Chapter 17

The next day, the rain stopped and the sky cleared.

Translation: "The next day, the rain stopped and the sky cleared."

Lin Dongfan, who had taken a sick leave of over twenty days, returned to work and resumed cleaning the toilets. His diligent work ethic was so impressive that even the cleaning staff felt ashamed.

Translation: "Lin Dongfan, who had taken a sick leave of over twenty days, returned to work and continued cleaning the toilets. His diligent work ethic made even the cleaning aunt feel ashamed."

Chu Jinsong, having been reinstated to his original post, made holding a meeting his first order of business upon returning to the unit.

Translation: "Chu Jinsong, reinstated to his post, first thing back at the unit was to hold a meeting."

At this meeting, Chu Jinsong did not name‑call or praise anyone; he simply discussed work, and the meeting's theme was the four‑character slogan 'immediate action, immediate correction.'

Translation: "At this meeting, Chu Jinsong did not name‑and‑shame anyone, nor did he praise anyone; he simply talked about work, and the meeting's theme was just four words: 'implement and rectify.'"

When mistakes or deviations in work are identified, they must be promptly corrected and rectified to eliminate the bad habit of procrastination and negligence.

Translation: "When mistakes and deviations in work are pointed out, they must be promptly corrected and rectified, eliminating the bad habit of procrastination and negligence."

After the meeting ended,

After the meeting ended,

Chu Jinsong called Wang ZhuRen into his office alone.

Translation: "Chu Jinsong called Director Wang alone to his office."

Wang ZhuRen hurriedly poured tea for Chu Jinsong, saying, "Secretary Chu, you narrowly escaped disaster this time; everyone has been looking forward to your return to lead the work."

Translation: "Director Wang hurriedly poured tea for Chu Jinsong: 'Secretary Chu, you narrowly escaped disaster this time; everyone has been looking forward to your return to take charge of work.'"

"Everyone expects me to return and take charge? I doubt it."

Translation: "'Everyone's looking forward to my return to take charge of work? I doubt it.'"

Chu Jinsong just said it offhand.

Translation: "Chu Jinsong said it offhandedly."

This frightened Wang ZhuRen into a speechless grin; he immediately refrained from checking the secretary's pulse and dared not say more, respectfully placing the tea on the table.

Translation: "This frightened Director Wang into a startled laugh; he immediately dared not feel the secretary's pulse, nor say anything more, and respectfully placed the tea on the table."

The tea's aroma filled the room, but Chu Jinsong had no inclination to drink it.

Translation: "The tea fragrance filled the air, but Chu Jinsong had no mind to taste it."

He gave Wang ZhuRen a half‑smile and said, "Just because someone got hurt in the toilet, they've created a toilet‑management post. If tomorrow someone can't urinate, do we also need to station an old Chinese doctor in the restroom?"

Translation: "He gave a half‑smile at Director Wang: 'Just because someone got hurt in the toilet, they actually added a toilet‑management post. If tomorrow someone can't urinate, do we also need to station an old Chinese doctor in the toilet?'"

"Secretary Chu, this was my oversight; I reflect on it."

Translation: "'Secretary Chu, this matter was my oversight; I reflect on it.'"

Wang ZhuRen lowered his head, trembling with fear.

Translation: "Director Wang lowered his head, trembling with fear."

Chu Jinsong then lifted his tea, blew lightly on the lid twice, and sipped slowly while saying, "Old Wang, you're a veteran cadre; you've always been steady, but at crucial moments don't act foolishly."

Translation: "Chu Jinsong finally picked up his tea, lifted the lid and blew lightly twice, then sipped slowly while speaking: 'Old Wang, you're a veteran comrade; you've always been steady in your work, but at crucial moments don't act foolish.'"

"Secretary Chu's criticism is justified; I will now implement the meeting's spirit of immediate action and immediate correction."

Translation: "'Secretary Chu's criticism is justified; I will now implement the meeting's spirit and carry out immediate rectification.'"

After just a few brief words, Wang ZhuRen felt as if he had walked back from the gates of hell, his spine drenched in cold sweat from the reprimand.

