After seeing Mr. Song off, I called my senior and informed him that Mr. Song would be at the designated location with a replacement to assist us with the pickup, while he would take the genuine item to storage. Our people would then transport the goods, fitted with tracking devices, into South America via a special channel.
According to our plan, these goods equipped with tracking systems would be routed through a dedicated, highly secretive, and swift channel to the designated recipient.
We didn't know who this recipient would be beforehand; everything was to be done strictly according to instructions.
To put it simply, the senior's emphasis on waterproof packaging suggested that water would definitely be involved in the transportation process.
Since the senior said this could be done, he must have had a way.
After hanging up, I called Xie Nana, confirmed her address, went downstairs, and took a taxi there.
I had overlooked something. After asking for the address, I didn't call to inform the senior. I thought it was just a meal, and at least the afternoon's business was related to Xie Jiabao's affairs. No matter how hospitable his daughter was, she wouldn't delay such an important matter.
But my oversight turned out to be fatal.
Upon getting into the taxi, I gave the address. The driver hesitated for a moment and asked, "Are you sure you want to go here?"
I said yes, was there a problem?
He replied that there wasn't exactly a problem, but it was a bit remote. Getting there by taxi was fine, but returning might be troublesome as there were hardly any people around, making it difficult to catch a taxi.
I told him to just take me there, and I could call for a car to pick me up later.
Even at this point, I hadn't thought of calling the senior or Wen Siqiang. I got into the car and headed to the place Xie Nana had mentioned.
Just as the driver had said, after leaving the west city, the car drove further into the mountains. The road grew narrower, eventually turning into a man-made mountain path, uneven, rugged, and winding. This wasn't a road leading to a villa; it was more like a path to the senior's secluded mountain dwelling.
Were people living here? I started to feel uneasy and asked the driver, "Are you sure this is the right road?"
The driver said, "The road is definitely correct, and people do live in there, and not just ordinary people. It's just that this road is too difficult to navigate."
I was speechless. I reached for my phone to call Xie Nana, only to discover there was no signal at all!
It dawned on me then. Xie Nana's mobile provider might be different from mine, and my number might simply have no signal here.
Now I realized my mistake. I should have made a call to them when we were still in the city. Now my phone was useless, and I couldn't contact anyone.
A sense of foreboding washed over me. Could it be true what Wen Siqiang had said, that Xie Nana had ulterior motives? It didn't make sense. Xie Jiabao was using us, and as long as he didn't know our true capabilities, he wouldn't dare to play games with me. He knew what we meant to them; we were their benefactors. Why would he be so eager to betray me at this moment?
I pondered but couldn't figure out where the problem lay.
As we spoke, the car stopped in front of a cluster of buildings.
Indeed, despite the bumpy road, there was a villa complex here.
It was nestled amidst mountains on three sides, with a small flat area in the middle, perhaps several thousand square meters.
On the flat ground stood three three-story buildings, one in front and two in the back, enclosed by stainless steel fences. This was likely what Xie Nana meant by her family villa.
I got out of the car, paid the fare, and glanced at my phone, still without signal. However, since I had arrived, I could use Xie Nana's phone if I needed to make a call to coordinate.
I turned and walked to the entrance. The main gate was closed. I knocked on the iron gate.
The door creaked open from the inside, revealing a young woman in a traditional Chinese outfit with a blue floral pattern on a white background. She lowered her head and said, "Mr. Sheng, right? My young lady has been waiting for you for a long time."
I nodded and followed her inside.
She turned and locked the iron gate from the inside. I paused, glancing at the surrounding walls, which were stainless steel fences about a person's height. It wouldn't be easy to get out.
I felt I was overthinking. In this desolate area, it was quite normal for them to lock the door for everyone's safety.
I followed her further in, passed through the foyer of the first building, and emerged from the back door into a courtyard.
In the courtyard stood several large trees whose names I didn't know, casting a vast shade. Xie Nana was sitting on a swing hung between two trees, gently swaying.
Seeing me approach, she quickly stopped swinging, got off the seat, and ran to me.
She was still wearing the same light-colored floral dress. She grabbed my hand and said, "Little Sheng brother, you really came! That's great, finally someone to play with. Do you know, my father asked me to stay here alone, and I'm bored to death!"
I said, "My phone has no signal here. Can I borrow your phone? I need to inform the chairman."
Xie Nana replied, "It's all the same, isn't it? My phone has no signal either. I called you from the city, but once we entered the mountains, it became useless."
It made sense. This place wasn't affiliated with any mobile company, as none of them would likely have a signal.
I said, "Then what should we do? We still have to help your father with something later."
Xie Nana said, "Let them do it. It's not like you're the only one. Do you know how bored I've been since I got back? My father is afraid it's not safe for me to go out, so he sent me to live here. He ignores me all day, only caring about his own trivial matters. If he hadn't come back last night and said he'd go find you this morning, I would have insisted on going with him today, and he wouldn't have let me out even if he killed me."
Whether what she said was true or not, even if I were brought here, it would be difficult to leave.
I said, "Today's matter is very important. I still need to find a way back. If I delay things, neither you nor I can bear the consequences."
Xie Nana said, "Don't worry, I'm here. My father won't blame you. In fact, he said he likes you very much and wants you to be his son-in-law. He said he would propose to your chairman after this matter is settled."
My goodness! We had only known each other for less than a day, and now there was talk of a marriage arrangement.
I stared at her, her words delivered with complete seriousness, no hint of a joke.
I said, "Nana, first of all, we don't know each other yet. Second, I already have someone in my heart. Besides, whether we date or not is our own business; it's not something Chairman Xie can dictate, is it?"
Xie Nana replied, "Little Sheng brother, it's not just my dad who wants you as his son-in-law; I also like you. So, you say we don't know each other well enough, but isn't this why I called you over so we can get to know each other? And you said you have someone in your heart. You're not married yet, are you? Even if you are married, so what? I don't mind."
I said urgently, "Whether you mind or not is your business, but the problem is, I mind, and my girlfriend minds too. How can such things be one-sided?"
Xie Nana said, "Little Sheng brother, I don't care whether you or your so-called girlfriend mind; my not minding is very important. You'll understand."
I said, "Nana, I really have important things to do. I'll leave now. As for our matters, like your father said, can we talk about it after this is over?"
Xie Nana replied, "No, the problem is, there's no communication here, no transportation. How will you leave? Even if you walk back, it will take you the whole afternoon to reach a place with vehicles."
I said, "Xie Nana! You planned this, didn't you? Do you know how much impact this has on your father's business? Aren't you afraid he'll blame you?"
Xie Nana retorted, "Afraid of him? You'd better ask my father. Since I was little, I've done whatever I wanted and gotten whatever I desired. My father always indulged me, so how could he blame me?"
I said, "This time it's really different. You might not realize how important this matter is to him!"
Xie Nana replied, "It's as important as love is important. For me, being with you is the most important thing!"