Chapter 38: Stubborn Dead Duck

Those two words 'eunuch' not only made Dai Fengnian furious out of shame.

It also made Dai Fengnian realize a serious problem: the trap Bai Wentao had set had been seen through by Lin Dongfan—Lin Dongfan now knew he had no kept mistress.

Since Lin Dongfan knows everything, why does he still dare to come arrest people?

What is his basis for arresting people?

Could this brat have gotten hold of evidence of my corruption, bribery, and selling state assets cheaply?

Impossible!

This is absolutely impossible!

I do things flawlessly; if this brat really had solid evidence, he would have already pulled out the handcuffs—there's no way he'd be acting all sneaky like this.

This brat came here today surely just to test me!

I've been rolling in the officialdom for years; all the tricks I've played could circle the earth, and you think your three clumsy moves can cut off my career?

Truly clueless about the depths!

By this point, that angry and tense feeling had vanished from Dai Fengnian's world, replaced on his face by a confident smirk.

But he did not directly confront Lin Dongfan.

He turned to stir up Li Hengbo: 'That Lin guy kicked you—won't you slap him? Be a man and straighten your back!'

This sudden contempt left Li Hengbo seething with anger.

Being kicked by Lin Dongfan is already embarrassing enough, and you, old bald donkey, still step on me? What the hell does that mean?

Lin Dongfan called you a eunuch, and you fucking turn around and say I'm not a man!

Got no shame?

You don't dare step up yourself, yet you egg me on—do you really think I'm an idiot? I'm trying to help you shut the victims' families' mouths today, and I'm doing it for Secretary Bai's sake, for the greater good!

You really think you're somebody? Bullshit!

Li Hengbo suppressed his anger, turned, dragged a chair to the village committee entrance, sat down, lit a cigarette, basked in the warm sun, and tried to air out his inner misery.

Dai Fengnian chased after him, laughing and scolding: 'Look at your cowardly act—you deserve to be sent to the grassroots to fill holes.'

'Director Dai, whoever calls you a eunuch, you go after them.' Li Hengbo, having learned from past mistakes, resolved to avoid Lin Dongfan's violence.

Hearing the word 'eunuch', Dai Fengnian's old heart spasmed with pain again and again.

Dai Fengnian, unable to contain his anger, sneered: 'Li Hengbo, don't say I look down on you—you're just a bastard who takes hits and never fights back!'

'Yeah, you're not a bastard—go on, beat him!'

'It's not me who's getting beaten.'

'He said you're a eunuch.'

'Shut up!'

'You couldn't really be a eunuch, could you?'

'You fucking shut up!'

'I get it now—you really are a eunuch.'

'You're fucking asking for death!'

'Why are you raising your hand so high? I warn you, don't be shameless! Although I can't beat that Lin bastard, I can easily handle you, old bald donkey!'

'Go ahead, try touching me!'

'Bald donkey, your spit hit my face—my patience is limited!'

'It's already on my face—try moving me! My waist aches, my legs hurt, I'm old and calcium-deficient; a touch knocks me over, seeing blood means death. Even a slight sprain would land me in the hospital for at least three to five years. Medical fees, nursing fees, lost wages, nutrition, lawyer fees, mental distress, reputation damage—just a rough calculation shows it would bankrupt you.'

……

The shameless compensation list echoed throughout the village committee compound.

This senseless internal strife left Lin Dongfan bewildered; clearly I'm the protagonist, but a moment's inattention turned me into a spectator eating melons.

Cough cough!

Lin Dongfan pinched his throat and gave two clear coughs.

He chuckled: 'Your performance is over the top. But Director Dai's shameless spirit is still entertaining—please continue. I'm just here to boost my presence, so ignore me.'

Bullshit!

Li Hengbo crossed his legs, sat in the sun, and leisurely smoked.

He put on an air of 'not my business'.

At this moment, Dai Fengnian also turned his gaze to Lin Dongfan, sneering repeatedly: 'You bastard, you came today just to probe my background; I know, I tell you, there's no way!'

If you've got that, what do you need a door for?

Saying that, Lin Dongfan took out a pair of gleaming silver handcuffs.

Dai Fengnian confidently stretched out both hands: 'I've been waiting for you to pull out your weapon; come on, if you dare, try cuffing me!'

