Chapter 191: The News Got Out

After finishing the meal, it was already past three in the morning.

The drinking took place in a house rented by Gao Qiangqi for his brothers—a three‑story building behind the town street, with a courtyard, and the yearly rent was low.

Wu An rinsed off, Gao Qiangqi gave him a pair of big shorts and a vest, he changed and then looked for a room with an empty bunk.

The bunk had only a straw mat; lying down, he fell asleep.

Today he was really exhausted.

Moreover, he had stayed up until this hour.

As soon as his head hit the pillow, he fell asleep and snoring started immediately.

……

Wu An woke up; the room was empty except for him.

He took out his phone.

The phone had no power.

He quickly looked for a charger and plugged the phone in.

He went out.

A Jin was there; seeing him, he called out, "Brother An, the boss has gone off to work; he told me to wait for you."

"Wash up first; I've already prepared disposable supplies in the bathroom."

"I'll go get breakfast."

Wu An thanked him, glanced at the clock on the wall—it was already 9:30 a. m.

Millet porridge, fried dough sticks, buns, pickled vegetables, and salted fish.

It was clearly bought from outside.

Wu An finished eating, washed the bowls and chopsticks, went out with A Jin, passed a small shop and bought two packs of cigarettes.

"Brother An, what are you doing?"

"I was so tired yesterday I fell asleep as soon as I lay down, but I remember you probably helped wash my clothes; this morning I delayed your work, I brought you cigarettes—if you don't want them, is it because you dislike smoking?"

Upon hearing that, A Jin took the cigarettes, hehe‑laughing, "Brother, if you say that, I can't stand on ceremony."

"Those clothes were washed in the machine; I was the one who hung them out to dry."

A Jin rode his motorcycle and took him to the dock.

"Brother, my boss has been busy these days and might not answer the phone promptly; if you have anything, you can contact me—I'm in town and will handle routine matters."

Wu An nodded to show he understood.

A Jin revved his motorcycle and rode off happily.

He knew A Jin would follow Gao Qiangqi's orders, but he couldn't show no reaction at all; a few small favors would make their interaction smoother and more harmonious.

This little money should be spent when needed, but it's not good to be stingy.

He took out his phone.

On the contrary, there was no news.

He boarded the boat.

First he checked his luck value.

His personal luck value had reached 210!

His daily luck value was 35 points.

Neither too much nor too little.

Not bad.

At minimum he could earn a sum on the order of ten thousand.

He started the fishing boat.

Slowly pulling away from the dock.

Just after leaving the town dock, the phone rang; he looked and saw it was A Qing calling.

"A Qing, you must have been anxious waiting."

"I just started the fishing boat and am hurrying to the village dock."

He thought A Qing was calling to ask about going out to sea, and found it strange that A Qing would call so late.

"Brother, are you alright?"

"Uh… I'm fine."

"Oh, good. Just now I heard someone say you were arrested at the town dock; I was terrified and quickly called you—it seems those few people were just talking nonsense."

"Oh, what did they say?"

"They said you were operating illegally at sea, they also asked me why I wasn't in trouble; I was only thinking of calling you and forgot to scold them… I'll have to go back and give them a piece of my mind."

"They weren't wrong either—I really didn't catch anything yesterday, but it's fine…"

"Don't get worked up; just wait for me at the dock."

The news still spread.

But it's fine; once he returns with the boat to the village dock, the rumors will naturally collapse and the family won't need to worry.

While he was thinking that, his sister‑in‑law's call came in.

Wu An quickly answered.

He first reported that he was fine; his sister‑in‑law asked again, and he could only say he'd return to the village dock right away, they'd talk in person—this call couldn't make things clear in a few words.

……

Village Committee.

Wu Yingwei was sipping tea when Chen Gui walked in, chuckling: "Yingwei, you're really good at sitting still."

Wu Yingwei asked, "What's the matter?"

Chen Gui smiled even more brightly: "What else?"

Turns out you still don't know.

Now the whole village has spread the word, saying your second brother was arrested by the fisheries enforcement at Zhen Shang Ma Tou.

This startled Wu Yingwei.

Bang— he set down his teacup, hastily pulled out his phone to call Wu An, but seeing Chen Gui staring at him, he stood up and walked out of the room.

Wu An answered the phone, only saying he was fine, and that they could talk when he got home.

Only then did Wu Yingwei relax.

If Wu An could answer the phone, he must be fine.

But the whole village was spreading that he'd been arrested, and Chen Gui looked like he was watching a show, so it obviously couldn't be fake.

What's going on?

Wu Yingwei was thinking about going back inside, and couldn't help staring at Chen Gui; although he hadn't figured out what was going on, he felt this matter was inseparable from that guy.

He asked: "A Gui, I couldn't get through on the phone; I see you seem to know something, please tell me."

What happened to him?

Whether it's big or small, I'd like to be prepared.

Chen Gui laughed: "Yo, the sun's rising in the west, your tone sounds like you're begging me."

Wu Yingwei nodded: "Just treat it as such."

I also heard it through the grapevine: they said A An was conducting illegal operations at sea, using prohibited fishing gear, which got him arrested by the fisheries enforcement.

When did this happen?

Maybe last night.

Then you're pretty well-informed.

That's right, I... cough cough... the whole village has spread it; you might know more than I do after going out for a walk.

I'll just stay inside for now.

Wu Yingwei plopped into the chair, picked up the teapot and started drinking.

Chen Gui wore a suspicious look.

Why isn't this guy in a hurry?

Meanwhile, the rumors in the village about Wu An's arrest kept spreading, and the more they spread, the more outrageous they became.

At the dock.

Many vendors were also discussing Wu An; upon hearing the news, Lao Chen's grin almost split his ears, and he jokingly asked Lao Xie what to do next, just then seeing Wu An's fishing boat slowly approach.

Many villagers and vendors saw Wu An disembark from the boat, and those with or without business came over.

Lao Xie let out a breath of relief: "Looks like it's all just rumors."

"Sort of." Wu An smiled and said, "Anyway, I'm fine."

Lao Xie smiled and nodded.

"I was indeed arrested yesterday; someone maliciously reported me, saying I used illegal fishing gear; after investigation it turned out to be a misunderstanding, and here I am back."

Seeing the crowd, Wu An asked everyone to help spread the word.

So that's how it is.

Real or fake?

This is definitely true; otherwise A An couldn't have come back in his fishing boat.

Who reported it?

It's definitely someone jealous of A An.

Everyone started chattering away.

Wu An shook his head, indicating he didn't know who reported it; he was also puzzled, and said that if anyone had information, they were welcome to find him anytime, and he would reward them handsomely.

Upon hearing this, everyone felt somewhat excited.

When the news of his "reward for informants" reaches Chen Gui and "Handsome Guy," they'll surely panic, even if we don't mention anything else.