Chapter 661

The bench now pronounces judgment: the defendant Lin Dongfan is sentenced to three years' imprisonment. The term of imprisonment shall commence on June 19, 2014 and end on June 18, 2017. If dissatisfied with this judgment, an appeal may be filed with the Wuzhou City Intermediate People's Court within ten days of receipt of the judgment.

Translation: "The bench now pronounces the sentence: the defendant Lin Dongfan is sentenced to three years' imprisonment. The term of imprisonment shall commence on June 19, 2014 and end on June 18, 2017. If dissatisfied with this judgment, an appeal may be filed with the Wuzhou City Intermediate People's Court within ten days from the date of receipt of the judgment……"

We need to keep the punctuation? We'll keep as is but English.

Make sure to keep the ellipsis? We'll keep three dots.

The solemn pronouncement of judgment echoed in the Criminal Trial Division One.

Translation: "The solemn pronouncement of judgment echoed in the Criminal Trial Division One."

But "Criminal Trial Division One" is "Criminal Trial Division One". Could be "Criminal Tribunal One". We'll translate it as "Criminal Trial Division One". Keep.

But Lin Dongfan had no intention of appealing.

Translation: "But Lin Dongfan had no intention to appeal."

The judgment clearly states that he acted in self-defense when he was unlawfully attacked, but his defensive measures clearly exceeded the necessary limit, constituting the crime of negligent homicide.

Translation: "The judgment clearly states that he carried out defense while suffering unlawful harm, but the defensive measures obviously exceeded the necessary limit, constituting the crime of negligent homicide."

As a law school graduate, Lin Dongfan clearly understood that three years was already a lenient sentence.

Translation: "As a law graduate, Lin Dongfan clearly knows that three years is already a lenient sentence."

Three years passed in the blink of an eye.

Translation: "Three years pass in the blink of an eye."

On March 18, 2017, Lin Dongfan earned a sentence reduction for good behavior in prison and walked out three months early from the walled Wuzhou Prison.

Translation: "On March 18, 2017, Lin Dongfan, for good conduct in prison, received a reduction of sentence and walked out three months early of the Wuzhou Prison surrounded by high walls."

As the prison gates opened, a light drizzle floated in the sky.

Translation: "When the prison gates opened, the sky was drizzling with fine rain."

Comrade Yang Qing, who had been promoted to director of the Jianglan Provincial Public Security Department, today wore casual clothes specially for the occasion. He held a black umbrella in his left hand, a cigarette in his right, and leaned against the car waiting for ten or so minutes.

Translation: "Comrade Yang Qing, who had already been promoted to Director of the Jianglan Province Public Security Bureau, today deliberately wore plain clothes. He held a black umbrella in his left hand, a cigarette in his right, and waited by the car for over ten minutes."

Upon seeing Lin Dongfan emerge, Yang Qing hastily stubbed out his cigarette and went forward to meet him.

Translation: "Seeing Lin Dongfan come out, Yang Qing hastily stubbed out his cigarette and went forward to meet him."

"Damn, you're finally out; I've been waiting here for over half an hour."

Translation: "\"Damn, you're finally out; I've been waiting here for you over half an hour. \""

Since his promotion, others have always held the umbrella for Yang Qing, but today he made an exception, personally holding the umbrella for his brother.

Translation: "Since his promotion, it has always been others holding an umbrella for Yang Qing; today he made an exception, personally holding an umbrella for his brother."

He tilted the black umbrella toward Lin Dongfan, leaving half of his own body drenched in the rain.

Translation: "He tilted the black umbrella toward Lin Dongfan, leaving half of his own body drenched in the rain."

As they walked, he told Lin Dongfan: "Your silly sweetheart was supposed to come pick you up. I was afraid your current appearance would be unbecoming, so I asked her to wait at home. With my family's Teacher Xu accompanying her, you can rest assured."

