Chapter 42

The days in the hospital are happy, with no work, and beautiful women come to visit every day.

Translation: "The days in the hospital were happy, with no work, and every day a beautiful woman came to visit."

We need to keep it as one line.

The long‑unseen sunny beauty Su Yuhong brought two cases of Red Bull to Lin Dongfan, saying that drinking more Red Bull would make the stock market stay red and bring soaring bullish energy.

Interpretation: "The long-unseen sunny beauty Su Yuhong brought Lin Dongfan two cases of Red Bull, saying that drinking more Red Bull would make the stock market stay bullish and bring soaring bullish energy."

We must retain the meaning: a rising stock market (red showing an upward trend) and soaring bullish energy.

Thus: "The long-unseen sunny beauty Su Yuhong brought Lin Dongfan two cases of Red Bull, saying that drinking more Red Bull would keep the stock market bullish and bring soaring bullish energy."

Lin Dongfan directly gave her a dismissive white‑eye look.

Translation: "Lin Dongfan directly gave her a white-eye in return."

Better: "Lin Dongfan directly rolled his eyes at her."

We're hunting for monster stocks in the market—do we rely on superstition? No, we rely on the strength gained from living two lives! Just boldly trail behind me and scoop up the money; you don't need any nourishment.

Interpretation: colloquial. "We catch demon stocks in the stock market, relying on superstition? We rely on the strength of having lived two lives! You just boldly follow behind me and pick up money; you don't need any tonic."

Thus: "We pick demon stocks in the stock market—is it superstition? No, we rely on the strength of having lived two lives! Just boldly follow behind me and pick up money; you don't need any tonic at all."

Another unreliable person is my ex‑girlfriend, Fang Xiaoxian.

Translation: "Another unreliable person is my ex-girlfriend Fang Xiaoqian."

Fang Xiaoxian is still flighty; she actually sent over a set of hollow‑out lace lingerie and asked when I could be discharged, so she could find time to check the lace quality.

Interpretation: "Fang Xiaoqian is still flighty; she actually sent a set of hollow-out lace lingerie and asked when I could be discharged, to take time to check the lace quality."

Thus: "Fang Xiaoqian is still flighty; she actually sent a set of hollow-out lace lingerie and asked when I could be discharged, so she could take time to check the lace quality."

As for the 188,000 debt, she didn't mention it at all.

Translation: "As for that 180,800 debt, she didn't mention it at all."

The only relatively reliable person is my junior martial sister Jian Sining; even though her own injuries haven't healed properly, she goes out every morning to buy two breakfasts, rain or shine.

Interpretation: "The only relatively reliable person is my junior martial sister Jian Sining; even her own injuries haven't healed properly, yet she goes out every morning to buy two portions of breakfast, rain or shine."

Thus: "The only relatively reliable person is my junior martial sister Jian Sining; her own injuries haven't healed properly, yet she goes out every morning to buy two portions of breakfast, rain or shine."

One day.

Translation: "One day."

Jian Sining entered holding steaming hot buns and soy milk, saw Chu Lingxi and Lin Dongfan each with a straw in their mouths sharing a cup of milk, and she turned around intending to leave.

Interpretation: "Jian Sining came in holding hot buns and soy milk, seeing Chu Lingxi and Lin Dongfan each with a straw in their mouths, drinking the same cup of milk, she turned around and wanted to leave."

Thus: "Jian Sining came in holding hot buns and soy milk, seeing Chu Lingxi and Lin Dongfan each with a straw in their mouths, drinking the same cup of milk, she turned around and wanted to leave."

Lin Dongfan shouted at her: "Come back, you didn't even call sister‑in‑law—how rude!"

Interpretation: "Lin Dongfan shouted loudly: 'Come back, you don't even call sister-in-law, how rude.'"

Thus: "Lin Dongfan shouted loudly: 'Come back, you don't even call sister-in-law—how rude.'"

"Sister‑in‑law, you're here too."

Interpretation: "'Sister-in-law, you're here too.'"

Thus: "'Sister-in-law, you're here too.'"

Jian Sining's embarrassed smile was fortunate, because she encountered Chu Lingxi, who isn't fond of overthinking; had she met a naturally suspicious female protagonist, she would surely be seen as guilty.

Interpretation: "Jian Sining's embarrassed smile was fortunate to meet Chu Lingxi, who doesn't like to overthink; if she had met the suspicious female lead, she would definitely be judged as guilty conscience."

