Chapter 264: “Cargo”
Puli’s handsomeness had an exotic allure. Every frown and smile felt strikingly fresh. When gazed at by those star-like, dazzling eyes, one couldn’t help but be drawn in.
Xu Yuyou had seen all kinds of handsome men before, but this one was truly one of a kind.
If they had met elsewhere, Xu Yuyou might have chased after him to ask if he had plans to enter the entertainment industry.
Unfortunately, he clearly had the look of a local. And with the rising safety risks in this country, Xu Yuyou dared not get involved with entertainers of this nationality.
Xu Fang and the bodyguards who were familiar with Xu Yuyou were worried she might not withstand the temptation and do something that would force them to rush to land her safely in Lu Jingyao’s hands.
Yet unexpectedly, even under the fierce “attack” of his beauty, Xu Yuyou remained completely unaffected.
“I already told the hotel we don’t need a room steward,” Xu Yuyou said.
Puli’s smile didn’t change at all. In fluent Mandarin, he said, “Ms. Xu, why don’t you meet me first, and then decide if you need a room steward?”
As he spoke, he proactively extended his hand.
Xu Yuyou looked at his long, slender fingers and well-defined joints but ultimately didn’t shake his hand.
“I’ve met you. I don’t need it. Please leave now,” Xu Yuyou said coldly.
This time, Puli was genuinely stunned. With his looks and fluent Mandarin, he was usually invincible among Chinese guests. Not only female guests, even many male guests couldn’t forget him.
It was the first time he had encountered someone as completely unmoved as Xu Yuyou. He wanted to persuade her a bit more — after all, Chinese guests were known for being especially generous with tips.
But before he could say another word, the door slammed shut in his face.
Puli could only head downstairs helplessly. However, instead of returning to the first-floor lobby, he stopped the elevator on the third floor and walked to the end of the corridor into a guest room.
“Why didn’t she keep you?” the person in the room immediately demanded.
Puli shook his head, hesitated, then asked, “Is it possible she doesn’t like men?”
The person inside immediately refuted, “Impossible!”
Puli said confidently, “Any woman who likes men — whether she has one husband or several — none can resist me.”
The person in the room rolled his eyes at him and said, “Alright, enough of your peacock display. Get out.”
After Xu Yuyou closed the door, she waited for about half an hour. Finally, the local detective Xu Fang had contacted delivered yesterday’s investigation results.
“That house is under the control of a local boss. It’s leased out, and outsiders can hardly find out who the tenants are. However, there’s a general understanding — that house is a safe point used for black market transactions.”
Xu Yuyou frowned slightly. “Since it’s for black market deals, why not just buy a house? The property prices here shouldn’t be so high that they can’t afford it. Why choose to rent?”
The detective quickly answered, “Because doing illegal business here needs protection.”
“Are the gangs in your country that rampant?” Xu Yuyou asked.
The Thai investigator on the phone was silent for a moment before saying, “They’re not gangs. They’re warlords.”
Xu Yuyou had already thought it was outrageous enough that people here could openly buy driver’s licenses. She hadn’t expected the real power structures to get directly involved.
“The more I travel abroad, the more I appreciate the safety and stability of my own country,” Xu Yuyou thought.
Now that she had a lead, she moved quickly. Unsurprisingly, the other party was willing to help, but they also made what seemed like a natural request.
They wanted money.
Xu Yuyou hadn’t even seen her “target” yet but had already spent nearly two million.
“Ms. Xu, we can only help negotiate. Whether the deal goes through or not, we can’t guarantee,” the agent sent by the landlord said.
Xu Yuyou remained expressionless. “If it’s successful, I’ll give you this amount later.”
She held up one finger.
She clearly saw the agent’s breathing visibly quicken.
Compared to the rental income, Xu Yuyou’s offer was stunning. He couldn’t help but once again marvel at the wealth of Chinese women and even began to harbor some sinister thoughts.
But when he saw the twenty towering bodyguards behind Xu Yuyou, with bulges at their waists hinting at concealed guns, the middleman quickly dropped those thoughts.
“Ms. Xu, with your sincerity, I’m deeply moved. Our boss also takes your matter very seriously. Don’t worry — within five days, we’ll give you a definite answer,” the agent said with a smile.
Xu Yuyou shook her head. “Five days is too long. One day.”
The agent said helplessly, “Ms. Xu, you’re putting me in a tough spot. One day is impossible. At least three days.”
Xu Yuyou checked her countdown timer and reluctantly accepted, but added, “Today, I want to see that the goods are safe.”
The agent frowned slightly. “You want to inspect the goods personally? That might not be possible. But don’t worry — whether the deal succeeds or not, we guarantee they won’t move the goods within these three days.”
Hearing this, Xu Yuyou felt a chill. Clearly, it was human trafficking, yet in their mouths, people had become “goods.”
After waiting two and a half days, the agent finally sent back news: “They’re willing to talk to Ms. Xu, but they request that Ms. Xu come alone.”
