Chapter 271

line: "Seeing everyone's shocked, pale faces, Lin Dongfan realized his pretentiousness was growing stronger each day." No Chinese.

Translation: Lin Dongfan saw the crowd's shocked and dismayed looks and knew his pretentiousness level was truly getting stronger day by day.

We need to keep it concise, single line.

Let's produce: Lin Dongfan saw the crowd's shocked and dismayed looks and knew his pretentiousness level was truly getting stronger day by day.

Check: pretentiousness level, getting stronger day by day. Good.

As soon as the red genealogy is displayed, Secretary Qi will promptly rise to his feet.

Translation: When the red genealogy is brought out, Director Qi will obediently stand up.

We used Director Qi.

Quite obvious.

Translation: It's obvious.

Faced with this pretentiousness pressure, Secretary Qi has understood the anti‑corruption stance coming from the capital and is now trying to get close to the Prince.

Translation: Under this wave of pretentiousness pressure, Director Qi has already realized the anti-corruption will from the capital and is striving to cozy up to the prince.

This wave of pretentiousness pressure, the Prince cozying up.

Thus: Under this wave of pretentiousness pressure, Director Qi has already realized the anti-corruption will from the capital and is striving to cozy up to the Prince.

Very good!

Translation: Great!

Comrades who know how to rein in at the brink are good comrades.

Translation: Comrades who know how to rein in at the brink are good comrades.

Comrades who know how to rein in at the brink are good comrades.

Lin Dongfan looked over those who had risen and said, "Why are you all staring at me? Sit down and talk. Speaking from the heart, I prefer to keep a low profile; if I didn't see that you lack confidence, I wouldn't bother bringing out the genealogy today. We're all adults—you need to take care of your own business; we can't keep troubling Old Lin over everything."

Translation: Lin Dongfan glanced at those standing and said, "Why are you all staring at me? Sit, everyone sit down and talk. Speaking from the heart, I'm a person who likes to keep a low profile; if I didn't see you all lacking confidence, I wouldn't want to bring out the genealogy today. We're all adults, you have to handle your own affairs; we can't bother Old Lin for everything."

Speaking from the heart, lacking confidence, bringing out the genealogy, you have to handle your own affairs—we can't bother Old Lin for everything.

Thus: Lin Dongfan glanced at those standing and said, "Why are you all staring at me? Sit, everyone sit down and talk. Speaking from the heart, I'm a person who likes to keep a low profile; if I didn't see you all lacking confidence, I wouldn't want to bring out the genealogy today. We're all adults, you have to handle your own affairs; we can't bother Old Lin for everything."

Hearing this, the crowd wore smiles but secretly looked down on him.

Translation: Hearing this, the crowd wore smiles while secretly despising him in their hearts.

Is this what you call keeping a low profile?

Translation: You call this low-key?

After bringing out the genealogy you keep dropping Old Lin's name, continually pressuring everyone mentally—you're just racing full‑speed down the pretentiousness road!

Translation: After laying out the genealogy you keep mentioning Old Lin, constantly putting mental pressure on everyone—you're just speeding down the road of pretentiousness!

After laying out the genealogy you keep mentioning Old Lin, constantly putting mental pressure on everyone—you're just speeding down the road of pretentiousness!

However, Luo Xiang was still quite happy.

Translation: However, Luo Xiang was still very happy.

Luo Xiang

Regardless of how high Lin Dongfan cranks his pretentiousness, he remains Luo Xiang's proudest disciple, and in Lin Dongfan's view Luo Xiang is also a person of great significance.

Translation: No matter how high Lin Dongfan raises his pretentiousness, Lin Dongfan remains his proudest disciple; in Lin Dongfan's eyes, Luo Xiang is also a figure of great importance.

proudest disciple, of great importance

Thus: No matter how high Lin Dongfan raises his pretentiousness, Lin Dongfan remains his proudest disciple; in Lin Dongfan's eyes, Luo Xiang is also a figure of great importance.

