Chapter 88

Secretary Liang gave Lin Dongfan a few words of encouragement, then hurriedly left Nanzhou.

Translation: Secretary Liang simply encouraged Lin Dongfan a few words, then hurriedly left Nanzhou.

Secretary Liang gave Lin Dongfan a few words of encouragement, then hurriedly left Nanzhou.

A black sedan with license plate Jiang O·00001.

Translation: A black sedan with license plate "Jiang O·00001". Keep the quotes? Probably keep as is: "Jiang O·00001". We'll output: A black sedan with license plate "Jiang O·00001".

It proceeded steadily along the highway.

Translation: It proceeded steadily on the highway.

Deep winter, the twelfth lunar month.

Deep winter, the twelfth lunar month.

Although the roadside scenery evoked a feeling of decay, Secretary Liang's face remained bright with joy; seeing the Lin family's eldest grandson on this Nanzhou trip filled him with relief.

Translation: Although the scenery on both sides of the highway gave a sense of withered desolation, Secretary Liang's face was still full of joy. This trip to Nanzhou, seeing the Lin family's eldest grandson, made him feel especially relieved.

Secretary Liang, the Lin family's eldest grandson.

He couldn't help but call the old leader.

Translation: He couldn't help but excitedly dial the old leader's phone.

The Beijing Military Region compound.

Translation: The Jingcheng Military District compound.

The 92-year-old elder leader Lin Mu-yuan lay in bed with an oxygen tube in his nostrils, while over a dozen solemn people guarded his bedside, not daring to leave.

Translation: The 92-year-old old leader, Lin Muyuan, lay in bed with an oxygen tube in his nostrils, while over a dozen solemn people guarded beside him, not daring to step away.

There were medical staff and duty personnel.

Translation: There were medical staff and duty personnel.

His son Lin Zhenhua carefully handed the phone to the bedside, saying, "Dad, Jingzhong is calling."

Translation: His son Lin Zhenhua carefully handed the phone to the bedside: "Dad, Jingzhong is calling."

"Jing... who is Jingzhong?"

Translation: "Jing... who is Jingzhong..."

Lin Mu-yuan on the hospital bed had unfocused eyes, his speech halting and weak.

Translation: Lin Muyuan on the bed had dazed eyes, his speech fragmented and weak.

This heart-wrenching sight tightened everyone's hearts, as they began arranging the elder's funeral, waiting for his passing and a collective moment of silence.

Translation: This heart-wrenching sight made those around tense, already beginning to arrange the old master's posthumous affairs, waiting for him to pass and then observe a collective silence.

Lin Zhenhua continued to hold the phone before the elder.

Translation: Lin Zhenhua still held the phone before the old master.

He softly called out, "Dad, Jingzhong is your prized student, Liang Jingzhong—don't you remember?"

Translation: He softly called out: "Dad, Jingzhong is your prized student, Liang Jingzhong—you don't remember?"

"That little brat... I remember, I told him to marry your sister, but he complained she was too fiery... Hand me the phone so I can scold him a couple of times."

Translation: "That little bastard... I remember, I told him to bring your sister home as his wife, but he actually complained she was too fiery... Hand me the phone so I can scold him a couple of times..."

As he spoke, the elder raised his thin, withered right hand.

Translation: Saying this, the old master raised his thin, withered right hand.

Worried that his father might not hear clearly, Lin Zhenhua needed to enable the phone's speakerphone and signaled the nearby medical and duty staff to step back temporarily.

Translation: Worried the old father might not hear clearly, Lin Zhenhua needed to help him turn on the phone's speakerphone, so he signaled the nearby medical and duty staff to step back temporarily.

After everyone had stepped outside, Lin Zhenhua then placed the phone in his father's hand.

Translation: After everyone had withdrawn outside, Lin Zhenhua then placed the phone in his father's hand.

Soon, Liang Jingzhong's voice came through the phone: "Elder leader, guess who I saw today?"

Translation: Soon Liang Jingzhong's voice came through the phone: "Old leader, guess who I saw today?"

"You little brat... Yuzhi has become an old maid—will you marry her or not? If you can't handle a woman, you're not a man."

Translation: "You little brat... Yuzhi has become an old maid; will you marry her or not? If you can't even handle a woman, you're not a man..."