Thus: "Jian Sining's embarrassed smile was fortunate to meet Chu Lingxi, who doesn't like to overthink; if she had met the suspicious female lead, she would definitely be judged as having a guilty conscience."

The nurse sisters treat Lin Dongfan like a scumbag every day.

Interpretation: "The nurse sister treats Lin Dongfan like a scumbag every day."

Thus: "The nurse sister treats Lin Dongfan like a scumbag every day."

Lin Dongfan feels wronged; his lifelong loyalty to his wife Chu Lingxi can be attested to by heaven and earth. Occasionally, although he has chatted flirtatiously with other women, he has so far managed to uphold his principles.

Interpretation: "Lin Dongfan felt wronged; his loyalty to his wife Chu Lingxi in this life could be attested by heaven and earth. Occasionally, although he had flirtatious chats with other women, he has still managed to hold to his bottom line so far."

Thus: "Lin Dongfan felt wronged; his loyalty to his wife Chu Lingxi in this life could be attested by heaven and earth. Occasionally, although he had flirtatious chats with other women, he has still managed to hold to his bottom line so far."

After all, he works in the anti‑corruption bureau; to forge iron you need to be strong yourself.

Interpretation: "After all, he works at the Anti-Corruption Bureau; to forge iron, one must be strong oneself."

Thus: "After all, he works at the Anti-Corruption Bureau; to forge iron, one must be strong oneself."

During this period, Chu Lingxi isn't always free to run to the hospital; to present a perfect performance on the Spring Festival Gala stage, she undergoes high‑intensity dance rehearsals every day.

Interpretation: "During this time, Chu Lingxi wasn't always free to go to the hospital; to present a perfect performance on the Spring Festival Gala stage, she did high-intensity dance rehearsals every day."

Thus: "During this time, Chu Lingxi wasn't always free to go to the hospital; to present a perfect performance on the Spring Festival Gala stage, she did high-intensity dance rehearsals every day."

That morning.

Interpretation: "That morning."

Thus: "That morning."

Lin Dongfan had just finished a video call with Chu Lingxi, reminding her to be careful while rehearsing dance, since the baby in her belly had just been conceived and is prone to miscarriage.

Interpretation: "Lin Dongfan had just finished a video call with Chu Lingxi, reminding her to be careful while rehearsing dance, because the baby in her belly had just been conceived and is prone to miscarriage."

Thus: "Lin Dongfan had just finished a video call with Chu Lingxi, reminding her to be careful while rehearsing dance, because the baby in her belly had just been conceived and is prone to miscarriage."

The hospital room door was suddenly pushed open.

Interpretation: "The hospital room door was suddenly pushed open."

Thus: "The hospital room door was suddenly pushed open."

Lin Dongfan looked up and Along‑absent aura of scum washed over him.

Interpretation: "Lin Dongfan looked up and Along-unseen scumbag aura came over him."

Thus: "Lin Dongfan looked up and Along-unseen scumbag aura came over him."

The visitor was actually Li Hengbo.

Interpretation: "The person turned out to be Li Hengbo."

Thus: "The person turned out to be Li Hengbo."

Little Li didn't come empty‑handed; he brought a gift, and not just any gift—two vigorous old hens.

Interpretation: "Little Li didn't come empty-handed; he brought a gift, and not just any gift—two vigorous old mother hens."

Thus: "Little Li didn't come empty-handed; he brought a gift, and not just any gift—two vigorous old mother hens."

The old hens' feet were tied, but their wings were free.

Interpretation: "The old mother hens' feet were tied, but their wings were free."

Thus: "The old mother hens' feet were tied, but their wings were free."

He casually tossed them into a corner.

Interpretation: "He casually threw them into a corner."

Thus: "He casually threw them into a corner."

The two old hens flapped and struggled in place, scattering feathers everywhere; the strong chicken odor immediately overwhelmed the disinfectant smell in the ward.

Interpretation: "The two old mother hens flapped and struggled in place, scattering feathers everywhere. The strong chicken smell immediately overwhelmed the disinfectant smell in the ward."

Thus: "The two old mother hens flapped and struggled in place, scattering feathers everywhere. The strong chicken smell immediately overwhelmed the disinfectant smell in the ward."

Lin Dongfan looked at the struggling old hen, then at Li Hengbo, and said: "Have you switched careers to become a pimp?"

