Chapter 250

Gao Peng looked at Lin Dongfan's still calm smile, and a surge of anger rose in his heart.

He thought this kid was really able to hold his breath, not afraid that he would suffer? But Gao Peng, being a deep‑schemed old fox, would not easily reveal his true thoughts.

He smiled faintly.

With a hint of "concern" in his tone, he said: "Section Chief Lin, your father‑in‑law has already been transferred to Wuzhou, beyond reach. How complicated the situation in Nanzhou is, you surely know. The work your anti‑corruption bureau does is sure to offend people; I've transferred the public security over for your safety, so don't overthink it."

Lin Dongfan wore a faint smile, while a hundred thousand "grass‑mud horses" roared in his heart.

Saying this Boss Gao is an old fox, right?

It's somewhat lacking in quality.

But he really is just an old fox, damn it, clearly harboring a belly full of bad intentions, yet insists on putting on a righteous façade.

Isn't it just acting?

I, the young master, will accompany you in this act to the end today.

Lin Dongfan kept a calm smile: "I haven't thought much about it, I'm truly grateful for Secretary Gao's meticulous care. I believe evil cannot prevail over righteousness! Righteous and awe-inspiring!... and yet it's pointless!"

Gao Peng: "......!!!"

And yet it's pointless?

What nonsense is this!

A hint of gloom flashed in Gao Peng's eyes, but quickly returned to normal.

He nodded: "Not overthinking is fine. By the way, regarding Zhao Lianyue's matter, please give me a result as soon as possible. If he really is involved in corruption, handle him however you should. If it's just a misunderstanding, I hope you can release him quickly; many matters in the High-Tech Zone await his attention."

What does "as soon as possible" mean for giving a result?

Look at you, acting like you don't want to leave, wanting a result tonight? Heh, you're really impatient, trying to spring Zhao Lianyue out so quickly.

Do you even have the capability?

Lin Dongfan restrained his inner smile, shook his head and replied: "Secretary Gao, investigations follow procedure; we can't rush for quick results. I will ascertain the truth as soon as possible and give you an accounting."

Seeing Lin Dongfan so unreasonable, Gao Peng couldn't help but feel even more annoyed.

Under normal circumstances, Gao Peng would have already started cursing, but today he's forced to endure by the situation, after all Lin Dongfan is an imperial envoy sent by the Anti-Corruption Bureau.

Gao Peng forcibly suppressed his anger.

He forced out a hint of hypocritical smile: "Section Chief Lin, you're a sensible person; you should know how to act. I hope you prioritize the bigger picture and don't let emotions interfere."

Damn!

You're still playing threats with me?

Fine.

Since you don't want to leave, I'll see you off.

Lin Dongfan promptly put on an attentive demeanor, nodded in agreement: "Please rest assured, Secretary Gao, I will prioritize the overall situation and focus on those antimony folks who don't know when to advance or retreat. Secretary Gao, would you like me to get you a room? Tonight we can sit down for an intimate talk. I want to discuss the core values of the antimony people with you."

Antimony is the 51st element in the periodic table, symbol Sb.

Which is also a synonym for 'idiot'.

Gao Peng, who hardly engages with internet culture, obviously didn't realize he'd been labeled an SB on his head, and actually turned to ask Jiang Hualiang: "Among our 56 ethnic groups, is there an antimony ethnicity?"

"......!!!"

Jiang Hualiang felt a black line across his forehead, embarrassed to the point of a chill down his spine.

I never expected this bastard Lin Dongfan to be so brazen as to openly call Secretary Gao an SB.

Moreover, I never imagined Secretary Gao himself was such a rare oddball—being insulted yet still consulting about our 56 ethnic groups, leading the unaware to think he was cooperating with Lin Dongfan in acting like a 'two‑hundred‑and‑fifty' (idiot).

What to do?

Should we tell Secretary Gao the truth?

Jiang Hualiang looked at the 'earnest' Lin Dongfan, immediately dispelling the lingering thought of exposing the truth; this guy is like a monster, others can't fathom him, so it's best not to provoke him.

Having thought this through in silence.

Jiang Hualiang steeled himself to reply to Gao Peng: "Secretary Gao, I'm not entirely sure whether among the 56 ethnic groups there is an antimony ethnicity; I'll look into it later."

That answer left Gao Peng speechless for a moment.

Mainly because Lin Dongfan hit his knowledge blind spot, saving face was a bit hard; now he just wants to pester Lin Dongfan but can't, so if he doesn't leave he'll just sit down to chat about his own knowledge shortcomings.

Feeling depressed.

Gao Peng helplessly threw out: "Let's postpone the intimate talk for another time. It's getting late today; hurry up and advance the interrogation. Regardless of Zhao Lianyue's guilt or innocence, I hope you'll give me a reply tomorrow."

Having said that, he turned and left.

Lin Dongfan saw him off with a smile: "Secretary Gao, take your leave."

After Gao Peng left the Qinghu Guesthouse, the little junior sister Jian Sining, who had been holding back her laughter, finally let out a faint smile.

