Chapter 637

"Don't act rashly, I'll send her aboard right now."

"At home there's still a wife and kids waiting for me, even the over‑ninety‑year‑old grandfather is still hale and hearty, able to practice pole‑training in the courtyard every day; Lin Dongfan doesn't want to end up in the tragedy of a white‑haired person sending off a black‑haired one."

"Following the principle of taking one step at a time, Lin Dongfan pushed Han Jinling's wheelchair toward the gangway."

"After boarding."

"Lin Dongfan scanned the deck and saw more than twenty crew members tied together in a line, crouched on the deck like a string of slaves, not daring to move a muscle."

"What further depressed Lin Dongfan was that Chen Xiaoyu, handcuffed alone to the rail, had a timed bomb strapped to her chest, the countdown not yet started."

"The controller is probably in Xu Jijun's hands; press it and the countdown will start."

"Xu Jijun placed his sniper rifle on the sniper point, turned and drew a light handgun, aiming the barrel at Lin Dongfan's brow: 'Hold it, let Jinling come over herself.'"

"'Okay.'"

"Lin Dongfan sensibly raised his hands and stopped at the gangway entrance."

"At that moment, Han Jinling gripped the wheelchair's wheels hard and inched forward. With each inch she moved, her heart sank a little, as if she were expending all her strength."

"After great effort, she finally reached the center point of the upper deck."

"When their eyes met with Xu Jijun, tears welled up in Han Jinling's eyes; silently she seemed to ask Xu Jijun: 'Why must you drive yourself to a dead end?'"

"In this world, the person who understands her best is Xu Jijun."

"Xu Jijun obviously understood her thoughts; otherwise he wouldn't have hastily avoided her gaze, unwilling to give this world any explanation."

"'Now it's time for you to keep your promise.' Lin Dongfan stood at the gangway entrance, calmly urging Xu Jijun: 'Please release the hostages on the ship.'"

"'Dongfan, when did you become so undisciplined?' Xu Jijun gave a faint smile, his expression showing a hint of disappointment: 'I need three people; you've only brought one so far. You've ruined my game rules—how can I fulfill your wish? First bring Wu Changsheng and Huang Duoduo over, then we'll talk.'"

"'Didn't I say? Those two are still on the way.'"

"Lin Dongfan suppressed his anger."

"Seeing Xu Jijun chuckle without conceding anything, Lin Dongfan reluctantly compromised: 'Fair enough, one‑for‑one, that should work, right? First release Chen Xiaoyu.'"

"'No—can—not.'"

"Xu Jijun shook his head, enunciating each word, giving Lin Dongfan no room to bargain."

"Back when he had a violent temper, Old Fan couldn't swallow this humiliation; he would have clenched his fists and cursed his mother! But even if his punches were lightning‑fast, they couldn't outrun a bullet—'Truth' was in the opponent's hand."

"This time it's really like a bare‑footed big guy wearing black silk—disgusting, but he has to endure it."

"Lin Dongfan wondered aloud: 'I brought the woman you love most right before you, not a single hair missing— isn't that loyal? Return Chen Xiaoyu to me; this request isn't excessive, is it? Reciprocity, why can't we do that?'"

"'After all these years, you haven't grown a bit, still loving to spout nonsense.'"

"Speaking, Xu Jijun had already walked behind Chen Xiaoyu."

"His left hand pressed on Chen Xiaoyu's shoulder, his right hand held the gun against the back of her head. In an instant, feeling the threat of death, Chen Xiaoyu resembled a chaste martyr who welcomed death."

"Gazing at Lin Dongfan, she confessed: 'Older brother Fan, after I die, you must take a rib from my body and make it into a pendant to wear every day; I want to stay with you forever.'"

"……!!!"

"Lin Dongfan broke out in a black line, wanting to ask—does wearing a soul ring as an accessory seem a bit too supernatural?"

"Just as he was mulling it over for two seconds."

"Xu Jijun pressed hard on Chen Xiaoyu's head: 'Little sister, you've loved the wrong person; his son has already started selling soy sauce.'"

"'Who I love is none of your business; if you've got the guts, shoot! Using me to threaten Older Brother Fan, you're not even worthy of calling him brother!' Chen Xiaoyu truly isn't afraid of death, her righteousness shining through."

"Xu Jijun not only didn't get angry, he actually showed a faint smile."

"Xu Jijun kept his hostage‑holding stance, turning his gaze to Lin Dongfan: 'Sometimes I really wonder if you're the reincarnation of Duan Zhengchun—always leaving love everywhere.'"

"'Born outstanding, beloved by all—what can I do about it?'"

"Lin Dongfan put on an innocent look."

"In that moment."

"Xu Jijun felt like he'd swallowed a fly, his face full of that nauseous urge to vomit: 'Keep playing the Versailles act, keep showing off, don't stop! See if I dare blow her brains out.'"

"'Impulsiveness is the devil, stay calm.' Lin Dongfan wore a composed expression."

"Xu Jijun laughed angrily: 'I shouldn't have let you come aboard! Listen up, this isn't the East Gate Vegetable Market— you don't get to haggle here! The hostages definitely won't be released now. I'll give you thirty minutes. If after thirty minutes I still don't see the other two, get ready to collect the corpses of the ship's hostages!'"

"Chen Xiaoyu, with the gun pressed to the back of her head, went rigid."

"But her eyes remained steadfast: 'Older Brother Fan, don't worry about me; under no circumstances can you let that murderer Wu Changsheng go free…'"

"'Shut up!'"

"Xu Jijun slammed the gun barrel hard into the back of Chen Xiaoyu's head."

"Lin Dongfan stared wide‑eyed at the scene; saying he wasn't depressed would be a lie. Now Xu Jijun's emotions were growing more agitated; he might really kill the chicken to scare the monkeys."

"To ensure the hostages' safety."

"Lin Dongfan reluctantly gave in: 'Fine, within thirty minutes I'll bring Wu Changsheng and Huang Duoduo aboard; then I hope you'll keep your word and release the hostages.'"

"'Remember, I don't want to see armed police parachuting onto the deck, nor coast guard divers climbing aboard!' Xu Jijun seemed to have foreseen the police's possible assault tactics, and he further warned Lin Dongfan: 'If you do that, you'll be forcing me to open a killing spree— the consequences are on you.'"

"'You've strapped a timed bomb to Chen Xiaoyu and still dare to launch a frontal assault? Have some confidence— everything's under your control; even if Mazu herself came, she couldn't break this situation.'"

"As he turned to leave, Lin Dongfan gave Xu Jijun a thumbs‑up to show his admiration."

"Xu Jijun gladly accepted: 'Good to know. As long as you don't play tricks, I guarantee Chen Xiaoyu will survive to the final ending.'"

"'Thanks, could you please look after her for me?'"

"Lin Dongfan gave an OK sign with his hand and, without looking back, walked down the gangway."

"On the way back to the ferry, his billions of brain cells worked like beasts on an assembly line, never resting, straining to the limit."

"In the end he conceived a daring double‑agent scheme."

"Back at the pier."

"Lin Dongfan immediately found Yu Huacheng and Liu Minghui: 'Everyone on the ship is tied together like a string of grasshoppers, and Chen Xiaoyu still has a timed bomb on her. Don't panic—I have a plan that can turn the heavens and earth.'"

What plan?

"Let's hear it."

Yu Huacheng and Liu Minghui waited eagerly for Lin Dongfan's clever plan.

Lin Dongfan immediately replied: "It's a damn awesome plan, you'll find out soon. Wu Changsheng and Huang Duoduo, have you brought those two good-for-nothings?"