Chapter 388

Xiao Yu, an eighteen‑year‑old girl, is already an experienced fisherman at sea and can even maintain some relatively simple nautical instruments and equipment.

Translation: Xiao Yu, an eighteen‑year‑old girl, was already a fairly experienced fisherman at sea, and could even repair some relatively simple nautical instruments and equipment.

Xiao Yu, an eighteen‑year‑old girl, is already an experienced fisherman at sea and can even maintain some relatively simple nautical instruments and equipment.

We can translate: Xiao Yu, a girl who had just turned eighteen, was already a fairly experienced fisherman at sea, and could even maintain some relatively simple nautical instruments and equipment.

maintain some relatively simple nautical instruments and equipment

Ok.

She understands the horror of the wind and waves at sea better than Lin Dongfan does.

Translation: How terrifying the wind and waves at sea can be, she knows better than Lin Dongfan.

Better: She knows better than Lin Dongfan just how terrifying the wind and waves at sea can be.

She understands the horror of the wind and waves at sea better than Lin Dongfan does.

We'll output: She understands the horror of the wind and waves at sea better than Lin Dongfan does.

The fishing boat they currently have, just as Lin Dongfan said, is already rotted like a pile of scrap iron; every time they go out to sea, they are gambling with their lives.

Translation: Their current fishing boat, just as Lin Dongfan said, is already rotted like a pile of scrap iron; every time they go out to sea, they are gambling with their lives.

The fishing boat they currently have, just as Lin Dongfan said, is already rotted like a pile of scrap iron; every time they go out to sea, they are gambling with their lives.

If they lose the bet once, they will, like her father, lie forever in the deep sea, never to return.

Translation: If they lose the gamble once, they will end up like her father, sleeping forever in the deep sea, never to return.

If they lose the bet once, they will, like her father, lie forever in the deep sea, never to return.

Owning a technologically advanced large ocean‑going fishing vessel would not only greatly reduce the risk of going to sea, but also greatly increase the catch rate.

Translation: Owning a technologically advanced large ocean‑going fishing vessel would not only greatly reduce the risk of going to sea, but also greatly increase the catch rate.

But the most advanced large ocean‑going fishing vessels now cost over ten million.

Translation: But the most advanced large ocean‑going fishing vessels now cost over ten million.

But the most advanced large ocean‑going fishing vessels now cost over ten million.

This expensive price is unaffordable not only for Xiao Yu but for all the fishermen at the old dock; normally they can only dare to imagine it in their dreams, and in reality they wouldn't even dare to have such an extravagant hope.

Translation: This steep price is unaffordable not only for Xiao Yu but for all the fishermen at the old dock; usually they can only dare to dream of it, and in reality they wouldn't even entertain such a luxury.

This expensive price is unaffordable not only for Xiao Yu but for all the fishermen at the old dock; normally they can only dare to imagine it in their dreams, and in reality they wouldn't even dare to have such an extravagant hope.

Therefore, Xiao Yu thought Lin Dongfan was just teasing her.

Translation: Therefore, Xiao Yu merely thought Lin Dongfan was teasing her.

Nobody's money comes from the wind, so a large ocean‑going fishing vessel worth over ten million can't just be given away.

Translation: Nobody's pocket money is blown in by the wind; a large ocean‑going fishing vessel worth over ten million can't just be given away on a whim.

However, Xiao Yu was still very happy.

Translation: However, Xiao Yu was still very happy.

Think of a stranger she had just met who, to save her, got into a fight with local thugs; afterward, worried that she and her grandfather might incur the thugs' wrath, he chose to stay and take the risk.

Translation: Think of it: a stranger she had just met, who fought the local thugs to save her, and afterward, worried that the thugs might take revenge on her and her grandfather, chose to stay and take the risk.

a stranger she had just met

Such kindness alone is enough to leave a lasting impression on her.

Translation: Just based on this kindness, it was enough to leave a lasting impression on her heart.

She carefully pressed and kneaded Lin Dongfan's shoulders, asking, "Brother Fan, is this pressure right?"

Translation: She carefully pressed and kneaded Lin Dongfan's shoulders, asking, "Brother Fan, is this pressure right?"

She carefully pressed and kneaded Lin Dongfan's shoulders, asking, "Brother Fan, is this pressure right?"