Interpretation: "Lin Dongfan looked at the struggling old mother hens, then at Li Hengbo: 'Did you switch careers to become a pimp?'"

Thus: "Lin Dongfan looked at the struggling old mother hens, then at Li Hengbo: 'Did you switch careers to become a pimp?'"

"Don't bite the hand that feeds you." Li Hengbo said: "These are truly free‑range country hens; you didn't go into shock from excessive blood loss, did you? Stewing them makes a potent tonic that replenishes blood."

Interpretation: "Don't bite the hand that feeds you, Li Hengbo said: 'These are authentic free-range country chickens from the countryside. You didn't go into shock from blood loss, did you? Stewing them makes a great tonic, replenishing blood.'"

Thus: "'Don't bite the hand that feeds you,' Li Hengbo said: 'These are authentic free-range country chickens from the countryside. You didn't go into shock from blood loss, did you? Stewing them makes a great tonic, replenishing blood.'"

"Damn, suddenly I feel overwhelmed by the favor—what kind of trick is this?"

Interpretation: "Damn, suddenly I feel overwhelmed by unexpected favor—what's going on here?"

Thus: "'Damn, suddenly I feel overwhelmed by unexpected favor—what's going on here?'"

Lin Dongfan smiled while observing the changes in Li Hengbo's expression.

Interpretation: "Lin Dongfan watched Li Hengbo's expression change with a smile."

Thus: "Lin Dongfan watched Li Hengbo's expression change with a smile."

Li Hengbo was still the same Li Hengbo; he dragged a chair to the bedside, sat down, immediately crossed his legs, then lit a cigarette, as if nothing could restrict his freedom.

Interpretation: "Li Hengbo was still the same Li Hengbo; he dragged a chair to the bedside, sat down, immediately crossed his legs, then lit a cigarette, as if nothing could bind his freedom."

Thus: "Li Hengbo was still the same Li Hengbo; he dragged a chair to the bedside, sat down, immediately crossed his legs, then lit a cigarette, as if nothing could bind his freedom."

A nurse passing by the door heard the chickens' cries and turned her head to look.

Interpretation: "The nurse sister passing by the door heard the chicken cries and turned her head over."

Thus: "The nurse sister passing by the door heard the chicken cries and turned her head over."

She also noticed Li Hengbo smoking in the ward.

Interpretation: "She also discovered Li Hengbo smoking in the ward."

Thus: "She also discovered Li Hengbo smoking in the ward."

The nurse on the spot shouted: "Who let you bring live chickens in here?! Besides, you know smoking isn't allowed in the ward."

Interpretation: "The nurse sister angrily shouted: 'Who let you bring live chickens in here?! Also, you can't smoke in the ward, don't you know?'"

Thus: "The nurse sister angrily shouted: 'Who let you bring live chickens in here?! Also, you can't smoke in the ward, don't you know?'"

"Don't meddle, get lost!"

Interpretation: "Don't meddle, get lost!"

Thus: "'Don't meddle, get lost!'"

Li Hengbo coldly replied with a sentence, then took another puff of his cigarette.

Interpretation: "Li Hengbo coldly replied, then took another puff of smoke."

Thus: "Li Hengbo coldly replied, then took another puff of smoke."

His voice wasn't loud.

Interpretation: "The voice was not loud."

Thus: "The voice was not loud."

Yet it left the nurse too intimidated to retort; she turned and walked away, not because she didn't want to talk back, but because she sensed an intimidating official aura.

Interpretation: "Yet it shocked the nurse sister into daring anger but not speaking; she turned and left, not because she didn't want to retort, but because she sensed an imposing official aura she couldn't afford to provoke."

Thus: "Yet it shocked the nurse sister into daring anger but not speaking; she turned and left, not because she didn't want to retort, but because she sensed an imposing official aura she couldn't afford to provoke."

Lin Dongfan laughed and scolded: "Bullying a little nurse—what kind of skill is that? If your Li family ancestors knew you were this useless, they'd probably die restless."

Interpretation: "Lin Dongfan laughed and scolded: 'Bullying a little nurse—what kind of skill is that? If your Li family ancestors knew you were this useless, they'd probably die unsatisfied.'"

Thus: "Lin Dongfan laughed and scolded: 'Bullying a little nurse—what kind of skill is that? If your Li family ancestors knew you were this useless, they'd probably die unsatisfied.'"

