Chapter 20

Because Chu Lingxi liked traditional culture, Lin Dongfan followed her wishes and held a Chinese-style wedding.

Translation: Because Chu Lingxi liked traditional culture, Lin Dongfan went along with her wishes and held a Chinese-style wedding.

We need to keep it concise but faithful. Let's produce: Because Chu Lingxi liked traditional culture, Lin Dongfan acquiesced and held a Chinese-style wedding.

Check: "Because Chu Lingxi liked traditional culture, Lin Dongfan followed her wishes and held a Chinese-style wedding." Means: Because Chu Lingxi liked traditional culture, Lin Dongfan followed her wishes and held a Chinese-style wedding. Good.

On their wedding day, Chu Lingxi wore an elegant and splendid phoenix crown and rosy attire; Lin Dongfan, meanwhile, was dressed in traditional Han clothing and had the makeup artist use fake hair to create a flowing, handsome ancient-style hairstyle.

Translation: On the wedding day, Chu Lingxi wore an elegant and splendid phoenix crown and rosy robes. Lin Dongfan dressed in traditional Hanfu, and even had the makeup artist use fake hair to create a flowing, handsome ancient-style hairstyle.

We need to keep concise but include all info. Let's craft: On the wedding day, Chu Lingxi wore an elegant and splendid phoenix crown and rosy robes; Lin Dongfan dressed in traditional Hanfu and had the makeup artist use fake hair to create a flowing, handsome ancient-style hairstyle.

Eight bearers carried the grand sedan chair, with gongs ringing to clear the way!

Translation: An eight-bearer sedan chair, with gongs clearing the way!

We need to keep exclamation. Let's translate: An eight-bearer sedan chair, with gongs clearing the way!

The bridesmaid team, led by Su Yuhong, consisted of six people, all dressed in ancient-style attire.

Translation: The bridesmaid team, led by Su Yuhong, consisted of six people, all in ancient attire.

Lin Dongfan's groomsmen were also handsome, all his school friends, led by Yang Qing; Yang Qing now works in public security, a young man who isn't particularly accomplished but is good at stirring things up.

Translation: Lin Dongfan's groomsmen team was also handsome, all his old school friends, led by Yang Qing. Yang Qing now works in the public security system, belonging to the type of young people who aren't very accomplished, but he's good at stirring things up.

We need to keep meaning. Let's produce: Lin Dongfan's groomsmen were also handsome, all his old school friends, led by Yang Qing. Yang Qing now works in the public security system, belonging to the type of young people who aren't very accomplished, but he's good at stirring things up.

It was five in the afternoon.

Translation: 5 p. m.

Lin Dongfan wore a red sash, rode a white tall horse to the Chu family to fetch the bride, and proceeded to the purple bamboo garden already prepared by the wedding company for a solemn wedding ceremony.

This pinnacle moment in his life, claimed to be simple, was in fact all money‑piled.

A high‑end Chinese wedding far exceeds Western weddings in extravagance; just Chu Lingxi's custom‑made phoenix crown and rosy robes alone cost an astronomical sum.

The phoenix crown and rosy robes are not only complex in craftsmanship, but also very particular in materials and design.

Besides the intricate wedding procedures and venue decorations, and the particularities of the banquet, everywhere exudes the scent of money; all these expenses were paid out of the mother‑in‑law's pocket.

Moreover, the mother‑in‑law also gave an Audi A6 as part of the dowry.

When Lin Dongfan raised a toast to thank the groomsmen.

Yang Qing wore an envious expression.

He snatched the small cup from Lin Dongfan's hand: "We all graduated from the Political Science and Law University, you kid rose straight to the top while we brothers are still lying at the mountain's base—do you really think you can brush us off with a tiny wine cup?"

Saying that, he swapped it for a large cup and filled it to the brim with baijiu.

Lin Dongfan scanned the seated scoundrels: "The bridesmaids are at the next table; instead of messing with them you hold back your energy to mess with me—no wonder you can't get a wife."

"Don't change the subject, just down this cup." Yang Qing outright refused to buy Lin Dongfan's act.

Lin Dongfan said nothing more, tipped his head back and gulped several mouthfuls. After finishing, he inverted the cup— not a drop left. This domineering stance drew a chorus of "awesome."

At that moment Lin Dongfan wanted to thank the old Chinese medicine doctor in East City, whose hangover remedy is genuinely reliable.

It can be called a cheat device.

Lin Dongfan refilled his own large cup of baijiu: "You six little layabouts, you can't pick up girls, you can't drink, you're good for nothing—I'm worried for you, learn a bit."

Saying that, Lin Dongfan tipped back his neck and drained the cup.

Yang Qing instantly looked dazed, picked up the bottle and examined it left and right, asking the brothers present: "Could this possibly be fake liquor?"

He then poured a little, tasted it himself, and as soon as the flavor hit his tongue it was so spicy he stuck out his tongue.

Lin Dongfan laughed and slapped Yang Qing's shoulder: "Little layabout, figure it out slowly; I'll go greet the other guests first."

Today, a very special guest arrived at the scene.

Leng Chuan, who previously worked at the provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection, was the Section Chief Leng with whom Lin Dongfan once shared a "saving‑the‑daughter" bond; he has now been transferred to the provincial Procuratorate's Anti‑Corruption Bureau.

He assumed the post of deputy director of the Anti‑Corruption Bureau, concurrently serving as director of Investigation Division One.

