Chapter 89

The old master of the Jingcheng Military District Compound found his old whip from years ago. When he brandished it, he really whipped Lin Zhenhua, treating the over‑fifty‑year‑old Old Lin like a child.

Translate: "The old master of the Jingcheng Military District Compound found his old whip from years ago. When he brandished the whip, he really lashed Lin Zhenhua with it, treating the over-fifty-year-old Old Lin like a child."

We need to keep faithful, not add. Let's produce concise translation.

The old master of the Jingcheng Military District Compound found his old whip from years ago.

When he brandished the whip, he really lashed Lin Zhenhua with it, treating the over‑fifty‑year‑old Old Lin like a child.

Combine into one sentence? Keep as one line.

Thus: "The old master of the Jingcheng Military District Compound found his old whip from years ago; when he brandished the whip, he really lashed Lin Zhenhua with it, treating the over-fifty-year-old Old Lin like a child."

But we need to keep meaning exactly. Could split into two sentences but must be one line. Use semicolon.

Ok.

Anyone who tries to stop him from heading south to look for his grandson gets whipped.

Translation: "Whoever tried to stop him from going south to find his grandson, he would whip that person."

If Lin Zhenhua's wife hadn't stepped in and pulled him back, Lin Zhenhua would surely have gotten a severe beating. After much persuasion, the old master finally reluctantly put down his whip and allowed the medical staff to examine him.

Translation: "If Lin Zhenhua's wife hadn't stepped in to pull him back, Lin Zhenhua would surely have gotten a beating. After much persuasion, the old master finally reluctantly put down the whip and allowed the medical staff to examine him."

After completing the initial examination, the medical staff were also stunned.

Translation: "After completing the initial examination, the medical staff were also dumbfounded."

Never having seen such abnormal behavior, they couldn't tell at once whether the old master was experiencing a final surge of vitality before death or simply feeling elated from good fortune; they advised him to stay home and be observed first.

Translation: "Never having seen such abnormal behavior, they couldn't tell at once whether the old master was experiencing a final burst of vitality before death or simply feeling elated from good fortune; they advised him to stay home and observe first."

Everyone's main fear was that the old master might die on the way.

Translation: "Everyone's main fear was that the old master might die midway."

Given his status, whether he died on a plane or in a car, any death outside would be a dereliction of duty by the medical team—a responsibility no one could bear.

Translation: "Given the old master's status, whether he died on a plane or in a car, as long as he died outside, it would be a dereliction of duty by the medical team—no one could bear that responsibility."

Nanzhou remained unchanged, with neither wind nor rain, nor sunshine.

Translation: "Nanzhou remained as it was, with neither wind nor rain, nor sunshine."

Lin Dongfan naturally had no idea that there was an old master somewhere who was worrying about him.

Translation: "Lin Dongfan naturally had no idea that there was an old master somewhere who was worrying about him."

Since being transferred to the Anti‑Corruption Bureau, he has been pushed each day by invisible pressure, spending most of his time on work and hardly having any leisure of his own.

Translation: "Since being transferred to the Anti-Corruption Bureau, he has been pushed each day by invisible pressure, spending most of his time on work and hardly having any leisure of his own."

In official circles, it's either you scheme against me or I scheme against you—constant intrigue and backstabbing.

Translation: "In officialdom, it's either you scheme against me or I scheme against you—constant intrigue and backstabbing."

In this tense struggle to get by, Lin Dongfan also longs to spend more time with Chu Lingxi, especially while she is working hard for the Spring Festival Gala stage.

Translation: "In this tense rhythm of survival, Lin Dongfan also longed to spend more time with Chu Lingxi, especially during this period when she was working hard for the Spring Festival Gala stage."

To appear on the Spring Festival Gala stage is the dream of countless people in the arts and literature world.

Translation: "To step onto the Spring Festival Gala stage is the dream of countless people in the arts and literature world."

