Chapter 391: Bonfire Gathering

Night fell, and only the roaring bonfire could light up this world.

Today Xiao Yu performed well, successfully mobilizing the fishermen's enthusiasm, with every household sending a representative to Lin Dongfan's rally.

Over a hundred people sat in a circle around the bonfire.

This was a grand show‑off event dedicated to Fan Ye, needing no personal boasting from him—his daytime feat of driving off Zheng Sanshui had already sunk into the people's hearts.

"Just the three of them took down over twenty people? Good heavens, out at sea that would at least be great white shark‑level strength."

"Boss Fan is just as tough—yesterday he easily chased off Scarface Strong."

"Nowadays, fists alone aren't enough; the key is having money in your pocket. As for financial power, I think Boss Fan still falls a bit short."

"Zheng Lao Pi, how do you know Boss Fan falls short?"

"Just look at the car—a busted Audi. It's on the same level as the manager of Dragon Palace Banquet; financially it can't compare to Zheng Sanshui. These days, whoever has money is the big boss."

"Zheng Lao Pi, although you share the same clan as Zheng Sanshui, in his eyes you're nothing but a salted fish, and if you keep kissing his ass, watch out—the Sea God might take you."

"Who'd you catch? Chen Dingchao, watch your mouth!"

"My mouth's cleaner than yours—you're sucking up to Zheng Sanshui, yet you won't let anyone speak?"

"Who's sucking up to him? Damn your mother!"

"Who are you cursing?"

"Whoever replies gets cursed; you still wanna fight? Come on, hit me!"

"Brother Dingchao, don't be rash!"

"Don't stop me! That little turtle bastard just needs a beating!"

"Xiao Yu's paternal uncle—Chen Dingchao—usually looks honest and simple, but when trouble comes he's truly daring; anyway, he has no wife, no kids, just a worthless life."

"Seeing a few nearby fishermen unable to hold him back, internal conflict was about to erupt."

"Lin Dongfan stood on a chair and shouted, 'If you disagree, you start fighting—is that your ancestral custom? If so, go ahead, you can't let down your forefathers.'"

"The scene fell instantly silent."

"Zheng Lao Pi gave a cold snort and sat down; Chen Dingchao also sat, seething with anger, the two sides glaring at each other, neither yielding."

"In the fishing village, the Zheng and Chen clans have always been at odds."

"In earlier years, the two clans fought over fishing resources, repeatedly clashing with weapons—deaths and injuries were everyday fare."

"Xiao Yu gently tugged at Chen Dingchao's shirt and whispered, 'Uncle, can you hold back that explosive temper? Don't ruin Brother Fan's big plans.'"

"Chen Dingchao stayed silent, thinking, 'If I don't restrain myself, Zheng Lao Pi will still have a chance to sit there and glare at me.'"

"A villager suddenly broke the awkwardness, asking Lin Dongfan, 'Boss Fan, you said you wanted us to cooperate on something—what exactly is it?'"

"It's like this."

"Lin Dongfan gathered his thoughts and spoke slowly: 'The Sea Dragon Society wants to turn this place into a Fisher Harbor New City, which would originally be a good thing. But Zheng Sanshui, through trickery and force, has taken away many people's homes and land. As a result, nobody gets compensation for expropriation or relocation. Once the Fisher Harbor New City starts construction and blocks the dock, we'll no longer be able to make a living from fishing. What will we eat? What will we drink? How will we live from now on?'"

"As soon as he finished, the scene fell silent again."

"Without a doubt, Lin Dongfan's words struck a chord in everyone's hearts."

"The fishing villagers have always lived off the sea, making a living by fishing; once the old dock is sealed off, it's tantamount to cutting off their livelihood."

"Forcing them ashore to take up other work, yet giving no resettlement compensation."

"Isn't this just driving them to jump into the sea?"

"Chen Dingchao asked helplessly, 'Boss Fan, can you actually help us solve this problem now?'"

