Chapter 487

My dad... won't get the death penalty, right?

Zheng Qingxuan suddenly spoke, her voice soft yet firm, not like she was asking but rather stating an indisputable fact.

Regarding her state of being both 'certain' and 'uncertain' at once.

Director Lin indeed gave her a reassurance: 'See how the court rules; if he cooperates well, his life should be spared.'

This is true; Zheng Canghai turned himself in and reported others, showing meritorious conduct.

Not bad, as long as I'm alive; it's much better than... Cai Yang, Chen Yongnian like that.

She paused for a moment.

She suddenly turned her head, gaze fixed on Lin Dongfan: 'Director Lin, you say... does Mazu really not protect bad people?'

That question is a bit philosophical.

Lin Dongfan thought, then gave a sensitive smile: 'This question you should ask Fan Donglin, Fan Zong, not me, Director Lin. Director Lin is a pragmatic person, not superstitious, not believing rumors, not spreading rumors.'

'Alright, Fan Zong, I just called the wrong person.' Zheng Qingxuan corrected.

Lin Dongfan smiled: 'I don't know if Mazu protects bad people, but the law definitely won't let bad people off. As for whether your dad is a bad person, philosophically speaking, that's a temporary issue. All things in the world are constantly changing, and your dad is changing too. He used to do evil; maybe he now truly wants to be a good person.'

Hearing Lin Dongfan say that, Zheng Qingxuan's smile finally brightened considerably.

Zheng Qingxuan gazed at Lin Dongfan with a smile.

Under the sunset, Lin Dongfan's side profile lines were stern, yet his eyes were like seawater beneath a reef, unfathomable. In Director Lin's eyes lay the sea—not a Sea King, but even more like a Sea King.

'That day at the bank... thank you, that hug... was quite warm.'

Mentioning the word 'hug,' Zheng Qingxuan felt a bit embarrassed, her face slightly flushed.

Lin Dongfan also startled a bit; this topic shifted rather abruptly! He cleared his throat, trying to steer the conversation back: 'It's no trouble; you... what are your plans from now on?'

Zheng Qingxuan didn't take his cue; instead, she stepped a little closer to Lin Dongfan.

The sea breeze blew her faint scent, mixed with perfume, toward him, making Lin Dongfan somewhat intoxicated.

'From now on...'

She suddenly became uncertain again, as if unable to make a decision.

After hesitating a while, she continued: 'My dad has fallen, the Zheng Family is finished. I now... have only myself left; you... could you...'

Just then.

Not far away came a muffled 'thud,' and someone behind the reef exclaimed, 'Oh my damn!'

Lin Dongfan's eyes instantly sharpened like an eagle's; he stepped to shield Zheng Qingxuan behind him, striking a pose of a guardian who could hold off ten thousand evils: 'Who?!'

All that could be seen was behind the reef not far away.

A disheveled figure scrambled up from the sea, rubbing his buttocks! It was Lao Ba, who had secretly followed to tail them, just slipped and fell into the sea.

Lao Ba met Lin Dongfan's deadly gaze and could only grin foolishly, feigning calm.

He stammered with a laugh: 'Da... Director Lin! I... I just happened to pass by! Yeah, just passing, looking... looking at the scenery. Tonight's sunset is truly beautiful, the sea truly magnificent, you guys... continue, continue.' After saying that, he didn't even mind his sore butt, scrambling away at a speed as if chased by a ghost.

Facing the disheveled fleeing Lao Ba.

Zheng Qingxuan couldn't help but let out a 'pfft' laugh; the earlier tension vanished—life indeed needs seasoning.

Seeing her laugh till she trembled, Lin Dongfan didn't want to ruin her mood, so he lit a cigarette first.

In a moment.

Zheng Qingxuan then withdrew her gaze, looking back at Lin Dongfan: 'Where were we just now?'

'Your dad has fallen, the Zheng Family is ruined, only you remain.' Lin Dongfan took a drag of his cigarette, faced the sea, ignoring the beauty.