Whether for fame and profit or to prove one's ability, at least in this era no other stage's charm can surpass that of the Spring Festival Gala's grand stage.

Translation: "Whether for fame and profit or to prove one's own ability, at least in this era, no other stage's charm can compare to that of the Spring Festival Gala's grand stage."

Within the performing arts troupe, even the air is filled with an artistic atmosphere.

Translation: "Within the Art Troupe, even the air is filled with an artistic atmosphere."

He walked through the corridor.

Translation: "He walked through the corridor."

Lin Dongfan gently pushed open the door of Rehearsal Hall No. 1; the uplifting music was delightful, and the soft lighting combined with the graceful dance moves wove a visual feast on stage.

Translation: "Lin Dongfan gently pushed open the doors of Rehearsal Hall No. 1; the flowing music was delightful, the soft lighting and graceful movements intertwined on stage into a visual feast."

The piece being performed on stage is 'Dream Returning to a Thousand Years,' specially designed for the Spring Festival Gala.

Translation: "What was performed on stage was 'Dream Returning to a Thousand Years,' a piece specially designed for the Spring Festival Gala."

It is a dance that blends classical and modern elements, showcasing the charm of traditional culture while retaining the liveliness and freedom of modern dance.

Translation: "It is a dance that blends classical and modern elements, showcasing the charm of traditional culture while retaining the liveliness and freedom of modern dance."

Today is the first costume and makeup rehearsal.

Translation: "Today was the first costume and makeup rehearsal."

As the lead dancer, Chu Lingxi wore a gorgeous rainbow‑feather robe; more than a dozen pretty girls accompanied her in the dance, Tang Jing being one of them.

Translation: "As the lead dancer, Chu Lingxi wore a beautiful feathered robe; over a dozen pretty girls accompanied her dance, Tang Jing being one of them."

Every move Chu Lingxi made was professional.

Translation: "Every movement of Chu Lingxi was professional."

Like an elegant fairy.

Translation: "Like an elegant fairy."

Her water sleeves flew, her myriad postures, just as described in the 'Ode to the Luo River Goddess': 'She seems like a light cloud veiling the moon, drifting like a returning snow blown by the wind.'

Translation: "Her water sleeves flew, her myriad postures, just as described in the 'Ode to the Luo River Goddess': 'She seems like a light cloud veiling the moon, drifting like a returning snow blown by the wind.'"

But we need to translate 'myriad postures' as 'her myriad postures'? Better: 'her myriad postures' is awkward. We can say 'her countless poses' or 'her myriad postures'. Let's use 'her myriad postures'. Or 'her myriad postures' is okay. Could also say 'her myriad postures'. We'll keep as 'her myriad postures'. Or 'her myriad postures'. We'll go with 'her myriad postures'.

Alternatively, we could translate "myriad postures" as "her myriad posture". We'll keep.

Lin Dongfan stood at the entrance, stunned, so overwhelmed by the beautiful spectacle that he forgot to find a seat.

Translation: "Lin Dongfan stood at the doorway, dumbstruck, so shocked by this beautiful spectacle that he forgot to look for a seat."

Every night he held Chu Lingxi as they slept together.

Translation: "Every night he held Chu Lingxi as they slept."

Lin Dongfan had never expected that she could be this beautiful on stage; no wonder Xiao Shangzong, after seeing just one rehearsal, is haunted by her, to the point that he doesn't even want Tang Jing, who throws herself at him.

Translation: "Before, Lin Dongfan never imagined she could be this beautiful on stage; no wonder Xiao Shang Zong, after watching a single rehearsal, is haunted by dreams, to the point that he doesn't even want Tang Jing, who automatically throws herself at him."

"Mr. Lin, you've come."

Translation: "\"Mr. Lin, you've come. \""

Just as Lin Dongfan was immersed in pride and arrogance, bodyguard Xie Xiaofeng walked over.

Translation: "Just as Lin Dongfan was immersed in pride and arrogance, bodyguard Xie Xiaofeng walked over."

