Chapter 481

Officials have the keenest sense of smell; they can instantly sniff out where opportunities lie, where pitfalls await, and where easy gains are to be had.

Translation: "Officials have the keenest sense of smell; they can sniff out opportunities, pitfalls, and easy gains with unerring accuracy."

Make sure it's one line.

Everything unfolded exactly as Lin Dongfan had anticipated.

Translation: "Everything unfolded exactly as Lin Dongfan had anticipated."

Guo Lichun's arrest hit like a super typhoon sweeping the city, shocking the entire bureaucracy within just two hours.

Translation: "The arrest of Guo Lichun was like a city‑wide super typhoon, shocking the entire officialdom within two hours."

Starting around eleven at night, people began fleeing in panic, one after another.

Translation: "Starting around eleven at night, people began fleeing in panic, one after another."

Some were so frightened they didn't dare go home, instead making a U‑turn onto the highway; others scrambled with their wives and children to the airport, hoping to get out of the country smoothly.

Translation: "Some were so frightened they didn't dare go home, turning onto the highway right away; others hurriedly grabbed their wives and children and rushed to the airport, hoping to leave the country smoothly."

Without exception, they were all stopped dead in their tracks.

Translation: "Without exception, they were all blocked dead in their tracks."

Those desperate to escape never imagined that the ones arresting them would be the frontline traffic police of Haishan City.

Translation: "Those desperate to escape never imagined that the ones arresting them would be the frontline traffic police of Haishan Shi."

Each officer held a list.

Translation: "Each officer held a list."

One grab, one catch — every time.

Translation: "One grab, one catch."

But one corrupt official reacted in an unexpected way: Han Zhang, the director of the Ocean and Fisheries Bureau — a man weighing over two hundred pounds, fond of gambling and womanizing.

Translation: "But one corrupt official's reaction was unexpected: this person was Han Zhang, bureau chief of the Ocean and Fisheries Bureau, a man weighing over two hundred pounds who loved gambling and prostitution."

He did not flee.

Translation: "He did not flee."

The next morning, shortly after nine, Lin Dongfan entered his office with the anti‑corruption team, and Han Zhang enthusiastically rose to pour tea and greet him: "Director Lin, when I first saw you at the Haishan Hotel, I knew you were no ordinary person. Indeed, you hide your talents well — at such a young age you already hold a key post."

Translation: "The next morning, shortly after nine, when Lin Dongfan entered his office with the anti‑corruption team, he enthusiastically rose to pour tea and greet Lin Dongfan: "Director Lin, when I first saw you at the Haishan Hotel, I knew you were extraordinary. Indeed, you're a person of hidden talent—so young yet already holding a key post.""

When it comes to flattery, Director Han never holds back.

Translation: "When it comes to flattery, Director Han never holds back."

Lin Dongfan found it pleasing, but pleasantries aside, procedure had to be followed. He didn't accept the offered tea; instead, he slapped the handcuffs onto Han Zhang's wrist.

Translation: "Lin Dongfan felt quite pleased, but pleasantries aside, procedure had to be followed. He didn't accept the offered tea; instead, he slapped the handcuffs onto Han Zhang's wrist."

Startled, Han Zhang's hand shook, spilling the scalding tea.

Translation: "Startled, Han Zhang's hand shook, spilling the scalding tea."

It splashed onto the back of his hand.

Translation: "It splashed onto the back of his hand."

It left a large red burn.

Translation: "It burned a large area red."

Still, Han Zhang showed considerable endurance — at least he didn't throw the cup away from the pain; he merely looked a bit bewildered.

Translation: "Still, Han Zhang's tolerance was decent; at least he didn't throw the teacup away from the pain, merely looking a bit bewildered."

He stared at Lin Dongfan, dumbfounded: "Director Lin, you haven't made a mistake, have you? You're arresting me too?"

Translation: "He stared at Lin Dongfan like a clueless fool: "Director Lin, you haven't made a mistake, have you? You're arresting me too?""

"No mistake."

Translation: "\"No mistake. \""

With a faint smile, Lin Dongfan calmly secured the handcuffs, then took the tea cup from Han Zhang's hand and set it back on the table.

Translation: "With a faint smile, Lin Dongfan calmly locked the handcuffs, then took the tea cup from Han Zhang's hand and set it back on the tea table."

Han Zhang remained bewildered, voicing his frustration: "Why?!"

Translation: "Han Zhang still wore a bewildered expression, uttering a frustrated lament: "Why?!""

"Obviously because you're corrupt and have taken bribes."

Translation: "\"Of course, because you're corrupt and take bribes. \""

Whenever Lin Dongfan saw the portly Han, he felt an urge to laugh, but today he restrained himself, keeping a solemn expression.

Translation: "Whenever Lin Dongfan saw the plump Han, he felt an urge to laugh, but today he held it in, keeping a solemn expression."

