Chapter 27: Adventure in the Black Market

Gu Wennuan sat in the interrogation room for the entire night, and now, being surrounded and observed by the public security officers, she felt quite irritated.

Han Xu and his colleagues stared at Gu Wennuan, truly unable to fathom why such a woman could be so ruthless. It was often said that women could be like fierce tigresses; they hadn't really grasped the meaning before, but after witnessing the state the human traffickers were left in, they understood the sentiment perfectly.

Gu Wennuan was annoyed by their scrutiny. She had things to attend to and wondered if these people could just get on with it. "Officers, what exactly do you want to ask? Can you hurry up? I have other business."

Han Xu shooed away his colleagues and sat down across from her. "Why were you there? Based on the fighting skills you just displayed, you shouldn't have been in that situation at all."

Gu Wennuan looked at him and smiled. "If I hadn't appeared there, would you have been confident in rescuing everyone? You might have even ended up as a victim yourself."

Han Xu lowered his head in shame. Gu Wennuan was right; he certainly couldn't have saved everyone. Being mocked by a woman left him with a lingering sense of defeat.

"You were captured by them on purpose," he concluded.

Gu Wennuan didn't want to answer any more of his tedious questions. "Since you've finished your questions, shouldn't you let me go? First of all, I am not affiliated with the traffickers. Secondly, I helped you solve a case; surely that doesn't warrant keeping me locked up."

Han Xu didn't press further and escorted Gu Wennuan out. "Where are you staying? The bureau will have a commemorative banner made and sent to you in a few days."

Gu Wennuan waved her hand. "No need. I’m not from Shan Province. If it’s not too much trouble, you can look for me at the Fengtian Brigade in Richa Town, Hei Province. My name is Gu Wennuan."

Han Xu whispered to himself, "Gu Wennuan... an interesting woman."

After leaving the police station, Gu Wennuan found a guesthouse for the night. The conditions weren't great, but for her, it was enough for a temporary stay. She wandered around Shan Province but decided against heading straight for the black market; it was best not to be too conspicuous on someone else’s turf.

She visited a department store, finding the 1970s-style mall quite novel. However, upon learning that everything required ration coupons, she left in disappointment. She bought a bag of melon seeds on the street and headed to a local park. The park was clean, comfortable, and well-equipped, serving as a recreational spot where many elderly people were exercising.

Gu Wennuan approached a group of elderly women, intending to integrate herself. She shared her melon seeds and started chatting. "Grandma, do any of you have eggs? My sister-in-law just gave birth, and I’m looking to buy some."

The elderly women, having enjoyed Gu Wennuan's witty conversation, were quite fond of her. "Child, I'll tell you about a good place where you can find anything. Come to the park tomorrow morning and wait for me."

Having gathered useful information, Gu Wennuan chatted a while longer before returning to the guesthouse.

Lying on the bed, Gu Wennuan began to miss home, wondering what her son was doing and if he missed her. She drifted into a hazy sleep and woke up at five in the evening, her stomach growling. She tidied herself up and went to a nearby restaurant, ordering braised pork and pork-and-scallion dumplings.

The server looked at her and said, "That will be three yuan and forty cents, plus three taels of meat coupons. Do you have them?"

Gu Wennuan took out the coupons Hu Ailian had stuffed into her hand before she left and handed over the meat coupons. The server sent the order to the kitchen. Soon, the braised pork and dumplings were served. The pork was a rich, reddish color and melted in her mouth, neither greasy nor dry—truly delicious. The dumplings were large and round, each containing a whole meatball; they were juicy and hit the spot.

After finishing her meal, Gu Wennuan wiped her mouth and left. Back at the guesthouse, she propped the door shut with a table before daring to fall asleep.

The next morning, she rose early and met the old woman to head to the black market. Gu Wennuan wrapped herself tightly in a headscarf to avoid being recognized. The old woman led her to the location and then departed.

Gu Wennuan entered the black market alone. It was much larger than the one in Hei Province—filled with goods and neatly organized. She didn't buy anything; she just walked around, checking prices. Her behavior soon caught the attention of the patrols, and two men approached, intending to escort her out.

Gu Wennuan pushed them aside and stated she wanted to see their boss, "Master Liu." The men realized she was no ordinary person. Master Liu’s business was low-profile, and most people didn't know of him. This woman was clearly not to be trifled with.

They brought her to a small courtyard deep in the market and knocked. A thin man emerged. "Skinny, someone wants to see Master Liu."

Skinny eyed Gu Wennuan and signaled, "Search her."

Gu Wennuan dodged his hand. "I’m a woman; if you search me, how will I keep my reputation? Besides, do you really think I, a woman, could take you on?"

"Then don't go in."

Gu Wennuan, seeing that Skinny didn't play by the rules, prepared to leave without swallowing her pride.

"Skinny, let her in," a deep voice boomed from inside.

Skinny led her in, where a young man was sitting. "Are you Master Liu?"

Liu Qing looked at the woman before him. "Yes. You're quite plump."

Gu Wennuan felt his gaze raking over her and suppressed her irritation. "Master Liu, I have a business proposition. I wonder if you're interested in collaborating."

"Oh? A business deal? Let's hear it."

"There is a shipment of grain arriving by train from Hei Province to Shan Province tomorrow. I wonder if you’d be interested."

Master Liu was tempted; grain was the most scarce resource in recent years. If he secured this shipment, he could firmly establish his footing in Shan Province. "Why should I trust you?"

Knowing mere words wouldn't suffice, Gu Wennuan pulled a bag from her belongings, took out some rice, and handed it to him. Even with all his experience, Master Liu had never seen such high-quality rice.

"Is the source of this rice clean?"

"Absolutely no problems."

"Good. I agree to the deal. Pleasure doing business."

Gu Wennuan set the delivery location in the woods near the train station, a spot she had scouted the previous morning. It was densely wooded and wouldn't attract attention.

"It's settled. I want twenty-five cents per catty for this rice, totaling ten thousand catties."

Hearing the figure, Master Liu was even more shocked. Ten thousand catties—he stood to make a fortune.

"Tomorrow at ten in the morning. Money and goods will be exchanged on the spot."

After Gu Wennuan left, Master Liu gathered his men to prepare for the transport. If this deal went through, everyone would have a prosperous year.

The next day, Gu Wennuan arrived early and placed the grain from her spatial storage in the designated spot, waiting for Master Liu. When he arrived and saw the mountain of grain, he immediately ordered his men to load it onto the trucks. He handed the payment to Gu Wennuan.

"How did you manage to get so much grain?"

Gu Wennuan counted the money. "Some things are better left unasked. Wait for my word if you want to collaborate again." With that, she left, leaving Master Liu standing in the wind, completely bewildered.