It was hard to tell the woman's age; she could easily be in her early twenties based on her looks, but the weariness in her eyes suggested she was around thirty. She wore a nearly minimalist black crop top that left little to the imagination, and although her impressive curves were not visible, there were no signs of a bra.
Her lower half was clad in a pair of black leather hot pants, with her snow-white buttocks stubbornly spilling out from them. On her feet were a pair of black over-the-knee patent leather boots with sharp, thin heels. Coupled with her model-like height and waist-length wavy hair, if she were to hold a whip, she would resemble a top dominatrix from a special club.
The woman stepped forward slowly, crossing her arms and scanning all the women in front of her with an angry glare. Her finely arched eyebrows rose sharply, indicating she was on the verge of an explosion. Her eyes, adorned with black eyeshadow, held a domineering coldness that made it difficult for anyone to look directly at her. The bright red lipstick on her lips did not make her appear vulgar; instead, it enhanced her wild and glamorous beauty.
"Did you all think of rebelling the moment I stepped away for just a few minutes? Are you selling meat or stealing it? If you don't want to, just tell me, and I'll have you thrown outside the walls immediately. Now, line up properly, one by one, and let the boss choose slowly!" Her scolding immediately made the women here obediently form a long line of four or five rows, each timidly glancing at her while eagerly looking at Jack and the others.
"Hehe~ You gentlemen seem unfamiliar. You don't appear to be from our gathering place, but that's okay. As long as you can afford the food, you're the boss anywhere. Please feel free to choose!"
The woman graciously gestured for Jack and the others to proceed, much like a madam leading her girls out in a nightclub, displaying a polite and professional smile. However, her voice was a bit hoarse and carried a northeastern accent, which did not sound unpleasant. Combined with her proud demeanor reminiscent of a dominatrix, it sparked an impulse to conquer this fiery beauty. Jack had no doubt that she was a rebellious northeastern girl who dared to assert herself in front of men.
"Sister Hong! We just got back today and haven't even had a chance to catch our breath. Can you at least let us in to take a breather before we choose the girls?"
At this moment, Thomas Xu finally got out of the car with a smile, beaming as he offered a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes to the dominatrix-like woman. He then cheerfully said, "Sister Hong, you've become even more vibrant and lively in just a few days! Your skin is as tender as that of a sixteen-year-old girl. If one day I could get a taste of your charm, even if it meant dying in your embrace, I would consider my life well spent!"
"Hey, you little rascal, you've learned to be all fancy with your words. If you want to sleep with me, just say so. Stop with the flowery language that no one understands!"
The woman whom Thomas Xu called Sister Hong glanced at Thomas Xu with dissatisfaction. Not only did she speak boldly but also very directly. She gracefully held the cigarette handed by Thomas Xu on her red nails. Immediately, a girl beside her quickly took out a lighter and stepped forward to help her light it.
Sister Hong took a sip, exhaled a long puff of green smoke, looked around Thomas Xu and Jack's gang, and then asked with a smile, "Didn't your kid run out of the gathering place being chased by Guang Dan and the others? Where did you come back from? You seem to be doing well. When are you going to pay me the prostitution money you owe my sister?"
"Ha~ I owe nothing to anyone, and I won't owe your little sisters. All they earn is their hard-earned money. Just wait, I will get it for you." Thomas Xu patted his chest generously, and immediately turned around and took out a bunch of things from the car. In addition to food, there was also a set of high-end cosmetics and a diamond necklace. He took the things and handed them to Sister Hong with a smile, but it was the girl who lit her cigarette who took them with both hands and showed them to Sister Hong for inspection.
"These are cosmetics, necklaces, and even food. Are you really attracted to your sister's figure? What's wrong? Do you really want your sister to roll around in bed with you at night?" Sister Hong glanced at the things in the girl's hands, and looked at Thomas Xu with a half-smile.
"Then I must be asking for it, hehe~ But I also know that I don't have this blessing. Sister Hong, your legs are not something that just any man can carry on his shoulders." Thomas Xu smiled, pointed at those things and said, "The extra things should be treated as younger brothers to honor Sister Hong. Next time there is something new, just remember to be the first to inform my brother."
"That's not what I said. You used to take good care of my sisters. If something good happens, sister will definitely miss you." Sister Hong smiled nonchalantly, her indifferent expression was like an old man who was used to seeing big scenes and running through the big pier.
"What? Thomas Xu, can't this woman sleep yet?" After hearing the conversation between Thomas Xu and Sister Hong, Boss Hu, who had been itching for a long time, leaned towards Thomas Xu with a strange look on his face and asked him in a low voice.
"I can sleep, of course I can, as long as I'm a woman." This sentence was not answered by Thomas Xu, but by Sister Hong, who had sensitive ears. She gently shook her slender waist without any fat, and said to Mr. Hu calmly, "We women are born to sleep with men. There is no reason why we can't sleep. I am the same. As long as the price is satisfactory, you can sleep as long as you want."
"How much food? Just ask me the price." Boss Hu immediately became energetic and looked at Sister Hong carefully from head to toe. He even subconsciously scratched his chest, showing a very interested look.
