Power and Wealth

Chapter 1662

The next day...

Sunday morning.

Ring, ring, ring, ring, ring.

Dong Xuebing was awakened by Luo Haiting's phone ringing. Opening his eyes, he saw that Sister Luo had already woken up at some point and turned on her phone.

At this moment, Luo Haiting, with her back facing Dong Xuebing, wrapped in a blanket, answered the phone while holding her phone, "Hello? Yeah, yeah, I arrived at the hotel at ten o'clock yesterday and turned off my phone. It ran out of battery. I just charged it this morning. After I got back, I was too tired and had a bit to drink, so I didn't get around to charging it. Are you not done yet? Yeah, I know, take care of the child. Give him more meat. He's growing. I'm fine here, you don't need to worry about me. I'm well aware of the situation."

The call ended.

Luo Haiting put down her phone and rolled over.

Dong Xuebing happened to meet her gaze, sleepy-eyed, "What time is it?"

"Are you awake, Xuebing?" Luo Haiting looked at her watch. "It's just after seven, still early."

"I won't sleep anymore." Luo Haiting smiled. "I wake up at this time every day, and it's a habit."

"Then I'll sleep a bit longer." Dong Xuebing yawned. "I really can't keep my eyes open."

Luo Haiting responded with an "Mm" and pulled the blanket over him, covering his feet that had peeked out from under the covers.

Sister Luo's body was fully exposed when she got up like this, and Dong Xuebing, who was still feeling sleepy, took a glance. He immediately became more alert because he first saw several red nail marks on Luo Haiting's waist and buttocks. Looking further down, he noticed more, especially a full handprint on her lower back, particularly red, like the kind of injury from a martial arts novel. Dong Xuebing was startled and let out a surprised sound.

"What's wrong?" Luo Haiting blinked.

Dong Xuebing felt embarrassed. "These red marks on your body..."

Luo Haiting looked down and said, "It's okay; my skin sometimes isn't very good. It's related to the season, and sometimes the marks are quite obvious if I'm touched. Don't worry; they should be gone by this afternoon." She then demonstrated by lightly pinching her arm, and within a few seconds, the area turned visibly red.

But Dong Xuebing still felt guilty. He knew those marks were all caused by his actions last night. Upon waking up and his emotions subsiding, he realized his behavior from last night was excessive. He had always respected Sister Luo, even using the polite form of address. Perhaps it was the language habits of people from Beijing, or more likely, it was out of respect, especially for female comrades. So, realizing how he had acted recklessly and without restraint towards Luo Haiting last night, Dong Xuebing felt somewhat unable to face her, feeling embarrassed.

"Sorry, Sister Luo," Dong Xuebing, no longer feeling sleepy, said. I really didn't mean to; it's just that I couldn't control my emotions."

Luo Haiting was very tolerant and smiled, "It's okay."

"Let me see." Dong Xuebing crawled over and looked at the swollen areas on her body. Some were due to her skin, but some were definitely because Dong Xuebing had been too rough. The difference between the redness from an allergy and the redness from being hit hard was completely different. Sister Luo had marks all over her body. "Blame me, blame me, I'm sorry. Um, let's go to the pharmacy later and get some medicine. Don't let your husband see it. Then later..."

Luo Haiting said, "It's not serious. It will go away on its own. I will only go back on Monday; in the worst-case scenario, I will return on Tuesday. My husband won't see it."

Dong Xuebing looked at her and said, "It's still quite uncomfortable. Last night, my mood wasn't good, and I argued with a woman. Then, I had a bit to drink, so I asked you to stay. I, um, it's all my fault." He touched the swollen areas on Sister Luo's body, feeling very sorry.

Luo Haiting smiled lightly, "It's okay. Sister also noticed that you weren't in a good mood yesterday. I'll stay with you overnight if I have to. You've helped me a lot before, haha. Pinching me a few times doesn't matter."

Dong Xuebing said awkwardly, "You're teasing me."

Luo Haiting said, "I am not teasing you, just kidding." She casually picked up the bra she had put on the chair last night and began to put it on with her hands behind her back.

Dong Xuebing sat up on the bed. "Forget it, I won't sleep either."

"You sleep. I'll go make some breakfast." Luo Haiting put on her bra, showing her fair legs as she began to put on her panties one by one.

Originally, Dong Xuebing also wanted to get up, but when he saw Sister Luo dressing, with her voluptuous body half covered and half exposed, he immediately changed his mind. Without thinking, he reflexively reached out and pinched Luo Haiting's wrist as she put on her black stockings, grabbing hold of the stockings as well.

