Chapter 486

Translate: "Three days after Chen Nianian was dragged away by the forensic examiner, the invisible, oppressive feeling hanging over Haishan—a mix of rotting fish stench and the bloody scent of power—seemed to have been lightened a bit by the sea breeze."

Let's go line by line.

We need to output: 【1】 Three days after Chen Yongnian was dragged away by the forensic examiner, the invisible, oppressive feeling hanging over Haishan—a mix of rotting fish stench and the bloody scent of power—seemed to have been lightened a bit by the sea breeze.

Translate: "Of course, it could also be that enough people have been arrested, the cells are too crowded, and even the air in the urban area feels much thinner."

Translate: "Every word in the report seemed like piled-up scrap."

We have Lin Dongfan. Translate: "Lin Dongfan merely glanced at the first few paragraphs, having no interest in reading further. Like mud that won't stick to a wall, even a glance felt like a waste of effort."

We have Chen Yongnian, Wu Changsheng (glossary). Translate: "Now Chen Yongnian is dead, and there is no direct evidence pointing to Wu Changsheng."

We have Wu Changsheng, Wang Daochen (not in glossary, need to romanize). Translate: "The arrest of Wu Changsheng can only be postponed; this matter must not be rushed. After all, Wu Changsheng is Wang Daochen's chief aide; moving against Wu Changsheng inevitably requires first greeting Wang Daochen."

We have Wang Daochen. Translate: "All this needs to wait until we return to the province to discuss it, and have a face-to-face talk with Wang Daochen."

Translate: "Half a month later."

We have Haishan, Lin Dongfan, Zheng Qingxuan. Translate: "Affairs in Haishan were gradually drawing to a close, and Lin Dongfan was also preparing to return to the province to report. That afternoon, he suddenly received a call from Zheng Qingxuan."

Translate: "Lin Dongfan raised his eyebrows slightly."

We have Zheng Canghai (glossary). Translate: "This beauty, ever since her father Zheng Canghai was taken away, has been as quiet as a startled partridge, shrinking into her own world."

Translate: "Now she's looking for him?"

We have Zheng Family. Translate: "Could it be that the Zheng family has stirred up something else again?"

We have Lin Dongfan. Translate: "Lin Dongfan swiped to answer, his voice carrying a hint of detachment from official business: 'Miss Zheng, what prompted you to call me today? Any advice?'"

Translate: "On the other end of the line, silence lasted two seconds."

We have Zheng Qingxuan, Fan Donglin (glossary), Director Lin (glossary). Translate: "Zheng Qingxuan's voice came through, slightly hoarse but she struggled to stay calm: 'Mr. Fan… no, Director Lin, are you free this evening? A walk by the sea…?'"

Translate: "A walk by the sea?"

We have Lin Dongfan. Translate: "Lin Dongfan's mind instantly flashed with a few thoughts: Has she started craving men? Or has this girl been stimulated to the point of despair, planning to drag him into a joint suicide by jumping into the sea?"

We have Lin Dongfan (implied). Translate: "He subconsciously rubbed his chin, feeling it required more thought than facing a bandit's gun barrel."

Translate: "\"What's the reason? \""

We have Lin Dongfan, Fan Donglin, Director Lin (implied). Translate: "Lin Dongfan spoke concisely, casting aside his former identity as Fan Donglin, fully demonstrating the vigilance of an anti-corruption bureau chief toward any non-work invitation,"

But need to keep as one sentence. The Chinese line ends with a comma; we should keep that punctuation? We'll keep as is but in English we can keep comma.

Translate: "\"Thank you. \""

We have Zheng Qingxuan. Translate: "Zheng Qingxuan's voice lowered: 'For me… you've blocked a lot of trouble for me. And… my father's matter. I know that if it weren't for you… he might not have lived to see the trial day.'"

Translate: "These words were hard to utter, carrying a complex, resigned gratitude."

We have Zheng Canghai, Guo Lichun (not in glossary, romanize), Lin Dongfan. Translate: "Zheng Canghai's voluntary surrender and active cooperation indeed, to a certain extent, avoided the risk of being silenced by Guo Lichun amid the chaos; behind this naturally lay Lin Dongfan's meticulous planning."

We have Lin Dongfan. Translate: "Lin Dongfan let out an 'oh,' which counted as a response."

We have Lin Dongfan (implied). Translate: "But in his mind he quickly assessed the risk factor: seaside, night, a lone man and woman… this setup looked like a trap no matter how he viewed it."

We have Zheng Qingxuan. Translate: "Yet Zheng Qingxuan's state didn't seem like someone capable of pulling off an elaborate honey trap."

Translate: "\"Fine, tell me the location. \""

We have Lin Dongfan. Translate: "Lin Dongfan ultimately agreed."

Translate: "On one hand, the case was in its wrap‑up stage, and it felt necessary to soothe the emotions of the 'victim's family,' which also counted as an extension of work."

Translate: "On the other hand, he also wanted to see what this 'partridge' was really up to, just to relieve boredom."

We have Dongtan (translate as East Beach), lighthouse, Lin Dongfan. Translate: "\"East Beach, beneath the lighthouse, six o'clock—see you there or don't bother coming. \" Zheng Qingxuan said, then quickly hung up, as if fearing Lin Dongfan might change his mind."

…… (ellipsis). We need to output the ellipsis as is? Probably just "……". We'll output "【35】 ……"

We have Hai'an Guoji Dajiudian. Translate: "Hai'an Guoji Dajiudian has just opened a new gym."

We have Lao Ba. Translate: "Lao Ba was huffing and puffing as he competed with the rowing machine, sweat soaking through his tight-fitting vest printed with 'Muscle Is Strength'."