Translation: "After a few brief words, Director Wang felt as if he had just walked back from the gates of hell, his back breaking out in cold sweat from the reprimand."

Earlier, he had overheard underlings gossiping that Lin Dongfan had married into the Chu family; at the time he was only listening to Li Horngbo's nonsense and didn't take it seriously.

Translation: "Before, he had also overheard subordinates chatting that Lin Dongfan had married into the Chu family; at the time he only paid attention to Li Hengbo's nonsense and didn't take it seriously."

Now, looking back, he realizes he has blundered and walked straight into a trap.

Translation: "Now thinking back, he realized he had simply stumbled and fallen into the trap."

Today Secretary Chu set "immediate action, immediate correction" as the meeting's theme; on the surface it appears to be about restoring order, but in reality it is a strong pressure tactic aimed at setting the tone for the haphazard creation of a toilet‑management position.

Translation: "Today Secretary Chu set 'implement and rectify' as the meeting's theme; on the surface it seemed to be setting things right, but in fact it was a strong pressure tactic aimed at fixing the haphazard addition of a toilet‑management post."

If he does not proactively correct the mistake, it will no longer be merely a foolish error.

Translation: "If he does not proactively correct the mistake, it will no longer be a matter of simple foolishness."

Rather, it constitutes a work‑style error, a directional error, a political error; a single blow could leave him unable to get by.

Translation: "It would be a mistake of work style, direction, or politics; a casual blow could leave Director Wang unable to get by."

After returning to his office, Wang ZhuRen was about to summon Lin Dongfan.

Translation: "After returning to his office, Director Wang was about to summon Lin Dongfan."

Li Horngbo suddenly knocked and entered, saying, "Director Wang, that guy Lin Dongfan is faking illness; he lay in the hospital for over twenty days before returning to work—shouldn't this be dealt with seriously?"

Translation: "Li Hengbo suddenly knocked and entered: 'Director Wang, that guy Lin Dongfan is faking illness; he lay in the hospital for over twenty days before coming back to work—shouldn't this be dealt with seriously?'"

"Shut the door!"

Translation: "'Shut the door!'"

Wang ZhuRen's inner universe was about to explode.

Translation: "Director Wang's inner universe was about to explode."

Unaware of the situation, Li Horngbo closed the door and then, oblivious to the danger, added, "That fellow is still under suspension investigation; pretending to be sick in the hospital amounts to resisting and evading scrutiny…"

Translation: "Unaware, Li Hengbo turned, closed the door, and then blurted out without thinking: 'That guy is still in the suspended‑investigation stage; lying in the hospital feigning illness should count as resisting and evading investigation…'"

"Shut up!"

Translation: "'Shut up!'"

Wang ZhuRen slammed his palm on the desk; his death‑like stare silenced the clueless Li Horngbo, who stood frozen, unable to move.

Translation: "Director Wang slapped his palm on the desk; that death‑stare gaze left the clueless Li Hengbo dumbstruck like a cicada in winter, standing frozen, afraid to move."

"Lin Dongfan has a hospital sick‑leave certificate; what basis do you have to claim he's faking? And remember, you're the one who kicked him into the hospital—if anyone is to be held accountable, it should be you first!"

Translation: "'Lin Dongfan has a hospital sick‑leave certificate; what right do you have to say he's faking? And remember, you bastard, it was you who kicked him into the hospital—if anyone is to be held accountable, it's you first!'"

「……？？？」

Translation: "'……???'"

Around the unit, these people usually travel in groups of five or six; outwardly they appear modest and courteous, but in private they spew vulgarities, often slamming tables and glaring at each other.

Translation: "In the unit, these people usually form groups of five or six; on the surface they all appear as modest gentlemen, but in private they constantly spout vulgarities, slap tables, and glare."

Being scolded didn't affect Li Horngbo's mood; what truly left him bewildered was why Director Wang would suddenly favor Lin Dongfan—this is really damned strange.

Translation: "Being scolded didn't affect Li Hengbo's mood; what truly left him bewildered was why Director Wang would suddenly favor Lin Dongfan out of the blue—this was really damned weird."

