Madmen don't keep diaries

Chapter 277, Section 276: An Unexpected Encounter with an Acquaintance
Mike was drunk.

Finally, he was helped away by Feng Xiuhu. When he left, he held hands with the officials reluctantly and said something vague like "We're all brothers," "If you need anything, just let me know," and "I'll make the arrangements next time."

Feng Xiuhu admitted that there was an element of gambling involved, so in order not to lose everything, he chose to have Mike cover for him.

The good news is that the bet was won; the bad news is that Mike paid too high a price.

Fortunately, hard work pays off, and Mike received a lot—albeit perhaps a little too much.

But then again, Feng Xiuhu really kept his word. He said he would help Mike build connections, and he got it done right away.

Regardless of whether this network is legitimate or not, let's just talk about whether it's real or not.

Besides, Feng Xiuhu wasn't stupid; he was very sensible.

Among these officials, there were three whom Feng Xiuhu would never touch.

He doesn't touch those with low-ranking positions; small fry are opportunistic and will readily respond to the leader's calls, so there's no need to worry about them.

He wouldn't touch the Duke's faction. After settling things with the neutral faction and the government faction, the Duke's faction would come on its own. This time, firstly, and secondly, he had to consider the feelings of the Grand Duke. He had worked hard to build his own team, and if Feng Xiuhu poached his members, the Grand Duke would be the first to turn against Feng Xiuhu.

He wouldn't touch the mayor either. The mayor was the head of the government and represented the government's last face. If he didn't even let him go, the nature of the matter would be completely different, and it might even drag the Zhenshui Division into it.

……

As Mike emerged from the government office, a gust of sea breeze caused his expression to change drastically.

He ran quickly to the roadside, leaned against a tree trunk, and vomited violently.

Feng Xiuhu came over and patted his back: "You'll have a lot of social engagements in the future, so you'll have to work on your drinking capacity."

Mike gave him a resentful look: "What exactly did you do?"

Feng Xiuhu said, "Instead of worrying about this, you should worry about your own future."

Mike's expression was grim: "What will happen next?"

Feng Xiuhu earnestly instructed: "Boys should also pay attention to safety when they are outside. Don't run around these few days, and remember to dress smartly on Friday."

As he spoke, he also looked around.

The government office is located on the east side of the port area, which is also the site of the temple.

Logically speaking, no one except Feng Xiuhu knew what happened today. Even Mike, the person involved, could only make some guesses at most, unaware that the problem actually stemmed from the wine glass. Not to mention those officials who had developed feelings for each other.

They only think they've found true love, without considering why they feel that way.

Therefore, as long as Feng Xiuhu doesn't say anything, no one will discover anything amiss in the short term.

But since they were currently on temple grounds, and Feng Xiuhu knew he was registered there, he became more vigilant.

However, Feng Xiuhu was unaware that since his "resurrection," the temple had no intention of provoking him again.

In the eyes of the temple's cultivators, Feng Xiuhu was far too wicked—despite his shallow cultivation, the trouble he caused was more and more serious each time.

It's best to avoid contact with this kind of person.

Feng Xiuhu didn't see the temple monks, but he was greeted by someone else.

"Father Feng! Father Feng!"

A figure ran out of the government office's large iron gate and called out loudly before even getting close.

Feng Xiuhu turned his head and saw that it was Shen Yanzhi, the director of the Planning Department.

Shen Yanzhi ran up to him, putting on a fawning smile: "Father Feng left in a hurry. I was just saying I was going to come and catch up with you, but when I finished my official business and came over, I found that you had already left."

Feng Xiuhu raised an eyebrow at him: "Why would I reminisce with you? We're not that close." Seeing that Feng Xiuhu didn't understand his implied meaning, Shen Yanzhi rubbed his hands together and made his words even clearer.

He lowered his voice: "Father Feng, you forgot about me. I haven't even entered Director Zheng's office yet!"

Feng Xiuhu suddenly realized and waved his hand, saying, "You don't need to come in."

Shen Yanzhi immediately became anxious: "How can I not use it? Whether it's reasoning or making friends, I'm capable of it!"

Mike was startled by what he heard and immediately turned to look—he was almost traumatized by drinking and was afraid that Feng Xiuhu would pull out his glass again.

Fortunately, Feng Xiuhu had no such intention. He patted Shen Yanzhi on the shoulder and said, "They are them, and you are you. If you don't go through that door, does that mean you won't come to the main hall?"

Shen Yanzhi became even more anxious: "That's not how it works, Father Feng. Please have some consideration for me. If I don't go through that door, how can I come here legitimately?"

Feng Xiuhu understood what he meant, but there was nothing he could do—it wasn't that Feng Xiuhu was unwilling to give Shen Yanzhi that cup of wine, but that he couldn't drink it.

Shen Yanzhi had already drunk at Wei Su'e's place.

But Feng Xiuhu, of course, wouldn't point it out. He said, "Take it or leave it."

Just then, a lively crowd walked by on the street, attracting Feng Xiuhu's attention.

Turning his head, Feng Xiuhu was immediately captivated.

It was a cart, pulled by two horses running side by side. On the cart were two large wooden barrels, secured with iron chains. Water splashed out when the cart swayed.

A driver sat at the front of the carriage, whipping the horses, while several sailors walked alongside the carriage on both sides and behind. They carried steel forks, driving away onlookers while keeping a close watch on the wooden barrel in the middle.

"what is that?"

Feng Xiuhu asked curiously.

Mike, feeling relieved, stepped forward and said, "Looks like you've caught another mermaid."

Feng Xiuhu's eyes lit up.

Shen Yanzhi interjected at the opportune moment: "This is to be taken to the upper city to negotiate the price. Either it will be sent to the auction house or to the hot spring restaurant. In short, it won't be difficult to sell it."

Feng Xiuhu turned to look at him: "Why are you still here?"

Shen Yanzhi said with a forced smile, "Father Feng, we're friends now, let's have a drink—just one."

Feng Xiuhu didn't say anything, but Mike was the first to attack: "You're a damn fool, get the hell out of here!"

Shen Yanzhi was taken aback and looked at Mike's butler's robes again—he couldn't understand where a butler got the audacity to boss him around like that. Could it be that Feng Xiuhu had instructed him to do so?
He pointed at Mike and tentatively asked Feng Xiuhu, "Father Feng, who is this...?"

Feng Xiuhu told him, "He's someone you can't afford to offend. I suggest you listen to him, otherwise even I can't protect you."

Feng Xiuhu spoke earnestly, his expression revealing no sign of pretense.

Shen Yanzhi's expression immediately turned serious. After pondering for half a second, he cupped his hands in greeting to the two of them and decisively turned to leave.

With the troublesome person gone, Feng Xiuhu quickly chased after the cart.

Since it was a rare opportunity, he had to broaden his horizons.

The young sailor grabbed a pitchfork, trying to stop them: "Get lost if you don't want more bloody splatters on your body!"

He had barely finished speaking when he was pulled behind him by an older, stronger sailor next to him.

The burly sailor bowed and scraped to Feng Xiuhu: "Master Feng, please don't be offended. My brother doesn't recognize you. I'll give him a good beating when we get back."

Feng Xiuhu looked closely and immediately smiled: "It's you!"

(End of this chapter)