Chapter 419

The top floor of Haishan Guest House houses the 'Viewing Sea Pavilion' private room.

Translation: "The top floor of Haishan Hotel, the 'Viewing Sea Pavilion' private room."

We need to keep quotation marks; the name is 'Viewing Sea Pavilion'.

Thus: The top floor of Haishan Hotel, the "Viewing Sea Pavilion" private room.

But we need to keep as single line.

The air is filled with the aged aroma of top-grade pu'er tea, yet it cannot mask the invisible smell of gunpowder. Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, waves crash against the shore, as if drumming for the impending showdown.

Translation: "The air was filled with the aged fragrance of top-grade pu'er tea, yet it could not suppress that intangible smell of gunpowder. Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling window, waves crashed against the shore, as if drumming for the impending showdown."

We need to keep as one line.

Seated in the place of honor, Zheng Canghai wears a plain-colored silk robe, leisurely warming a purple clay cup.

Translation: "Seated in the place of honor, Zheng Canghai wore a plain-colored silk robe, slowly warming a purple-clay cup."

Zheng Canghai is already over fifty years old.

Translation: "Zheng Canghai was already over fifty years old."

Nevertheless, he still pays great attention to his personal image; his hair is neatly combed, he is deep and reserved, and his gaze is calm as two ancient wells, unfathomably deep.

Translation: "But he still paid great attention to his personal image, his hair neatly combed, deep and restrained, his gaze calm as two ancient wells, unfathomably deep."

Beside him sits the lean and capable Cai Yang.

Translation: "Beside him sat the lean and capable Cai Yang."

Cai Yang's age is roughly the same as Zheng Canghai's; he occupies the second-in-command seat of the Hai Long Hui, forever the number two! This is the thing Cai Yang is most unwilling to accept in his life.

Translation: "Cai Yang's age was about the same as Zheng Canghai's; he held the second-in-command position in the Sea Dragon Society, a perpetual number two! This was the thing Cai Yang felt most unwilling to accept in his life."

However…

Translation: "However……"

Although Cai Yang feels unhappy inside, he always wears a faint, inscrutable smile at the corner of his mouth.

Translation: "Although Cai Yang felt displeased inside, he always wore an inscrutable smile at the corner of his mouth."

While Zheng Canghai is focused on brewing tea.

Translation: "While Zheng Canghai was concentrating on brewing tea,"

Cai Yang is lowering his head to peel pistachios; he actually doesn't like eating dried fruit, but he enjoys the process of peeling them, relishing the satisfaction of cracking the shells open with force.

Translation: "Cai Yang was lowering his head to peel pecans; he actually didn't like eating dried fruit, but he enjoyed the process of peeling it, relishing the pleasure of forcefully crushing and splitting the shells."

Soon after, the guard outside pushed open the heavy door.

Translation: "Soon after, the guard outside pushed open the heavy door."

Lin Dongfan finally arrived, with Lao Ba following behind.

Translation: "Lin Dongfan finally arrived, with Lao Ba following behind him."

This is Lin Dongfan's second visit to Haishan Guest House; the atmosphere is just as tense as before. However, this time everyone is restrained, because now everyone in the Hai Long Hui knows that Lin Dongfan is a true formidable dragon.

Translation: "This was Lin Dongfan's second visit to Haishan Hotel; the atmosphere was the same as last time, very tense. However, this time everyone remained restrained, because now everyone in the Sea Dragon Society knew that Lin Dongfan was a true mighty dragon."

"Sorry for keeping you waiting."

Translation: "\"Sorry for keeping you waiting. \""

Lin Dongfan strides straight to sit opposite Zheng Canghai without invitation, exuding the aura of a big boss!

Translation: "Lin Dongfan walked straight to the seat opposite Zheng Canghai, sat down without invitation, exuding the aura of a big shot!"

His voice is very steady, and he wears a faint indifferent smile on his face, making it impossible to discern his true emotions; overall, he exudes a powerful 'don't provoke me' presence.