He couldn't figure it out no matter how he thought!

Translation: "He racked his brains but couldn't figure it out!"

Li Horngbo timidly asked, "Director Wang, what did I do wrong?"

Translation: "Li Hengbo timidly asked: 'Director Wang, what did I do wrong?'"

"What did you do wrong? You don't even know what you messed up!" Wang ZhuRen roared, "Lin Dongfan is the Chu family's son‑in‑law, and you told me it wasn't so, digging this huge pit for me to fall into! Now I give you two options: either go apologize to Lin Dongfan and ask him not to hold a grudge, or…"

Translation: "'What did you do wrong? You damn well don't even know what you did wrong?!' Director Wang roared: 'Lin Dongfan is the Chu family's son‑in‑law, and you dare tell me he isn't, digging such a huge pit for me to jump into! Now I give you two options: either go apologize to Lin Dongfan and beg him not to hold a grudge…'"

「！！！！」

Translation: "'!!!!'"

Li Horngbo stared in disbelief: "The Chu family's son‑in‑law? Did Chu Lingxi really marry that bastard Lin Dongfan?"

Translation: "Li Hengbo stared dumbfounded on the spot: 'Chu family's son‑in‑law? Did Chu Lingxi really marry that bastard Lin Dongfan?'"

No!

Translation: "No!"

This is impossible!

Translation: "This is impossible!"

This is absolutely impossible!!!

Translation: "This is absolutely impossible!!!"

A surge of anger shot straight to Li Horngbo's head.

Translation: "A surge of anger rushed straight to Li Hengbo's head."

Li Horngbo exploded on the spot: "Let me apologize to him? Not a chance!"

Translation: "Li Hengbo exploded on the spot: 'Make me apologize to him? Not a chance!'"

"You won't apologize? Fine!" Wang ZhuRen hurled a village‑posting application at Li Horngbo's face, saying, "Our unit still has a village‑assignment poverty‑relief quota—get out to the countryside and fill that hole!"

Translation: "'You won't apologize? Fine!' Director Wang threw a village‑posting application at Li Hengbo's face: 'We happen to have a village‑assignment poverty‑relief quota; you damn well get rolling to the countryside and fill the hole!'"

Li Horngbo immediately wilted: "Director Wang, I'm not angry at you; please calm down first…"

Translation: "Li Hengbo instantly wilted: 'Director Wang, I'm not angry at you; please calm down first…'"

"Pick up the village‑posting form and get out!"

Translation: "'Pick up the village‑posting application and get out!'"

On this matter, Wang ZhuRen had already made up his mind and would not negotiate.

Translation: "On this matter, Director Wang had already made up his mind and would not negotiate."

Originally, setting up a toilet‑management post for Lin Dongfan violated procedure; today Chu Jinsong's failure to expose it on the spot already gave Wang ZhuRen a bit of face.

Translation: "Originally, setting up a toilet‑management post for Lin Dongfan was procedurally improper; today Chu Jinsong not exposing it on the spot already gave Director Wang a bit of face."

If he still doesn't show any attitude, he truly risks being seen as out of touch with the times.

Translation: "If he still doesn't show any attitude, then he truly risks being seen as out of touch."

Seeing Li Horngbo still standing there, Wang ZhuRen jumped up, slammed the desk, and shouted, "What the hell are you still standing here for? I dare to lock the door and yell at you—I'm not afraid you won't submit!"

Translation: "Seeing Li Hengbo standing there refusing to leave, Director Wang flew into a rage and slammed the desk: 'What the hell are you still standing here for? I dare to shut the door and yell at you—I'm not afraid you won't accept it!'"

"Please calm down; I'm leaving—is that still not okay?"

Translation: "'Please calm down; I'm leaving, I'm leaving—is that still not okay?'"

Li Horngbo picked up the fallen village‑posting form; his mood had sunk into the eighteenth level of hell. This form itself is hell—likely a one‑way trip with no return.

Translation: "Li Hengbo picked up the village‑posting application that had fallen to the floor; his mood had already plunged into the eighteenth level of hell. This application itself is hell, likely a one‑way trip with no return."