Luo Xiang gazed at Secretary Qi with a smile and asked, "Secretary Qi, about the plan to apprehend Gao Lu, do you have any fresh ideas?"

Translation: Luo Xiang smiled and looked at Director Qi: "Director Qi, regarding the capture of Gao Lu, do you have any new thoughts?"

"I'm reflecting—was my earlier stance too conservative?"

Translation: "I'm reflecting; was my earlier stance too conservative?"

Amid the banter, Secretary Qi made no effort to conceal his embarrassment; this frank demeanor is exceedingly uncommon in the Jianglan officialdom.

Translation: In the midst of talking and laughing, Director Qi did not hide his embarrassment; this candid side of his is extremely rare even in Jianglan officialdom.

Jianglan officialdom

There are certainly new views to be had.

Translation: As for new thoughts, there definitely are.

Lin Zhenhua had just said on the phone that even if measures were taken against Gao Peng himself, you could arrest first and report afterward—so much more so for his sister Gao Lu.

Translation: Just now Lin Zhenhua said on the phone that even if measures were taken against Gao Peng himself, one could arrest first and report later, let alone Gao Peng's sister Gao Lu.

Lin Dongfan is no ordinary imperial envoy.

Translation: Lin Dongfan is no ordinary imperial envoy.

imperial envoy

Rather, he is an imperial envoy who holds the emperor's sword.

Translation: but an imperial envoy holding the emperor's sword.

emperor's sword

He has the authority to act first and report later.

Translation: He has the power to strike first and report later.

Faced with this fearsome authority, Gao Peng has virtually no chance to fight back—even the Provincial Party Committee Secretary Jiang would probably have to defer to Lin Dongfan.

Translation: In the face of such terrifying power, Gao Peng basically has no room to retaliate. Even the Provincial Party Committee Secretary Jiang would have to yield three points before Lin Dongfan.

Provincial Party Committee Secretary Jiang, yielding three points

That's easy to imagine.

Translation: One can imagine.

If Lin Dongfan's red genealogy were to be revealed, corrupt officials throughout the province would probably shake in fear, perhaps even packing up and fleeing in the night.

Translation: If Lin Dongfan's red genealogy were exposed, corrupt officials across the province would likely tremble with fear, possibly even fleeing overnight with their bedrolls.

Secretary Qi turned to Lin Dongfan, hastily adjusting his demeanor: "Section Chief Lin, concerning the Gao Lu arrest, we ought to act sooner rather than later—I think we should move tonight."

Translation: Director Qi looked over at Lin Dongfan and quickly corrected his attitude: "Section Chief Lin, regarding the capture of Gao Lu, it's better to act sooner rather than later; in my view, we should act tonight."

Section Chief Lin

"That's exactly what I wanted to hear," Lin Dongfan said, standing up. "Then summon the forces and move out. We'll try to complete the arrest before dawn to avoid troubling the nearby residents."

Translation: "That hits the spot." Lin Dongfan stood up and said, "Then gather the troops and set out. Let's aim to complete the arrest operation before dawn, so as not to disturb nearby residents."

That hits the spot.

"Alright, let's do it as you said."

Translation: "Alright, just do as you said."

Secretary Qi rose, summoned Yang Qing, and told him to immediately organize the police force, departing in three minutes to apprehend Gao Lu at Villa No. 8 of Jinglan Heavenly Realm.

Translation: Director Qi stood up and called Yang Qing in, ordering him to immediately organize the police force, depart in three minutes, and head to Villa No. 8 in Jinglan Heavenly Realm to capture Gao Lu.

Jinglan Heavenly Realm, Villa No. 8

Jinglan Heavenly Realm is an upscale residential district in Nanzhou, featuring both high‑rise buildings and standalone villas.

Translation: Jinglan Heavenly Realm is a high-end residential area in Nanzhou, with high-rises and standalone villas.

Most of the residents there are nobles and officials.