Lin Dongfan stared unblinkingly at the beauty on stage and asked: 'These days, has anyone been harassing my wife?'

Translation: "Lin Dongfan stared unblinkingly at the beauty on stage, asking: 'These days, has anyone been harassing my wife?'"

"Are those who give the lady flowers and try to win her favor counted?"

Translation: "\"Those who give flowers to the lady and try to curry favor with her—do they count? \""

Xie Xiaofeng is an upright, straightforward person; his mind has no devious twists, just like his straight posture, and he seems not to understand scheming.

Translation: "Xie Xiaofeng is an upright, straightforward person; his mind has no twists and turns, just like his straight posture—he seems never to understand bending."

He also doesn't know what the specific definition of harassment is.

Translation: "He also doesn't know what the concrete definition of harassment is."

Lin Dongfan knew he had no fancy thoughts in his head, only knew to fulfill his duty, so he gave him a stern answer: 'Besides family, any male creature that approaches the wife counts as harassment.'

Translation: "Lin Dongfan knew his mind held none of those frivolous things; he only knew how to fulfill his duties, so he gave him a stern answer: 'Besides family, any male creature that approaches the lady counts as harassment.'"

Upon hearing this, Xie Xiaofeng felt as if his scalp were about to explode.

Translation: "Upon hearing this, Xie Xiaofeng felt his scalp about to explode."

He replied with a ashamed face: 'Sorry, I haven't fulfilled my duties properly. Earlier, some men gave flowers and tried to win her favor, and I didn't stop them firmly. However, when the wife refused, if they still clung on, I warned them to keep a safe distance from her.'

Translation: "He replied with a face full of shame: 'Sorry, I haven't fulfilled my duties well. Earlier, some men gave flowers and tried to curry favor with the lady, and I didn't strictly stop them. However, when the lady refused, if they still clung on, I warned them to keep a safe distance from her.'"

"You've done well; keep it up. You must respect your wife's personal wishes while also ensuring she is not harassed," Lin Dongfan replied.

Translation: "\"Not bad; keep it up—you must respect the lady's personal wishes while also ensuring she isn't harassed. \" Lin Dongfan replied."

Xie Xiaofeng nodded with an 'uh'.

Translation: "Xie Xiaofeng nodded with an 'uh'."

Lin Dongfan said no more, went to the front row, found a seat, and slowly enjoyed his wife's breathtaking dance performance that seemed to bring back dreams of a thousand years.

Translation: "Lin Dongfan said no more, went to the front row, found a seat, and slowly enjoyed the dance feast that made his wife seem to bring back dreams of a thousand years."

When the dance ended, the stage lights instantly brightened.

Translation: "When the dance ended, the stage lights instantly brightened."

Lin Dongfan rose and clapped, saying: 'Beautiful!'

Translation: "Lin Dongfan rose and clapped: 'Beautiful!'"

At that moment, the troupe leader Yingjie stepped onto the stage and said to everyone: 'You've worked hard; today's performance was good. After returning, make some preparations—three days from now we'll have the Beijing rehearsal…'

Translation: "At this moment, the Art Troupe's leader, Elder Sister Ying, stepped onto the stage and said to everyone: 'You've all worked hard; today's performance was pretty good. After returning, you've made some preparations—three days from now we'll go to the capital for rehearsal……'"

Before Yingjie could finish speaking.

Translation: "Before Ying Jie could finish speaking,"

Chu Lingxi had already lifted her skirt and was running down the stage with great enthusiasm.

Translation: "Chu Lingxi had already lifted her skirt and was running downstage with great enthusiasm."

A bright smile spread across her face.

Translation: "A beaming smile on her face."

She had two charming dimples.

Translation: "With two charming little dimples."

She didn't care how the surrounding sisters looked; she excitedly jumped onto Lin Dongfan, wrapped her legs around his waist, tightly embraced him, and asked: 'Honey, did I dance well?'

