospital." ZhouChangchun also entered the office. He smiled: "These few days Xiao Dong willonly deliver some documents. Leave the strenuous work to others."
Dong Xuebing replied with a grateful expression on his face:"Thank you, leaders. I will do my best."
Li Qing nodded. "Good. But don't push yourself too hard."
The sick looking Zhou Changchun also patted Dong Xuebing onhis shoulders.
"Old Zhou." Li Qing looked at him. "You need to take care ofyour health too. You are looking pale recently."
"Sigh... This is an old problem, and there's nothing I cando."
Dong Xuebing excused himself as he could tell Li Qing andZhou Changchun had something to discuss.
After saving the documents from the fire, Li Qing and ZhouChangchun trust in Dong Xuebing increased a lot.
This was a good sign.
Dong Xuebing happily return to the General Affairs Office.Everyone was around. Tan Limei and Zhuang Zhi were photocopying some documentsat the copier and chatting at the same time. Changjuan and Old Yan were hidingbehind their monitors. One was reading a woman's magazine, and the other wasreading his newspaper. Guo Shunjie was nodding off at his desk, and Guo Panweiwas writing a report with his right hand and massaging his thighs with hisleft.
Old Yan was the first person to notice Dong Xuebing. Helowered his newspaper: "Oh, Xiao Dong, you are back to work?"
Everyone looked up. Tan Limei smiled and waved to him. "BingZhi, congratulations for entering the party and being discharged from thehospital."
"Thank you."
Changjuan asked: "Our great hero is back. How are yourinjuries?"
"I am fine. Thanks for asking." Dong Xuebing moved his arms,showing that he had recovered.
Although Guo Panwei was jealous of Dong Xuebing, he stillshowed his concerns: "Xiao Dong, take care not to get your wounds wet if it isnot healed yet."
The only one who did not speak to Dong Xuebing was GuoShunjie. Both of them had fallen out before the fire. He only took a glance atDong Xuebing and continued dozing off.
After chatting with his colleagues for a while, Dong Xuebingreturned to his seat and start to work. He noticed a strange sign. Not only GuoPanwei and Guo Shunjie were listless, but even the big sized Zhuang Zhi alsolooks tired. They look liked they had just finished some strenuous exercises. WhenZhuang Zhi went over to Tan Limei at the copier machine, Dong Xuebing alsofollowed. He asked: "Zhuang Zhi, what's wrong with you? What did you doyesterday?" Dong Xuebing asked and winked at Tan Limei.
Tan Limei blushed. "Why are you looking at me?"
Dong Xuebing replied: "Nothing." He felt that something wasgoing on between both of them. Could they be dating?
Zhuang Zhi coughed and said. "Bing Zhi, stop making randomguesses. I am tired because of the soccer matches these few days."
"Soccer match?"
"Yes. Our City's State Security Soccer competition." ZhuangZhi explained. "I heard that the District Bureaus held competitions every year.But unlike the previous years, where the competitions were held within thedistrict bureaus, this year we have a combined competition. All of Beijing'sdistrict branch bureaus must send a team each to participate. The competitionhad started before the National Day. Yesterday, we had a match against Miyunbranch, and we lose 5-0."
Dong Xuebing nodded. "No wonder all of you look so tired."
Tan Limei loves to chat. She added: "Luckily you are not atwork. I tell you, our team play is too dirty...." She looked over at Guo Panweiand Guo Shunjie and lowered her voice: "Dirtier than the toilets. If it weren'tfor Zhuang Zhi, yesterday's match would have ended 6-0."
Dong Xuebing laughed. "Everyone here is amateurs. Win orlose still depends a lot on luck."
"Bullshit." Tan Limei pouted. "The other teams played well.Their forwards were forwards, and defenders were defenders. Look at our team.At the start of the match, our formation was still fine. But as the matchcontinues, all of our forwards became defenders. I was still cheering for themwith my friends from the Finance Department. It was so embarrassing."
Zhuang Zhi thought Tan Limei was angry with him and quicklysaid: "I will perform better in the next match."
Tan Limei rolled her eyes. "Other than playing dirty byknocking other players down, what else can you do? You can't even run."
Zhuang Zhi replied embarrassedly: "I... I am already tryingto lose weight."
"Cough... Errrr... Tan Zhi, Zhuang Zhi, are both of youdating?" Dong Xuebing asked.
Zhuang Zhi panicked: "I... We..."
Tan Limei blushed and stared at Dong Xuebing: "Don't tell anyone."
Really? Dong Xuebing said: "If I don't ask the both of you,are you two going to keep it from me? Don't worry. I will keep my mouth shut.When did both of you start? Have you met the parents? How far have the both ofyou going?" Dong Xuebing was happy for them as a friend. At the same time, hewas also envious of them. Sigh... How long do I need to wait to be dating?
"Huh?" Zhuang Zhi does not know what to said and quicklyreturned to his desk with his documents.
Tan Limei also took a set of printouts and smacked DongXuebing's arm. "You want to die, is it? Why are you so nosey? Hmph! If you wantto know gossips, I can tell you the hottest gossip in our bureau." She changedthe subject. "Do you know? When you are still in the hospital, rumors about youspread because of your bravery. You got a nickname. Firefighter."
Dong Xuebing was surprised. "Huh? Firefighter?"
"Hehe. Sounds good?" Tan Limei laughed. "When Li Qing andZhou Changchun heard your nickname, they also said that it suits you well. Notonly you saved the documents, but you also save everyone by writing the speechfor Deputy Bureau Chief Yang. Don't you think this is a good nickname for you?You can take on whatever issues we have. I think almost all the deputy chiefsof the General Affairs division knows about your nickname. Maybe even theDeputy Bureau Chiefs also know about the firefighter from the General AffairsOffice."
A firefighter has several meanings to it.
Dong Xuebing smiled: "Who was the one that came up with thisname? It does not sound nice."
Tan Limei replied uninterestedly: "Don't lie. You are feelingpleased now, right?"
Tan Limei was right. Dong Xuebing was feeling pleased. Thiswas the recognition given to him by the leaders and colleagues.
Hah! If I continue what I am doing, I should be up forpromotion!