Madmen don't keep diaries

Chapter 394, Chapter 393: Xu Liansheng
Madam Xu's voice was elegant and composed, like a glass of red wine sliding into a crystal glass, slightly hoarse, with a wisp of languid smoke trailing off at the end, as if each word had gently swirled in her ear before falling.

But this seemingly ordinary greeting served as a wake-up call for Feng Xiuhu.

"You know us?"

Feng Xiuhu lowered his voice and subconsciously pulled his hat brim down.

Xu Liansheng smiled slightly: "These days, how can people travel faster than news?"

Her upturned lips exuded charm, yet her eyes were clear and bright—as if every smile and frown possessed an innate ability to captivate men's hearts.

"The Second and Third Masters, unafraid of powerful figures, single-handedly rectified Jiangluoxi. Such deeds have already reached my ears."

Feng Xiuhu blinked: "So, is it that the news travels fast, or that you have sharp ears?"

Xu Liansheng looked slightly taken aback, then smiled helplessly and said, "I've long heard that Second Master is a fascinating person, but after meeting you today, I realize that you are even more interesting than the rumors suggest."

She raised her hand and gently beckoned to the female cultivator, "Mu Mu, bring a chair and pour wine for Second Master and Third Master."

Before long, a female cultivator named Zhao Mumu brought over two chairs and a small glass round table for them to sit around.

While Zhao Mumu was refilling her wine glass, Xu Liansheng said, "What the Second Master said is not wrong. My family business in Qianyu City is quite large, so my ears are naturally more sensitive than ordinary people."

She slightly raised her gaze and looked at Shunzi.

Their eyes met, but Xu Liansheng made no attempt to hide it, meeting Shunzi's gaze openly: "Third Master is exceptionally strong and attracts attention wherever he goes. Last night, there was a disturbance because we had no fish to eat, and after inquiring with the servants, I learned that you two had been here. After comparing this with the rumors I had heard before, I guessed that it was Second Master and Third Master who came to take care of the business."

Shunzi blushed from the praise and, embarrassed, turned her head away, pretending to look at the auction below.

Xu Liansheng seemed to find it amusing, pursed her lips, and covered her mouth with a soft laugh.

Feng Xiuhu chimed in: "The waiter said you wanted to make friends? And apologize?"

Xu Liansheng looked back and nodded solemnly: "We should apologize. This morning, Shi Wuyu and Second Master had a small misunderstanding. In order to prevent the small misunderstanding from becoming a big misunderstanding, we should resolve it in time."

She raised her wine glass to Feng Xiuhu.

Feng Xiuhu did not raise his glass, but tapped the glass tabletop lightly with his fingertips: "I also think it's just a small misunderstanding, so small that it's not worth spending 115 gold pillars to clear it up—so is this money for clearing up the misunderstanding or for making friends? This needs to be made clear, you can't use one sum of money for two purposes."

Xu Liansheng smiled wryly: "Then which matter would you like to do first, Second Master?"

Feng Xiuhu shook his head: "I don't usually make friends with rich people—otherwise, I'd feel embarrassed when I try to take money from their pockets."

Xu Liansheng put down her cup and sighed softly, "Second Master is a little too wary."

Feng Xiuhu nodded, readily admitting this: "Those who offer unsolicited favors are either treacherous or thieves."

These words were utterly merciless, and Zhao Mumu, standing behind her, couldn't stand it any longer: "In this vast Qianyu City, who is worthy of my lady's flattery? Don't be ungrateful!"

Feng Xiuhu sneered and retorted: "Ever since you entered this room, you've been talking to me in circles with empty pleasantries—is this your sincerity in making friends?"

Zhao Mumu wanted to speak, but Xu Liansheng stopped her by raising his hand.

She looked into Feng Xiuhu's eyes and said, "I have not uttered a single lie. Ever since I heard of your chivalrous deeds in Jiangluo Creek, I have admired you and wished to befriend you. Perhaps it was fate that the Second Master and the Third Master actually appeared in Qianyu City, and just then, Shi Wuyu arrived. I believe this is an indication from Heaven that it is trying to fulfill my desires, so I shamelessly invited you two up for a chat."

"Perhaps I have been presumptuous. It is only natural for Second Master to be wary. However, I have never intended to gain anything from either of you. As for the sincerity that Second Master keeps talking about—please be frank, what should I do to make Second Master feel that I am sincere?"

Even Shunzi secretly felt that Feng Xiuhu was being ungrateful—the other person had given him gifts and invited him up in a very polite manner, but Feng Xiuhu not only didn't appreciate it, but also made him lose face by being aggressive. Although he thought this in his heart, Shunzi didn't say anything; no matter what, he had to stand on his elder brother's side.

Feng Xiuhu didn't listen to a word of Xu Liansheng's long rambling; he was only waiting for the last sentence.

"Simple!"

Feng Xiuhu covered the rim of the cup and leaned closer: "I have a question for you. If you tell the truth, I will believe your sincerity."

Because he suddenly closed the distance, their noses almost touched, and Xu Liansheng subconsciously straightened her back and created some distance.

Her expression quickly returned to normal, and she nodded, saying, "I will tell you everything I know."

Feng Xiuhu wanted to catch her off guard, so he immediately asked—

Why did Zheng Sumei appear at the restaurant "No Fish at All"?

"...Su Mei?"

Xu Liansheng was stunned.

Feng Xiuhu immediately pointed at her: "Hey! Hesitating! You're making up lies, aren't you? Do you think I can't see through your little scheme?"

Xu Liansheng hurriedly waved his hand: "Misunderstanding! Second Master, you've misunderstood—Su Mei has never been to Shi Wu Yu."

Feng Xiuhu sneered, "I saw it with my own eyes, and you still want to lie to me?"

Shunzi secretly tugged at him: "Brother, I saw it..."

Xu Liansheng said helplessly, "There is really a misunderstanding. Second Master must have misjudged her. That is not Su Mei, but Su Mei's older sister, Zheng Su Lan."

This time it was Feng Xiuhu's turn to be stunned. After Xu Liansheng mentioned it, he also remembered that Cheng Aimei had indeed said that Zheng Sumei had an older sister named Zheng Sulan, but because she had already married, she stayed in Taijing.

Xu Liansheng then said, "Second Master, you may not know this, but Zheng Sulan is from Taijing. She and I were once close friends. However, after I got married, I came to Qianyu City with my master..."

As if her throat was choked, Xu Liansheng suddenly fell silent.

Feng Xiuhu looked up and sized her up, while Xu Liansheng turned her face to the side as if nothing was wrong, her fingertips lightly tracing the beauty mark at the corner of her eye.

Turning back, she met Feng Xiuhu's gaze.

Xu Liansheng didn't feel embarrassed at all, and smiled faintly: "Please excuse me, let me continue."

“Zheng Sulan is from Taijing. Because she married the rotating speaker of the Taijing City Council, she did not go with her parents when they moved to Fancheng. The reason she came to Shiwuyu yesterday was that she passed through Qianyu City on her way to visit her parents in Fancheng, so she came to have a small gathering with me.”

So it turns out that it was indeed a misunderstanding.

Feng Xiuhu nodded silently.

Xu Liansheng smiled calmly: "What else would you like to ask, Second Master?"

Feng Xiuhu's eyes darted around. Shunzi noticed this and, fearing he might be up to something bad, quickly pressed down on Feng Xiuhu's shoulder and answered for him, "Don't ask anymore, we trust Madam."

(End of this chapter)