"Can you really tell if a woman is really jealous or just pretending to be jealous?"
Zhang Heng took the car key that Fox gave him and went to the second floor of the parking lot. He found an old black Volkswagen MPV, opened the door, sat in the driver's seat, adjusted the seat and rearview mirror, and asked Little Boy in the back.
"No, why should I study such a boring thing?"
"…"
"I just want to make him unhappy. Anyway, there's no way to verify this kind of thing," Little Boy said. After a pause, she said, "Hey, do you really know how to drive?"
"It feels weird to have to explain the same question twice," Zhang Heng said.
"It's not too late to give up now. It's better than putting on a show and exposing yourself in the end."
"Yes, yes, I'll try not to expose myself."
Zhang Heng started the car, and forty-five minutes later, the Volkswagen drove under a bridge. Under the headlights, a figure was pacing anxiously by the pier.
Zhang Heng stopped the car, a little surprised. Since it was a black job, he thought that the employer should also be someone from the underworld. However, the man in front of him looked very ordinary, in his forties or fifties. He was slightly bloated, and his hair was greasy, but he was clean-shaven. He was wearing a somewhat rustic jacket, and he looked a little timid.
"Is this the car to the laundry?" The man did not go forward immediately. Instead, he asked warily.
"Sorry, the laundry is closed," Zhang Heng said.
These two sentences were the agreed code words. The man breathed a sigh of relief, opened the door, and climbed into the passenger seat. "Thank God, you are finally here. I was worried to death."
He was holding a cardboard box in his arms, and it was obvious that he attached great importance to it. He held it tightly with both arms as if he was holding the most precious thing in the world. Even when he sat in the car, he did not let go.
"Where to?"
The man gave him an address. The location was very remote, and it was quite a distance from where they were. Zhang Heng was not familiar with the city, so he did not feel much about the address. However, Little Boy immediately frowned.
"Why are you going to Albanian territory?"
"This …" The man wiped the sweat on his forehead with his arm, not knowing what to say.
"Is there a problem?" Zhang Heng asked.
"Those guys are all heartless criminals. They are inextricably linked to the red-light district business in the city. They like to smuggle young girls from their own countries here under the guise of working abroad. Then, they turn on them and detain them, forcing them to provide paid services to the men. In addition, they will also target some female tourists who are alone. They choose the good-looking ones from among the members to strike up a conversation at the airport or train station. After they figure out the target's background, they decide whether or not to make a move. In addition, they are also involved in some other criminal activities. Basically, they are involved in all kinds of money-making fields."
"I … I have some business dealings with them," the man stammered.
"It's not wise to choose those Albanians as business partners," Little Boy paused, then said to Zhang Heng, "It's too dangerous. I suggest we terminate this job."
"No, no, I have to go there tonight." The man immediately panicked when he heard that. "I've been in contact with the person in charge. He's a very kind person. There won't be any danger."
"In that case, we can leave the car with you. You can go on your own," Little Boy said.
The man was speechless when he heard that. The sweat on his forehead increased, and he pleaded, "I … I don't dare … I've heard a lot about them. If it weren't for the fact that I have nowhere else to go, I would never have anything to do with them. Please, don't leave me behind. I … I can pay you more."
"It's not about money," Little Boy said.
"I can add another three hundred, no, five hundred … a thousand," the man gritted his teeth. "If the transaction goes smoothly, two thousand will do."
"You're that rich? I didn't expect that, "Little Boy raised her eyebrows.
"If I was really rich, why would I want to get involved with those people?" The man smiled bitterly.
"What do you do?" Zhang Heng suddenly asked.
The man hesitated. He obviously didn't want to reveal his identity, but he was more afraid that Zhang Heng and Little Boy would just leave him to deal with those evil people alone. So, in the end, he told the truth, "I'm a chemistry teacher."
"A chemistry teacher?" Little Boy looked at the man carefully again and found that his temperament was indeed closer to that of a teacher. "So, why doesn't a chemistry teacher teach in school? Why does he hang out with the guys in the underworld?"
"Same as you guys. Isn't it for money?" The man sighed. "I used to have a happy family … but seven years ago, my daughter was diagnosed with a rare disease. At this stage of medical technology, there's no cure for it. We can only use drugs and equipment to keep her alive. It costs a lot of money every month. Our savings were quickly used up, and we sold our house and car. A year ago, my wife couldn't take it anymore and divorced me.
"My school has raised money for me twice, but compared to the huge medical expenses, the money is just a drop in the bucket. I've borrowed money from all my relatives, friends, banks, and even loan sharks don't want to lend me money now … I, I really don't have a choice. If I can't raise the money this month, the hospital will stop my daughter's treatment. I have no choice but to take the risk. Please, help me, I really need this money to save my life. After this is done, we can split the profits 30-70."
"Wait, you can't be …" Little Boy's eyes fell on the cardboard box in the teacher's hand. As if she thought of something, her expression changed slightly. "You're too bold. Do you know what the consequences are if you get caught?"
"For a person like me who has lost everything, one more day means one more day for my daughter. I don't have the time to worry about tomorrow." The chemistry teacher hugged the cardboard box tightly, his teeth chattering. "But don't worry, I know the rules. Just pretend this conversation never happened. No … You haven't seen what's in the box. If something happens, it has nothing to do with you."
"No," Little Boy shook her head. "Even if you're willing to take the risk, when an ordinary person like you faces those real villains, they have ten thousand ways to skin you alive. Let go when it's time to let go. You've done your best, Teacher. This is life. Your daughter won't blame you even if she knows."
"No, no … It's not the end. It's not over yet." The chemistry teacher's eyes were wide open, and he was breathing heavily through his nostrils. The veins on his neck were bulging, and the cowardly look on his face was gone. It was only when it came to this matter that he was exceptionally stubborn. He was as stubborn as a donkey. "Please, Fox said that you are all capable people. You must have a way to help me complete this deal, right?"
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