Chapter 386

Under the pitch-black night sky, a few scattered fishing lights dot the seaside. From afar, they look like refugees forgotten by God, forever unable to reach shore.

Translation: Under the pitch-black night sky, a few scattered fishing lamps dotted the seaside. From afar, they looked like refugees forgotten by God, forever unable to reach shore.

We need to keep as single line.

Perhaps some people cannot identify with the term "refugee".

Translation: Perhaps some people cannot accept the term "refugee".

But in this rapidly changing great era.

But in this rapidly changing great era.

Not everyone can enjoy the benefits of the era's development.

Translation: Not everyone can enjoy the benefits of the era's development.

Especially in the fishing villages around Haishan City, some fishermen live year-round on their boats, drifting through life without support, their existence hardly different from that of refugees.

Translation: Especially in the fishing villages around Haishan Shi, some fishermen who live year-round on their boats lead a life of constant drift with no support, indeed not much different from that of refugees.

Old Fu is just such a "refugee".

Translation: Old Man Fu is such a "refugee". But we decided to use Fu Bo as name. So: Fu Bo is such a "refugee".

Previously, Old Fu also had an asbestos-tile house in the fishing village; though not large, it sheltered his three-generation family from wind and rain.

Translation: Previously, Fu Bo also had a house with asbestos tile roof in the fishing village; though not large, that old house had sheltered them from wind and rain for three generations.

Until last winter, after his son perished at sea.

Translation: Until last winter, after his son met with disaster at sea.

Zheng Sanshui suddenly burst in with a gang of thugs, claiming his son owed him a hundred thousand gambling debt before his death, demanding the house as collateral or else he would take his granddaughter to work at the "Dragon Palace Banquet" to pay it off.

Translation: Zheng Sanshui suddenly led a gang of thugs into his home, claiming his son owed him 100,000 in gambling debts before his death, demanding he hand over the house as collateral, otherwise they would take his granddaughter to work at the "Dragon Palace Banquet" to pay off the debt.

The so-called "work" actually means serving as a plaything for wealthy bosses.

Translation: So-called "work" actually meant being a plaything for those wealthy bosses.

At that time, his granddaughter Xiao Yu was still under eighteen.

Translation: At that time, his granddaughter Xiao Yu was still under eighteen.

There was nothing he could do.

Translation: There was nothing he could do.

He couldn't bear to watch Xiao Yu be defiled by those beasts, so he wiped away a painful, murky tear and handed over the old house to Zheng Sanshui.

Translation: He could not bear to watch Xiao Yu be defiled by those beasts, so he wiped away a painful, turbid tear and handed over the old house to Zheng Sanshui.

Near the old dock, many fishermen's houses and lands were all seized by Zheng Sanshui using this method.

Translation: Near the old dock, many fishermen's houses and lands were all seized by Zheng Sanshui using this method.

Zheng Sanshui didn't have to spend a penny and has already seized half of the fishing village.

Zheng Sanshui didn't have to spend a penny and has already seized half of the fishing village.

Lin Dongfan also never expected:

Translation: Lin Dongfan also never expected:

After boarding the ship, what he heard turned out to be such a heartbreaking story!

Translation: That upon boarding the ship, what he heard would be such a heartbreaking story!

On the dilapidated fishing boat, various dried fish products and the daily necessities of the grandfather and granddaughter are crammed into the same tiny space, everywhere exuding a salty fish smell.

Translation: On the dilapidated fishing boat, various dried fish products and the daily necessities of the grandfather and granddaughter were crammed into the same narrow space, everywhere exuding a salty fish smell.

On the bow's deck sits a small foldable square table where the grandfather and granddaughter usually eat, surrounded by piles of assorted miscellaneous items.

On the deck at the bow, a small foldable square table was set up, where the grandfather and granddaughter usually ate, surrounded by piles of assorted miscellaneous items.

... surrounded by piles of assorted miscellaneous items.

The grandfather and granddaughter's dinner is very simple.

