Chapter 313: Zou Feiyun

Under the streetlight, that two-tone Mercedes-Benz was like a steady, imposing big shot, as if trying to tell passersby that this wasn't a black-and-white world.

Normally it's black with hints of white, white mixed with black humor.

The person inside the car.

Obviously, it wasn't a monochrome creature either.

Although the night was hazy, Lin Dongfan recognized him at once—Zou Feiyun, who could be considered a princeling raised in the Jing Circle, a son of the Zou family.

Lin Dongfan walked straight over, but didn't get into his car.

He just stood by the car and chuckled: "Young Master Zou, do you really think a single golden peach can settle me, Lin Dongfan? Do you suspect me of peeking through a crack? I'm really not weak at all."

"Brother, your move today is indeed a bit shabby—will you come up, or shall I go down?"

"I'm not used to riding in a two-tone Mercedes-Benz."

"Fine, brother will accommodate you this once."

Zou Feiyun opened the car door, stepped out, and loosened the red tie around his neck. A black shirt with a red tie—most people really couldn't pull off that aura.

He was five years older than Lin Dongfan and about the same height.

To show his sincerity as an older brother.

He pulled a Lamborghini key from his pocket and generously handed it to Lin Dongfan: "Since you don't like the two-tone Mercedes-Benz, a Lamborghini should be fine, right? The car is parked at the entrance of the CBD business club; I rarely come to Wuzhou, and I've hardly driven it, so it's practically new."

"You're underestimating me again—I'm really not poor." Lin Dongfan furrowed his brows slightly.

Zou Feiyun laughed: "You report your asset changes to the organization every month on schedule; brother knows you're a multi-millionaire tycoon, but that doesn't stop me from wanting to give you a welcome gift—take it."

"Brother, don't play like that."

"Then how do you want to play?"

"Didn't your old man tell you? Bribery is illegal."

"Saying that makes it pointless and harms harmony."

Zou Feiyun's smile vanished instantly, replaced by a look of disappointment.

Having lived over thirty years, people have always come to him, Zou Feiyun, fawning for favors; he's never compromised with anyone before—today is the first time in his life!

Who would have thought Lin Dongfan would actually slap him back.

Zou Feiyun forced a laugh: "The Lin family and the Zou family are evenly matched in the Jing Circle; if we keep fighting like this, nobody benefits."

"Today is our first meeting—what have I fought you over?" Lin Dongfan asked with a smile.

Zou Feiyun glumly urged: "Pretending to be confused while knowing the truth is really pointless. Now that you've captured the Gao siblings, you can just go home and turn in your assignment. Later you'll be promoted to deputy bureau chief, and nobody can stop you. If you insist on staying in Jianglan and killing a few more people, you might end up hurting yourself—why bother?"

"You got it wrong—this isn't a matter of 'why bother,' it's a necessity."

"According to your logic, are you dead set on opposing me, brother?"

"You're wrong again—it's not that I want to oppose you, but that you're trying to manipulate me. I am the Section Chief of the Investigation Division of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, not your younger brother."

"You really are impossible to sway."

"This time you're right—those who are slick with oil and salt are old cured meat, while I'm fresh tender meat. Look at my sharp facial contours—am I not more handsome than you by a whole dimension?"

"Your words hit me hard—can we at least sit down and talk properly?"

"If you want to discuss those shady moves of siphoning state assets, I'm happy to sit down and chat. Interested in a heart-to-heart? I'll treat you to a late-night snack, drinks on the house."

"Brother, let me remind you: those who don't appreciate favors usually don't live long."

"I just recalled—this morning someone seemed to try to poison me. Do you know who it was? Tell me; maybe it'll scare me to death on the spot."

"Who knows who wants to poison you with all the people you've offended."

"I'll give you a chance to scare me to death, but you can't seize it. So bye—tell your father-in-law I said hello, and next time you counterattack, use your brain."

Saying that, Lin Dongfan turned and walked away.

Zou Feiyun's face darkened with anger: "Lin Dongfan, I came today to make peace, hoping not to harm the innocent! If you insist on this oil-and-salt attitude, the consequences are on you."

