I feigned surprise, looking at Yan Yuhe, "The Water Moon Guanyin statue was stolen?"
Yan Yuhe nodded, glancing inadvertently at the ladies' bag in my hand.
Feeling guilty, I said, "I found this forgotten in the restroom just now, so I brought it out."
She didn't ask further. When we returned to the courtyard, the fire had been extinguished, but security personnel had increased.
The theft of the Water Moon Guanyin statue was no small matter.
After all, it was donated to the museum by Yan Hongguang on behalf of the Guanggu Association. If the Water Moon Guanyin disappeared at this juncture, it would not only damage the reputation of the Guanggu Association but also be difficult to explain to those in higher positions.
The Guanggu Association's prominence in Guangbei was impossible without connections to higher authorities.
After the fire trucks left, the courtyard gate was closed, guarded by over a dozen security personnel. It seemed no one would be allowed to leave until the Water Moon Guanyin was recovered.
Fatty and I exchanged glances, and I gave him a look that conveyed "stay calm."
Fatty, being perceptive, likely guessed that the item I'd given him earlier was the Water Moon Guanyin. He feigned a gossipy demeanor, asking questions left and right.
Yan Yuhe was called into a nearby business van by Yan Hongguang, and I didn't know what was being discussed.
"Master Xiang..."
As Fatty leaned in to speak, I raised an eyebrow, "We'll talk about it when we get back."
"No, Master Xiang, this bag you're holding is too conspicuous. Why don't you get rid of it?" Fatty said.
His words brought me back to reality. I had been holding this bag since earlier, and it looked completely out of place, being a woman's leather bag.
After a moment's thought, when Yan Yuhe got out of the business van, I handed her the bag, "Here, you take this. Try to find the owner."
A flicker of surprise crossed Yan Yuhe's eyes. She nodded and took the bag. As she did, I noticed her weighing it in her hand, as if to check if anything was inside.
About ten minutes later, a man in his thirties approached me, asking me to accompany him.
I couldn't help but ask, "Go where?"
"Sir, please cooperate. We need to understand some circumstances."
I asked calmly, "Oh? What circumstances?"
He didn't elaborate but gestured for me to follow. I glanced at Fatty, who pursed his lips, looking somewhat guilty.
Seeing his expression, I quickly shot him a glare, and he then changed his guilty look.
Soon, I arrived at a corner not far away. The man handed me a cigarette and introduced himself, "I'm You Yi, the head of security for this antique appraisal event. My men said you went to the backyard before the fire broke out?"
I nodded, "Yes, I did."
"What were you doing there?" His eyes flashed with a sharp glint, as if trying to discern something from mine.
I smiled and said, "I finished using the restroom and wanted to smoke outside, so I took a walk around."
"Is that so?" he said, his face etched with disbelief.
"What? Are you suspecting me of stealing something?" My eyes turned cold. "If you suspect me, show me the evidence!"
With that, I ignored him, appearing very annoyed, and turned to leave.
Just then, two security guards blocked my path.
I turned back to You Yi, "What do you mean by this?"
"Mr. Xiang, I know you're an external consultant invited by the Yan family. This incident is something none of us wanted. I hope you'll cooperate with my work," he said with a half-smile.
"Oh?" I said coldly, "How should I cooperate?"
"Let my men check you."
"Check what? You want to search me?"
"Yes," he replied curtly.
I chuckled, "If you want to search me, that's fine, but I have a condition. If you don't find your missing item on me, what will you do?"
"I will apologize."
"Apologize?" I walked up to him and said bluntly, "Then can I stab you and then say I'm sorry?"
His brow furrowed, and his expression turned displeased.
I continued, "Even if I stole it, without evidence, on what basis can you search me? If you want to search me, you can call the police and have them come."
The atmosphere turned tense. Frankly, I was also a bit unnerved.
My suspicion was indeed quite high. Who would go to the backyard for no reason?
The main issue was that Yang Hanxue hadn't clearly explained the entire plan to me. In that situation, I could only go to the backyard to assess the circumstances.
However, luckily, I was quick-witted enough to have Fatty hide the Water Moon Guanyin beforehand. Otherwise, I would be in serious trouble today.
Just then, Yan Yuhe and Fatty arrived beside me.
"Captain You, what's wrong?" Yan Yuhe seemed to know You Yi and asked.
"Miss Yan, you've arrived just in time. We want Mr. Xiang to cooperate, but he..."
Before he could finish, I interjected, "I've been very cooperative with you, but your demands are simply too excessive. What is the meaning of searching me?"
Yan Yuhe was taken aback, "Searching you?"
After You Yi explained, Yan Yuhe said, "Captain You, Mr. Xiang is a guest of the Yan family. I hope you will act with more discretion."
"Miss Yan, you should be aware of my responsibilities here. Everything I'm doing has the endorsement of your Guanggu Association," You Yi said, looking at me. "I'm merely trying to confirm if Mr. Xiang is carrying anything that doesn't belong to him. Why should Mr. Xiang be so offended?"
Although Yan Yuhe was speaking in my defense, I could see from the looks exchanged between her and You Yi that she seemed to want me searched as well.
Moreover, I noticed that many people present seemed unaware that the Water Moon Guanyin was missing.
Everyone was discussing the fire, and You Yi calling me over was likely an attempt to conceal this fact.
I wasn't sure if my guess was correct, but if that was the case, then I couldn't be blamed!
I deliberately raised my voice, "Fine, you want me to cooperate, so I will! I told you, I didn't steal the Water Moon Guanyin statue, but you don't believe me! I'll let you search to your heart's content!"
After speaking, I quickly gave Fatty a look. Having been with me for so long, Fatty quickly understood my intentions and walked over, saying, "What? Master Xiang? This guy suspects you of stealing the Water Moon Guanyin statue?"
Fatty's voice was even louder, and I noticed several people turning to look in our direction.
"Isn't that ridiculous? The Water Moon Guanyin statue is lost, what does that have to do with us? Are you going to search everyone present?" Fatty continued to shout.
You Yi was taken aback, and Yan Yuhe also seemed somewhat surprised.
I then directly took off my jacket, and with a gritted teeth, I removed my shirt as well, leaving only a white undershirt on my upper body.
That wasn't all. As I was about to take off my pants, You Yi said with a gloomy expression, "Alright! Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Xiang!"
With that, the man turned and, with the other two security personnel, retreated dejectedly.