Translation: "Walking and talking to Lin Dongfan, he said: \"Your silly sweetheart was supposed to come pick you up. I was afraid your current appearance would be unsightly, so I told her to wait at home. With my family's Teacher Xu accompanying her, you can rest assured. \""

「！！！」

Translation: "\"!!! \""

Lin Dongfan remained silent; his appearance was indeed not very dignified.

Translation: "Lin Dongfan remained silent; his current appearance was indeed not very presentable."

Although he had started growing his hair three months before release and now had a thick crop of short hair, and his prison uniform had been replaced with a clean white shirt, his mood was still not pleasant.

Translation: "Although he had started growing his hair three months before release, he now had a thick head of short hair; his prison uniform had also been changed to a clean white shirt, but his mood was not very pleasant."

When his mood is unpleasant, his expression becomes grim.

Translation: "When the mood is not pleasant, the expression becomes unsightly."

Yang Qing opened the car door.

Translation: "Yang Qing opened the car door."

He then carefully raised a hand to shield Lin Dongfan's head, saying: "To save your face, I came alone today. I'm driving myself, without even bringing a driver."

Translation: "He also carefully raised a hand to shield Lin Dongfan's head: \"To preserve your dignity, I came alone today. I'm driving myself, without bringing a driver. \""

"Cut the nonsense, drive."

Translation: "\"Cut the nonsense, drive. \""

Lin Dongfan got into the back seat, rolled down the window, and lit a cigarette.

Translation: "Lin Dongfan sat in the back seat, lowered the window and lit a cigarette."

Yang Qing personally served as Lin Dongfan's driver, fastening his seatbelt while asking: "Should we first go take a bath to wash off the dust, or first go pay respects to Su Yuhong?"

Translation: "Yang Qing personally served as Lin Dongfan's driver, fastening the seat belt while asking: \"Should we first go for a bath to wash off the dust, or first go to pay respects to Su Yuhong? \""

"Let's go see Yu Hong first."

Translation: "\"First go see Yuhong. \""

Just mentioning Su Yuhong caused Lin Dongfan's spirits to sink even further.

Translation: "Upon mentioning Su Yuhong, Lin Dongfan's spirits sank even further."

From June 19, 2014 to March 18, 2017 is two years and nine months, a total of 1,003 days.

Translation: "From June 19, 2014 to March 18, 2017, that is two years and nine months, a total of 1003 days."

During those long 1,003 days, whenever Lin Dongfan recalled the image of Su Yuhong shielding him from that fatal attack, his heart felt as if it were being stabbed.

Translation: "During this long span of 1003 days, whenever Lin Dongfan thought of the scene where Su Yuhong blocked that fatal attack for him, his heart felt as if stabbed by a knife."

In his previous life's experience, Su Yuhong died of breast cancer at the age of 32.

Translation: "In his previous life's experience, Su Yuhong died of breast cancer at the age of 32."

Although after his rebirth he changed Su Yuhong's fate, guiding her to overcome the breast cancer crisis, the foolish god of death still did not spare Su Yuhong.

Translation: "Although after his rebirth he changed Su Yuhong's fate, guiding her to resolve the breast cancer crisis, the foolish god of death still did not spare Su Yuhong."

Lin Dongfan heavily asked Yang Qing: "Have the masterminds behind this still not been identified?"

Translation: "Lin Dongfan heavily asked Yang Qing: \"Have the masterminds behind this not been found yet? \""

"Those thugs who were caught were all summoned by Zhong Qiang (the bald, muscular men); they had no idea who the financial backer was." Yang Qing looked regretful: "That day, Zhong Qiang was cut down by you on the spot, severing the leads. Now trying to uncover the mastermind is quite tricky."

Translation: "\"Those thugs who were caught were all summoned by Zhong Qiang (the buzz‑cut burly men); they had no idea who the financial backer was. \" Yang Qing looked regretful: \"That day, Zhong Qiang was cut down by you on the spot, the leads were severed. Now trying to uncover the financial backer is rather tricky. \""

"Damn, after two years and nine months of investigation you've made no progress at all, and you even blame me for cutting off the leads." Lin Dongfan glumly took a puff of his cigarette.

