Chapter 336

Upon hearing the words "turn oneself in", Sun Zhiqing's face flickered with a hint of gloom; she realized she had ultimately become a pawn in the power struggle.

Translation: Sun Zhiqing heard the two words "self-surrender," a hint of gloom flashed across her face; she had ultimately become a sacrifice in the power struggle.

We need to keep numbers etc. No numbers.

Make sure it's one line.

But she didn't say anything else.

Translation: But she didn't say anything more.

As the old saying goes, a phoenix that has fallen into water is no better than a chicken. No matter how glorious she once was, she is now ultimately at the mercy of others. Instead of pointless struggling, she might as well face everything with equanimity.

Translation: As the old saying goes, a drowned phoenix is no better than a chicken. No matter how glorious she once was, she is now at the mercy of others; rather than make a futile struggle, she might as well face everything with ease.

If she looks further ahead, she might still have a chance to turn her life around.

Translation: If she looked further ahead, she might not be completely without a chance to turn things over in this life.

Recalling the few words Lin Dongfan whispered in her ear, Sun Zhiqing felt hopeful about the future; the lifeline was already in her hands—it was just a matter of whether she could grasp it.

Translation: Recalling the few words Lin Dongfan had muttered in her ear earlier, Sun Zhiqing even felt hopeful about the future; the lifeline was already in her grasp, all that remained was whether she could seize it.

Fine, I'll go along with your plan.

Translation: "Fine, I'll follow your arrangements."

Having calmed herself, Sun Zhiqing turned and headed for the shower.

Translation: Having steadied her mind, Sun Zhiqing turned and went to take a bath.

However, Lin Dongfang still seemed uneasy about her, giving Lao Ba a look to have him guard the door and prevent her from slipping away.

Translation: However, Lin Dongfan apparently still wasn't entirely at ease with her; on the spot he gave Lao Ba a look, signaling him to guard the door to prevent her from slipping away.

Soon after, Yang Qing arrived with a squad of police.

Translation: Not long after, Yang Qing arrived at the scene with a squad of police officers.

Seeing the hallway littered with bodyguards, Yang Qing frowned, feeling as though he'd missed an exciting fight.

Translation: Seeing so many bodyguards lying in the hallway, Yang Qing couldn't help but frown slightly, as if regretting missing an exciting battle.

Bring all these trash back with me.

Translation: "Take all these good-for-nothings back with me."

After issuing orders to his men, Yang Qing strode straight to Lin Dongfang, who had an unconscious man lying behind him who seemed to have just vomited blood.

Translation: After giving orders to her subordinates, Yang Qing walked straight over to Lin Dongfan, seeing another unconscious good-for-nothing lying behind him, apparently having just vomited blood.

Meanwhile, Xie Xiaofeng was dragging that man into the back private room.

Translation: Meanwhile, Xie Xiaofeng was dragging that good-for-nothing into the rear private room.

Yang Qing frowned again: 'Show-off, you didn't kill anyone, did you? What's this…'

Translation: Yang Qing furrowed her brows again: "You pretentious offenders, didn't cause any deaths, did you? What is this..."

'This old dog is the Zou family's steward, Qin Songde.' Lin Dongfang took a drag of his cigarette, then lightly patted Yang Qing's shoulder: 'Don't worry, nobody died. He just vomited blood from being yelled at by me—a rush of anger to the heart. If we splash him with a basin of cold water, he'll wake right up.'

Translation: "This old dog is the steward of the Zou family, named Qin Songde." Lin Dongfan took a puff of his cigarette, then lightly patted Yang Qing's shoulder: "Rest assured, no one died. He just vomited blood from anger after I scolded him; a splash of cold water will wake him right up."

'He vomited blood from being scolded by you?' Yang Qing eyed Lin Dongfang skeptically.

Translation: "He vomited blood from your scolding?" Yang Qing eyed Lin Dongfan dubiously.

Lin Dongfang smirked: 'Don't envy me; you'll never master the gentleman's way of talking without acting—you simply don't have the talent for it.'

Translation: Lin Dongfan smiled smugly: "Don't envy me; you could never learn to 'speak but not strike' like a gentleman, because you lack the talent to be one."

'You're absolutely right; only a foul‑mouthed person has the talent to be a gentleman.' Yang Qing slipped his hand into Lin Dongfang's pants pocket, pulled out a cigarette, and lit it for himself.

Translation: "You're absolutely right—only a foul-mouthed person has the talent to be a gentleman." Yang Qing slipped her hand into Lin Dongfan's pants pocket, pulled out a cigarette, and lit it for herself.

In the whole Jianglan Province, Yang Qing is the only one bold enough to reach into Lin Dongfang's pocket.

Translation: Across Jianglan Province, Yang Qing is the only one daring enough to reach into Lin Dongfan's pocket.

Lin Dongfang snorted: 'Damn it, I gave you five million in poverty relief, and you still want to smoke and pick my pocket—have you no shame?'