Translation: Most of the residents are nobles and officials.

nobles and officials

Yin Qiuhong used to live there as well, though she stayed in a large apartment, which is still noticeably inferior to Gao Lu's riverside villa.

Translation: Yin Qiuhong used to live there as well, but she previously lived in a large flat, which is still considerably inferior to Gao Lu's riverside villa.

Yin Qiuhong

large flat, riverside villa

Thus: Yin Qiuhong used to live there as well, but she previously lived in a large flat, which is still considerably inferior to Gao Lu's riverside villa.

Tonight, the atmosphere in the courtyard of Villa No. 8 is very tense.

Translation: Tonight, the atmosphere in the courtyard of Villa No. 8 is very tense.

Three Land Rovers are parked in the courtyard.

Translation: Three Land Rovers are parked in the courtyard.

Plus a black Audi bearing the plate Jiang O·00008.

Translation: And a black Audi with license plate Jiang O·00008.

Jiang O·00008

Known in the underworld as Leopard Brother, the gold‑chain‑sporting Shi Baojie—who turns to jelly whenever he sees Lin Dongfan—is loitering in the courtyard with a handful of henchmen, awaiting the female boss's command.

Translation: Known on the streets as Leopard Brother, the gold‑chain‑wearing Shi Baojie, whose legs go weak whenever he sees Lin Dongfan, brings over a dozen lackeys to wait in the courtyard for the female boss's orders.

Known on the streets as Leopard Brother, the gold‑chain‑wearing Shi Baojie, lackeys, female boss

Thus: Known on the streets as Leopard Brother, the gold‑chain‑wearing Shi Baojie, whose legs go weak whenever he sees Lin Dongfan, brings over a dozen lackeys to wait in the courtyard for the female boss's orders.

The atmosphere inside the house is even tenser than that in the courtyard.

Translation: The atmosphere inside the house is even tenser than in the courtyard.

Secretary‑General Chiang Huailiang stepped out of the car halfway; the sole companion of Gao Peng on the trip to Jinglan Heavenly Realm was his longtime driver, Song Yimin, who'd been with him for more than a decade.

Translation: Secretary‑General Chiang Huailiang got out of the car midway; the only person accompanying Gao Peng to Jinglan Heavenly Realm was his driver of over ten years, Song Yimin.

Secretary‑General Chiang Huailiang

driver Song Yimin

Thus: Secretary‑General Chiang Huailiang got out of the car midway; the only person accompanying Gao Peng to Jinglan Heavenly Realm was his driver of over ten years, Song Yimin.

Tonight, Gao Peng is very disappointed in his sister Gao Lu's actions.

Translation: Tonight, Gao Peng is very disappointed in his sister Gao Lu's actions.

He glared at her, face stern, and demanded: "You've summoned all those social thugs—what are you up to? Are you actually looking to fight the Special Task Force?"

Translation: He stared coldly at Gao Lu and demanded, "You've gathered so many societal thugs—what are you planning? Do you really want to clash with the Special Task Force?"

societal thugs, Special Task Force

Thus: He stared coldly at Gao Lu and demanded, "You've gathered so many societal thugs—what are you planning? Do you really want to clash with the Special Task Force?"

Gao Lu sat on the sofa with a laptop resting on her legs.

Translation: Gao Lu sat on the sofa with a laptop resting on her legs.

She turned a deaf ear to Gao Peng's reprimand.

Translation: She ignored Gao Lu's reproachful words.

She turned a deaf ear to Gao Peng's reprimand.

She was in touch online with the mysterious Mr. G; the only reason Yin Qiuhong managed to move her assets and flee successfully was that Mr. G was helping her behind the scenes.

Translation: She was online contacting the mysterious G Xiansheng; the reason Yin Qiuhong could transfer her assets and escape successfully was precisely because G Xiansheng assisted her behind the scenes.

She was online contacting the mysterious G Xiansheng; the reason Yin Qiuhong could transfer her assets and escape successfully was precisely because G Xiansheng assisted her behind the scenes.

