Chapter 23

Back when he was so poor that even the coins rattled, Cheng Dao worried about money every day, his wife ran off with someone, and he was so destitute he had to split a single sausage into three pieces, eating one piece for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Translate: "Back when he was so poor that even his pocket change jingled, Cheng Dao had to worry about money every day; his wife ran off with someone, and he was so poor he had to split a single sausage into three pieces, eating one piece each for breakfast, lunch, and dinner."

Make sure to keep meaning.

Now he's so rich he has his own little vault; with just a wave of his hand, countless young girls vie to call him husband—surely this life must be bliss, right?

Translate: "Now he's so rich he owns a little vault; with just a wave of his hand, countless young girls scramble to call him husband—this life should be bliss, right?"

Yet Cheng Dao still worries about money every day; he doesn't fret over anything else—he's just terrified his secret stash will be exposed.

Translate: "But Cheng Dao still worries about money every day—not about anything else, just afraid his little vault will be exposed."

Life is like a play, and it all depends on acting skills.

Translate: "Life is like a play; it all depends on acting skills!"

Lin Dongfan, who was transferred by Chu Jinsong to the Jianglan Provincial Anti-Corruption Bureau, now hangs over Cheng Dao's head like a sword of Damocles.

Translate: "Lin Dongfan, who had been transferred by Chu Jinsong to the Jianglan Province Anti-Corruption Bureau, now hangs over Cheng Dao's head like a sword of Damocles."

If that sword were to strike, he'd surely be scared stiff on the spot.

Translate: "If that sword were to strike, it would surely make him piss his pants on the spot."

The circumstances are pressing.

Translate: "The situation is pressing."

Cheng Dao hurriedly drove back to his hometown and carefully inspected the ancestral grave from all sides.

Translate: "Cheng Dao hurriedly drove back to his hometown, circling the ancestral grave and examining it closely."

No black smoke rose from the grave, no weeds had grown, yet the signs of digging were unmistakable.

Translate: "No black smoke rose from the grave mound, no weeds had grown, and the signs that the tomb had been dug up were very obvious."

In this early winter when plants wither, weeds on the grave couldn't possibly grow; they'd have to wait until next spring.

Translate: "In this early winter when plants wither, the weeds on the grave probably couldn't grow; they'd have to wait until next spring."

How should he conceal the signs that the ancestral grave has been dug up?

Translate: "How should he cover up the signs that the ancestral tomb had been dug up?"

Cheng Dao thought of scooping weeds from elsewhere to cover the grave, but on reflection it wouldn't be secure—there's no such thing as a flawless patch-up in this world, and any tampering would be easy to spot.

Translate: "Cheng Dao thought of taking weeds from elsewhere to lay on the grave, but after thinking it over, it didn't seem safe either—there's no such thing as a flawless mending technique in this world, and any patch would be easy to spot."

Rather than trying to hide flaws, it's better to let things take their natural course.

Translate: "Rather than trying to hide flaws, it's better to let things take their natural course."

After making up his mind,

Having made up his mind,

Cheng Dao took a military shovel from the car trunk, returned to the grave, and began working. He not only smoothed the mound, but also cleared away all the weeds around it.

Translate: "Cheng Dao took a military shovel from the car trunk, returned to the ancestral grave and began working. He not only smoothed the grave mound, but also cleared away all the weeds around it."

He also dug a drainage ditch around the mound.

Translate: "He also dug a drainage ditch around the mound."

Then he laid a ring of bricks around it.

Translate: "Then he laid a ring of bricks and stones."

Despite being drenched in sweat, Cheng Dao remained energetic, then went to the village shop and bought a large bundle of incense and candles, lit incense, offered wine, burned paper money, and set off firecrackers at the grave.

Translate: "Although he was sweating profusely from exhaustion, Cheng Dao remained energetic, then went to the village shop and bought a large bag of incense and candle offerings, burning incense, offering wine, burning paper money, and setting off firecrackers at the grave."

After finishing all that, Cheng Dao let out a sigh of relief.

Translate: "After finishing all that, Cheng Dao let out a sigh of relief."

He thought this time it should be fine; even if there were signs of digging, nothing would be amiss.

Translate: "He thought this time it should be fine; even if the mound showed signs of having been dug, there'd be nothing to fault."

