Chapter 444: The Dragon King's Deal at the Mazu Temple

Lin Dongfan rushed to the hospital to visit Chen Shaokang.

The doctor gave a conservative conclusion: "His life is saved, but his head suffered a heavy blow; we cannot rule out the possibility of leaving post-concussion sequelae, and the specific situation needs further observation."

"Thank you, doctor, for your hard work."

Regarding post-concussion sequelae, Lin Dongfan first thought of headaches, memory decline, even amnesia, etc.

He secretly broke out in a cold sweat for Chen Shaokang's future life.

Chen Shaokang's head was wrapped in thick gauze.

His left eye injured the iris, tightly bandaged; his right eye was not bandaged but swollen purple, and the split corner of his mouth had dried dark-red scab…

In short, his appearance was completely changed.

Lin Dongfan sat by the bedside with a heavy heart, gripping Chen Shaokang's hand tightly: "Brother, don't be discouraged, this is a good thing. The doctor said they just found a cerebral thrombosis in your head and removed it incidentally. You turned misfortune into blessing; if you hadn't taken this beating, you wouldn't have known you had a cerebral thrombosis."

As soon as he finished speaking, Lao Ba and Xiao Yu standing beside him were already sweating black lines.

What kind of top-notch consolation method is this?

Nonsense just spouts out as soon as he opens his mouth!

What left Lao Ba and Xiao Yu speechless was that Fan Ye's nonsensical consolation actually seemed to work; they saw Chen Shaokang lying in bed slightly open his swollen right eye.

He also uttered an incredulous sound: "Brain... thrombosis? Did they prescribe me something? Did they perform major surgery on my head? Completely cleared the clot?"

Although his appearance looked miserable.

But it's easy to see his emotions are still in place; obviously he was startled by this "surprise" and longs for Lin Dongfan to give an affirmative reply.

Lin Dongfan firmly held Chen Shaokang's hand.

He solemnly patted the back of Chen Shaokang's hand, eyes open, speaking nonsense: "It's all cleared; the doctor said there will be no aftereffects, and the key is you don't need to worry about medical expenses—I'll cover them all."

"Thank you, Brother Fan."

Look at Fan Ye's skill—just a few words, he played Chen Shaokang into feeling wounded yet glorious! Like picking up a treasure, his eyes are so swollen they can't open, yet the corner of his mouth can still curl a hint of a happy smile.

Lin Dongfan added: "From now on you don't need to worry about anything; just lie here and recuperate well. After you're discharged, I'll give you an even bigger surprise."

"Hmm."

Chen Shaokang was already so excited he didn't know how to thank.

He even felt a bit ashamed inside; Brother Fan had sent him to Aunt Huang's house to look for evidence, but he didn't get any and ended up beaten into the hospital—this is literally the script of "A Worthless Life."

Just in this silence.

Lin Dongfan's phone rang, caller ID showing—Han Zhang.

"Boss Fan."

On the other end of the phone, faint wave sounds could be heard—by the sea?

Han Zhang's voice was also kept low: "Cai Yang wants to talk with you; the meeting place is set at the Mazu Temple—can you come over?"

"Mazu Temple?"

Lin Dongfan's eyebrows twitched slightly; Cai Yang indeed would pick a place.

As Lin Dongfan, director of the provincial anti-corruption bureau, a public official, it's inappropriate to have folk beliefs. Right now, to conceal the businessman identity of "Fan Donglin," he seems to have no choice but to follow local customs.

"What time?"

"At sunset, few people, tranquil."

"Okay."

Today Han Zhang's words are so few, sparing as gold; surely his undercover work must have made a breakthrough, and he is the one pushing behind the scenes for this "meeting."

The setting sun melted gold, shining on the Mazu Temple's vermilion courtyard walls and overlapping glazed tiles.

It looks rich with historical weight.

The sea breeze swept through the hall, carrying saltiness and rich sandalwood; the temple's incense burner sent up curling blue smoke, twining around the faded painted beams and rafters.

The solemn statue looks down upon all beings; between its kind eyes and benevolent gaze shines an ancient dignity.

