Madmen don't keep diaries

Chapter 405 404 The Difference Between Xu Liansheng and Other Women
Seeing Feng Xiuhu's confusion, the old owl explained, "The Fog Lock is located to the east of Qianyu City. Every morning when the sun shines down, the fog is particularly thick and will not dissipate until noon."

Feng Xiuhu looked into the distance and wondered, "Where is this heavy moisture coming from on the island?"

The old owl stood up and pointed over there: "Look at that island, the vegetation is lush, but it's actually all aquatic plants."

"Didn't you ask before why there's no bridge on the island? That's because almost no one goes up Suowujian. Suowujian is too low-lying, and it gets flooded by the river every spring and summer during the flood season—judging by the days, the flood season is almost here this year, who would be so reckless as to go up there for a stroll?"

Feng Xiuhu nodded silently. No wonder there were no bridges on the island; it turned out to be an abandoned island.

Turning back, Feng Xiuhu looked at the "Stone Island" adjacent to Iron Anvil Reef. Just as he was about to ask about the island's name, his eyebrows twitched.

Noticing Feng Xiuhu's gaze, the old owl looked in the direction he was looking: "That island is called Beitai Rock."

"There's nothing else on the island but lots of stones. It's called that because there are stone tablets from various dynasties commemorating flood control efforts on the island. But nobody does that anymore. Some people do come here to carry stones as building materials when they're building houses. But apart from that, very few people come to the island."

……

"Is there really no one else here?"

Shunzi was still not reassured and asked Xu Liansheng to confirm again.

At this moment, Xu Liansheng had changed into a neat outfit—her long hair was tied into a ponytail at the back of her head, she wore long sleeves and trousers, a belt tied around her waist, outlining her slender waistline, and she wore a pair of thick-soled cloth shoes, looking just like a capable working woman.

"Don't worry, Third Master. There's nothing but rocks on Beitaiji. No one will suddenly appear."

Xu Liansheng replied with a smile.

Shunzi felt that his marksmanship was poor, and that it would be a terrible mistake if he accidentally shot someone.

That's why I asked repeatedly.

Xu Liansheng gently grasped Shunzi's arm, her movements appearing perfectly natural: "Now that it's just the two of us here, Third Master can fight however he wants."

Shunzi didn't think Xu Liansheng's actions were inappropriate. It was just that the road was difficult to walk on because of the jagged rocks on the mossy cliff. If Xu Liansheng hadn't been supporting him, he would have fallen countless times along the way.

Logically, it should have been Zhao Mumu who took care of Xu Liansheng, but things just didn't go as planned. Just before they were about to leave, the head steward suddenly came to report that there was a problem with the restaurant's accounts last month and asked Xu Liansheng to take a look.

Shunzi thought that important matters were more important and that it wouldn't hurt to put the shooting practice aside for the time being. However, Xu Liansheng simply told Zhao Mumu to go back and handle the matter, while he went out with Shunzi.

Before leaving, Zhao Mumu was worried about Xu Liansheng's safety, but Xu Liansheng said, "With Third Master here, what do I have to be afraid of? Not to mention Third Master's great skills, his imposing figure alone would make any thief lose his courage."

So Zhao Mumu finally nodded in agreement, but the task of carrying the bags and goods fell entirely on Shunzi's shoulders.

After getting off the carriage and arriving at their destination, Xu Liansheng secretly told Shunzi, "Actually, Mu Mu is a good person in every way, but she cares about me too much. Sometimes I can't help but feel uncomfortable. This time, thanks to Third Master, I was able to relax for a day."

This was true. As the only witness present, Shunzi felt it even more clearly—after changing out of her elegant and dignified long dress and getting out of Zhao Mumu's sight, Xu Liansheng seemed to have also shed the burden of being called "Mrs. Xu." She became much more cheerful and carefree. If it weren't for the jagged rocks and the difficult path, she would have wanted to skip and jump ahead.

On a boulder more than a meter high, Shunzi jumped down first, then turned around to help Xu Liansheng: "Sister Asheng, be careful, I'll help you down."

Standing on the edge of the boulder, Xu Liansheng assessed its height.

She said somewhat embarrassedly, "If I hadn't twisted my ankle yesterday, I could have jumped down from this height."

Shunzi reached out his hand to her, grinning, "Sister Asheng isn't the delicate little lady, I know that." Xu Liansheng rolled her eyes at him, then slid down by taking his arm for leverage.

She asked Shunzi, "So, Third Master has seen many delicate young ladies?"

Shunzi's mind conjured up images of a slender waist and daffodils, and she nodded, saying, "There aren't many, but Sister Asheng is unlike any other woman I've ever met."

The road ahead became much flatter. Although it was still covered with gravel, it was only uncomfortable to walk on and not difficult.

Xu Liansheng continued the previous topic, pressing further: "Then, Third Master, tell me, what exactly is different?"

Shunzi lowered her head slightly, glancing at Xu Liansheng's profile out of the corner of her eye: "I'm not good with words, please don't be angry if I don't speak well, Sister Asheng."

Xu Liansheng smiled generously: "Does Third Master mean that I'm like that kind of petty woman?"

"of course not!"

Shunzi paused for a moment, then smiled again: "Sister Asheng, that's what makes you different from other women."

"Ok?"

Xu Liansheng raised her eyebrows as she looked at him.

Shunzi was embarrassed to meet her gaze, and tilted her head to consider for a moment: "Those women, whether they come from wealthy families or humble backgrounds, are either petty or mean-spirited, and they always cry and act pitiful, but you are never like that."

Xu Liansheng winked at him: "What if I'm faking it? Actually, I'm a woman who secretly sheds tears, but I never show it in front of outsiders. How would you know?"

Shunzi shook her head: "This is a temperament cultivated day and night; it can't be faked."

He took a deep breath, looked into Xu Liansheng's eyes, and said earnestly, "Sister Asheng is a capable woman. I can tell that you have never thought of relying on anyone. You have gotten to where you are today entirely on your own."

Xu Liansheng's eyes twitched slightly. Shunzi's sincere gaze made her unable to meet his eyes, and she subconsciously turned her head away.

She smiled habitually: "I'll just take it as Third Master saying nice things to make me happy."

Shunzi said anxiously, "I'm telling the truth."

Xu Liansheng regained her composure and took the backpack off Shunzi's shoulder: "Whether it's the truth or a lie, I love to hear whatever Third Master says—take advantage of the good sun and practice your shooting."

Unpack the backpack to reveal a variety of firearms inside.

Shunzi added in a low voice, "I forgot to mention earlier that Sister Asheng is not only capable, but also considerate and thoughtful."

They brought not only Shunzi's hunting rifle, but also a Mauser pistol, a revolver, and other relatively common firearms such as long-handled guns.

This was also Xu Liansheng's suggestion—she said that since it was about practicing shooting, they should familiarize themselves with all kinds of firearms so that Third Master wouldn't embarrass himself in front of outsiders later.

Even the doormen at Shiwuyu were equipped with pistols, so acquiring these firearms was a piece of cake for Xu Liansheng.

She picked up a long pole, rested it against her waist, cocked it with a click, and handed it to Shunzi: "This is a foreign gun made in the West. Although it's single-shot, it shoots far and accurately. Third Master, try it out first."

P.S.: Who wouldn't like a woman like this?
(End of this chapter)