Chapter 195: Whoever Chokes My Neck, I

Xiao Zhao glanced at Peng Tianhua's reaction; Peng Tianhua also looked bewildered and unsure.

Basically, everyone's used to the rhythm where a higher rank crushes those below, so they definitely wouldn't dare oppose Deputy Director Kang, nor could they understand why Lin Dongfan dares to act so arrogantly.

Just to be safe.

Peng Tianhua earnestly advised Lin Dongfan:

"Director Lin, you've only just arrived at the General Bureau, so you might not yet be familiar with some of its people and affairs. I suggest you stay cautious for now and rein in your arrogance."

This is Peng Tianhua's third time urging Lin Dongfan not to break with Deputy Director Kang.

For an ordinary person,

they would have already sensed Deputy Director Kang Shaoxiong's overbearing aura.

Otherwise, Peng Tianhua wouldn't turn pale and even feel a tightness in his breath every time he mentions him.

But Lin Dongfan simply refuses to believe it.

What's wrong with being arrogant?

Even Su Dongpo had his moment of "the old man unleashes youthful fervor, left leading the yellow, right holding the azure!"—I, a modern youth who advocates the five virtues and four beauties, why can't I be arrogant?

Lin Dongfan threw his leg onto the desk.

Then he lit another cigarette.

He gave Peng Tianhua a blunt statement:

"If you want me to rein in my arrogance, I can't do that—I'll never again play the fool in this lifetime. Whoever creates obstacles for me, I'll make them a mere passerby in the bureaucracy."

Hearing that, Peng Tianhua and Xiao Zhao both had black lines on their heads, collectively speechless.

Lin Dongfan added: "My anti-corruption great blade may be forty meters long, but every official who has died under it was no innocent victim."

As he spoke, Lin Dongfan looked left and right, seeing no trash bin.

So he twisted open Peng Tianhua's thermos.

He flipped the lid over and used it as an ashtray on the desk.

When the ash fell, it seemed to land on Peng Tianhua's heart, making his chest spasm with pain and twisting his brows into a knot.

Damn it!

A big shot is a big shot—his way of giving surprises is truly special.

Peng Tianhua, clutching his aching heart, replied: "Section Chief Lin, I spiritually support your all‑out assault. Could you grant me leave? My head hurts—I suspect I drank fake liquor last night."

"What you're covering looks like a heart," Lin Dongfan said, narrowing his eyes and adopting a stern expression, somewhat doubtful.

Peng Tianhua forced an explanation: "Probably alcohol poisoning—the toxins have entered the bloodstream and invaded the heart; it really hurts."

"Leave approved."

"Thank you, Section Chief Lin."

"I'm granting your leave mainly because I admire your thick‑skinned nerve. You just want to avoid Deputy Director Kang's sharp edge, right? Go lie in the hospital. I'll let you spectate the General Bureau's first flame‑war."

"No wonder you can be a section chief—with your breadth of vision, we can only stare at your dust."

"Never mind mentioning vision—that's my weak point. The reason I agree to let you watch from the sidelines is mainly that I'm afraid you'll drag me down if you join the fight."

!!!

Faced with this rolling thunder of heavenly rebuke, Peng Tianhua didn't lose his temper.

Upon reflection, his mood brightened—having flattered the horse's leg instead of its back, what does it matter? Life is long; who hasn't had a few heart‑stinging experiences?

"Please rest assured, Section Chief Lin—I, Peng Tianhua, swear to heaven: I will only spectate and definitely not drag the organization down. Otherwise, may I be struck by lightning and never eat a four‑course meal again."

Peng Tianhua held up three fingers and delivered the oath with fervor.

"With such thick skin, even lightning might not kill you—next time you swear, you can be harsher." Laughing, Lin Dongfan rose, patted his rear, and left.

Only after watching Lin Dongfan walk out of the office

did the still‑shaken Peng Tianhua wipe away a cold sweat: "This life of walking on thin ice really is walking on thin ice—there's not even a stepping stone beneath my feet."