Translation: "\"Damn, after two years and nine months of investigation you've made no progress at all, and you even blame me for cutting off the leads. \" Lin Dongfan glumly took a puff of his cigarette."

Yang Qing also furrowed his brows: "I don't mean to blame you; don't think wildly."

Translation: "Yang Qing also furrowed his brows: \"I don't mean to blame you; don't think wildly. \""

The windshield wipers moved back and forth in a steady rhythm.

Translation: "The windshield wipers moved back and forth regularly."

Yang Qing accelerated smoothly, heading toward the suburbs. On the passenger seat lay a bunch of white chrysanthemums, their petals still dotted with crystal‑clear raindrops.

Translation: "Yang Qing steadily accelerated, heading toward the suburbs. On the passenger seat lay a bunch of white chrysanthemums, their petals still dotted with crystal‑clear raindrops."

The two rode in silence, arriving at the Qingfeng Cemetery half an hour later.

Translation: "The two said nothing along the way, arriving at Green Peak Cemetery half an hour later."

The rain grew heavier, splashing water droplets on the blue‑stone steps. By the time Lin Dongfan reached the tombstone halfway up the hill, his trousers were soaked through.

Translation: "The rain grew heavier, splashing droplets on the bluestone‑paved steps. By the time Lin Dongfan reached the tombstone halfway up the hill, his trousers were soaked through."

In the photograph, Su Yuhong wore a political‑law uniform, her smile blooming like a flower.

Translation: "In the photo, Su Yuhong wore a political‑law uniform, her smile as lovely as a flower."

Yang Qing held an umbrella over Lin Dongfan from behind.

Translation: "Yang Qing held an umbrella for Lin Dongfan from behind."

Lin Dongfan stood before the tombstone clutching white chrysanthemums, gazing deeply at the portrait. After Along silence, he suddenly lifted his face, closed his eyes, and a silent tear slipped down.

Translation: "Lin Dongfan stood before the tombstone holding white chrysanthemums, gazing deeply at the portrait. After Along silence, he suddenly looked up, closed his eyes, and a silent tear fell."

He recalled the question Su Yuhong had asked on her deathbed: "If we could choose again, would you… marry me?"

Translation: "Recalling the question Su Yuhong asked on her deathbed: \"If we could choose again, would you… marry me…\""

Although 1,003 days have passed, he still has not been able to give an answer that would please everyone.

Translation: "1003 days have passed, yet he still cannot give an answer that would satisfy everyone."

To not disappoint Su Yuhong would mean disappointing Chu Lingxi.

Translation: "To not let down Su Yuhong is to let down Chu Lingxi."

Either way, it's impossible.

Translation: "Either way, it cannot be done."

Yang Qing, standing behind him, suddenly advised: "If you really can't hold it in… go ahead and cry; it's no crime for a man to weep. I won't laugh at you—I've cried myself, honestly."

Translation: "Yang Qing, standing behind him, suddenly advised: \"If you really can't hold it in… go ahead and cry, it's no crime for a man to weep. I won't laugh at you; honestly, I've cried too……\""

"Get lost~~~"

Translation: "\"Get lost~~~\""

Lin Dongfan lightly spat out a single word.

Translation: "Lin Dongfan lightly spat out a single word."

Yang Qing slightly frowned: "I actually feel like leaving, but the problem is… if I go, who will hold the umbrella for you? Who will witness your devotion? Such an unfaithful act—I, old man, couldn't do it."

Translation: "Yang Qing slightly frowned: \"I actually want to get lost, but the problem is… if I left, who would hold the umbrella for you? Who would witness your deep affection? Such an unrighteous act, I, your father, could not do it……\""

「！！！」

Translation: "\"!!! \""

Lin Dongfan was momentarily speechless, then knelt and placed the white chrysanthemums before the tombstone.