"You're really giving me a massage?"

Translation: "You're really giving me a massage?"

Lin Dongfan smiled as he enjoyed Xiao Yu's attentive service; the pressure on his shoulders was a bit strong, showing that she often does rough work and has strong hands.

Translation: Lin Dongfan smiled as he enjoyed Xiao Yu's thoughtful service; the pressure on his shoulders was a bit heavy, showing that Xiao Yu often does rough work and has strong hands.

Lin Dongfan laughed and commented, "You're really good."

Translation: Lin Dongfan again smiled and commented, "Really obedient."

That praise mainly commends Xiao Yu's various aspects of daily life, and secondarily evaluates her willingness to cooperate with the massage.

Translation: These two words mainly praise Xiao Yu's various performances in daily life; secondarily, they comment on how well she cooperates while giving a massage.

However, Xiao Yu seemed to understand only the second meaning.

Translation: However, Xiao Yu seemed to grasp only the second meaning.

In an instant she became so embarrassed that her face flushed.

Translation: In an instant, she became so embarrassed that her face flushed.

Like a shy rose, she bashfully replied, "Today you saved me; I'm just helping you massage your shoulders—it's nothing."

Translation: Like a bashful rose, she shyly replied, "You saved me today; I'm just giving you a shoulder rub—it's nothing."

These are her true feelings.

Translation: These are all her true feelings.

If Lin Dongfan hadn't intervened today, she would have been forcibly dragged by scarface to the Dragon Palace banquet; once there, if humiliated, she would have no face to go on living.

Translation: If Lin Dongfan hadn't intervened today, she would have been forcibly dragged by Scarface to the Dragon Palace Banquet; once there, if she were humiliated, she would surely have no face to go on living.

scarface

Being forcibly dragged by scarface to the dragon palace banquet.

Thus translation: If Lin Dongfan hadn't intervened today, she would have been forcibly dragged by scarface to the Dragon Palace Banquet; once there, if she were humiliated, she would surely have no face to go on living.

Suddenly, Fu Bo's shout came from the cabin: "Xiao Yu, later take Xiao Fan back to the cabin to rest. Tonight let him sleep in my cabin, and I'll go borrow a night's lodging on your uncle's boat."

Translation: Suddenly, Fu Bo's shout came from the cabin: "Xiao Yu, later take Xiao Fan back to the cabin to rest. Tonight let him sleep in my cabin, and I'll go borrow a night's lodging on your uncle's boat."

Suddenly, Fu Bo's shout came from the cabin: "Xiao Yu, later take Xiao Fan back to the cabin to rest. Tonight let him sleep in my cabin, and I'll go borrow a night's lodging on your uncle's boat."

"I understand."

Translation: "Got it."

Xiao Yu shouted back loudly.

Translation: Xiao Yu shouted back in reply.

Soon after, Fu Bo went down the ship with a flashlight.

Translation: Soon after, Fu Bo went down the ship with a flashlight.

Lin Dongfan said, "Didn't I say I can just sleep on the deck? I can even watch the stars when I wake up. Hurry and call your grandfather back—there's no need to bother anyone else."

Translation: Lin Dongfan said, "Didn't I say I can just sleep on the deck, and when I wake up I can still see the stars? Hurry and call your grandfather back; there's no need to bother anyone else."

"It's fine; my uncle is a very good person."

Translation: "It's fine, my uncle is a very good person."

Xiao Yu continued to massage Lin Dongfan's shoulders, seeming not at all tired.

Translation: Xiao Yu continued to knead Lin Dongfan's shoulders, seeming not at all tired.

Lin Dongfan doubted and asked, "If your uncle is such a good person, why didn't he step in to help when you and your grandfather were being bullied?"

Translation: Lin Dongfan asked doubtfully, "If your uncle is such a good person, why didn't he step in to help when you and your grandfather were being bullied earlier?"

"He was on the ship; maybe he didn't see it."

Translation: "He was on the ship; maybe he didn't see it."

As for her uncle's character, Xiao Yu has never doubted it.

Translation: As for her uncle's character, Xiao Yu has never doubted it.

She frankly told Lin Dongfan, "My uncle is named Chen Dingchao, a dark‑skinned middle‑aged man who currently drifts on a boat and owns no land on shore."