Translation: "His voice was very steady, his face bore a hint of indifferent smile, making it impossible to discern his true emotions; in short, his whole body exuded a domineering aura that said 'Don't mess with me.'"

Zheng Canghai didn't even lift his eyes, seemingly already sensing this powerful aura.

Translation: "Zheng Canghai didn't even lift his eyes, seemingly already sensing this domineering aura."

He kept his head down, focused on rinsing the tea cup: "Chief Fan, please accept my condolences. Young people, acting on impulse, sometimes make mistakes."

Translation: "He kept his head lowered, attentively rinsing the tea cup: \"Chief Fan, my condolences. Young people, acting on impulse, it's inevitable to slip up sometimes. \""

"Someone has been dead for over a month, and you only now tell me to mourn? Boss Zheng, are you off beat?" Lin Dongfan's gaze was like a knife, fixed directly on Zheng Canghai.

Translation: "\"Someone's been dead for over a month, and you only now offer condolences? Boss Zheng, are you off-beat? \" Lin Dongfan's gaze was like a blade, fixed directly on Zheng Canghai."

Zheng Canghai replied flatly: "My son's leg is disabled; he's still detained in the detention center. Before, he was reckless, unaware of his limits, and his downfall was just bad luck."

Translation: "Zheng Canghai replied flatly: \"My son's leg is crippled; he's still detained in the detention center. Before, he was blind to Mount Tai, unaware of the heights and depths, and his downfall was just bad luck. \""

Having said that, Zheng Canghai placed the freshly brewed cup of tea in front of Lin Dongfan.

Translation: "Having said that, Zheng Canghai placed the freshly brewed cup of tea before Lin Dongfan."

He then lowered his posture and sighed: "What a misfortune for the family, to have produced such a wicked son. Chief Fan, you are a person destined for great deeds; don't stoop to the level of such trash."

Translation: "He then lowered his posture and sighed: \"What an unfortunate family, to have produced such a wicked son. Chief Fan, you're a person destined for great deeds; don't stoop to the level of such trash. \""

With just a casual remark of 'family misfortune,' does he think he can sweep this matter under the rug?

Translation: "With a casual remark of 'an unfortunate family,' did he think he could just brush this matter aside?"

Zheng Canghai's tactic of retreating to advance is played to perfection, old fox! I'd like to see how long you can keep up the act.

Translation: "Zheng Canghai's tactic of retreating to advance was played to perfection, old fox! I'd like to see how long you can keep up the act."

He thought to himself up to this point.

Translation: "Lin Dongfan thought to himself up to this point."

Lin Dongfan smiled and sneered: "Boss Zheng, your son is no waste; he's quite skilled at teaching his underlings to stab people, always aiming for vital spots."

Translation: "Lin Dongfan smiled and sneered: \"Boss Zheng, your son is no trash; he's quite skilled at teaching his underlings to stab people, always aiming for vital spots. \""

Cai Yang, sitting nearby, heard this, smirked inwardly, and again focused on peeling pistachios.

Translation: "Cai Yang, sitting nearby, heard it and chuckled inwardly, then resumed peeling pecans with focus."

As if none of this had anything to do with him.

Translation: "As if none of this had anything to do with him."

At this moment, Zheng Canghai finally lifted his head to meet Lin Dongfan's eyes; his ancient-well-like eyes also flickered with a hint of restrained emotion: "In the underworld, winds and rains sway, it's inevitable to have some bumps and scrapes. Chief Fan, you're a person destined for great deeds; why bother with those clueless country bumpkins down below? Dwelling on the past only adds worries and delays proper business."

"At this moment, Zheng Canghai finally lifted his head to meet Lin Dongfan's eyes; his ancient-well-like eyes also flickered with a hint of restrained emotion: 'In the underworld, winds and rains sway, it's inevitable to have some bumps and scrapes. Chief Fan, you're a person destined for great deeds; why bother with those clueless country bumpkins down below? Dwelling on the past only adds worries and delays proper business.'"

