Chapter 135: with translation of chapter title

When Lin Dongfan arrived at the courtyard at 37 Grass Hat Alley, the private security team organized by Xie Xiaofeng had just boarded the flight to Jingcheng.

Translation: When Lin Dongfan arrived at the courtyard at 37 Grass Hat Alley, the private bodyguard team organized by Xie Xiaofeng had just boarded the flight to Jingcheng.

Check: The courtyard at 37 Grass Hat Alley, they had just boarded the flight to Jingcheng.

Thus line.

However, this did not hinder Lin Dongfan from carrying out deployment work.

Translation: However, this did not hinder Lin Dongfan from deploying his work.

Better: However, this did not prevent Lin Dongfan from carrying out deployment.

We need to be concise: However, this did not hinder Lin Dongfan from deploying.

However, this did not hinder Lin Dongfan from carrying out deployment work.

Last night, Lin Dongfan had already contacted a professional security company. Both parties had agreed to install the surveillance system this morning.

Translation: Last night, Lin Dongfan had already contacted a professional security company. Both sides had agreed to install the surveillance system this morning.

Inside and outside the courtyard, covert 360-degree surveillance with no blind spots will be achieved within 24 hours.

Translation: Inside and outside the compound, covert 360-degree surveillance with no blind spots will be achieved within 24 hours.

This not only allows timely capture of movements inside the courtyard,

Translation: This not only allows timely capture of movements inside the compound,

but also facilitates evidence gathering.

Translation: but also facilitates evidence gathering.

Note: line 5 and 6 are separate sentences; we keep them separate.

The security personnel hadn't arrived yet, so Lin Dongfan went to the public restroom to relieve himself. Upon returning, he saw a Jingcheng old-timer peering into the house, acting like an amateur intelligence scout.

Translation: The security personnel hadn't arrived yet, so Lin Dongfan went to the public toilet to relieve himself. Upon returning, he saw a Jingcheng old-timer peeking inside, just like an unprofessional intelligence scout.

Jingcheng old-timer refers to an old man from Jingcheng; intelligence scout refers to an intelligence gatherer.

"Old man, are there any young women inside?"

Translation: "Old man, are there any young ladies inside?"

Lin Dongfan pretended to be a curious onlooker, leaning in to peek inside.

Translation: Lin Dongfan pretended to be a curious onlooker, leaning in to peek inside.

The old man looked inside and chuckled, "I didn't see any young women, but there is a fool. He's an outsider who carelessly spent 50 million to buy this house yesterday, letting others make a profit of 14 million."

Translation: The old man looked inside and chuckled: "I didn't see any young ladies, but there's a fool. He's an outsider who just splashed 50 million to buy this place, letting others make a profit of 14 million."

Keep the numbers exactly: 50 million, 14 million.

Thus: "He's an outsider who just splashed 50 million to buy this place, letting others make a profit of 14 million."

Splashed 50 million, letting others make a tidy profit of 14 million.

"Old man, how much do you think this house is worth?"

Translation: "Old man, how much do you think this place is worth?"

Lin Dongfan ignored the fool's title, insisting it wasn't him speaking.

Translation: Lin Dongfan ignored the fool's title, insisting it wasn't him speaking.

Lin Dongfan ignored the fool's title, insisting it wasn't him speaking.

The old man turned his head to look.

Translation: The old man turned his head to look.

Suddenly he felt Lin Dongfan's face looked familiar, as if he had seen him somewhere before.

Translation: Suddenly he felt Lin Dongfan's face looked familiar, as if he had seen it somewhere before.

Upon further reflection,

Translation: Upon further reflection,

The old man suddenly realized, smiled, and clasped his hands in greeting: "Boss, you're magnanimous; I was just talking out of turn, with no filter."

Translation: The old man suddenly realized, smiled, and clasped his hands: "Boss, you're magnanimous; I was just talking out of turn, with no filter."

Boss, you're magnanimous; I was just talking out of turn, with no filter.

"No problem," Lin Dongfan replied with interest, smiling: "Do you have a courtyard house? As long as it's within the second ring and over 400 square meters, I'm also willing to pay 50 million."

Translation: "You're welcome." Lin Dongfan smiled intriguingly: "Do you have a courtyard house? As long as it's within the second ring and over 400 square meters, I'm also willing to pay 50 million."

