Chapter 290: Deadly Sword

Wang Anping today, in the name of discussing a case, invited Fang Xiaoxian of the court over. But he brought Fang Xiaoxian to the tea room, pouring tea and water for her to show his attentiveness.

He had been courting Fang Xiaoxian for over half a year without even holding her hand, yet Wang Anping was not discouraged.

Quite the opposite.

These days, Wang Anping can be said to grow more confident as he lives.

He proudly told Fang Xiaoxian: "I'm already a Section Chief, solidly promising and young. If even I'm not good enough for you, who is? Don't set your sights so high—lower your gaze and see my sincerity."

"My ex-boyfriend is already a Division Chief."

Fang Xiaoxian played with her phone, paying no attention to Wang Anping circling her; she couldn't be bothered to glance at him.

Hearing the three words "ex-boyfriend" made Wang Anping furious: "Lin Dongfan is just a live-in son-in-law, relying entirely on his father-in-law's patronage—he's nothing. Don't worry, I'll tell you: I'm now Secretary Gao's man; how can he compare? Especially in this situation, he dares to oppose Secretary Gao—just wait and see how he dies!"

Upon hearing this, Fang Xiaoxian merely frowned slightly, offering no comment.

She had lived with Lin Dongfan for two years, knowing his strengths and weaknesses, his hardness and softness better than anyone.

That guy basically never fights a battle he isn't sure of; when he lacks power and influence, he tucks his tail and acts like a grandson, letting anyone step on him, and he basically won't resist.

But!

If one day he dares to swing his knife wildly, cutting down whoever he catches, then he must either be mad or possess overwhelming power that subdues everything.

Judging from the present situation, Lin Dongfan is clearly not a reckless madman.

This can only mean one thing: Lin Dongfan must have a powerful force behind him, so strong that even someone of Gao Peng's stature can be struck down without fail!

What are you, Wang Anping? You aren't even worthy to hold Lin Dongfan's shoes.

How dare you speak such arrogance here.

Fang Xiaoxian had no interest in mocking Wang Anping; she merely gave a light chuckle: "In Nanzhou's political and legal system, I only need to say I'm Lin Dongfan's ex-girlfriend, and even Secretary Luo of the Political and Legal Affairs Committee will treat me differently—that's Lin Dongfan's clout. I advise you not to make a fool of yourself."

"How bizarre—is Secretary Luo more senior or Secretary Gao?" Wang Anping, face full of unwillingness, said: "I'm Secretary Gao's man!"

"Don't overestimate yourself; at best you're just a lackey under Secretary Gao." Fang Xiaoxian kept her eyes on her phone, not giving Wang Anping a glance.

Wang Anping's face turned livid with rage, almost vomiting blood.

Lackey!

I am a towering living being—how did I become your lackey? Do you really take me for a sycophant? Damn it, if it weren't for your slight beauty, I wouldn't spare you another look.

Once I have you in my grasp, just watch how I'll fuck you to death!

Wang Anping suppressed his inner anger, moved behind her to massage her shoulders: "I truly don't understand—Lin Dongfan, that bastard, dumped you, yet you still speak up for him..."

"Take your claws off me, or I'll slap you!"

Fang Xiaoxian shrugged her shoulders, giving him no face, looking down on him from the heart.

Wang Anping glumly withdrew his hands: "It seems you'd rather cling to your identity as Lin Dongfan's ex-girlfriend and stay single than leave any room for me, Wang Anping. Fine, let's wait and see—I hope you won't regret it later. Let me tell you plainly: this time, Nanzhou will be Lin Dongfan's grave!"

"Are you threatening me?"

Fang Xiaoxian rose and returned a smile, looking at Wang Anping as if he were an idiot.

Before Wang Anping could reply,

At the door came Lin Dongfan's voice: "Who dares threaten our Chief Judge Fang? Such arrogance." As his words fell, Lin Dongfan, Yang Qing, and Jian Si-ning walked in.

Wang Anping's cheeks instantly turned the color of pig liver.

He coldly glared at Lin Dongfan, then tried to leave, but Yang Qing stopped him with one hand: "Where are you going? Did Section Chief Lin say you could go?"

"Where I'm going—do I need to report to you? Get out of the way!" Wang Anping angrily shoved a hand, pushing Yang Qing back two steps.

"Damn!"

The next second, Yang Qing locked his arms around Wang Anping's neck, slammed him to the ground, drove a knee into his waist, pinned him down tight, then produced handcuffs and cuffed Wang Anping's hands behind his back.

This series of moves was done in one smooth flow.

