Chapter 308

The next day.

Translation: "The next day."

Lin Dongfan didn't rush to meet Jiang Huan Tian; he first returned to the temporary station, gathered his subordinates for a meeting, and summarized the investigative information currently at hand.

Translation: "Lin Dongfan did not rush to meet Jiang Huantian; he first returned to the temporary station, gathered his subordinates for a meeting, and summarized the investigative information currently in hand."

Note: "Temporary station" refers to a temporary post; "gathered his subordinates for a meeting" means he called his subordinates to a meeting; "summarized the investigative information currently in hand" means he summed up the investigation data they had.

We'll produce: "Lin Dongfan did not rush to meet Jiang Huantian; he first returned to the temporary station, gathered his subordinates for a meeting, and summarized the investigative information currently in hand."

Team members Jian Sining, Zhang Xiaoguang, and Tang Xia had already arrived early.

Translation: "Team members Jian Sining, Zhang Xiaoguang, and Tang Xia had already arrived early."

Only the deputy head of the special project, Comrade Peng Tianhua, rushed to the toilet early in the morning; everyone waited for him over half an hour before this guy returned to his seat, clutching his six-month-pregnant beer belly.

Translation: "Only the deputy team leader of the special case, Comrade Peng Tianhua, rushed into the toilet early in the morning; everyone waited for him over half an hour before this guy returned to his seat, clutching his beer belly that was pregnant with six months."

But we need to keep the meaning: a beer belly that makes him look six months pregnant.

Time is money…… No! Time is life.

Translation: "Time is money…… wrong! Time is life."

Lin Dongfan couldn't resist teasing: "Old Peng, did you eat too much last night, fail to digest it, and now have diarrhea early this morning?"

Translation: "Lin Dongfan couldn't resist teasing: 'Old Peng, did you eat too well last night, not digest it, and have diarrhea early this morning?'"

Note: "bowel leakage?" likely means diarrhea; we'll translate it as "have diarrhea". So: "Lin Dongfan couldn't resist teasing: 'Old Peng, did you eat too well last night, not digest it, and have diarrhea early this morning?'"

"On the contrary, I think I ate something wrong, possibly poisoned."

Translation: "On the contrary, I suspect I ate something wrong, possibly poisoned."

Peng Tianhua had barely sat down for less than a minute when he felt an urgent, stifling discomfort.

Translation: "Peng Tianhua had been seated for less than a minute when he again felt an urgent urge he could hardly hold back."

He strained to tighten his sphincter.

Translation: "He strained to tighten his anus."

He urged Lin Dongfan anxiously: "Cut the chatter, please get to the point. Can we finish the meeting in three minutes? I think I can hold it for at most three minutes."

Translation: "He hurriedly urged Lin Dongfan: 'Cut the crap, please get to the point. Can we finish the meeting within three minutes? I estimate I can hold it for at most three minutes.'"

"Three minutes definitely won't be enough," Lin Dongfan signaled Tang Xia: "Go buy Peng a pack of adult diapers, the large size—I'll cover the cost."

Translation: "'Three minutes is definitely not enough.' Lin Dongfan gave Tang Xia a look: 'Go buy Old Peng a pack of wet diapers, the large size, I'll cover the cost.'"

"I'm happy to run this errand."

Translation: "I'm happy to run this errand."

Tang Xia laughed like a petty schadenfreude, just standing up.

Translation: "Tang Xia laughed like a schadenfreude-filled jerk, just having stood up."

Peng Tianhua, frantic, slammed the table three times: "You're going too far, treating me like a three-year-old?" Then he shouted at Tang Xia: "Sit down!"

Translation: "Peng Tianhua, anxious, slammed the table three times: 'You're going too far, treating me like a three-year-old?' Then he shouted at Tang Xia: 'Sit down!'"

"Deputy Section Chief Peng, using diapers isn't embarrassing," Tang Xia laughed.

Translation: "'Deputy Section Chief Peng, wearing wet diapers isn't shameful.' Tang Xia laughed."

Peng Tianhua pressed his stomach, straining like a child, too weak to even roar: "Cut the nonsense, let's get the meeting started…"

Translation: "Peng Tianhua pressed his abdomen, holding it in like a grandson, lacking even the strength to roar: 'Cut the nonsense, hurry up and start the meeting……'"

"Then just hold it in."

Translation: "Then hold it in."

Lin Dongfan shook his head helplessly.

