Chapter 255: then translation of title

The closer it gets to noon, the more scorching the sun overhead becomes.

Translation: The closer to noon, the more poisonous the sun overhead becomes.

But we need to be concise: "The closer to noon, the more poisonous the sun overhead becomes." That's fine.

This scorching heat.

Translation: This scorching heat.

This scorching heat.

Forty or fifty people blocked the entrance of Qinghu Guesthouse, each drenched in sweat; some fanned themselves with small leaves, others lifted their T-shirts to wipe sweat from their bellies.

Translation: Forty or fifty people blocked the entrance of Qinghu Guesthouse, each drenched in sweat; some fanned themselves with small leaves, others lifted their T-shirts to wipe sweat from their bellies.

Forty or fifty people blocked the entrance of Qinghu Guesthouse, each drenched in sweat; some fanned themselves with small leaves, others lifted their T-shirts to wipe sweat from their bellies.

Body moisture turns to sweat and flows out, leaving everyone parched with dry mouths and tongues.

Translation: Body moisture turned to sweat and flowed out, leaving everyone parched and dry-mouthed.

But we need to keep meaning: "Body moisture turned to sweat and flowed out, leaving everyone parched and dry-mouthed." Good.

An impatient uncle urged Luo Xiang: 'Secretary Gao, when exactly will you arrive?'

Translation: An impatient uncle asked Luo Xiang, "When exactly will Secretary Gao arrive?"

We need to use "Secretary Gao". So: "An impatient uncle asked Luo Xiang, 'When exactly will Secretary Gao arrive?'"

'He'll be here soon—please wait a few more minutes.'

Translation: "He'll be here soon; please wait a few more minutes."

Luo Xiang, together with a few people from the Anti-Corruption Bureau and several criminal detectives under Zhang Yong, had been guarding the guesthouse entrance, not intending to let this crowd inside to enjoy the air conditioning.

Translation: Luo Xiang, together with a few people from the Anti-Corruption Bureau and several criminal detectives under Zhang Yong, had been guarding the guesthouse entrance, not intending to let this crowd inside to enjoy the air conditioning.

Luo Xiang, together with a few people from the Anti-Corruption Bureau and several criminal detectives under Zhang Yong, had been guarding the guesthouse entrance, not intending to let this crowd inside to enjoy the air conditioning.

It wasn't that they intended to torment these people.

Translation: It wasn't intentional to torment these people.

Mainly for security reasons, the Qinghu Guesthouse serves as the temporary office of the anti-corruption task force, where Zhao Lianyue is also being detained.

Translation: Mainly out of safety considerations, Qinghu Guesthouse is the temporary office of the Anti-Corruption Special Task Force, and Zhao Lianyue is also detained there.

We need to use "Anti-Corruption Special Task Force". So: "Mainly out of safety considerations, Qinghu Guesthouse is the temporary office of the Anti-Corruption Special Task Force, and Zhao Lianyue is also detained there."

Lin Dongfan would really be unable to get away with it; security would be a minor matter.

Translation: If the other side managed to muddy the waters and have Zhao Lianyue killed, Lin Dongfan would really be in trouble; security would be a minor matter.

Lin Dongfan would really be unable to get away with it; security would be a minor matter.

If we let the other party fish in troubled waters and get rid of the ever‑increasing (people), by then Lin Dongfan will really be unable to eat and walk away; in the security field it's a trivial matter.

Lin Dongfan came out and had several boxes of chilled mineral water brought out.

Translation: Lin Dongfan came out and had people bring out several boxes of chilled bottled water.

There was an uncle wearing a striped T-shirt.

Translation: A uncle wearing a striped T-shirt.

A man in a striped T-shirt.

Upon seeing Lin Dongfan, he glared and shouted, 'Surname Lin, you've finally shown up! Speak up—you've expanded the chemical pollution range so much, what exactly are you plotting?'

Translation: Upon seeing Lin Dongfan, he glared and shouted, "Surname Lin, you've finally shown up! Speak up—you've expanded the chemical pollution range so much, what exactly are you plotting?"

