On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

On Chongming Sandbar, the hustle and bustle of the deep-water port roars day and night like the never-ending tide.

The huge steel body of the 10,000-ton ship "Breaking Waves" is docked steadily on the brand new granite berth, and the thick cables are wrapped around the cast iron mooring bollards like a giant python.

The towering "crane" crane arm slowly turned amid the hissing sound of the steam winch, and the huge iron hook accurately reached into the cabin, steadily lifting bundles of copper wires and heavy mechanical parts and moving them to the brightly lit Warehouse A.

The bare-chested bronze backs of the laborers shone shiny in the morning light. They carried heavy sacks and shouted powerful slogans, forming a rushing torrent of flesh and blood on the pier.

The port, a huge machine built of steel, cement, steam and flesh and blood, is running at an astonishing speed, handling the industrial blood from Wuqing, Tianjin and even the distant South Seas.

However, in stark contrast to the boiling and powerful hustle and bustle of the port, in the core area of ​​Huxian New City, in the heavily guarded "Huxian Special Economic Zone Governor's Mansion", which was expanded from the original county government office, the atmosphere is as heavy as water, with a calm and profound sense of control over everything.

The main hall of the Governor's Mansion is tall, spacious and solemn.

On the huge rosewood screen, there is a relief carving of the majestic "A Thousand Miles of the Yangtze River and the East China Sea".

In the hall, there are two rows of rosewood official hat chairs on the left and right.

At this moment, Lin Zhen was not sitting in the main seat, but standing with his hands behind his back in front of the huge "Sand Table of the Overall Plan of the Huxian Special Economic Zone".

The sand table is well-made, with mountains, rivers, ports, roads, bridges, planned industrial areas, commercial areas, residential areas, schools, clinics, parks and green spaces... every detail is clearly visible, like a miniature kingdom.

He was dressed in a simple, elegant, moon-white, coiled dragon-patterned uniform. His figure stood tall as a pine tree, his bearing as solemn and imposing as a mountain. The morning light filtered through the tall, glazed window lattices, casting a deep shadow on his profile.

He played with the warm, white jade pendant in his hand, his eyes calmly scanning every detail on the sand table, like a god overlooking his own kingdom.

"Your Highness," Xiao Hanzhou, dressed in an indigo Confucian robe and holding a scroll of documents, stood beside him, his voice clear and steady.

"The 'Polang' and 'Yangfan' have successfully completed their maiden voyage and unloaded cargo. The first batch of equipment from the Wuqing Machinery Plant branch, raw materials from the Qilu Cement Plant, Nanyang rubber, and tin ore have all been put into storage. The port dispatch center is operating smoothly, with smooth integration of warehousing, transshipment, and registration processes, without any errors or omissions."

Lin Zhen nodded slightly, his eyes still fixed on the thick red line on the sand table that meandered between the port and the hinterland of the new city - "Shanghai-Hong Kong Avenue".

“Road progress.”

"Your Highness," Chu Xiling's cold voice rang out. She was wearing an indigo work suit that was easy to move in, her long hair was simply tied up, and her face was a little tired after staying up late, but her eyes were still as sharp as an eagle.

"Ninety-five percent of the gravel roadbed for the first phase of the Shanghai-Hong Kong Boulevard (from the port to the industrial park) is complete, and the concrete hardening layer is being poured in sections. As requested by His Highness, a trench has been reserved for future railroad tracks (for animal-drawn carriages). Seventy percent of the roadbed widening for the second phase (from the industrial park to the core area of ​​the new city) is complete, and the entire line is expected to be open within ten days. Construction of pre-designated water pipelines and drainage ditches along the route is also underway, overseen by a dedicated official from the Ministry of Works (prepared by Xiao Hanzhou)."

Lin Zhen gently stroked the jade pendant with his fingertips and cast his gaze towards the area marked "Hudong Industrial Park" on the sand table: "Industrial Park."

"The first five core supporting enterprises have signed the settlement agreement," Zhang Li's voice followed. She was wearing a neat indigo dress with silver thread embroidered on the sleeves, and a plain half-sleeve. She looked smart and capable with a touch of grace.

"Wuqing Machinery Branch, Qilu Cement Branch, Jiangnan Textile Machinery Factory, Jinling Iron and Steel Works, and Suzhou-Hangzhou Precision Devices Institute. The factory site plan has been reviewed and approved by Sister Xiling. The first batch of land has been leveled, and the foundations for some factory buildings have been excavated. The Special Zone Investment Service Center has assisted with recruitment and construction material procurement. Furthermore, the establishment plan for the 'Special Zone Bank' has been drafted, and the articles of association, share capital structure, and reserve ratio have been approved. Upon His Highness's review and approval, it can be listed and operated."

As she spoke, she respectfully presented a beautifully bound memorial.

Lin Zhen took the letter but didn't open it immediately. Instead, he turned his gaze to Mao Mengji, who was standing solemnly beside him. "Public security."

Mao Mengji bent forward, his sword pressed against his chest. His dark fish-scale armor shone with a cold, hard sheen in the morning light. The scar on his withered face looked as if carved into it. His voice was hoarse and low, "The port, main roads, and the core area of ​​the industrial park are patrolled day and night by the Jinwu Guards. There's no danger. The 300-member Special Zone Patrol Team has been newly added. They've completed basic training and are now patrolling the streets. Last night..."

