Chapter 396

Before pushing open the doors of the conference center, Lin Dongfan had imagined what the interior would look like.

He thought the interior decor would be like this:

The helm of the Hai Long Society, Zheng Canghai, would sit at the head of the conference table; the slightly lower‑ranking Cai Yang and Chen Yongnian would sit on the left side, while the official representative, Director Han, would sit on the right.

The bigwigs held cigars as thick as fingers, puffing clouds and mist!

Dozens of lackeys stood nearby to back them up.

The scene was styled like a gritty gangster film, waiting for Lin Dongfan to walk in and feel the oppressive pressure.

The result left Lin Dongfan somewhat shocked.

The conference room was completely empty.

Only a heavyset man weighing over two hundred jin was there, straining to pull out a vase.

Yes, he was pulling out a vase!

It was a blue‑and‑white porcelain vase that looked antique, its shape resembling the willow vase held by Guanyin, with a narrow neck.

I don't know whether the fat man's left brain or right brain was stuck, but he shoved his right hand into the vase and got it stuck, unable to pull it out.

The situation now is as follows:

He held the vase with his left hand and strained to pull it out with his right.

As he pulled, he kept making a sound like the strained grunt when constipated, his face and ears turning red.

A tough man needs no extra explanation; he'd rather suffer internal injury than smash the vase, his whole body exuding an aura of down‑to‑earth intellect and unrivaled confidence.

Lin Dongfan instantly recognized the tough, heavyset man as the chief of Haishan Shi's Ocean and Fisheries Bureau—Han Zhang!

Lin Dongfan stepped forward and asked, "Director Han, do you want me to help?"

"Boss Fan, you're just in time—grab this vase for me." Han Zhang extended his right arm, pushing the vase stuck on his fist toward Lin Dongfan.

At that moment Lao Ba handed over a claw hammer.

Lin Dongfan looked bewildered: "Expert, do you always carry this thing around?"

"Who says an expert can't carry a hammer?"

Remembering the last time they fought with belts at the old dock, Lao Ba added bluntly, "I can't keep using belts every time—a hammer costs only a dozen bucks, while my belt cost over ten thousand."

"You rich‑boy, that's excessive—my belt costs nine ninety with free shipping."

Lin Dongfan retorted, but still took the hammer without mistake.

Just as Lin Dongfan raised the hammer to smash the vase, Han Zhang's eyes widened: "Wait! What are you doing? Don't mess around, this vase——

"Bam!"

Before Han Zhang could finish, Lin Dongfan brought the hammer down and the vase shattered with a bang.

That hammer blow felt less like it hit the vase and more like it struck Han Zhang's heart.

Han Zhang rubbed the reddened back of his hand where the vase had gripped it, stared coldly at Lin Dongfan, and said, "Do you know what you just broke? This is a Qing‑dynasty antique!"

"You're mistaken—it's not Qing, it's a Song‑dynasty antique."

Saying that, Lin Dongfan pulled out a checkbook from his pocket, filled in ten million, tore off the check, and handed it to Han Zhang.

He declared grandly, "I'll cover it."

"!!!"

Han Zhang stared at the number on the check for a good while.

When he lifted his gaze to Lin Dongfan, his formerly angry fat face instantly broke into a beaming smile, treating Lin Dongfan like Along‑lost brother.

"Don't stand, sit sit sit."

He personally pulled out the chair in front and warmly invited Lin Dongfan to sit.

He then summoned the waiter to take away the pot of premium tribute tea and replace it with French Lafite. He remembered Dragon King Zheng Canghai once saying, "Smoking cigars and drinking red wine—that's the true jianghu."

"Boss Fan, you're a man of vision—I can tell you'll achieve great things." Han Zhang raised his glass in a toast: "Brother, let me first drink to you, thanks for freeing my right hand."

Hearing that, Lin Dongfan was momentarily speechless.

"Freeing my right hand"—what the hell kind of tiger‑wolf talk is that? The uninformed might think I'm some bottom. Still, though I resent it inwardly, I have to give him face.

Lin Dongfan smiled and said, "It's no trouble—don't mention it."

Han Zhang, true to his heavyweight stature of over two hundred jin, tipped back his neck and gulped down half a glass of red wine in two swigs—he probably didn't even taste it, a real waste.

To stay clear‑headed, Lin Dongfan merely took a small sip.

Han Zhang set down his cup, lit another cigar, and puffed away while sighing, "Boss Fan, honestly, there aren't many generous souls like you these days."

"Director Han, do you think someone like me is worth making friends with?"

"Worth it."

"Since Director Han approves of my character, I won't beat around the bush—let me speak a few heartfelt words."

"Speak plainly; I don't like people who beat around the bush either."

"I'm very interested in the Fishing Port New City project."

"The Fishing Port New City project is indeed a prime piece of pork belly—everyone wants a bite. But there's only one piece, not enough to go around; are you sure you want to snatch meat from others' mouths?"

Han Zhang smiled meaningfully; his subtext was a warning to Lin Dongfan not to break the rules.

Lin Dongfan returned the smile knowingly: "The Fishing Port New City project is split into land and sea zones. I have no interest in the high‑end residential area and commercial facilities on land; I only want the marine portion—land reclamation and port expansion. Is that feasible?"

"It's a bit difficult."

Han Zhang shook his head with regret.

Lin Dongfan kept a patient smile: "Why? I'm all ears."

Han Zhang took a slow drag of his cigar and reasoned soundly: "If the Fishing Port New City project is a bottomless money bag, then the port is its opening. Whoever controls the port controls the project's economic lifeline. You're not just splitting meat—you're digging out the heart and liver to enjoy luxury all to yourself."

"If I insist on digging out the heart and liver, how would you respond?"

"Then I can only advise you to stay calm—no one will spit out meat already in their mouth. I can't help you with this, not even if the heavenly king himself showed up."

"Since you brought up the Heavenly King and his father, I need to clarify. The second-largest share of Zhengtong Capital is the Baiyue Province State-owned Assets Commission. Within the jurisdiction of Baiyue Province, it truly is the Heavenly King and his father."

"State-owned enterprise?"

Han Zhang stared at Lin Dongfan in disbelief.

It seemed as if they were waiting for Lin Dongfan to quickly lower his head and confess: "Sorry, Bureau Chief Han, today I bragged without preparing a draft; please forgive my rashness……"

As long as one's mental fortitude is strong enough, it's easy to be a person lacking in quality.

Lin Dongfan intended to abandon his personal quality.

Damn it!

He then nodded and said: "I originally wanted to keep a low profile, but the State-owned Assets Commission really is my godfather; I can't stay low-profile even if I wanted to. Now I not only want the marine project, but also the land project—I want it all."

"Cough cough! Cough cough cough……"

The bureau chief, completely unprepared mentally, was caught off guard by the two words "all-in"; he couldn't catch his breath in one go, and the cigar smoke made his face flush red.

He set down his cigar, poured half a glass of red wine to soothe his throat.

It took a while before he caught his breath.

He earnestly reminded Lin Dongfan: "Fan Zong, the State-owned Assets Commission is your godfather, not the godfather of us Haishan people. Based on what you just said, today you won't be able to get away with it."

"You want to mess with me?" Lin Dongfan smiled dismissively.

Han Zhang spoke bluntly: "Out of consideration for your compensation for my antique, I cannot stand by and do nothing. If you take back what you just said, today I can guarantee you will leave here safe and sound."