Translation: "She didn't care how the surrounding sisters looked; she excitedly leapt onto Lin Dongfan, wrapping her legs around his waist and tightly embracing him: 'Honey, did I dance well?'"

"Be careful, you're pregnant."

Translation: "\"Be careful, you're pregnant. \""

Lin Dongfan was startled by her move, hastily supporting her buttocks with both hands, afraid she might slip.

Translation: "Lin Dongfan was startled by her move, hastily supporting her buttocks with both hands, afraid she wouldn't hold steady."

Chu Lingxi squinted her eyes with a smile and said: 'It's fine, quickly tell me—did I dance well?'

Translation: "Chu Lingxi squinted her eyes with a smile: 'It's fine, hurry up and tell me—did I dance well?'"

"It must be beautiful."

Translation: "\"It must be beautiful. \""

Lin Dongfan kissed her, and only then did she, satisfied, stop her questioning and return his kiss.

Translation: "Lin Dongfan gave her a kiss; only then did she, satisfied, stop her questioning and return the kiss to Lin Dongfan."

Among the performing arts troupe, few of these women devoted to dance are married; seeing this dog food scattered everywhere, everyone feels a bit envious and jealous.

Translation: "Among the Art Troupe's beauties devoted to dance art, few are married; seeing this dog food scattered all over the ground, everyone feels a bit envious and jealous."

Mainly because Chu Lingxi's husband is indeed handsome, meeting everyone's aesthetic standards.

Translation: "Mainly because Chu Lingxi's husband is indeed handsome, meeting everyone's aesthetic standards."

Tang Jing walked over with a smile and greeted: 'Fan Ge, coming to pick up Lingxi after work?'

Translation: "Tang Jing walked over with a smile and greeted: 'Brother Fan, coming to pick up Lingxi after work?'"

"Mm."

Translation: "\"Mm. \""

Lin Dongfan set Chu Lingxi down, then glanced at the large bandage on Tang Jing's forehead and asked: 'Does the wound on your head affect your performance?'

Translation: "Lin Dongfan set Chu Lingxi down, then glanced at the large bandage on Tang Jing's forehead: 'Your head injury—will it affect your performance?'"

"No problem; at the time I can cover it with makeup or a headpiece."

Translation: "\"No problem; at the time I can cover it with makeup or a headpiece. \""

Mentioning the wound on her head, Tang Jing felt deep gratitude toward Lin Dongfan; back at Imperial No. 1, if Lin Dongfan hadn't suddenly appeared, she might have been ruined by Xiao Shangzong for the rest of her life.

Translation: "Mentioning the head injury, Tang Jing felt deep gratitude toward Lin Dongfan: 'Last time at Imperial One, if it weren't for Lin Dongfan suddenly appearing, I might have been ruined for life by Xiao Shang Zong's hands.'"

Tang Jing warmly invited: "Last time you saved me, I still haven't had a chance to thank you. Are you free today? I'll treat you two to a meal."

We have plenty of free time, let's go.

Chu Lingxi spontaneously decided for Lin Dongfan.

Just then.

A man in a suit and leather shoes, wearing glasses, walked over: "Mr. Lin, Miss Tang, you're both here? Perfect, I have a case I need to discuss with you."

This person is a lawyer from Utmost Harmony Law Firm, called Shen Bi.

Before, when Lin Dongfan was with his ex-girlfriend Fang Xiaoqian, he often went to the courthouse and had several contacts with Shen Bi.

Thinking that he himself wasn't involved in any lawsuit.

Lin Dongfan asked in surprise: "Lawyer Shen, what do you need from us?"

"It's Shang Weiliang's case." Shen Bi pushed up his glasses and said bluntly: "Accepting a commission from Shang Media, Mr. Shang's case is now handled by me."

Hearing that, Lin Dongfan's good mood instantly dropped by half.

After finally setting aside time to accompany his wife, he just wanted to enjoy some fun in the mortal world with her, but damn it, another trouble showed up, not letting him have any peace.