"Gurgle, gurgle!" My stomach growled uncontrollably.
"Granny Du!" I looked at her pitifully, but she remained unmoved.
"Miss, you should finish your embroidery as soon as possible so we can have a meal!"
"Clang!" A small pebble suddenly crawled to my feet, and glancing over, I saw Ye Xuanling's figure flash past the window.
"Granny Du, there's someone over there!" I said, pointing to the window.
Granny Du gave me a helpless glare and peered out the window.
Suddenly a sharp pain shot through my neck, followed by darkness.
Looking at the fallen Du Mama, I was once again amazed by the abilities of the ancients.
"Won't she be alright?"
"It's just to let her take a nap, don't worry!"
"You're a true brother!" I patted his chest. "How did you know I was trapped here?"
"Telepathy!"
So far, Ye Xuanling is my favorite friend here.
The streets at night have a unique charm, with colorful lanterns illuminating the main street of Lingqi.
The girls, dressed in their finest attire, were soliciting customers in front of Xinghua Tower. They greeted Ye Xuanling warmly as he approached.
"Master, it's been a long time since I've seen you?"
Then, glancing at me behind him, she said with a smile, "Sir, is this young master your friend? He looks unfamiliar!"
"This is my friend Liuyue. Find him a few pretty girls!"
He then shoved me into a group of girls, giving me a wicked smile.
Ye Xuanling requested a fine private room, where a woman was playing the zither. The music was melodious and captivating. She hid behind a green gauze curtain, adding to her mysterious and unpredictable aura, making one want to catch a glimpse of her beauty.
Ye Xuanling listened intently, occasionally tapping her fingers to the beat.
"Did you come here often before?" I asked with a gossipy look on my face.
He didn't shy away from it, nodding decisively, his gaze never leaving the curtain.
"You like this girl playing the piano?"
Ye Xuanling paused, then said, "Nonsense!"
"Girls, come in quickly!" the madam's voice rang out, beckoning all sorts of beauties to our side.
When the song ended, the woman left, and Ye Xuanling felt a little reluctant to part with her.
"What are you best at?" Ye Xuanling asked, pointing at them.
"This humble woman, Qin Shuang, is skilled in playing various musical instruments!"
"This humble woman, Suying, is skilled in all kinds of dances!"
Then five or six girls introduced their special skills one by one, speaking in such a coquettish tone that it gave me goosebumps.
Ye Xuanling nudged me with her elbow: "Did you see anything?"
The plate of peanuts in front of me was almost empty, the shells piled up like a mountain. I shook my head, looking completely bewildered.
Ye Xuanling compared herself to the body: "Sexy, feminine, look at yourself, all skinny and dry!"
This has always been a sore point for me; all my college roommates were more developed than me.
"Hey! Why bring up such an embarrassing thing!"
"How can Sixth Brother like you if you act like this?"
"What does it matter to me whether he likes it or not?"
"Of course there's a connection. You're replacing Sister Murong now."
"Learn to be a good woman, that's the only way to pique my brother's interest."
I feel extremely uncomfortable every time I think about her.
"I didn't come here voluntarily!"
"What's done is done. Unless you find Sister Murong, you'll just have to accept your fate!"
Feeling agitated, I decided to go for a walk and made an excuse, saying, "I need to use the restroom!"
Fearing discovery by Ye Xuanling, he left the villa. Just as he was wondering where to go, a woman in plain clothes appeared before him, carrying a zither.
"Does the young lady know how to get out?" I tried to sound as rough as possible, mimicking a man's manner of speaking.
She smiled, her every gesture as gentle as the starry sky: "Young master, come with me!"
Walking with her, a subtle fragrance lingered in the air, and every gesture she made exuded elegance.
"Does the young lady work at Xinghualou?"
She paused awkwardly for a moment, and I realized I had spoken too harshly. Just as I was about to apologize, she said, "I sell my art, not my body!"
"What's the girl's name?"
"Mu Yanran!"
Even her name is so gentle and tender!
"You cherish this zither, don't you, young lady?" I asked, noticing she had wrapped it in cloth and was carefully holding it in her arms.
"Our family relies entirely on this violin to make a living!"
"Were you the one who played the piano for us just now?"
She didn't mince words: "You must be a very forthright person!"
Seeing that our identities had been exposed, we looked at each other and laughed.
"How about I treat you to dinner, and we can become friends in the process?"
We found a small pub; the dim candlelight looked warm and inviting.
Since we've met, you may call me Yanran!
"My name is Okra!"
"I wonder who else is in your family, Yanran?"
When she heard me ask that, she paused in her chopsticks-picking motion: "And there's a younger brother!"
A cup of tea, a few side dishes, a crescent moon, and the occasional cries of vendors drifting in from outside the window.
In this environment, I gradually calmed down and began to enjoy the present moment.
"It's getting late, I have to go back!"
Most of the food on the table was still left; I barely touched it.
She said somewhat embarrassedly, "I'll pay for the food. Can I take the rest of the food home?"
Her flushed cheeks revealed a hint of embarrassment: "I've already paid, so it's only right that I treat you on our first meeting!"
I didn't ask any further questions, but instead called out to the waiter, "Waiter, please pack this up and take it with me!"
Most of the people on the street had already left when a strange fragrance wafted over, and a young man appeared before me.
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
