"Sister-in-law Gu..."
Looking at the woman before me, I took a deep breath, wanting to put an end to the somewhat ambiguous atmosphere.
But she didn't seem to want to. She smiled and said, "Sister-in-law Gu is what others call me. You can use a different name. My name is Ni Li."
"Um... Miss Ni, what exactly do you want me to come here for?" I asked, feeling a bit restless.
She took another drag from her cigarette, slowly exhaling the smoke. Then, her long legs, which had been on the floor, stretched onto the bamboo couch, and she leaned back lazily.
"The weather hasn't been good these past few days, and my old ailment has flared up. My cervical spine is a bit sore..."
As she said this, she extended a slender finger and beckoned gently: "Mr. Xiang, could you give me a massage?"
Her implication was too obvious. Frankly, I felt a stir in my heart, but I knew she must have some other reason for asking me here.
And this matter was no trivial one; it was significant enough that she would use her own body as a bargaining chip.
I grinned, my eyes brazenly scanning from her ankle to her forehead: "You don't look like you're in your thirties at all. No one would dispute it if you said you were twenty..."
"Is that so?" she asked with a smile that was as captivating as a nightmare. "I didn't expect Mr. Xiang to be so humorous."
I put away my smile, picked up a cigarette from the table, lit it, and took a drag: "Miss Ni, we're both sensible people, so there's no need to beat around the bush. You asked me to come here today, is there something you need my help with? If so, just say it directly."
Hearing this, her eyes darted, and she then smiled: "If I tell you, will Mr. Xiang help me?"
"That depends on what it is."
"It's just a small favor."
"Then tell me."
She stood up and walked behind me, placing her hands on my shoulders and gently massaging them. "You seem to understand the situation at Koukou. As a woman living in such a place for so long, it's impossible not to feel lonely... But there isn't a single man in Koukou that I fancy. On the other hand, Mr. Xiang..."
As she spoke, her hands slowly slid inside my shirt. I grabbed her wrist, stood up, and turned to face her.
Our eyes met. I released her hand and, pulling her waist into my embrace, said: "Is that so? Do you want me to help you alleviate your loneliness?"
A flicker of displeasure flashed in her eyes. Although it was only for a moment, I caught it perfectly.
She smiled and asked, "Is Mr. Xiang willing to do me this favor?"
I chuckled, "I think no man would refuse, right?"
"Oh? So it seems Mr. Xiang is willing?"
I released her and brought the cigarette to my lips for a puff: "I'm afraid I don't have that good fortune."
This woman, who had looked so fierce yesterday, had changed so drastically today. Did she really take me for a fool?
But then again, it was thanks to my strong willpower that I hadn't fallen into her trap already.
"It's getting late. If there's nothing else, I'll be going," I said.
Ni Li frowned: "Mr. Xiang, can't you stay here with me tonight?"
"As I said, I don't have that good fortune. Miss Ni, if you need my help with something, please just ask. But if you're trying to play games, I think it's best to forgo that. I'm just an outsider, and I'll be leaving in a few days. I don't want to stir up any trouble."
Hearing my words, a hint of hesitation appeared on her face, and she fell silent for a moment.
Seeing her silence, I pretended to leave. Just then, she grabbed me: "Are you really willing to help me?"
At this moment, the seductive charm she had displayed earlier had completely vanished, replaced by a look of gravity.
"I said, it depends on what it is."
"Alright! Then let's have a good talk."
She smiled and returned to the bamboo couch to sit down.
I also sat back on the straw cushion.
She crossed her arms and remained silent, seemingly deep in thought.
I wasn't in a hurry, picking up a cup of tea and slowly taking a sip.
In my mind, I had already considered many possibilities.
What could I help her with by finding me?
I knew nothing about this place. Although I knew Master Gui, from her tone, she didn't seem to hold Master Gui in high regard.
So, besides that, what else could I do to help her?
This made me think of the word "outside." I was an outsider, and naturally, I would have to leave. Did she have something outside that needed someone to do?
So far, that was the only thing I could think of.
As I set down the teacup, Ni Li finally spoke: "I have some things that I hope Mr. Xiang can help me take out."
"Gold sand?" I asked directly.
A hint of surprise flickered in her eyes: "That's right, gold sand."
As expected, I knew why her attitude had completely changed. Yesterday she was fierce, and today she wanted my help.
I had already guessed that she might want me to help her smuggle gold sand.
"Miss Ni, as far as I know, if you're caught smuggling gold here, they chop off your hand..."
"That's a rule for people from here. Mr. Xiang is not from here, so you don't have to abide by this rule."
"Is that so? However, I don't want to cause myself trouble."
She poured me more tea: "How is that causing trouble? I want to make money together with Mr. Xiang... You help me take the gold out, and we'll split the money from the sale."
Inwardly, I had already made up my mind not to help her, but I didn't refuse immediately. Instead, I casually asked, "How will we split it?"
"Thirty-seventy!"
Hearing this profit-sharing ratio, I smiled slightly, and just as I was about to speak, she added: "You take seventy, I take thirty."
I was stunned, looking at her with disbelief.
She was giving me seventy percent?
I wasn't just shocked by the immense profit, but rather by the fact that she was willing to give me so much. Why?
Seeing my astonishment, she seemed satisfied and smiled slightly: "Of course, in addition to the gold, Mr. Xiang also needs to help me take one person out."
"Who?"
"My daughter."
"Your daughter?"
She nodded and sighed softly: "Don't worry, there's no risk in taking my daughter out, and no one will trouble you."
"Then why don't you take her out yourself?"
She gave a wry smile: "My daughter and I, only one of us can get out. Either I go out and she stays here, or she goes out and I stay here..."
"Why?" I asked, a bit confused.
"Mr. Xiang, some things are better left unknown. Knowing too much won't do you any good."
I pursed my lips: "If I say I can help you, but the condition is that you must tell me everything clearly, are you willing?"