Translation: "Lin Dongfan shook his head, unable to help."

Setting aside sympathy, he got straight to the point: "The core of today's meeting is the state-asset embezzlement case triggered by the oil chain, which is still unresolved; we must drag out the behind-the-scenes big tiger. Everyone, hurry up and report your investigation progress. Then we'll collate the case materials for submission to the bureau."

Translation: "Putting aside sympathy, he cut to the chase: 'The core of today's meeting is just one thing: the state-asset embezzlement case triggered by the oil chain, which is not yet over; we must drag out the big tiger behind it. Everyone, hurry up and report your investigative progress. Later, we'll collate the case materials for reporting to the General Bureau.'"

"I'll report first," Zhang Xiaoguang said, looking at his documents, then reported to Lin Dongfan: "Investigation shows the explosion at Shengsheng Petrochemical's ethylene warehouse has no link to the Zou Group; it was merely a profit struggle between Li Chunyan and Gao Lu."

Translation: "'I'll report first.' Zhang Xia glanced at the materials in hand and reported to Lin Dongfan: 'Investigation shows that the ethylene warehouse explosion of Qiangsheng Petrochemical has no relation to the Zou Family Group. It's merely a profit dispute between Li Chunyan and Gao Lu. Report complete.'"

Tang Xia continued: "Yesterday I and Deputy Section Chief Peng interrogated Gao Peng; he only admitted having an improper relationship with Wang Minjuan and providing her benefits. He denies murdering Gao Lu, insisting it was an accident. As for the Zou Group, he refuses to speak."

Translation: "Tang Xia continued the report: 'Yesterday I interrogated Gao Peng together with Deputy Section Chief Peng; Gao Peng currently only admits to having an improper relationship with Wang Minjuan and providing her benefits. He denies murdering Gao Lu, insisting it was an accident. As for the Zou Family Group, he refuses to speak.'"

"He's stubborn like a dead duck; let's intensify the interrogation and see how long he can hold out," Lin Dongfan said.

Translation: "'Stubborn as a dead duck, step up the interrogation—see how long he can hold out!' Lin Dongfan said."

Tang Xia nodded: "Understood."

Translation: "Tang Xia nodded: 'Understood.'"

Lin Dongfan then turned to Jian Sining, seated at the end: "And what's your situation?" Jian Sining had been responsible for interrogating Gao Lu these past days.

Translation: "Lin Dongfan then turned to Jian Sining sitting at the end: 'What's your situation?' Jian Sining had been responsible for interrogating Gao Lu these past days."

Jian Sining looked at her documents and replied: "Gao Lu is cooperative, basically answering every question. She also admitted that her Tianxing Group transferred benefits to the Zou family, acknowledging that Tianxing Group is a stepping stone for the Zou family's embezzlement of state assets. However, gathering evidence is difficult; Zou Feiyun legally holds shares in Tianxing Group. Even if we know Zou Feiyun is getting something for nothing, we can't touch him."

Translation: "Jian Sining looked at the materials and replied: 'Gao Lu is very cooperative, basically answering every question. She also admitted that her Tiantian Group had transferred benefits to the Zou Family, acknowledging that Tiantian Group is a stepping stone for the Zou Family's embezzlement of state assets. However, gathering evidence is difficult; Zou Feiyun legally holds shares in Tiantian Group. Even if we know Zou Feiyun is getting something for nothing, we can't touch him.'"

Hearing this, Lin Dongfan was speechless.

Translation: "Hearing this, Lin Dongfan was speechless."

Sure enough, the father-in-law was right; even if we arrest Gao Peng, we can't shake the Zou family's foundation. It seems we now have to focus our entry point on Sun Fucheng.

Translation: "Sure enough, the father-in-law was right—even if we caught Gao Peng, we couldn't shake the Zou Family's foundation. It seems we can only focus our entry point on Sun Fucheng for now."

Lin Dongfan instructed everyone present: "Organize the materials and report to the bureau; next, shift the investigation focus to Vice Chairman of the Provincial CPPCC Sun Fucheng, first clarifying which of his followers are in Jianglan…"

Translation: "Lin Dongfan instructed everyone present: 'Organize the materials, report the situation to the General Bureau, next shift the investigation focus to Vice Chair of the Provincial CPPCC Sun Fucheng, first clarifying which followers he has in Jiang Lan……'"

"Pffft!!!"

Translation: "Pff!!"

