Chapter 418

The next afternoon, 27-year-old Liu Wei was cremated.

Lin Dongfan, Yu Youwei, Lao Ba, Chen Xiaoyu, Chen Shaokang, and others all wore solemn black funeral attire to see Liu Wei off on his final journey.

Zhang Yinlan of the Civil Affairs Bureau also came, representing the government to offer condolences to the family.

Liu Wu held his brother Liu Wei's ashes urn and, seeing everyone off, embarked on the journey home. Falling leaves return to their roots—a tradition ingrained in the Chinese people.

Liu Wei, of iron will, though his brief life had come to an end.

But the turmoil in Haishan had not yet subsided.

After experiencing so much in Haishan and losing his brother, Lin Dongfan's mindset gradually changed. Now he is less like an anti-corruption bureau chief and more like a true jianghu big shot.

He is determined to win the Fisherman's Port New City project!

He does not seek to make money!

He is only interested in seeing blood—white blade in, red blade out!

He strives to strike Zheng Canghai's vital point with a single blow, first pushing Zheng Canghai off the Dragon King's altar, thereby provoking internal strife among local forces!

Then he will stir up muddy waters to catch fish, sweeping away corruption and black forces in one fell swoop!

On the other hand…

Yu Huacheng also wanted to make a big splash with the arson-murder case, attempting to suppress Guo Lichun's people and support out-of-town merchants not under Guo Lichun's control—Lin Dongfan.

His strategy is to gradually weaken Guo Lichun's power, thereby consolidating his own position.

But Yu Huacheng never openly contacts Lin Dongfan.

First, to avoid suspicion, fearing that opportunists would seize on rumors and accuse him of colluding with Lin Dongfan in official-business dealings, which would affect Lin Dongfan's bidding for the Fisherman's Port New City project.

Second, he needs to give Zhang Yinlan a reassurance.

In other words, he wants to convey sincerity to Zhang Yinlan: as long as you firmly stand by my side, I, Yu Huacheng, will not disappoint you, and I will promote you if you deserve it.

Therefore, whenever he wants to convey information to Lin Dongfan, he first tells Zhang Yinlan, who then passes it on to Lin Dongfan.

This demonstrates his regard for Zhang Yinlan.

Half a month later, one morning, Lin Dongfan had just rubbed the sleep from his eyes when he received a call from Zhang Yinlan, who seemed quite happy.

She even laughed on the phone and asked, "Director Fan, did you sleep well last night?"

Many things happened yesterday.

Lin Dongfan only remembered that Zhang Yinlan had invited him to visit an orphanage together; he gave Zhang Yinlan face, and at the orphanage he waved his hand generously, donating fifty million.

Later, Zhang Yinlan held a banquet to thank him.

At the banquet they exchanged cups, became drunk and dazed, and none knew how they got back to the hotel.

Could it be that something unspeakable happened?

Lin Dongfan lifted the covers and saw his underwear still on; he inwardly sighed in relief: "I didn't sleep especially well, and no one warmed my bed…"

"Haha, Director Fan, you really know how to joke."

"You called me first thing in the morning—could it be that you're just pretending to care whether I slept well? If you really cared, you'd show some actual action."

"What kind of actual action do you want?"

"Something exciting."

"Alright, I'll tell you an exciting piece of news: after study by the Municipal Party Committee, it has been decided to restart the bidding process for the Fisherman's Port New City project, and this time Zhengtong Capital has a chance."

"Okay, this news is indeed exciting."

Lin Dongfan said that with his mouth, but he still felt a little regret inside.

One must admit, the still-charming Zhang Yinlan is indeed a proper person; she seriously twists the meaning of the two words 'exciting' into a true slander—even Cao Cao would be at a loss if he saw it.

Lin Dongfan set aside his frivolous thoughts, got up, clamped the phone to his shoulder, and while pulling on his pants said, "I'll have someone prepare the bid documents shortly."

"Alright, if you need any help, give me a call."

"Mm, let's make another date another day."

Lin Dongfan didn't know whether she would understand the meaning of 'let's make another date another day'; after hanging up, he went to take a cold shower to wash away the filthy thoughts filling his mind.

Outside in the hallway.

Two on-duty guards had just changed shifts; idle persons are prohibited from entering the twelfth floor where Lin Dongfan stays, including hotel staff, who must first request permission to come up.

Guard captain Xie Xiaofeng had personally arrived in Haishan City a few days earlier.

This time he brought two hundred professional guards, incorporating them into Zhengtong Capital's security department. Henceforth, in name they are Zhengtong Capital security personnel, but in reality they remain Lin Dongfan's private bodyguards.

The main reason for incorporating them into the security department is to save Lin Dongfan personal expenses; the guards' salaries and benefits will henceforth be borne by Zhengtong Capital.

Xie Xiaofeng thus rose from guard captain to head of Zhengtong Capital's security department.

"Listen up, brothers," said Xie Xiaofeng, holding his walkie-talkie, issuing orders to the guards under him: "From today on, you must learn to conceal your identities."

He took a puff of smoke.

He then continued to instruct his brothers: "Team A, stand by at the company, ready to act. Team B, go to the old dock to set up a stall selling fish. Team C, go to Haishan Guesthouse and Dragon Palace Banquet to work as servers, trying to infiltrate. Team D, go to the streets to loiter; wherever Brother Fan goes, you must first scout the area."

A voice came over the walkie-talkie: "Brother Feng, who gets the money from selling fish?"

"Nonsense, of course it goes into our own pockets—just treat it as a benefit from Brother Fan."

Xie Xiaofeng took another puff of smoke.

He then instructed the brothers: "Listen up, brothers; now is the time to overcome difficulties. We must not only eliminate dangers in Brother Fan's schedule and protect the safety of core personnel, but also take the initiative to avenge Liu Wei! We must fully assist Brother Fan in wiping out the local evil forces in one fell swoop!"

"Understood!"

"Received!"

……

Over the walkie-talkie, the captains of Teams A, B, C, and D responded one after another.

The only one who does not need to obey Xie Xiaofeng's commands is Lao Ba. Lao Ba is Lin Dongfan's personal bodyguard and the only one on the team earning an annual salary of ten million.

Xie Xiaofeng stepped forward, glanced at the tightly closed door, and asked the guard Lao Ba stationed there: "Has Brother Fan not gotten up yet?"

Lao Ba glanced at his watch: "It's still early."

"It's almost nine, what the hell 'early'." Xie Xiaofeng curiously asked Lao Ba: "Is there a beautiful woman inside? Is it Yu Youwei or that female leader Zhang Yinlan?"

"No women." Lao Ba laughed.

Xie Xiaofeng doubted: "Impossible? Fan Ge has been in Haishan for so long, this bland and boring life—can he stand it?"

"Don't talk nonsense, Fan Ge really loves his sister-in-law." Lao Ba assumed a serious posture.

Xie Xiaofeng chuckled in reply: "I didn't say he doesn't love his sister-in-law; the sister-in-law gave him a son and a daughter—that's a great contributor to the Lin Family."

"Well, if it's not conducive to unity, definitely don't talk nonsense." Lao Ba also lit a cigarette, then told Xie Xiaofeng: "Fan Ge treats us brothers well; he's never looked down on us."

"That's right."

Talking about this, Xie Xiaofeng also felt deeply; since following Lin Dongfan, it can be said he has reached the pinnacle of life.

The key is that Fan Ge has human warmth.

A promise is worth a thousand gold!

Liu Wei sacrificed; although Liu Wu is still alive, Fan Ge still fulfilled his promise, fully funded the parents of the Liu brothers, ensuring Liu Wei's family has no worries about food and clothing.