Chapter 32: with translation of chapter title

Lin Dongfan - Lin Dongfan

Lin Dongfan thought these two big shots had come to see him to find out the progress of the interrogation.

Upon entering, he proactively reported the situation: "Cheng Dao is feigning amnesia with us, holding back when answering questions; now Jian Sining is still interrogating him. However, in hopes of a lighter sentence, Cheng Dao also voluntarily reported someone. This person is Dai Fengnian, formerly Chairman of the state-owned enterprise Nantou Real Estate, now director of the Green Bamboo Ridge Project Development Department."

Section Chief - Section Chief (generic)

Nanzhou - Nanzhou

From last night until now, Lin Dongfan has been fighting on the front lines. Digging up graves, catching corrupt officials, he hasn't slept for a day and night. This weariness is written all over his face, even his eye sockets are black; it seems even people his age can't take this much strain.

Faction - Public Security Bureau (generic)

He Yanqing, bursting with questions, set aside the issue of Dai Fengnian and countered Lin Dongfan: "How do you know Cheng Dao hid the gold in his ancestral grave?"

That question really stumped Lin Dongfan; he couldn't very well say he had lived two lives and possessed foreknowledge.

Jian Sining - Jian Sining

Although he had little contact with the people of the Jianglan Province Anti-Corruption Bureau, and didn't know how the 9·28 Task Force was teasing out evidence thread by thread, the details were beyond his knowledge.

Secretary Liang - Secretary Liang

To advance the construction of integrity work, their Political and Legal Affairs Committee once used the 9·28 case as a model, organizing the city's party and government officials to deeply reflect on Nanzhou's corruption problems, and they also had a certain understanding of the case's overall context.

And Cheng Dao, who presented himself as a model filial son, hid gold bricks worth over two hundred million in his ancestral grave, making this the most bizarre link in the entire corruption chain.

Such a worldview-shattering gold-hiding operation leaves a deep impression; how could one possibly forget?

Lin Dongfan doesn't need to remember all the details; he just needs to know that the Cheng family's ancestral grave holds the gold. This basically doesn't require clues or evidence—dig once and you'll hit it.

Secretary - Secretary (generic)

Lin Dongfan casually made up an explanation: "Over the past six months, Cheng Dao has repeatedly returned to his hometown to sweep the graves, and there are signs of digging in the Cheng family ancestral grave, from which one can infer a clue."

Political and Legal Affairs Commission - Political and Legal Affairs Commission

Lin Dongfan didn't like hearing this tone of reproach, and he replied displeased: "Section Chief He, the ultimate purpose of our operation this time is to catch corrupt officials. We've already achieved that goal—are the other details really important?"

He Yanqing, with a half-smile, criticized: "This time you struck it rich, letting you dig up the right grave. If you had dug the wrong grave, have you considered the consequences? Going forward, it's better to be down-to-earth; don't be greedy for credit and act rashly."

Project Development Department - Project Development Department

Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau - Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau

Thunder and fire were raging in his heart; he really wanted to splash the tea in front of him onto He Yanqing's face, you damn bastard! I came back having made merit, yet they slapped a hat of greedy credit-seeking on me!

Hengsha Real Estate Group - Hengsha Real Estate Group

Or is it that you, you little punk, harbor a rebellious streak, afraid I'll ruin your schemes, wanting to kick me out of the task force?

Lin Dongfan observed He Yanqing's microexpressions without changing his expression.

What a pity; in his previous life he had no contact with anyone surnamed He, knew nothing about his affairs, and in this life he can only take it step by step, slowly sparring with him.

Lin Dongfan rose to say goodbye: "Chief Leng, Section Chief He, if there's nothing else, I'm leaving first."

Qingzhuling Project Development Department - Qingzhuling Project Development Department

9·28 Special Task Force - 9·28 Special Task Force

9·28 Forest Fire Case - 9·28 Forest Fire Case

Jianglan Province Anti-Corruption Bureau - Jianglan Province Anti-Corruption Bureau

As the words fell, He Yanqing, sitting nearby, lowered their head and pushed up their glasses, their face growing even more gloomy.

Lin Dongfan, however, revealed a faint smile.

Everyone present is smart; upon hearing it, they understood that Old Cold was bringing up Secretary Liang's commendation, clearly intending to give He Yanqing a veiled warning, cautioning He Yanqing not to arbitrarily accuse them of greed and rash advancement.

This subtle means of warning is nothing short of superb.

Seeing He Yanqing's dejected, embarrassed appearance, Lin Dongfan's mood also lightened considerably; he lifted his tea, took a small sip, and felt it was almost like nectar and jade dew.

The feeling of having someone back you up is damn great!

Lin Dongfan thanked with a smile: "Chief Cold, I've taken your encouragement to heart; rest assured, we've already apprehended Cheng Dao, and from now on we just need to follow the leads and investigate further."

"Which direction do you plan to investigate?"

