Chapter 58: Heart-to-heart With Sister Lu
Placed on the ground and now untied by someone, Xinghong said nothing at this moment, just stealing glances at Cao Weida with her eyes.
She came from Han Family Tan’s Yunji Class, she was the top courtesan for light singing, which meant she had some knowledge. Just now inside the room she had been crying, making a fuss, and threatening to hang herself, but now she was as quiet as a mouse, obediently lying on the ground.
In her eyes, the formidable big shot Lu Mama was meek as a little lamb in front of this young man; even thinking with her butt, she knew he was a power-wielding big shot.
Now this big shot wanted to take her away, and not only did she not resist, she was secretly delighted.
Her family was poor, and at around ten years old she was sold to Han Family Tan, originally as a servant for playing and singing on the side, but who knew that Han Family Tan bought her not for the so-called playing and singing servant, but because they fancied her looks!
The class leader of Yunji Class dealt with courtesans year-round and spotted Xinghong’s looks at a glance, certain that once she matured she would be a rare beauty.
Therefore, from the moment the contract was signed, she was never treated as a supporting role; all kinds of treatment were exceptionally generous.
And the facts proved the Yunji Class class leader right; Xinghong truly grew more and more stunningly beautiful.
Once she fully matured, she was arranged to be a qing guan ren, and the visiting dignitaries and nobles were extremely enthusiastic, winning the top qing guan ren spot by an overwhelming margin.
From when her understanding matured a bit, she knew Yunji Class had bad intentions, but once in the troupe, getting out was no easy matter.
It was only after the news of arranging her to perform publicly was told to her that she truly panicked, kicking up a fuss and refusing.
But could this matter depend on her?
From learning this news until now, in just a few short days, she tried all sorts of methods to no avail. Already in despair, suddenly she was carried out by someone—it turned out someone fancied her and wanted to take her away!
She had already resigned herself, figuring even if it was an old, ugly man, she would accept it; after all, no matter what, it was far better than staying in Xiaguang Garden, letting thousands taste and ten thousands try her.
But unexpectedly, the one taking her away turned out to be a youth not much older than her!
Though not exceedingly handsome, he wasn’t ugly either, especially that imposing aura when sitting there without anger, which made her heart flutter!
She had set a very low standard at first, but now he gave her such high marks, naturally making her ecstatic, wishing she could stand up right away and follow him to leave this den of demons far behind!
Before long, a subordinate handed a contract to Han Lu.
Han Lu didn’t even look at it before passing it straight to Cao Weida, smiling sweetly: “Master, from today on, Xinghong is yours. She was carefully selected from thousands in our Yunji Class, and we poured countless resources into grooming her to be the face of the place.”
“She’s our Xiaguang Garden’s future money tree; as her mama, I’ve always treasured her like the apple of my eye.”
“Today I’m giving this money tree to you, so you must take it easy with her; her body’s delicate, and if she gets bruised or bumped, this mama will ache for her.”
Cao Weida sneered inwardly; as expected of a procuress, her words were truly slick on all sides.
On the surface caring for Xinghong, but really wanting to tell him how hard it was to groom her, making him know how much she had invested.
What, even at this point, still trying to make him owe her a favor?
Ignoring her, he lifted his chin at Little Ear: “Little Ear, what do you think of her looks.”
Little Ear looked her up and down, swallowed, and said: “Big Brother Cao, you really shouldn’t say it, but she’s still full of charm.”
Lu Yao, around thirty, exuded the charm of a mature woman in every smile and frown, ceaselessly; especially in this line of work, she had an innate seductiveness that was extremely captivating.
“Then she’s yours for the night.”
Looking at Lu Yao whose face had changed, he smiled faintly: “My brother got quite a scare today, Lu. You know what I mean, you won’t mind giving my brother some good comfort tonight, right?”
He emphasized the word “comfort,” and how could Han Lu not hear it?
She shot him a coquettish glare mixed with shyness, giggling sweetly: “Oh my, look at you saying that. He suffered grievances overnight at my place, so as the host, I naturally have to take responsibility.”
“Overnight, I’ll arrange a room for you right away, so I can properly soothe you.”
It was just servicing someone; that’s what she used to do, and servicing people was her specialty!
She wasn’t some chaste and fierce woman; who knew at the end who would lose out and who would enjoy.
Her attitude stunned Cao Weida momentarily; he had meant to embarrass the self-smart Han Lu, then secretly cursed himself—she was in this line, how could she mind?
But a bargain not taken is for bastards; Cao Weida chuckled: “Little Ear, what are you standing there for? Didn’t you hear Sister Lu? You’ve got to get some good therapy tonight, don’t be walking with walls supporting you tomorrow.”