"I've said it before—whether this problem can be solved depends on whether you're willing to cooperate with me." Lin Dongfan glanced at the crowd's reaction.

"Seeing no one raise any objections."

"Lin Dongfan continued: 'Right now, part of the villagers' houses and land haven't been taken by Zheng Sanshui. When the Sea Dragon Society's people come to mobilize demolition, as long as nobody signs or puts a handprint, they can't build the Fisher Harbor New City. We must force them to produce a proper resettlement compensation plan before we sign.'"

"'That's easy to say when you're not the one at risk.' Zheng Lao Pi said, 'If Zheng Sanshui brings people to force us to sign, who'd dare refuse? If you don't sign, he'll chop off your hand.'"

"Chen Dingchao glared at Zheng Lao Pi: 'If you don't speak, nobody will think you're mute!'"

"'You have no house or land, so it's none of your business—you're naturally not afraid.' Zheng Lao Pi emphasized righteously, 'I have a house and land, I'm afraid of losing my hand, and I disagree with Boss Fan's proposal.'"

"Xiao Yu jumped up, furious at Zheng Lao Pi: 'Zheng Lao Pi, are you even a man?'"

"You little brat, you've got no say in this."

"Having said that, Zheng Lao Pi turned, glanced at Lin Dongfan, and muttered under his breath: 'There's no benefit at all—you're making us bear this huge risk, who are you screwing over?'"

"These remarks resonated with many of the property‑owning households."

"Seeing the crowd whispering and chatting aimlessly."

"Lin Dongfan quickly cleared his throat twice."

"Once the scene quieted, Lin Dongfan went on: 'There are definitely benefits. I'll give five hundred for a day's delay, five thousand for ten days, fifty thousand for a hundred days…'"

"Before he even finished, the crowd erupted."

"Sure enough!"

"Still, the clout of the RMB is huge—just seeing the crowd's eager discussion shows that a daily five‑hundred offer hits their psychological needs right on the mark."

"Zheng Lao Pi suddenly muttered again: 'Dozens of households in the village still have houses and land. If they all delayed a hundred days at fifty thousand each, ten households would be five hundred thousand, dozens would be several million—can he really come up with that much cash? I think this claim is brazen, nothing but hot air.'"

"'Zheng Lao Pi, if you don't speak, nobody will think you're mute.' Chen Dingchao stared back angrily: 'If Boss Fan lacked the financial means, he wouldn't have taken on this matter—he's also trying to help us.'"

"Just listen to his bragging."

"Zheng Lao Pi turned, glanced at Lin Dongfan, and chuckled: 'Doing this is basically charity. If he were really that rich, would he still be driving a busted Audi?'"

"Sorry, this is my fault for being too low‑key."

"The best way to dispel doubts is to show off some muscle."

"Lin Dongfan pulled out his phone and called Yu Youwei: 'Turn on the lights, bring the car over.'"

"The next second, a blinding high‑beam flashed in the distance, and a black Rolls‑Royce slowly rolled up to the bonfire."

"Even though it was a second‑hand vehicle."

But its appearance still ignited the passion and enthusiasm of all the villagers, hahaha, as it turns out Boss Fan's power is terrifying! This time, see what Zheng LaoPi has to say.

Chen Dingchao excitedly dealt Zheng LaoPi a fatal blow: "Zheng LaoPi, the Boss Fan who drives an Audi, you can't even see it. The Boss Fan who drives a Rolls-Royce, what else do you want to fart?"

"You're the one farting, your whole family are fart essences!"

Zheng LaoPi glared fiercely at Chen Dingchao.

Indeed, life is like a play, and it's all about acting skills.

Zheng LaoPi stood up and bowed to Lin Dongfan, smiling like a devout grandson: "Boss Fan, you say delay however many days, then delay that many days, I have no objection."

"Until Zheng Sanshui returns the illegally occupied houses and lands to their rightful owners."

Lin Dongfan had just finished speaking.

A villager suddenly ran over and shouted urgently: "Boss Fan, the police are coming for you..."