Chapter 21: A Man with Special Talent

In the time it took to drink a cup of tea, the hall was almost empty. Everyone had gone to experience the wonderful scenes from the story. Only Yang Xiaosi and a few young attendants remained, looking miserable. The story had stirred their emotions, yet they had no chance to act on them. Liu Liwa thought to himself, he should find a chance to teach them the Divine Five Dragons Embracing the Pillar technique. After all, always holding back wasn’t a solution—they weren’t ninjas!

Under Liu Liwa’s secret signal, Miss Liuyun and the four accompanying girls also left nervously.

Wang Meng stared at Shen Zuijin for a long time. Seeing no reaction from her, he gave Liu Liwa an annoyed glare before leaving. The only one who remained seated calmly was Young Master Ye Zecong. Shen Zuijin had wanted to strike up a conversation with him, but as soon as she opened her mouth, an involuntary moan escaped her lips. She had become aroused from listening to the story—she was truly a passionate person.

Even this experienced Madam couldn’t help but blush and hurried upstairs in embarrassment. Before leaving, she glanced at Liu Liwa, still seeming a bit incredulous. This man, who had been exiled into servitude and was once a young master, had become the “top attraction” at Intoxication Pavilion in just two short days. Judging by the guests’ reactions earlier, nothing could stop him from rising to become the “Flower Queen”!

Young Master Ye tossed a silver tael to the girl beside him, sending her away, and beckoned, “Come, come, have a drink with me. I have no interest in these ordinary painted ladies. And while you’re at it, tell me the next part of the story. That Lanlan, she’s truly a heroine among women!”

Liu Liwa broke into a sweat. So this was a true fan. This slick and pretty Young Master Ye reeked of something sleazy. He poured a cup of wine for Liu Liwa himself. They clinked cups, like comrades sharing the same ideals—well, maybe a bit too much like comrades, since both were pretty-faced young men.

In both his past and present lives, Liu Liwa had never dealt with second-generation rich kids. This didn’t really fit the identity of a star agent. After all, which star agent hadn’t interacted with second-generation heirs or acted as matchmaker for actresses and these heirs? Liu Liwa could swear on his chest: he was a clean and upright agent. What second-generation heir in their right mind would go on a date with Furong or Yufeng?

After downing three cups of wine with Young Master Ye—they say bad things come in threes, but three also gives birth to all things; it’s a magical number, especially at the drinking table. Even strangers become acquaintances after three drinks. And if a one-night stand happens three times with the same person, the chance of marriage is pretty high.

“Ah…” Young Master Ye held his cup and looked at him. Liu Liwa quickly said, “My name is Liu Xiaoqi. You can call me Xiaoqi.”

“Oh, Brother Xiaoqi! My apologies, my apologies!” Young Master Ye said very politely—so politely it made Liu Liwa nervous. Was this guy really… into men? Young Master Ye leaned in closer, smiling creepily, “Brother Xiaoqi, I wanted to ask—how old is that Miss Lanlan now? Is she married?”

Huh? Liu Liwa was stunned. What did this guy mean? But his eyes were sparkling like little stars; clearly, he had confused the story with reality. However, given the nature of such second-generation dandies, it was entirely possible. Raised sheltered lives where they got everything they wanted, the only thing they lacked was real-world experience and knowledge, making them more susceptible to being deluded by fantasies. For instance, some shut-ins became so addicted to games they truly believed they were the game characters, treating certain female stars or idols as their wives, even acting as husbands to their photos. If even educated people from later times could be like that, how much more so a second-generation heir from this era?

It was obvious that this young master had immersed himself in the story in such a short time. Liu Liwa knew that if he told him right then that the entire story was made up and completely fake, the young master would definitely get up and leave immediately—after kicking him a couple of times. Besides, this was a big client even Shen Zuijin wanted to curry favor with, someone with both official connections and a wealthy family background. Liu Liwa naturally wouldn’t miss the chance to have such a fan. He immediately said, “About Lanlan’s story, I also heard it from others. But I think Lanlan is at most thirty this year, maybe even younger. You know, the older women get, the more they understand men’s hearts.”

“Yes, yes!” Young Master Ye nodded eagerly. As a dandy who had been through many encounters, he found that only those older women, in order to hook big clients like him, would use every trick to satisfy all his demands, leaving a deep impression. He asked slyly, “Tell me, what kind of man does Lanlan like the most?”

He was really taking it seriously. Liu Liwa had no choice but to keep spinning tales. He truly needed to know someone like this—in this pleasure house and society that treated people as less than human, he needed to secure a bit of safety for himself. He promptly said, “Lanlan, a legendary woman, naturally wouldn’t match with just any man. The man she likes must, at the very least, be a true hero. He must be able to outrun earthquakes, leap over high walls, fight off zombies, and survive cockroaches…”

“Ah?” Young Master Ye was shocked. “The requirements are so strict?”

“And that’s the standard for us men of Huaxia Shenzhou,” Liu Liwa said with a “you should be grateful” expression, adding sternly, “If Lanlan were to choose a man she liked from the island nation, her most basic requirements would be: able to get pregnant without a partner, grow grain without soil; generate electricity on his own, build houses barehanded; survive being buried in a train car, unharmed by fire; escape a rear-end collision unscathed, and even beat the train attendants!”

Young Master Ye listened in a daze, rubbing his hands together. “So, to win Lanlan’s heart, do I need any special talent?”

Liu Liwa smiled bitterly. He could tell—this kind of dandy had everything except a special talent. Of course, he couldn’t discourage him. He leaned in and whispered, “Special talent is definitely needed. Every woman likes that. At the very least, your ‘little brother’ needs to be special!”

Young Master Ye followed Liu Liwa’s gaze downward and immediately beamed with joy. “Long! My brother is especially long!”

Liu Liwa grinned foolishly along with him, inwardly cursing: brave men have long feet, scoundrels have long dicks!

Overjoyed at having a “special talent,” Young Master Ye generously tossed a gold ingot to Liu Liwa, stood up, downed a cup of wine, and grabbed his hand. “Brother Xiaoqi, thank you! Your words have opened my eyes. I must take my leave now—I need to rush back overnight to Squire Zhao’s home in neighboring Ningyuan County. Squire Zhao’s daughter is a peerless beauty, famous far and wide. I’ve had my eye on her for a long time, but every time someone goes to propose, that Miss Zhao, like Lanlan, is a legendary figure, a woman who lives in tales. They say she’ll only marry a man with special talent. I’ve been worried about this lately, but today I was lucky to meet you. Now I finally know my own special talent! Tomorrow I’ll go to propose. If this succeeds, Brother Xiaoqi, you’ll be my great matchmaker! I will surely repay you handsomely.”

With that, Young Master Ye left in high spirits. Liu Liwa was left watching his retreating figure like a resentful woman, a belly full of words left unsaid. He could only weakly wave his hand and wish him good luck