I'm a dutiful son who often returns home to honor my ancestors and sweep the grave; it's only natural that there'd be no weeds on the mound.

Translate: "I'm a filial son; I often come home to honor my ancestors and sweep the tomb, so it's only natural that the grave has no weeds."

If there were also an eyewitness, that would be perfect.

Translate: "If there were also an eyewitness, that would be perfect."

Thinking that, Cheng Dao craned his neck left and right, and indeed it was a coincidence—he saw Lao Si from the village coming down from Bamboo Mountain.

Translate: "Thinking that, Cheng Dao craned his neck left and right—what a coincidence—he saw Cheng Lao Si coming down from Bamboo Mountain."

"Old Four, what are you up to?"

Translate: "\"Old Four, what are you up to? \""

Cheng Dao called out loudly, as if greeting an old friend he hadn't seen in ages.

Translate: "Cheng Dao called out loudly, as if greeting an old friend after Along separation."

"I went up the mountain to dig some winter bamboo shoots."

Translate: "\"I went up the mountain and dug some winter bamboo shoots. \""

Lao Si, carrying a half-basket of winter bamboo shoots down from the mountain, instantly felt more prestigious; instead of taking the left path down, he changed course and headed straight for the Cheng family graveyard.

Translate: "Cheng Lao Si, coming down the mountain with a half-basket of winter bamboo shoots, instantly felt proud; he had originally planned to descend via the left path, but now changed course and headed straight for the Cheng family graveyard."

Lao Si smiled and asked, "Director Cheng, are you back in the countryside to honor your ancestors again?"

Translate: "Cheng Lao Si laughed and asked, \"Bureau Chief Cheng, you're back to honor your ancestors again? \""

Cheng Dao raised his arm to wipe the sweat from his forehead, smiled, and replied, "Last night I dreamed my father told me the house was leaking. Since I had free time today, I came over to check and tidy up the ancestral grave."

Translate: "Cheng Dao raised his arm to wipe the sweat from his forehead, smiling as he replied, \"Last night I had a dream in which my father said the house was leaking. Since I had free time today, I came over to check and tidy up the ancestral grave. \""

No wonder you can be a high official—it's this filial devotion of yours that would earn your father's blessing even if he's holding back his strength.

Translate: "\"That's why you can be a high official—your filial piety is such that even your father, straining with effort, would have to bless you. \""

Lao Si enthusiastically pulled out a cigarette and handed one to Cheng Dao.

Translate: "Cheng Lao Si enthusiastically pulled out a cigarette and handed one to Cheng Dao."

Cheng Dao took the cigarette, examined it, and said, "Old Four, you're doing well—smoking such a good cigarette."

Translate: "Cheng Dao took the cigarette, looked at it, and said, \"Old Four, you're doing well—smoking such a good cigarette. \""

While joking, Cheng Dao tucked this Liqun cigarette behind his ear—knowing that in summer he used to light whole packs of soft Zhonghua as mosquito repellent, so simply placing a Liqun behind his ear already gave the other person plenty of face.

Translate: "While they chatted, Cheng Dao slipped the Liqun cigarette behind his ear—knowing that in summer he used to light whole packs of soft Zhonghua as mosquito repellent, so tucking a Liqun behind his ear already gave the other person plenty of face."

"Not bad these days—my son's working away and sends money home." Lao Si set down the bamboo basket on his back: "Just dug these; pick a few plump ones to take home and taste."

Translate: "\"Not bad these days; my son's out working and sends money home. \" Cheng Lao Si set down the bamboo basket on his back, saying, \"Just dug these—pick a few plump ones to take home and taste. \""

"Digging bamboo shoots isn't easy either, so I won't take what you love." Cheng Dao wore a kindly expression.

Translate: "\"It's not easy for you to dig bamboo shoots either, so I won't take what you love. \" Cheng Dao said with a kind expression."

Lao Si boldly said, "Why be polite with me? The mountains don't have much else—just plenty of shoots." He then picked out several fat, large winter bamboo shoots and placed them on the ground nearby.

Translate: "Cheng Lao Si boldly declared, \"What's the point of being polite with me? The mountains don't have much else—just plenty of bamboo shoots. \" Saying that, he picked out several fat, large winter bamboo shoots and placed them on the ground nearby."