Lin Dongfan lightly patted his shoulder: "Stay calm, don't panic."

Translation: "Lin Dongfan lightly patted his shoulder: "Stay calm, don't panic.""

"No, boss, this isn't right…" Han Zhang protested urgently: "You told me to get close to the three leaders of the Hai Long Society and dig up dirt on the Hai Shen Foundation for you — I didn't refuse, did I? All along I've been supporting your anti‑corruption crackdown with concrete actions; I don't ask for praise, so why are you now cuffing me?"

Translation: "\"No, big boss, this isn't right……" Han Zhang urged: "You originally told me to get close to the three leaders of the Sea Dragon Society and dig up dirt on the Sea God Foundation for you—I didn't refuse, did I? All along I've been supporting the anti‑corruption crackdown with concrete actions; I don't ask for praise, so why are you slapping cuffs on me now?""

"I told you to dig up dirt on the Hai Shen Foundation — what did you actually find?"

Translation: "\"I told you to dig up dirt on the Sea God Foundation—what did you actually find? \""

"Well…"

Translation: "\"Well……\""

"Nothing to say?"

Translation: "\"Nothing to say? \""

"I really did my best — take Cai Yang, for example. If I hadn't mediated between you two, he wouldn't have agreed to meet you at the Mazu Temple, nor would he have handed over the dividend list."

Translation: "\"I really did my best—for instance, with Cai Yang: if I hadn't mediated, he would never have agreed to meet you at the Mazu Temple, nor would he have handed over the dividend list. \""

"You still have the nerve to bring that up."

Translation: "\"You still have the nerve to bring this up. \""

"I've earned merit — why shouldn't I mention it?"

Translation: "\"I've made contributions—why shouldn't I mention them? \""

"After Cai Yang met with me, he was precisely shot by Zheng San Shui that very night. How could Zheng have known about their meeting? Only you were present at the time."

Translation: "\"After Cai Yang met with me, he was precisely sniped that very night by Zheng Sanshui. How did Zheng Sanshui know about their meeting? Only you were present at the time. \""

"Are you suggesting I'm two‑faced, betraying you and Cai Yang behind your back? That cuts deep." Han Zhang's face darkened: "Director Lin, I, Han Zhang, am not that sort of person; my conscience is clear as heaven and earth."

Translation: "\"Are you suspecting me of saying one thing to your face and another behind your back, betraying you and Cai Yang? That cuts deep." Han Zhang's face darkened: "Director Lin, I, Han Zhang, am not that sort of person; my sincere heart can be attested to by heaven and earth.""

When the topic of conscience came up, Lin Dongfan couldn't help but chuckle.

Translation: "When the topic of conscience came up, Lin Dongfan finally couldn't help but chuckle."

He bluntly retorted: "You're nothing but a gambler and a womanizer, neglecting your real work. Even your wife couldn't stand you and divorced you — how can you claim to have a conscience?"

Translation: "He retorted bluntly: "You're nothing but a gambler or a whoremonger, never doing honest work. Even your wife couldn't stand you and divorced you. How can you claim to have a conscience?""

"That's just people's misunderstanding of me; I'm actually an upright person."

Translation: "\"That's just the world's misunderstanding of me; I'm actually an upright person. \""

Seeing Lin Dongfan's contemptuous expression.

Translation: "Seeing Lin Dongfan's look of contempt."

Han Zhang hastily added evidence: "I truly am an upstanding person doing honest work. Recall the day the Yazi Niang No. 1 first docked — Huang Tao led a crew to look for trouble on the ship, and didn't I step in to smooth things over for you? I have always firmly stood on the side of justice and correctness — your side — conscientiously fulfilling my duties. On matters of principle, I never allow the slightest negligence."

Translation: "Han Zhang anxiously added evidence: "I really am an upright person doing honest work. Recall the day the Elegant Maiden No. 1 first docked—Huang Tao led men to look for trouble with the ship, didn't I step forward to help you settle it? I have consistently stood on the side of justice and correctness, namely your side, diligently fulfilling my duties. When it comes to matters of principle, I never dare be the slightest bit careless.""

If it weren't clear that this man only cares about lining his own pockets, Lin Dongfan might have believed his story.

Translation: "If it weren't for knowing this guy only cares about money, Lin Dongfan would almost have believed his nonsense."

Lin Dongfan asked with a smile: "If I weren't a billionaire tycoon, if I weren't someone who throws money around — say, giving away ships on a whim — would you still cooperate with me so eagerly?"

Translation: "Lin Dongfan asked with a smile: "If I weren't a billionaire tycoon, if I weren't someone who spends freely—say, giving away ships on a whim—would you still cooperate with me so readily?""

"You say that, and it shows how deeply you misunderstand me — it hurts me deeply."