Translation: The grandfather and granddaughter's dinner was very simple.

It consists only of a plate of pan-fried "Red Niangzi" fish and a dish of pickled vegetables.

Translation: It consisted only of a plate of pan-fried "Red Maiden" and a dish of pickled vegetables.

Because the benefactor Lin Dongfan boarded the boat today, Xiao Yu specially cooked an extra pot of mixed fish soup. The milky-white soup was brought to the table, but Lin Dongfan had no appetite at all.

Translation: Today, because of the great benefactor Lin Dongfan boarding the boat, Xiao Yu specially cooked an extra basin of mixed fish soup. The milky-white mixed fish soup was brought to the table, but Lin Dongfan had no appetite at all.

It's not that he dislikes the fishermen's "salted fish feast" or Xiao Yu's cooking skills.

Translation: It wasn't that he disliked the fishermen's "salty fish feast", nor did he disdain Xiao Yu's cooking skills.

Rather, he cannot bear to see human suffering.

Translation: Rather, he could not bear to see the suffering of the human world.

The bulb hanging at the bow cannot serve as a lighthouse for the fishermen's lives, nor can it guide their direction.

Translation: The light bulb hanging at the bow could not become a lighthouse for the fishermen's lives, unable to guide their life direction.

The yellowish light casts upon Old Fu's face.

Translation: The yellowish light shone upon Fu Bo's face.

What is shocking is not his weathered wrinkles, but the gesture of him raising his hand to wipe away tears. The old house in the fishing village has been seized by ruffians and thugs; it seems his life is destined to drift forever on the fishing boat.

Translation: What was shocking was not those mottled wrinkles, but the gesture of Fu Bo raising his hand to wipe away tears. The old house in the fishing village had been seized by ruffians and thugs; this life is likely destined to drift forever on the fishing boat.

Lin Dongfan analyzes with Old Fu: "Zheng Sanshui, through deceit and force, has seized many homes and lands in the fishing village; his aim is likely to build a new fishing port city, saving on demolition and relocation costs. So many of you have had your ancestral property taken by Zheng Sanshui—have you ever gone to the government for help?"

Translation: Lin Dongfan analyzed with Fu Bo: "Zheng Sanshui, using deceitful and forceful means, has seized a large number of the village's homes and lands; his aim is likely to build a new fishing port city, saving a sum on demolition and relocation costs. Your village has so many people whose ancestral property was taken by Zheng Sanshui—have you gone to the government about it?"

"We've tried; it was useless."

Translation: "We've tried, but it was useless."

Upon mentioning this, Old Fu, who had just wiped away his weathered tears, felt his emotions plunge to rock bottom again.

Translation: Bringing up this matter, Fu Bo, who had just wiped away his weathered, turbid tears, saw his emotions plunge to the bottom again.

Some things he prefers not to mention again.

Translation: Some things he does not wish to mention again.

He picked up the nearby bottle of liquor, poured Lin Dongfan a full cup, and for himself only a half cup, hoping to settle ashore soon; he usually saves whenever he can.

Translation: He picked up the bottle of liquor beside him, poured Lin Dongfan a full cup, and for himself only a half cup, because to settle ashore early he always saves wherever he can.

"There's nothing fancy to serve; please don't dislike it—try this red Niangzi fish." The unpretentious Old Fu placed a fried fish in Lin Dongfan's bowl and introduced: "This was just caught from the sea today, very fresh. It's just a bit salty; for outsiders trying it for the first time, it might take some getting used to."

Translation: "There's nothing fancy to serve, don't dislike it—try this Red Maiden fish." The plain and unadorned Fu Bo picked up a fried fish and placed it in Lin Dongfan's bowl, then introduced: "This was just caught from the sea today, very fresh. It's just a bit salty; for outsiders trying it for the first time, you might not be used to it."

Xiao Yu, sitting nearby, kept her head down, pretending to eat.