Cold River awaited Lin Dongfan's reply with anticipation.

Lin Dongfan replied without hesitation: "Cheng Dao has already reported Dai Fengnian; next, we will investigate Dai Fengnian."

"Please continue."

Cold River lifted his tea and blew on it.

Lin Dongfan further analyzed: "Dai Fengnian is the head of the development department at the Qingzhu Ridge project. The families of the victims in Qingzhu Village, as well as the parties involved—the Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau, the Forest Faction, and the Hengsha Real Estate Group—have all had close contact with Dai Fengnian. This Dai Fengnian can be said to be the core figure in the September 28 forest fire case."

Cold River nodded in deep agreement.

He Yanqing, who had remained silent all along, suddenly asked Lin Dongfan: "Did Cheng Dao, in reporting Dai Fengnian, point out any specific corruption leads?"

"I was halfway through my questioning when I was summoned here."

Lin Dongfan took a sip of tea to moisten his throat.

He continued his analysis: "Currently, Jian Sining is still interrogating the specific details; there's no doubt about it. Since Cheng Dao intends to report Dai Fengnian, I expect he will hold nothing back."

Cold River, after some thought, concluded: "Since Dai Fengnian is the core figure in the September 28 forest fire case, we must press this matter urgently, making sure to grasp effective leads as soon as possible and apprehend Dai Fengnian."

"Understood. If there's nothing else, I'll go conduct the interrogation first."

Lin Dongfan set down his tea cup and rose to leave.

Cold River also rose to his feet.

With a concerned expression, he instructed Lin Dongfan: "You and Jian Sining, among others, have gone without sleep for a day and a night—go get some rest. I'll arrange for others to take over the questioning."

"That works; call me if anything comes up."

Lin Dongfan was indeed exhausted to the point of inability; if he weren't forcing himself, his eyelids would already have drooped.

After Lin Dongfan left.

He Yanqing then began to complain: "Chief Cold, this guy Lin Dongfan acts with a restless, rash attitude. I was trying to suppress his arrogance, also hoping to temper him—so why are you still backing him up?"

"Old He, the Provincial Party Committee No. 1 personally praised Lin Dongfan—that's no joke."

Leng Chuan frowned and stared intently.

That meaningful stare immediately made He Yanqing shift uneasily in his seat.

What truly made He Yanqing feel devastated was not Leng Chuan's gaze, but the Provincial Party Committee No. 1's commendation, which had already become a talisman for Lin Dongfan.

Seeing He Yanqing seemingly unwilling to yield, Leng Chuan threw down another challenge: "Our anti-corruption squad needs a daredevil unit. If you crush his bull‑headed determination, who will charge the breach?"

"I'm just afraid he'll charge blindly with his eyes closed and cause a mess…"

He Yanqing still looked unwilling to concede, steeling himself to say a few more words.

Just then Leng Chuan's gaze turned suddenly cold, startling He Yanqing, who swallowed his words.

In that moment, Leng Chuan's eyes truly revealed a hint of icy severity.

He doesn't like to waste words.

After He Yanqing withdrew of his own accord, he again took out his phone and sent a message to Chu Jinsong:

"Chu Secretary, Dongfan won his first battle and has already received verbal praise from the Provincial Party Committee No. 1—congratulations, congratulations."

"Chief Leng takes the chief credit; thank you for your wholehearted cultivation of Dongfan."

Chu Jinsong replied quickly, every character and punctuation mark used with utmost propriety, just as rigorously as Leng Chuan.

Leng Chuan replied modestly: "I dare not take credit; this is entirely the result of Dongfan's own hard work."

"Do you have time this weekend? I just bought a new pair of rackets; let's practice together."

Chu Jinsong's reply made Leng Chuan slightly startled.

What kind of ball?

Table tennis or badminton? Tennis?

Leng Chuan promptly replied: "It's rare that you have this refined interest; even if I have no time I'll make some. As long as the sky doesn't fall, I'll be there on time this weekend."

"Then it's settled; I still have a meeting to attend, so that's that."

At that very moment, Chu Jinsong sat in his office, after chatting he pulled up the message thread, reread Leng Chuan's first congratulatory note, and a look of joy spread across his face.

First battle won, Provincial Party Committee No. 1's verbal praise!

To the seasoned Chu Jinsong, this was indeed a cause for great celebration, showing that Teacher Shen at home had good judgment and hadn't chosen the wrong son‑in‑law.

He, Chu Jinsong, is already over fifty; where is the pinnacle of his career? It can basically be seen now.

While he still has some strength left, the proper course is to swiftly help his son‑in‑law Lin Dongfan rise; this concerns not only Lin Dongfan's personal future but also the fate of the Chu family.

Chu Jinsong immediately dialed Shen Junlan: "Teacher Shen, have the maid prepare a few more hearty dishes. Dongfan will be coming home tonight; I want to have a couple of drinks with him."