However, children who are six or seven years old already have memories. If the deception fails and they are found out, the two brothers really need to consider the consequences. The people here are tough and fierce—if they get angry and beat two people to death, it really wouldn’t be a big deal.

A few years ago, there were two human traffickers who tricked a child, but before they could even leave Cangzhou, they were blocked at the train station by villagers who had rushed over. Dozens of people swarmed them and beat the man and woman to death on the spot.

As the saying goes, “the law does not punish the masses.” In the end, the police couldn’t do much to those villagers, only sentencing the two ringleaders to two years. After this incident spread, the public security in Cangzhou improved a lot, and petty thefts disappeared.

So, stealing a newborn from someone’s house—The Scott Brothers did have the guts for that, because even if something happened, a newborn couldn’t say anything. But if they tried to trick a six- or seven-year-old, the two of them really felt a bit timid.

“Hey, let me tell you, brothers, I know you two are very capable around here, that’s why I introduced Boss Carter to you. If you can’t even handle this, don’t blame me if I don’t look out for you next time there’s a chance to make money.”

Seeing that The Scott Brothers were getting cold feet, Luke quickly chimed in, and at the same time pulled out a stack of “big bills” from his pocket, patted them in his hand, and said, “Boss Carter is very sincere—this money is all ready!”

“How much for one child?”

Seeing the stack of money in Luke’s hand, Elder Scott’s eyes went wide. The two brothers had been poor for too long, and the sight of that money immediately made them more willing to take the risk.

“One thousand per child. How about it, brothers? Boss Carter is generous, right?”

As soon as Luke finished speaking, The Scott Brothers both swallowed hard. A regular railway worker only made a little over a hundred yuan a month—one thousand yuan was about a year’s salary, and that’s only if you didn’t spend a cent all year.

“We’ll do it!”

Elder Scott stared greedily at the stack of money and said, “Since Boss Carter thinks highly of us, we won’t let Boss Carter down. Leave it to us.”

Second Scott was a bit more rational, not completely blinded by the money. Seeing his big brother take on the job so readily, he quickly tugged at Elder Scott and whispered, “Big brother, don’t be so quick to agree. This… isn’t going to be easy.”

Hearing his brother’s words, Elder Scott grinned smugly and lowered his voice, saying, “What are you afraid of, little brother? Did you forget those two kids living by the railway? The younger one is about six or seven, right?”

“Oh, how did I forget about them? If we take that little girl, no one will care!”

Second Scott’s eyes lit up. The two of them wandered the streets all day and had run into Frank and Grace Quinn plenty of times. Back then, the two kids weren’t worth their attention, but now, they seemed like the perfect targets.

The Scott Brothers whispered back and forth for a while, then Elder Scott looked at Elder Baker and said, “Boss Carter, to be honest, there are two kids. The younger one is a girl, about six or seven years old, but the older one is a bit of a problem—already eleven or twelve. I’m afraid he won’t be easy to handle.”

Most of the time, kidnapped children were sold to poor families in the mountains who didn’t have kids. Those families wanted boys to carry on the family line, so girls were much less desirable. Elder Scott was worried that “Boss Carter” wouldn’t want them.

“It’s a girl?” Elder Baker chuckled, “A girl is good! That family wants a girl. The older one is fine too—I’ll take both!”

A deaf-mute girl could easily win sympathy, much more so than a boy. The Scott Brothers didn’t know that Elder Baker was actually eager to bring back a girl.

As for the eleven- or twelve-year-old boy, Elder Baker had his own methods. When the time came, he’d puncture his eardrums, cut out his tongue, and break a leg—he’d still be a money-maker.

Chapter 0009: The Spearhead

“All right, Boss Carter, you’re straightforward. It’s settled, then.”

Hearing Elder Baker’s words, The Scott Brothers were overjoyed. In their eyes, Frank and Grace Quinn were just a pair of street kids. Even if they disappeared, no one would care, let alone call the police. This two thousand yuan was as good as free money.

“Boss Carter, we can bring them over tomorrow, but about the money…”

Second Scott stared fixedly at the stack of money by Elder Baker’s hand and stammered, “If Boss Carter trusts us, could you give us a deposit first?”

They hadn’t drunk enough earlier, and Second Scott wanted to go back and celebrate with his brother, but they were broke, so he set his sights on Elder Baker.

“No problem. Here’s a thousand as a deposit, Big Brother Scott, please take it.”

Elder Baker laughed heartily, split the stack of money in two, and handed half to Elder Scott. But he didn’t let go of the money just yet, saying, “Big Brother Scott, tomorrow we’d like to go with you to see those two kids. Is that all right?”

From what Second Scott had said earlier, Elder Baker knew the siblings lived alone and in a very remote place, which made him want to go there directly.