He is now a vice‑ministerial‑level official, having gone from former Section Chief Leng to Director Leng.

Today Leng Chuan came to Nanzhou City to inspect work, and by the way offered congratulations to Lin Dongfan.

Leng Chuan dislikes crowds and doesn't sit down for a couple of drinks; after delivering his gift and greetings he wanted to leave, but Chu Jinsong invited him to the rear hall for a private chat.

Lin Dongfan didn't want to go in and disturb them, so he waited outside.

After Leng Chuan came out.

Lin Dongfan then smiled, went up to greet him: "Director Leng, since you've come, you ought to have a couple of drinks before leaving; I've set aside a separate table for you, guaranteeing no outsiders will disturb you."

"Since Dongfan has already arranged it, let's have two drinks and then go," Chu Jinsong urged with a smile.

Leng Chuan replied respectfully but not obeying: "Fine, I'm a bit hungry, I'll just have a couple of bites of rice. I'll skip the alcohol—I still have work to handle later."

"The food is ready, please this way."

Lin Dongfan led Leng Chuan to the side hall, where the food had already been prepared.

Since Leng Chuan didn't want to drink, Lin Dongfan also skipped the toast, sat down to chat: "Director Leng, it's been a few months—congratulations on your promotion."

"The pressure's also greater, so there's not much to congratulate."

Although Leng Chuan's face showed no smile, his tone was very gentle.

While eating, he asked: "Two months ago, what was the actual death toll from the Qingzhu Ling forest fire? Can you level with me?"

Hearing this, Lin Dongfan's face slightly changed.

Thinking back then:

The reason he was suspended for inspection by Director Wang.

One reason was that, while drafting the article "Creating a Safe Nanzhou," he failed to "keep" the death toll from Qingzhu Ling within three persons, which upset the leadership.

Now Leng Chuan, in his capacity as deputy director of the Anti‑Corruption Bureau, is pursuing the true figures—this is thought‑provoking.

If the truth were spoken, it would surely stir up a bloody storm.

It would offend a large number of people.

Lin Dongfan tentatively smiled and asked: "Just now you talked with Chu Shushu—why didn't you ask him?"

"Regarding this matter, Chu Shushu is temporarily unable to intervene," Leng Chuan said: "If you don't want to speak, that's fine—I've decided to second you to our Anti‑Corruption Bureau to have you take charge of this case."

Hearing this, Lin Dongfan broke out in a black line and remained speechless for a moment.

Leng Chuan laughed: "Before, when you were shouting grievances for Chu Shushu, you feared nobody; now you've become cautious, actually trying to play Tai Chi with me."

"Boss, I've been wining and dining you, yet you give me the cold shoulder." Lin Dongfan laughed helplessly: "Don't play like that—I'm just a tiny ant, I truly can't bear such a huge thunder."

Leng Chuan replied dismissively:

"With me, Chu Shushu, and the organization backing you, what do you have to fear? Tomorrow go to the provincial Procuratorate's Anti‑Corruption Bureau to report, first familiarize yourself with the bureau's work atmosphere, then wait for the special task force to be set up."

"You're forcing a duck onto the shelves."

Lin Dongfan truly had no strength to complain.

It's not hard to see that Leng Chuan's decision to second him to the Anti‑Corruption Bureau was likely discussed earlier with Chu Jinsong and had gained his nod.

Otherwise, Leng Chuan would not have directly given the order.

This is truly like walking barefoot over a blade mountain; even trying to avoid the sharp edge is impossible. The 9·28 forest fire case is no simple fire—it is a land‑grabbing move by an interest group.

The person involved above is Executive Vice Mayor Xiao Yunce.

Could it be that the father‑in‑law wants to seize the opportunity to draw his sword?

Thinking about it, Lin Dongfan felt a surge of hot blood; if the father‑in‑law wanted to draw his sword, then this meant that the temporary transfer to the Anti‑Corruption Bureau was a heavy responsibility entrusted to him, Lin Dongfan.

The father‑in‑law could not openly arrange his destination, so he asked Leng Chuan to step forward and apply for the temporary transfer.

This also makes sense.

Thinking this through, Lin Dongfan calmly poured himself a drink and said: "After the 9·28 Special Task Force is set up, can I be made its leader?"

"You haven't even done anything yet, and you already want to be a leader."

Leng Chuan took two bites of rice.

He then bluntly threw out: "First get the temporary transfer; later I'll send your personnel file over. With your current credentials, you can only be appointed to the section chief level. If you want to keep advancing, handle more cases, handle big cases."

"The 9·28 case is a major case; I voluntarily requested to be the team leader, which is also for the sake of convenient action."

After this casual chat, Lin Dongfan's mood improved greatly. Now it can be completely confirmed that his temporary transfer to the Anti‑Corruption Bureau is the father‑in‑law's arrangement; otherwise, how could his personnel file just be transferred like that?

Leng Chuan, while eating, laid it out: "Since you know the 9·28 case is a major case, the position of Special Task Force Leader isn't something you can just take if you want. But rest assured, I'll give you authority—then you just need to go all out and catch the turtles."

"Can even a bureau‑chief‑level bigwig be caught?" Lin Dongfan asked with a smile.

Leng Chuan replied without hesitation: "Whether you can catch someone depends not on the other party's administrative rank, but on whether you have sufficient evidence in hand."