Before Lin Dongfan could finish, a loud, rumbling fart echoed through the meeting room.

Translation: "Before Lin Dongfan could finish, a thunderous fart echoed in the meeting room."

Immediately after, a foul smell assaulted the nostrils.

Translation: "Immediately after, a foul smell hit the nose."

Lin Dongfan instinctively pinched his nose, glaring at Peng Tianhua: "Old Peng, you! Going too far; would holding it two more minutes kill you?"

Translation: "Lin Dongfan instinctively pinched his nose, glaring at Peng Tianhua with contempt: 'Old Peng, you! Going too far—would you die if you held it two more minutes?'"

"I already said I can hold it for at most three minutes."

Translation: "As I said before, I can hold it for at most three minutes."

Anyway, embarrassment has already reached my grandmother's house; as long as I'm not embarrassed, you are. Peng Tianhua then put on a dead-pig-not-scared-of-boiling-water attitude.

Translation: "Anyway, embarrassment has already reached my grandmother's house; as long as I'm not embarrassed, you are. Peng Tianhua then put on a dead-pig-not-afraid-of-boiling-water attitude."

He furrowed his brow, then another "pffft" escaped; he simply couldn't control it.

Translation: "He frowned, then another 'pff' sound, completely uncontrollable."

He glanced at the people on his left and right.

Translation: "He glanced left and right at the few people."

He then emphatically declared: "I'm not trying to disgust you; my intestines are in turmoil, my sphincter is burning. I really have been poisoned; who will drive me to the hospital?"

Translation: "He then emphasized righteously: 'It's not that I want to disgust you; my intestines are truly in turmoil, my anus is burning from diarrhea. I really am poisoned—who will drive me to the hospital?'"

"Meeting adjourned!"

Translation: "Meeting adjourned!"

Lin Dongfan, nose pinched, sprang up and ran as fast as if fleeing for his life.

Translation: "Lin Dongfan pinched his nose, stood up, and ran, his speed comparable to fleeing for his life."

Jian Sining also covered her nose, stood up, and bolted: "My car broke down; I can't take you; have them send you."

Translation: "Jian Sining also covered her nose, stood up, and fled: 'My car broke down; I can't take you—have them send someone.'"

"Comrade Jian, you've gone bad; I heard you bought that car only two months ago." Peng Tianhua muttered glumly: "Is your car made of paper? You break it just by saying so."

Translation: "'Comrade Jian Sining, you've gone bad—I heard your car was only bought two months ago.' Peng Tianhua complained gloomily: 'Is your car made of paper? Breaks just because you say so.'"

"It really broke; a female driver on the road hitting a car isn't strange." Saying this, Jian Sining quickly followed Lin Dongfan's pace and slipped out of the meeting room.

Translation: "'It really broke down; a female driver on the road, what's strange about hitting a car?' Saying this, Jian Sining closely followed Lin Dongfan's steps and slipped out of the meeting room."

Peng Tianhua then looked toward Zhang Xiaoguang and Tang Xia.

Translation: "Peng Tianhua then looked at Zhang Xiaoguang and Tang Xia."

Seeing that both of them also wanted to slip away.

Translation: "Seeing that they also wanted to slip away."

Peng Tianhua slammed his palm on the table, putting on official authority toward the two: "How can you be so heartless? This is utterly outrageous! I am, after all, your leader; can't you give me some face? It's just a pair of pants; dirtying your cars isn't irreversible. I'll pay the cleaning fee, with Lin Chu advancing the funds."

Translation: "Peng Tianhua slapped the table, putting on official authority toward the two: 'How can you be so heartless? This is totally out of line! I am, after all, your leader—give me some face, okay? It's just a pair of pants dirtied; sitting dirtied your cars isn't irreversible. I'll pay the washing fee, with Section Chief Lin advancing the money.'"

Seeing that avoidance was impossible, Zhang Xiaoguang, improvising, assumed official airs: "Xiao Tang, what are you standing there for? Hurry up and take Section Chief Peng to the hospital."

Translation: "Seeing there was no avoiding this predicament, Zhang Xiaoguang, learning on the spot, put on official authority: 'Little Tang, what are you standing there for? Hurry up and send Section Chief Peng to the hospital.'"

"Little Tang?"

Translation: "Little Tang?"

Tang Xia was first startled, then speechless, asking the heavens.

Translation: "Tang Xia was first startled, then speechlessly asked the heavens."

