Chapter 43

The days spent lying in the hospital playing stocks went by quickly; by New Year's Day, Lin Dongfan's injuries had mostly healed, enough to jump around and flirt.

To Lin Dongfan, the world outside the hospital is a battlefield.

Xiao Yunce, who holds power, wants to kill him; Li Hengbo, eager to rise again, also wants to kill him; even He Yanqing, who is on the same task force, wants to press him down to the floor.

Being able to feel the bittersweet happiness of standing out yet destined to be blown down is not a wasted life.

The daily life of anti-corruption workers is this thrilling: either you kill me or I kill you. Lin Dongfan doesn't want to become a tragic symbol, so he decides to launch a heavy-handed crackdown.

The first workday after New Year's Day.

Lin Dongfan, 9·28 Project Team.

Yang Qing of the Changming District Public Security Bureau was also invited to attend this meeting.

Yang Qing, Changming Bureau? The team leader of the superior Manhunt Team.

none.

Leng Chuan, Yang Quan.

"As of now, we only know that the hit-and-run driver is a male, around thirty years old, about 1.7 meters tall, and vanished after the accident." Yang Qing said.

Lin Dongfan asked: "What does 'vanished into thin air' mean?"

"You don't understand? It's like someone farts, you try to grab it, but when you swing your hand to catch it, you grab nothing but emptiness." Yang Qing's vulgar, commoner aura remains as impressive as ever.

Lin Dongfan.

He Yanqing again threw out a veiled, needle-in-cotton style reflective remark:

"Now the hit-and-run driver is at large, the truth of the car accident has become a mystery. Dai Fengnian is also unconscious, all leads have been cut off. Why did these regrets happen? We really should reflect on this matter. Is it because, when carrying out missions before, our comrades lacked meticulous planning?"

As soon as he said that, the atmosphere on site became much more subtle.

Everyone present glanced at the investigation team captain Lin Dongfan all at once—what does 'lacking meticulous planning in past missions' mean? The pointedness of this remark cannot be denied.

Using the banner of reflection, he bombarded Lin Dongfan for mishandling affairs—this is something He Yanqing excels at.

If Lin Dongfan hadn't been singled out for praise by the Provincial Party Committee's No. 1, He Yanqing's way of speaking today would probably not be so restrained; he would have directly named Lin Dongfan as before.

Lin Dongfan swallowed his anger and forced a smile: "Section Chief He, according to your planning mindset, what do you think we should do next?"

This issue requires everyone to discuss it together and communicate fully.

He Yanqing, as usual, is reluctant to make a decision on matters he isn't sure about.

First, he fears making mistakes, which would easily give others a handle to attack him.

Second, his position isn't suitable; as long as Leng Chuan is seated here, it's not his turn as deputy team leader to make decisions. Leng Chuan may not talk much, but he is strong-willed; infringing on his authority brings no good outcome.

But when it comes to trash talk, He Yanqing has no reservations.

He Yanqing tapped the table with his knuckles: "In our past work, the reason so many problems have arisen is precisely because our project team lacks sufficient internal communication."

Lin Dongfan.

He Yanqing, Dai Fengnian, Changming Bureau.

Jian Sining raised her hand: "I'd like to say a couple of things..."

Jian Sining.

Leng Chuan sat steadily in the head chair, calmly controlling the meeting's pace.

Jian Sining turned her gaze to He Yanqing: "The allegation that Dai Fengnian kept a mistress is unfounded. Our action team adjusted the arrest plan emergently during execution—isn't that acceptable?"

This isn't a question of whether we can or cannot adjust the arrest plan emergently.

Such a harmless query from Jian Sining, He Yanqing didn't even bother to consider.

He Yanqing, I and the Leng Bureau.

none.

Lin Dongfan flared up upon hearing this: "Damn it, this high-handed tactic is really practiced! I almost lost my life in this operation—is this your parting gift for my hospital discharge?"

Lin Dongfan.

Leng Chuan.

Lin Dongfan was speechless for a moment: "Damn it, I don't want to say anything right now; I just want to go out for a smoke. What the hell does Old Chief Leng mean? Does he want to watch our team captain beat up the trash-talking expert?"

none.

The smell of gunpowder on site really isn't strong enough.

Lin Dongfan gave a cold smile: "No matter what we do, it's wrong; I just want to ask Section Chief He, do you think I, Lin Dongfan, am unqualified to be the investigation team captain?"

"I never said that, don't be so sensitive." He Yanqing gave a smirk that didn't reach his eyes: "Having said that, if you could strengthen your organizational discipline, I believe your work performance would be even better than before."

Lin Dongfan, He Yanqing.

As they spoke, the smile on Lin Dongfan's face faded completely.

