Chapter 78: Spending Money to Impress Girls

When Third Miss Zhao said that, Liu Liwa nearly fell backward. Young Master Ye was so anxious that he almost cried, his eyes glaring as if he wanted to fight Liu Liwa for his life. This was basically helping in the worst way!

Liu Liwa found it both funny and annoying, but he couldn’t blame the girl for thinking that way. After all, if a man sent clothes to a Pleasure House, it was definitely for someone he was involved with. It was human nature. Liu Liwa quickly explained, “Young lady, you misunderstood again. Young Master Ye is a man who values loyalty and devotion. He is a faithful person, whose feelings for his beloved are unwavering even unto death—how could he have another sweetheart elsewhere? Besides, even if he had one, he could have openly given gifts. Why would he need you to deliver them, and in public, one box after another? Actually, all of this is just Young Master Ye doing charitable deeds!”

Young Master Ye breathed a sigh of relief, wiping the cold sweat from his brow. Without waiting for Third Miss Zhao to speak, Liu Liwa continued in one breath, “Miss, look here, look at the girls in this Intoxication Pavilion. They are all pitiful souls—laughing in front of others, crying behind their backs; each with a tragic background. To survive, they mingle in the world of pleasures, often going hungry and wearing tattered clothes. It’s too tragic to describe. Even so, they are still girls. I ask you, which girl doesn’t love beauty? Which girl doesn’t love to look pretty? But here, their fates are already sealed. Their lives have been arranged by others, all for the sake of entertaining their patrons—never for themselves, not even for a moment. Ah…”

Liu Liwa sighed heavily, as if he truly felt their pain, as if he was more aggrieved than the Pleasure House girls. But his words did resonate with the girls, and they all looked downcast; one was silently weeping.

Third Miss Zhao’s expression remained unchanged. She was born with a silver spoon in her mouth—a lucky one who could never understand the feelings and misery of these girls. She only cared about Young Master Ye. Liu Liwa immediately said, “The pitiful have no heaven to protect them, but there are kind-hearted people who think of them. Young Master Ye—he is public-spirited and charitable, unable to bear seeing these girls so miserable. He wants them to be like ordinary girls, able to truly laugh happily and delight in their own beauty. So, Young Master Ye spared no expense and bought so many clothes, to bring joy and happiness to these girls he has never even met. Come, girls, let us express our gratitude to such a kind-hearted Young Master Ye!”

Liu Liwa subtly moved to the center of the hall, calling out loudly while hinting quietly, “Hurry and thank him! Each of you can have one piece of clothing here!”

Although the girls felt moved, they were also the type who wouldn’t act without benefit. Upon hearing Liu Liwa’s promise, they immediately perked up, wearing sincere expressions of gratitude. In unison, they curtsied and said together, “Thank you, young master, for your great kindness!”

There were more than twenty girls in the hall, all bowing and thanking him in unison—it was an impressive sight, almost like imperial concubines paying homage to the Emperor. Such treatment was not something ordinary people could enjoy, and Young Master Ye was naturally both flattered and surprised. The whole time, he felt dazed, as Liu Liwa’s flattery made him feel like he was ascending to sainthood. Most irritatingly, this guy brazenly waved his hand and said, “It’s nothing, it’s all what I should do!”

The girls had already ignored him, swarming around the boxes and rummaging for their favorite styles. Liu Liwa decided to play his role thoroughly. He took Young Master Ye’s hand and said, “Young Master Ye, thank you for your generosity and righteousness. In the hearts of these girls, you are a great hero who offers help in times of need!”

Liu Liwa emphasized the words “great hero” heavily, clearly noticing Third Miss Zhao tremble all over. The way she looked at Young Master Ye also changed. Young Master Ye naturally noticed it too, but on the surface, he remained calm and repeatedly humbled himself, saying, “You praise me too much, too much. What I did is nothing. The real heroes are the soldiers who bravely fight on the battlefield, defending our homeland and protecting our people.”

