Before Fatty and I could react, we were bundled into a car.
Inside the car, I had no time to ponder where these people were taking us. My mind was entirely occupied with Sister Ying.
How did she end up in Guangbei?
Was she here for the Water Moon Guanyin?
If that were the case, Yang Hanxue should also be in Guangbei, but why hadn't he contacted me?
"Brother Xiang..."
Fatty nudged me with his shoulder, bringing me back to reality.
Glancing at the people in the car, I frowned, "Where are you taking us?"
No one answered our question.
Watching the scenery whiz by the car window, it was clear we had already left the city.
About half an hour later, the car turned onto a small road and then entered a village.
The road was flanked by vegetable patches and piles of dry hay.
The car stopped in front of a small Western-style villa, indicating we had arrived.
Fatty and I got out of the car. One of the men gestured for us to go inside.
A black Crown sedan was parked in the yard, and nothing else.
This small villa had four floors and occupied a large area. It was also well-decorated, indistinguishable from a regular villa.
In such a small village, a Western-style house like this clearly indicated that its owner was no ordinary person.
Furthermore, the men who brought us here all looked far from benevolent.
Fatty and I were new to Guangbei and hadn't offended anyone. Why would someone seek us out?
As soon as we entered, we saw a round table laden with dishes. A man and a woman were seated at the table.
The man looked about thirty-eight or thirty-nine, with tanned skin, wearing a black shirt. A gleaming gold necklace hung around his neck, and a dragon tattoo was faintly visible on his chest.
The woman appeared to be twenty-five or twenty-six, dressed in a white wool sweater with her hair pinned up. She was quite beautiful, especially her eyes, which were full of allure.
"Hahaha... Mr. Xiang, I sincerely apologize for inviting you here in this manner."
The man stood up and walked towards me, a cigar in his mouth. He extended his hand, intending to shake mine.
I glanced at him, hesitated, and then extended my hand to shake his.
After all, I had no idea of the current situation, and it wouldn't be wise to offend him.
"Come, come, sit down, make yourselves at home." The man gestured for Fatty and me to sit at the table.
"Allow me to introduce myself, I am Zhao Wei," the man said, pointing to the woman beside him, "This is my wife."
"Jiang Xue'er, it's a pleasure to meet Mr. Xiang and Mr. Chun," the woman said with a smile, addressing Fatty and me.
I looked at them curiously, "What is it that you two wanted to see us about?"
Zhao Wei replied, "Nothing of great importance, we simply wish to make friends with Mr. Xiang."
"Make friends?" I chuckled, glancing at the burly men who had brought us here, "Mr. Zhao's way of making friends is certainly unique."
Zhao Wei paused, then waved his hand, signaling the burly men to leave. He then continued, "Please forgive me, Mr. Xiang. My subordinates are all rough fellows. I hope you can overlook any lack of hospitality."
Jiang Xue'er stood up and poured a glass of red wine for Fatty and me, smiling, "Mr. Xiang is a cultured person, you wouldn't stoop to their level."
"Yes, yes, Xue'er is right." Zhao Wei took a puff of his cigar and offered two to Fatty and me.
I had never smoked cigars before, so I waved my hand and took out my own pack of cigarettes, "I'll just have this."
Fatty, however, accepted them readily. He took a cigar, trimmed and lit it with a cigar cutter, and asked, "Cuban cigar?"
Zhao Wei nodded with a smile, "Mr. Chun knows quite a lot."
A hint of pride flashed in Fatty's eyes. "When I was at Panjiayuan, someone gave me two boxes, and I barely touched them."
Although I don't smoke cigars, it doesn't mean I don't understand them.
This fatso might be bragging. Two boxes of cigars?
However, Zhao Wei clearly believed him, looking taken aback for a moment.
"Mr. Zhao, have we met before?" I asked.
Zhao Wei smiled, "I don't believe so."
"Then Mr. Zhao, why do you wish to befriend us?" I inquired curiously.
Zhao Wei glanced at Jiang Xue'er, who smiled and said, "We have long heard of the Xiang family's reputation..."
I frowned, "Do you two know my father?"
They exchanged a look, and Jiang Xue'er smiled, "Of course, we know him, but we've never had the opportunity to meet."
Hearing this, I became even more puzzled. These two knew my father but my father didn't know them. Then why did they want to see me?
Could it be they wanted to get acquainted with my father through me?
Unfortunately, he had already passed away, and these two probably didn't know that.
"Mr. Xiang Senior was a hero of his generation. It's truly regrettable that he passed away so young," Zhao Wei said with an expression of regret.
He knew my father was gone?
This made me even more curious. Then what did they want me for?
"Mr. Zhao, you mentioned earlier that you wanted to befriend us?" I said.
Zhao Wei nodded.
"Since we are to be friends, why not be more forthright?" I looked at the two of them.
Zhao Wei pursed his lips and chuckled, "Haha, Mr. Xiang is indeed a straightforward person... Since Mr. Xiang has put it this way, I'll be direct."
He gave Jiang Xue'er a look, and she quickly stood up and retrieved a black briefcase from the side.
She placed the briefcase in front of me, "This is a small token of our appreciation for Mr. Xiang."
As she opened the case, Fatty and I were stunned.
Inside the black briefcase were neatly stacked bundles of cash, looking to be at least over a million.
Fatty swallowed hard, his eyes blinking as he stared at me.
I also took a deep breath. These two were meeting me for the first time and giving me so much money?
What did they want?
For me to appraise treasures?
Impossible. If they wanted me to appraise treasures, they would have said so directly, not gone through such a roundabout way.
Moreover, from their demeanor and actions, they were clearly not ordinary people.
Both their subordinates and this small villa built in the village exuded an air of danger.
These two were undoubtedly involved in something illicit.
But what did they want me to do?
I smiled and closed the briefcase. "As the saying goes, one should not accept favors without merit. Your token of appreciation is too generous, I cannot accept it."
After saying that, I pushed the briefcase aside.
Zhao Wei's brow furrowed, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes. Jiang Xue'er smiled, "Mr. Xiang, please don't worry. This token is merely a gesture of our goodwill. You must accept it."
I smiled, "I am merely a treasure appraiser. I have rarely seen so much money in my entire life. If I take it back, I probably won't be able to sleep."
I picked up the wine glass on the table. "Since you two wish to befriend me, it is my honor. I'll drink this toast. If Brother Zhao and Sister Jiang ever need my help in the future, please don't hesitate to ask."
With these words, Zhao Wei's eyes lit up. He stood up and clinked glasses with me, "Indeed, a hero emerging from youth! If Brother Xiang encounters any trouble in Guangbei in the future, just let me know. There's nothing I, Zhao Wei, cannot handle!"
This was merely a temporary tactic on my part. Zhao Wei clearly wasn't someone to be trifled with.
I was unfamiliar with Guangbei, and offending him might lead to unknown consequences.
Although I didn't know what they wanted me to do, I could stall for time.
Once they revealed their intentions, I could make a decision.