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The boss's instructions were spot on. It didn't take Mengdie long to find the house with a streetlight at the door. This house was a typical slum structure, with dark, grimy walls and windows covered in grease. The mottled wooden door was full of rotting holes, seemingly long neglected. Paired with the gloomy skies of the city, it truly was a very "stingy" residence.

It was just past noon. Mengdie peered into the house through the greasy, speckled white glass. The fireplace inside was out, apparently unoccupied.

"It seems the owner and his daughter are out... Well, that makes sense. It's broad daylight; maybe they're at work."

Mengdie moved away from the window. She, Nia, and the other two stood in an inconspicuous spot on the street. Nia took out the dry food Mengdie had entrusted her with that morning and shared it with everyone. While waiting, they started discussing, primarily focusing on the current situation between the countries of Silvermoon and Luwell, pondering the best solution. Edward, always clutching his sword, only responded when Mengdie spoke to him, appearing very tense and awkward. Questions about when they could set off were repeated hundreds of times during the two hours of waiting.

Xiu: "That said, Miss Mengdie, what do you plan to do about asking for the necklace from that father and daughter? My black market friend says that Red-nosed Buck doesn't seem like a good person."

Mengdie shrugged, shaking her head slightly and said seriously, "Whether he's good or bad, we'll see when we meet him. But considering he could buy a birthday gift for his daughter, I think he might be open to negotiation."

Nia: "Miss Mengdie, how do you plan to negotiate?"

Mengdie smiled: "Just negotiate. Now that we know the necklace is with them, and their combat ability is not stronger than mine, I definitely won't use strong methods. If they're willing to return it to me, that would be great. Even if they're not, I can try my best to find better jewels to exchange. Also, don't always think of me as someone who likes violence, okay?"

Stolen story; please report.

Nia stuck out her tongue and made a face, causing Mengdie and Xiu to laugh, and even Edward's lips twitched slightly. But perhaps feeling it wasn't the time to laugh, he forced himself to stop and resumed his tense expression, anxiously watching Mengdie's pocket watch.

"Alright, enough chit-chat." Xiu flicked his apprentice's staff and pointed at a man with a big red nose slowly crossing the street, smiling, "Here comes our man. Miss Mengdie, it's your turn to handle it."

Mengdie nodded with a smile, straightened her clothes, and approached the man as he reached the door and fumbled for his keys.

"Good day, sir."

As Mengdie walked up behind Red-nosed Buck, she clasped her hands and bowed slightly, very courteously. The man, startled by a pleasant female voice behind him, trembled! When he turned and saw Mengdie, he was instantly dumbstruck.

Frankly, Mengdie's first impression of him wasn't good. Under a protruding forehead was a face reddened from drinking, covered in many freckles, resembling a freshly baked pancake! His beady eyes, squeezed by his upper and lower eyelids, immediately revealed greed and lust once he saw Mengdie. His red nose began to pant heavily, his mouth opening and closing, drool dripping unashamedly.

Mengdie knew judging someone by their appearance was rude. But at his age, a person's appearance somewhat reflects their character. Especially when Red-nosed Buck raised his neck, took a big gulp from his bottle, and stumbled forward to hook Mengdie's shoulder, any slight goodwill she had for him plummeted.

"Good day, sir." Mengdie stepped aside, freeing herself from Buck's embrace. She continued to bow with her hands clasped, asking, "Sir, did you happen to get a ruby necklace from 'Fire Fist' (the black market shop's name) yesterday? As an eighteenth birthday gift for your daughter?"

Buck seemed not to hear Mengdie. He staggered behind her, rough, calloused hands lifting Mengdie's hair, inhaling deeply. Then, he shamelessly tried to hug Mengdie around the waist.

Mengdie's anger flared. No matter how often it happened, whenever someone treated her with such disrespect, she couldn't shake off the chill in her heart! Instantly, her gentle demeanor vanished, replaced by icy sternness. Again, she avoided Buck's embrace and stood aside.

"Please show some respect. I don't want to resort to violence."

Red-nosed Buck chuckled, his gaze constantly shifting between Mengdie's face, chest, abdomen, and thighs. Perhaps because Mengdie was wearing a cloak and her figure wasn't obvious, his eyes revealed even more urgent "desire."

"Ah, little girl? Heh, so sweet~~~!"

He took another swig of alcohol, whistled teasingly at Mengdie, then opened the door, sneering, "Little sister, too shy to talk outside? Come, let's go inside and chat, shall we? Don't mind my place's appearance. I've made a good sum today! No matter how high your price, I can afford it. Hahaha!"

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