Fifty million = 50 million; over 400 square meters = over 400 square meters; within the second ring = within the second ring.

Thus: "Do you have a courtyard house? As long as it's within the second ring and over 400 square meters, I'm also willing to pay 50 million."

"Early in the morning, are you just messing with me?" the old man thought Lin Dongfan was mocking him for lacking a courtyard house, and immediately felt hostile.

Translation: "Early in the morning, are you trying to make fun of me?" The old man mistakenly thought Lin Dongfan was mocking him for lacking a courtyard house, and hostility immediately flared in his eyes.

Lin Dongfan goaded him: "Cut the nonsense, just tell me whether you have one or not."

Translation: Lin Dongfan goaded him: "Cut the nonsense, just tell me whether you have one or not."

"Don't play word games with me!" the old man thrust his thumb backward, brimming with pride as he opened up: "My ancestors were also genuine Banner nobles! I actually do have a courtyard house right now—dare to come take a look? If you're really willing to fork out 50 million, then from today onward the house is yours."

Translation: "Don't play lip service with me!" The old man thrust his thumb backward, brimming with arrogance as he laid it all out: "My ancestors were genuine Eight Banner descendants! I actually do have a courtyard house right now—dare to go see it with me? If you're really willing to fork over 50 million, this place will be yours starting today."

Fifty million = 50 million.

"Let's go."

Translation: "Let's go."

Seeing that this old-timer truly had wealth, Lin Dongfan's get-rich-quick scheming started clacking away.

Translation: Seeing that this old-timer truly had wealth, Lin Dongfan's get-rich-quick calculations began to clatter.

After locking the courtyard gate, he immediately went with the old-timer to view the house.

After locking the courtyard gate, he immediately went with the old-timer to view the house.

Acquiring it for 50 million now, then flipping it in two years for a tidy profit—that's a heavenly deal! The key is it's hassle-free, unlike the stock market that requires constant watching.

Translation: Acquiring it for 50 million now, then flipping it in two years for a tidy profit—that's a heavenly deal! The key is it's hassle-free, unlike the stock market that requires constant watching.

Acquiring it for 50 million now, then flipping it in two years for a tidy profit—that's a heavenly deal! The key is it's hassle-free, unlike the stock market that requires constant watching.

Making money and fighting corruption can go hand in hand.

Translation: Making money and fighting corruption go hand in hand.

Meanwhile, Bai Wentao, who had already arrived in Jingcheng last night, was insomnia-ridden; even a five-star hotel couldn't give him peaceful sleep.

Translation: Meanwhile, Bai Wentao, who had already arrived in Jingcheng last night, was insomnia-ridden; even a five-star hotel couldn't give him a peaceful sleep.

Even a five-star hotel couldn't give him peaceful sleep.

Worry!

Translation: Worry!

Boss Xiao never voiced his desire to get rid of Lin Dongfan.

Translation: Boss Xiao didn't say outright that he wanted to get rid of Lin Dongfan.

However, Boss Xiao's first choice was to enroll in the Assassin Vocational Technical Institute; he didn't want to see Lin Dongfan return alive to Nanzhou, which is a fact harder than steel.

Translation: But Old Xiao's first choice was to fill out an application for the Assassin Vocational Technical Institute! He didn't want to see Lin Dongfan return alive to Nanzhou—that's a fact harder than steel.

Assassin Vocational Technical Institute, Nanzhou.

So the question arises: who will stab him?

Translation: So the question arises: who will wield that dagger?

He pondered all night.

Translation: He pondered it all night.

Bai Wentao deeply felt that navigating the sea of officialdom, merely having superb swimming skills isn't enough! To avoid becoming tragic cannon fodder, the key is to learn how to dodge lightning.

Translation: Bai Wentao deeply felt that, navigating the sea of officialdom, having superb swimming skills alone wasn't enough! To avoid becoming tragic cannon fodder, the key was to learn how to dodge lightning.

To avoid becoming tragic cannon fodder, the key is to learn how to dodge lightning.

For something like killing, one must never do it personally.

Translation: For something like killing, he absolutely could not do it himself.

One must summon a sacrificial pawn.