"I'm not interested in trading insults with you today."

Interpretation: "I'm not interested in arguing with you today."

Thus: "'I'm not interested in arguing with you today.'"

Li Hengbo took two consecutive drags on his cigarette.

Interpretation: "Li Hengbo took two consecutive puffs of smoke."

Thus: "Li Hengbo took two consecutive puffs of smoke."

His gaze remained fixed on Lin Dongfan: "I came here today for two things—first, to see if you're dead; heaven really is blind..."

Interpretation: "His gaze continually fixed on Lin Dongfan: 'I came here today for two things: first, to see if you're dead—heaven really is blind…'"

Thus: "His gaze continually fixed on Lin Dongfan: 'I came here today for two things: first, to see if you're dead—heaven really is blind…'"

He chuckled briefly.

Interpretation: "He chuckled briefly."

Thus: "He chuckled briefly."

Li Hengbo then continued: "The second thing is that I want to make a deal with you."

Interpretation: "Li Hengbo then continued: 'The second thing is, I want to make a deal with you.'"

Thus: "Li Hengbo then continued: 'The second thing is, I want to make a deal with you.'"

"What kind of deal?" Lin Dongfan asked in surprise.

Interpretation: "'What deal?' Lin Dongfan asked in surprise."

Thus: "'What deal?' Lin Dongfan asked in surprise."

Li Hengbo said: "That Yang Tao from Qingzhu Village went missing while petitioning; I know where he is. I'll take you to find him, and you help me with something."

Interpretation: "Li Hengbo said: 'Yang Tao from Qingzhu Village went missing during a petition; I know where he is. I'll take you to find him, and you help me do something.'"

Thus: "Li Hengbo said: 'Yang Tao from Qingzhu Village went missing during a petition; I know where he is. I'll take you to find him, and you help me do something.'"

"What is it? Tell me." Lin Dongfan asked with a smile.

Interpretation: "'What is it? Tell me.' Lin Dongfan asked with a smile."

Thus: "'What is it? Tell me.' Lin Dongfan asked with a smile."

Li Hengbo immediately proposed his condition:

Interpretation: "Li Hengbo immediately proposed the condition:"

Thus: "Li Hengbo immediately proposed the condition:"

"Say hello to your father‑in‑law and get me transferred back to the Political and Legal Affairs Committee. As long as I return to work there, we'll all be on the same side. I can share all the information I know with you."

Interpretation: "'Say hello to your father-in-law and get me transferred back to the Political and Legal Affairs Commission. As long as I return to work there, we'll all be on the same side. All the information I know can be shared with you.'"

Thus: "'Say hello to your father-in-law and get me transferred back to the Political and Legal Affairs Commission. As long as I return to work there, we'll all be on the same side. All the information I know can be shared with you.'"

"Is this considered begging me?"

Interpretation: "'Is this counted as begging me?'"

Thus: "'Is this counted as begging me?'"

A casual counter‑question left Li Hengbo feeling vexed and speechless.

Interpretation: "A casual counterquestion left Li Hengbo feeling depressed and speechless."

Thus: "A casual counterquestion left Li Hengbo feeling depressed and speechless."

At this point Lin Dongfan also wiped the smile off his face.

Interpretation: "At this point Lin Dongfan also put away his smile."

Thus: "At this point Lin Dongfan also put away his smile."

When it comes to old grudges, one must adopt a solemn demeanor; otherwise it would be a disservice to the past‑life shame of being cuckolded and the calamity of imprisonment.

Interpretation: "Regarding past grudges, one must put on a solemn expression, otherwise it would be disrespectful to the past life's cuckold shame and imprisonment disaster."

Thus: "Regarding past grudges, one must put on a solemn expression, otherwise it would be disrespectful to the past life's cuckold shame and imprisonment disaster."

Lin Dongfan asked, puzzled: "Why not settle with a good enemy instead of playing at turning swords into jade and silk? How vulgar! You've had nine years of compulsory education—don't you understand what clear gratitude and resentment mean?"

Interpretation: "Lin Dongfan wondered: 'Not taking revenge on a good enemy, wanting to turn weapons into jade and silk? How vulgar! You've had nine years of compulsory education—don't you know what clear gratitude and grudges mean?'"

Thus: "Lin Dongfan wondered: 'Not taking revenge on a good enemy, wanting to turn weapons into jade and silk? How vulgar! You've had nine years of compulsory education—don't you know what clear gratitude and grudges mean?'"

