Chapter 153: Ding Yan Returns—the Sea Realm’s Heavyweight Is Back

Ever since helping Qin Lin break into the vehicle advertising market in Hong Kong, the Lanfang Toy Factory had been using Qin Lin’s fleet for its cargo transport. The primary reasons were Qin Lin’s established network—which saved the factory from having to handle logistics arrangements themselves—and his status as Gao Ran’s father.

But no one expected such a sudden crisis to occur today. The cargo failed to arrive on schedule, which would not only cost the toy factory a penalty fee but would also disrupt current shipping plans. This was a grave issue; it was no wonder Wang Tiancai could not resolve it.

After a moment of contemplation, Zhang Tianfeng asked, "How much was supposed to be shipped this time?"

"130,000 toys, requiring about two large semi-trailers."

"Find a new fleet immediately. If you can't find one, buy two trucks to get the cargo moving. Also, arrange for a temporary transport team to fill the gap while I try to contact Qin Lin."

He lacked the capacity to build his own fleet, and he didn't trust finding a new one on short notice, so he had to rely on a few stopgaps for now.

After hanging up, Zhang Tianfeng dialed Qin Lin’s two private numbers, but both appeared to be unreachable. He then tried calling Gao Ran, only to find her line was also disconnected. The situation seemed to be escalating.

Seeing Zhang Tianfeng’s furrowed brows, Xiang Chen, who was nearby, suggested, "Boss, should I send a team of our guys to Xikang Province to check it out? We know where he lives."

"Send people to look, but do not start any conflicts. Whatever you see, keep it quiet, and don't let them spot you."

Zhang Tianfeng didn’t trust Qin Lin, but he did trust Gao Ran. Having spent a long time with the girl, he could tell she was genuinely fond of him, and their interactions had never been motivated by personal gain. Perhaps finding Qin Lin was the only way to uncover the truth.

After stabilizing the situation, Zhang Tianfeng put his mobile phone into his backpack and headed to school with his books, while Xiang Chen and his men waited outside the campus. Nothing happened throughout the afternoon, except for Wang Tiancai calling periodically to report updates.

By evening, Zhang Tianfeng’s phone rang again. This time, it wasn’t Wang Tiancai, but Ding Yan.

"Brother, you said November would be profitable. I’m back. When do we start?"

Whether it was due to the stress of the day’s events or not, Zhang Tianfeng clearly sensed that Ding Yan’s tone was less boisterous and more urgent than usual.

After a moment of silence, he said, "Brother, let's meet in Zhucheng. I’ll treat you to dinner tonight. I’ll send you the location in a bit."

"Alright, I’ll wait for your good news."

After sending the location and waiting for another hour, the two met at a hotel. It had been nearly a month since they last saw each other, and Ding Yan’s face looked significantly more weathered.

"Brother, have you been punished by your wife back home? You look terrible," Zhang Tianfeng said, smiling as he poured Ding Yan a drink.

"Ha, don't mention it. That woman has been hounding me for money. It was fine at first, but for the last half-month, I’ve been running whenever I see her. Later, she got smart and used my youngest son to coerce me. The feeling... just don't ask." Ding Yan sighed and shook his head.

Zhang Tianfeng laughed, "Who told you to wander around outside for so many years?"

"If I didn’t go out, who would earn the money? A man in this world has to shoulder the responsibility of supporting his family. As for the home affairs, let the women handle them."

Ding Yan lit a cigarette, but before he could continue, a waiter walked over. "Sir, smoking is not allowed here."

"I can't even smoke in a private room?" Ding Yan’s expression turned cold. He opened his briefcase, pulled out a stack of cash, and asked, "Can I smoke now?"

"Yes, please, go ahead."

"Honestly, what a snob. Get out, and don't come back until you're called."

When they walked in, they had smelled cigarette smoke; it wasn't just the private room—people were smoking in the main lobby too.

"That waiter is brainless. Would someone who can afford a private room be short of money?" Zhang Tianfeng remarked. "Brother, carrying that much cash around, aren't you afraid of being targeted?"

Zhang Tianfeng had caught a glimpse earlier; the briefcase was stuffed with bills, at least a million.

Ding Yan exhaled a cloud of smoke and smiled, "I’d actually welcome someone to cause me trouble. Then I could play the game of 'thief catching thief.' Brother, stop talking about me. Tell me about you—I hear you’ve been doing great lately."

Even though Ding Yan was in his hometown, he had seen the Lanfang Toy Factory advertisement on television. Back then, he had bragged to everyone that while he was uneducated, his friend was sophisticated enough to even film commercials.

"It’s okay, within my projected earnings." Zhang Tianfeng reached into his pocket and returned a bank card to Ding Yan. This was the card Ding Yan had used to lend him money. Once the toy factory’s capital had been recouped, he withdrew the ten million and added six months of interest.

"What are you doing? Not planning to let me in on the profits anymore?"

"Of course not. We’ll definitely make money together, but business is business."

"Then you’d better keep it for now. I don't dare take this money."

"What’s wrong?" Zhang Tianfeng frowned. "Is someone targeting me?"

"It’s not someone targeting you; it’s someone targeting me." Ding Yan looked around, leaned in, and whispered, "A big shot from the sea-smuggling circles has returned, and he’s cleaning house."

"Half of the people who haven't 'come ashore' have already been thrown into the sea by him. The rest have all become his subordinates."

"Who is it, to be that fierce?" Sea smugglers were already tough—living on the water year-round, battling the ocean, and outsmarting foreigners. How could someone suddenly appear who could suppress all of them? It felt like a dimension-level strike.

"You’re not in this circle, so you don't need to know." Ding Yan’s expression was somber. "Most of the people on the sea have already been cleared out; only a few small fish are left jumping around. He has turned his gaze to the land. Anyone in the smuggling circle, no matter how long they’ve been on shore, is being hunted down."

"Then, brother, you too..."

Ding Yan nodded. That was the reason he had returned early. He hadn't just returned early; he had withdrawn all his savings and brought his wife and children out of the village.

"Brother, I don't think I can escape this. I’m asking you for one thing: find a place to shelter my wife and children. If you can pull this off, you don't need to return that ten million. Consider it a thank-you fee."

Zhang Tianfeng saw no hint of a joke on Ding Yan’s face; there was only earnestness. Suddenly, a flash of insight crossed his mind. He recalled a key figure. Back when he was in Xiyan City, when he first thought of Qin Lin, he had wondered about the later years of this inland tycoon who had made his fortune through smuggling. He had moved all his capital to the coast, only to vanish without a trace within two years.

That happened to be the exact period when the coastal smuggling world was dominated by a ruthless man. If it truly were him, Ding Yan’s fear was justified, and Qin Lin’s disappearance was undoubtedly due to him.