With that said, Mrs. Liu picked up the wine glass and drank it all in one gulp, then personally filled up the wine glasses for Zhao Rang and Lao Hu, and raised their glasses to invite them.
After drinking for a few rounds, Mrs. Liu seemed a little drunk, and two red clouds rose on her cheeks, making her even more charming.
As for Boss Hu, seeing Madam Liu in such a posture, everyone gets drunk even if they are not drunk.
After finishing another glass, Mrs. Liu took advantage of the wine and said to Zhao Rang:
"Sir, I'm a little drunk. Please excuse me for a moment."
Zhao Rang said:
"Please, ma'am."
Mrs. Liu left the table with her four maids, and Lao Hu was supported by his men and left the restaurant, leaving Zhao Rang alone at the wine table.
Naturally, he knew in his heart that Mrs. Liu must have some agenda when she did this.
After a while, Mrs. Liu came back and sat opposite Zhao Rang again. At this time, her face had changed and she had become as cold as ice.
"Sir, let's not talk secretly. Since you are from the Northland Investigation Department, why would you pretend to be a businessman from the Southland and hook up with someone like Lao Hu?"
Zhao Rang was surprised and said with a smile:
"Mrs. Liu, didn't I just know your name? Besides, I told you a long time ago that I am not from the Investigation Department at all. It's just that you don't believe it."
"Besides, I will definitely do what I promised you. There is no need to remind you openly or covertly!"
After saying that, Zhao Rang took out a banknote from his pocket, placed it lightly on the table, and went straight out the door.
After drinking some wine, Zhao Rang had a good night's sleep. He got up early the next day and prepared to go to the water market.
The water market in Zhenhai City is the busiest place in this coastal city.
It is located by a bay in the east of the city, backed by green mountains and facing the vast blue sea, occupying a unique geographical location.
Whenever the tide rises and falls, countless ships carrying all kinds of marine goods dock here to carry out busy transactions.
As soon as the first ray of sunshine in the morning shines on the sea, the water market is already bustling with activity.
The salty taste of sea water and the delicious taste of fish and shrimp were getting stronger and stronger, as if they could penetrate his body and hit his soul directly.
There are many kinds of ships docked beside the bay.
The crew was busy moving goods on the deck, shouting and negotiating prices one after another.
Zhao Rang walked along the pier, stopping from time to time to look at the seafood on the stalls.
Some stalls are filled with colorful shells, while others display huge turtle shells and strange-shaped fish.
There are also stalls dedicated to selling rare corals and pearls.
Those crystal clear gems sparkle charmingly in the sunlight.
Suddenly, Zhao Rang's eyes were attracted by a string of coral beads placed on a stall.
Those coral beads are colorful and crystal clear, as attractive as elves.
Somehow, Zhao Rang thought of Qing Qing.
As early as when she was in Changchun Garden, Zhao Rang heard her say that she had liked these colorful gadgets since she was a child.
Walking to the stall, Zhao Rang carefully selected a bunch of coral beads that were the most dazzling and even in color.
This string of beads is full and bright in color, like strings of solidified flames, shining in the sun.
Coral beads like this are extremely rare on the market.
"Boss, how do you sell this string of coral beads?"
Zhao Rang asked.
The stall owner looked up at him and said with a smile:
"Young Master has good taste. This string of coral beads is the treasure of our stall. Seeing that Young Master is a knowledgeable person, I'll give you the real price, fifty taels!"
Zhao Rang estimated that if the string of coral beads were shipped to his home city, the price might be doubled, so he paid the money readily without any counter-offer.
He carefully took the string of coral beads and stroked them gently.
Thinking of Qingqing's surprised expression when she saw this string of beads, she couldn't help but raise the corners of her mouth.
At this moment, a harsh sound broke through the air suddenly. Zhao Rang felt a pain in his wrist, and the coral beads in his hand were snatched away!
He looked up and saw a black shadow tumbling and jumping in the air. After a few ups and downs, it had disappeared on the distant roof.
"It's time to grab something! Catch the thief quickly!"
The stall owner reacted faster than Zhao Rang and immediately shouted loudly, and people around him also gathered around.
Zhao Rang ignored the pain in his wrist and chased after him.
Although his movement skills were not top-notch, they were still quite good, and he quickly closed the distance between him and the black shadow.
Just when he was about to catch up with the black shadow, the other party suddenly turned around and threw a smoke bomb.
"puff!"
The smoke bomb exploded, instantly filling the air with thick smoke.
Zhao Rang only felt that his eyes were blurred, and then he lost all traces of the black shadow. He looked around, trying to find the other person's figure in the smoke, but found nothing.
