Chapter 163 Helplessness

Tu Miaoling stubbornly replied, "Then he can marry into the family, and I'll sell pork to support him!"

Tao Tao burst out laughing: "I'm telling you, you know how particular Chu Feng Pavilion is, right? Although some of the people there are virgins, they are basically the same as Chun Zhu Lou. You know how exquisite their food, clothing, and lodging are."

"Do you think someone who can easily gain wealth and status through beauty can live the life of an ordinary person? One performance by him is enough for you to save for several months. How can you support the people who come from Chu Feng Pavilion?"

Despite her realistic assessment, Tu Miaoling remained obstinate and refused to believe her.

"That's not how it is. We are truly in love. He hasn't taken any clients for a long time because of me. He's just waiting for me to save up enough money to buy his freedom."

Seeing her stubborn and unconvinced look, Tao Tao sighed speechlessly. Seeing that she was so obsessed with looks, she didn't know what to say for a moment, because she herself was also someone who judged by appearance.

However, in her mind, those things at Chu Feng Pavilion were not as good as Duan Gan, so she could still rationally advise her.

"Alright, how much money have you saved up? I heard from Uncle Tu that you gave him all your money."

The mention of money made her momentarily embarrassed, and she scratched her head: "He works at Chu Feng Pavilion. If he doesn't want to take customers, he has to pay enough money on time before he can stop taking customers."

“I did that to help him. I didn’t want to see him being forced into anything. He was really ready to turn over a new leaf.”

Hearing what she said, Tao Tao slapped her forehead speechlessly, turning her head to one side as if she couldn't bear to watch.

Thinking to myself, this silly girl, to put it bluntly, believing that a prostitute can reform or a gambling addict can quit gambling is less hopeful than believing that a sow can climb a tree.

Seeing her expression, Tu Miaoling thought she didn't believe her, so she tried to explain, "It's true, and we are in love with each other. He was a down-on-his-luck young master who had no choice but to do this."

Tao Tao released her hand, stood up, crossed her arms, looked directly at her, and spoke in a soft voice.

"You just listened to a few nice words he said and gave him all the money in the house?"

"You previously said your father spends money on drinking, and I see you're just as extravagant. Fine, you're just running a small business, yet you not only give him money every day but also save up to buy his freedom. I'm asking you, where do you get so much money?"

"And also, you said you were mutually in love. Did he promise to marry you? Will you still make a living selling pork after you get married? Would your father be willing to do that?"

She listened to these words in silence for a long time, then suddenly a look of embarrassment flashed across her face, and she muttered softly, "I...I borrowed money from someone."

"What?! Explain yourself."

Tu Miaoling looked up at her, her face contorted with grief: "I've borrowed money from someone and even mortgaged the house deed to a pawnshop. If I can't repay the money, the pawnshop will take over my house in half a month!"

"you!"

Tao Tao took a deep breath, and was so angry that she couldn't speak.

"Does Uncle Tu know?"

She shook her head, which made Tao Tao even angrier.

"So you came to me yesterday just to borrow money?"

Upon hearing this, Tu Miaoling lowered her head in embarrassment, her face showing some shame, and she became awkward and hesitant.

"What should I do? Tao'er, Qinglin is waiting for me to save him. I have no money left. If I don't give him money today, he will have to go to prostitutes."

"Then let him go pick them up! They're all unclean anyway, what's wrong with him doing it a few more times!"

Tao Tao crossed her arms impatiently, her face tense, clearly disappointed in her.

She was just an ordinary woman, and Chu Feng Pavilion was not a place she could afford to go. She knew how much it cost, and it was far beyond her means. Why would she pretend to be rich when she was not?

In that kind of place, those people uttered more sweet words than she had ever spoken in her entire life. How could she have believed their flattery?

Thinking about it carefully, something didn't seem right. If she remembered correctly, this Qing Lin was one of the top courtesans at Chu Feng Pavilion.

If he wanted to redeem himself, wouldn't plenty of people redeem him? Why would he need to rely on a common woman?

This is not normal.

"Tao'er, could you lend me some money? I'll definitely pay you back when I have the money!"

Tu Miaoling grabbed her hand, her eyes full of pleading.

"How can you believe that prostitutes really have feelings? Yes, some people do have genuine feelings, but they are a minority. Don't let beauty blind you!"

"Besides, think about it carefully. He's seen all sorts of men and women. What makes you think that you, a common woman, could win his heart and believe his nonsense about marrying you?!"

"The money you give him might not even be worth a second; he could easily get more from someone else. You're just being delusional!"

Tao Tao spoke bluntly, trying to pull her out of her fantasy and, ideally, to empty her mind of all the nonsense.

Tu Miaoling was instantly struck down, revealing a wounded expression, her eyes turning red and welling up with tears.

“But I really like him! I don’t believe he’s lying to me! He wrote to me yesterday saying he wanted to come out to see me, but it was too secure inside and he couldn’t get out.”

“You can’t afford this kind of affection. You’ve already gone bankrupt. I can lend you money, but it’s to pay off your debts, not to let you give money to that kind of person.”

"In short, if you need to pay off your debts, I can lend you money; otherwise, I won't lend you any."

Upon hearing this, Tu Miaoling's face immediately fell, and she let out a wail.

"Tao'er! Please don't do this... Please help me..."

“I will definitely work hard to slaughter pigs and pay you back! I will never be lazy! Please help me. Qinglin will not lie to me. He is so upright and honest, like a green bamboo. I can’t bear to see him struggling in such mud.”

"Everyone is struggling in their own mud, what's there to be sorry about?"

Tao Tao felt that she was really bewitched. She didn't know what kind of bewitching potion that bastard had given her, making her willingly give him money.

"He's not really going to die. If he really wanted to buy his freedom all these years ago, wouldn't he have saved up the money by now? Why would he wait for you, his destined one?"

"Besides, do you think silt is just silt? Maybe he actually enjoys his current luxurious lifestyle!"

After she finished speaking, she felt exhausted, both physically and mentally. She had never tried to persuade anyone so earnestly before.

Seeing Tu Miaoling's dejected appearance, Tao Tao took another deep breath, turned around and left, not intending to pay any more attention to her.

When Tu Miaoling saw her leave, she panicked and shouted, "Tao'er! Where are you going?! Don't leave me behind!"

The person in front of her stopped abruptly, put their hands on their hips, and turned around to look at her helplessly.

"Isn't your home right here? Wait for your dad to come back and open the door for you."

"No way! If my dad comes back, I'll definitely have another fight with him, and my foot still hurts so much. How can you bear to leave me alone?"