Chapter 24

Chapter Twenty-Four

Meng Yingying lay on the ground, speechless, frozen in place for a long time. Then someone behind her spoke, "What are you doing?" She recognized Xiao Zheyu's voice. Meng Yingying lowered her head and asked, "Sister Xiao, have you ever been arrogant?"

Xiao Zheyu stood there, his figure tall and straight: "I know everything that happened just now."

“You’re facing different things. Ah Li regretted telling you all this as soon as she walked out. The things you’re facing are different, so the responsibilities you have to shoulder are different. You’re not everyone’s hope.” She slowly told her. When she was struggling, Xiao Zheyu laid the problem out in front of her instead of lecturing her. From her perspective, she initially just wanted Ah Jin and Ah Li to be happy, but from Ah Jin and Ah Li’s perspective, their parents’ happiness was true happiness.

Meng Yingying closed her eyes slightly, took a few deep breaths, and said, "I understand."

...

As night fell, the streets were lit up with lights.

At the dinner table, Meng Yingying ate with her head down. The atmosphere was somewhat dull, and no one spoke for a while. Kong Fusheng, who was usually very talkative, was also unusually silent, staring absently at the rice in his bowl. A Jin's eyes were still a little red. She ate her rice and glanced at Meng Yingying from time to time. Meng Yingying was a little afraid to look at her. Ali looked left and right.

The meal was finished quietly. Even though Meng Yingying was in a bad mood, she couldn't forget to investigate. After finishing her meal, she said, "I'm going to go for a walk later."

Where to?

Where to go?

Two voices rang out at the same time, and Ah Jin and Ah Li exchanged a glance, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

Kong Fusheng coughed twice, glanced at Zhou Xiuqi, and then said, "I had an upset stomach a few days ago and want to go to the clinic. Senior Meng, would you like to come with me?" His acting was always exaggerated, and sure enough, it was.

Xiao Zheyu: "..."

Ah Jin: "..."

Ahri: "..."

Cong Rong turned her head away, speechless.

Zhou Xiuqi turned a blind eye.

He clutched his stomach, and Meng Yingying forced herself to continue the act, keeping her eyes straight ahead and performing with an indifferent expression: "Really? Then I'll go with you to take a look." The two of them strolled out the door like that.

Kong Fusheng straightened up and asked, "How was my performance?" He looked very serious. Meng Yingying took a breath and gave him a thumbs up: "Great job."

There were a few scattered vendors on the street, their lights dimly lit. The two of them walked forward and gradually disappeared from sight.

"Where are they going?" Ah Jin asked worriedly.

"It's alright, Ah Jin. Miss Meng is so smart, she must know that we don't blame her."

Ah Jin looked ahead and saw people moving about.

From the Cui Xiang Pavilion, faint screams could be heard, but they were drowned out by the singing and dancing. The man frowned: "What's that sound?"

The woman clung to him, saying, "Where's the sound, sir?"

The man pushed her aside and said, "When the government is handling a case, I ask and you answer."

The woman trembled as he pulled her close and gripped her waist.

"I'm just here to do this job, I don't know anything," she pleaded in a low voice, trembling.

The man frowned and said, "Take me down there, you don't need to worry about the rest." The woman swayed her hips and led him in that direction. The man flicked his fingertips and sent out two needles that pierced the necks of the guards at the door. The two men stood straight inside, their eyes somewhat vacant and lifeless.

"Leave immediately." He released her hand hastily, and the woman fled as if running away. Meng Yingying walked up and said, "Not bad acting."

Kong Fusheng sighed and said, "I won't act like this again next time."

Meng Yingying replied, "This will damage your cultivation. I understand. Stop talking nonsense and get to work."

The two walked down the secret passage with expressionless faces. They hadn't expected that Cui Xiang Lou was so well hidden. There were even two people guarding the entrance to this secret passage. As they walked down, they heard the madam's voice.

"Hurry up," she urged, her voice tinged with urgency. A moment of silence followed, then the madam's voice, laced with barely suppressed anger, rang out: "Hua Liu, this is already the best way out for you!"