Xiao Zhao watched the retreating Lin Dongfan and wondered: "Does he really dare to clash with Deputy Director Kang?"

"That's not for you to worry about—don't fret needlessly." Peng Tianhua gazed at the ashtray‑filled thermos lid, then pressed his aching heart: "Go fetch me an ashtray, make it crystal."

"You aren't supposed to have quit smoking?"

As he spoke, Xiao Zhao pulled a cigarette from his pocket, ready to hand one to Peng Tianhua.

Peng Tianhua let out a frustrated breath: "I've quit, but Section Chief Lin hasn't—you're blind? I've got several thermoses he can mess with."

!!!

Xiao Zhao glanced at the thermos on the desk, then at the ash‑filled lid, and only then realized the true reason Peng Tianhua was clutching his heart.

Half an hour later, a new thermos appeared on Peng Tianhua's desk.

Xiao Zhao followed Lei Feng's example in doing good deeds—without seeking credit.

Afternoon.

Peng Tianhua didn't return to work; this old slickster really took several days off, preparing to watch from the sidelines lest he pick the wrong side and die unclaimed.

He now desperately wants to know where Lin Dongfan gets the nerve to dare clash with Deputy Director Kang.

Lin Dongfan also knows:

That his extraordinary promotion inevitably invites criticism.

Now, eyes throughout the General Bureau are fixed on him; if this time Deputy Director Kang Shaoxiong presses him to the floor and rubs him in, his reputation will be hard to restore.

Whether for the great anti‑corruption mission or for his own future,

this time he must not back down!

The next morning.

In the hallway, Lin Dongfan ran into Yuan Junsan, the deputy section chief of the Comprehensive Guidance Division, and casually asked, "Old Yuan, is Deputy Director Kang in the office?"

Hearing that, Yuan Junsan's face twitched slightly.

Lin Dongfan bypassed Deputy Chief Kang, reopened the case of Song Wen's suicide out of fear of crime, ordered Peng Tianhua to thoroughly investigate the Sea Mining Group, but as soon as Peng Tianhua had just entered the Sea Mining Group, Deputy Chief Kang ordered him to stop.

This matter has already been spreading wildly throughout the General Bureau.

Now Peng Tianhua has also taken leave to hide; those with keen senses have already sensed the approaching storm.

Lin Dongfan went to see Deputy Chief Kang early this morning—is he looking to openly declare war?

Yuan Junshan cautiously looked up and down the hallway, made sure no one was around, then kindly reminded Lin Dongfan: "Director Lin, Deputy Chief Kang has a haughty temper; it's best to avoid some matters."

Those words were warm-hearted, but Lin Dongfan truly didn't want to hear them.

Lin Dongfan wondered, does Kang Shaoxiong have three heads and six arms or an indestructible golden body? Everyone is so afraid of him.

He has a haughty temper—does that mean my temper isn't haughty?

Lin Dongfan, pressing on his temper, asked: "Old Yuan, tell me the truth—do I look like a soft persimmon that anyone can pinch?"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Junshan was left speechless.

He thought, being a few years younger is great—fearing neither heaven nor earth, full of spines!

Give you an anti-corruption broadsword, you could cut from Nanzhou to Jingcheng; if that's still called a soft persimmon, where in the world is there an Iron Head Brother?

You're like a stone in a latrine—stinky and hard, stubbornly refusing advice.

He pondered for a moment.

Yuan Junshan sincerely made a suggestion:

"Director Lin, instead of going to see Deputy Chief Kang, you'd be better off seeing Chief Liu. After all, Chief Liu is the top boss. To reopen the case of Song Wen's suicide out of fear of crime, all it takes is for Chief Liu to nod and show his stance, and Deputy Chief Kang will have nothing to say."

Chief Liu has remained silent—isn't that tacit approval?

A common tactic in officialdom.

Lin Dongfan laughed: "Thanks for your good intentions, but I still prefer to be straightforward. Whoever chokes my neck, I'll take on them. If I can avoid dragging innocents down, I will."