Translation: Lin Dongfan casually swore: "Damn it, I gave you five million in poverty-relief funds, and you still want to mooch a cigarette from my pocket—have you no shame?"

'Now I seem to be here to wipe your butt.' Yang Qing lit his cigarette and drawled, 'You're old enough—do you really need me to wipe your ass? Who wouldn't be ashamed?'

Translation: "These days I seem to be here just to wipe your ass." Yang Qing lit her cigarette, then drawled at Lin Dongfan: "You're old enough to be a grandfather, yet you still need me to wipe your ass—who's shameless?"

'I'm awarding you a third‑class merit—take heed.'

Translation: "I'm giving you a third-class merit; try to comprehend it."

As they chatted, Lin Dongfang's gaze settled on Yang Qing's shoulder, as if the police insignia there were coated in dust.

Translation: As they chatted and laughed, Lin Dongfan's gaze settled on Yang Qing's shoulder, as if the police rank insignia there were covered in dust.

Lin Dongfang idly brushed it away: 'This shoulder badge looks sharp—I wonder if, without my perks, you'd even have those two bars and three flowers.'

Translation: Lin Dongfan idly brushed it off: "This insignia looks nice; I wonder, if I hadn't given you those benefits, would your shoulder bear two bars and three flowers?"

'What? Do I have to get down on my knees and kowtow to you?' Yang Qing rolled his eyes.

Translation: "What? Do I have to kowtow to you?" Yang Qing gave him a white-eyed stare.

Lin Dongfang smiled, eyes narrowed: 'Don't bother kowtowing—I haven't got any New Year's money for you. Try buttering me up; if I'm in a good mood I might even find you a wife.'

Translation: Lin Dongfan narrowed his eyes with a smile: "Definitely don't kowtow—I haven't prepared any New Year's money, no red envelope for you. You could try flattering me; if I'm in a good mood, I might even get you a wife."

'Go die.'

Translation: "Go die."

Before he could finish speaking, Yang Qing's right foot lashed out at Lin Dongfang's rear.

Translation: Before the words even finished, Yang Qing's right foot kicked toward Lin Dongfan's buttocks.

Unfortunately, his move was a half‑step too slow.

Translation: Unfortunately, her move was a beat too slow.

Lin Dongfang, anticipating this, swiveled his hips to dodge, slipped into the next private room, and shut the door, leaving only his boisterous laughter echoing down the hall: 'Hahaha, I'm going to take a bath—sorry, I won't keep you company in death.'

Translation: Anticipating this, Lin Dongfan twisted his hips and sidestepped, darting into the adjacent private room; shutting the door, only his wild laughter echoed down the hall: "Hahaha, I'm going to take a bath—sorry, I won't keep you company in death."

'If you want to die, do it yourself—I haven't had enough life yet.'

Translation: "If you want to die, die yourself—I haven't had enough life yet."

Yang Qing proudly slapped the police insignia on his shoulder—dust or not, it's the ceremony that matters; those two bars and three flowers may not be earned by merit, but they represent his hardship.

Translation: Yang Qing proudly patted the police rank insignia on her shoulder; regardless of whether it was dusty, the main thing was the ceremonial feeling—those two bars and three flowers were an honor, and though she had no merit, she had put in the effort.

An officer approached and reported: 'Brother Yang, the bodyguards have been taken down; only Qin Songde remains. Should we bring him in for questioning?'

Translation: An officer came over to report: "Yang bro, those bodyguards have been taken away; only Qin Songde remains. Should we bring him in for questioning as well?"

'No, I'll interrogate Qin Songde right here.'

Translation: "No need; I want to interrogate Qin Songde on the spot."

Yang Qing had long realized that Lin Dongfang had Xie Xiaofeng drag Qin Songde into the private room precisely to conduct an on‑spot interrogation.

Translation: Yang Qing had long understood that Lin Dongfan had Xie Xiaofeng drag Qin Songde into the private room precisely so he could interrogate him there.

Lin Dongfang likely set this up to wrap things up quickly.

Translation: And Lin Dongfan likely arranged this to achieve a quick resolution.

He wants to get Qin Songde's confession as fast as possible.

Translation: He wanted to obtain Qin Songde's confession as soon as possible.

If Qin Songde were taken back to the station for interrogation, an insider might interfere—we might not get the confession in time, and his life could even be at risk.

Translation: If Qin Songde were taken back to the precinct for interrogation, and if someone inside the police force interfered, not to mention whether they could get the statement promptly, Qin Songde's life might not even be safe.

Yang Qing, with two deputies, entered the private room where Qin Songde was detained.

Translation: Yang Qing, accompanied by two subordinates, entered the private room where Qin Songde was being held.

Xie Xiaofeng had already set a basin of water beside them.

Translation: Xie Xiaofeng had already prepared a basin of water and placed it nearby.

'First, cuff Qin Songde to the chair.'

Translation: "First, handcuff Qin Songde to the chair."

Yang Qing instructed his men.

Translation: Yang Qing ordered her subordinates.