Translation: Xiao Yu, sitting beside them, kept her head lowered, pretending to eat.

She occasionally glanced up at Lin Dongfan, not knowing what she was secretly looking at; on her own turf, she felt a bit embarrassed.

Translation: From time to time she lifted her head to glance at Lin Dongfan, not knowing what she was secretly looking at. On her own turf, she actually felt a little embarrassed.

Lin Dongfan also didn't notice Xiao Yu; his eyes remained fixed on Old Fu sitting opposite.

Translation: Lin Dongfan also didn't notice Xiao Yu; his eyes remained fixed on Fu Bo sitting opposite.

"Thank you, Old Fu, please don't stand on ceremony—I'll do it myself."

Translation: "Thank you, Fu Bo, please don't stand on ceremony—I'll do it myself."

Lin Dongfan tasted the red Niangzi fish Old Fu had offered; it was indeed a bit salty, but overall the texture was good—meaty, rich, and fragrant.

Translation: Lin Dongfan tasted the Red Maiden fish that Fu Bo had passed over; indeed it was a bit salty, but the overall texture was not bad—the meat was plump and fresh and fragrant.

Old Fu didn't want to answer questions about the government, and Lin Dongfan didn't press further.

Translation: Fu Bo did not want to answer questions about the government, and Lin Dongfan did not press further.

One can easily guess what happened.

Translation: One could roughly guess as much.

They probably went to the local government, but it was of no use; not only was the problem unresolved, it also provoked Zheng Sanshui's frenzied crackdown and retaliation.

Translation: They probably had gone to the local government, but it was of no avail. Not only was the problem not solved, it would instead provoke Zheng Sanshui's frenzied crackdown and retaliation.

In Haishan, some officials wear the same pants as the "Dragon King."

Translation: In this place Haishan, some officials wear the same pants as the "Dragon King".

This is the current situation.

Translation: This is the current situation.

That's why Zheng Sanshui dares to act lawlessly.

Translation: That is why Zheng Sanshui dares to act lawlessly.

Lin Dongfan asked Old Fu: "You just said Zheng Sanshui claimed your son owed him a hundred thousand gambling debt before his death—is that debt real or fake?"

Translation: Lin Dongfan asked Fu Bo: "Just now you said Zheng Sanshui claimed your son owed him 100,000 in gambling debts before his death—is that debt real or fake?"

Old Fu replied solemnly: "My son was an honest man who never gambled. After his death, they produced an IOU; I don't even know whose handprint is on it."

Translation: Fu Bo replied heavily: "My son was an upright person who never gambled. After my son's death, they produced an IOU; I don't even know whose handprint is on it."

Xiao Yu suddenly interjected: "When my father was alive, they once invited him to a late-night snack. He got drunk and passed out at the stall. Surely that night, they took advantage of his drunken state, grabbed his hand, and pressed it onto the IOU."

Translation: Xiao Yu suddenly interjected: "When my father was alive, there was a time they called him out for a late-night snack. He got drunk and passed out at the snack stall. Surely that was the night they, taking advantage of his drunkenness, grabbed his hand and pressed it onto the IOU."

Saying this, Xiao Yu's indignation showed on her face.

Translation: Saying this, Xiao Yu's indignant expression showed on her face.

Old Fu sighed sadly: "They have power and influence; we ordinary folks can't afford to provoke them. Whether or not we actually owe that gambling debt, we must resign ourselves to fate."

Translation: Fu Bo sighed again sorrowfully: "They have power and influence; we petty commoners cannot afford to provoke them. Whether or not we actually owe that gambling debt, we must resign ourselves to fate."

Upon hearing this, Lin Dongfan felt deeply empathetic.

Translation: Upon hearing this, Lin Dongfan felt deep empathy.

Thinking of his own humiliating past life—powerless and insignificant, even at work he's just a salted fish waiting to be slaughtered; if he doesn't accept his fate, the result is being thrown into prison and dying there.

