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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 98: Gousi
"Xie Ke, it seems you didn't tell Master Ma that you had something to do here?"
Xie Ke smiled apologetically at me and said, "Brother Qi, could you do me a favor? They are all my friends, and also friends of Gousi..." Just then, Third Brother came in carrying tea. He continued, "This is Third Brother, he's a brother of Gousi."
"You all know each other?"
"Not really. Third Brother just returned; he was working in Beijing. I'm familiar with Gousi, and Ma Ge and Sister Zhu were introduced to me by him."
I nodded, as if I understood their conversation and began to question their identities. Judging by their attire, they looked like ordinary people, but their demeanor and the way they spoke exuded a confidence and charisma that set them apart from the average person.
To put it simply, Xie Ke was just the son of a mechanic, while the others resembled those wandering figures from the underworld. People like them often kept a low profile; on the surface, you wouldn't know what they were involved in, and they often defied your expectations. If they didn't want to reveal themselves, you'd never find out.
Given their complex backgrounds, who knew if they were carrying any troublesome secrets like murder charges?
However, considering Xie Ke's familiarity with them and the fact that they had just helped me, I couldn't just turn around and leave because I didn't understand their backgrounds or what they were doing. I needed to figure out what they wanted me to help with. If I could assist in some way, it would be a way to repay the favor owed to the Xie family.
With my mind made up, I said, "Alright, what can I help with?"
Hearing that I was willing to help, Xie Ke and the others visibly relaxed. They then pulled out their phones and dialed a number. Before long, I heard the sound of a car horn outside, followed by someone rushing in. The newcomer was quite handsome with a tan complexion, tall stature, and a square face adorned with a smile that revealed two rows of neat teeth when he grinned. His slightly curly hair was shiny and black, and his eyes were not particularly large but held an intensity that ordinary people lacked—something akin to killing intent.
He was Gousi.
I looked at Gousi and then at Gou San; they didn’t seem much alike. It wasn't just their looks; there were other aspects that set them apart from the Two Brothers.
Xie Ke introduced me to Gousi: " Gousi, this is Ma Qi. He's quite impressive; let him assess the situation."
Gousi's sharp eyes darted toward me like lightning. His gaze was piercing yet friendly as he extended his hand to shake mine. Despite his calm demeanor, there was a flicker of hope in his eyes as he said warmly, "Then I'll leave my wife’s matters in your hands."
I noticed that everyone present was clean-cut. When he mentioned his wife needing assistance, I felt his grip on my hand—his palm calloused and hard—making mine uncomfortable. I pulled my hand back slightly and asked, "Is your wife in trouble?"
Feeling my embarrassment, I quickly withdrew my hand and said, "I'm sorry, I'm just in a hurry. Grabbing your hand felt like grabbing a lifeline."
"Is it that serious?"
"It is. You'll understand when you see." I noticed that the others were silent, treating Gousi with great respect. I guessed that he was an important figure, perhaps someone who handled significant matters. Following his lead, I walked out with Gousi, Xie Ke, and the others.
Once outside, I saw a deep silver-gray B4 luxury SUV.
Gousi generously gestured to me, "Master Ma, this is your car."
Not being familiar with him, I declined, "No thanks, I'll take Xie Ke's car."
Unexpectedly, Xie Ke said, "Brother Qi, I'm heading back now. You should get in Gousi's car."
I felt frustrated; Xie Ke had promised to take me to my destination but was leaving me here instead. Moreover, I still didn't know what Gousi was up to. The hidden menace in his eyes made me uneasy. However, seeing Xie Ke's determination to leave made it difficult for me to voice my concerns.
I couldn't let my fear of being with Gousi dictate my actions!
Noticing my hesitation, Gousi silently pulled out an extravagant wallet from the car. It was so large that it seemed almost ridiculous. Such a wallet would cost at least several thousand on the market. Ignoring the gazes of everyone around him, he pulled out a stack of crisp bills and said to me, "Brother, I do things upfront. You're out here to make money; take this fifty thousand first. If you do well, I'll pay you another hundred thousand. How does that sound?"
Fifty thousand! For me right now, it was indeed like a timely gift in the snow. When I worked with Qin Jian as his partner, I barely made five or six thousand after a month of hard work. Working at Ma Wu Funeral Home would earn me around a hundred thousand monthly.
If I calculated carefully, had my grandfather not used that money for charity, we might have been wealthy.
Money can be intoxicating, but it didn't hold much allure for me at the moment. Besides, I still didn't know what I was supposed to do; how could I accept money without knowing the task? So I feigned nonchalance and waved my hand dismissively: " Gousi is generous; you have your rules while I have my principles. I believe in earning my keep without taking unearned rewards. So please lead the way; let me see what you need done first."
Perhaps Gousi didn't expect me to outright refuse the advance payment of fifty thousand. He paused slightly in surprise and quickly scanned the crowd around him. His hand hovered awkwardly in mid-air—neither pulling back nor extending it felt quite embarrassing.
Xie Ke hadn't left yet and stepped forward to ease the tension: "Brother Qi is trustworthy; he believes in earning his pay. Just hold onto the money for now and keep it safe until he sees what needs doing."
With Xie Ke's intervention, Gousi smiled broadly: "Alright then, I'll hold onto it; you get in the car."
I got into the car, keeping my gaze fixed ahead.
Brother Ma and Sister Zhu also got in. Since someone had to stay here, they remained behind.
Xie Ke walked in front, heading in the opposite direction from Gousi and the others. So when he turned, he left us and continued on his way alone.
On the road, Gousi chatted with me casually while driving. It seemed like he was probing me, asking about my ancestors (which I don’t have) and my current situation. He probably wanted to figure out what profession I had previously held, whether I had always been a Mortician or something similar.
Brother Ma, hearing that I started as a Mortician, whispered to Sister Zhu, “What bad luck! Can Old Four really handle this?” This last remark was directed at Gousi; to Brother Ma, being a Mortician seemed ominous.
I remained silent, thinking that Xie Ke hadn’t clarified things properly.
Gousi said, “Come on, what’s there to fear? The person has already been declared beyond saving. I’m just treating a dead horse as if it were alive; it all depends on her fate now.” I clearly heard a hint of choking in his voice at the end of that sentence, yet he pretended to act indifferent.
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