Chapter 18: with translation of chapter title

Director Wang's political awareness is not top-notch, but he is strong in execution; Chu Jinsong criticized him in the morning, and in the afternoon he thoroughly implemented the 'immediate action, immediate correction' rectification work.

Not only did he abolish that baffling toilet-management post, but he also took the opportunity to give Li Hengbo a dressing-down.

His reason for dealing with Li Hengbo was simply to give Lin Dongfan an explanation, thinking that as long as this prince didn't find fault, the previous unpleasant matters could be put behind them.

That evening.

Director Wang set aside his usual leadership demeanor, addressed Lin Dongfan as prince, and intended to lay out a table of drinks to apologize, but Lin Dongfan politely declined.

Lin Dongfan wasn't stupid either.

Although his father-in-law had been reinstated to his former post, the undercurrents of dragon-and-tiger struggles behind the scenes had not dissipated, and Executive Vice Mayor Xiao Yunce's eyes were certainly not blind.

At this critical juncture, it's still better for me to keep a low profile.

Moreover, the title of prince is nothing but a disgrace; if one really wore it on one's head, wouldn't the Nanzhou Municipal Party Committee's Political and Legal Affairs Commission become a mouthpiece for the Chu family?

Slapping this disgrace on him would be tantamount to inviting trouble for his father-in-law.

Lin Dongfan frankly said, 'Director Wang, I understand your intentions, but I still prefer the previous work atmosphere. You are the office director, I am a low-level staffer; feel free to give me orders, but please don't treat me as a person.'

'Prince, if I have ever offended you in any way, please don't take it to heart.' Director Wang gave an embarrassed laugh: 'Not treating you as a person... that was too harsh; I never really thought that way before.'

'What I mean is, treat me like a screw, don't misunderstand.'

Lin Dongfan wore a smile on his face, but in his heart he was cursing ten thousand times over.

He thought, 'You bastard, still trying to make excuses? My previous life wasn't even a human existence—it was nonstop toil like an ox and horse! My phone had to be on standby 24 hours a day, awaiting orders.'

Seeing that Director Wang, who fully understood the situation, already felt remorse.

Lin Dongfan stopped teasing him, and with a smile reminded him, 'Director Wang, gossip is fearsome. This prince's hat is something I cannot afford to wear; we must not do any foolish thing that would bring disgrace to Secretary Chu.'

'Look at my brain, it's really foolish.'

Director Wang's face bore a pleasant smile.

But inside he was secretly astonished: he had never realized before that this young man Lin Dongfan was so meticulous in his thinking—no wonder he had earned the Chu family's favor.

By comparison, the arrogant and overconfident Li Hengbo's loss was hardly unjust.

Director Wang felt a measure of admiration: 'Dongfan, since you've put it that way, I won't press you. Rest assured, I will definitely not do any foolish thing that would blacken Secretary Chu's name.'

These final words amounted to taking the opportunity to state his position.

He intended to use Lin Dongfan's mouth to convey the message to his superior, Chu Jinsong.

Lin Dongfan smiled in understanding: 'Thanks for the understanding. If there's nothing else, I'll be off now—I still have to go pick up my wife from work at the cultural troupe.'

Today was the first day Chu Jinsong resumed work, and Lin Dongfan now felt he had experienced what it means to be personally present at a flourishing occasion and to share in the honor.

In his previous life he struggled in the lower strata his whole life, and even in death he was never looked up to.

In this life, having seized the opportunity and suddenly risen to prominence, he didn't need to bare his fangs and brandish his claws; these people were practically eager to prostrate themselves and lick his toes clean.

This ridiculous society—if you say it's sick, it still shines with brilliance.

What made Lin Dongfan feel relieved was:

His wife Chu Lingxi is absolutely a normal person with a healthy mind; she has neither complicated interpersonal relations nor scheming motives, pure as a blank sheet of paper.

Lin Dongfan slowly brought the car to a stop at the entrance of the cultural troupe and lightly pressed the horn twice.

Chu Lingxi turned her head, immediately flashing two charming dimples; as soon as she got in the car she kicked off her high heels and went barefoot.

She lowered her head, searching east and west: 'Honey, where are my flat shoes?'

At the dry cleaner's.

Lin Dongfan started the car and eased onto the road.

Chu Lingxi belatedly let out an 'oh': 'I forgot about that; let's turn the corner up ahead and first go get the shoes.'

'Let's get them tomorrow; in a bit I'll carry you out of the car.'

The corner up ahead is the rush‑hour stretch for getting off work, and it's bound to be jammed.

Chu Lingxi obviously didn't care about the traffic issue; hearing that he would carry her out of the car, she beamed with joy: 'I knew it—you love me the most.'

'You're my wife; if I don't pamper you, who will?'

Thinking back to that melodramatic marriage of his previous life, Lin Dongfan's thoughts were in a tumult.

In his previous life, he had also once treated Fang Xiaoxian like a fairy, showering her with meticulous care, but his sincerity was wasted on a dog—that was a heartless woman who saw only profit.

Those within the system yearn for promotion, and that is understandable.

