Madmen don't keep diaries

Chapter 274, Donation 273
Apart from Feng Xiuhu, no one knows what happened here.

Mike took Du Shiqin's words as mere politeness and nodded in response, "I wouldn't presume to offer any explanations; we can all benefit from discussing this together."

Upon hearing this, Du Shiqin beamed with joy: "Excellent, excellent!"

Zheng Muwen's face darkened, and he snapped, "I have nothing to discuss with you."

Du Shiqin seemed not to hear him. He walked over and was about to sit down next to Mike.

Feng Xiuhu suddenly grabbed him: "Director Du, let's not rush to discuss doctrine. Deacon Mike and I have important business to attend to. Let's talk about it after we're done."

Although his heart was pounding with excitement, Du Shiqin hadn't lost his mind. He rubbed his hands together and said, "You're right, business is important... How long will it take for Deacon Mike to finish? I'll wait."

"Tsk..."

Feng Xiuhu looked troubled and sighed, "That's hard to say. To be honest, this time the officials' conversion to the church was an important task that Elder Vadra specifically asked me and Deacon Mike to handle together. After all, I am Elder Vadra's student, and with this friendship, even if it is not handled well, I will not be held accountable. But it's hard to say about Deacon Mike. I'm afraid he will inevitably suffer the consequences."

Du Shiqin was taken aback upon hearing this, and a surge of anxiety welled up within him. He blurted out instinctively, "What should we do? Father Feng, you must plead for Deacon Mike!"

These words were so sincere that Zheng Muwen and Mike were both stunned for a moment.

Du Shiqin himself didn't feel that anything was wrong. He immediately buried himself in thought and paced anxiously in his office. After a while, he seemed to have made up his mind.

Du Shiqin glanced at the door to make sure it was closed tightly before walking up to Feng Xiuhu and saying in a low voice, “Father Feng, what do you think of this? I intend to donate a sum of money to the church to improve its sanitation facilities. I happen to be free on Friday afternoon, and I will bring the entire sanitation department to the cathedral to discuss the donation.”

Feng Xiuhu grinned: "What a coincidence? It just so happens to be Friday afternoon?"

Du Shiqin feigned distress: "It is indeed unavoidable. I am very busy with official duties. I only have time on that day. I cannot spare even a minute at other times."

Just to be on the safe side, he added, "I've made it very clear that the sanitation department went there to donate money, not to do anything else."

Feng Xiuhu nodded and said, "That's fine, but relying solely on the Sanitation Department is probably not enough, and it seems abrupt. Perhaps Director Du could help us think of other departments that might be interested in making donations?"

Du Shiqin rested his chin on his hand and pondered, occasionally glancing at Mike. After a while, he tentatively said, "Since the church entered the Eastern Continent, it has always followed the laws of my Xuan Kingdom. In terms of both sentiment and reason, the Department of Law should have a share in this donation."

Feng Xiuhu recalled for a moment that the Director of the Department of Law was named Zhou Weili, a key figure in the government faction.

So he asked, "Director Zhou is an upright man; I'm afraid he wouldn't dare step into this office?"

It has been some time since Feng Xiuhu arrived at the government office. By now, everyone in the building should have received the news. Zhou Weili is a staunch supporter of the government office, so he probably won't even give Feng Xiuhu a chance to talk.

That's why Feng Xiuhu asked this question.

Du Shiqin, however, was full of confidence. He gave a knowing smile and said, "Father Feng, please rest assured. Director Zhou and I don't have much interaction in official circles, but in private we are both frequent guests of debauchery and can be considered close friends..."

When his gaze fell on Mike, Du Shiqin suddenly realized that he had gone too far, so he quickly tried to make amends: "Please don't misunderstand, Director Zhou and I just went to take a bath together, we are completely innocent."

Mike's mind nearly went blank—shouldn't he be clearing his name with the girl from Tangquanlou? What was the point of clearing his name with Director Zhou?

Feng Xiuhu waved his hand and said, "Then let's not delay, let's quickly invite Director Zhou over."

Du Shiqin nodded in agreement, straightened his back and walked out. As he opened the door, he suddenly turned back and gave Mike a deep look: "Deacon Mike, just trust me, I will never let anything happen to you."

After saying that, he firmly slammed the door and left.

As the door closed, Mike felt a sudden chill run through his body and shivered involuntarily.

"What's wrong with him?" Zheng Muwen was still immersed in complex emotions, a mixture of shock and doubt, and a hint of panic.

He glanced at the door, then back at Feng Xiuhu: "He—no, you—"

Feng Xiuhu comforted him, saying, "You can't question someone's good intentions just because they are more reasonable than you."

Zheng Muwen could accept Feng Xiuhu's humiliation, but he could not accept Feng Xiuhu comparing him to Du Shiqin. Feng Xiuhu's words almost made him lose his temper.

"Du Shiqin is reasonable? He's nothing but a parasite on the country! Father Feng, you must keep your eyes open! Look how quickly his attitude changed; he's definitely up to no good!"

Feng Xiuhu shut him down with a single sentence: "Director Du wants to donate money, how much do you plan to donate?"

Zheng Muwen's voice faltered, and his face flushed red: "I am an honest official and have never accepted bribes. Where would I get the money to donate to the church..."

Director Zheng gambled his entire life on his "clean reputation," but apart from that, he really didn't have any other major flaws.

Feng Xiuhu nodded and didn't make things difficult for him further.

Zheng Muwen was unaware of the inside story and thought that Feng Xiuhu was treating him differently. Little did he know that not drinking that cup of wine was actually a great bargain.

A short while later, a commotion came from outside the door.

It seems Zhou Weili has arrived.

Sure enough, as the door was pushed open, Du Shiqin dragged Zhou Weili in.

Zhou Weili looked reluctant. After the door was closed again, he straightened his clothes with a stern face. Without greeting Feng Xiuhu, he said to Du Shiqin, "Director Du, this is the government office, not a place to discuss personal relationships. Although I have entered this door, I will not compromise on matters of principle."

Du Shiqin smiled broadly: "Director Zhou, how could I harm you? Look at me, I'm perfectly fine. I've already told you, Father Feng is here to clear up the misunderstanding, not to cause trouble."

"Better so."

Zhou Weili snorted coldly and finally turned his gaze toward Feng Xiuhu.

Feng Xiuhu smiled and nodded at him: "Director Zhou, please have a seat."

Zhou Weili walked over and sat down, but still didn't have a good look on his face.

There was a commotion outside the door, and it seemed that a lot of people had gathered.

Feng Xiuhu said to Du Shiqin, "Director Du, could you please go out and take a look? Also, please explain to everyone outside so that Director Zhou and I can have a proper chat."

Du Shiqin subconsciously looked at Mike, his eyes revealing reluctance.

Mike was baffled: "Why are you looking at me? Listen to Father Feng!"

Upon hearing this, Du Shiqin immediately responded, "Okay, I'll go out and tell them to keep their voices down."

After saying that, he turned around and left.

PS: Why isn't the succubus from the government office a big name?

(End of this chapter)