After saying that, he kept winking at Liu Liwa. Liu Liwa felt dizzy inside. Bro, you can’t treat boasting like a comedy duo performance! You said you’d back me up, but now… Liu Liwa snorted coldly. Forget waiting for you to repay me—I better collect some appearance fee first?

Liu Liwa immediately put on a full smile and said, “Young Master Ye, you are too modest. The soldiers who stain the battlefield with blood are indeed heroes, but their goal is simply to resist foreign invasion, protect our homeland, and ensure our elders are not bullied, living more joyfully and peacefully. And you, Young Master Ye, giving quietly and charitably, likewise help these pitiful people change their lives and find happiness. So I believe your actions are exactly the same as those brave soldiers fighting enemies. Oh, right, Young Master Ye, I remember you said you would also fund the repair of river embankments, dig canals, build porridge kitchens, and distribute rice in Linyu County—doing good for the people. I think you said you would contribute another thousand Silver Taels, right?”

Huh? Young Master Ye was stunned. Watching Liu Liwa’s gaze repeatedly flick toward Third Miss Zhao, Young Master Ye suddenly understood—this was about making him follow through with his good deeds. But a thousand Silver Taels was a bit too much, wasn’t it? After an internal struggle, Young Master Ye finally made a choice between the girl and his money. Trembling, he took out a thousand-tael Silver Note from his chest and handed it to Liu Liwa, wearing an expression of righteous integrity and compassion: “If a mere thousand Silver Taels can help so many people, why wouldn’t I be happy to do it? Use it to help those poor souls. If it’s not enough, come find me again!”

Damn, give you an inch and you take a mile. Liu Liwa thought to himself, but his hand was very quick to pocket the thousand Silver Taels. Then he turned and left—if he delayed any longer, that box of clothes would be completely gone.

Outside the door, Third Miss Zhao looked at Young Master Ye, who was still posing, and said with a smile, “I never expected it, Ye Zecong—you’re such a kind-hearted person. My elder sister is hosting a banquet tonight for the officials and wealthy gentry of Linyu County, but I don’t feel like dealing with it. How about you accompany me?”

Young Master Ye’s mouth fell open, somewhat incredulous. When he came to his senses, he shook his head, looking troubled, and politely declined, “I’m sorry, Third Young Miss. You heard earlier—there are many poor people in Linyu County who need help. Tonight, I must go outside the city to distribute rice and porridge, to give them some relief.”

Liu Liwa, not far away, nearly dove headfirst into a box upon hearing this. Bro, you’re overacting! Although Third Miss Zhao admired his “good deeds,” she didn’t expect her invitation to be rejected. She was clearly disappointed now. Seeing her expression, Young Master Ye was full of regret. Luckily, Liu Liwa appeared just in time: “Young Master Ye, trivial matters like distributing rice and porriage shouldn’t trouble someone of your stature. Besides, aren’t you the type to do good without seeking recognition?”

“Yes, yes! Not expecting repayment for kindness has always been my principle.” Young Master Ye immediately seized the opportunity to back down: “I have long admired the reputation of Miss Zhao. Today is a perfect chance to pay my respects. Of course, the main reason is to keep you company, my virtuous younger sister!”

Liu Liwa felt dizzy again—calling her “virtuous younger sister” already? Watching Young Master Ye about to leave with Third Miss Zhao, Liu Liwa quickly said, “Young Master Ye, you just said you were going to distribute rice and porridge…”

This didn’t mean Liu Liwa was insatiably greedy—it was Young Master Ye himself who had said the previous thousand Silver Taels were for charity, and now any additional funds would be special allocations. Young Master Ye shot him a sidelong glance, unwillingly took out another Silver Note—this time only one hundred Silver Taels. Liu Liwa curled his lip disdainfully. This fully showed that Young Master Ye was far from a top-tier second-generation heir—caring about money even while trying to impress a girl. It also showed that no matter the era, spending money is unavoidable when trying to woo girls!