Zheng Qingxuan belatedly gave an embarrassed laugh.

She became a bit tense again: 'Right... my dad has fallen, the Zheng Family is finished; now the Zheng Family only has me left; I... could I...'

She took a deep breath and weakly uttered the last few words: 'Could I follow you?'

The atmosphere instantly became awkward.

The sound of waves and sea breeze became the sole background music.

The fiery sunset's afterglow, a beautiful sight in Lin Dongfan's eyes, he quietly admired it for a while before turning his head to ask: 'Why do you want to follow me?'

'The people of Haishan all hate my dad; when the wall falls, everyone pushes.'

A hint of regret rose on Zheng Qingxuan's face, along with some bewilderment, like a wounded migratory bird that has lost its direction, wanting to fly but not knowing where to go.

The sea breeze blew in, carrying a hint of chill.

She instinctively wrapped her arms around herself and continued: 'Last night I went to a night market for snacks; a few hooligans came over to harass me. They used to call me 'miss,' treating me with respect, but now they dare to publicly force me to drink; refusing is seen as giving no face. I'm afraid, because the Zheng Family has offended too many people in the past, and they're all taking revenge on me...'

As she spoke, useless tears began to fall.

You might think Director Lin would hand her a tissue, or reach out to wipe her tears, then like a big warm guy pull her into his arms and declare domineeringly: 'Don't be afraid, I'm here.'

This is merely a daydream in Director Lin's mind.

After that thought, Lin Dongfan gave a light, indifferent smile: 'Afraid? Who isn't? When I catch corrupt officials, I fear someone might shoot from behind; your dad in jail also fears, fears a death sentence.'

Saying that, he turned his head and glanced at Zheng Qingxuan.

Despite the beauty with tears, he remained ruthless: 'Can fear be eaten as a meal? If you want to follow me, what qualifies you? Your crying like a tearful pear blossom?'

……

Zheng Qingxuan lowered her head in embarrassment, tears silently dropping onto the sand.

She never imagined, even in her dreams, that after mustering courage and finally speaking those words, she would be met with a merciless mockery.

'Sigh...'

Gazing at her tearful, aggrieved appearance, Lin Dongfan suddenly let out Along sigh.

Lin Dongfan pulled a neatly folded check from his pocket, shoved it into her hand, his motion stiff: 'Take it.'

Zheng Qingxuan stared, looking at the string of zeros on the check, feeling a bit confused.

'It's not a support fee.'

Lin Dongfan interrupted her random thoughts.

Continue speaking to her: "Although your father left a will, all assets go to you, but that will is invalid. Those assets of your family are all illegal property, including the big villa you currently live in and the luxury car you drive. In a few days, the judicial department will come to seize them; then you will have nowhere to live."

Zheng Qingxuan lowered her head, as if listening to the death god's verdict.

Lin Dongfan sighed again: "Your father once wanted to leave you a way out, but he couldn't do anything about it. This sum of money counts as my personal donation to you, as thanks for your silent contributions to the anti-corruption work. Although the money is not much, it's enough for you to move to a quiet place and start a new life."

"!!!"

Zheng Qingxuan clutched that thin check, tears uncontrollably falling; she very much wanted to say: "What I want is not money, I just want a sense of security."

But she dared not say those things again.

She realized that Fan Donglin and Lin Dongfan, though appearing to be the same person, are actually different. Fan Donglin dared to ask her for a hug, while Lin Dongfan treated her cold as ice.

In business, he acts without restraint.

As an official, he walks on thin ice.

Thinking this, Zheng Qingxuan still harbored hope and asked: "Will you always remain an official?"

"I don't know."

This question left Lin Dongfan bewildered; he took a drag of cigarette, the ash flew, the cigarette butt fell, then he turned and walked away, leaving the sound of waves echoing in nature. The more Lin Dongfan listened, the more he felt something was off, feeling the waves were mocking him. Thinking again, he felt a bit regretful, damn! He could have gone to get a room, why pretend to be selfless and great love.