311 Showing Off Before an Expert
Pang Shuo’s house was so spacious. In the face of their sudden visit, he could tidy up a place for more than ten people to sleep. Moreover, there were traces of people living in every room. This meant that there were definitely more than three people in the house.
Moreover, as a poor mountainous area, even the village chief’s house should not have servants serving him. Most importantly, there were no relatives of Pang Shuo in the entire house. Where did his wife and children go?
Zhou Xuan and Zhang Luo had thought of most of the questions in Shan Yue’s heart. However, the three of them had a tacit understanding that no one would expose this matter, creating an illusion for Pang Shuo.
At the same time, in a place where Shan Yue and the others could not see, Pang Shuo and the servants muttered something in the room. “Master, what’s going on? Why did these high-ranking officials suddenly come to a godforsaken place like ours without saying anything? I don’t remember these bureaucrats being able to withstand the hardships of the countryside.”
A sinister smile flashed across Pang Shuo’s lips. “Don’t worry. Do you know what keeping up appearances is? They’re only doing this for show. To put it nicely, they’re here to come down for an inspection. But they’re just here to take photos and preach. This way, when they go back, they can report their amiable deeds in the newspapers and establish a simple image in front of everyone. Inform everyone not to panic. Do what you have to do. Just maintain your daily life.”
“Understood, Master.”
“There’s one more thing.” Pang Shuo frowned slightly, and his gaze changed. “Tell my wife and children to come back quickly tomorrow. Otherwise, it will definitely arouse their suspicion when no one’s home. Send more people to watch the surroundings for the next few days. Report to me if they do anything abnormal. We can’t let them go in the direction of the haunted house.”
“Master, don’t worry. If they dare to go, we’ll tell them the rumors. I don’t believe that these officials don’t take their lives seriously and insist on going.”
With that, Pang Shuo quickly returned to the crowd, afraid that he would attract attention if he disappeared for too long.
Dinner time passed quickly in a series of casual pleasantries. He Sheng arranged the bodyguards he had brought around the room to observe the nearby movements.
After arranging everything, he called Pang Shuo to Zhou Xuan’s room.
Pang Shuo pushed the door open and entered. He did not expect Shan Yue and Zhang Luo to be in the room. He could not help but panic, but his experience quickly calmed him down. “President Zhou, I wonder if there’s something urgent that you called me over so late at night. What do you want to know? I’ll definitely tell you everything I know.”
“Village Chief Pang is really smart. I didn’t say anything, but you already know that I called you here to ask you something.” A hint of coldness appeared between Zhou Xuan’s eyebrows. “No wonder you can be the village chief of Pang Village and the president of the Education Association. However, you’re right. I have some questions about Pang Village.”
“President Zhou, you’re really overestimating me. You’re all smart people.” Pang Shuo had a fake smile on his face, revealing more cunningness. “If there’s anything, just ask. I’ll definitely tell the truth.”
Seeing this, Shan Yue spoke first. “Since Village Chief Pang said so, things are much simpler. It’s just that your house is so big, and it can accommodate more than ten of us under such circumstances. That means that it’s definitely impossible for only two or three of you to live in the house usually. I wonder who all these rooms are for? Moreover, it’s already so late. Where did your wife and children go?”
“What a coincidence. Before you came, my wife and the children went back to her parents’ house early in the morning. But don’t worry, President Shan. They’ll be back tomorrow. I’ll definitely let them visit you.”
Pang Shuo’s bold eyes inadvertently revealed confidence. “As for why the house is so big, it’s because there are indeed more than two or three people usually. However, those extra rooms are specially prepared for the villagers or homeless people to spend the night. Everyone has times of trouble. I’ll do my best to help them.”