But Fang Xiaoxian's promotion strategy carried a strong gambling nature; she went all out to become Li Hengbo's mistress, betting that his prospects were limitless and could lift her up alongside him.

Now Li Hengbo has been transferred to the grassroots to fill vacancies; his prospects can be said to be pitch black.

Would Fang Xiaoxian, upon learning this, be left heartbroken?

Based on his understanding of her, Lin Dongfan could almost picture her smashing things and kicking chairs when she got home, yelling at whoever she caught.

This is a story of sorrow flowing back like a river.

In his silent sigh, Lin Dongfan felt he was truly too hypocritical; with the heartless woman running amok everywhere, if he didn't put on a smile of schadenfreude, how could he live up to the persona of an ordinary mortal?

'Honey, what are you secretly laughing at?'

Chu Lingxi, sitting in the passenger seat, was also subtly affected and showed a faint smile.

The sordid truth certainly cannot be spoken.

Lin Dongfan played a piece of Chinese‑style music she liked: 'The charming aura emanating from you has intoxicated my soul; take a careful sniff, and even the air smells fragrant.'

'Really?'

Chu Lingxi earnestly sniffed the air and detected a whiff of gasoline.

She then lifted her arm and sniffed her own scent.

She then wore a puzzled expression: 'Honey, you couldn't possibly have nasal inflammation, could you? I can't smell the charming aura you mentioned.'

'Uh… this… you've thrown off my rhythm, but anyway you are the source of my happiness, and I won't accept any rebuttal.'

Coaxing his wife, Lin Dongfan was sincere.

Chu Lingxi belatedly nodded: "I understand, the charming aura you're talking about isn't that charming aura, it's that charming aura."

Er! ……

Lin Dongfan wasn't made dizzy by the navigation, but he almost got led into a dead end by Chu Lingxi.

After arriving home.

Lin Dongfan carried Chu Lingxi out of the car, and as soon as they entered the house, he was greeted by his mother-in-law's criticism: "Lingxi, you're already so old, yet you still have Dongfan carry you."

Has my dad never carried you?

Chu Lingxi hit the sore spot, speaking without thinking, leaving Shen Junlan speechless. "What kind of person is Lao Chu? That old fool only has state affairs on his mind."

Shen Junlan couldn't be bothered to respond to Chu Lingxi.

To Lin Dongfan he said: "Dongfan, don't mess around with her, your father is waiting for you in the study; he has something to discuss."

Hmm.

Lin Dongfan set Chu Lingxi down on the sofa, changed into slippers, and went into the study.

On the antiquated Ming-style desk lay stacked documents; beside it sat a pot of vibrant clivia. On the rosewood bookcase were not only a dazzling array of books but also several pieces of porcelain of unknown dynasty.

This simple yet not simplistic study always gives a sense of steadiness and gravitas.

Chu Jinsong stood by the window smoking.

Upon hearing the knock, he turned and said, "You're back."

"Dad, do you need something?" Lin Dongfan brewed a cup of tea for Chu Jinsong.

Chu Jinsong sat down to ask: "Today, did Director Wang approach you for a talk?"

"He did approach me, but we didn't talk about work—he wanted to invite me to a meal." Lin Dongfan sat down in the nearby rosewood chair: "These days, many people are watching you, so I politely declined his invitation."

Hmm.

Chu Jinsong nodded, approving Lin Dongfan's approach.

He took a slow drag of his cigarette.

He then pondered: "Now you are our Chu family's live-in son-in-law, that is, my son. Working under me, for you it's actually not a good thing."

Understood.

Seeing his father-in-law's intention, it seems he wants to transfer me elsewhere.

That's not hard to understand.

Today Li Hengbo was transferred to the village for poverty relief, and the office staff gossiped endlessly, privately saying that the superiors kicked Li Hengbo out just to make room for this "princeling".

Such negative public opinion cannot be ignored.

If the father-in-law really promotes him to replace Li Hengbo as secretary, it would raise suspicions of nepotism and using power for personal gain, and Deputy Mayor Xiao would likely seize on this to make a big fuss.

Lin Dongfan replied understandingly: "Dad, regarding work matters, I'll follow your arrangements. No matter which unit I go to, I'm confident I'll do the job well."

"Having confidence is good." Chu Jinsong said relievedly: "Let me think over the specific posting. For now, you should first prepare the wedding—make up for the wedding between you and Lingxi."

"Dad, I originally wanted to hold the wedding at year's end."

The money in the stock account could now cover a wedding's expenses, but Lin Dongfan never thought of cashing out; he still hopes to accumulate wealth from that principal.

Chu Jinsong smiled knowingly:

"I know your funds are tight. Being strong is good, but don't be too rigid. Everything my wife and I own will eventually go to you and Lingxi. Don't split hairs over whose money is whose. If the Chu family cared about wealth, how could we have taken a liking to you, a poor boy?"

"I just feel… relying on my parents for everything makes me feel a bit indebted."

Lin Dongfan was genuinely warmed by his father-in-law's words; his smile grew a bit more earnest, giving him a sense that his life had not been lived in vain.