Translation: She frankly told Lin Dongfan, "My uncle is called Chen Dingchao, a dark‑skinned middle‑aged man who is also drifting on a boat now, and he doesn't own an inch of land on shore."

"How could he be doing so badly?" Lin Dongfan frowned in disbelief.

Translation: "He's doing that poorly?" Lin Dongfan frowned in disbelief.

Xiao Yu smiled wryly and said, "My uncle isn't lazy; it's mainly that Zheng Sanshui is so vicious that anyone who falls into his hands either dies or is left stripped to the bone."

Translation: Xiao Yu gave a wry smile: "My uncle isn't a lazybones; it's mainly that Zheng Sanshui is too vicious—once you fall into his hands, you either die or get skinned alive."

"What's going on? Tell me."

Translation: "What's going on? Tell me about it."

Lin Dongfan is interested in all of Zheng Sanshui's bullying acts; for an anti‑corruption official, this is a basic professional quality that requires getting to the root of the matter.

Translation: Lin Dongfan is interested in all of Zheng Sanshui's bullying deeds; for an anti‑corruption official, it's basic professional competence to have a spirit of getting to the root of things.

While massaging his shoulders, Xiao Yu said, "My uncle originally owned several houses. Last year his ship sank, and he wanted to buy a second‑hand vessel. Because he was short on cash, he borrowed ten thousand from Zheng Sanshui, but he only received nine thousand, with one‑tenth deducted upfront as interest."

Translation: While massaging his shoulders, Xiao Yu said: "My uncle originally owned several houses. The year before last his ship sank, and he wanted to buy a second‑hand vessel. Because he was short on cash, he borrowed ten thousand from Zheng Sanshui. However, the amount he actually received was only nine thousand, with one‑tenth of the principal deducted upfront as interest."

"This is called 'cut‑head interest'."

Translation: "This is called 'cut‑head interest'."

Although Lin Dongfan was gazing at the stars, he had already guessed the general outcome.

Translation: Although Lin Dongfan was gazing at the starry sky, he had already guessed the rough outcome.

Xiao Yu continued, "He borrowed ten thousand but only got nine thousand in hand; at the time he endured it, thinking that once he had a boat he wouldn't fear not making money. He didn't expect that something even more terrifying than cut‑head interest would come later. A year later, when he went to repay, Zheng Sanshui used a calculator and, compounding the interest, demanded he pay back 435,500—an alarming amount."

Translation: Xiao Yu continued: "Borrow ten thousand, but only nine thousand arrived in hand. My uncle endured it, thinking that once he had a boat he wouldn't fear not making money. He didn't expect that something even more terrifying than cut‑head interest lay ahead. After a year, when he went to repay, Zheng Sanshui pulled out a calculator and, figuring compound interest, told him he owed 435,500—a frightening sum."

Lin Dongfan slightly frowned and asked, "Nine out, thirteen in?"

Translation: Lin Dongfan lightly frowned: "Nine out, thirteen back?"

"Exactly, it's nine out, thirteen in, as Zheng Sanshui says is the rule." Xiao Yu exclaimed indignantly, "Over four hundred thousand—who could possibly repay that? Left with no choice, he had to follow Zheng Sanshui's demand and use his house and land as collateral."

Translation: "Exactly, it's nine out, thirteen back, as Zheng Sanshui says it's the rule." Xiao Yu spoke indignantly: "Four‑hundred‑plus thousand—who could possibly pay that? Later, left with no choice, he had to follow Zheng Sanshui's instruction and use his house and land as collateral for the debt."

"Has your uncle ever taken out a high‑interest loan before?" Lin Dongfan asked.

Translation: "Has your uncle ever taken out a high‑interest loan before?" Lin Dongfan asked.

Xiao Yu shook her head: "No, he's never done that. He's an honest, hardworking person who had no idea how deep the trap was. If he had known how dark it was, he would never have borrowed from Zheng Sanshui, even if it meant death."

Translation: Xiao Yu shook her head: "No, he's never borrowed like that. He's an honest, hardworking person who simply doesn't realize how deep the trap is. If he'd known how dark it was, he'd rather die than borrow from Zheng Sanshui."

"In your fishing village, how many people still own their own houses and land?" Lin Dongfan asked.

