Chapter 22: Mirror Polishing

The soundproofing on the first floor of Intoxication Pavilion was very poor. In just a short while, the sounds of intense fighting kept coming through, with rising and falling pitches like a women’s choir performing.

Some guests in the main hall had left, while others were busy with their own matters. Only some staff members had started cleaning up. Liu Liwa also tried to check the time by looking at the moon like others, but he could only vaguely see Sister Chang’e bathing.

He quietly put away the gold ingot that Young Master Ye had rewarded him. Although it wasn’t as big as the previous one, it felt like it weighed two or three taels. According to Yang Xiaosi, it could at least buy a large high-rise apartment with premium decoration.

No one nearby noticed him taking the tip, so he didn’t have to share it with anyone. However, a pair of eyes from a room upstairs saw everything clearly.

Shen Zuijin stood respectfully beside a plump and curvaceous figure, her face still slightly flushed. Watching the absent-minded Liu Liwa cleaning tables downstairs, she said, “Miss, this man is too showy. He acts impulsively without considering consequences. He almost offended Young Master Ye earlier. And listening to the story he told, it was simply shameless and indecent. We definitely cannot keep this person. Otherwise, he might ruin our important matters someday!”

The young lady with the impressive figure shook her head slightly and said, “Zuijin, you might be looking at this too narrowly, and your words sound a bit spiteful because he contradicted you earlier. Actually, I don’t think he was impulsive. He was just urgently trying to save Liuyun from Wang Meng’s hands. As for not considering consequences, saving someone should indeed be done without worrying about consequences. And the joke he told was completely to save the situation and keep the customers. So, my view is the opposite of yours. I think he is a bold, careful, thick-skinned person with quick wit.”

“Miss, why are you defending him everywhere?” Shen Zuijin said discontentedly.

The young lady laughed and said, “Enough, don’t be upset. Let’s keep observing him. If he really affects our matters, I will consider dealing with it. If not, you all shouldn’t target or make things difficult for him. I want to see how far he can go. And…”

As she spoke, the young lady’s tone suddenly changed. The entire room seemed to turn cold, filled with a murderous atmosphere. Shen Zuijin immediately bowed her head respectfully. The young lady continued, “Who exactly gave Wang Meng permission to hit the girls randomly? And why did he beat Liuyun in public? Just like he said earlier, Liuyun once brought endless joy to everyone. He shouldn’t be condemned forever because of one mistake. More importantly, we are here walking on thin ice, surrounded by dangers. We must be cautious. Why can’t we control that domineering temper? Go, tell Wang Meng to receive twenty lashes as punishment according to house rules.”

Shen Zuijin quickly agreed. Cold sweat had already soaked her clothes. Thinking carefully, Wang Meng had been a bit impulsive earlier, but that was because she had signaled him with her eyes. Liuyun had repeatedly disobeyed her commands, and they didn’t know what illness Liuyun had. Shen Zuijin felt her authority was challenged, so she instructed Wang Meng. Of course, this didn’t escape the young lady’s notice. However, since she was her personal maid and Wang Meng was thick-skinned, this was just a warning to others. But with this young lady’s temper, if she were truly angered, there would be no mercy.

Seeing that the young lady had no other instructions, Shen Zuijin bowed and left. The young lady remained by the window, watching Liu Liwa through the crack. The light in her eyes flickered uncertainly. Her full, curvaceous body was even more perfect than Lanlan’s in the story…

Most guests had already entered their rooms, and no more would be coming. With Hall Manager Shen Zuijin absent, foreman Yang Xiaosi could make decisions. Seeing that everyone had almost finished cleaning, he announced the end of the shift. Then he dashed away quickly, swinging his hand as he ran. Liu Liwa thought he was having a seizure, but upon closer look, he realized Yang Xiaosi was practicing throwing dice. Earlier, Liu Liwa had given him a silver tael, enough to gamble until dawn. Liu Liwa originally wanted to go out and see more of this world, but considering his status as a slave awaiting punishment, leaving without permission might lead to immediate execution. He decided to behave for a while and understand the situation better.

Other workers in the main hall gathered around the left table, eating leftovers or untouched food from guests. Some even packed it to take home as midnight snacks. Liu Liwa immediately joined the food scramble. He clearly positioned himself—no matter when, survival was more important than anything else.

The food at Intoxication Pavilion was pretty good. He successfully grabbed half a chicken, complete with a drumstick, and hurried back to the backyard. The backyard was pitch dark at this time. The dormitories on both sides were chaotic. On one side, the male dormitory was filled with young masters who had spent the whole day carrying water and chopping wood. They were now exhausted and moaning in pain. On the other side, the young ladies who had helped with cleaning chamber pots and washing clothes all day were sore and aching. Even harder to bear was the mental humiliation. They were now crying together in their dormitory. Probably after a few more days like this, they would be willing to entertain guests themselves.

Liu Liwa could barely protect himself, so naturally he wouldn’t care about them. But he had good character—at least he didn’t chew his drumstick noisily while others were sad and suffering!

He slipped quietly into his small room. The room was pitch dark. Qin Wan’er and the little loli Xinying were probably not there. Since he used them as models for attracting customers in the morning, they had disappeared. Either they were taken in by someone, or they were being trained as potential Flower Queens.

It was just as well they weren’t there. Liu Liwa had slept on the square table last night and woke up with a sore back. Today he definitely needed to claim the big bed.

The main room was completely dark. Having never lived in a single-story house before, he almost fell into the cooking pit and died. Luckily, he found a Fire Starter on the stove. He blew on it to light it. Although the flame was dim, it provided enough light. But just as he lifted the door curtain to enter the room, two terrified screams erupted, nearly shattering his eardrums.

Liu Liwa raised the Fire Starter and looked by its light. Wow… two young women stood before him, one tall and one short, both incredibly beautiful. But their clothes were messy. Qin Wan’er’s robe was half undone, revealing her tender, fragrant shoulder. Her skin was delicate, crystal white, and smooth like creamy jade. The little loli Xinying’s clothes were wide open, showing her undergarment. Liu Liwa only saw that the small garment was embroidered with a peony flower, nothing else. Since there was an older sister figure, why look at the loli? He turned directly and focused entirely on Qin Wan’er.

The two women were already flustered, both shy and angry. They hadn’t expected Liu Liwa to suddenly barge in holding a Fire Starter. It was also their fault for being used to being young ladies—they never thought anyone would dare intrude into their private room. So, habits could get you killed! They were seen almost naked by Liu Liwa. Although no critical parts were exposed, for women under feudal ethics, this was still a serious violation.

The women’s screams continued incessantly, each with a wider vocal range than Miss Liuyun. In their panic, they even forgot to fasten their clothes.

Liu Liwa knew that once they recovered, he would be in trouble. Rather than waiting passively to be beaten, it was better to strike first. He also let out a shocked cry, pointing at the two of them. His finger aimed directly at Qin Wan’er’s chest. He shouted, “I never expected you two to have such ‘mirror polishing’ preferences! And you’re doing it in my room! This is too much! Get out, both of you! Leave right now!”