Lin Dongfan, in casual attire, entered the main hall like an ordinary worshipper. Cai Yang, who arrived a step earlier, was already standing before the Mazu statue, eyes closed, palms together, praying devoutly.

Seeing the situation, Lin Dongfan couldn't help but smile.

Cai Yang's devotion is ninety-nine percent a plea for Mazu's manifestation to help him overturn Zheng Canghai and seize the Dragon King's throne—this is all he has left in this life.

For the sake of the plot, Lin Dongfan also took three sticks of incense.

Standing before the Mazu statue, he silently prayed: "Mazu above, if you truly have spirit, bless me to sweep Haishan! Corrupt officials and black‑evil tyrants—catch them all in one net!"

After praying, he inserted the incense into the burner.

At this moment Cai Yang also finished praying, turned his head to glance at Lin Dongfan beside him, and his devout expression instantly fell away, replaced by his everyday smile.

"Boss Fan, your wish isn't small, is it?"

"Whether it's small or not depends on who you compare it with; if compared to your boss Cai's wish, then mine is merely a trivial little wish."

Lin Dongfan returned the salute with a light smile, his words carrying a double meaning.

Their gazes met and then withdrew.

Tacit understanding!

Cai Yang waved ahead to lead the way, guiding Lin Dongfan to the secluded corridor behind the temple. Stone tables and stools face a stretch of sea gradually sinking into dusk.

Wave after wave crashed, magnificent and vast!

"Haishan this place..." Cai Yang sat down, took out a cigarette box, lit one for himself, and spoke with deep meaning: "The water is deep, the waves are fierce."

"Only deep water can raise big fish." Lin Dongfan turned his gaze to the darkening sea: "Only fierce waves can smash the obstructive reefs."

Cai Yang took a deep drag, slowly exhaled a smoke ring: "Boss Fan is a perceptive person. At sea, position is precious. The old Dragon King has occupied it too long; a new dragon finds it hard to rise."

When he uttered the three words "old Dragon King," Cai Yang's tone grew especially heavy.

"Old Dragon King?" Lin Dongfan feigned confusion, smiling and teasing: "Isn't it supposed to be earned by ability? Could the Dragon King's position still be hereditary?"

"Hehe..."

Cai Yang gave two dry laughs.

He repeatedly sighed and complained: "Skills? Some old things' skill is just living long enough! Sitting on a gold mine without laying eggs, blocking everyone's path to wealth."

Speaking, Cai Yang turned his head to stare at Lin Dongfan's side profile.

His voice also lowered a bit: "Chief Fan, you say…… if a huge wave suddenly rises at sea and sweeps away that old Dragon King…… would afterwards be calm seas and clear rivers, to everyone's delight?"

Wind and waves?

Lin Dongfan sneered inwardly, this "wind and waves" clearly intends to borrow my hand to stir up.

"Wind and waves too big, easy to capsize the ship." Lin Dongfan stood unmoving like a mountain, calmly replied: "Moreover, who knows if the next Dragon King won't be even more ferocious if we sweep away this old one?"

"Even more ferocious? Not likely."

Cai Yang always maintained the smile of a smiling tiger.

He took a slow puff of smoke, then continued: "As long as it's not that old turtle Zheng Canghai, whoever sits in that position must follow the rules! At least……"

"At least what?"

Lin Dongfan quickly followed up, intending to cut off Cai Yang's thinking time, wanting to hear his true thoughts.

Cai Yang said: "At least I have more vision than Zheng Canghai; someone like you, Chief Fan, a financially powerful realist, if you settle in Haishan, I will wholeheartedly welcome you, without dreaming of suppressing you."

"A show of goodwill?" Lin Dongfan smiled without a word.

Cai Yang leaned forward, getting closer to Lin Dongfan and continued: "Chief Fan, you put in so much effort to get that Fishing Port New City project, and also gave the little fisher girls and little fisher women ocean-going giant ships—what are you aiming for? Nothing more than smooth sailing and rolling wealth! As long as you let your subordinate Lao Ba endure a hard trip, this matter is settled."