Chapter 99: The Same Treatment

This lady had clearly copied Liu Liwa’s idea and just added a banquet, yet she dared to speak righteously and claim it as her own exclusive idea. Liu Liwa was utterly speechless. He really didn’t want to stoop to arguing with her.

Furthermore, she was indeed the young miss of a super-wealthy family. Even for a small business venture, she kept throwing banquets. She was the typical wealthy heiress—not particularly capable herself but excelling at the luxury and partying culture inherited from the previous generation.

Actually, last night at Intoxication Pavilion, Lord Zeng and Brother Chun had already brought in lots of friends. That’s why they had that amazing scene with people scrambling for the “fairies.” That whole setup was just another sales tactic. Tomorrow, those guests, after trying something new and maybe even getting tired of the girls, would naturally come here to buy clothes. They’d take the clothes back for their wives or concubines to wear, bringing a fresh feeling all over again. Unknowingly, this would also bring income for An Luwei!

But now, this lady who knew nothing but organizing banquets and seemed to have endless silver taels actually wanted to dock Liu Liwa’s share of the profits! He immediately expressed his dissatisfaction and protested against this exploitation. “Miss Zhao, your family has vast riches; you can throw banquets every day and play the bride every night without worry. But I’m just a lowly servant. I’m counting on this silver to buy a padded coat for winter. Could you possibly give me my forty percent share first? That way, I won’t disturb your business or your banquet atmosphere.”

“Don’t be shy. You did help me a little, after all.” Miss Zhao gave him an appreciative glance. “Stay for a meal later. Help me plan the opening matters. Do well, and you’ll still get your forty percent share.”

Hmph… only ‘a little help’? She dared to say that! Except for that expensive banquet, every idea was his. And she’d never paid him once. Could he trust her? Dealing with a wealthy young lady who didn’t value money was just like dealing with a huge corporation or a state-owned enterprise – getting paid was always the hardest part. It wasn’t that they lacked money; they just didn’t care about his little sum, or were probably waiting for kickbacks!

Seeing Liu Liwa’s nose, eyebrows, eyes, and mouth all scrunched up in pure disdain, Miss Zhao said, “Huh? That look tells me you don’t trust me, do you?”

“Of course not!” Liu Liwa replied quickly. “The Zhao family is vast and wealthy. How could I possibly distrust you? It’s just… winter is rushing in, and I… I don’t even have a single winter coat…” He doubled down on playing poor.

“Alright, alright! It’s just a coat! Hey, Zhao Zhong! Zhao Cheng!” Miss Zhao called casually to the two large men. “Fetch one of your spare coats for this gentleman.”

As the two big men turned to fetch the coats, Liu Liwa quickly sized up the difference in their builds. “Thank you for your gracious offer, Miss! But if I tried wearing one of their coats, I could just use it directly as a quilt!”

Zhao Jiabi burst out laughing. Her laughter was like spring flowers blooming – fresh and charming. Liu Liwa was momentarily stunned watching her. Seeing his dazed look, Miss Zhao couldn’t help but recall her own bold actions yesterday. Unconsciously, a blush crept up her cheeks. She cleared her throat twice. “Zhao Zhong! Zhao Cheng! Go prepare firecrackers and red silk ribbons immediately. We’re holding a grand opening ceremony!”

The two giant men looked practically exhausted, yet they offered no complaint. Just hearing their names, you knew they were loyal servants of the Zhao Family.

“Oh! Idea!” Miss Zhao suddenly exclaimed. “What if, after we set off the firecrackers, we have the girls wear our clothes and walk out one by one again, like we did last night? Just like fairies descending? How much better would the effect be?”

Liu Liwa was speechless again. It was clear now; aside from copying and stealing ideas, this big sister had no other moves. He replied listlessly, “Sure, whatever you reckon.”

“You don’t seem too enthusiastic. Remember, you stand to get forty percent! If you don’t trust me,” Miss Zhao offered, suddenly inspired, “I could give you something as collateral for now.”

Collateral? Liu Liwa’s interest was instantly piqued. Even if not cash, something valuable from this rich heiress would be great. Such pampered young ladies never skimped. His eyes widened as he watched Zhao Jiabi pull a shining, glittering gold token from her waist sash. The front was carved with a five-clawed golden dragon, and the back had two characters: ‘Imperial Palace’.

Luckily, Liu Liwa was a visitor from the 21st century, steeped in countless period dramas. If this were someone else traveling through time, they might have actually taken it.

This thing screamed “Imperial Palace,” royal regalia for sure! Who held it determined its power. An imperial envoy? This was a royal token, like the Sword of Imperial Authority. A decorated courtier? It could be a token to avoid execution. A commoner? Especially someone like him holding it? That made him a vile thief stealing national treasures!

Liu Liwa looked from the gold token to Miss Zhao’s smiling, flower-like face, radiating absolute sincerity. He spun on his heel. “Miss Zhao! May you keep safe and sound! Though mountains rise unchanged, rivers flow on, someday we may meet again by rivers and lakes to share wine and tales! Farewell!”

His words were tragically grand, pouring out like a hero destined for certain doom, leaving Zhao Jiabi utterly bewildered. Only as he reached the doorway did she snap back to reality. She chased after him, pulling him to a quieter spot in the alley outside. Staring into his now somewhat vacant eyes, she asked, “What’s this? You’re dead set on leaving? Won’t help me anymore?”

The lady had finally spoken her true feelings. The truth was, she had no ideas herself. Yesterday’s huge success was fueled entirely by Liu Liwa’s plan. She wanted his help again today but couldn’t bear to lower herself to beg.

But this woman carried a royal token! Liu Liwa dared not cross that line. Better to vanish quickly. “Miss,” he pleaded, his voice low and utterly defeated, “I’m just common folk. No, even lower than common folk… just a Pleasure House servant. Illiterate. Worthless, truly. I can’t help you in any way. Please have mercy, Miss. Keep the forty percent. Just let me leave peacefully, without fuss.”

Zhao Jiabi’s sharp phoenix eyes drilled into him, yet despite her scrutiny, his words rang completely true. Finally, she smiled faintly. “I see. You were willing to help yesterday, but today you’d rather die than assist. Because the biggest difference between yesterday and today… is that I didn’t tear my skirt today, right?”

Liu Liwa froze, opening his mouth to speak. But then—RIIIP—a sharp tearing sound cut through the air. A fine silk skirt, of the finest quality Zhao Jiabi’s status demanded, was suddenly split from the hem up to the waist. A long, deep gash revealed a glimpse of a shockingly pale thigh. Miss Zhao stood radiantly triumphant, swelling with pride at her own brilliant decision and her spirit of great sacrifice for the grand cause.

Liu Liwa stared, his face falling. “…Miss Zhao,” he said weakly. “This skirt… its basic cost price wasn’t cheap, was it?”

“Of course not!” Zhao Jiabi declared proudly. “Everything I wear is the finest silk. With yesterday’s ruined one? That’s one hundred fifty silver taels in total material cost.”

Liu Liwei blinked. His eyes rapidly calculated, shifting from despair to… a glimmer of frantic hope? Then, tears began welling up. Genuine tears. They streamed down his face. “…Just give me that one hundred fifty silver taels! I’ll do whatever you want!”