Translation: "\"The way you speak shows how deeply you misunderstand me, and it hurts me badly. \""

Han Zhang showed a hint of regret, as if feeling a sharp pang.

Translation: "Han Zhang wore a hint of regret, as if feeling a sharp pang."

He spoke slowly for a moment.

Translation: "He paused briefly."

He further emphasized: "I, Han Zhang, have always judged matters, not persons. Regardless of whether you're a tycoon, if you're right, I stand firmly with you — unshakable."

Translation: "He further emphasized: "I, Han Zhang, always judge by the matter, not the person. No matter whether you're a tycoon, if you're right, I firmly stand with you, unshakable.""

"I don't believe you." Lin Dongfan shook his head.

Translation: "\"I don't believe it." Lin Dongfan shook his head."

Han Zhang wore a sullen look: "Must you arrest me? Won't you remember our past ties, or must you make me the example?"

Translation: "Han Zhang's face full of resentment: "Must you arrest me? Won't you remember old ties, insist on using me as the example?""

"You've embezzled sixteen billion — every cent is recorded in the Hai Shen Foundation's dividend ledger." Lin Dongfan patted his shoulder, sighing helplessly: "That sixteen‑billion‑dollar sum was all lost at the gambling tables, leaving no chance to recover the illicit funds. Someone like you, a top‑tier squanderer, staying out of prison would be a loss for the jail itself."

Translation: "\"You've embezzled sixteen billion—every cent is recorded in the Sea God Foundation's dividend ledger." Lin Dongfan patted his shoulder, sighing helplessly: "Sixteen billion, all lost at the gambling tables, with no chance to recover the illicit funds. Someone like you, a top‑tier squanderer, if you don't go to prison, it's the prison's loss.""

"\"！！！\""

Translation: "\"!!! \""

Han Zhang lowered his head in shame.

Translation: "Han Zhang lowered his head in shame."

Regarding his gambling habit, he also knew he was seriously ill.

Translation: "As for his gambling habit, he also knew he was indeed seriously ill."

Whenever he hears the clack of mahjong tiles or the rattle of dice, it feels as if millions of insects are crawling inside him, an unbearable itch that only subsides after he sits down and plays a few rounds.

Translation: "Usually, whenever he hears the sound of others shuffling mahjong tiles or the rattle of dice, it feels as if millions of insects are crawling inside him, maddeningly itchy—only by jumping into a game and playing a few rounds can the itch be relieved."

Lin Dongfan urged: "Don't just stand there — let's go. Going to prison isn't necessarily a bad thing for you; at the very least it could help you quit gambling and lose weight. Your weight now far exceeds your height, you're living like a ball, which seriously harms your health. That too is an illness that needs treatment."

Translation: "Lin Dongfan urged: "Don't just stand there—let's go. Going to prison isn't necessarily a bad thing for you; at least it can help you quit gambling and lose weight. Your weight now far exceeds your height, you live like a ball, seriously harming your health. That too is an illness that needs treatment.""

"Hmm, you're right, but I have something to say." Han Zhang seemed to grasp something, suddenly becoming calm, his eyes locking onto Lin Dongfan.

Translation: "\"Hmm, you're right about all that, but I have something to say." Han Zhang seemed to have realized something, suddenly becoming calm, his eyes fixed on Lin Dongfan."

Lin Dongfan smiled: "Go ahead."

Translation: "Lin Dongfan smiled: "Go ahead.""

"First have them leave so we can talk alone." Han Zhang glanced at the anti‑corruption officers standing beside Lin Dongfan.

Translation: "\"Have them leave first so we can talk alone." Han Zhang glanced at the anti‑corruption officers beside Lin Dongfan."

Lin Dongfan replied: "Speak plainly."

Translation: "Lin Dongfan said: "Speak plainly.""

"If you don't let them leave, the one who'll regret it later won't be me." Han Zhang added, somewhat resentful: "Don't later claim I lacked loyalty."

Translation: "\"If you don't let them leave, the one who'll regret it later won't be me." Han Zhang added, somewhat resentful: "Don't then say I lack loyalty.""

In other words, what he wants to say would be detrimental to Lin Dongfan.

Translation: "In other words, what he wants to say would be unfavorable to Lin Dongfan."

Lin Dongfan gave a faint smile, unconvinced: "Are you going to speak or not? Don't waste everyone's time; there are still many people waiting for me to go catch."

"Director Lin, don't force me to do something that harms harmony."

Speaking, Han Zhang turned his gaze toward the several anti-corruption commissioners beside him.

Seeing that the several commissioners truly had no sense.

They also unconsciously retreated.

Han Zhang couldn't help but angrily retort to the several commissioners: "What are you all standing here for?! I just want to have a few words alone with Director Lin—why can't I? Are you afraid I'll eat him? I have to convey my last will and testament, private matters!"