Lin Dongfan.

"If that's the case, let's settle it with a showdown. Form two investigation teams—I'll lead one, and Section Chief He, you personally lead the other. If I lose, I'll voluntarily resign so as not to hold everyone back."

Leng Chuan, Lin Dongfan, He Yanqing.

Lin Dongfan bluntly said: "Let's see whether you're a mule or a horse—bring you out and test you. Section Chief He, you are an advanced worker of the Anti-Corruption Bureau with over a decade of anti-corruption experience. Dare you take on this challenge?"

none.

This is undoubtedly the angriest moment of He Yanqing's life.

He Yanqing.

Rather, he was dissatisfied with Lin Dongfan's provocation; he never expected that this brat Lin Dongfan would publicly issue a challenge, openly scorning him as deputy team leader.

What made him even angrier was that Leng Chuan also adopted a cold, detached stance, refusing to intervene.

none.

I, He Yanqing, have worked in the Anti-Corruption Bureau for over a decade, solving countless tough cases—could the title of advanced worker possibly be just a decoration?

Moreover, back when corruption in Nantou's real estate sector was rampant, I had once been in charge of undercover investigations.

I not only have some understanding of the Nanzhou officialdom, but I also know Dai Fengnian's affairs inside out! Even if Dai Fengnian is unconscious, I can still follow his social network to trace the leads.

You ignorant thing, you caught two corrupt officials by sheer luck and now you don't even know your own surname!

How dare you challenge me, He Yanqing!

Alright!

Since you want to die, I'll grant you that!

He Yanqing smiled angrily, staring directly at Lin Dongfan sitting opposite: 'Since you want to play, I'll accompany you once. The Project Team has nine people in total, besides Bureau Chief Leng and you and me, there are six others. Don't say I, He Yanqing, bully the small with the big; I'll give you a chance to pick elites, letting you choose three first.'

'Jian Sining, Tang Xia, Zhang Xiaoguang — these three are originally with me.' Lin Dongfan said: 'They may not be elites in your eyes, but they are my brothers.'

'Brothers? Heh, hope you won't regret it.' Saying that, He Yanqing shifted his gaze to Leng Chuan: 'Bureau Chief Leng, you be the witness.'

'Dongfan just said, if you lose you'll voluntarily resign — that's too serious.' Leng Chuan advised with a smile: 'Old He, don't bother with the youngsters; we're all just trying to get the work done.'

He Yanqing thought Leng Chuan was interceding for Lin Dongfan, and a nameless anger surged to his head.

He thought:

Leng Chuan, Leng Chuan, now you can't even be bothered to pretend, it's obvious you're shielding your own!

Just now when he provoked me, you didn't make a peep!

Now you're pulling strings, and you're here pleading for him?

Since the day the Project Team was established, the two of you have been in cahoots.

This Lin Dongfan brat doesn't know the rules; I wanted to make an example of him just to establish authority, but you keep intervening to protect him!

This makes my position as Deputy Team Leader in name only!

It's you who didn't give me face first, so don't blame me for leaving no survivors! The challenge letter was his idea, the stake was his own wager, and now wanting to regret it is too late!

'Bureau Chief Leng, if I lose I'll also voluntarily resign — this is fair.' He Yanqing then gave Lin Dongfan a light smile: 'What do you say?'

'Indeed quite fair, brothers, let's go!'

Since the bet was set, Lin Dongfan didn't want to say more, waved his hand, and on the spot led Jian Sining, Tang Xia, and Zhang Xiaoguang to rise and leave their seats.

He Yanqing sat calmly in his original spot, disdainful of fighting over every second.

Confidence was written all over his face.

In this bet, He Yanqing didn't even consider Lin Dongfan an opponent, merely seeing him as an overconfident joke.

After Lin Dongfan and the others left.

He Yanqing then smiled at Leng Chuan and said: 'Bureau Chief Leng, don't blame me for not giving you face just now; when it's going to rain, when a mother is to remarry, when an ignorant child seeks death — no one can stop it.'

'Indeed no one can stop it.' Leng Chuan rose with a smile: 'Then you'd better fend for yourself; given my understanding of Lin Dongfan, he never fights a battle he's not sure of.'

'Is that so.'

He Yanqing wore a three-part smile, but his heart was chilled to the bone.

He suddenly realized that, in Leng Chuan's eyes, he seemed merely an ignorant clown.

In your eyes, Leng Chuan, am I, He Yanqing, really so inadequate?

I, He Yanqing, reached the Division Level position through sheer ability — in your eyes, am I not even as good as a raw recruit?

This is utterly absurd!

When Lin Dongfan suffers a crushing defeat, I hope you can remain as relaxed and cheerful as you are now!