Translation: He must summon a sacrificial pawn.

And the ideal sacrificial pawn is the ambitious Li Horizontal Wave.

Translation: And the ideal sacrificial pawn was Li Hengbo, who was eager to advance.

As the saying goes, "When the sky rains, the mother marries off"; Boss Xiao wanted a life as steady as an old dog, even hoping to rise rapidly, but someone always has to lie down to give him a foothold.

Translation: As the saying goes, "When the sky rains, the mother marries off"; Boss Xiao wanted a steady life like an old dog, even to rise rapidly in rank, so someone had to lie down to serve as his stepping stone.

As the saying goes, "When the sky rains, the mother marries off"; Boss Xiao wanted a life as steady as an old dog, even hoping to rise rapidly, but someone always has to lie down to give him a foothold.

Thus: "As the saying goes, 'When the sky rains, the mother marries off,' Boss Xiao wanted a steady life like an old dog, even to rise rapidly in rank, so someone had to lie down to serve as his stepping stone."

"Knock knock knock!"

Translation: "Thump thump thump!"

The knocking finally sounded; no need to guess, it was surely Li Horizontal Wave arriving as promised.

Translation: The knocking finally sounded; no need to guess—it was surely Li Hengbo arriving as promised.

"The door isn't locked, come in."

Translation: "The door isn't locked, come in."

Bai Wentao, wearing the hotel's white pajamas, poured himself a cup of invigorating coffee, then turned to see Li Horizontal Wave bringing in two breakfast servings.

Translation: Bai Wentao, wearing the hotel's white pajamas, had poured a cup of invigorating coffee, turned around, and saw Li Hengbo entering with two breakfast servings.

"Secretary Bai, haven't you had breakfast yet? I brought you a share, let's eat together." Li Horizontal Wave placed the breakfast on the table and opened all the big and small boxes.

Translation: "Secretary Bai, haven't had breakfast yet? I brought you a portion—let's eat together." Li Hengbo put the breakfast on the table and opened both the big and small boxes.

Fried sauce noodles, which Jingcheng locals love, along with soybean juice paired with crispy rings.

Translation: Jingchengers' beloved fried sauce noodles, plus soy milk with crullers.

In Bai Wentao's eyes, these were unacceptable; he even sneered, "Jingcheng is truly a culinary wasteland—what is this stuff?"

Translation: In Bai Wentao's eyes, these were unacceptable; he even sneered: "Jingcheng is truly a culinary wasteland—what is this stuff?"

"I think the fried sauce noodles are fine; try them," Li Horizontal Wave said, pushing the chopsticks toward Bai Wentao.

Translation: "I think the fried sauce noodles are fine; try them." Li Hengbo pushed the chopsticks toward Bai Wentao.

Bai Wentao glanced at the thick saucy fried sauce noodles, felt no appetite, and couldn't help but miss Nanzhou's duck blood vermicelli soup: "You digest it yourself; I'll go eat at the restaurant later."

Translation: Bai Wentao glanced at the thick saucy fried sauce noodles, couldn't muster any appetite, and involuntarily missed Nanzhou's duck blood vermicelli soup: "You digest it yourself; I'll go to the restaurant later."

"Then I won't be polite."

Translation: "Then I won't stand on ceremony."

Li Horizontal Wave is like a wolf on the prairie—an omnivore who isn't picky, adapts well to environments, and has a keen sense of smell.

Translation: Li Hengbo is like a wolf on the prairie—an omnivore, not picky, with strong environmental adaptability, and crucially, a keen sense of smell.

After receiving Bai Wentao's call last night, he had already sensed a hint of danger.

Translation: After receiving Bai Wentao's call last night, he had already sensed a hint of danger.

While eating noodles, he said, "Secretary Bai, regarding what you mentioned last night, my advice is this: professional matters must be handled by professionals."

Translation: While eating noodles, he said: "Secretary Bai, regarding what you mentioned last night, my advice is this: professional matters must be handled by professionals."

In other words, you're asking me to kill someone, and I won't have any of it!

Translation: In other words, you're asking me to go kill someone—no way, I'm not serving that!

Upon hearing this, Bai Wentao furrowed his brows.

Translation: Upon hearing that, Bai Wentao furrowed his brows.

