"But there are always people looking for me now, I don’t dare to show my face, so I wanted to ask Mr. Qi for help."
Qi Yun frowned, pondered for a moment, but still shook his head in refusal, "Even if it’s jewelry, I can’t casually help you sell it. If there’s any issue with the source of these items, I’d also bear the risk, and I’m not sure if you’re telling the truth."
Xu Qian bit her lip, pleading, "I have purchase receipts and appraisal certificates to guarantee that there’s no problem. Mr. Qi, I’m really not lying to you, these items are all genuine."
"Just take it as a favor for me, I’m really at my wit’s end. As long as you can help me sell them, I’m willing to give you a hefty reward."
Qi Yun listened but still shook his head, resolutely, "I’m sorry, Miss Xu, I can’t help you with this. I suggest you go to the police." With that, he turned and left.
This matter was a bit too risky. The issue of the source of these items was secondary; mainly, he didn’t want to get embroiled in trouble for no good reason.
Zhang Liang had already fled to Chang’an to hide, and was still captured by that big shot’s people, showing the extent of his power.
Getting involved for such a small profit didn’t align with Qi Yun’s principles.
Seeing Qi Yun turn to leave, despair showed on Xu Qian’s face, and she almost cried with urgency.
She hurriedly chased after him, grabbing Qi Yun’s sleeve, "Mr. Qi, please, help me. Everything I said just now is true. The person looking for me is very powerful. If I go to the police, not only will it not solve the problem, but it will also put me in danger."
On the side, Liu Meng stepped forward swiftly to block in front of Qi Yun, saying coldly, "Miss, Mr. Qi has made it very clear, don’t pester him any further."
Xu Qian was startled by Liu Meng’s actions but couldn’t afford to be scared right now, still begging, "Mr. Qi, I know this might cause trouble for you, but I really have no other way."
"Please help me, if you help me sell the items, I can give you half of the money."
Qi Yun looked at her pitiful demeanor, sighed, "Miss Xu, it’s not that I don’t want to help you, but the risk is too high. You should find someone else, sorry."
After finishing, he didn’t hesitate and turned to leave.
Xu Qian looked at Qi Yun’s departing back, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face as she slumped to the ground in despair.
As they walked a distance, Shi Feng looked back and teasingly said, "Old Qi, you’re so heartless to refuse such a beautiful woman?"
Qi Yun rolled his eyes at him, "You’re feeling amorous just after your divorce?"
"The person behind her is not to be trifled with, we’re here on serious business, let’s not complicate matters."
Shi Feng clicked his tongue after hearing this and chuckled.
Qi Yun could tell that this guy didn’t really love his ex-wife; otherwise, he wouldn’t be so eager upon seeing a pretty woman.
Most likely, his anger that day was only due to his ex-wife’s betrayal of their marriage.
...
The next morning.
After breakfast, Qi Yun and the other two drove to Gunas Village, which was another two hours’ drive from the city.
The car traveled along the bumpy country road, with the scenery outside constantly changing.
By noon, the three arrived at the entrance of Gunas Village.
"Here we are, change into these clothes,"
Qi Yun called out, opened the car door, and took out a few somewhat shabby work clothes and some safety gloves from the trunk.
These clothes were brought intentionally by Liu Meng; today, their identity is construction workers.
Shi Feng took a work uniform and looked at it, puzzled, "Why are we wearing this?"
Qi Yun didn’t explain much, just replied, "You’ll speak less, and I’ll let you know when it’s your turn to be useful."
Shi Feng pouted, disgruntledly putting on the clothes.
After changing, the three began walking towards the village.
In this remote village, things were relatively outdated, and many houses on both sides were those mud brick bungalows.
Qi Yun initially planned to find someone and ask where Abula’s house was according to the intel, but he couldn’t find anyone who spoke Mandarin.
Helplessly, they resorted to the dumbest method, wandering around the village.
After wandering for about half an hour, Qi Yun finally saw a courtyard with a pile of red bricks and some sand and cement in front of it.
He thought to himself this must be the place.
He stepped up to the courtyard gate and peered inside.
In the courtyard, he heard the sound of clattering as a man in a Uighur skullcap was holding a piece of wood, repairing a sheep pen.
Qi Yun cleared his throat and shouted, "Hey there!"
The man heard the shout, turned his head with a perplexed look, and sized up Qi Yun.
He put down the tools, patted the wood shavings off his body, and walked towards the courtyard gate.
"******" The man said a few words that Qi Yun didn’t understand.
Qi Yun scratched his head, a bit embarrassed, pointed at the red bricks at the doorway, and said, "I, fix the house, thump thump thump..."
The man was initially stunned, then seemed to understand Qi Yun’s meaning, responding quickly.
Unfortunately, Qi Yun couldn’t understand a word.
The man noticed this, opened the wooden gate, gestured for him to come in, and then walked towards the bungalow ahead.
Qi Yun followed behind him, stepping into the room.
The room was very simple, with a clay bed, a very old large TV, and nothing else significant.
The walls, which should have been clay yellow, had been discolored to gray-black over time, with a few brightly red certificates pasted on them.