Unexpectedly, as soon as he came down from the roof, he saw a group of stewards coming towards him.
"Someone just robbed me of a string of coral beads!"
Before Zhao Rang finished speaking, he never thought that the stewards of the water market would directly surround him.
"Boy, you are so courageous! You dare to rob things in broad daylight. Do you know whose territory this is?!"
The head steward said with a sneer.
Zhao Rang was stunned for a moment, then realized that the people in charge had obviously misunderstood him and regarded him as a robber.
"Get it clear, I was the one who was robbed! I just paid for the fifty taels of coral beads!"
"You said you were robbed? Is there any evidence?"
The head steward said disdainfully.
They have long been accustomed to this kind of drama of thieves shouting to catch thieves, so naturally they will not easily believe Zhao Rang's words.
Zhao Rang was speechless for a moment. He really had no evidence to prove that he was robbed.
And even if he has evidence, these people may not believe it.
Suddenly, a crisp voice sounded from behind:
"I can prove what he said!"
A woman in a green dress walked out of the crowd, but she was Qingqing!
Qingqing walked to Zhao Rang and said to the steward:
"I just saw with my own eyes that someone snatched his coral beads and ran over there!"
He reached out and pointed, it was the direction where the black shadow disappeared.
The head steward frowned, looked at Qingqing and said:
"You said you are a witness? Then come with us! According to the rules of the water market, everything must be investigated clearly."
With that said, he waved his hand to take Qing Qing and Zhao Rang away together.
Qingqing and Zhao Rang were taken to a remote corner by the stewards, surrounded by goods and boxes.
"I was robbed! How many times do I have to say it again! I just bought that string of coral beads!"
The steward sneered: "The stall owner has disappeared long ago, where can we find him?"
Zhao Rang's heart sank. He didn't expect the stall owner to run so fast.
At this moment, a burst of rapid footsteps suddenly came from a distance, and then a familiar voice shouted: "Who said I ran away? I was busy closing the stall just now!"
Everyone turned around and saw a middle-aged man walking quickly, it was the stall owner selling coral beads!
The stall owner walked up to Zhao Rang and Qing Qing and said to the steward:
"That string of coral beads was indeed bought by this young master just now, for fifty taels of silver, every penny is worth!"
As he spoke, he took out the fifty-tael silver note that Zhao Rang had given him just now.
The steward took the money and his expression suddenly turned ugly. He didn't expect that the stall owner would show up at this time and produce conclusive evidence.
"Since the stall owner has said so, we will deal with this matter. But you'd better be careful and don't cause any more trouble!"
"Thank you to the stall owner for speaking up!"
Zhao Rang said with his hands raised.
"Hey, Master, you don't have to be like this!"
The stall owner waved his hand and said.
"I'm just telling the truth. Besides, that string of coral beads is indeed the treasure of my stall. It's an honor for me to sell it to a person who knows the goods like you."
Zhao Rang smiled and said nothing more.
"That's right, sir."
The stall owner suddenly said.
"I see that you seem to be very interested in coral beads. I wonder if you would like to see other goods?"
Zhao Rang immediately understood that the stall owner wanted to make another business deal...
But he didn't mind.
Anyway, I decided to buy something for Qingqing, so I went to see what other good products the stall owner had.
As for why Qingqing suddenly appeared in Zhenhai City, now is not the time and place to ask questions.
The stall owner brought Zhao Rang and Qing Qing to his stall and took out a few strings of coral beads as well as some pearls, shells and other seafood.
After some selection, Zhao Rang finally spent thirty taels of silver to buy a string of coral beads, but the quality was much worse than the previous string.
Turning the corner, the two of them were blocked by the group of stewards from before.
"What? We can't leave yet?"
"Go? Of course you can go."
The steward said with a smile:
"But do you have to pay for our hard work before leaving?"
"Hard work fee?"
Zhao Rang asked puzzledly.
"You lost something and we went to find it for you. Isn't it hard? Or do you think this thing has its own legs and feet and can run back to you on its own?"
Seeing this, Qingqing whispered to Zhao Rang:
"Just give me the money and don't cause trouble!"
Zhao Rang nodded, Qing Qing's idea coincided with his.
"What are you little bastards doing?!"
Just as the two sides were at war with each other, the loud shout made everyone turn their heads.
"Boss Hu!"
When the steward saw the person coming, his expression suddenly changed and he quickly stepped forward to salute.
The visitor was none other than Boss Hu, who had been drinking with Zhao Rang and Mrs. Liu last night.
"Why are you here?"
the steward asked cautiously.
"Why am I here? If I didn't come, wouldn't I be able to see you bullying people?"