"You invited me today, isn't it just to talk about the past?" Lin Dongfan said.

Translation: "\"You invited me today, isn't it just to talk about the past? \" Lin Dongfan said."

Zheng Canghai said: "Chief Fan, you've misunderstood; I invited you today to discuss cooperation and seek a way forward." He then gestured politely, indicating Lin Dongfan should drink tea.

Translation: "Zheng Canghai said: \"Chief Fan, you've misunderstood; I invited you today to discuss cooperation and seek a way forward. \" He then gestured politely, indicating Lin Dongfan should drink tea."

Lin Dongfan has no interest in tea at all.

Translation: "Lin Dongfan had no interest in tea at all."

He continually gazed at Zheng Canghai across from him: "Tell me, how do you want to cooperate?"

Translation: "He kept gazing at Zheng Canghai opposite him: \"Tell me, how do you want to cooperate? \""

"The Fisherman's Port New City project involves too many interest groups; you can't tackle it. In Haishan, every person and matter is deeply entrenched, with tangled relationships. Chief Fan, although you have strength and daring, you are a fierce dragon crossing the river. But even a fierce dragon must follow local rules and travel by water; forcing your way easily runs aground and capsizes."

Translation: "\"The Fishery Port New City project involves too many interest groups; you can't chew through it. In Haishan, every person and matter is deeply entrenched, with tangled relationships. Chief Fan, although you have strength and daring, you're a mighty dragon crossing the river. But even a mighty dragon must follow local rules and travel by water; forcing a breakthrough easily runs aground and capsizes. \""

Zheng Canghai also kept his eyes on Lin Dongfan's facial expressions the whole time.

Translation: "Zheng Canghai also kept his eyes on Lin Dongfan's facial changes the whole time."

Seeing Lin Dongfan smile without speaking.

Translation: "Seeing Lin Dongfan smile without speaking,"

Zheng Canghai continued: "Now Yu Huacheng has forcefully decided to reopen the bidding. It's clear he wants to give you an opportunity, but I advise you not to board his ship. An outsider monk chanting sutras locally truly finds few willing to listen to his nagging."

Translation: "Zheng Canghai continued: \"Now Yu Huacheng has forcefully decided to reopen the bidding. It's clear he wants to give you an opportunity, but I advise you best not to board his ship. An outsider monk chanting sutras locally truly finds few willing to listen to his nagging. \""

"Just based on your few words you want me to withdraw? Are you overestimating yourself?" Lin Dongfan lifted the earlier cup of tea high, then slowly poured it onto the table in front of Zheng Canghai.

Translation: "\"Just with those few words you want me to withdraw? Are you overestimating yourself? \" Lin Dongfan lifted the earlier cup of tea high, and in front of Zheng Canghai slowly poured it onto the table."

The tea streamed like a line, splashing onto the tea table—just like a furious tide bursting forth!

Translation: "The tea streamed out in a line, splashing onto the coffee table, like a furious tide bursting forth!"

Zheng Canghai gritted his teeth in anger, his face instantly darkening!

Translation: "Zheng Canghai clenched his teeth in anger, his face turning dark instantly!"

After barely holding back for a moment, he forced out an embarrassed smile: "Such a huge cake, I certainly won't demand you hand it over unconditionally. Old Cai is also here today; he can serve as a witness. As long as you withdraw from the project bidding, I'm willing to give you a seat in the Sea God Foundation, and thereafter we can share any profits together."

Translation: "After barely suppressing it for a moment, he forced out an embarrassed smile: \"Such a huge cake, I certainly won't demand you hand it over unconditionally. Old Cai is also here today; Old Cai can serve as a witness. As long as you withdraw from the project bidding, I'm willing to give you a seat in the Sea God Foundation, and thereafter we'll share any profits together. \""

Upon hearing this, Lin Dongfan's heart secretly startled; he hadn't expected Zheng Canghai to be willing to sacrifice his own interests!

