Chapter 5: Backyard

Liu Liwa sighed endlessly, feeling sorry for Miss Liuyun. Just then, Miss Liuyun, slowly heading up the second floor, glanced over. Her beautiful eyes sparkled with life, her face was pure and lovely, her aura noble—like the Moon Goddess untouched by earthly concerns.

Miss Liuyun cast him a fleeting look, the corners of her lips curling slightly. Instantly, Liu Liwa’s heart raced wildly. Was this shy smile a sign she fancied him? A hint for him? Or maybe an invitation upstairs with a 20% discount offer?

His mind swirled with wild thoughts, but Miss Liuyun had already drifted past him, ascending straight to the third floor.

The first floor was the bustling main hall—crowded and chaotic. The second floor had standard rooms. The third floor was VIP suites. The very top was the presidential suite. This wasn’t just about luxury; it reflected harsh social divides even within brothels, where patrons were sharply ranked from elite to lowly. These rigid tiers had endured a thousand years. Even in later times, some visited palaces of pleasure while others lurked street corners, hunting for scraps. Worse still were those without access anywhere, left home alone practicing the solitary art “Five Dragons Embracing the Pillar” with Miss Five. Sigh… same species, such disparity.

Liu Liwa sighed softly, tucked in his neck, and retreated to the backyard. Best not to watch others indulge: drinking fine wine, embracing beauties, flinging silver—it stung his eyes.

He shuffled back to the backyard, calming himself. Better to wait for tomorrow’s training, impress everyone, land a good position, and earn more tips. That was the sensible path.

But just as he turned toward his room, a soft whimpering sound reached his ears. He instinctively looked left at the dormitory—lamps out, pitch-black, silent. Seems even these young mistresses cried themselves tired tonight. But who remains spirited?

Moonlight pooled near his feet. On the steps of his dorm stood a woman in white, face buried in her knees, long hair spilling loose, weeping woefully. He leaped back, heart hammering, blood soaring. What?! A Painted Skin demon?!

The full moon hung high, bright as a heavenly lantern guiding lost souls through dark paths. With such heavy Yin chill in the air—perfect nutrition for a vengeful ghost—Liu Liwa gulped, shivering: “B-Big Sis… hatred has its owners! Spare the innocent! Besides… why cling so? Good, evil—fate deals justly! Huangquan Road wears bitter winds!”

Though trembling, his garbled ramble seemed effective. The spectral woman ceased crying. Slowly she lifted her head. Her inky hair shimmered sleekly under the moon—a face delicate as moonlight, like an ethereal spirit. Neat bangs hid her brow; slender eyebrows arched gracefully. Her wide, lively eyes glimmered with hints of cleverness despite their fright. Atop a small, pert nose perched a tiny rosebud mouth—her round cheeks flushed lightly, playful and sweet. Yet bright crystal tears clung beside starry eyes, cutting pitiable charm.

She seemed barely sixteen. Though curled small, clearly petite, still girlish—firmly in the loli camp.

Noticing his stunned stare, she shyly looked away while smoothing her hair. Her voice floated soft as a raindrop finding its valley—sweet, clear, lilting with childlike gentleness: “Mister Liu… Xinying has a favor… please?”

Liu Liwa trembled. That melodious voice pierced his very bones—surpassingly lovely. Never imagined I’d be enchanted by a voice! And studying her youth… Hehe, loli have three graces: gentle voice, soft body… easily toppled!

An involuntary grin slipped across his lips—one of lifelong weakness around females. In grade school, he owned a trend-setter eraser, promptly wheedled away by a beam from his bespectacled deskmate. Junior high? A grin full of steel braces from a back-row girl sent him obediently delivering her love note to a boy two seats down. Upon discovery, the teacher read it aloud… prompting the addressed boy’s desperate seat-change requests unmet. He promptly transferred schools.

Thus faced with this exquisite smiling loli, the foolhardy fellow instantly grew dizzy, blood ablaze. Even a mountain of knives couldn’t stop him now! He patted his chest boldly: “Little Sister, state your need!”

Xinying paused, startled by his phrasing. After a moment, she shyly pointed toward the girls’ dorm: “Mister Liu… there… it’s icy…”

Now Liu Liwa froze. Not even officially in the Pleasure House yet—and already feeling hollow, lonely, cold? Seeking comfort from this not-unappealing man? He swallowed, stretching his arms invitingly. “How… may I serve?”

“You can manage much,” the girl brightened suddenly, eyes gleaming starlight-deep and enchanting. “Mister Liu… you’re truly kind. I knew you would help.”

Liu Liwa flexed his shoulders conspiratorially: “Happy to help. But… not too long? My stamina’s… Wait! What are you—“

Before he finished, she sprung up and barged straight into his room! Liu Liwa scrambled in after her—THUMP!—crashed hard into something pliantly soft. His nose took the hit. Howling, he crumpled tearfully, clutching his smashed face. Forcing blurry eyes open, he saw… another woman?

Her black hair cascaded waist-deep. Wrinkled white gauze robes couldn’t spoil snowy purity—her skin bore that same glassy, near-ghostly pallor. Star-bright eyes held calm intelligence. An artist’s dream goddess—flawless in every minute particular. That very day alone, Liu Liwa had witnessed a Madam ripe wth charm, a melancholy Miss Liuyun steeped in grace, and Xinying bounding in with perky sweetness—all stunning beauties in his book. Yet now… They paled beside this vision. He could’ve described the others bit by bit—but this one… perfection absolute. Every last detail beyond critique. Liu Liwa froze, transfixed.

Meanwhile, the peerless beauty gazed mildly at him. At length, she murmured softly: “Hmm? Mister Liu… Lovely as I admittedly am… my dear, must you weep?”