Boss Hu glared at him, then walked up to Zhao Rang and Qingqing, apologized, raised his hands and said:
"Brother, I'm so sorry for causing you such trouble!"
Zhao Rang already knew Boss Hu's abilities from Mrs. Liu, and was relieved to see that he was willing to come forward to rescue him.
This favor can be regarded as being accepted.
"Boss Hu said something serious. I didn't want to cause trouble."
Zhao Rang said calmly.
He didn't want to get entangled too much, he just wanted to leave this place as soon as possible.
"Brother, don't worry, leave this matter to me!"
As Boss Hu spoke, he turned to the steward and said:
"He is my brother, please show some respect to me from now on! If you let me know that you bully others again, don't blame me for being rude!"
The steward nodded repeatedly, sweat breaking out on his forehead.
He knew that Boss Hu's power in Zhenhai City was not something he could offend.
"Get out of here!"
Boss Hu scolded.
The steward felt like he was being pardoned and quickly left with his men.
"Boss Hu, thank you very much."
"Brother, you are out of touch now. We had a drink together last night, and your business is my business. If anyone dares to bully you in Zhenhai City from now on, just tell me my name!"
Boss Hu said boldly.
"OK!"
Zhao Rang didn't show any pretense and readily agreed.
"By the way, brother, you didn't introduce this friend!"
Boss Hu said suddenly.
"This is my friend from my hometown, Miss Qingqing. Our families are family friends."
Zhao Rang introduced.
"Miss Qingqing, nice to meet you!"
Boss Hu said with a smile.
"Boss Hu, we still have something to do, so we'll leave today."
After a few words of greeting, Zhao Rang said goodbye.
"Brother, don't leave in a hurry! I drank too much last night, and I didn't wake up until just now. It's dinner time now, let's have a meal together!"
Boss Hu invited.
Zhao Rang was a little hesitant.
He had a lot to ask Qingqing, but as long as outsiders were around, he couldn't ask her.
"Since Boss Hu kindly invites us, let's go."
Qingqing said suddenly.
She seems to be very interested in Boss Hu.
The three of them randomly found a restaurant and sat down in the lobby.
"It turns out that Miss Qingqing is here to do business too!"
Boss Hu’s eyes lit up and he said:
"That's just right! I told my brother earlier that the Longfanhui shipment has been here for five days and is still being packed in the warehouse."
Qingqing blinked and avoided mentioning the goods he mentioned:
"Boss Hu, I am also new here, and I don't know much about the situation of Longfan Club."
When Boss Hu heard this, his expression changed slightly.
The predecessor of Longfanhui can be known by just asking a little bit.
As a force that can take over Zhenhai City Water City, it naturally has its own secrets and heritage.
"Miss Qingqing, this question of yours has troubled me. Longfan Society is nothing more than a chamber of commerce. It is more powerful than others."
Boss Hu laughed, obviously unwilling to discuss this issue in depth.
"By the way, the trading day of the water market will be in the next few days, and this place will be even more lively then."
"Is there still a trading day?"
Qingqing asked pretending to be curious.
"yes!"
Boss Hu explained:
"The trading day is held once a month in the water market. Many rare seafood and treasures will appear at that time. There will also be some special trading methods, which is very interesting."
"We will definitely go and join in the fun then."
Zhao Rang spoke at the right time, but he became more and more curious about Qing Qing's intentions.
The meal was a feast for both the guests and the host, with Qingqing chatting and laughing happily, which made Boss Hu very happy.
"Boss Hu, thank you for your hospitality today. We will take our leave now."
After having enough wine and food, Zhao Rang stood up and said.
Boss Hu also stood up and sent them out enthusiastically.
It wasn't until their figures disappeared around the corner of the street that Boss Hu looked away, with a meaningful smile on his face.
"Go and check this girl named Qingqing. She is definitely not from the South!"
Boss Hu ordered his men, turned around and walked into the restaurant again.
Zhao Rang and Qing Qing walked side by side on the streets of Zhenhai City. Neither of them spoke, and the atmosphere seemed a bit subtle.
"Why are you here suddenly?"
Zhao Rang took the lead in breaking the silence and asked.
"What? You're not welcome?"
Qingqing asked playfully.
"of course not!"
Zhao Rang quickly denied it and explained:
"I just feel a little surprised. After all, you had to go back to the first floor before."
"I came here as a last-minute decision."
Qingqing said, with a hint of mystery in her tone.
"What happened?"
Zhao Rang asked nervously.
"Because some people lose all their belongings on the first day they enter the city! If I don't come back, do you think this person will starve to death or freeze to death?"