"Mom! That Li Youde bit my face for no reason! Go ask him for money! Go ask him for money! You'll definitely get a lot of money!" Hua Liu's voice was shrill. Meng Yingying and Kong Fusheng peeked through the gap and were so frightened that they dared not breathe. Hua Liu's face was a bloody mess, and she was unrecognizable as a person. The mark was deeply imprinted on her right cheek.

The madam looked down at her, her mottled, aged face filled with a cold indifference: "Li Youde is dead. It seems you've gone mad, lizard. If you continue living like this, you might as well drink this now, so everyone can have some dignity."

With trembling willow branches, she glared defiantly, her once beautiful eyes now contorted with rage: "Mom! Someone must have framed me! I'm the top courtesan in our brothel, you can't abandon me!" she cried, her eyes filled with despair.

The madam suddenly chuckled silently, as if looking at her would offend her eyes. She lifted her foot and pulled the hem of her dress away from her grasp, saying coldly, "In my brothel, the one thing we have no shortage of is top courtesans."

"You're gone, but plenty of people will take your place. You think your position is unique? You're too naive, Hua Liu." She suddenly sighed. In this world, money is a priceless treasure, and with money, one can create an exact replica. Not to mention people; being too naive is what makes you so foolish.

Hua Liu collapsed to the ground, and the two burly men on either side pried her head up and poured medicine down her throat. This time, she didn't struggle and happened to meet their gaze. Meng Yingying shuddered. Hua Liu, who had been staring wide-eyed, suddenly moved. Meng Yingying instinctively wanted to rush out, but Kong Fusheng held her tightly and said, "Senior Meng, you can't save her."

"Kong Fusheng, she's dying." Her voice trembled. Kong Fusheng gently shook his head: "Have you forgotten why we're here? What will happen to Senior Zhou and the others if we're discovered?" Meng Yingying's concern was momentarily clear.

A slight smile suddenly appeared on her lips, and she closed her eyes forever. A life had died so quietly, and Meng Yingying felt a chill run through her body.

A burly man released her grip and asked, "Mama, should we throw her away?" The madam glanced at her and said, "Give her a whole body, just leave her here." She then went upstairs, leaving the burly men to lie there, ignoring her completely. Meng Yingying's legs went weak, and Kong Fusheng gradually loosened his grip on her arms: "Senior Meng, let's... go take a look." She felt a tingling sensation in her nerves, and her breathing became difficult. Kong Fusheng said, "Senior Meng?" She shook her head forcefully, forcing herself to adjust, and then stepped towards the brothel.

There was only one oil lamp on the ground, its dim light swaying from side to side, illuminating her face. Meng Yingying knelt on the ground and kowtowed twice: "I'm sorry." Her breathing slowed, as if a wad of cotton was blocking her throat. Kong Fusheng's face was grim; he reached out a finger to check her breath.

"You...are you here...to ask...something...?" Hua Liu's voice was faint and lingering. Meng Yingying's head, which had been on the ground, jerked up. Hua Liu's eyes looked down at her, as if she wanted to raise her hand, but she was too weak. Meng Yingying froze. Seeing that she didn't react, Kong Fusheng urged, "Senior Meng, ask quickly. She's having a final burst of lucidity before death."

Hua Liu's eyes were fixed on her. Meng Yingying opened her mouth and squeezed out a question through gritted teeth: "What is your relationship with Li Youde?" Hua Liu's eyes were glazing over, but she seemed to see something and said, "Li Youde... comes to our... brothel every day... He always wants to see me... but I... don't want to..."

“He…likes to…abuse the sisters in bed…that day he had saved up enough money…and wanted me to come, but I deliberately returned all the money to him intact…he bit my face…and killed me, I…will not let him go…” She said the last sentence almost through gritted teeth.

Suddenly, she grabbed Meng Yingying's hand with a sudden, unexpected strength. Staring into those unseeing, lifeless eyes, she cried out, "You must avenge me! Avenge me!" It was like a curse. Her hand fell limp, and cold sweat beaded on Meng Yingying's forehead. Kong Fusheng pulled her back, saying, "Senior Meng, I'll perform a ritual to help her reincarnate. Otherwise, with her resentment, she'll become a vengeful ghost."