He lamented that inside the system there are truly no friends; comrades who together dig graves, overturn tombs, and hunt tigers, yet they just throw their

Translation: "Feeling that there are indeed no friends in the system, brothers who together dig graves and hunt tigers, talking about putting on leadership airs just to put on leadership airs."

Big fish eat small fish! This is the law of the jungle.

Translation: "Big fish eats small fish! This is the law of the evil jungle."

Tang Xia helped Peng Tianhua, sighing: "Peng Chu, you should see it now—who really looks out for you? In a pinch, only I will lend you a hand."

Translation: "Tang Xia helped Peng Tianhua up gloomily: 'Section Chief Peng, do you see now who is your thoughtful little cotton-padded jacket? At critical moments, only I will help you.'"

"Steady me, I feel drained and my legs are weak." As Peng Tianhua stood up, a stream of yellow liquid leaked from his pants.

Translation: "'Hold me steady—I feel drained, legs weak.' As Peng Tianhua stood up, his crotch dripped 'dit-dit-dah', a trail of yellow liquid."

His legs were shaking, he could barely stand, and he kept one hand pressed against his stomach.

Translation: "Both legs trembled, unable to stand steady, while the other hand kept pressing his abdomen."

Tang Xia helped Peng Tianhua along, asking: "Peng Chu, why don't you go to the restroom first to clean up? Change into a fresh pair of pants."

Translation: "Tang Xia supported Peng Tianhua as they walked, asking: 'Section Chief Peng, why not… first go to the toilet to wash your butt? Change into cleaner pants.'"

"Who carries extra pants to work? I don't have a spare. Let's just tough it out and have the hospital nurse wash my rear."

Translation: "'Normal person, who brings spare pants to work? No spare pants. Let's just make do; let the hospital nurse sister wash my butt.' Peng Tianhua said."

Tang Xia chuckled: "Peng Chu, you're quite something—a real talent, a model for us all."

Translation: "Tang Xia laughed: 'Section Chief Peng… what talent, a model for our generation!'"

"Everyone has three urgent needs—pooping and farting aren't violations." Peng Tianhua muttered, then wrinkled his brow: "Last night I was fine, but this morning after eating breakfast I've had non-stop diarrhea, I feel weak all over and my stomach is killing me. I suspect someone meant to poison Director Lin, but they got me instead."

Translation: "'People have three urgencies—defecating and farting aren't violations.' Peng Tianhua said, then frowned: 'Everything was fine last night; this morning I ate a breakfast, then kept having diarrhea, my whole body weak, stomach hurting badly. I feel someone wanted to poison Section Chief Lin, but accidentally got me instead.'"

"How does Director Lin come into this again?" Tang Xia looked puzzled.

Translation: "'How does this involve Section Chief Lin again?' Tang Xia looked puzzled."

Peng Tianhua couldn't hide his dismay: "This morning, at the provincial prosecutor's office gate, I met a beautiful woman who said she was bringing breakfast to Director Lin. I was a little hungry, so I ended up eating Director Lin's breakfast."

Translation: "Peng Tianhua couldn't hide his gloom: 'This morning, at the Provincial Procuratorate gate, I ran into a beautiful woman who said she was delivering breakfast to Section Chief Lin. I happened to be a bit hungry, so I helped Section Chief Lin finish that breakfast.'"

Does Lin Dong know about this? Tang Xia asked.

Peng Tianhua shook his head: "I don't know for now."

Tang Xia said contemptuously: "This also counts as helping Section Chief Lin get rid of that breakfast? You're snatching food from the tiger's mouth, eating a breakfast that isn't yours—if you don't get poisoned, who will?"

"Who would have thought that such a beautiful woman would actually have a heart of snakes and scorpions?" With Tang Xia's support, Peng Tianhua staggered forward: "I feel like I'm about to die—do you want to carry me?"

"Being a person really can't be too Section Chief Peng." Tang Xia protested solemnly and sternly: "I've grown this big, I've never even carried my dad, although you're the leader, you can't force someone to do the impossible, right? With your build, you're at least one hundred fifty to sixty catties, my small frame would collapse under you—I'd definitely be done for..."

"Your words are really harsh, fine, fine, just treat it as I farted." Peng Tianhua thought for a moment and then complained: "Section Chief Lin is also, too much—such a beautiful woman, how could he bear to offend her, driving her to the point of having to poison someone—how terrible that coercion is! The key is, why am I so unlucky?"