"I'm very expensive, but you can also say it's very cheap, because it depends on the person." The corner of Sister Hong's mouth curled up with a trace of disdain, and she looked at Boss Hu and said, "Let's take you for example. To you, I am very expensive. Without a truck of rice, you can't even touch a hair on my legs. But if you are like this cold and handsome brother next to you, I will give him a few bags of rice."
As she said that, Sister Hong looked directly at Jack, who had been silent, with spring eyes. Jack was a little stunned. He didn't know if it could be shot while lying down. He looked at Sister Hong who was gently rubbing her teeth. He felt that there seemed to be a hint of lust in this woman's expression, which made Jack laugh and cry and said, "I'm not short of rice."
"Oh~ you really can't smile. When you smile, I think you are so shy, but you still look handsome with a stern face and a cold face. It makes me feel itchy in my heart."
Sister Hong flirted with Jack in public with little concealment. When she saw Jack lowering his head and coughing again in embarrassment, she said with a sweet smile, "Hehe~ There is a shy way, and it would be cute if you were shy. Handsome guy, if you want to be happy one day, just come to see me. I will give you a taste of these two authentic Northeastern big meat buns on my chest. I guarantee you will be satisfied."
After saying that, Sister Hong looked at Jack who was looking embarrassed. She laughed happily again. Her heroic look was not at all subtle and elegant like that of a little girl from Jiangnan. If it weren't for her perfect figure that was so sexy that it would almost kill her, even if it were said that this was a woman. Some people would believe that a man was laughing, and after laughing, her pink fingers deliberately ran across Jack's arm, and she gave him a very intriguing look, and finally returned to the opposite side with a charming fragrance and hundreds of women.
"Damn, this woman is really open-minded." Gao Chujiang stood behind Jack, scratching his head with envy and jealousy, and then asked Thomas Xu, "Thomas Xu, where does this girl come from?"
"The well-deserved sister in our gathering place" Thomas Xu gave a thumbs up with admiration. When he saw several men looking at him curiously, Thomas Xu immediately said loudly, "Speaking of her, it's not like that. Come on, behind her is the brother Biaozi we met before. Ruian Qiang is the leader of one of our three major forces. Sister Hong can be regarded as his nominal lover, but Ruian Qiang never cares about her and can't control her. When she and a group of little sisters first came to the gathering place, Master Hu, the leader of another big force, wanted to fuck her. Who knew that this woman had a bad temper and would not serve anyone who she didn't like, so she hid a small knife in her underwear that night. When Master Hu took off his clothes and wanted to have sex with her, she grabbed Master Hu's lifeblood, put the knife on his balls, and forced Master Tiger to send her to Ruian Qiang..."
Looking at the shocked expressions on everyone's faces, Thomas Xu smiled bitterly and said, "Actually, I heard that Ruian Qiang had fallen in love with Sister Hong before, but Master Hu beat him to it. So when Ruian Qiang saw that Sister Hong came to his door automatically, he immediately took action to save her. Not only that, he also had a fierce fight with Master Hu over this matter afterwards. Many people on both sides died before he had to stop..."
"But that's not what makes me admire this woman. It's that after she followed Ruianqiang, she and Ruianqiang took the initiative to improve the living conditions of the women in the gathering place. Even if they sell themselves, they can't let men force them to do things they don't want to do, and put them in Under unified management, they also teamed up with Dr. Qin to check them regularly, and sent people out to find condoms for them to use, so that the women would not get sick from doing that kind of thing too much. They also set up a relief office specifically to help those sisters who could not get any work because of their appearance..."
"...and after these women were taken under her control, not only did they never starve to death again, but we men also felt more at ease. So don't think she is afraid of her because she is cruel to those women. They are respectful to her because they are grateful from the bottom of their hearts. Once anyone offends her, those ladies will definitely dare to cut off your family heirlooms with one knife when you patronize them."
"Damn, why is this woman talking to you like an angel in white? You are too flattering to this bitch. I think she just wants to find an excuse to exploit those women." Boss Hu curled his lips with a look of disdain.
"Cut it out~ Just because you're filthy doesn't mean you should think everyone else is as filthy as you. It's not an exaggeration to call Thomas Hong a white angel!" Thomas Xu disdainfully gave Boss Hu the middle finger.
"Thomas Xu, what did you just say that woman's name was?" Jack asked in surprise.
"Thomas Hong! What's wrong?" Thomas Xu asked, puzzled.
"Oh! It's nothing, I just remembered a friend with the same name!" Jack shook his head, a hint of sadness flashing in his eyes.
Yes, he recalled the Thomas Hong who had spent a night with him but tragically died at the hands of a bloodsucker. Now, she lay alone buried in front of that cold little building, not knowing when she would quietly turn into a pile of bones. Jack might forget many women he had relationships with in his life, but he would never forget that kind woman who always acted like an elder sister and put her sisters first. Often, in the quiet of the night, Jack would naturally think of her.
Looking at Thomas Hong, who stood out among her friends across the street, giving them a lecture, Jack couldn't help but smile slightly. This Thomas Hong and the late Thomas Hong might not just share the same name; perhaps they also had very similar personalities. Of course, some things cannot be judged solely by appearances. He could only hope in his heart that both Thomas Hongs had kind and sincere hearts.
