Chapter 25 Buying Woman

The next day.

 

As soon as Alexander walked into the office, Andrew approached him and asked, "What are you up to?"

 

"Richard asked me before he died to get his pension approved and send it to the two kids he's raising," Alexander replied while drinking water, "I just finished the report and am about to submit it."

 

"Alright," Andrew answered.

 

"You lost three people over there. Don't you need to handle that?" Alexander asked proactively.

 

"The leadership is handling it. They're in contact with the families of the fallen colleagues," Andrew replied with his head down, "I don't like those kinds of situations, so I didn't go."

 

"Okay." Alexander nodded.

 

"Do you have any plans later?" Andrew suddenly asked.

 

Alexander was taken aback. "Just interrogating those two accomplices, nothing major."

 

"Then come with me to Eric's place," Andrew said, feigning a lazy demeanor. "He's been reassigned to logistics so that he won't get field duty allowances anymore, and his salary has decreased. I'm worried he might get depressed and do something drastic."

 

After spending some time with Andrew, Alexander realized that Andrew often spoke harshly and didn't consider others' feelings, but he was very measured. He probably knew he had gone too far at the breakfast yesterday, so he wanted to visit Eric. But going alone might feel undignified, so he came to pull Alexander along.

 

"Let's go after work at noon. I need to check on the interrogation with John later," Alexander said, glancing at the clock.

 

"Alright, I'll come get you at noon."

 

As soon as the noon dismissal bell rang, Alexander rode Andrew's electric motorcycle to Eric's house.

 

In this era, anyone working at the police station was doing relatively well, at least considered middle-income in the Ninth District. Despite the dangers, it was a stable job with a fixed monthly salary. However, Eric's life was still very difficult. He lived in the slums on the edge of the Black Street District, where most people didn't have stable jobs. The younger ones could at least do some manual labor to get by, but the elderly, sick, and disabled suffered. Some could not work at all. Pine City's government didn't have enough resources to provide relief food, so people starved here. The crime rate was also very high, and population turnover was common.

 

Eric lived in such a place due to financial issues. The rent was cheap, and utilities like electricity and water were supplied intermittently, keeping living costs low. This allowed him to save more money for his family. He even took advantage of the police station's amenities to save money, like eating dinner there and washing his clothes.

 

When Alexander stepped into Eric's small yard, he observed that the yard was square, about 4,000 square feet in size. Most of it belonged to the landlord, who had only rented out two small, low rooms to Eric. The two rooms faced each other with a wall and an iron gate in between. This layout might seem odd to outsiders, but those in the know understood it was to prevent tenants from stealing. The gate was locked at night. However, since Eric had lived there for a long time and the landlord knew his profession, the gate was usually left open as a sign of respect.

 

Upon entering the yard, they saw Eric sitting dejectedly on the steps.

 

"What are you doing?" Andrew rushed up and asked.

 

Eric was startled and stood up. "Why are you two here?"

 

"Just checking if you're still alive," Andrew said in his usual blunt manner.

 

"Come in." Eric, who was good at forgetting conflicts and awkwardness, didn't mention yesterday's incident and quickly invited them in with a smile.

 

"Where's your mom?" Andrew asked.

 

"My mom's lying in the room opposite. My sister's doing some odd jobs nearby and isn't home," Eric replied with a smile, "Come in and have some water."

 

"No, thanks. Let's go see your mom," Andrew said, carrying some food he'd brought for Eric's mom.

 

Eric hesitated and shook his head. "No need."

 

"Why not?" Alexander asked.

 

"We fought," Eric added.

 

Andrew scolded, "Taking your anger out on your mom? How old are you? Can't you be more mature?"

 

"She's just taking her anger out on me." Eric sighed. "She suddenly wants me to marry. You know my situation. I'm about to be reassigned to logistics, my income's reduced, and I don't know how things will be in the future. Where am I supposed to find a wife?"

 

"Why does she suddenly want you to get married?" Andrew asked, curious.

 

Eric hesitated before inviting them inside to explain.

 

Eric's mother had liver disease and had delayed treatment due to lack of money, which had now led to multiple organ failures. She didn't have much time left. The elderly woman, who was uneducated and had faced many hardships, had one last wish before she died: to see Eric get married and have a child. Eric understood the deeper reason behind her wish. She didn't want him to spend more money on her and hoped he'd settle down quickly.

 

Inside the house, Alexander listened to Eric's story without saying anything, unsure of what advice to give. Andrew, after pondering for a while, asked, "Even if you want to find a woman, you need to prepare. How are you supposed to find one so suddenly?"