The elder's voice was very weak, but his tone was overbearing.

Translation: The old master's voice was very weak, but his tone was overbearing.

On the other end, Liang Jingzhong was likely fuming, the issue of whether to marry Lin Yuzhi having been settled over thirty years ago.

Translation: On the other end, Liang Jingzhong was probably fuming; the question of whether to marry Lin Yuzhi was already something from over thirty years ago.

Nowadays we're all old men and women; what's the point of discussing marriage?

Translation: Now we're all old geezers; what's there to discuss about marrying or not?

Liang Jingzhong replied over the phone: "Elder leader, can't I call you Dad? Let's put off the matter of marrying Yuzhi for now; I want to talk about Lin Dongfan."

Translation: Liang Jingzhong replied on the phone: "Old leader, can't I call you Dad? Let's put off the matter of marrying Yuzhi for now; I want to talk about Lin Dongfan."

"I don't care whether you're ordinary or extraordinary—hurry up and marry Yuzhi; Zhenhua can't have children, so after you marry Yuzhi have several kids, then adopt one for Zhenhua so he takes the Lin name."

Translation: "I don't care whether you're ordinary or extraordinary—hurry up and marry Yuzhi... Zhenhua can't have children; after you marry Yuzhi, have a few more kids... Then adopt one for Zhenhua so he takes the Lin surname..."

The elder grew weaker as he spoke, his breath very faint.

Translation: The old master grew weaker as he spoke, his breath very faint.

Lin Zhenhua, standing by the bedside, felt both helpless and ashamed, because his infertility had ended the Lin line—a sorrow that had troubled the elder his whole life.

Translation: Lin Zhenhua, guarding beside the sickbed, felt both helpless and ashamed, because his infertility had caused the Lin line to die out—this had become a lifelong heartache for the old master.

Lin Zhenhua interjected, asking, "Jingzhong, who is Lin Dongfan?"

Translation: Lin Zhenhua interjected: "Jingzhong, who is Lin Dongfan?"

"He's a member of your Lin family."

Translation: "He's a member of your Lin family."

Liang Jingzhong first answered Lin Zhenhua's question.

Translation: Liang Jingzhong first answered Lin Zhenhua's question.

He then reported to the elder: "Elder leader, I've found the Korean War veteran—this Lin Dongfan I mentioned is his son, your biological grandson."

Translation: Then he reported to the old leader: "Old leader, I've found Yuanchao; the Lin Dongfan I spoke of is Yuanchao's son, your own grandson."

"The Korean War veteran?"

Translation: "Yuanchao?"

Upon hearing that name, the elder's scattered, dazed gaze suddenly brightened.

Translation: Upon hearing that name, the old master's scattered, dazed gaze suddenly brightened.

His speech gained a bit more strength.

Translation: His speech also gained a bit more strength.

He eagerly asked, "Did you find the Korean War veteran?"

Translation: He eagerly pressed: "You found Yuanchao?"

Liang Jingzhong replied: "Found him, identity confirmed. Lin Dongfan is the Korean War veteran's son, and he looks exactly like you did when you were young. You now have not only a grandson but also a daughter-in-law."

Translation: Liang Jingzhong replied: "Found him, identity confirmed. Lin Dongfan is Yuanchao's son, looking exactly like you did when you were young. You now not only have a grandson, but also a grandson's wife."

"I have a grandson?" the elder exclaimed, growing more excited.

Translation: "I have a grandson?" the old master asked, growing more excited.

Liang Jingzhong replied: "Yes, your grandson is Lin Dongfan, already 28, married to a wife like a fairy, and she's currently pregnant."

Translation: Liang Jingzhong replied: "Yes, your grandson is Lin Dongfan, already twenty-eight; he married a wife like a fairy, and she's now pregnant."

"You little brat, why didn't you tell me about this sooner!"

Translation: "You little brat, why didn't you tell me about this sooner!"

The elder suddenly let out a roar.

Translation: The old master suddenly let out an angry roar.

On his deathbed he bolted upright, ripped out the oxygen tube from his nostrils, and straightened his back—like an old man suddenly bursting with youthful vigor, radiating a domineering aura.