He stared fixedly at Li Horizontal Wave, who was lowering his head to eat noodles, and, thanks to the coffee's alertness, seemed to see through everything at a glance.

Translation: He stared unblinkingly at Li Hengbo, who was lowering his head to eat noodles, and, thanks to the coffee's stimulating effect, seemed to see through everything at a glance.

Li Horizontal Wave felt as if he had eyes on the back of his head, knowing Bai Wentao's gaze was sinister.

Translation: Li Hengbo also seemed to have eyes growing on his head, knowing Bai Wentao's gaze was dark and vicious.

After finishing that bite of noodle,

Translation: After finishing that mouthful of noodles.

Li Horizontal Wave then earnestly explained his view: "Jingcheng isn't Nanzhou; if something goes wrong here, even if Boss Xiao personally intervenes, he can't fix it. Professional matters require professionals to ensure certainty. Neither of us has ever been a hitman; we truly lack the experience, so we can't do it."

Translation: Li Hengbo then earnestly explained his view: "Jingcheng isn't Nanzhou; if something goes wrong here, even if Boss Xiao personally steps in, he can't pull people out. Professional matters must be handled by professionals to ensure certainty. You've never been an assassin, nor have I—we truly lack this experience, so we can't do it."

Bai Wentao gave a half-smile, half-frown pressuring him: "Don't be clever; do you think Boss Xiao hasn't considered this? He assigned you precisely because he trusts you."

Translation: Bai Wentao gave a half-smile, half-frown pressuring: "You're being clever, thinking Boss Xiao hasn't considered this? He specifically assigned you to do it precisely because he trusts you."

"Boss Xiao assigned me to do it?" Li Horizontal Wave glanced at Bai Wentao with doubt.

Translation: "Boss Xiao assigned me to do it?" Li Hengbo glanced at Bai Wentao half-believing, half-doubting.

Bai Wentao replied without hesitation: "For such matters, the fewer people who know, the better. If you hire an outsider, whether they succeed or fail, they'll leave leverage in someone else's hands. The ultimate result is: you wipe one backside, then have to wipe another, falling into an endless cycle you can never finish."

Translation: Bai Wentao replied without hesitation: "For such matters, the fewer who know, the better. If you hire an outsider, whether successful or not, they'll leave leverage in someone else's hands. The ultimate result is: after wiping this butt, you'll have to wipe another, trapping you in an endless cycle you can never finish."

"But this thing, I really can't do it."

Translation: "But this thing, I really can't do it."

Li Hengbo originally had a decent appetite, but now being pressed made his scalp go numb, and he set down the chopsticks in his hand.

Bai Wentao gave a cold smile, continually pressing: "Boss Xiao put you in your current position—does he just want to hear you say you can't do anything? Don't be stupid."

"You're specifically telling me to do it, and I can't seek third‑party help—is that what you mean?" Li Hengbo looked sullen.

Bai Wentao took a sip of coffee.

He replied noncommittally: "Just now you yourself said Jingcheng isn't Nanzhou. Doing things here, one must handle everything personally; only then can one truly guarantee flawless safety."

Seeing Li Hengbo collapse, unable to speak.

Bai Wentao gave another encouragement: "You graduated from a law major, you understand the law; at the same time you are the captain of the Criminal Investigation Detachment of the Forest Faction, with counter‑investigation ability. As long you make good use of your professional skills, leaving no trace at all is actually not that hard—you need to have confidence in yourself."

Confidence?

This fucking is a question of whether you have confidence or not? This is suicide, okay!

Only after becoming the boss of the Criminal Investigation Detachment did I know: under heaven, there is no assassination operation that leaves no trace! Only treading snow leaves traces, geese passing lose feathers, an iron pot stews a great goose!

Li Hengbo, at a loss whether to laugh or cry, threw out the final question: "If I fail, do I have to die?"

"This depends on your ability; you can refer to Yin Qiuhong's survival wisdom." Seeing Li Hengbo lacking any fighting spirit, Bai Wentao shifted tone: "But those who cling to a strong thigh and do nothing will surely die an ugly death."

Those words were like a merciless sword.

Pfft!

Stabbing Li Hengbo so he clutched his chest, he never dared utter another word of refusal.