Chapter 408: Fan Ye's Thunderous Tactics

Perfect kill?

Han Zhang stared at Lin Dongfan for a good while, then suddenly burst out laughing: "Haha~~ Chief Fan, just for your courage and daring, I accept this bet. But I'm curious, what makes you think Zhang Yinlan will bombard Guo Lichun within 24 hours? This is unscientific; truly few people in the bureaucracy dare to bombard their superiors."

Lin Dongfan's mouth curled slightly, revealing a mysterious smile: "Director Han, Zhang Yinlan is just over forty; do you know why she would undergo menopause?"

"Menopause?"

This sudden question left Han Zhang dazed, his face full of bewilderment.

It felt like just two words—Terrifying, what a terrifying amount of information! A newcomer businessman, and he's already gotten involved with Zhang Yinlan so quickly?

No way, someone like Zhang Yinlan, a paragon of virtue, how could she possibly go to a businessman's bed?

Han Zhang, puzzled, pressed Lin Dongfan: "How do you know she's undergone menopause?"

"I know plenty of things."

Lin Dongfan would certainly not admit that he had been secretly monitoring the influential figures in Haishan's officialdom; once the intelligence investigation team made a move, these people's lives had no secrets left.

To dispel Han Zhang's suspicions.

Lin Dongfan then deliberately sold a tease: "I not only know that Zhang Yinlan has undergone menopause, I also know you have prostatitis. The point is, you damn can't even urinate properly, yet you still want to sleep with Zhang Yinlan. Wake up—even your ex-wife despises you; would the once-beautiful Zhang Yinlan even give you the time of day?"

!!!

Han Zhang broke out in a cold sweat, suddenly feeling as if he weren't talking to a businessman but to a terrifying devil.

Before this devil, he felt like a nobody, with zero privacy.

He could only steel himself and reply: "What does Zhang Yinlan's menopause have to do with our bet? These two things are as unrelated as could be."

"Of course they are related."

Lin Dongfan said slowly and deliberately: "When a woman suddenly discovers she has undergone menopause, do you know what that means?"

"What does it mean?"

Han Zhang looked bewildered; when it came to women's matters, he was truly clueless—if he understood women's thoughts, he wouldn't have lost his wife.

Lin Dongfan also saw that Han Zhang was a typical chauvinist, accustomed to disregarding women.

In the Haishan area, the preference for sons over daughters is widespread; women's status is naturally low, and someone like Zhang Yinlan who can squeeze into a Division Level position is absolutely as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.

Lin Dongfan said: "Menopause means her life has ushered in a cliff‑like decline. Once a woman in officialdom enters the period of fading looks, it usually means her political career is at an end. Fate hasn't given her much time; this time she can only fight a desperate battle, with no other choice."

Han Zhang pondered and asked: "So, you think she will go all‑in?"

"Exactly."

A glint flashed in Lin Dongfan's eyes.

He slowly explained: "She urgently needs a turning point. The fishermen's uprising at the Civil Affairs Bureau is, for her, a disaster falling from the sky as well as an opportunity. If she wins this battle, the vice‑mayor position should be secured; conversely, if she loses, she cannot escape being held accountable."

"Chief Fan, not getting involved in officialdom is truly a waste of talent."

Han Zhang gave a thumbs‑up, sincerely admiring Lin Dongfan's meticulous, situation‑aware thinking.

Lin Dongfan merely smiled and said nothing.

He, Lin Dongfan, is called 'Fan Ye' by his brothers—solidly a Vice Department Level! Previously, only because his red family tree was too dazzling, it obscured his political acumen.

If he were to play mind games, dissecting power and human nature, he would be no worse than anyone.

Lin Dongfan was about to chat a bit more when his phone suddenly rang. He picked it up—speak of the devil—and the caller was none other than Zhang Yinlan.

Lin Dongfan deliberately turned on the speakerphone so Han Zhang could also hear the conversation.

"Chief Fan, I'm Zhang Yinlan." came Zhang Yinlan's slightly tired voice from the other end: "I want to talk to you about the fishermen's matter."

Lin Dongfan feigned surprise: "Director Zhang, what play are you putting on? I'm just a businessman—did you get the wrong person?"

"Chief Fan, some things are obvious to everyone; you don't need to feign ignorance when you know the truth."

He paused for a moment.

Then Zhang Yinlan's voice came over the phone: "If you're truly doing this for the fishermen's sake, wanting to speak up for them, then let's speak frankly and consult to resolve the problem."

Lin Dongfan smirked inwardly, but kept a serious facade: "Director Zhang, how do you think this should be resolved?"

"I..."

The voice on the phone hesitated.

After several seconds, Zhang Yinlan's voice rang out again, this time firm: "I intend to go find Mayor Guo and talk to him face to face."

Lin Dongfan feigned surprise: "Do you really think Guo Lichun will give you face?"

The other end fell silent for a moment.

Then Zhang Yinlan's determined voice came through: "I know he won't give me face. Acting rashly would even endanger my personal safety. So I'd like to ask you for a favor."

That was exactly what Lin Dongfan had been waiting for.

He deliberately drew out his voice: "Well… helping out is easy to talk about. For the sake of those fishermen in the village, I'm more than happy to cooperate with you."

"Thanks, Chief Fan!" Zhang Yinlan's voice carried a hint of gratitude: "Then let's set a time to meet?"

Lin Dongfan glanced at his watch: "How about this: in two hours, I'll be waiting for you at the coffee shop opposite the city government."

"Alright, that's settled—see you in two hours."

"See you later."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Dongfan looked triumphantly at Han Zhang: "Director Han, how about it? Do you now admit defeat in this bet?"

"Before the end, it's not certain who will win or lose."

Han Zhang talked tough, but his face showed a bitter smile; one thing is certain now: Zhang Yinlan has truly gone all out, intending to confront Guo Lichun head‑on.

Han Zhang questioned Lin Dongfan doubtfully: "Chief Fan, Guo Lichun won't give Zhang Yinlan face, and likewise won't give you face either—what help can you offer her in this matter?"

Lin Dongfan smiled faintly: "Whether Guo Lichun gives face or not isn't important; what matters is what Zhang Yinlan will do. She's now like a unicorn backed into a corner—for her future and even her offspring's survival, she'll do anything. If she so much as trembles, she becomes the grand lady of Haishan City."

"Grand lady?"

Han Zhang turned into a bewildered fat guy, utterly rejecting the notion of a 'grand lady,' feeling that Chief Fan had vastly overestimated Zhang Yinlan's strength.

Two hours later, in the coffee shop opposite the city government.

Zhang Yinlan was already waiting inside.

She looks far younger than her actual age; although she has entered menopause, so far she shows no crow's feet around her eyes, and her skin is fair, tender, and lustrous.

To describe her, only the four words "her charm and grace remain" apply.

"How come you're here too?"

Seeing Han Zhang and Lin Dongfan enter together, Zhang Yinlan's mood shifted noticeably; she truly loathes Han Zhang, this sort of bureaucratic worm who indulges in eating, drinking, whoring, and gambling.