"Am I that obvious?"

"Everyone knows the North District is a famous slum. Although your clothes don't stand out, the quality is much better than what you'd buy at a mall, and you speak so formally, people here can hardly compare." The girl confidently tilted her chin. "So, handsome, was I right?"

"Hmm, you got me."

"So, handsome, care to explain your intentions? It's not easy coming all this way; want to take something back?" The girl seemed very business-savvy, seizing every chance to make a sale.

"I see you sell hardware here; maybe I'm in need of some renovations."

"You're kidding! I just saw your friend coming out from across the street. None of you guys are any good." The girl sneered, glancing at the handsome man outside. "Are you here looking for women? I've got good stuff here, want some?"

Xiao Lin followed the girl's gaze outside, just in time to see Hua Qingyi still talking with Dan Qing. "Wow, you're sharp for someone so young!" Xiao Lin touched the girl's slender fingers, grinning roguishly like a thug. "Honestly, I brought my brother—you saw him earlier—to find something here. He may look fine, but he's got issues in that area, so..."

"Really?" The girl immediately wore the same sympathetic expression as Dan Qing and cast a pitying look at Hua Qingyi, who flinched under such a gaze. "What a waste, such a face and physique."

"Yeah! Can you blame me for being worried for him as his big brother?" Xiao Lin continued along with the girl's chatter, occasionally pointing his chin at Hua Qingyi. "You sell everything here, right? Got anything for that?"

The girl didn't immediately answer Xiao Lin. She sized him up and then giggled foolishly. "Hey, you look good too. Do you have similar problems?"

"Hahaha, want to try?" Xiao Lin began to play with the girl's fingers, brushing them teasingly. "If you don't believe me, give me your number, and we can arrange a chance to see if I have that problem."

"Definitely." Xiao Lin put the business card in his pocket. "Now, seriously, do you have what I need?"

"Wait a moment." The girl stepped behind the counter, lifted a cloth, and disappeared inside. Hua Qingyi, seeing nobody inside, wanted to enter but was stopped by Xiao Lin signaling him to stay outside. "Here's the catalog, all in stock."

Xiao Lin thought she would bring out actual goods, but seeing just a brochure, he felt disappointed instantly. "This is..."

"You look a bit disappointed; you're not an undercover cop, are you?" The girl, though young, was highly vigilant and never stopped observing her opponent's movements even amidst the charms.

"Do I look like a cop?" Xiao Lin, conscious of his actions, opened the brochure. The images startled him; an array of rare toxins and many drugs hard to find on the market, with some purity rated at grade-A. Each page made Xiao Lin's heart quiver; any item could get this woman on death row.

"You have all of these?" Though surprised, Xiao Lin still maintained his rogue demeanor, skeptically asking, running his fingers over one of the photos.

"Almost all, though some are a bit tricky to get and may take time. But if you want it, you can get it. Found anything you like?" The girl noticed Xiao Lin staring at an injection. She recognized it as a rare drug recently restocked, supposedly doubling one's strength within an hour, though no buyer yet. "This one's new, no one's bought it yet."

"This is a newly developed strength-enhancing drug, heard it sells well on foreign black markets. I really underestimated you for having even this." Xiao Lin pondered the catalog, shifting his finger to a different image.

"Oh, so you know your stuff. I underestimated you." The girl tried to pull back the catalog, but Xiao Lin caught it. "What are you doing?"

"I still haven't found what I want to buy."

"What you want is on the second-to-last page." The girl timely released her grip, hesitating and uncertain. This was the first time she met such a discerning customer; identifying drugs at first glance wasn't common. Who was this person? Unable to determine, she felt a bit lost wanting to retract but realized it was too late. Seeing Xiao Lin's eyes dark as a black hole, she let go.

"Recommend me something; I've tried all market-available drugs with no effect." Noticing the girl's doubt, Xiao Lin sighed, awkwardly hesitating between pages.

"Okay, get one for me." Without hesitation, Xiao Lin placed an order. "Got anything else? Maybe something to excite a woman, not those from two months ago that could be fatal."

The girl giggled, covering her mouth. "Now I believe you, looks like your woman can't satisfy you!"

"Not bad, not bad."

"Then go for this pink one; it's second-generation, much more stable and long-lasting, but the price..."

"Price is no issue, as long as it's effective." Xiao Lin nonchalantly took out his wallet. "Can I use a card here?"

"Aren't you going to ask about the price?" The girl gaped at Xiao Lin's generosity. Customers willing to spend like this were rare, and the drugs she recommended were super expensive.

"Good stuff comes with a price. I'm just lucky today to find a shop so quickly, feeling good." Xiao Lin's explanation seemed reasonable. With few doubts now, he asked, "Can I use a card?"

"Yes!" The girl took the Bauhinia Flower Card, stunned. A Huaxia Bauhinia Flower Card had no limits, and holding such a card was prestigious, not just about being rich. "Huaxia Card!"

"Hmm!"

"Just a moment." Truly a big spender, as the girl processed the transaction, she again eyed Xiao Lin, revealing clear desire in her gaze.

"I'll call you." Holding the wrapped brown paper bag, Xiao Lin left the hardware store, unknowingly at sunset. He looked up at the dark clouds, suggesting impending rain, the sky oppressively gloomy.

"Make sure you call!" The girl reminded Xiao Lin of her yearning as he waved back while leaving.

Hua Qingyi turned and glanced at the girl. The shop's name was blank, and after they left, the shutter came down. He turned, noticing the sky was quickly starting to drizzle. Their car was still parked on Xuefu Road, a distance from the North District Slum, and sensing the rain would soon intensify, the three strode down the street, trying to return before the downpour.

However, nature's rhythms were not so synchronized with human desires, unaffected by human whims. "There's a guesthouse ahead; perhaps we should stay the night." Concerned about Dan Qing's health, avoiding the potential for a sudden cold leading to a fever and subsequent infection, he wouldn't take the risk. He had saved her life; acting recklessly wasn't an option.

After booking two rooms and dining in the guesthouse's cafeteria, Dan Qing appeared visibly fatigued, after all, still recovering. "I think I'll head to the room to rest first."

At the table, only Xiao Lin and Hua Qingyi remained, when an old man walked in, hands clasped behind his back. "Ah, business is good today."

"Director Zhao, what would you like today?" The cafeteria was on the ground floor, beside the service desk. From Xiao Lin's position, his back faced the old man, concealing his appearance, whereas Hua Qingyi faced the service desk, allowing a clear view.

"Today, I'll have some veal, a jug of aged liquor, and peanuts to go," Director Zhao said, casually casting a glance toward the cafeteria, locking eyes briefly with Hua Qingyi. A handsome young man for sure, not from this area.

"Those two are..."

"Oh, they just checked in, another woman already resting in the room." The service desk person noted nonchalantly, without raising a head.

"Oh, they don't seem ordinary." Director Zhao prided himself on his appraisal skills; those two were clearly not average.

"Mm, said they're from the academy, rain stopped them from retrieving their car, staying the night." As they spoke, Director Zhao's order was ready. "Credit or cash today?" He asked without a hint of politeness.

"Cash today." He replied, pulling out a wad of cash. "Including last time's bill," he added. (To be continued. If you enjoyed this work, feel free to vote for it on Qidian (qidian.com), your support is my greatest motivation.)

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