"According to your logic, one of us has to fall."

Interpretation: "'According to your meaning, one of us must fall?'"

Thus: "'According to your meaning, one of us must fall?'"

As they spoke, a hint of cold severity appeared in Li Hengbo's eyes.

Interpretation: "As he spoke, Li Hengbo's eyes gained a hint of cold ruthlessness."

Thus: "As he spoke, Li Hengbo's eyes gained a hint of cold ruthlessness."

Lin Dongfan furrowed his brow slightly: "Death by a thousand cuts—who said that? You yourself told me that, boss! You've already forgotten? Based on what I know of you, if I helped you today, tomorrow you'd have me skinned, hung on a hook, and sliced thousands of times—who would I cry to then?"

Interpretation: "Lin Dongfan furrowed his brow slightly: 'Death by a thousand cuts—who said that? That was you yourself telling me, boss! You forgot so quickly? Given my understanding of you, if I helped you today, tomorrow you'd skin me clean, hang me on a hook, and cut me a thousand times—then who would I cry to?'"

Thus: "Lin Dongfan furrowed his brow slightly: 'Death by a thousand cuts—who said that? That was you yourself telling me, boss! You forgot so quickly? Given my understanding of you, if I helped you today, tomorrow you'd skin me clean, hang me on a hook, and cut me a thousand times—then who would I cry to?'"

"I'm sincerely seeking reconciliation with you right now!"

Interpretation: "'I now sincerely want to negotiate with you!'"

Thus: "'I now sincerely want to negotiate with you!'"

"Don't be so sincere; I still prefer your badass, swaggering ordinary‑guy style. Moreover, don't think I'm beneath you—I'm not worthy of you lowering yourself to compromise with me, truly not worthy."

Interpretation: "'Don't be sincere; I still prefer your badass, cocky loser self. Also, don't put me in your eyes—I'm not worthy of letting you compromise in a lowly way, truly not worthy.'"

Thus: "'Don't be sincere; I still prefer your badass, cocky loser self. Also, don't put me in your eyes—I'm not worthy of letting you compromise in a lowly way, truly not worthy.'"

Look at your fucking appearance, you're just a petty bastard who's gotten what they wanted!

"Heh, I casually threw a couple of barbs at you, and you immediately revealed your true colors—wishing you could dig up my ancestors eighteen generations and whip their corpses—Is this what you call sincere devotion?"

"You mean there's nothing to talk about?"

"Nothing to talk about."

"Fine, then we'll see!"

"After all the trouble to come here, I'll give you a free truth: wanting to return to the Political and Legal Affairs Commission office as a secretary, you probably won't get this chance in this lifetime—I'm telling you."

"I'll also give you a line: Since I can kneel on the ground to be someone's bootlicker, I can also step on your head to shit and piss!"

"Come, let me see you piss one right here."

"Lin Dongfan lay flat on the hospital bed, chuckling as he pointed at his own head."

"Pah!"

"Li Hengbo spat a mouthful of saliva onto the ground."

"He got up and walked away."

"That angry aura permeated the whole room."

"Lin Dongfan laughed and shouted: 'Won't you piss one before you go?'"

"Damn!"

"The toothless guy engaged in a verbal battle at the Red Chamber, his main theme being shamelessness."

"Li Hengbo turned and jumped onto the chair, quickly undoing his G-string belt while standing on it, and on the spot produced a gush of severe, fiery yellow urine."

"Fortunately, this guy's kidney function isn't great, so his explosive power is limited."

"Lin Dongfan hastily lifted the blanket to block the attack."

"Although he blocked the yellow urine attack, he was still nauseated by the urine stench, really wanting to get up and fight, but unfortunately his body was wrapped in white bandages, making it inconvenient to throw punches or kicks."

"Damn it, are you satisfied?!"

"Li Hengbo stuffed the weapon back into his pants pocket, jumped off the chair and left, but after only a few steps out the door he suddenly turned back, picking up the two old hens he had brought earlier."

"Scum!"

"His standards are so low they're practically on par with the eighteenth level of hell."

"Lin Dongfan sent him off with admiration, laughing: 'All the best on your journey, I won't see you off! Don't forget to go downstairs to the pharmacy and buy a box of Golden Cabinet Kidney Qi Pills to boost your explosive power…'"