After hanging up Brother Bing's call, Huang De Han quickly dialed the number Brother Bing had given him and called Brother Li.
The phone rang several times before it was answered.
"Hello, who is this?" came a deep and hoarse voice from the other end of the line.
"Hello, Brother Li, Brother Bing introduced me to you. My name is Huang De Han," Huang De Han quickly replied.
"Oh, you're the person Brother Bing introduced. What can you do?"
"As long as it makes money, I can do anything!"
"Such confidence. Aren't you afraid of death?"
"Everyone is afraid of death, but being poor is even scarier!"
"Hahaha..." a burst of hearty laughter came from the other end of the phone. "You're quite interesting, kid. Since you're not afraid of death, how about helping me with some smuggling?"
"Where do I need to go?"
"To Myanmar. Are you willing?"
"What do I need to do?"
"Where are you now?"
"I'm in Lijiang."
"That works. Tomorrow, go to Jingyun Village near the Nanyun border and call me when you arrive. I'll have someone meet you there."
"How much will I get paid for one trip?"
"If you can bring back the goods, I'll give you one million."
"Deal!"
If he could make two successful trips, he would have enough money to buy a house for Yi Bing.
...
The next day, just as the sky was beginning to lighten, Huang De Han woke up.
He glanced at the sleeping Yi Bing, kissed her little cheek, and then quietly got out of bed.
After washing up, he applied foundation to his face and stuck on a fake beard.
Looking at himself in the mirror, he nodded in satisfaction.
With a backpack on his back, he casually put on a hat, pulling the brim low, and quietly left the inn.
At the entrance of the inn, he hailed a taxi and headed for the small village near the Nanyun border.
After more than ten hours of bumpy travel, changing several modes of transportation, and finally riding a motorcycle, he arrived at Jingyun Village.
He got off the motorcycle at the entrance of the village.
Then he called Brother Li.
It was already 5:30 in the afternoon.
The phone was quickly answered, and Brother Li's voice came through, "Have you arrived?"
"Yes, I'm at the entrance of the village."
"Okay, wait there, I'll send someone to pick you up."
In no time, an electric tricycle approached him, raising a cloud of dust behind it.
The tricycle stopped beside Huang De Han, and the man driving it was dark-skinned with high cheekbones, and his teeth protruded forward, barely covered by his black and yellow teeth.
"Are you Huang De Han?" the man asked in Mandarin with a heavy local accent.
Huang De Han confirmed his name and quickly nodded, asking, "Yes, did Brother Li send you to pick me up?"
The man nodded and said, "Get in."
Huang De Han quickly got on the tricycle.
The man started the vehicle and took him into the village.
The village was very poor, with all wooden stilt houses.
The main road was a weedy yellow dirt path, and as the tricycle passed by, it kicked up a thick layer of dust.
Huang De Han covered his mouth and nose with his hand to avoid being choked by the dust.
The man stopped in front of a house.
"Are we here?" Huang De Han asked.
"Yes, go inside and rest for a while. We'll go out later tonight."
Huang De Han quickly got off the tricycle and approached the man, whispering, "Will it just be the two of us tonight?"
The man nodded and walked towards the house.
Huang De Han hurriedly followed.
It was an old wooden stilt house, with the ground floor mostly empty except for the stairs and the kitchen.
The man entered the kitchen to prepare some food.
Seeing the dilapidated kitchen, Huang De Han suddenly lost his appetite and quickly walked out of the kitchen.
Fortunately, he had bought some cookies, bread, chocolates, sausages, and mineral water on his way here.