Spending money to buy peace.

Translation: Spending money to buy peace.

His son Gao Shuo, dressed in flower‑printed boxers, abruptly emerged from the room.

Translation: The son wearing flower‑patterned underpants—Gao Shuo—suddenly walked out of the room.

flower‑patterned underpants

Thus: The son wearing flower‑patterned underpants—Gao Shuo—suddenly walked out of the room.

Looking as if he hadn't slept enough.

Translation: Looking half‑asleep.

Gao Shuo rubbed his bleary eyes and asked his uncle Gao Peng, perplexed: "Uncle, do you play CS too? Why didn't you invite me to the firefight? Bring me along."

Translation: Gao Shuo rubbed his sleepy eyes and asked Gao Peng bewilderedly, "Uncle, do you also play CS? Why didn't you call me for the showdown? Bring me along."

Why didn't you call me for the firefight? Bring me along.

Thus: Gao Shuo rubbed his sleepy eyes and asked Gao Peng bewilderedly, "Uncle, do you also play CS? Why didn't you call me for the firefight? Bring me along."

「！！！」

Translation: "!!!"

We need to keep the exclamation marks as is. So line:!!!

Gao Peng's forehead was lined with black streaks, black as his grandmother's house.

Translation: Gao Peng's forehead was lined with black streaks, black as his grandmother's house.

Gao Peng's forehead was lined with black streaks, black as his grandmother's house.

His dim‑witted sister acts without judgment, and his eldest nephew Gao Xiaopang just keeps getting taller without growing smarter—what kind of misfortune is this!

Translation: His pig‑headed, pig‑brained sister acts without thinking, and his eldest nephew Gao Xiaopang only grows tall without gaining wit—what karma is this!

Pig‑headed, pig‑brained sister; eldest nephew Gao Xiaopang; only grows tall without gaining wit—what karma is this!

Thus: His pig‑headed, pig‑brained sister acts without thinking, and his eldest nephew Gao Xiaopang only grows tall without gaining wit—what karma is this!

If I were to play real‑life CS, I'd blast you all first!

Translation: If I were to play real‑life CS, I'd blast you all first!

If I were to play real‑life CS, I'd blast you all first!

After blasting you, I'd then swallow bullets and kill myself!

Translation: After blasting you, I'd then swallow bullets and kill myself!

After blasting you, I'd then swallow bullets and kill myself!

Let's all head to the underworld to visit our ancestors; as a family we'd be complete, and in our next life we could all be reborn as mayflies—alive at dawn, gone by dusk.

Translation: Let's all go together to the underworld to meet our ancestors; as a family, we'll make a perfect set, and in our next life we'll collectively reincarnate as mayflies—born in the morning, dead by dusk!

underworld, ancestors, mayflies—born in the morning, dead by dusk

Thus: Let's all go together to the underworld to meet our ancestors; as a family, we'll make a perfect set, and in our next life we'll collectively reincarnate as mayflies—born in the morning, dead by dusk!

They live fast and die fast, which can spare a lot of suffering.

Translation: Born fast, dying fast, we can spare ourselves much suffering.

"Uncle, why aren't you saying anything?" Gao Shuo noticed Gao Peng's grim expression and asked, puzzled: "You're not worried I'll hold you back, are you? I've played before—I'm pretty good."

Translation: "Uncle, why aren't you speaking?" Gao Shuo saw Gao Peng's dark face and asked puzzledly, "You're not afraid I'll drag you down, are you? I've played before—my skills are decent."

Asked puzzledly: "You're not afraid I'll drag you down, are you?"

Thus: "Uncle, why aren't you speaking?" Gao Shuo saw Gao Peng's dark face and asked puzzledly, "You're not afraid I'll drag you down, are you? I've played before—my skills are decent."

「！！！」

Translation:!!!

Confronted with this dim‑witted nephew, Gao Peng pressed his hand to his throbbing heart, his gaze filled with the anguish of wishing iron could turn to steel.