Translation: On his deathbed he bolted upright, yanking out the oxygen tube from his nostrils, his back ramrod straight—truly the vigor of an old man stirring youthful passion, left leading the yellow, right holding the azure, an aura of dominance.

This terrifying scene made Lin Zhenhua's face drain of color.

Translation: This terrifying scene made Lin Zhenhua's face change color in shock.

A final rally?

Translation: "A final flicker before death?"

Lin Zhenhua turned and shouted to the medical team outside: "Doctor Zhang! The elder's failing—come in quickly!"

Translation: Lin Zhenhua turned and shouted urgently to the medical team outside: "Doctor Zhang! The old master is failing—come in quickly..."

The medical staff outside rushed in.

Translation: The medical staff outside rushed in hurriedly.

Before the medical staff could approach.

Translation: Before the medical staff could approach,

The elder rolled his eyes at everyone: "Who's dying? Get out of my way! Do I look like I'm about to die? This is absurd!"

Translation: the old master gave them a white-eyed glare: "Who's not okay? Get out of my way! Do I look like I'm about to die? Nonsense!"

His booming voice made Lin Zhenhua feel as if his heart were pierced by needles.

Translation: This booming, fierce voice made Lin Zhenhua feel as if his heart were pierced by needles.

It's too abnormal—just moments ago he was clinging to life, now he's full of vigor; what else could this be if not a final rally?

Translation: It's too abnormal—just a moment ago he was clinging to life by a thread, now he's full of vigor; if this isn't a final flicker, what is?

It seems we really need to prepare for his passing now.

Translation: It seems we really need to prepare for his passing this time.

Lin Zhenhua and Doctor Zhang exchanged a glance, fully in sync, as Zhang stepped forward and urged: "Elder, please lie down; let me check your health."

Translation: Lin Zhenhua and Doctor Zhang exchanged a glance, fully in sync; Zhang stepped forward to advise: "Old master, please lie down first; let me check your health..."

"I'm not sick—just leave me alone!"

Translation: "I'm not sick, step aside!"

Doctor Zhang reached out to help the elder lie down, but the elder shoved his hand away.

Translation: Doctor Zhang reached out to help the old master lie down, but the old master brushed his hand away.

The elder disabled the phone's speakerphone.

Translation: The old master canceled the phone's speakerphone function.

He grabbed the phone and snapped: "Jingzhong, I'm not criticizing you—you're just slow to act, and this habit needs to change! You delayed marrying for decades, and now that you've found my Lin family's descendant, you're still dragging your feet! Why wait until now to tell me? Are you planning to wait until I die to tell me at my grave?"

Translation: Holding the phone, he snapped: "Jingzhong, I'm not criticizing you—you just dawdle; this habit needs fixing! You delayed marrying for decades, and now that you've found my Lin family's descendant, you're still dragging your feet! Why wait until now to tell me? Are you planning to wait until I die and then tell me at my grave?"

"Elder leader, I also only found him today and called you right away—I truly didn't delay." Liang Jingzhong's weary voice came through the phone.

Translation: "Old leader, I also only found him today and immediately called you—this time I truly didn't delay." Liang Jingzhong's weary voice came through the phone.

The elder barked: "Don't explain—explanations are just cover-ups! Tell me, where is my eldest son? Where is my eldest grandson?"

Translation: The old master barked: "Don't explain—explanations are just cover-ups! Tell me, where is my eldest son now? Where is my eldest grandson?"

"In Nanzhou."

Translation: "In Nanzhou."

Liang Jingzhong did not dare to say over the phone that Lin Yuanchao had already passed away.

Old Master Lin Muyuan was like a fiery steed on the plain, sometimes passionate and heroic, sometimes brooding over regrets he couldn't let go of.

1934.

At age 16, Lin Muyuan enlisted and joined the troops on campaign.

1950.

At 32, Lin Muyuan welcomed a son—Lin Dongfan's father, Lin Yuanchao.

That winter.

Lin Muyuan received orders to lead his troops to the Korean battlefield; conditions were harsh, and his wife, a medic, also had to deploy with them.

No choice.

Lin Muyuan had no choice but to entrust his newborn son to his close friend Lin Xuchang for care.

At the time Lin Xuchang was engaged in commerce and had some means; entrusting his son to Lin Xuchang gave Lin Muyuan peace of mind.