After hesitating back and forth, Li Horngbo walked into the men's restroom.

Translation: "After hesitating back and forth, Li Hengbo walked into the men's toilet."

Lin Dongfan, who was mopping the floor, paused and looked Li Horngbo up and down, saying, "Hey, Secretary Li, what's wrong with you today? You look as grim as someone heading to a funeral."

Translation: "Lin Dongfan, who was mopping the floor, stopped his work and sized up Li Hengbo: 'Hey, Chief Secretary Li, what's up with you today? You look as grim as if you'd just come from a funeral.'"

"Don't bully people too much!!!"

Translation: "'Don't you dare bully people too much!!!'"

Li Horngbo shouted in anger, a pure reflex.

Translation: "Li Hengbo shouted angrily, a pure reflex."

After the reaction, his legs went weak and he fell to his knees before Lin Dongfan, thinking, "That bastard Lin Dongfan can lounge on the toilet floor and act shameless; what's wrong with me kneeling?"

Translation: "After the reaction, his legs went weak and he thumped down on his knees before Lin Dongfan, thinking: 'That bastard Lin Dongfan can lie on the toilet floor playing the rogue; what's wrong with me kneeling?'"

Compared to his future prospects, face is worth nothing!

Translation: "Compared to my future, face is worthless!"

"Before, I was in the wrong toward you; I deserve to die; I'm not human!" Li Hengbo angrily slapped himself, then clung to Lin Dongfan's thigh, desperately begging: "You're magnanimous; please go say hello to Director Wang for me, don't let me be sent to the countryside to stay in a village. As long as you're willing to help me with this, I'll kowtow to you—any number will do."

"What are you doing? You're crazy, let go!"

Lin Dongfan pushed Li Hengbo aside with the mop in his hand.

He retreated two steps and shouted back: "If you want to kowtow, go kowtow at your family's ancestral grave!"

"Lin Dongfan, you really want to play me to death, huh?" Li Hengbo's eyes turned red: "I'm telling you, even a desperate dog will jump over a wall—don't force me to act foolishly."

"What am I forcing you to do?" Lin Dongfan wore a doubtful expression.

Li Hengbo strained and replied: "You just want to see me embarrass myself, don't you? I've already knelt down for you—what more do you want? Leave a line when dealing with people, so we can meet again in the future."

Leave a line when dealing with people, so we can meet again in the future?

Upon hearing those ten words, Lin Dongfan felt only sarcasm; the only thing that came to mind was "high-sounding righteousness," and a more accurate description than that would be "nonsense!"

Recalling his past life's misfortune:

My wife was slept with by you, my future was destroyed by you, you transferred me to the Emergency Bureau to take the blame! After being double-expelled, I was sentenced to ten years in prison, thrown into jail, and ultimately couldn't escape death!

Back then, did you, Li Hengbo, ever consider leaving a line when dealing with people?

If today I were to believe your wicked ways, be soft-hearted and sympathetic toward you, pity you! Then I would be sorry for the painful realization of being human in these two lives!

Lin Dongfan bent down and helped Li Hengbo up.

He also patted Li Hengbo's shoulder and earnestly advised: "What's wrong with village residency poverty alleviation? Open your mind—people need the resolve to face difficulties head-on. The future is still long; you might even get a chance to eat prison meals someday."

"Lin Dongfan!!!"

Li Hengbo, his face flushed from being mocked, now deeply regrets, regrets having knelt to beg Lin Dongfan.

I've lost face, and my future hasn't been saved either, damn it!

Li Hengbo pointed at Lin Dongfan's nose and shouted: "Don't get too full of yourself, you think you've surely won?! Do you really think that just because you've become the Chu family's son-in-law, I'd be afraid of you?!"

"That's right, cheer up." Lin Dongfan gave a cold, angry laugh: "Death by slicing—who said that? That was you yourself saying it, Secretary Li!!! How many cuts have you received now? Three thousand cuts and still not done—you can't die, you must stay alive!"

"Fine, then we'll see how it goes!"

Li Hengbo returned to his desk, filled out the village residency application, and packed up and left straight away.