She gave a thumbs‑up and praised: "Senior brother, you're fierce—just a few words forced Secretary Gao into embarrassment, leaving him no choice but to retreat."

You used that adjective well; I, your senior brother, am indeed formidable.

When saying the word 'formidable,' Lin Dongfan deliberately emphasized his tone.

Jian Sining pondered carefully, then instantly blushed with embarrassment, whispering: "When I said formidable, I didn't mean that kind of formidable… you know what I mean…"

"'I mean, I'm an invincible mighty man—where did your mind go?' Lin Dongfan said, chuckling, and gave a single wink of his right eye, like a flash of lightning."

This made Jian Sining's heart race; she lowered her head and slipped away: "I'm going to take a shower…"

"'Sigh… I'm just too outstanding—beloved by all, making flowers bloom…' Lin Dongfan sighed with mixed feelings, shaking his head; tonight he surely won't have a chance to be a jerk."

Not long after, a squad of police entered the Qinghu Guesthouse.

City Bureau's Xu Liangyuan received orders from above to dispatch a team to 'protect' the Anti-Corruption Bureau's task force—supposedly close protection, but actually to monitor the task force's actions.

Needless to say, Xu Liangyuan is also a cunning person.

Director Xu used to be an old subordinate of Chu Jinsong.

He still harbors some fondness for old times.

Now the higher-ups ordered him to send people to 'protect' Lin Dongfan; he had to obey the command, but exactly who to send for 'protection' leaves a lot of leeway.

Translation: "Now the superior leadership ordered him to send people to 'protect' Lin Dongfan; he had no choice but to obey the order, but exactly who to send for this 'protection' leaves considerable room for maneuver."

We need to decide whether to keep the quotes; the Chinese uses quote marks around 'protect', but we can use single or double quotes in English—we'll use single quotes.

Chief Xu pondered, then dispatched a team of criminal police from the Changming Sub-bureau.

Interpretation: "Chief Xu thought for a moment, then transferred a squad of criminal police from the Changming Sub-bureau over."

The team leader is Zhang Yong.

"The squad leader is Zhang Yong."

Zhang Yong—he's Lin Dongfan's brother.

"Zhang Yong, he's Lin Dongfan's brother!"

Without Lin Dongfan's strong support, Zhang Yong would still be stuck in a remote outpost, with no chance of getting ahead.

"If it weren't for Lin Dongfan's strong support, Zhang Yong would still be holed up in that remote mountain police outpost, with no chance at all to get ahead."

Upon seeing Zhang Yong, Lin Dongfan broke into a hearty laugh and gave him a high-five.

"Lin Dongfan and Zhang Yong bumped into each other, and he laughed heartily and slapped palms."

Zhang Yong laughed, 'Surprised? Unexpected?'

"Zhang Yong laughed: 'Surprised? Delighted? Unexpected?'"

'As the saying goes, more friends mean more paths; officialdom isn't a solo arena.' Lin Dongfan smiled, eyes narrowing: 'With Chief Xu's righteous backing, I can sleep soundly tonight.'

"So as they say, more friends mean more paths; officialdom isn't a solo arena." Lin Dongfan narrowed his eyes with a smile: "With Chief Xu's righteous backup tonight, I can sleep with my eyes closed."

Before this, Lin Dongfan was still somewhat worried.

"Before that, Lin Dongfan still had some worries."

He worried that he might be assassinated after falling asleep.

"He worried that after falling asleep he might be assassinated."

After all…

"After all..."

The case currently under investigation directly involves the survival of the Gao Group; it has driven people to desperation, and some might resort to assassination under the guise of 'protect'—a possibility we cannot ignore.

"The case they're investigating now directly involves the survival of the Gao Family Group; having driven people to desperation, some might resort to assassination under the guise of protection, which is possible, so we must guard against it."

Eliminating the task force and then finding a scapegoat to take the fall is a pattern that has occurred throughout history.

"Taking out the special task force, then finding a scapegoat to take the blame—these are cases that have happened in history."

Lin Dongfan glanced at the four criminal police behind Zhang Yong.

"Lin Dongfan glanced at the four criminal police behind Zhang Yong."

Two of them were unfamiliar faces.

"Two of them were unfamiliar faces."

He then pulled Zhang Yong aside and whispered, 'Are these brothers you brought reliable?'

"So he pulled Zhang Yong aside and whispered: 'Are these brothers you brought reliable?'"

'Don't worry, they're all men brought up by Captain Yang; they're fine with me.' Zhang Yong added, 'If anyone dares to step out of line, I won't let them get away with it.'

"'Don't worry, they're all brothers brought up by Captain Yang, now following me—no problem.' Zhang Yong added: 'If anyone dares to sit askew, I won't let them off.'"

Lin Dongfan patted Zhang Yong's shoulder reassuringly: 'This time I didn't bring any bodyguards to Nanzhou; I'm entrusting my safety to you.'

"Lin Dongfan patted Zhang Yong's shoulder reassuringly: 'This time I didn't bring bodyguards to Nanzhou; I'm entrusting my safety to you.'"

Actually, they brought four bodyguards, but the bodyguards stayed hidden and didn't show up.