Upon seeing Lin Dongfan, he glared and shouted, 'Surname Lin, you've finally shown up! Speak up—you've expanded the chemical pollution range so much, what exactly are you plotting?'

'Your throat must be about to smoke—don't rush, speak slowly.'

Translation: "Your throat's about to smoke? Don't rush, speak slowly."

Lin Dongfan gave the striped-shirt uncle a faint smile.

Translation: Lin Dongfan gave the striped-shirt uncle a faint smile.

Lin Dongfan gave Tiaowen Dashu a faint smile.

He then pointed to the boxes of water beside him and said to the crowd, 'It's chilled—help yourselves; I'll treat you to water out of my own pocket…'

Translation: He then pointed to the boxes of water at the side and said to the crowd, "Chilled, help yourselves—I'm buying the drinks."

'Nobody drink it!'

Translation: "Nobody drink it!"

The striped-shirt uncle spread his arms.

Translation: Tiaowen Dashu spread his arms.

He gestured with the posture of a great peng spreading its wings, signaling the crowd behind him not to be fooled.

Translation: In the posture of a great peng spreading its wings, he gestured to the crowd behind him not to be fooled.

He gestured with the posture of a great peng spreading its wings, signaling the crowd behind him not to be fooled.

He then shouted at Lin Dongfan, 'You think one bottle of water can bribe us? Are you asleep? We don't want your water—we want you to step down! Today…'

Translation: He then roared at Lin Dongfan, "You think one bottle of water can bribe us? Are you asleep? We don't want your water—we want you to step down! Today..."

Before he could finish, the striped-shirt uncle was dumbfounded.

Translation: Before he could finish, Tiaowen Dashu went dumbfounded.

He cried out to the heavens in speechless anguish.

Translation: Speechless, he appealed to the heavens.

Then the crowd surged forward like a swarm to grab the water and drink; even the 'great peng wings' gesture couldn't stop them—utterly shameless and bottomless, they didn't care about face.

Translation: The crowd surged forward like a swarm to grab the water, even the great peng spreading its wings couldn't stop them—utterly shameless and bottomless, losing all face.

We need to keep meaning: "The crowd surged forward like a swarm to grab the water, even the great peng spreading its wings couldn't stop them—utterly shameless and bottomless, losing all face."

Witnessing this chaotic scene,

Translation: Witnessing this chaotic scene.

The striped-shirt uncle was also thirsty; his agitated throat could only gulp down a mouthful of saliva.

Translation: Tiaowen Dashu was also thirsty, his throat working, he could only gulp down saliva.

But we need to keep meaning: "Tiaowen Dashu was also thirsty, his throat working, he could only gulp down saliva." We'll translate: "Tiaowen Dashu was also thirsty, his throat working, he could only gulp down saliva."

Lin Dongfan laughed and shouted, 'Uncle, if I were you, I wouldn't nitpick—whoever bribes whom, just enjoy it first and talk later.'

Translation: Lin Dongfan laughed and shouted, "Uncle, if I were you, I wouldn't nitpick—whoever bribes whom, just enjoy it first and talk later."

Lin Dongfan laughed and shouted, 'Uncle, if I were you, I wouldn't nitpick—whoever bribes whom, just enjoy it first and talk later.'

Lin Dongfan laughed and shouted: "Uncle, if I were you, I wouldn't get stuck on this nitpicking; screw who's buying whom, enjoy yourself first and talk later."

An uncle will always be your uncle.

Translation: "An uncle is forever your uncle."

Although he found Lin Dongfan's words reasonable, the striped-shirt uncle just snorted and glared, unimpressed—he only wanted water, and indeed took two bottles, tucking one under his arm and holding another in his hand.

Translation: Although he felt Lin Dongfan made sense, the striped-shirt uncle just snorted and glared, unimpressed—he only wanted water! And he took two bottles, tucking one under his arm and holding one in his hand.