We have Xie Xiaofeng. Translate: "Xie Xiaofeng leaned on a piece of equipment nearby, slowly sipping his protein powder, his gaze drifting to the darkening sea surface beyond the floor‑to‑ceiling window."

Thus translate: "\"Lao Xie, Fan Ye just changed into casual clothes and went downstairs, his hair even giving off a flirtatious vibe. \" Lao Ba stopped, panting, his tone sour: 'Not letting me be his personal bodyguard, he doesn't even bring a guard now. Nine times out of ten he's out picking up girls! You say, could it be that Zheng family's little flirt is trying to seduce him?'"

We have Xie Xiaofeng, Fan Ye. Translate: "Xie Xiaofeng didn't even lift his eyelids: 'Fan Ye's affairs, don't pry.'"

We have Lao Ba, Lao Xie, Fan Ye. Translate: "\"If something happens to him, who'll take responsibility? \" Lao Ba burst out with suppressed grievances: 'Lao Xie, I'm not saying this to blame you, but you're just too rigid. Look at Fan Ye—by day he busts corrupt officials, by night he fools around with the enemies' daughters, work and pleasure both not neglected—that's what I call suave! Unlike you, you're as dull as a country bumpkin, with zero zest for life.'"

Translate: "\"The enemies' daughters? \""

We have Lao Ba. Translate: "This teeth‑gritting tone burst from Lao Ba's mouth, carrying somewhat the meaning of 'the emperor is not anxious, but the eunuch is.'"

We have Xie Xiaofeng, Zheng Canghai, Zheng Qingxuan, Fan Ye. Translate: "Xie Xiaofeng finally glanced at him, his eyes like looking at an idiot: 'Zheng Canghai brought it on himself; as for Zheng Qingxuan… she's at most a victim. Fan Ye does things his own way, and he has his reasons.'"

Translate: "\"Bullshit reasons! \""

We have Lao Ba. Translate: "Lao Ba's retorts grew fiercer, and he jumped off the rowing machine."

We have Lao Ba, Xie Xiaofeng, Fan Ye. Translate: "He leaned in close to Xie Xiaofeng, lowered his voice, wearing an exasperated expression: 'Lao Xie, are you truly stupid or just pretending? You didn't notice? That little minx looks at Fan Ye with eyes like a hook! Fan Ye, meanwhile, talks about 'regulatory mechanisms,' but his hormone index usually goes up the more he regulates.'"

Translate: "He paused for a moment."

We have Lao Ba, Fan Ye. Translate: "Lao Ba spat again, continuing his tirade: 'Even the sister‑in‑law is unreliable—after all this time, why hasn't she given Fan Ye a warning? I've been under pressure, reporting her petty complaints to her, but it was all for nothing. This time the sister‑in‑law is truly stupid to an excessive degree, or… is it that Fan Ye's status at home is too high, and the sister‑in‑law really dares not to interfere?'"

We have Xie Xiaofeng, Lao Ba. Translate: "Xie Xiaofeng silently moved his protein‑shaker cup a little farther away, to keep Lao Ba's spit from contaminating it."

We have Xie Xiaofeng, Lao Ba. Translate: "He looked at Lao Ba's face, etched with the 'emperor is not anxious, but the eunuch is' vexation, and, uncommonly, tugged at the corner of his mouth to reveal a smile that could be called 'sympathetic': 'Lao Ba.'"

Translate: "\"Ah? \""

We have Xie Xiaofeng, Fan Ye. Translate: "\"If you have time…\" Xie Xiaofeng pointed to the sandbag nearby: 'Hit the sandbag more, practice your fists, and train your mind too. Fan Ye's family affairs—do they even warrant your concern? And still filing complaints… you think you're a kindergarten kid? Be careful Fan Ye finds out and marries you off to a three‑hundred‑jin big‑boned sister, leaving you with nothing to live for.'"

We have Lao Ba, Fan Ye. Translate: "Lao Ba choked, rolled his eyes, and muttered resentfully: 'I'm not doing this for Fan Ye's family harmony… no, I'm doing it for his personal safety—this is a bodyguard's duty!'"

We have Lao Ba. Translate: "Saying that, Lao Ba angrily turned and unleashed a barrage on the sandbag."

…… (ellipsis). Output "【56】 ……"

We have Dongtan (translate as East Beach). Translate: "East Beach."

Translate: "The sea breeze brought a cool, salty dampness as it blew, the lighthouse like a huge gray finger pointing to the sky, casting a silent shadow."

Translate: "The waves slapped the reefs, emitting a monotonous, eternal lapping sound."

When Lin Dongfan arrived, Zheng Qingxuan was already there; she wasn't wearing, as Lin Dongfan had imagined, some kind of 'bikini battle armor', but was wearing a simple white dress.

Her long hair was blown into some disarray by the sea wind.

She stood beside a reef, arms crossed, gazing at the black sea; her frail silhouette looked as if it could be blown away by the wind at any moment.

Hearing the rustling footsteps, she turned around.

The setting sun outlined her thin side profile; her eyes were slightly swollen, but her gaze was unexpectedly calm, even tinged with the weariness and helplessness of seeing through worldly affairs.

"I'm here."

A faint smile appeared again on her face, her voice scattered by the sea wind.

"Hmm."

Lin Dongfan walked to a spot not too far, not too near her and stopped, also gazing at the sea.

The atmosphere was a bit dry, like instant noodles that haven't been soaked.

Fan Ye pondered whether to say something like "condolences and move on," but thought better of it as being sentimental, so he simply shut up.

The two just stood there in silence, listening to the waves, blowing in the cold wind.

It had nothing to do with romance.

It was more like two people dazed by life, staring blankly at the sea.