He paused, his voice even colder. "The incident of Japanese pirates infiltrating the cement factory has been investigated. The leader, Hattori Hanzo, is seriously injured and on the run. Three of his accomplices were killed, and two were captured (Wang Ergou and Li Laonian). Furthermore, the leader of the Scorpion Gang, Black Scorpion, and seven of his core members, gathered to resist the French and set fire to the warehouse last night. They were killed on the spot! The remaining 37 members have been captured! A Japanese token, the 'Maican,' and a copy of what is believed to be a cement formula have been seized. The relevant criminals and evidence have been taken to the death row of the 'Zhuanfu Division' and await Your Highness's decision!"

There was still no emotion on Lin Zhen's face, as if the thrilling secret battle and bloody purge last night were just a few insignificant chess pieces being swept away on the chessboard.

He glanced calmly at everyone: "Brother Lin?"

A subtle flicker of emotion flashed across Mao Mengji's eyes. "That child has also been detained. Investigations have revealed that he's closely associated with the Goryeo spy Jin Shunyi. Last night, he was carrying a Japanese 'Maican' and attempted to transfer suspected stolen goods (in an oilcloth bag). He's now also being held at the 'Pacification Division.'"

The atmosphere in the hall became slightly tense.

Brother Lin...that thin figure running errands at the port construction site, was actually caught up in such a vortex?

Lin Zhen was silent for a moment, then lightly tapped the jade pendant with his fingertips: "Bring him up."

A moment later, two Jinwu Guards soldiers escorted a thin figure into the main hall.

It’s Brother Lin.

He was wearing a clearly ill-fitting, rough prison uniform. His face was as pale as paper, his lips were cracked, his hair was disheveled, and his body was covered in mud and dried blood (from last night's struggle).

He lowered his head, his small body trembling violently with extreme fear, like a fallen leaf in the autumn wind.

He didn't dare look up at anyone, especially the Crown Prince who was as high and mighty as a god in the hall.

The gloomy, cold, bloody and desperate environment of the Zhenfu Division's death row had already destroyed his last bit of courage.

He felt like an ant thrown into a pot of boiling oil, ready to be crushed to pieces at any moment.

"Raise your head." Lin Zhen's voice was not loud, but it carried a power that penetrated people's hearts and was clearly heard by Lin Ge'er.

Lin Ge'er trembled all over, like a frightened rabbit, and subconsciously raised his head.

When his eyes met Lin Zhen's deep, calm eyes that seemed to see through everything, a huge fear instantly gripped him!

He collapsed to the ground with a thud, his forehead pressed firmly against the cold, smooth gold brick floor, and he let out an uncontrollable, animal-like whimper.

"Your Highness... Please... Please spare my life... I... I have been wronged... I... know nothing..."

Tears flowed out like beads from a broken string, mixed with mud, and created a small stain on the smooth ground.

The hall was silent.

Only Lin Ge'er's suppressed sobs echoed.

A trace of pity flashed across Zhang Li's eyes, Chu Xiling frowned slightly, Xiao Hanzhou's eyes were complicated, and Mao Mengji had a blank expression, as if cast in iron.

Lin Zhen looked quietly at the small figure on the ground that was huddled together in fear, his eyes calm and without any wavering.

He walked down the steps slowly and stopped in front of Lin Ge'er.

The tip of the black boots with coiled dragon pattern was only an inch away from Lin Ge'er's trembling fingers.

"Your name is Lin Ge'er?" Lin Zhen's voice was still calm, and no emotion could be heard.

"Yes... yes... I am a villain... Lin Ge'er..." Lin Ge'er's voice was shaking and out of tune.

"Who is Wang Youde to you?"

Brother Lin was shocked all over!

It was like being struck by lightning!

His father's name, a nightmare-like name that he had buried deep in his memory with his own hands!

A huge sense of fear and shame instantly overwhelmed him!

He suddenly raised his head, tears streaming down his little face, his eyes filled with incredible fear and... a hint of deep resentment?

"No... no... I... I don't have a father... I... am an orphan..." He spoke incoherently and his voice was hoarse.

Lin Zhen's deep gaze seemed to penetrate Lin Ge'er's fragile disguise and saw the desperate child curled up in the corner of the shack, witnessing his father's crazy suicide.

He didn't ask any further questions, but changed the subject: "Why did Jin Shunyi come to you? Where did the things in the oilcloth bag come from?"

Lin Ge'er felt like he had grabbed a lifeline and cried out, "Your Highness... I don't know that Boss Jin... He... He was injured... He was dying... He asked me to take him to the clinic... That... That bag... He... He stuffed it into my pocket... He said... He said it was very important... He asked me to keep it for safekeeping... I... I really don't know anything, Your Highness..."

He cried and wiped his tears with his dirty sleeves, looking miserable and pitiful.

"What about 'Cicada'?" Lin Zhen asked, his voice carrying a subtle hint of oppression.

"Cicada?" Lin Ge'er was stunned and shook his head blankly. "I don't know... that 'bug' is in Boss Jin's bag. It... it moves... it makes noises... I... I'm scared..."