A name vaguely emerged in Gu Sisi's mind. However, her rationality told her it was absolutely impossible.
Just then, someone tore open the snake - skin bag, exposing her face to the crowd. For a moment, Gu Sisi's eyes couldn't adapt to the light. Squinting, she heard the exclamation of the people beside her.
"She's actually awake!"
Gradually, the outside world came into Gu Sisi's sight. At this moment, a pair of eyes burst into her vision. Just like the first time they met, Gu Sisi opened her mouth in surprise, wanting to shout. Only then did she realize that the handkerchief was still stuffed in her mouth, and she was still tied up. She could only plead with a look for help, knowing that he must have recognized her.
"Don't worry, don't worry." The seemingly upright village head tried to push the people away. Gu Sisi shook her head desperately, but that gaze no longer rested on her. He just glanced around indifferently, walked inside, and commented, "How much? It seems quite interesting."
The people who had been squatting in the yard immediately stood up, looking at him warily. The two old people were also a bit cautious and came in with the village head.
The man continued to talk on his own, "So this is why you borrowed money?" He turned around indifferently, as if he didn't know Gu Sisi.
Sweat broke out on the village head's forehead. He seemed not to want to offend the man in front of him and also wanted to get him to leave quickly.
"No, no. It's just some small village matters." The village head stood in front of the man, blocking Gu Sisi's view.
The man didn't take another step forward. Instead, he turned to the two old people and said, "How much? I'll pay double."
The two old people were caught off guard by this. The village head looked panicked and wanted to interrupt. But the old grandpa hesitated and asked, "Which one do you want?"
The man pointed in a certain direction. The old grandpa looked behind him and said with a smile, "Okay, but I want cash. Forty thousand."
"This is unreasonable!" The village head exclaimed in panic.
"This person was originally a gift. It's okay for me to take her back, right?" The old grandpa looked matter - of - fact. "I can refund you fifteen thousand. The rest is non - negotiable."
The old man made a final decision, with a straight face, showing that he wouldn't listen anymore.
The village head glanced at the two tied - up people, as if hesitating. Finally, he gritted his teeth and made up his mind. "Alright, that's it."
The villagers behind him exclaimed in surprise. "Village head!" These people seemed to have objections, but the village head waved his hand, as if his mind was made up. "Stop talking."
The crowd had no choice. They couldn't refute the village head's decision.
After the main people left, Gu Sisi was guarded again. She looked at the girl beside her. The girl's eyes were tightly closed, still unconscious. She looked like a college student in her early twenties.
Gu Sisi's expression became more and more solemn. If she hadn't met an acquaintance, would she have been trapped in this remote mountain forest forever? She had been rescued now, but what about this girl?
Just as Gu Sisi was lost in thought, a group of people returned. Before Gu Sisi could react, she was picked up and thrown, falling into a embrace. Their eyes met. Gu Sisi's joy showed on her face. She murmured a few times, indicating that he should take out the handkerchief in her mouth.
The man hesitated for a moment, then quietly made a shushing gesture. He didn't take out the handkerchief until Gu Sisi nodded.
Gu Sisi quickly grabbed his arm and hid behind him. She whispered, "Save that girl, okay?" This was the only way Gu Sisi could think of to save the girl.
No one knew what was discussed. The people seemed satisfied with the deal. The village head counted the money, took out a part, and put the rest back in his pocket.
"Here is ten thousand. Count it. Then I won't owe you anymore."
The man glanced at the woman behind him, didn't move, and returned the money to the village head's arms.
"What do you mean? Wang Hubiao?"
Who was Wang Hubiao? Gu Sisi couldn't see clearly what was going on in front of her.
"Keep the money. I want to make another deal." To Gu Sisi's surprise, it was the man in front of her who spoke. She had a black line on her face. So Huo Cheng's alias was Wang Hubiao?
The acquaintance she met here was Huo Cheng, whom Gu Sisi and her group had been looking for. There were too many questions to ask in detail later. But obviously, there was something more important now.
"Fifty thousand. I'll take that girl too."
"What!" At this time, the two old people who had brought the two girls had already left. Was he going to make a deal with them?
"Village head." A somewhat dark - skinned man couldn't sit still and whispered something to the village head.
The village head was still holding the ten - thousand - yuan note, obviously struggling with the word "fifty thousand".
"You don't need to return the ten thousand just now. I'll give you another fifty thousand. How about it?"
Huo Cheng continued to up the ante. This time, obviously all the people present hesitated.
"You have to ask the real buyer." The village head said tremblingly. Obviously, he couldn't make the decision. He looked at the man who had spoken just now. "You decide for yourself."
"I..." This man couldn't say a word.
"I can also pay in cash on the spot." Huo Cheng looked like a rich tycoon.
There were murmurs of discussion around. Just as the young man was still hesitating, a man in his forties slapped him on the head and cursed, "What are you still standing there for? There's nothing to hesitate about."
This time, the young man glanced at the still - tied girl behind him. Finally, he gritted his teeth and said, "Okay! Fine."
The crowd cheered in surprise and surrounded them.
"Zhongbao, you've struck it rich!"
All the teasing made Gu Sisi shiver. Her legs even went weak. What a strange village this was.
Huo Cheng gently supported Gu Sisi to prevent her from falling. He raised his head and said, "Come a few people to help send her to my place."
Helping the tycoon was obviously something these people were happy to do. Soon, two people carried the girl, and the group followed closely behind, heading towards what Huo Cheng called his "place".
The ropes on Gu Sisi's body were also untied. With a group of men here, they weren't afraid that she would run away.
Gu Sisi walked beside Huo Cheng. At the same time, she saw clearly the village in her mind. It looked extremely dilapidated, very simple, and there were many mountain peaks here.
Poor! This was her first impression. She had stayed in the countryside before, but the houses and scenery there were not as dilapidated as here.
In a place with mostly natural scenery, it was strange to describe it as dilapidated. However, the shabby houses, the overgrown weeds on the mountains, and the narrow roads all made people think so.
Strange. That was Gu Sisi's overall feeling.
Gu Sisi grabbed Huo Cheng's sleeve more tightly. She was even more curious about why Huo Cheng was here.
Obviously, the people's eyes were a bit strange at Gu Sisi's "initiative".
"Brother Biao, you've really made a great deal buying this girl."
Huo Cheng glanced at Gu Sisi's hand indifferently and said, "I don't do losing business."
The teasing laughter of the crowd grew louder. They all joked that "Brother Biao" would be blessed in the future.
A look of "shame" appeared on Gu Sisi's face. This kind of teasing made her feel very uncomfortable. She dug her fingernails into his hand, but he acted as if nothing had happened.
"Forget it. I won't argue with him." Gu Sisi thought with her head down. She knew it wasn't Huo Cheng's fault, and her fingers gradually loosened.