Translation: Thinking of his own humiliating past life experience—powerless and insignificant, at his workplace he was no different from a salted fish waiting to be slaughtered; not submitting to fate results in being sent to prison and then dying there.

Lin Dongfang set aside these worries, raised his glass, and toasted Fu Bo: "Fu Bo, let's not mention these unpleasant matters. I'm using the wine as a pretext to honor you—here's a toast."

Translation: Lin Dongfan set aside these miscellaneous thoughts, raised his liquor cup to toast Fu Bo: "Fu Bo, let's not mention these aggravating matters. I'll substitute flowers for Buddha and offer you a cup."

"Thank you, thank you, thank you."

Translation: "Thank you thank you thank you."

In his life, this is the first time anyone has toasted him; Old Fu feels somewhat overwhelmed by the honor.

Translation: In his whole life, this was the first time someone had offered him a toast; Fu Bo was somewhat startled by the unexpected honor.

Old Fu nervously raised his cup and smiled: "Look at my mind—after all this chatting, I still haven't asked your name, nor do I know how to address you..."

Translation: Fu Bo nervously held up his cup and smiled: "Look at my brain—after all this chatting, I still haven't asked your name, so I don't know how to address you……"

That remark instantly sparked Xiao Yu's interest.

Translation: This remark immediately sparked Xiao Yu's interest.

Xiao Yu had long wanted to ask Lin Dongfan's name, but she'd always been too shy to speak up.

Translation: Xiao Yu had long wanted to ask Lin Dongfan's name, but she had always been too shy to speak up.

She grinned, biting her chopsticks, seemingly forgetting to eat, her big dark eyes fixed on Lin Dongfan as she waited for him to volunteer his name.

Translation: She grinned, biting her chopsticks, seemingly forgetting to eat, her pair of dark, shiny big eyes fixed on Lin Dongfan, silently waiting for him to volunteer his name.

Lin Dongfan thought left and right; his real name definitely couldn't be spoken.

Translation: Lin Dongfan thought left and right; his real name definitely could not be spoken.

After all, the path currently taken is to fight evil with evil, a conglomerate route; put bluntly, it's a covert operation, using the conglomerate identity to approach local officials implicated in corruption and bribery, letting them lower their guard, then eliminating them one by one.

My name is Fan Donglin.

Lin Dongfan couldn't be bothered to think up a new name; he casually reversed his own name, felt it was still quite easy to say, and "Fan Ye" remained "Fan Ye".

Fu Bo held up a half cup of wine, unable to hide his grateful expression: "Boss Fan, today you saved me and Xiao Yu; you are our family's great benefactor—I should toast you with this cup."

"Fu Bo, you're too polite; just call me Xiao Fan."

The fishermen's liquor is indeed strong, sliding down the throat like a knife, then spreading a rolling hot, scorching sensation in the belly.

Between breaths, Lin Dongfan felt his body growing somewhat hot.

The temperature difference between morning and evening by the sea is large; fishermen living on fishing boats are constantly exposed to damp sea winds, many suffer from rheumatism, and drinking liquor is one way they dispel the chill.

Fu Bo obviously needs a few small drinks each day, but he is reluctant to drink more.

He downed the half cup in one gulp, then picked up a spoon to ladle fish soup for Lin Dongfan: "Try my family's Xiao Yu's cooking; her mixed fish soup is milky white and very fragrant."

The praised Xiao Yu furtively glanced at Lin Dongfan once more, curiously observing his reaction.

Lin Dongfan gave face, chuckling in reply: "Looks indeed not bad, thank you, Fu Bo." He rose and accepted the large half-bowl of fish soup Fu Bo handed over.

The trio's "salted fish feast" may be plain and unadorned, yet it is very warm.

The luxurious Hai'an Guoji Dajiudian is now another scene, filled with hostility.

Zheng Sanshui led a group to rush to room 1208, but failing to find Lin Dongfan, he flew into a rage on the spot: "Search! Turn the whole city upside down—I must find that outsider!"