As Xiaolian and Old Mian finished their dance, I checked the time and asked Xiaolian to call Wen Siqiang, who was sitting at the bar, as it was time to go back.
Wen Siqiang was still lingering with the bar girl, reluctant to leave.
Seeing him walk over, I said, "If you want to sleep with her, just take her away. Don't be so clingy."
Wen Siqiang replied, "It's just that I'm out of money. These people aren't here to talk about feelings with you. Without money, there's no way."
I said, "You make money every day, you can't afford to call a girl?"
He sighed, not answering my question. I knew he couldn't say more without me prying it out of him.
Business at the "Great World" was good, and the female devil wouldn't use him for free. He should at least get ten percent. Yet, I felt his pockets were cleaner than his face.
I ignored him. I guessed he was more eager than I was for the opportunity to go to Nong Island to pick someone up. If it went smoothly, the reward would definitely be more than the few hundred yuan he earned from commissions at the "Great World."
I took them back to the dormitory first. Xiaohong didn't get off the car and went with me to the hotel. I saw Xiaoli pout slightly as she got off, but I ignored her and closed the door, telling the driver to go.
I didn't know where Wen Siqiang lived, so I asked the driver to drop us off first and then take him back.
As we got off the car, Wen Siqiang reminded me not to forget about tomorrow noon. I told him I wouldn't. Wen Siqiang had a gloomy expression, seemingly unhappy. I figured it was due to his tight finances and empty pockets.
When we passed the "Great World" earlier, I had handed over the day's earnings to the female devil. She took the money without a word and gave me a meaningful glance, though I didn't know what it meant.
Perhaps she felt she had more and more control over me.
Indeed, if Wen Siqiang and I managed to complete this transaction, it would be hard not to be controlled by her.
Two hundred grams of high-purity hLy could warrant seven years. The quantity they were trading would definitely be several times that amount, enough for life imprisonment if not death.
I asked Xiaohong to go back to the room to wash up and wait for me, saying I had something to do and needed to go out.
I went to the "Great World" through the side entrance and headed straight for Lan Ya's office.
Brother Bao was also there. He smiled at me. It was the first time I had seen Brother Bao smile. I always felt nervous around him; he gave off a very cold aura.
I explained, "Tomorrow noon, Director Chen is sending me and Wen Siqiang to Nong Island to identify a location. The day after tomorrow, we two will go alone to pick someone up. He didn't say where to take them, just that after picking them up, we should wait for further instructions."
Lan Ya asked, "They won't show themselves?"
I replied, "They won't show themselves. They just said to send us two. He and his subordinates won't appear."
Lan Ya exclaimed, "This is too cunning! They're actually using two unrelated people to do this. Even if something goes wrong, they won't be implicated."
Brother Bao advised, "When you go to identify the location tomorrow, remember to make a mark. Do it casually, and make sure Wen Siqiang doesn't notice."
I said I understood and would tell him the specific mark I made upon my return.
Lan Ya told me to go back and get some rest, not to delay tomorrow noon's business.
When I returned, Xiaohong was still awake, sitting obediently on the head of the bed waiting for me.
I went over and hugged her, saying, "You go to sleep first. I still need to shower, don't wait for me."
She nodded and obediently pulled back the covers to sleep.
The next day at noon, I heard a car horn downstairs. Looking out the window, I saw Wen Siqiang waving at me. I told Xiaohong, who was still in bed, "I have to go out. Lock the door well and wait for me."
She hummed and followed me to the door, standing on tiptoe to kiss me. I told her to bolt the door, and that I'd be back soon.
There was another person in the car, sitting in the passenger seat. He was definitely the one guiding us to the location. We didn't greet each other. I sat next to Wen Siqiang, and the car quickly left the city, driving along country roads towards the rural areas.
At that time, tourism wasn't as widespread as it is now, and the road towards Nong Island wasn't very good, full of potholes that jostled us quite a bit.
The car stopped by a patch of woods. The person in the front seat had us get out and led us into the woods.
It was a thicket of secondary forest with a small path worn by people.
Walking at the back, I secretly broke off a branch. It didn't snap but dangled from a bough.
After walking for about a mile in the woods, a small river blocked our path. The person stood by a stone about waist-high by the riverbank and told us, "The border is ahead. Wait here tomorrow. When people from the other side arrive, you take the goods and leave. You don't need to worry about anything else."
I was a bit confused. So we weren't picking up people, but goods. What about Old Mian then? Wasn't he coming?
The person repeated the identification of the surroundings until we were familiar with it before leaving.
Upon returning to Ruili, I parted ways with them and went to Sister Zhang's place, then called Lan Ya to come over.
When Lan Ya arrived, I shared my confusion. Lan Ya also couldn't figure out what kind of transaction this was. Usually, in such matters, it was a direct exchange of goods for money. Now, with neither the owner of the money nor the goods showing up, how could they be caught red-handed?
Lan Ya called Mr. Song and asked him to come over.
We explained the situation to Mr. Song. Mr. Song frowned, indicating that the matter was indeed complicated. I suddenly remembered Old Mian's handbag in the private room last time and said to Mr. Song, "Is it possible that the goods and the owner aren't taking the same route? The owner, not carrying any contraband, can pass through customs normally. Once we receive the goods, he can collect the money elsewhere."
Mr. Song replied, "You're right. That means while you're receiving the goods here, Old Mian is already at the club!"
It must be so. Since Old Mian said Xiaohong would accompany him tomorrow, and he went to the club to get money, just like last time.
Mr. Song continued, "Then we'll have to act separately. Control you here, and as soon as Old Mian enters the club, control everyone there."
He patted my shoulder and said, "Tomorrow, your performance needs to be convincing. Make the person accompanying you believe that both of you are innocent."
I said I would do my best.
Mr. Song then outlined the specific steps. He would make arrangements at the club and pre-position personnel for an ambush at Nong Island. He told me to act according to the circumstances.
After Mr. Song left, Sister Zhang was busy with matters on the first floor. It was just Lan Ya and me in the room.
Lan Ya asked, "Junior, do you regret knowing me, your senior?"
I looked at her and said, "Sister Lan, I don't like hearing you say that. Since I've chosen to work with you, I won't have any hesitation!"
Lan Ya came over and patted my shoulder, saying, "Young man, I think highly of you. Now I understand why Sister Zhang likes you so much. You have that masculine spirit deep down."
I replied, "You are my senior. It's one thing if others praise me, but don't praise me yourself. I'm just doing what I should do; it's not as grand as you say."
Lan Ya tilted her head and looked at me, saying, "If Sister Zhang hadn't gotten there first, I would have fallen for you."
I said, "No way, don't tease your junior. I wouldn't dare to have thoughts about my senior!"
Lan Ya clarified, "I'm not teasing you at all. I'm telling the truth."
I was taken aback and looked at her. A hint of melancholy flashed in her eyes, but it disappeared instantly.
Just then, the door opened, and Sister Zhang's bell-like laughter entered, as she quickly ran towards me and threw her arms around me.