Madmen don't keep diaries

Chapter 390 389 High tide brings goods to port, darkness makes unpacking easier

It turned out to be a misunderstanding.

After hearing the man's explanation, Feng Xiuhu realized that he had been overreacting—or, to put it bluntly, he was feeling guilty.

To put an end to the matter, Feng Xiuhu helped the man up and brushed the dust off his trousers: "You too, how could you be so careless? You were following me, but how did you manage to let me find out? Look how unpleasant this has become."

The man was quick to apologize with a smile: "It's all my fault, I just tripped and fell without thinking."

Feng Xiuhu pointed to the back of his head: "Go to the hospital right away—this should be considered a work injury, remember to claim reimbursement from your employer."

"I'll go right away."

The man bowed and took his leave.

After the man left, Shunzi came over.

He whispered to Feng Xiuhu, "I remember that face. It looks like the doorman who stood at the door last night."

Feng Xiuhu nodded: "I know, he has a gun on his waist, I saw it."

Shunzi's guess was the same as Feng Xiuhu's: "He clearly had a gun but didn't intend to fight back. It seems he really wasn't here to cause trouble."

He asked Feng Xiuhu curiously, "Brother, what exactly did you see last night? Why is Shi Wuyu searching for you all over the city?"

“I went to the fifth floor and saw koi fish under the floorboards, and most of the pictures on the walls were of Madam Xu’s dead husband, but I didn’t see anything else.”

Feng Xiuhu shook his head: "But I'm afraid they'll think I saw something, which is why they're so persistent in their pursuit."

……

As evening approached, Feng Xiuhu and Shunzi went home first.

It started to drizzle again—perhaps because it was built on water, it always rained at night in Qianyu City.

Fang Youliu also returned. As soon as he entered the door, he stared at Feng Xiuhu with a suspicious look.

"There was a thief at Shiwuyu last night, and they're searching the whole city for him today. Even the police have issued arrest warrants—could this be related to you?"

Feng Xiuhu was a little nervous: "A warrant for arrest? That shouldn't be the case, I clearly covered my face."

Fang Youliu was stunned for a moment, then immediately jumped up and down: "So it really is you!"

Feng Xiuhu, resting his chin on his hand, asked, "The arrest warrants have already been posted. How am I supposed to go out tonight?"

Fang Youliu said helplessly, "There is no portrait on the notice. It only points out that such a thing happened, and then says that the police are searching the whole city and asking the public to help provide clues."

No portrait?

Feng Xiuhu felt something was wrong—although he had covered his face, his figure and clothing could not be hidden. If even this information was not written down, then what was the point of this notice?
Fang Youliu saw what Feng Xiuhu was thinking and said irritably, "Your case has been used as a tool by the government—the police claimed to have received a tip from an informant that the criminal was hiding in Tiezhen Reef, and then used this as a pretext to order the factory in Tiezhen Reef to stop production so that the police could enter and investigate."

"As for how long the investigation will take to produce results, that's up to the police department."

Feng Xiuhu breathed a sigh of relief. He couldn't control what the police station wanted to do, as long as they weren't targeting him, he could rest easy.

Fang Youliu suddenly realized: "Hey, wait, you're going out again tonight?"

Feng Xiuhu nodded: "Shunzi and I are going to the nightclub to broaden our horizons. We'll let you know when you get back. We're about to leave now."

Just then, Shunzi came downstairs carrying a food box: "Brother, it's almost time." Fang Youliu was a little worried and hesitated for a moment before saying, "Why don't I go with you?"

Feng Xiuhu waved his hand dismissively: "I didn't buy your ticket!"

……

Shunzi, carrying a food box in one hand and holding an umbrella in the other, arrived at the Wuchang Auction House again with Feng Xiuhu.

In the gloomy night, the two walked through the rain, and the steward waiting at the door almost thought they were a wall blocking their way.

After recognizing the two men, the steward bowed respectfully, but said nothing more. He simply beckoned a female attendant to lead the two men into the inner area.

The interior lighting was not bright, even dim, with only a few wall lamps providing some illumination.

By this time, there were already quite a few people in the room, men and women. Acquaintances chatted in groups, while those who walked alone sat quietly. Among them were also many business owners who did not want to reveal their faces. The men covered their faces with the shadows of their hat brims, while the women wore veils and hats, covering half of their faces in a hazy veil.

The maid led Feng Xiuhu and his companion to their seats.

The bidding manager kept his word and did arrange for them to have a good spot—albeit in a corner on the edge.

Feng Xiuhu didn't think much of it; on the contrary, he felt it was perfectly reasonable. After all, they were new customers, and it was only natural to reserve better seats for regular customers and well-known big bosses.

Sitting in the chair, Feng Xiuhu looked around at his surroundings.

The interior space is not very large; there are only about a hundred chairs. However, looking up, the space is quite spacious at the high ceilings.

There is a second floor above, with each separate private room located high up. The direction facing the auction stage is covered by beaded curtains, which not only blocks outsiders from looking inside, but also does not block the view of those sitting inside.

After Shunzi sat down, he opened the food box and handed a piece of soybean pastry to Feng Xiuhu: "Brother, have something to eat so you'll have the strength to bid later."

Feng Xiuhu took the pastries and picked up a wooden board with writing on it from under his buttocks: "You don't understand anything, why do you need to shout? Just hold up the sign."

After finishing a pastry, the gas lamps on the auction stage suddenly hissed and lit up. An auctioneer in a blue robe walked out from behind the curtain. He steadily climbed the steps onto the stage, and the gold crab buttons on his cuffs shimmered slightly in the light.

The auctioneer in the green robe walked to the front of the stage, picked up his gavel, and lightly tapped the stone slab: "High tide brings goods to port; darkness makes opening the boxes easier—"

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone in the hall sat up straight, and those who had been whispering fell silent.

The auctioneer smiled slightly and bowed to the audience: "Ladies and gentlemen, the usual rules! Fill your purses with gold pillars, and don't stare at the lady next to you."

His amusing remark drew a murmur of laughter from the audience.

The auctioneer easily brought the room under control. He tapped the stone slab again: "Without further ado, let's not keep you waiting any longer. Now, let's present tonight's prize—"

As soon as the words were spoken, two female attendants in cheongsams each brought out two iron cages covered with red cloth from behind the curtain and placed them next to the auctioneer.

The auctioneer announced loudly, "Distinguished guests, please take note! Tonight's grand prize is here—"

He grabbed a corner of the cloth in each hand, swung his hand, and pulled, revealing the figures in the cage: "Two twin deer!"

The crowd below turned their heads to look, and saw two slender figures with horns on their heads in the cage. They were both naked young girls, and their skin was so clear that even the fine hairs on their skin could be seen under the gaslight.

The two looked exactly alike, from head to toe; their appearances, physiques, and even the look of panic in their eyes were identical.

The auctioneer was pleased with everyone's performance and raised his hand to announce, "Starting bid—one hundred dried shrimp!"

(End of this chapter)