"We don't need that many; two will do."

Translate: "\"We don't need that many; just two will do. \""

Cheng Dao thought about returning some of the bamboo shoots.

Translate: "Cheng Dao thought about returning some of the bamboo shoots."

Lao Si swung his basket and walked off: "Take them all, don't be polite with me. They're freshly dug—you can't buy this fresh in the city."

Translate: "Cheng Lao Si swung his basket and walked off, saying, \"Take them all, don't stand on ceremony with me. They're freshly dug—you can't buy this fresh in the city. \""

"Then thank you."

Translate: "\"Then thank you. \""

Cheng Dao watched Lao Si go down the mountain.

Translate: "Cheng Dao watched Cheng Lao Si go down the mountain."

After Lao Si had gone far enough, Cheng Dao let out a sigh of relief, thinking this time he even had a witness—he was a model son, and even a deity couldn't find fault.

Translate: "After Cheng Lao Si had gone far enough, Cheng Dao let out a sigh of relief, thinking, \"Now I even have a witness—I'm a filial son; even if a deity came, they couldn't find fault. \""

He turned back to look at the silent tombstone.

Translate: "He turned back to look at the silent tombstone."

Cheng Dao clasped his hands again and bowed: "Dad, please bear with me. I really don't want to weigh you down with gold—I just have nowhere else to hide it."

Translate: "Cheng Dao clasped his hands again and bowed: \"Dad, please bear with me. It's not that I want to press gold on you—I just have nowhere else to hide it. \""

That evening.

Translate: "That night."

Cheng Dao again rushed overnight to the provincial capital of Jianglan.

Translate: "Cheng Dao again rushed overnight to the provincial capital of Jianglan Province."

When Cheng Dao met his son Cheng Shaojun at the Riverside Police Station, Shaojun had already gone to the hospital to have his eyes flushed.

Translate: "When he met his son Cheng Shaojun at the Riverside Police Station, Cheng Shaojun had already gone to the hospital to wash his eyes."

Shaojun's eyes were a bit red and swollen, but fortunately he wasn't blind and could still recognize his father.

Translate: "Cheng Shaojun's eyes were a bit red and swollen, but fortunately he wasn't blind and could still recognize who his father was."

Cheng Dao also felt relieved; he swung his hand and delivered a sharp, loud slap! The slap not only left Shaojun dazed, but even the nearby police almost had their jaws drop.

Translate: "Cheng Dao also felt relieved; he swung his hand and delivered a crisp, loud slap! The slap not only left Cheng Shaojun dazed, but even the nearby police almost had their jaws drop."

Shaojun touched his burning cheek and asked, "Dad, did you hit the wrong person?"

Translate: "Cheng Shaojun touched his burning cheek and asked, \"Dad, did you hit the wrong person? \""

"No mistake—I slapped you, you nutcase!" Cheng Dao glared, eyes wide, shouting: "Lin Dongfan is staying at the provincial guesthouse; come with me right now to apologize."

Translate: "\"That's right—I slapped you, you lunatic! \" Cheng Dao glared, eyes wide, shouting: \"Lin Dongfan is staying at the Provincial Reception Hotel—come with me right now to apologize! \""

"What right do I have to apologize to him?"

Translate: "\"What right do I have to apologize to him? \""

"Just because I'm your father!"

Translate: "\"Just because I'm your father! \""

"Dad, don't force me—Lin Dongfan, that bastard, messed up my brother Li Hengbo terribly. If I don't help my brother vent his anger, how am I supposed to get by in my social circle?"

Translate: "\"Dad, don't force me—Lin Dongfan that bastard ruined my brother Li Hengbo so badly; if I don't help my brother vent his anger, how am I supposed to get by in my circle of friends? \""

"That's what you call a friend?! Hurry up and go apologize to Lin Dongfan!"

Translate: "\"What kind of lousy friends are those! Hurry up and go apologize to Lin Dongfan! \""

"As for apologizing, forget it!"

Translate: "\"As for apologizing—no way! \""

"You're not going, huh? Fine." Cheng Dao didn't waste words, turned to the police and said, "Since he doesn't want the victim's forgiveness, we'll go by the book—if detention is warranted, we'll detain him."