He also told Xie Xiaofeng: 'Keep watch outside the Qingguo Club—without my and Lin Dongfang's permission, no one may enter or leave tonight.'

Translation: She further instructed Xie Xiaofeng: "Help me keep watch outside the Qingguo Club; without my and Lin Dongfan's approval, no one may enter or leave tonight."

'Sure, I'll guard the door.'

Translation: "Got it, I'll stand guard."

Xie Xiaofeng didn't hesitate; to make sure everything was secure, he called in four more men from the bodyguard team.

Translation: Xie Xiaofeng didn't hesitate; to ensure everything was foolproof, he turned and made a phone call, summoning four more people from the bodyguard team.

Qin Songde, handcuffed to the chair, let his head droop.

Translation: Qin Songde, handcuffed to the chair, drooped his head.

He remained unconscious.

Translation: He remained unconscious.

Yang Qing picked up the basin of cold water and splashed it on Qin Songde's head; the man shuddered and slowly regained consciousness.

Translation: Yang Qing picked up the basin of cold water nearby and splashed it on Qin Songde's head; his body twitched slightly, and he gradually came to.

'Let me introduce myself—I'm Yang Qing of the Provincial Public Security Department's Criminal Investigation Corps.'

Translation: "Let me introduce myself first—I'm Yang Qing of the Criminal Investigation Division of the Provincial Department."

As he spoke, Yang Qing dragged a chair over and sat before Qin Songde, cigarette still dangling from his lips, giving him a somewhat disheveled, roguish look.

Translation: Saying that, Yang Qing pulled a chair over to sit opposite Qin Songde, a cigarette still dangling from her lips, giving her a somewhat unkempt, roguish air.

Qin Songde lifted his head slightly and glanced at Yang Qing.

Translation: Qin Songde lifted his head slightly and glanced at Yang Qing.

Then he lowered his head again.

Translation: Then he lowered his head again.

He remained silent.

Translation: He said nothing.

Yang Qing cut to the chase: 'From now on I'll ask whatever I want and you answer—do you understand? I'm not patient, but I have plenty of tricks—do you get what I mean?'

Translation: Yang Qing got straight to the point: "From now on, answer whatever I ask—got it? I'm not very patient, but I have plenty of tricks; you understand what I mean, right?"

'You're threatening me—watch out, I'll make you regret ever opening your mouth!'

Translation: "You're threatening me—watch out, I'll make you regret it!"

Qin Songde lifted his head and gave Yang Qing a cold stare.

Translation: Qin Songde lifted his head and gave Yang Qing a cold stare.

He seemed to have forgotten he was a prisoner, still seeing himself as the Zou family's head steward, and actually struck a warning pose toward Yang Qing.

Translation: He seemed to forget he was now a prisoner, still acting as the Zou family's chief steward, and actually struck a warning pose toward Yang Qing.

Yang Qing flicked ash from his cigarette: 'The first time you didn't know to show respect, I can forgive you. Now answer my first question—who was behind tonight's hunting operation directing you?'

Translation: Yang Qing flicked ash from her cigarette: "The first time you didn't know to show deference, I can forgive you. Now, please answer my first question—who was behind tonight's hunting operation?"

Qin Songde locked eyes with Yang Qing, giving a faint smile but saying nothing.

Translation: Qin Songde stared straight into Yang Qing's eyes, giving a faint smile without speaking.

He/she/they bore a contemptuous demeanor.

Yang Qing couldn't help but frown slightly: "You don't know how to appreciate favors; it seems you really take me for a virtuous gentleman, but actually I'm just a ruffian."

As he spoke, Yang Qing pulled out a pair of eyebrow tweezers from his pocket.

He lifted his chin.

While plucking his beard, he said: "Do you know why I carry women's eyebrow tweezers? Because they have many uses—they can be used to pluck duck feathers, and also to pluck chicken feathers."

"You ruffian, do you know your own weight?" Qin Songde chuckled: "You dare to meddle in the Zou family's affairs—you probably don't even know how to write the word 'death'."

"I just like dealing with people like you who are unruly and defiant."

Yang Qing smiled faintly, got up, and placed the eyebrow tweezers on the chair.

As he turned to leave, he ordered his two subordinates: "I'm going out for a smoke; you keep working. Ten bucks per hair—later find the pretentious one for reimbursement."

"Thank you, Yang Ge; take your time."

His two subordinates beamed with excitement; since following Yang Qing, their days have gotten better and better, always coming with all sorts of unexpected perks.

After Yang Qing left, the two of them closed the door.

Just as they began to undo his belt.

Qin Songde's eyes bulged in shock, his hips writhing wildly: "What are you trying to do! Are you sick in the head? I'm not a woman!"

"You're the one who's sick; we just want to check your body." One of them pressed hard on Qin Songde's shoulder, stopping his struggle.

He leaned in close to Qin Songde's ear.

He then added with a smile: "Struggling is useless; proving you're healthy is simple—just tell the truth."