We need to use "Tiaowen Dashu". So: "Although he felt Lin Dongfan made sense, Tiaowen Dashu just snorted and glared, unimpressed—he only wanted water! And he took two bottles, tucking one under his arm and holding one in his hand."

He twisted open the cap and gulped a mouthful, instantly feeling the relief of long-awaited rain after a drought.

Translation: He twisted open the cap and gulped, instantly feeling the relief of long-awaited rain after drought.

After quenching his thirst,

Translation: After feeling refreshed.

The uncle then gave Lin Dongfan a sideways glance, saying, 'I'm not drinking your water—I'm drinking my own! It's we taxpayers who fund you officials.'

Translation: The uncle then gave Lin Dongfan a sideways glance, saying, "I'm not drinking your water—I'm drinking my own! It's we taxpayers who fund you officials."

The uncle then gave Lin Dongfan a sideways glance, saying, 'I'm not drinking your water—I'm drinking my own! It's we taxpayers who fund you officials.'

'Exactly, exactly—taxpayers are the most glorious.'

Translation: "Exactly, taxpayers are the most glorious."

'Whoever argues with the masses is an idiot; anyway, Lin Dongfan would never do such a stupid thing.'

Translation: Whoever argues with the crowd is an idiot; anyway, Lin Dongfan wouldn't do such a stupid thing.

The municipal committee's official car finally arrived at the scene.

Translation: The Municipal Party Committee's official vehicle finally arrived at the scene.

We need to use "Municipal Party Committee". So: "The Municipal Party Committee's official vehicle finally arrived at the scene."

Without waiting for the driver to open the door, Gao Peng pushed it open himself, stepped out, and rushed to the scene first to display his people‑friendly, loving‑the‑people image.

Translation: Without waiting for the driver to get out and open the door, Gao Peng pushed the door open himself, stepped out, and was the first to rush to the scene, thereby displaying his people‑loving image.

We need to use "Gao Peng". So: "Without waiting for the driver to get out and open the door, Gao Peng pushed the door open himself, stepped out, and was the first to rush to the scene, thereby displaying his people‑loving image."

Secretary‑General Jiang Hualiang and others followed behind, panting.

Translation: Secretary‑General Jiang Huailiang and others followed behind, panting.

We need to use "Secretary‑General Jiang Huailiang". So: "Secretary‑General Jiang Huailiang and others followed behind, panting."

Luo Xiang then smiled and addressed the crowd: 'Secretary Gao has arrived—if you have any demands, you can tell him.'

Translation: Luo Xiang laughed and introduced to the crowd, "Secretary Gao has arrived—if you have any demands, you can tell him."

We need to use "Secretary Gao". So: "Luo Xiang laughed and introduced to the crowd, 'Secretary Gao has arrived—if you have any demands, you can tell him.'"

Following his cue, the crowd turned their gazes in unison toward Gao Peng.

Translation: Following that, the crowd turned their gazes in unison toward Gao Peng.

We need to use "Gao Peng". So: "Following that, the crowd turned their gazes in unison toward Gao Peng."

But Gao Peng's gaze first swept over Lin Dongfan standing on the guesthouse steps; the moment their eyes met carried a hint of the tension of a needle tip against a wheat awn.

Translation: But Gao Peng's gaze first swept over Lin Dongfan standing on the guesthouse steps; the moment their eyes met carried a hint of the tension of a needle tip against a wheat awn.

But Gao Peng's gaze first swept over Lin Dongfan standing on the guesthouse steps; the moment their eyes met carried a hint of the tension of a needle tip against a wheat awn.

Before Gao Peng could speak,

Translation: Before Gao Peng could speak.

that striped‑shirt uncle began to accuse: 'Secretary Gao, they say the area within several kilometers of where we live has been contaminated with toxic chemicals—you must decide this for us.'

Translation: That striped‑shirt uncle had already begun to accuse: "Secretary Gao, I hear the area within several kilometers of where we live has been contaminated by toxic chemicals—you must decide this for us."