Translate: "\"You're not going, huh? Fine. \" Cheng Dao didn't waste words, turning to the police and saying, \"Since he doesn't want to obtain the victim's forgiveness, we'll go by the book—if detention is warranted, we'll detain him. \""

The pressure fell on the police, and they were also at a loss—overwhelmed.

Translate: "The pressure was put on the police, and they were also at a loss—two heads big."

The police advised Shaojun: "Xiao Jun, listen to your dad and go apologize—no need to blow things up. As long as Lin Dongfan doesn't pursue it further, paying some medical expenses will settle the matter."

Translate: "The police advised Cheng Shaojun: \"Cheng Shao, listen to your dad and go apologize—no need to make a big fuss. As long as Lin Dongfan doesn't pursue it further, paying some medical expenses will settle it. \""

It's just detention? Come on, if I furrow my brow even a little, I'm a son of a bitch!

Cheng Shaojun extended his hands toward the police officer, indicating they could cuff him whenever.

"Unfilial son!"

This time Cheng Dao didn't slap him, mainly because he feared his hand would hurt; he directly whipped out his belt and, in front of the police officer, lashed Cheng Shaojun so hard that he jumped three feet, dodging left and right.

The fact that Cheng Dao was so angry he stomped all over the place wasn't because Cheng Shaojun refused to apologize.

Rather, it was that sentence—"If I furrow my brow even a little, I'm a son of a bitch!"—that hit him right in the heart.

I broke a single ham into three pieces to eat, painstakingly raising you to over a hundred pounds, and you turned out to be a son of a bitch?

"Just watch me not beat you to death today!"

Cheng Dao lashed left and right with his belt, making crackling sounds, but the number of strikes that actually landed on Cheng Shaojun wasn't many; Cheng Shaojun, being young, was exceptionally agile in dodging.

When he was really forced with nowhere to hide, he grabbed the police officer and used him as a shield in front.

The police officer hurriedly urged Cheng Dao: "Bureau Chief Cheng, calm down first; young people, rebellion is normal..."

"I'm furious—hurry up and detain this beast, lock him up for as long as he deserves!" Cheng Dao was truly incensed; he turned and left, finding even a glance at that unfilial son annoying.

It was past nine in the evening.

Cheng Dao brought consolation gifts to the Provincial Reception Hotel and personally visited Lin Dongfan.

Lin Dongfan had just finished a video call with Chu Lingxi and was preparing to take a bath and rest.

Suddenly hearing a knock at the door, he tossed the towel he had just picked up onto the bed.

"Bureau Chief Cheng?"

At the moment the door opened, Lin Dongfan was genuinely somewhat surprised.

Cheng Dao said politely: "Comrade Lin Dongfan, I'm truly sorry that my son injured you today. As soon as I got the call, I rushed over right away. Is the injury on your head okay?"

"It's fine, just a minor injury."

A high-ranking deputy department-level official actually came in person to apologize to someone as insignificant as me.

When things go awry, there must be something fishy.

Lin Dongfan, who has lived two lives, thought it over and guessed the cause and effect with about ninety percent accuracy.

In his memory, this Bureau Chief Cheng is no ordinary person; one could say he has endured endless heavenly thunder throughout his life, and a single act of filial piety shocked the city.

Considering that he still cannot reveal his hand at present.

It might be good to let the bullet fly a bit longer.

Lin Dongfan composed himself and smiled: "Bureau Chief Cheng, I know your son has a mental illness. I only suffered a minor injury myself—rest assured, I won't pursue his responsibility."

"Thank you for your understanding. Regardless of whether my son has a mental illness, hurting someone is wrong. I just gave him a sound thrashing, and I demand the police station handle this matter seriously."

Saying this, Cheng Dao placed the consolation gifts at the doorway.

He then lifted his wrist to check his watch: "It's getting late, so I won't disturb your rest any further. Wishing you a speedy recovery."

"Bureau Chief Cheng, take this back." Lin Dongfan lifted the consolation gifts and returned them.

Cheng Dao didn't accept them either, turning and walking away while saying: "They're just trifling things, don't stand on ceremony." Indeed, they were just common, worthless consolation items.

Now Lin Dongfan is with the anti-corruption bureau, so Cheng Dao wouldn't be foolish enough to smuggle contraband in the gifts.

Today I came here simply to display my integrity.