Chapter 10: Don't Just Flirt with Guys

Not long after, hospital staff came and carried Li Hengbo away on a stretcher.

This grandiose scene stunned many in the unit, some scrambling to find out what happened, others sneering behind backs, putting on an act of mutual understanding.

At lunchtime.

Su Yuhong came over with a tray, joined Lin Dongfan at a table, and they sat in a quiet corner chatting gossip: "Was today's drama your doing?"

"It's his father's masterpiece."

Lin Dongfan mixed the food together, scooped a spoonful to his mouth, and chewed slowly.

Su Yuhong beamed:

"Raising such a rebellious son must be frustrating—he's not even your biological child. Want to consider getting a license with me? I'll help you raise a reliable litter of little monkeys, and I guarantee every one will be yours biologically."

"Even such a big drumstick can't shut you up."

Lin Dongfan shoved his own drumstick straight into Su Yuhong's mouth.

Su Yuhong didn't mind at all, took a hearty bite, still smiling sweetly: "I've already picked a name for our son—Lin Su."

"Don't eat the grass right by your burrow—please look farther ahead." Lin Dongfan lowered his head and ate his rice.

Su Yuhong kept grinning at Lin Dongfan: "Ha, you don't even dare look at me when you speak now—how long can you keep this up?"

"I'm the guy you'll never be able to flirt with—give up that notion early."

"Not daring to look at her while speaking? That's pure overthinking—Lin Dongfan didn't even eat breakfast, and as the saying goes, food is heaven to the people; what could be more important than a full meal right now?"

The food in the unit canteen is merely average, but still plenty oily.

Lin Dongfan ate and chatted: "Honestly, this suspension review feels like a huge weight on my shoulders. If my life doesn't see a major turning point, I'm likely to face disciplinary action next."

"Are you afraid Li Hengbo will sue you for intentional injury?"

"I do worry about this—Li Hengbo is also a man who cares about face; he'd never publicly admit I beat him up, as that would damage his official dignity."

"Are you worried Director Wang will come down hard on you? That seems unlikely. The provincial discipline commission is still stationed in Nanzhou, everyone's on edge. At this critical juncture, Director Wang using you as an example is just trying to scare the monkeys by killing a chicken—he wants everyone focused on work, not stirring trouble on the hotspot. Once this passes, the matter will be over; I doubt he'll actually give you a penalty."

"Well, let's not talk about that—let's eat."

Su Yuhong's analysis isn't completely without merit.

However, the major turning point Lin Dongfan hopes for isn't a change in Director Wang's attitude, but the Chu family, which symbolizes political resources.

For now he has Shen Junlan's approval, but she isn't the one who holds core power.

The biggest variable is Chu Jinsong.

Chu Jinsong differs from the literary faction's Shen Junlan—he's not swayed by emotion, but a relatively rational officialdom tough guy with his own unknown hiring standards.

Once Chu Jinsong is reinstated to his post.

Even if he won't reuse Li Hengbo as before, he might not necessarily reuse Lin Dongfan either.

To play it safe, we still need a double guarantee—best to also secure Chu Jinsong's daughter, Chu Lingxi.

If we could become the Chu family's dragon‑son‑in‑law.

Not only would we win the beauty, but the Chu family's political resources would definitely not fall into others' hands.

Lin Dongfan wondered whether he should proactively ask Chu Lingxi out for a walk.

That's a headache.

Mainly because his bank balance is only four digits, he has no commuter car, and lives in low‑rent housing.

With such penniless circumstances, chasing the Chu family's golden‑ladylike miss is somewhat pie‑in‑the‑sky.

Just looking at the haute‑couture cheongsam Chu Lingxi wore last time, the price likely starts at tens of thousands.

If we ask her out for shopping, what if she takes a liking to something—how would I pay for it? I can't just pull my hands away at the checkout and pretend I have nothing to do with it.

This impoverished life seems hopeless—all I can do is chase debts.

