The woman frowned slightly. "That's me. Is something the matter?"
Gao De raised the parcel in his hand. "I came from Karmond City to Bremen City to make a living, and I need to rent a place."
"As it happens, my neighbor, Mr. Marcel, was once a clockmaker in Bremen City and rented a house from you. When he heard I was coming to Bremen City, he strongly recommended that I rent from you."
"Mr. Marcel said Lady Misu was attentive and thoughtful, generous and fair to her tenants—the best choice a renter could make."
Misu was a woman of around forty. She took good care of herself and carried herself with great poise.
Hearing Gao De's stream of "praise," she revealed a reserved smile. After thinking for a moment, she remembered. "So it was Mr. Marcel, who moved out two years ago, who recommended you to me."
"Mr. Marcel was a good tenant too. Before he left, he cleaned the house spotless and even gave me a watch strap he made himself, saying it was to thank me for looking after him all these years."
"Since Mr. Marcel introduced you, come inside first. We can discuss the details." Lady Misu invited Gao De in.
"Thank you, Lady Misu." Gao De placed a hand over his chest in salute, then looked at Leiman beside him.
"Sir, I'll wait outside!" Leiman said at once, highly perceptive.
Gao De nodded and followed Lady Misu into the house, taking a seat beside the fireplace in the hall.
The hall in Misu's home was quite large, taking up nearly most of the first floor. Many decorative paintings hung on the walls, and there were numerous ornamental plants as well.
"Would black tea be alright?" Lady Misu brought over a pot of black tea.
Gao