...
"Huh? Thomas Xu, is this where you live? It looks no different from a pigsty! You can't be serious about wanting us to stay here, right?" Jiao Jiao stood beside Jack, crossing her arms and looking at the dumbfounded Thomas Xu with a teasing expression.
In front of them, the house was a complete mess, with Dexter-like filth and garbage almost covering the entire floor. Several piles of relatively fresh human waste indicated that someone had just been there. Even the two glass doors at the entrance were completely shattered, lying in pieces on the ground. Just standing at the door, one could smell a strong odor coming from inside. If it weren't for a half-closed white rolling shutter, everyone would probably think this place was originally a garbage dump, not a place where people lived.
"Damn it!" After realizing the situation, Thomas Xu immediately cursed angrily, saying, "It must have been those bastards from Guangdan who did this. They actually raided my place; I won't let them off!"
As he spoke, filled with rage, Thomas Xu yanked the Type 81 rifle off his back, pulled the gun bolt, and turned to run outside. However, Lu Jia quickly stepped forward and grabbed his arm, looking anxious as she said, "A Xu, can't you calm down a bit? You just got back and want to go find someone to fight? You killed their son; isn't it only natural for them to raid your old nest? Besides, can't we just find a few people to clean this place up? Is it really worth getting this angry?"
"Well…"
Lu Jia was like Thomas Xu's nemesis. Although he still looked at Lu Jia with some hesitation, he had no choice but to nod in agreement when he saw her eyes filled with blame and concern. He obediently put the gun back on his shoulder. Only then did Lu Jia breathe a sigh of relief, let go of Thomas Xu's arm, and walked out of the room, waving her hand to the security guard not far away, saying, "We need a few people to help me clean the room, including furniture and bedding!"
"Sure!" The security guard in the booth immediately nodded and made an "OK" gesture to Lu Jia. He lowered his head and said a few words into the intercom. Soon, a large group of people rushed in from the nearby slum, consisting of men, women, and children. They all carried some tools, gathered in front of the booth without making a noise, and looked eagerly at the two guards, appearing very orderly.
The two guards, with guns at their waists, arrogantly picked out five or six people who looked suitable from the crowd. They waved their hands, pointing to the house where Thomas Xu was, allowing them to enter. The five or six people immediately ran joyfully towards Lu Jia, bowing and nodding at her in front of the door, while Lu Jia seemed unfazed and calmly arranged for these people to start cleaning the house.
After a while, one of the guards personally led a group of people who were panting as they ran over. However, this time the people brought by the guard were from the wealthy area. They were all carrying various pieces of furniture and brand new bedding. Under the leadership of a short man, they unloaded everything at the door of Thomas Xu's house. At this moment, Lu Jia, who was quite pregnant, skillfully began to bargain with the short man. In less than five minutes, the short man seemed to be quite disheartened as he nodded, carrying the twenty-plus pounds of rice that Lu Jia handed him, and left with his group.
Seeing the series of actions from the guards, Boss Hu immediately walked over with a curious expression, patting Thomas Xu on the shoulder and smiling, "Hey~ I didn't expect your security guards to also act as agents!"
"Don't underestimate these two guards; they have a lucrative job here!"
Thomas Xu nodded with a smile, took out a pack of cigarettes, lit one for himself and Boss Hu, then pointed to the busy people and said, "Do you think they are introducing jobs for free? Once these people finish their work, those two guards will take a cut from the food they receive. Even the people selling us furniture have to give them a commission. Although it's not much, it adds up enough each day to fill their stomachs. If they save a bit, they can even go to the red-light district across the street to find a few girls to have fun with. So, almost everyone wants to grab a job as a security guard here, but only those who are appointed by the bosses can become guards!"
"Damn! No need to go out to find food, just sitting here in the sun gets you food. Even I'm tempted!" Boss Hu looked enviously at the two guards not far away and smacked his lips. Then he thought for a moment and asked, "Thomas Xu, are there any conditions to live in your area? It won't require paying rent, right?"
"Of course, you have to pay rent. Otherwise, who would come to clean the streets and haul away the garbage? And the walls built around here are all funded by the rent we pay, allowing the people from the slum to do the work. However, it's not calculated by the house but by the headcount. Each person pays five pounds of rice per month to gain the right to live in a house in the wealthy area. No one is exempt, including the three major gangs!" Thomas Xu wiggled three fingers at Boss Hu.
"Five pounds of rice? That's not too much!" Boss Hu nodded thoughtfully.
"Five kilograms of rice may not seem like much to you, but for those people in the slums, it is quite a lot!"
Thomas Xu glanced at Boss Hu and pointed to a woman kneeling on the ground, vigorously scrubbing the floor, saying, "That five kilograms of rice could last her for more than half a month, even a month. It's only us prideful people who would live in this wealthy area. If it were those who struggle to find their next meal, even half a kilogram for a month wouldn't be enough to get them to move in here. Don't you think that's excessive?"
"Uh…" Boss Hu scratched his chin, looking at the emaciated middle-aged woman on the ground, somewhat at a loss for words.