Chapter 1183 The Deal
Following the old woman, Alex could not shake off the lingering unease. Before he knew it, he found himself standing in a simple and modestly furnished room.
The old woman sat in her chair, her gaze fixed on Alex as she asked, “I may be able to help with your daughter’s situation, but there’s no such thing as a free lunch. What can you do for me in return?”
There was nothing wrong with the old woman’s approach, and Alex acknowledged the reasonableness of her stance. After all, others had no obligation to assist him. However, Alex could not decipher the ulterior motives of the elderly man standing before him.
“I have four hundred thousand in my backpack. If it’s not enough, just name your price, and I’ll have someone send it to you after I return,” Alex proposed, placing the backpack on the table next to the old. woman. With a quick unzip, he revealed stacks of money neatly arranged inside.
The old woman did not even bother to look and, with a single push, knocked the backpack to the ground, causing the money inside to spill out.
“Are you truly attempting to dismiss me with this sum of money in exchange for saving your daughter’s life? Do you hold me in such low regard?” the old woman expressed, her tone reflecting her discontent.
Having lived for nearly a hundred years and holding her esteemed status and identity, people had always been willing to offer her money. Hence, the amount that Alex presented did not capture her attention.
Alex smiled faintly and apologized, “That’s not what I meant. Feel free to tell me your condition! Otherwise, I won’t know what you really want.”
“I want you to agree to a condition, but I haven’t thought of it yet. I’ll let you know when I’ve figured it out,” the old woman said.
“As long as you promise to give me the antidote to save my daughter, feel free to state your conditions. As long as it’s not something that goes against morality or causes harm, I’ll do my best to fulfill it!” Alex assured in a serious tone.
The old woman nodded in satisfaction and immediately retrieved a white porcelain bottle from her sleeve. “This is the antidote you’re looking for, but first, you must let me place a bug on you. Only then can I give you the antidote. This bug won’t have any effect on you; it’s simply a tracking mechanism for me to locate you later. You can leave now if you’re concerned or uncomfortable with it,” the old woman explained.
Looking at the plump worm on the white porcelain boule, Alex felt a wave of nausea wash over him. However, the thought of his daughter still suffering from the poison pushed him to set aside his apprehensions. Without hesitation, he reached out and took the white porcelain bottle into his hands.
Unnoticed by Alex, the plump worm swiftly burrowed into his body as he reached for the bottle.
Undeterred by any possible manipulations involving insects from the old woman, Alex remained calm and composed. Observing the profound respect given to her by the villagers, he inferred that she held a position of significant influence and authority within the community,
With the lid of the porcelain bottle open, Alex caught a whiff of its contents and expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the old woman. “Thank you for saving my daughter’s life. I’ll eternally cherish your kindness,”
“You don’t need to express your gratitude. This is, after all, a transaction. Remember the promise you made,” the old woman reminded Alex one last time.
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