Meng Yan stared at the girl in disbelief.
What is she saying? A high-level hunter? In the way of the prey?
That's a joke!
In places like this, people have noses sharper than dogs. They don't care if you're the hunter or the prey; as long as they can smell money on you, they'll use every cruel method to squeeze every last drop of blood out of you.
"I'm sorry, you've come to the wrong place." Meng Yan looked at her coldly. "The person you're looking for may not be on this street, at least I've never heard of that name."
"Could it be... that Xiaoman changed her name?" Huo Jiayuan speculated. "What do girls who are sold here usually do?"
Meng Yan frowned and looked at her as if she were an idiot.
No, she can't be stupid. She can describe how high-level hunters appear as prey, and how they remain calm and collected even in danger—that kind of composure isn't something most girls possess. Perhaps in her world, she's a smart person, even someone on a pedestal.
But this is a quagmire, a bottomless, filthy quagmire.
He was out of place in her world.
She fell into this world, and could only wait to die.
"What do you think?" Meng Yan's voice was cold. "The woman who tied you up earlier is called Li Mei, a well-known madam in the red-light district. The fat man is called Ming Liang, the manager of an underground boxing ring, he has some influence. Do you think a weak woman who can't even kill a chicken can step into the boxing ring?"
Huo Jiayuan paused, her eyes darkening slightly.
"If women can't fight their way into the boxing ring, then they can only end up in a man's bed!"
Huo Jiayuan's face was a little pale, and she kept clutching her left wrist with her right hand. Meng Yan moved closer to her, his hot breath rushing towards her face like flames.
He lowered his eyes and noticed a red string tied around her left wrist with a small decoration on it.
In the border region, this red string symbolizes a lifelong commitment of love. Could it be...?
Does she already have someone she likes?
Meng Yan's face darkened, and a strange sour feeling welled up in his throat. He moved closer to her, his hands gripping the armrests of the sofa, his nose almost touching her forehead.
Huo Jiayuan instinctively leaned back, her little heart pounding wildly.
“Your friend was sold to a place like this; her chances of survival are slim.” Meng Yan’s voice was low. “If you still want to continue looking for her, you should be prepared to suffer the same fate as her.”
Huo Jiayuan bit her lip tightly, not wanting to show any weakness.
She quietly stroked the small ornament on the red string again and again—it was actually a chip used to communicate with her bodyguard.
But no matter how she tried, there was no response.
She somewhat regretted her impulsiveness and recklessness. She thought that growing up in a family like the Huo family had given her enough experience to handle things easily in this border town.
But she forgot that no matter how much she had seen of the world, it was only one side of it.
She was too confident and too arrogant.
"What's wrong?" Meng Yan looked at her lowered eyes, his voice tinged with a hint of mockery. "Scared already?"
"I...I want to leave here." After a long silence, Huo Jiayuan slowly spoke, "Can you help me?"
Meng Yan was shocked again, and looked at her with the same look she had toward an idiot.
"What do you think this is, an amusement park?"
"I can give you money!"
"I don't lack money."
“I can also give you status and position. You’re a boxer, right? You fight in underground rings, risking your life and sweat, and you earn a lot, but your life is also in danger! If I help you get out of this environment, would you be willing to help me leave?”
Meng Yan straightened up, speechless.
"Brother, you're not a saint. There must be something in this world you want, right? Just tell me, and I'll definitely..."
"I want the moon, will you pluck it down for me?" Meng Yan curled her lips and snorted lightly, "This world isn't as simple as you think, at least not around here."
Huo Jiayuan lowered her head and remained silent.
Meng Yan looked at her; tears were clearly welling up in her eyes, but she still held back her tears.
They were clearly scared, but they stubbornly insisted on holding on.
They clearly lacked the ability, yet they still insisted on trying to break into hell.
All that's left of her now is stubbornness and self-respect, right?
Meng Yan sighed softly, her voice much gentler: "You've already offended Li Mei and Ming Liang. Once they find you, don't expect to get away unscathed. The relationships between the gangs here are complicated, and the entire Biandu is actually gang territory."
“You’ve already gotten yourself into trouble, there’s no turning back.” He looked at her. “Besides, you still want to continue searching for your friend, don’t you?”
Huo Jiayuan thought for a moment and nodded twice.
"Then... what do you think I should do, big brother?"
"Stay with me for now."
"With...you?"
"Am I not good enough for you?" Meng Yan raised an eyebrow.
Huo Jiayuan was at a loss for words, her mind went blank.
"Just kidding." Meng Yan chuckled softly. "We'll stay together temporarily so they'll think you're one of my people. That way, I can protect you."
Huo Jiayuan sat there quietly, without saying a word.
The kitten with sharp teeth and claws suddenly transformed into a docile and obedient little rabbit, and the softest spot in Meng Yan's heart was stirred inadvertently.
After a long while, he sat down next to her and solemnly uttered a few words: "Don't worry, I won't touch you."
Huo Jiayuan suddenly looked up.
His deep eyes were unfathomable, but she could see a glimmer of light, like the sunset piercing through the dark clouds, gradually softening his gaze.
She looked at the bracelet; the pendant was still dark.
Unable to contact her own people, he may be the only one she can rely on right now.
"Okay," she whispered. "Once I leave here safely, I will definitely thank you properly."
"Don't think too much about leaving for now. I'll help you when the time is right."
"Um."
"But you have to tell me your name first." The man turned to look at her, smiling. "My name is Meng Yan."
Huo Jiayuan was startled, "Nightmare?" How could someone give such a terrifying name!
Meng Yan frowned, glared at her, then took out paper and pen from the drawer and wrote down her name.
Huo Jiayuan smiled sheepishly.
What's your name?
"My name is Huo Jiayuan."
"Caused a disaster for your family?" Meng Yan was also taken aback. "Your birth caused your parents a lot of trouble?"
"you……"
She glared at him and wrote her name on the paper.
After they finished writing, the two looked at each other and smiled. The names "Huo Jiayuan" and "Meng Yan" on the paper were right next to each other.
The two of them were sitting close together in front of the table.
"Oh, right, there's one more thing," Meng Yan said seriously. "The people outside the door just now were Li Mei and Fatty. Li Mei will definitely ask you about me tomorrow..."
"What do you want to know?"
Meng Yan coughed lightly twice, somewhat embarrassed.
"Anyway, just say it the way I taught you, understand?"
"Oh." Huo Jiayuan seemed to understand, but not quite. "Then how should I say it?"
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