Past grudges and old resentments all came together!

Wang Anping struggled like an enraged beast: "Yang! What the hell gives you the right to cuff me!"

"Don't misunderstand—I'm really not here to avenge last year's frame-up. Yes, I'm a magnanimous gentleman who doesn't hold grudges against petty people. Rage on, curse me for having a son without an asshole—I love hearing it."

Yang Qing sat astride Wang Anping's back, leisurely lighting a cigarette.

Wang Anping collapsed, weakly struggling: "Lin Dongfan! You actually dare to bring people to the Procuratorate to retaliate against me—watch out, I'll sue you for abuse of power!"

Lin Dongfan, as if he hadn't heard, asked Fang Xiaoxian: "What did he just say to you?"

"A dog's mouth can't spit out ivory—nothing more than clinging to some leader's thick thigh, spouting nonsense here, claiming Nanzhou will be your grave." Fang Xiaoxian smiled faintly, as if she had expected Wang Anping's predicament, then squatted down to ask him: "Do you now know why I'm too lazy to bother with you?"

The standard answer to that is—because you're just an idiot, brainless!

Wang Anping obviously guessed the answer as well.

He stared, eyes wide, speechless.

At this moment, Lin Dongfan raised his hand to Yang Qing, signaling him to stop sitting and quickly haul Wang Anping up.

"Even the Procuratorate's Old Boss Chang has packed up and gone home, yet you dare to jump around—how stupid are you?" Saying this, Yang Qing hauled Wang Anping to his feet: "Stand straight!"

The formerly overconfident Wang Anping has now shrunk back like a grandson.

He glared at Lin Dongfan with resentment: "What crime have I committed? On what basis are you arresting me!"

"Based on this."

Lin Dongfan produced an arrest warrant.

In an instant, Wang Anping's face turned ashen, his legs so weak he could barely stand. Even if he were stupider, he could tell it was definitely Feng Yuqiu's side that had cracked—he'd taken a bite.

When the news of Wang Anping's arrest reached Gao Peng's ears, Gao Peng was attending a meeting in the province.

Lin Dongfan's swift, decisive arrest operation was nothing short of a lethal sword, piercing straight into Gao Peng's heart! For the rest of the meeting, Gao Peng remained in a state of uneasy agitation.

The meeting chair, Jiang Huan-tian, also noticed that Gao Peng's condition seemed off.

After the meeting adjourned.

Jiang Huan-tian summoned Gao Peng alone to his office and asked: "Has something happened over in Nanzhou?"

Things have come to this point.

Gao Peng also knows full well that if he fails to win Jiang Huantian's support, he is surely doomed.

In desperation, Gao Peng steeled himself and turned the tables: "A few days ago my sister committed suicide out of fear of punishment; at the time I truly thought she was dead, so I argued against an autopsy. I never expected her to be rescued later. Now Lin Dongfan is harping on this and making a big fuss—I think he wants to pin the murder charge on me and doom me."

This Lin Dongfan really acts recklessly.

Recalling that night when he spoke with Lin Dongfan on the phone, only to have Lin Dongfan abruptly hang up on him, Jiang Huantian also felt a surge of frustration.

Seeing that Jiang Huantian also had objections to Lin Dongfan, Gao Peng quickly tried a retreat-to-advance tactic, putting on a put-upon, appeasing attitude: "Secretary Jiang, if they insist on using me, Gao Peng, as a sacrificial offering, I have nothing to say. In these years of governing Nanzhou, I believe I have done right by the people and have a clear conscience."

"Don't talk defeatist; it's not that serious." Jiang Huantian half‑smiled, comforting Gao Peng: "For the next few days stay in the province, don't rush back to Nanzhou, and let Lin Dongfan thoroughly investigate Gao Lu's matter. The innocent need fear nothing—if you stay out of this, Lin Dongfan will have nothing to say."

!!!

Jiang Huantian's words left Gao Peng bewildered, unable for a moment to grasp Jiang Huantian's true intention.

If Gao Peng truly had no fault at all, as long as he promptly withdrew himself from the vortex and stopped meddling in Gao Lu's affair, he could indeed silence Lin Dongfan.

But the problem is, Gao Peng is not without fault! If he puts on an innocent‑until‑proven‑guilty stance and lets others investigate, how is that any different from waiting to be slaughtered?

He hesitated repeatedly.

Gao Peng nodded helplessly: "All right, Secretary Jiang, I'll follow your orders." After leaving Jiang Huantian's office, he secretly called Wang Minjuan, urging her to take action.