Chapter 89 Spring Breeze Pavilion
Upon entering the restaurant, the quick-witted bartender immediately stepped forward and led us to a quiet spot by the window.
I plopped down and immediately felt completely refreshed; the carriage had been shaking so much that my bones felt like they were about to fall apart.
After ordering the food, I leisurely watched the bustling traffic outside the window, feeling quite content.
Danyang, an unfamiliar place, but in this era, every place is unfamiliar to me. Since everything is unfamiliar, I can rest anywhere.
Just then, a man in a bright purple robe walked past the window. I was startled, and upon closer inspection, I saw a short, stout middle-aged man, completely different from the man I remembered. I breathed a slight sigh of relief, narrowed my eyes, and felt a sudden sense of ease. Thinking about what had happened earlier, I was really on edge. Of all the days in a year, it just so happened that I was about to leave, and Cao Cao had come looking for me. It was truly fate. If I hadn't just decided to leave Xiangyang, wouldn't Cao Cao have caught me red-handed? I patted the "ill-gotten gains" in my stomach, feeling a little guilty.
I couldn't help but chuckle as I imagined Cao Cao's frantic reaction after arriving at Kongming's courtyard only to find it empty-handed.
At that moment, I was basking in my own cleverness and "good luck," feeling smug and secretly rejoicing. Little did I know that everything was preordained, and my life was nothing more than a game of chess by fate. The layout was set, and once the first move was made, there was no going back. Between the beginning and the end of the game, everything was irreversible.
"Please enjoy your meal, sir." In no time, all the dishes were served, and the bartender called out.
I grabbed my chopsticks and started devouring the food.
The two of them certainly had enormous appetites; in no time, I had devoured almost half the food on the table. (Student: Two people? You're just being greedy, why are you blaming Baozi! Baozi: Mind your own business, my mom's always right. Student, looking aggrieved: Fine, I guess I was just being nosy...)
While we were eating, a commotion suddenly broke out on the street across the street.
Looking out the window, across the street was a large mansion, and at the entrance, a heavily made-up woman was being verbally abused by a slightly overweight woman.
"You ungrateful wretch! You eat my food, drink my water, and even give money to men! Serving men every day isn't enough, you even give them money! Don't you even know what kind of person you are!..." With her hands on her hips, the woman cursed like a teapot.
I was amazed; his eloquence was absolutely superb.
I glanced to the side and saw a large cloth banner hanging above the house.
"Zhao'er, what does it say?" I looked up at the banner fluttering in the wind above me, and once again felt the pain of being illiterate. The ancient characters looked so awkward no matter how I looked at them.
“That’s Chunfeng Tower.” Before Zhao’er could answer, a woman with a gossipy look on her face came forward.
Spring Breeze Pavilion? I subconsciously glanced at the teapot again. She was still cursing with great enthusiasm, showing no intention of stopping or taking a break.
The woman who was being scolded raised her hand and tossed her long hair, her expression indifferent. As she did so, her thin clothes slipped down slightly, revealing her fair and smooth shoulders, which were exceptionally alluring.
"What are they arguing about?" I asked curiously.
"The madam took a fancy to a man, but he was tricked into bed by one of the girls in the brothel. Now, the madam is planning to sell the brothel and go straight, to put an end to the man's hopes..." The woman smiled strangely. "This has become the biggest laughing stock in Danyang."
"You mean... she's in a hurry to sell Chunfeng Tower?" I immediately grasped the key point.
Having received an affirmative answer, I began to chuckle to myself, already wondering what kind of business to start.
After eating and drinking my fill, I paid the bill and left the restaurant. With my belly protruding, I walked confidently to the side of Chunfeng Tower to watch the excitement.
"Zhao'er, shall we buy Chunfeng Tower?" I tugged at Zhao'er and whispered our suggestion.
"But wasn't the bundle taken away by the coachman just now?" Zhao'er frowned slightly.
I grinned, patted my shoulder bag—all my belongings were there. Trying to scam me? That's utterly ridiculous! I, Pei Xiao, am always the one taking advantage of others; no one has ever gotten a single thing out of me! Heh heh, I'd already casually taken that bag back.
After taking over Chunfeng Tower, everything went even more smoothly than I had imagined. The madam was in a hurry to sell, which actually benefited me.
By evening, Chunfeng Tower had changed hands. Along with the carriages in the backyard of Chunfeng Tower, I, Pei Xiao, now own a house and a carriage. Moreover, I currently hold the indentures of more than a dozen girls, which the madam had half-sold and half-given to me.
I became famous instantly, and the whole of Danyang was abuzz with the rumor that a pregnant woman had bought Chunfeng Tower.
I reclined comfortably on the soft couch, looking at the row of beautifully dressed girls in front of me, and sighed inwardly. They all looked so apprehensive, as if I were some kind of wicked madam.
The girl who had argued with the madam earlier was not there.
"Um... everyone's here?" A quick glance around revealed that she was nowhere to be found.
"And there's Sister Rouge," a girl whispered.
I nodded, only then realizing that the indenture I had shown Zhao'er earlier did not include the name "Rouge".
Food is the most important thing for people, so I ignored everything else and ate dinner first. The food at Chunfenglou was surprisingly good, and I enjoyed it immensely. I really found a gem.
The young girl who brought dinner stood awkwardly to my side, and I laughed, "Come on, come on, let's eat together."
The little girl paused, shook her head vigorously, and opened her mouth, seemingly unsure how to address me.
"Call me Sister Pei, what's your name?" I smiled, my face all friendly, because friendliness brings wealth, right?
"Xiao Tao," she said timidly.
After dinner, I had Xiaotao accompany me for a walk to help me digest.
When they reached the west courtyard, Xiao Tao hesitated for a moment.
"What's wrong?" I turned to look at her.
"Sister Rouge's room."
Upon hearing this, I became curious and pushed open the door to go inside.
Rouge was facing away from the door, drawing her eyebrows in front of the bronze mirror.
"Why don't you leave?" I asked curiously as I walked up behind her.
"You want to get rid of me?" Without even looking at me, she lightly applied some rouge with her fingertips and spread it on her face, instantly bringing her pale complexion to life.
"You are not included in the contract of servitude; you are free."
Her hand trembled slightly, and the rouge box fell to the ground. She turned her head to look at me, "You said... there's no contract of sale for me?"
I nodded.
She paused for a moment, then gave a bitter laugh, "After all... she still cares about me."
"she?"
Rouge bit her lip slightly, "That foolish woman... What's so good about men? They're all greedy, lustful, and treacherous. After being in the brothel for so long, she actually naively thought that man was sincere towards her... She actually left the brothel for that man who couldn't resist temptation..."
"What about you? What are you planning to do?" Seeing the glistening tears in her eyes, I quickly changed the subject.
"What are you going to do with Chunfeng Tower?" Rouge asked me.
"The food at Chunfenglou is delicious," I said with a smile.
“Of course, all the sisters in the building can cook.” A hint of pride appeared in Rouge’s eyes. “When it comes to actually cooking, how could it be inferior to those restaurants?”
"Oh?" I exclaimed excitedly.
She glanced at me sideways, slightly puzzled. "Why are you asking this?"
"I want to turn Chunfenglou into a restaurant," I said with a grin.
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