Little Ear laughed weirdly, “Alrighty, tonight I’ll enjoy Mama-san’s professional service too. Big Brother Cao, forgive me, my little heart’s still pounding from the scare. I’ll head to the room now for some heart-to-heart with Sister Lu.”
Han Lu was delighted inwardly; looks like today’s crisis was over. If she serviced Little Ear tonight to make him linger, wouldn’t their relationship get close in an instant!
Looks like tonight I’ll have to bring out my signature moves!
Little Ear, arm around the half-pushing Han Lu, went upstairs; two Xiaguang Garden subordinates tactfully left too, leaving only Xinghong who had stood up obediently behind Cao Weida, and the at-a-loss He Lilong.
Cao Weida glanced at him: “What are you still doing here? Get lost!”
Just a thug, he didn’t take him seriously.
He Lilong, as if granted amnesty, scrambled up and slunk away.
As for whether Han Lu would settle accounts after the autumn harvest later, that wasn’t his business.
His gaze turned to Xinghong; under his gaze, she stood awkwardly, hands unconsciously fidgeting with her hem, head bowed in unease.
“Alright, from now on you’re my person. Come with me.”
He waved the contract in his hand, then walked out with hands behind his back.
Tonight he had planned to spend some money, but not only did he spend nothing, he even got a top courtesan for free—this deal wasn’t a loss.
As for whether Xinghong was happy or not, heh, did that matter to her?
Though he occasionally showed kindness and kept his nature, he absolutely wasn’t some soft-hearted person.
In this eat-or-be-eaten world, soft-hearted people often didn’t end well.
This outcome was already beyond what Xinghong dared dream of, so naturally she wouldn’t refuse.
Though still a bit uneasy about the future, she obediently followed behind Cao Weida.
Especially that line “you’re my person,” which thrilled her heart, her eyes heating up, nearly tearing.
But fearing to anger Cao Weida, she forced herself to hold back.
Leaving Xiaguang Garden, Xiangzi who had been waiting not far away hurried over: “Master, get in the car.”
Letting Xinghong get in first, he plopped down beside her, unreservedly putting his arm around her slender waist: “Go to Caomao Hutong.”
Xiangzi clearly understood Cao Weida’s meaning, driving fast and steady all the way to a house in Caomao Hutong.
This house was one Cao Weida had just acquired these past few days, the best among those he bought; the furnishings inside needed little change, just swap a few pieces of furniture and it was ready to live in.
Sending Xiangzi back first, he took Xinghong inside.
This was also a single-entrance courtyard where all kinds of utensils inside the room, bedding, toiletries, even grain and such were fully prepared.
“This is the house I just bought; you’ll live here from now on. All the utensils and such are ready-made; you don’t need to worry about food, I’ll arrange for people to deliver it.”
“Master, you can call me Xing’er.”
Xinghong bit her rosy lips and nodded slightly. Seeing the teapot and teacup on the coffee table, she went up, shook it, saw it was empty, and deftly prepared to fetch water to pour tea for Cao Weida.
“No rush, sit down. I’ll talk to you.”
“Master, I can stand; you talk.” Xinghong obediently stood to the side, extremely rule-abiding.
Cao Weida was quite satisfied with this; though procuresses and such weren’t good people, their training skills were indeed praiseworthy.
“Xing’er, I don’t like beating around the bush, so I’ll say it straight.” He paused, glanced at her, and continued:
“Master isn’t some soft-hearted person; you should know what I mean by bringing you out.”
He paused again, saw no reaction from her, and was even more satisfied inwardly: “Don’t worry, though Master isn’t some soft-hearted person, as long as you’re one of my own, I won’t mistreat anyone.”
“As long as you stay honest and follow me from now on, I’ll naturally protect you well.”
While speaking, Cao Weida pulled out a cigarette, placing the diesel lighter on the coffee table.
Xinghong, sharp-eyed, stepped forward to take it and lit the cigarette for Cao Weida.
Cao Weida took a drag, the nicotine-filled smoke swirling in his lungs before slowly exhaling:
“Don’t put out the flame yet.”
He took the contract from his pocket and, under Xinghong’s shocked gaze, placed it on the flame.
“Master, you…” Xinghong froze in place, unsure whether to extinguish it.
“From now on you’re Master’s person, but Master doesn’t like using a scrap of paper to coerce you.” He tossed the contract about to burn his fingers into the teacup to let it burn out naturally.
“What Master wants isn’t just your body; if we’re sharing a bed but dreaming differently, that’d be no fun.”
“Now you’re a free person. If you still want to follow me, I’ll treat you well from now on; if someday you want to leave, just tell Master ahead of time—Master’s not unreasonable.”
“But if you follow Master yet have wandering thoughts, Master will get angry.”