"Um," Luo Haiting looked at him suspiciously.

Dong Xuebing cleared his throat and pulled her closer.

Luo Haiting seemed to understand. "Now?"

Dong Xuebing grunted and said, "Anyway, it's still early. Let's get up later. We still have time for breakfast and everything else."

Luo Haiting glanced at him. As she removed the stockings, she started to take off the clothes she had just put on one by one. Then she pressed her plump body against the bedboard, making a slight creaking sound.

As soon as she lay down, Dong Xuebing in the bed crawled over, straddling Luo Haiting.

Luo Haiting glanced at him and smiled, "Be gentler this time. I cannot handle you like this. Don't hit me again. The handprint from last night will disappear tomorrow, but with new ones, it's uncertain. If my husband sees it, I won't be able to explain. He's always worried about me, watching me closely every day, and he can think up all sorts of things."

Dong Xuebing said, "Then I'll be gentler."

"Okay." Luo Haiting was already lying down.

This time, Dong Xuebing was gentler and especially careful. He tasted Sister Luo again, feeling good. Her body was still enticing despite her age, especially as a married woman. Dong Xuebing had never seduced a married woman before, so morally, he felt a sense of guilt, but it also felt different, each with its own merits. Anyway, he was having a great time.

Morning.

Before nine o'clock.

To avoid suspicion, Dong Xuebing came out of the quadrangle first and looked around the alley to see if there were any acquaintances. Then he got into his Land Rover and called Sister Luo. After a moment, Sister Luo's figure appeared in the rearview mirror.

Both got into the car.

"Where to?" Dong Xuebing asked.

Luo Haiting straightened her long skirt and fastened her seatbelt. "Haha, you're the local. Today, I will listen to you. Let's stroll around; don't delay your work. You can be busy with your work in the afternoon, and I can go anywhere alone."

Dong Xuebing didn't agree. "How can that be? We agreed that I would take you around Beijing. I'm not busy, and I have nothing to do all day. Let me think, um, there's not much to see. You've probably been to all the famous tourist spots. Let's go to Wangfujing pedestrian street and walk around the mall..."

"Okay." Luo Haiting nodded.

"Alright, let's go." Dong Xuebing stepped on the gas, and music filled the car. Today, his mood was in stark contrast to yesterday's; he felt relaxed, carefree, and extremely comfortable. All the negative emotions were vented to Sister Luo.

Wangfujing.

The car parked outside, and the two entered the pedestrian street without any particular destination, just walking around aimlessly.

Of course, Dong Xuebing and Luo Haiting didn't show any intimate gestures outside. They didn't hold hands or link arms; even when walking together, they maintained some distance between their shoulders. After all, this was Beijing, a place with considerable fame and popularity. Dong Xuebing feared running into acquaintances, which would be awkward if they were seen together. Luo Haiting probably also had considerations, being a married woman. She was very mindful of these things.

"Thinking of bringing anything back?" Dong Xuebing asked as they walked through a mall. "I think local specialties are not necessary. They might not taste good, and unless you plan to give them as gifts, there's no need to buy them. They're heavy and inconvenient to carry."

Luo Haiting chuckled. "You're right. Last time, I brought some local specialties back from a business trip, but they were too heavy. After carrying them back, my arms hurt for a whole week. It was awful."

Dong Xuebing laughed. "I think it's better to buy some clothes for yourself. It's lighter and easier. Also, you can buy some small items or clothes for your son and husband. Then..." Dong Xuebing knew that Sister Luo's family wasn't wealthy. Even though she was a deputy department-level cadre, her salary wasn't high, and there were still many expenses with a son and a family to support. Over the years, although Dong Xuebing often saw Sister Luo changing clothes and dressing up, he never saw her wear any expensive brand names. They were all everyday brands or clothes she bought from roadside stalls. So he said, "And then, you just pick whatever you like, don't worry about the price. Today, it's all on me. Whatever you fancy, we'll buy it."

Upon hearing this, Luo Haiting waved her hand with a smile. "Forget it. How could I spend your money? What's the big deal? You've already helped me so much. If it weren't for you, I'd still be working in the small business office in the county. How could I have my position today?"

Dong Xuebing said, "Come on, there's no need to be so polite with me."

Luo Haiting insisted, "No, really, let's look for something cheap."

Ignoring her, Dong Xuebing dragged her to the storefronts of some first-line brands.