Translation: "Hearing this, Lin Dongfan's heart secretly startled; he hadn't expected Zheng Canghai to be willing to cut his own flesh!"

Sea God Foundation!

Translation: "Sea God Foundation!"

It is a foundation that exists relying on Mazu faith; it is not only the Hai Long Hui's huge treasury, but also a money‑laundering machine cloaked in religious garb.

Translation: "It is a foundation existing in reliance on Mazu faith; it is not only the Sea Dragon Society's huge treasury, but also a money‑laundering machine cloaked in religious garb."

It can transform countless illicit gray‑income streams into 'pious offerings' and 'charitable expenditures.'

Translation: "It can convert countless unseen gray‑area incomes into 'pious offerings' and 'charitable expenditures.'"

Lin Dongfan smiled and asked the silent Cai Yang: "Boss Cai, how much money can one share of the Sea God Foundation yield per year? Tell me the truth, let me widen my eyes."

Translation: "Lin Dongfan smiled and asked the silent Cai Yang: \"Boss Cai, how much money can one share in the Sea God Foundation yield per year? Tell me the truth, let me widen my eyes. \""

Upon hearing this, Cai Yang first lifted his head to gauge Zheng Canghai's reaction.

Translation: "Upon hearing this, Cai Yang first lifted his head to gauge Zheng Canghai's reaction."

Seeing Zheng Canghai smile without speaking, looking rather proud, Cai Yang then raised one finger toward Lin Dongfan: "You don't have to do anything; you can receive one hundred million per year, this is a conservative estimate."

Translation: "Seeing Zheng Canghai smile without speaking, looking rather proud, Cai Yang then pointed a single finger at Lin Dongfan: \"You don't need to do anything; you can receive one hundred million a year, this is a conservative estimate. \""

Holy shit!

Translation: "Holy shit!"

With just one seat yielding a hundred million in dividends per year, the Sea God Foundation's total annual gray funds must be at least several billion!

Translation: "Just one seat yields a hundred million in dividends a year; that means the Sea God Foundation's annual gray‑area funds must be at least several billion!"

The three founders of the Hai Long Hui alone already have three such seats.

Translation: "The three founders of the Sea Dragon Society alone would have three such seats."

Moreover, the local officials of Haishan who hold profit‑sharing seats are certainly not just Guo Lichun alone; differences are merely in rank and the amount each receives.

Translation: "Moreover, the local officials of Haishan who hold profit‑sharing seats are certainly not just Guo Lichun alone; everyone merely differs in rank, receiving more or less."

Dark!

Translation: "Dark!"

This Haishan city is really damn dark!

Translation: "This Haishan City is truly damn dark!"

However…

Translation: "However……"

Someone like Zheng Canghai, who never acts without profit, is willing to trade a Sea God Foundation seat for the Fisherman's Port New City project; that shows the project's benefits far exceed the value of that foundation seat—undeniable!

Translation: "Someone like Zheng Canghai, who never acts without profit, a petty schemer, is willing to trade a Sea God Foundation seat for the Fishery Port New City project; that shows the project's benefits far exceed that seat, an indisputable fact!"

Not to mention the seaside residential and commercial supporting facilities.

Translation: "Not to mention the seaside residential commercial buildings and supporting facilities."

Just the renovation and upgrade of the dock alone promises limitless prospects; upgrading the small fishing harbor into a cargo dock, the city positions it as an important waterway transport hub.

Translation: "Just the wharf renovation and upgrade alone promises limitless prospects. Upgrading the small fishery port into a cargo terminal, the city positions it as an important hub for water transportation."

What reason does the young master have to throw away the watermelon and pick up the sesame?

Moreover, Liu Wei's corpse is still warm!

Lin Dongfan angrily laughed: "A yearly dividend of only one hundred million, are you sending off beggars? The Fisher Harbor New City project, I've decided on it! Starting today, members of your Hai Long Association are all prohibited from entering the fishing village and old dock! Otherwise I cannot guarantee they won't lose arms and legs; even a lowly boss would understand my meaning?"