Huang De Han sat down on a stone and took out a piece of bread from his backpack. He began eating it while drinking mineral water.
Halfway through his meal, he saw a man approaching with two plates of dark-looking food.
The man noticed Huang De Han eating and didn't say anything. He gestured for him to follow and go upstairs.
Huang De Han reluctantly packed up his bread and mineral water and followed the man upstairs.
The man placed the two plates of food on the table and asked if Huang De Han wanted to eat together.
Huang De Han quickly shook his head and said, "No need, I've already eaten, thank you."
The man turned and went downstairs to fetch a bowl of rice.
The man ate with loud and voracious sounds, quickly finishing his meal.
Huang De Han watched him with a dazed expression.
The man picked his teeth with a toothpick and said, "Later, I will take you to the border. You will go alone from there, and once you arrive, someone will assist you. After you collect the goods, I'll take you to the town. I won't be involved in the rest of the matter."
"Aren't you coming with me?" Huang De Han asked in surprise, thinking that they would go together.
The man replied, "I'm just showing you the way."
Without their guidance, outsiders wouldn't know how to safely reach Myanmar.
"Why aren't you going?" Huang De Han asked.
The man smirked and said, "I'm afraid of having money but no life to spend it on."
Huang De Han remained noncommittal and said, "If you accompany me across the border, you're still my partner. If I get caught, you won't be able to escape either."
The man slowly said, "I don't carry any goods on me. Even if they catch me, they can't sentence me to many years. I won't face the death penalty. I'll spend a few years inside, and then I'll be out."
Huang De Han was stunned and only then noticed that it seemed like there were only the two of them in the wooden house. He asked, "Why isn't anyone in your family here? Where are they?"
The man replied, "I bought a house in the city. My wife and children live there. I stay here to make money. Even if I get caught, they won't be affected."
Huang De Han felt a mix of emotions and didn't know what to say.
The man took out a cigarette from his pocket, tossed one to Huang De Han, and lit one for himself. He took a deep drag and blew out a smoke ring.
Huang De Han took the cigarette, lit it, and took a deep drag. As he exhaled slowly, he suddenly felt a lot of his nervousness dissipate.
The man's face became blurred in the smoke. After a moment, he said, "My older brother and third brother are both inside."
Huang De Han was somewhat surprised and asked, "Then why are you still doing this?"
The man smiled bitterly and said, "Without doing this, where would I get money?"
Huang De Han suddenly felt uneasy and asked, "Are we going to be okay?"
The man smiled and asked, "Is this your first time?"
Huang De Han shook his head, "Not exactly the first time."
The man smiled and fell silent.
After finishing a cigarette, Huang De Han asked, "When are we leaving?"
"Just wait a little longer. It's still early," came the reply.
Sitting there, feeling bored, Huang De Han asked again, "Do you often help Brother Li with these kinds of things?"
The man shook his head and said, "I don't just help him, there are others as well."
"Where will you be waiting for me later?"
"After I drop you off, I'll leave. Once you've got the goods, head south until you reach the main road. You'll see me there waiting for you."
