Chapter 39: Kill to Silence

Lin Dongfan neither knows what feud Li Hengbo has with Dai Fengnian, nor knows whether Li Hengbo is resigned to his fate, just waiting to die, or has already latched onto some big shot's thigh.

For a moment he couldn't see through this guy's mindset.

So he tentatively asked: "Today Dai Fengnian came to see you—does he want you to help him bury the truth of the forest fire?"

"Kneel and call me Dad, and Dad will show you the way."

Li Hengbo crossed his legs, a cigarette dangling from his lips, his posture utterly relaxed, as if no one in the world could crush him, this little village official.

This posture gave Lin Dongfan the feeling of just giving up.

It was as if he wanted to tell the whole world:

I've already been exiled to the lowest village—what can you do to me? As long as I don't get into trouble, as long as I don't seek advancement, nobody can touch me.

Once I give up, I'm invincible under heaven!

Lin Dongfan laughed: "I don't have a disappointing son like you."

I advise you not to get too happy too soon—Chu Jinsong can protect you for a while, but not forever." Li Hengbo struck a pose of far‑seeing wisdom: "When Chu Jinsong falls, that's your death day. By then you won't even need me, your father, to act personally; on the Nanzhou officialdom, those who want to kill you can line up from East City to West City.

That's actually a true statement—fighting corruption is a job that offends people.

Now those in the Nanzhou officialdom who want to kill Lin Dongfan can indeed line up from East City to West City, each clenching their fists and grinding their teeth.

But what the hell is there to fear?

As the saying goes, fortune turns; in my past life I was trampled underfoot by scum like you, never able to straighten my back till death.

In this life, it's my turn to punch the South Mountain Fierce Tiger and kick the North Sea Flood Dragon.

Lin Dongfan took out a cigarette and lit it.

He spoke calmly, laying out the facts: "You know the truth of the 9·28 forest fire, and I know it too. I'm now in charge of this investigation—not even the heavenly emperor could stop me. I advise you to drop the act and stop showing off in front of me. If I find out you helped Dai Fengnian suppress the truth…"

"I did help him—just rolled out a sympathy‑and‑appeasement policy. What can you do to me?" Li Hengbo smirked arrogantly: "The victims' families couldn't get compensation; I racked my brains to get them the money, and now they're grateful to me. Tell me, what reason do you have to move against me?"

Lin Dongfan smiled without saying a word.

Li Hengbo added: "Since I dare tell you about this operation, I'm not afraid of you investigating."

"Careless—I didn't expect Taijun to be actually using his brain now; giving you a hard time is indeed tough." Lin Dongfan took a amused puff of his cigarette.

Li Hengbo calmly laughed and scolded: "You're the Taijun, and your whole family are Taijuns."

"I heard from the Political and Legal Affairs Committee brothers that you're planning to rebrand yourself as a pretty boy—is that true or false? Can your five‑second kidney hold up?" Lin Dongfan asked, intrigued.

Li Hengbo exhaled slowly: "None of your business."

"It really isn't my business; I'm just curious whether your small frame can take it. I heard that rich lady is over fifty, built like a bear." Lin Dongfan smiled.

Li Hengbo frowned slightly, took a sullen drag on his cigarette, and fell silent.

"Such nice weather—why have you gone quiet? Let's chat a bit more."

"Get lost!"

"Don't lose heart—though your kidney's no good, you can still grasp the secret of the radiant‑tongue lotus. Keep at it; I've got faith in you. In all three hundred and sixty trades, each produces its own top scholar."

"Get lost!!!"

Li Hengbo angrily shut his eyes.

That mournful sound wave erupted; a simple "get lost" was roared out with the fury of a wind‑swept leaf, its echo shaking everywhere.

"Sir Li, calm down—I'll scram right away."

Lin Dongfan could now basically confirm that Li Hengbo's laid‑back act was just a façade.

Better I let the world down than have the world let me down! The meaning of these fourteen characters was tailor‑made for someone like Li Hengbo.

He could never willingly stay cooped up in Qingzhu Village.

As soon as he gets a chance to turn things over, what's kissing up to a fifty‑plus‑year‑old rich lady? Looks like I'll have to investigate that rich lady's background another day.

Lin Dongfan left the village committee with a belly full of doubts.

Together with Jian Sining.

Escorting Dai Fengnian back to the Qinghu Guesthouse.

Dai Fengfeng was restless the whole way, squeezing his legs and wiggling his butt, shouting: "I gotta pee, I need to use the toilet!"

"Hold it."

Lin Dongfan didn't stop the car.

Jian Sining sat in the back seat, watching over the restless Dai Fengnian.

Dai Fengnian roared: "I have the right to use the toilet—what gives you the right to stop me? You're abusing a criminal suspect; I'll sue you!"

"I don't mind if you piss in my car."

To prevent Dai Fengnian from playing tricks, Lin Dongfan refused to stop.

"Bang!"

Just as they reached the village crossroads, a dump truck suddenly burst out from a side lane and slammed into the left side of the car. The violent impact directly flipped Lin Dongfan's new Audi.

The car tumbled down the steep slope, rolling over four or five times.

It finally came to rest in a gully overgrown with weeds.

The three people in the car.

Only Jian Sining, seated on the right side of the back seat, still had a flicker of consciousness.

She too was covered in injuries, trying to crawl out of the car, she pushed the door a few times but it wouldn't budge—the door was badly deformed.

"Senior brother, senior brother, wake up…"

Jian Sining called out several times, but Lin Dongfan showed no reaction.

The panicked, tear‑filled Jian Sining hastily grabbed the phone that had fallen under the seat and called for help: "Hello, 120? There's been a serious car accident here—please come quickly…"

This was no accident.

This was a premeditated, intentional murder—the dump‑truck driver abandoned the vehicle and fled.

From the moment Dai Fengnian was arrested, their travel route had already been secretly locked on by the mastermind. As soon as they reached this intersection, a dump truck would come rushing out from a side road at full speed.

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Chu Jinsong angrily furrowed his brows: "Dai Fengnian gets caught, and right away a car accident happens—could it be that someone is afraid he won't be able to keep his mouth shut?"