Hearing that, Lin Dongfan stopped and turned around.

Gazing at the furious Zou Feiyun with a smile: "If soft won't work, let's go hard? Sure, let's roll up our sleeves and duel right now—if I can't knock you down in ten seconds, I lose."

"You're so tough—why don't you personally go after Wang Minjuan?" Zou Feiyun sneered: "I hear you've got ten personal bodyguards; looks like you're more afraid of death than I am."

"So? Dare to duel? Stop spitting trash talk."

"Now I see clearly—you're an ignorant bumpkin raised in a mountain valley; even if you return to the Jing Circle as a privileged aristocrat, you can't change your bandit nature."

"Damn, where do you get your sense of superiority?"

"As a true privileged aristocrat, do I need others to give me a sense of superiority? I thought that if I lowered my stance, we could resonate, but I never imagined I overestimated your comprehension."

"I really can't resonate with you—we're not the same kind of being; I'm a walking human."

"What's called trash talk? You just are trash talk!"

"Hit me, hit me!"

"Shameless wretch!"

Seeing Lin Dongfan thrust his face forward, Zou Feiyun was so angry he almost had steam coming out of his nostrils—he truly wanted to strike, but he didn't dare move; fighting isn't his forte.

Having lived over thirty years, his only combat record is beating his five-year-old son.

In shame and anger.

Zou Feiyun turned and dove into the Mercedes-Benz, slammed the door, and snarled: "Lin Dongfan, listen up! The Zou family's affairs aren't something you can investigate just because you want to!"

"So what if I investigate? Hit me." Lin Dongfan smirked.

Face flushed with rage, Zou Feiyun stomped the accelerator and sped away from the trash-talk scene—fighting isn't his forte, and neither is arguing.

His forte is manipulating power!

That very night.

Zou Feiyun's father-in-law, namely Sun Fucheng, Vice Chairperson of the Jianglan Provincial CPPCC, suffered a sudden heart attack at home, was rushed to the hospital by family for emergency treatment, and ultimately died.

The next day.

The news of Sun Fucheng's death shocked the whole province.

Everyone who knows the case knows that Sun Fucheng died under suspicious circumstances, very likely murdered, yet no one can produce evidence.

The hospital confirmed that Sun Fucheng had the three highs, with a possibility of sudden heart attack.

The key figure died.

It directly cut off the special task force's investigation into the Zou family.

Li Mingtang, chief of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, complained to Lin Dongfan on the phone: "What are you doing? You've only been stationed for the case less than three days, and the key figure got killed."

"'Or, you come personally take command?' Lin Dongfan also felt stifled."

"Li Mingtang immediately raised the retreat drum: 'I'm not denying your ability, I'm saying… can we proceed steadily?'"

"'I think my foundation is solid.' Lin Dongfan said."

"Li Mingtang grew more vexed as he listened: 'Peng Tianhua's poisoning—you sent people to invite Sun Fucheng for a talk, right? When you have time, look online; now the media says Sun Fucheng was driven to death by us.'"

"'Then you just lay low; anyway I can't keep laying low!'"

"'What do you want to do?'"

"Li Mingtang on the other end of the phone broke out in a cold sweat."

"Li Mingtang, trembling, played the victim: 'Fan Ye, your foundation is solid, but mine isn't. You can't just think of your own comfort and ignore my fate.'"

"'Did I scare you?' Lin Dongfan wondered."

"Li Mingtang said: 'No, I'm timid. Sun Fucheng is already dead—though he deserved it—but this black pot is really weighing on us. Now, in troubled times, don't stir up more trouble for me. Later I still have to explain Sun Fucheng's affair to the leaders; think how hard it is for me.'"

"'Then you just lay low; anyway I can't keep laying low!'"

"Lin Dongfan said that and hung up."

"Immediately after, he sent a message to Ye Jiaying: 'Come to Wuzhou!' Preparing to mobilize the province's anti-corruption enthusiasm by extraordinary means."

"'Who will get the deer? Only after trying will you know!'"