Translation: "In your fishing village, how many people still own their own houses and land?" Lin Dongfan asked.

Xiao Yu thought carefully and shook her head: "Not many; out of the village's over a hundred households, fewer than half still hold their own houses and land."

Translation: Xiao Yu thought carefully, then shook her head: "Not many. Out of the village's over a hundred households, those who still hold their houses and land are estimated to be less than half."

"Xiao Yu, can you help me with something?"

Translation: "Xiao Yu, could you do me a favor?"

Lin Dongfan, who is pursuing a conglomerate path, had already been formulating a counter‑strategy.

Translation: Lin Dongfan, who is pursuing a conglomerate‑style path, had already been formulating a counter‑strategy.

Xiao Yu responded eagerly: "Brother Fan, tell me what you need; if I can do it, I'll make sure it's done well."

Translation: Xiao Yu responded eagerly: "Brother Fan, tell me what you need; if it's something I can do, I'll definitely get it done."

"Tomorrow don't make a fuss; quietly go find those fishermen who own houses and land." Lin Dongfan further instructed: "Tell them to meet at the seaside at eight p. m. tomorrow for a meeting."

Translation: "Tomorrow don't make a fuss; quietly go find those fishermen who own houses and land." Lin Dongfan further instructed: "Tell them to meet at the seaside at eight o'clock tomorrow evening for a meeting."

"A meeting? What kind of meeting?" Xiao Yu found it hard to believe: "The word 'meeting' is too high‑falutin; in our whole fishing village, only the village head has ever used it."

Translation: "A meeting? What kind of meeting?" Xiao Yu found it hard to believe: "The word 'meeting' is too high‑falutin; in our whole fishing village, only the village head has ever used that term."

"Is the word 'meeting' really that high‑end?"

Translation: "Is the word 'meeting' really that high‑end?"

Lin Dongfan couldn't help but chuckle, thinking the village head was nothing special.

Translation: Lin Dongfan couldn't help but chuckle, thinking, "What does the village head even count for?"

"You, Brother Fan, are actually a vice‑ministerial‑level official!"

Translation: "You, Brother Fan, are actually a deputy bureau‑level official!"

"Fortunately you don't know anything; if you learned my true identity, you'd probably be so scared you'd shrink back."

Translation: "Fortunately you know nothing; if you learned my true identity, wouldn't you be so scared you'd shrink your hands away?"

Lin Dongfan guessed correctly.

Translation: Lin Dongfan guessed correctly.

If Xiao Yu knew that the man before her, Brother Fan, was a vice‑ministerial‑level high official, she would really become nervous, her heart racing, and then she would timidly pull her hands back.

Translation: If Xiao Yu knew that the Brother Fan before her was a deputy bureau‑level high official, she would really grow nervous, her heart racing, and then she would timidly pull her hands back.

With those hands that daily salt‑fish, she would never dare to massage or pound the back of a vice‑ministerial‑level official.

Translation: Those hands of hers that daily salt‑fish in the sun—how could she dare to massage and pat the back of a deputy bureau‑level dignitary?

It's also precisely because she doesn't know.

So she dared to interject: "I think this word is very high-end; anyway, when people in our fishing village hear this word, they know it's an official having something to say."

"Then let's change to a more down-to-earth way of speaking; you just say I want to ask them to cooperate in putting on a play." Lin Dongfan solemnly emphasized: "Whoever cooperates with me, I will give them a sum of remuneration."

"What play do you want me to cooperate in singing?" Xiao Yu questioned doubtfully: "Can you sing opera?"

Lin Dongfan frowned slightly: "You've misunderstood; it's not about singing that play, it's about singing that play."

"Which play is that play?" Xiao Yu grew more confused the more she listened, her mind a tangled mess, completely unable to grasp Lin Dongfan's meaning.

This left Lin Dongfan also bewildered, for a moment not knowing how to explain.

He pondered for a moment.

Lin Dongfan rephrased: "What I mean is, I want to ask them to cooperate with me on something. As long as they are willing to cooperate with me, I will give them a generous reward. Helping me is actually also helping themselves."

"Oh, then what do you want them to cooperate with you on?" Xiao Yu asked with interest.

Lin Dongfan replied without hesitation: "Force Zheng Sanshui to spit out everything he has swallowed, and also return all the houses and land he previously seized!"