 

"My mom has already made arrangements. The neighbor's wife found a matchmaker. My mom wants me to buy a bride. But you know my situation. With the recent punishment, my income has decreased, and I don't even know if I can stay in logistics," Eric said, looking troubled.

 

After hearing Eric's words, Andrew thought for a while and said, "Buying one could work."

 

"Don't talk nonsense." Eric waved his hand. "What if my punishment is severe and I can't stay at the police station? What will I do then?"

 

"Getting fired is unlikely," Andrew said, looking down, "I'll make sure you stay at the station no matter what."

 

Eric was stunned.

 

"Tell me the truth. Is your mother really not going to make it?" Andrew asked quietly.

 

Eric was silent for a few seconds before sighing. "Not treating her, we just maintain her condition. So it's getting worse... It's hard to say how long she can live."

 

"Then get a wife," Andrew said through gritted teeth, "You should get married. You can't keep running home every day with nothing to do. Having someone to take care of things will allow you to focus on your work."

 

"But I don't have the money..." Eric added.

 

"Wait a second," Andrew said, turning to Alexander. "Come outside with me."

 

"Andrew, no need." Eric immediately stood up.

 

Andrew pointed at Eric. "Wait."

 

Two minutes later, outside the door.

 

Andrew, smoking an e-cigarette, looked down and asked Alexander, "Do you have any money?"

 

Alexander blinked. "I can lend him at most $80."

 

"That's not enough." Andrew shook his head.

 

Alexander responded without hesitation, "That's all I can manage."

 

Andrew looked up and said slowly, "If Eric can't pay you back temporarily, I'll repay you before Christmas."

 

Alexander was a bit surprised. After carefully considering for a few seconds, he said, "I only have $250 left. I'll give you $200 and keep $50 for food."

 

"Thanks, Alexander." Andrew patted Alexander on the arm.

 

"I want to ask." Alexander blinked, curious. "If Eric can't pay me back, how will you?"

 

"I'll go to Maple Street and become a sex worker to pay you back," Andrew said.

 

Alexander was exasperated. "I don't want to lend it anymore."

 

"It's decided," Andrew said with a smile, rushing back inside, "Eric, get in touch with someone. We scraped together $600 for you. You'll have to figure out the rest."

 

Eric stood in the shabby room, staring at the two of them for a long time before bowing deeply. "I... I... I'll pay this back."

 

Indeed, Eric didn't want to go against his mother's wishes because he knew this might be her last.

 

At 3 PM, with a large amount of cash strapped to his waist, Eric, along with Alexander and Andrew, left Pine City and headed to CozyHaven.

 

The vehicle drove through the snow-covered Pine City, tires crunching on the white snow, and stopped on an unnamed dirt road. The three of them walked two miles to the entrance of CozyHaven and made a phone call.

 

After about half an hour, a woman in her fifties, wrapped in a military coat and with a red face, approached and asked, "Here to buy woman?"

 

"Could you be any more blunt?" Andrew replied unhappily, "We're looking for a wife."

 

"Follow me," the woman said, turning to leave.

 

The three followed her past the dilapidated houses and into a drafty home.

 

The woman opened the iron gate and pointed to a group of people sitting on the floor. "We've got all kinds. As long as the money's right, anything's negotiable."

 

Alexander stood at the door, covering his nose. "Eric, you go in and pick."

 

"Do they all have residency permits?" Andrew asked, pretending to know what he was talking about.

 

"Brother, if they had residency permits, would I be introducing them to you?" The woman rolled her eyes. "Wouldn't they just go to Maple Street and work as sex workers?"

 

"You seem to know your stuff," Andrew commented.

 

The woman smirked. "These days anyone has a story."

 

Andrew was left speechless.

 

The woman patted Eric on the shoulder. "Brother, there's nothing to be embarrassed about. It's business. The customer is always right. You go in and pick. There's a flashlight here. It's dark so that you might need it."

 

Eric, indeed a bit embarrassed, stood at the door, looking hesitant.

 

Andrew gave Eric a shove into the room. "Hurry up. It's getting dark."

 

Eric blinked and stepped inside.

 

Meanwhile, a shadowy figure outside Eric's house glanced around nervously before whispering, "Eric, are you home?"

 

Hearing hurried footsteps behind him, the figure panicked and pulled out a shotgun from under his clothes, glancing back, only to see someone passing by.

 

Sweating nervously, the figure peered into Eric's house again. Seeing no one, he frowned and left.