We need to use "Tiaowen Dashu" and "Secretary Gao". So: "Tiaowen Dashu had already begun to accuse: 'Secretary Gao, I hear the area within several kilometers of where we live has been contaminated by toxic chemicals—you must decide this for us.'"

The striped uncle had already begun to complain: "Secretary Gao, I've heard that the area within several kilometers around where we live has been contaminated by toxic chemicals; you must take charge of this for us."

Decide!

Translation: "Decide for us!"

I'm here today to decide for the common people—what's the point of staring down Lin Dongfan?

Translation: "I'm here today to decide for the common people—what's the point of staring down Lin Dongfan?"

I'm here today to decide for the common people—what's the point of staring down Lin Dongfan?

Gao Peng suppressed his anger.

Translation: Gao Peng suppressed his anger.

He walked slowly up the steps.

Translation: He walked up the steps slowly.

He then assumed a posture of diligent governance for the people.

Translation: Then he assumed a posture of diligent governance for the people.

He soothed the crowd's emotions: 'What you worry about is also what I worry about—rest assured, the chemical leak is being handled.'

Translation: He soothed the crowd's emotions: "What you worry about is also what I worry about—please rest assured, the chemical leak is being handled."

'How is it being handled? My dog was poisoned to death yesterday!'

Translation: "How is it being handled? My dog was poisoned to death yesterday!"

The speaker was a fashionable aunt, who probably forgot she'd scattered several packs of rat poison downstairs a few days earlier to keep mice from climbing up the water pipes into her home.

Translation: The speaker was a fashionable aunt, who probably forgot she'd scattered several packs of rat poison downstairs a few days earlier to keep mice from climbing up the water pipes into her home.

The speaker was a fashionable aunt, who probably forgot she'd scattered several packs of rat poison downstairs a few days earlier to keep mice from climbing up the water pipes into her home.

Gao Peng patiently explained: 'First, I want to emphasize that the chemical leak problem is actually not as serious as the rumors suggest. However, we will certainly give due attention to the issues that deserve it. Currently, the municipal committee and government have ordered the relevant departments to swiftly handle the pollutants. Moreover, your drinking water is definitely safe—it is uniformly supplied by the water company, and the water I drink is the same as yours…'

Translation: Gao Peng patiently explained: "First, I want to emphasize that the chemical leak problem is actually not as severe as the rumors claim. However, we will certainly give due attention to the issues that deserve it. For now, the Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government have ordered relevant departments to swiftly handle the pollutants. Moreover, your drinking water is definitely safe—it's uniformly supplied by the waterworks, and the water I drink is the same as yours."

We need to use "Municipal Party Committee" and "Municipal Government". So: "Gao Peng patiently explained: 'First, I want to emphasize that the chemical leak problem is actually not as severe as the rumors claim. However, we will certainly give due attention to the issues that deserve it. For now, the Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government have ordered relevant departments to swiftly handle the pollutants. Moreover, your drinking water is definitely safe—it's uniformly supplied by the waterworks, and the water I drink is the same as yours.'"

Gao Peng patiently explained: "First, I want to emphasize that the chemical leak problem is actually not as serious as the rumors outside. However, we will definitely pay attention to the issues that deserve attention. Currently, the Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government have ordered the relevant departments to handle the pollutants as soon as possible. At the same time, your drinking water is definitely fine; it is uniformly supplied by the water company, and the water I drink is the same as everyone else's…"

Gao Peng's on‑spot explanation was still impressive—no script needed—showing the municipal committee and government's determination to put people's livelihood first while also dispelling outside rumors.

Translation: Gao Peng's on‑site explanation was still impressive—no script needed—it showed the Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government's determination to put people's livelihood first, while also dispelling outside rumors.

We need to use "Municipal Party Committee" and "Municipal Government". So: "Gao Peng's on‑site explanation was still impressive—no script needed—it showed the Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government's determination to put people's livelihood first, while also dispelling outside rumors."

But the crowd on site was not satisfied.

Translation: But the crowd was not satisfied.

Because Gao Peng did not mention how to deal with the 'chief culprit' Lin Dongfan.

