Madmen don't keep diaries

Chapter 408: The True Face of 407, Partially Revealed
Everything in this world, once you see through it, becomes the simplest truth.

Just like now.

Feng Xiuhu was convinced of this principle—he and Shunzi had neither money nor power, so even if Xu Liansheng really had some ulterior motives, what could she possibly gain?

So he wasn't really worried about whether Xu Liansheng had ulterior motives; he was more worried about Shunzi being deceived emotionally.

All that build-up of persuasion tonight was for this last sentence: as long as Shunzi is clear-headed and knows that he and Xu Liansheng are not on the same path, then let him play his "older woman-younger man relationship" as a pastime. Anyway, he hasn't invested any real feelings, so he won't lose out.

So Feng Xiuhu patted Shunzi on the shoulder and said, "Go see your sister Asheng again tomorrow. Eat well, drink well, have fun. Don't try to save her money. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Shunzi was used to agreeing with Feng Xiuhu and was about to nod subconsciously, but in the end she felt that it was wrong, so she muttered softly, "This is not right... Sister Asheng treats us with sincerity, how can we act like scoundrels?"

Feng Xiuhu said, "Where is it small? It's quite big."

Shunzi fell silent.

Seeing that Shunzi didn't want to talk anymore, Feng Xiuhu let him go back to his room to rest.

Feng Xiuhu knew that his words had made Shunzi uncomfortable, but he had actually said it on purpose—one love-struck person was enough in this house, and he had to play the villain to balance things out.

At least until he has a clear understanding of Xu Liansheng, Feng Xiuhu will not say another good word about her.

Hearing the door close on the second floor, Feng Xiuhu sighed silently.

Feng Xiuhu had said everything he could to Shunzi, but he kept more to himself—not because he intended to hide it from Shunzi, but because he was afraid that Shunzi wouldn't be able to keep it from Xu Liansheng and might let it slip.

So he turned around and went into Fang Youliu's room.

Thank goodness, there's still a smart person in this family who can speak up.

Fang Youliu was sitting at his desk, organizing and copying his recent observations and information into his notebook.

Seeing Feng Xiuhu enter, Fang Youliu put down his pen and said, "I said last night that I would help you inquire about Xu Liansheng. I thought I wouldn't get anything of value out of the owl, but I didn't expect to actually get something out of him."

Feng Xiuhu sat down on the edge of the bed: "Tell me about it."

"Just one thing."

Fang Youliu said, "Xu Liansheng and Ye Liushuang are acquainted. You may not know this person, he is..."

Feng Xiuhu interrupted him: "I know the leader of the owl strike."

Fang Youliu laughed: "Looks like you haven't been idle either. That's right, it's him. And the credibility of this matter should be very high, because more than one owl said so. I traced the source and found that the news originally came from Ye Liushuang himself."

“This man is a bit too proud of himself.” Fang Youliu shrugged. “But it’s understandable—an owl who does hard labor in a factory has one day become acquainted with the famous Madam Xu. Obviously, he has developed a desire to show off. So when he chooses to brag about this to the people around him, it is destined to reach more people’s ears.”

Feng Xiuhu grinned: "I'm more interested in knowing what kind of relationship they have."

Fang Youliu raised his eyebrows: "I don't know the specifics of the relationship, but it's definitely not shallow. Those owls all said that Madam Xu helped Ye Liushuang change his name—how close do you think they must be to go to that extent?"

Feng Xiuhu stared at Fang Youliu: "How about I help you change one?"

Fang Youliu shook his head: "We're not that close yet."

Feng Xiuhu nodded silently: "Da Shuanzi and Xu Liansheng are indeed very close."

He stroked his stubble: "But I guess this isn't the situation Xu Liansheng wanted to see—I mean, the fact that her relationship with Da Shuanzi was made public."

“That’s right.” Fang Youliu nodded. “Ye Liushuang did try to stop the news from spreading, but there were too many people talking about it.”

Feng Xiuhu stared at the kerosene lamp on the table and said meaningfully, "He can't keep a secret and he's not very bright. No matter how you look at it, Da Shuanzi has no outstanding qualities—would you want to befriend someone like that for no reason?"

Fang Youliu gently fiddled with the cap of his pen: "So the friendship is fake, the real intention is to scheme." The two fell silent simultaneously.

After a moment, Fang Youliu looked up at Feng Xiuhu and asked, "What are you thinking about?"

Feng Xiuhu also looked up at him: "Just like you thought."

Fang Youliu smiled helplessly: "Alright, it seems that the owl strike in Qianyu City was not accidental, but a premeditated event."

Feng Xiuhu chimed in, "The one leading the group wasn't Da Shuanzi, but Xu Liansheng hiding behind the scenes as a pusher."

Fang Youliu pressed further, "But what good does this do her?"

Feng Xiuhu thought for a moment: "Just like you said, she has close ties with the government. From the government's perspective, although the Owlman strike affects the entire Iron Anvil Reef, they are only really targeting the shipyard—so Xu Liansheng is actually doing this dirty work for the government."

Fang Youliu pointed upstairs: "If it's considered dirty work for Madam Xu to befriend Ye Liushuang, then what kind of work is it for her to befriend Third Master?"

"I never expected this. To be honest, I'm quite curious about what kind of work she'll be doing."

Feng Xiuhu shook his head: "But as you can see, this time it wasn't me who caused the trouble, it was the trouble that came looking for us."

Fang Youliu said sullenly, "I'll continue the investigation tomorrow."

……

No matter what the job is, you have to get it done to see the results.

Adhering to the basic principle that "Shunzi will never lose out no matter what," Feng Xiuhu saw Shunzi off at the door early the next morning.

Shunzi was flustered: "Brother, you didn't say you were going to see Sister Asheng today."

Feng Xiuhu said impatiently, "Does it have to be someone else who asks you out? Can't you take the initiative? This is what you call a surprise! Domineering female CEOs fall for this the most."

"What are you talking about..." Shunzi said with a wry smile. "Brother, can't you just leave Sister Asheng alone? When have we ever taken money from our own people's pockets?"

So he still thinks Feng Xiuhu is after Xu Liansheng's money.

Feng Xiuhu glared at him: "Do you think I'm that kind of person?"

Shunzi stared at him without saying a word—this was really hard to say.

Feng Xiuhu's face darkened, and he shoved and shoved Shunzi out the door: "Get out of here! I want to be alone today. Everyone needs personal space, don't you understand? Distance makes the heart grow fonder!"

Bang!
Feng Xiuhu slammed the door shut, leaving Shunzi locked outside.

Having no other choice, he embarked on his journey to Shiwuyu alone.

Thinking that he was all alone, Shunzi didn't even bother to take a carriage and insisted on walking to Shiwuyu instead.

Feng Xiuhu's "heart-to-heart talk" last night still had a significant impact on him. Out of trust in Feng Xiuhu, Shunzi subconsciously examined his own mental journey over the past few days.

He couldn't help but doubt himself—was the invisible line between himself and Sister Asheng really blurred? Otherwise, why would outsiders see such an ambiguous scene?

So, did I cross the line, or did Sister Asheng cross the line?

Shunzi felt inexplicably upset because he suddenly realized that he couldn't give an answer either.

He kept saying he only treated Sister Asheng as an older sister, but whether he really thought that way, or whether he subconsciously felt he wasn't good enough for her and only dared to think that way—Shunzi couldn't tell for a moment.

(End of this chapter)