First get the money back, then we'll talk.

Thinking this through, Lin Dongfan asked Su Yuhong: "I've blocked Fang Xiaoqian's phone number—could you call her and ask her to come out?"

"Didn't you break up? Why look for her?"

Su Yuhong, who had always regarded Fang Xiaoqian as a love rival, flashed a hint of displeasure.

Lin Dongfan said: "Her brother borrowed 100,000 from me, plus the 88,000 bride price—altogether over 100,000, and more than 50,000 of that was money I myself had borrowed; I need to recover it."

"Debt collection? Sure, I'll help you set up a meeting."

Speaking of debt collection, Su Yuhong immediately relaxed and laughed.

She then pulled out her phone and called Fang Xiaoqian on the spot, pretending to discuss work, and arranged to meet her at 2 p. m. at Ice Love Lane opposite the courthouse.

After hanging up, Su Yu xiao laughed and asked Lin Dongfan: "All set—are you going alone, or do you want me to come with you?"

"What's the point of joining the fun?"

Lin Dongfan put down his rice spoon, took Su Yuhong's phone, and entered a string of stock codes.

He then returned the phone to Su Yuhong: "You lost money again today, right? Hurry and switch funds, buy this stock—within a month your assets could double."

Su Yuhong glanced at the stock code, smirked, and asked: "You think you're a stock god?"

"Trust me, hurry and switch funds aboard." Lin Dongfan said confidently.

Su Yuhong teased Lin Dongfan interestly: "If you know which stock will rise, why are you so poor you live in low‑rent housing? That makes no sense."

"Mainly, I have no capital." Lin Dongfan said: "My card only has a few thousand for living expenses; once I collect the debt, you'll see how I get rich overnight."

"Are you sure this stock will rise?" Su Yuhong said dubiously.

Lin Dongfan looked resolute: "You're my brother—I'd never screw over anyone I'd screw over you. Listen to me, and you're only one step away from a rich woman."

"I'll trust you once." Su Yuhong, fiddling with her phone, joked: "If you lose, you'll compensate me—I'll make you spend the rest of your life making up for my loss."

"Fine—if you lose money, I'll leave it to you to decide."

For Lin Dongfan, who has lived two lives, pursuing wealth is far easier than pursuing power.

In the pursuit of power, one deals with a complex officialdom environment and countless variables.

And to pursue wealth, you just need to seize those few demon stocks from memory—there's no need to waste effort figuring out human nature and the situation.

Recalling some unpleasant things she had witnessed in her past life, Su Yuhong seemed to have died at 32 from breast cancer.

She still had six years left to live.

Lin Dongfan reminded Su Yuhong again: "Once you make money, find time to go to the hospital for a checkup. These days, breast cancer rates keep rising—early detection and prevention."

"What do you mean, are you cursing me?" Su Yuhong wasn't angry.

Lin Dongfan glanced at her ample chest and earnestly advised: "I hope you stay healthy and forever as cheerful as you are now. With such a great figure, it would be a shame to cut off your breasts. Moreover, even after the surgery you might not save your life. These are all things that can be prevented in advance—don't take your health lightly."

"You say that and I actually feel a little moved."

Su Yuhong, her heart blossoming with joy, gazed at Lin Dongfan with a smile, her eyes no longer able to accommodate any other man.

She giggled, her mind wandering: "You care about me so much, yet you won't admit you like me? Be brave—it's not something shameful."

"Indeed it's not shameful, but this hits home." Lin Dongfan put down his rice spoon, took a napkin to wipe the oil off his mouth: "I treat you as a brother, yet you actually want to hit on me—don't mess around like that."

"What law says brothers can't hit on each other?" Su Yuhong asked with a laugh.

Lin Dongfan rose to clear the plates: "Don't just focus on flirting with guys—I have to go collect a debt. Remember what I just told you, be sure to go to the hospital for a checkup."