Translation: Faced with this clueless, foolish nephew, Gao Peng clutched his aching heart, his eyes full of the sorrow of wishing iron could become steel.

Faced with this clueless, foolish nephew, Gao Peng clutched his aching heart, his eyes full of the sorrow of wishing iron could become steel.

Gao Peng solemnly criticized, "The confrontation I referred to is your mother wanting to clash with the Special Task Force, not playing online games! Can't you wake up before you come out?"

Translation: Gao Peng solemnly criticized, "The showdown I meant is your mother wanting to clash with the Special Task Force, not playing online games! Can't you wake up before coming out?"

Gao Peng solemnly criticized, "The showdown I meant is your mother wanting to clash with the Special Task Force, not playing online games! Can't you wake up before coming out?"

"Clash with the Special Task Force? A real‑life showdown?"

Translation: "Clash with the Special Task Force? Real‑life clash?"

Gao Shuo scratched the back of his head, blankly gazed at his mother working the computer, then shifted his look to Gao Peng and said, "This seems wrong—it's illegal…"

Translation: Gao Shuo scratched the back of his head, stared blankly at his mother operating the computer, then turned his gaze to Gao Peng: "This probably isn't allowed, it's illegal..."

Gao Shuo scratched the back of his head, stared blankly at his mother operating the computer, then turned his gaze to Gao Peng: "This probably isn't allowed, it's illegal..."

"You know it's illegal—so why aren't you back in bed?" Gao Peng, seething to the verge of a near‑bursting liver, fixed his eyes on Gao Xiaopang and snapped, "Tonight, no matter what you hear, you're not getting out of bed."

Translation: "You know it's illegal—then why don't you get back to bed?" Gao Peng, fuming to the point of near‑bursting liver, glared at Gao Xiaopang: "Tonight, no matter what you hear, you're not allowed to come out!"

"You know it's illegal—then why don't you get back to bed?" Gao Peng, fuming to the point of near‑bursting liver, glared at Gao Xiaopang: "Tonight, no matter what you hear, you're not allowed to come out!"

"Oh."

Being scolded by Gao Peng, who exuded official authority, Gao Shuo didn't dare to even fart, turned and slipped back to his room, shut the door and slept soundly, without any worry.

At that moment, Gao Lu also put away her computer.

She calmly said to Gao Peng: "Xiao Pang will stay domestically for now; please help me look after him. Once I've settled abroad, I'll bring him overseas."

"Before I came, you could go abroad! Now I'm standing in front of you, and you still want to escape?" Gao Peng, unable to quell his anger: "Have you not considered my predicament at all?"

"What should we do? Do you really intend to hand me over, sacrifice my life, to safeguard your career?" Gao Lu didn't think Gao Peng would actually do that, so she wore a smile.

It was precisely this carefree smile that made Gao Peng so angry he nearly burst his liver again.

Gao Peng pressed his hand against his aching chest and sat down on the sofa.

He lowered his head and endured the pain!

Gao Lu quickly handed him a cup of water and a pill, and added: "At your age, your emotions are still this unstable—don't make yourself sick from anger."

!!!

Gao Peng took the water and pill, tilted his head back, and gulped it down.

Then he took a calming breath.

The tight feeling in his chest also eased considerably; the pill definitely took effect this quickly, but it was him himself striving to adjust his emotions, calming his mind.

Gao Peng confessed heavily: "If the old leader were to sacrifice you, I couldn't do it. Go away— the farther you go, the better; never come back."

"I'm leaving— what will you do?" Gao Lu felt a bit uneasy.

Gao Peng set down his water cup, then closed his eyes, leaned back on the sofa and remained silent; the affairs of the officialdom change in an instant, and he didn't know what tomorrow would bring.

Just then.

Suddenly, several loud booms came from the courtyard, like the firecracker sounds of New Year's Eve, but it was clearly not the sound of fireworks—it was the terrifying roar of gunfire.