All Lin Muyuan left his son was a single name—Lin Yuanchao.

Later Lin Muyuan was wounded on the battlefield and sent to Pingyang for treatment; his wife stayed by his side to care for him, leaving no time to attend to their son.

Lin Xuchang, unable to contact Lin Muyuan, assumed the couple had perished in the war and thereafter raised Lin Yuanchao as his own son.

1952.

The Five-Antis Campaign intensified, and Lin Xuchang was unfortunately labeled a bad capitalist; his formerly prosperous family was reduced to nothing overnight.

To survive, Lin Xuchang could only take his wife and children to the countryside.

He sought an obscure mountain gully where no one knew him to make a living.

These years.

Lin Muyuan kept searching for Lin Xuchang's family and his own son Lin Yuanchao; that feeling of futility, like looking for a needle in a sea, often drove him to despair, beating his chest and stamping his feet.

Now he is 92 years old.

If one told him his eldest son Lin Yuanchao had passed, Liang Jingzhong truly feared he would gasp, kick his legs, and depart at once.

To ensure absolute safety.

Liang Jingzhong then resorted to a delaying tactic: "Old Master, don't worry—I'll look after Lin Dongfan; his wife is the daughter of Chu Jinsong, Deputy Secretary of the Nanzhou Municipal Party Committee, and her family background is also clean."

"Book me a ticket—I'm going to Nanzhou!"

At the Old Master's command, not only did Liang Jingzhong on the other end of the line look speechless, but Lin Zhenhua and those nearby also broke out in a cold sweat.

Just a moment ago he had been lying in bed, on his last breath.

This final flare of vigor is too much—does he think he's still a hot-blooded youth? At 92, he still wants to go south and north.

Lin Zhenhua urged anxiously: "Dad, at least let the doctor examine your body first…"

"What check? My body's fine!"

The Old Master gave nobody any room to object.

He again ordered Liang Jingzhong on the other end of the phone: "Listen, Jingzhong—if my grandson suffers any injustice in Nanzhou, watch out—I'll whip you with my horsewhip! He's the sole heir of the Lin family."

"Old Master, I happen to be the Secretary of the Jianglan Provincial Party Committee—can't you give me some face? Don't mention the whip." Liang Jingzhong said, his tone gloomy.

"What's it to you being the Provincial Party Committee Secretary? I can whip you without reporting to the central authorities."

The Old Master, a career soldier with a violent temper all his life, hung up after speaking, giving Liang Jingzhong no room to negotiate.

The Old Master again ordered Lin Zhenhua: "Why are you standing there like an idiot? Hurry up and book the tickets!"

"Dad, calm down—first cooperate with the doctor for a checkup." The 53-year-old Lin Zhenhua, even before the Old Master, dared not raise his voice.

The Old Master set down his phone, head lowered, searching left and right: "Where's my horsewhip…"

Seeing this, Lin Zhenhua felt his scalp go numb with vexation: "Even if you whip me to death today, you still need a thorough examination before we decide on booking tickets."

Lin Zhenhua prepared to go head-to-head with the Old Master to the bitter end.

Meanwhile:

Having just stepped out of the Nanzhou Municipal Party Committee building, Lin Dongfan sneezed repeatedly, feeling he must have caught a cold; the weather forecast said it would snow, though he saw no snowflakes, the wind was bitterly piercing.

Chu Jinsong criticized concernedly: "Why aren't you wearing the velvet coat your mother bought you? You care about appearance, not warmth."

"I brought it, it's in the car." Lin Dongfan said.

Chu Jinsong walked and asked: "What did Secretary Liang say when he had you alone for questioning today?"

"He just asked about our Lin family affairs, then said this battle must be won, not lost, and told me to go all out." Lin Dongfan still didn't know he was a red-three-generation of pure lineage.

Chu Jinsong wouldn't think of that either; in his dreams he never imagined his in-laws, such that even seeing Liang Jingzhong would make him lower his head and call himself little loyal son.

Chu Jinsong reflected: "Secretary Liang is right—this battle must be won. Now Secretary Liang has made his stance clear; that's good, you can go all out."

"Hmm, I understand."

Lin Dongfan added: "Dad, you and Chief Leng and Chief Xu are meeting—I won't join the fun; Lingxi is waiting for me at the cultural troupe."