Then I won't be polite—thanks for cooperating.

Lin Dongfan slapped the handcuff onto Dai Fengnian's wrist and arrested him on the spot.

Just 38 seconds earlier, Lin Dongfan received a set of photos from Yang Qing: the wall of the master bedroom in Villa No. 7 on Danfeng Ridge, which Dai Fengnian had turned into a safe.

Outside was a wall, inside a metal secret cabinet.

Yang Qing and the others used an electric saw to cut open the metal cabinet; at the instant the door was opened, everyone was stunned to see it filled with red cash.

Stack after stack, neatly arranged.

Dai Fengnian still didn't realize his lair had been seized.

He still wore the handcuffs like a happy bracelet.

He grinned and shouted: 'Lin Dongfan, your career is over. Without an arrest warrant, you dare cuff me? Even if your father-in-law were Chu Jinsong, he couldn't save you.'

Who said there's no arrest warrant?

Lin Dongfan pulled the arrest warrant from his briefcase and flicked it out; Dai Fengnian's pupils instantly contracted.

Dai Fengnian angrily demanded, "You have no evidence or basis—on what grounds are you arresting me!"

"People from the Changming District Public Security Bureau received a public tip today, went to your house to search for drugs, and accidentally uncovered tens of millions of cash of unknown origin—don't you think that's infuriating?"

In the midst of chatting, Lin Dongfan again showed Dai Fengnian the photo he had just received.

Dai Fengnian's legs went weak, and he nearly couldn't stay upright.

Like many corrupt officials, when he realized he would spend the second half of his life in prison, the arrogance of his first half vanished in an instant, leaving only a face full of panic and unease.

"That… that isn't my money; you're framing me—I want to complain about you!" Dai Fengnian bellowed in despair.

Lin Dongfan laughed and patted his shoulder: "Save it for the judge—I support you shouting in court; if you're lucky, you might even get a few extra years."

"Lin Dongfan!" Dai Fengnian, eyes welling with tears, exclaimed, "I have no grudge against you, yet you fucking move to push me onto a dead‑end road the moment you act—what the hell do you mean?!"

"Nothing much—just a little gesture."

Lin Dongfan turned and gave Jian Sining a look, telling her to first put Dai Fengnian into the vehicle.

Jian Sining understood at once, stepped forward and just grabbed Dai Fengnian's arm when he suddenly jerked hard, broke free, turned, and glared angrily at Lin Dongfan.

That resentful gaze was unprecedented.

Lin Dongfan suddenly felt a strong supernatural premonition: if this old brat Dai Fengnian didn't choke on his rage right now and drop dead on the spot, he would surely become a vengeful ghost haunting him forever.

Too bad—I, the young master, believe in truth, not ghosts or gods.

Lin Dongfan consoled, "Director Dai, don't give up hope—happy days still lie ahead; later you can study the 108 ways to sing 'Iron Window Tears' in prison…"

"Lin Dongfan! I fuck your mother's ancestors!"

Dai Fengnian lost control of his emotions, burst into tears on the spot, and kicked his leg toward Lin Dongfan.

The agile Lin Dongfan.

Easily dodged.

"Don't move!" Jian Sining rushed forward and subdued Dai Fengnian: "Behave, don't bring trouble upon yourself—you're still a person of standing."

Speaking of standing, Dai Fengnian's grief and indignation surged like a tide.

Indeed!

I, too, once was a person of standing—just stomp my foot anywhere in Nanzhou City and I could make a vast crowd of filial sons and grandsons kneeling before power tremble.

This lifetime's glory, once gone, is gone.

The intense psychological gap made Dai Fengnian feel like crying again.

He glared at Lin Dongfan through tears: "You little brat, I've fallen into your hands—I accept that! But don't even think of getting any confession out of me; either way we're going to prison, and the court can rule however it likes."

"A stubborn dead duck—I've seen plenty of those."

Lin Dongfan casually waved his hand; Jian Sining understood at once and immediately escorted Dai Fengnian into the vehicle.

Li Hengbo, sitting in a chair basking in the sun, watched the scene unfold—far from nervous, he gleefully sent Dai Fengnian off with a laugh: "Old bald donkey, farewell."

One couldn't tell whether this guy was genuinely calm or just pretending.