Translation: Because Gao Peng didn't mention how to deal with the "chief culprit" Lin Dongfan.

The striped‑shirt uncle who had previously taken a dislike to Lin Dongfan.

Translation: The striped‑shirt uncle who had previously taken a dislike to Lin Dongfan.

We need to use "Tiaowen Dashu". So: "Tiaowen Dashu, who had previously taken a dislike to Lin Dongfan."

Suddenly, someone stood up and challenged Gao Peng: "Secretary Gao, you said the drinking water is safe, and I believe you on that. But the reason those toxic chemicals have spread the contamination is entirely due to Director Lin's actions. He doesn't care about the lives of us ordinary people—are we just supposed to let this slide? Is there any justice left?"

Translation: He suddenly stepped up to question Gao Peng: "Secretary Gao, you say the drinking water is fine—I believe you. But the toxic chemicals have spread the contamination—this is all Section Chief Lin's doing. He disregards our lives—can this just be left unsettled? Is there any justice left?"

We need to use "Secretary Gao" and "Section Chief Lin". So: "He suddenly stepped up to question Gao Peng: 'Secretary Gao, you say the drinking water is fine—I believe you. But the toxic chemicals have spread the contamination—this is all Section Chief Lin's doing. He disregards our lives—can this just be left unsettled? Is there any justice left?'"

Suddenly stood up to question Gao Peng: "Secretary Gao, you said the drinking water is fine, I believe you on that. But those toxic chemicals, the reason they have expanded the contamination range, this is all Section Chief Lin's doing. He doesn't care about the lives of us ordinary people—should this just be left as is? Is there still any justice!"

Gao Peng: "……!!!"

Embarrassed, this time I've really been embarrassed all the way to the Bridge of Helplessness—how helpless.

Is there such a thing as heavenly justice?

Who knows about this?

Gao Peng's face showed only a faint trace of sorrow.

Someone was bombarding Lin Dongfan, which should have been an exciting and happy matter, but Gao Peng really couldn't get excited now; ordinary people can blindly bite others without reason, but Gao Peng can't.

What should I do now?

I never thought I, Gao Peng, would also have a time when my cleverness backfired.

This time, launching a public opinion war was originally intended to take advantage and eliminate Lin Dongfan, but now it's turned out like this, and I have no choice but to step forward personally to clarify things for Lin Dongfan……

Just as Gao Peng was torn over how to gloss over this problem……

Lin Dongfan's voice rang in his ears: "Secretary Gao, I also want to know, in this world, is there still heavenly principle? Please explain it to everyone."

"……!!!"

The muscles on Gao Peng's face were already twitching slightly.

He glanced with the corner of his eye.

He saw Lin Dongfan actually pretending to be a humble seeker of knowledge, putting on an attitude of attentive listening.

Too hateful!

Is there anyone in this world more arrogant than you, Lin Dongfan?

In this moment.

Gao Peng again felt a pain as if pierced by ten thousand arrows.

Although he was well aware in his heart that Lin Dongfan was waiting to see his joke, if he today clarified the facts for Lin Dongfan, it would be tantamount to slapping his own face.

But right now he has no way at all; even if he's angry, he must grit his teeth and endure.

God didn't leave him any room for regret.

Gao Peng strove to adopt a solemn demeanor.

He steeled himself to explain to the crowd: "The Section Chief Lin you mentioned is the head of the Anti-Corruption Bureau's Special Task Force. Capturing corrupt officials is within his duties. The issue of chemical leakage actually has nothing to do with him. The main problem lies in the inadequate deployment by the relevant units; currently, the accountability procedure has been fully launched, please rest assured……"

Now Gao Peng probably still knows.

When this scene was transmitted to the ears of Provincial Party Committee No. 1 Jiang Huantian,

Jiang Huantian would also shake his head in disappointment and let out a torrent of complaints: "Digging such a big pit, you actually buried yourself—what talent! The common folk of Nanzhou are also tough; under your muddleheaded leadership, they haven't even starved to death."