Translation: "Lin Dongfan, at a loss for words, squatted down and placed the white chrysanthemum before the tombstone."

Afterward, Lin Dongfan raised his right arm, using his clean white sleeve as a cloth to wipe the portrait of Su Yuhong on the tombstone until it was spotless.

Translation: "Afterward, Lin Dongfan raised his right arm, using his clean white sleeve as a cloth, and wiped the portrait of Su Yuhong on the tombstone until it was spotless."

Yang Qing, still holding the umbrella behind him, couldn't resist adding: "In this world there is no one who won't die; it's only a matter of sooner or later. Since we all must die eventually, can't you try to look on the bright side?"

Translation: "Yang Qing, still holding the umbrella behind him, couldn't resist adding: \"In this world there is no one who won't die; it's only a matter of dying early or late. Since everyone must die sooner or later, can't you just let go? \""

"If Teacher Xu ever dies, have the guts not to grieve or feel sad." Lin Dongfan replied weakly.

Translation: "\"If Teacher Xu ever dies, have the guts not to grieve, not to feel sad. \" Lin Dongfan weakly retorted."

Yang Qing responded dismissively: "If my family's Teacher Xu were willing to take a blade for me, I would only feel relieved, never sorrowful."

Translation: "Yang Qing replied dismissively: \"If my family's Teacher Xu were willing to take a blade for me, I would only feel relieved, certainly not grieve or feel sad. \""

"Are you some kind of canine? You're a heartless, gutless creature." Lin Dongfan couldn't help but shout.

Translation: "\"Are you a canine creature? A heart of wolf and lungs of a dog. \" Lin Dongfan couldn't help but curse."

Yang Qing grinned: "You don't know jack. Women who shield us with their bodies just want us to live well—that's their dying wish! We must not only live well, but live happily and joyfully; otherwise we'd be letting down their sacrifice, don't you agree?"

Translation: "Yang Qing grinned: \"You don't know shit; women shielding us with their bodies aren't they just wanting us to live well? This is their dying wish! We must not only live well, but live happily, joyfully! Otherwise, we'd be somewhat failing to repay their sacrifice of shielding us with their lives, don't you think? \""

"You're ugly, so whatever you say is right."

Translation: "\"You're ugly, so whatever you say is right. \""

For a moment Lin Dongfan could find no flaw in Yang Qing's logic, so he merely stroked Su Yuhong's cheek in the photograph, thinking that perhaps Yang Qing was right and that Yu Hong surely wouldn't want to see him grieving.

Translation: "For a moment Lin Dongfan could find no flaw in Yang Qing's logic, so he could only stroke the cheek of Su Yuhong's portrait, thinking that perhaps Yang Qing's words were not wrong, and Yuhong surely would not want to see him grieve and suffer."

In a brief moment, Lin Dongfan swallowed back his tears.

Translation: "In a brief moment, Lin Dongfan swallowed his tears dry."

He stood up and said to Yang Qing: "I don't care what method you use; within seven days, you must uncover the true identity of the mastermind behind this."

「！！！」Yang Qing frowned: "I've investigated for two years and nine months and found no clues; now you want me to uncover the mastermind behind the scenes in seven days—you might as well just kill me with a fart."

"You bureau chief, besides shitting and farting, can't you do anything else?" Lin Dongfan looked disappointed.

Yang Qing, unfazed: "Who says I can't do anything else? I didn't just give your precious son a future wife? Your affairs are my affairs; no need for you to give random orders."

"I can be absolutely certain that the mastermind behind the scenes is Li Hengbo!" Lin Dongfan said solemnly.

Yang Qing frowned again: "Boss, making an arrest requires evidence. Moreover, Li Hengbo is now the head of a listed company and has some social influence; this matter cannot be handled recklessly."

"Fine, then I'll go take care of it myself—this is none of your business."

Lin Dongfan is now an unofficial nobody; it's not like he hasn't played dirty before.