Chapter 140: Employment Agreement

Miss Zhao sat back down across the table from Liu Liwa, adopting a posture for serious negotiations. However, her presence seemed somewhat diminished; her usual overbearing attitude had softened, and a blow to her confidence was evident—at the very least, she no longer felt superior in matters of beauty.

“So, Miss Zhao, what do you think of the quality of our girls at Intoxication Pavilion?” Liu Liwa asked with a smile, sipping his tea. “Though these three are somewhat unique, other girls at our pavilion are also charming both inside and out, each with their own strengths. No other pleasure houses could compete. Since you’ll be spending silver taels to rent girls anyway, why not get higher quality?”

Calmly seated, Miss Zhao avoided the topic of beauty altogether. “I’m selling clothes, not judging a beauty contest. What strikes me as unique is that special walk they performed—it truly highlighted a woman’s graceful figure and showcased the dresses’ beauty. Combined with the music and rhythm, it felt very fresh. All your planning, I assume?”

“Oh, that’s just part of the job,” Liu Liwa replied modestly, scratching his head. As a manager, he oversaw every aspect of the performers’ presentation. His initial dream when entering this line of work was to manage fresh young models—alas, fate hadn’t gone his way. Furong was fresh enough, and Yufeng was wild enough!

Pushing those thoughts aside, he got down to business. “Miss Zhao, as you’ve seen, the girls at Intoxication Pavilion are both skilled and beautiful, ideal business partners. If you’re interested, let’s discuss the cost and terms for renting them.”

Miss Zhao pondered for a moment. She knew Liu Liwa was different; his creative spark was evident from the performance. No other establishment could offer girls he’d trained. Now was the time to negotiate prices on the spot. She cut straight to the point. “I’d like to borrow seven girls. Soon, I’ll have them help with promotion… at the city gate.”

“The city gate?” Liu Liwa exclaimed in surprise. “Not as laborers, I hope?”

Miss Zhao rolled her eyes. “The new emperor has ascended the throne. To celebrate, he’s announced a Grace Examination to recruit scholars. In two days, a large group of scholar candidates will pass through Linyu County on their way to the capital. It’ll be incredibly busy. Plus, many unmarried young ladies from noble and common families alike will come out to greet them, hoping to find a good match. So… I’ll bring seven girls, dressed in An Luwei’s finest gowns, and form a ‘welcome group.’ Ostensibly, we’re welcoming the scholars—but really, it’s all about showing off our clothes to those potential brides!”

Ah! Liu Liwa understood immediately. He looked at Miss Zhao with renewed respect. She really had a knack for business—spotting market trends and seizing opportunities. These traveling scholars were prime candidates; any one might Top the Imperial Exam and achieve fame. That very potential would motivate timid young ladies from secluded inner chambers to abandon restraint, step outside… and actively hunt for lifelong happiness.

His eyes sparked with an idea. He immediately threw out a plan to enhance hers. “And then—while those ladies are watching—we’ll arrange seven handsome young men to pose as scholar candidates! The second they enter the city gate, they’ll be instantly ‘smitten’ by these seven girls. We’ll stage a grand play: love at first sight, mutual affection, secret yearning… flying side-by-side! Show those match-seeking ladies: it’s not about their looks! It’s about whether they wear An Luwei’s latest fashion!”

Miss Zhao’s eyes lit up. She’d been pondering a flaw in her own idea: even with pretty girls present, the young ladies would be too busy eyeing the scholars to notice rivals’ dresses! They’d likely feel threatened and resent them instead. But now… if those “scholars” immediately fell for Liu Liwa’s girls? The others would wonder, “Why pick them, not us?”

Miss Zhao slammed the table. “Those seven girls cannot be goddesses! Pick average-looking ones!”

Liu Liwa jumped in. “Yes! That’ll force attention. ‘I look prettier—why didn’t the scholar pick me?’ Then they’ll see: ‘Ah! It’s that dress!’”

“Exactly!” Miss Zhao was elated. Finally, her promotion plan was perfected. Higher chance of success now! So thrilled, they’d somehow leaned in close—gripping each other’s hands tightly. Comrades-in-arms on the same mission! Partners forging their futures! Full of passion… until Miss Zhao remembered his contagious “illness.” She shoved him away instantly. “Get away from me!”

Liu Liwa scrambled back too, terrified she’d notice his “illness” was actually a brooch-prick wound. An awkward silence hung. But Miss Zhao, being a well-bred lady, recovered her poise first. “My plan is set. Name your price. Seven girls and seven men. How many silver taels?”

My plan? Forget all I just spit out?! This girl was good. Master-level copying and stealing others’ ideas already! Born later, she’d start an “Arctic Bear Company” and crush that “Penguin” easily!

Regardless, he had to claw back something—patent fee? Copyright compensation? Liu Liwa snorted. “Seven men: ten silver taels each. Final offer.”

“Seventy silver taels?!” she exploded. “That’s robbery! How much profit do I make per dress?!”

Unfazed, Liu Liwa smoothly spun his pitch. “Miss Zhao! To sell, first study the buyer’s mind! If one dress could land her a perfect husband—maybe even a Top Scholar? Who’d haggle over silver? But—the key to our plan? Those seven men! Perfectly acting out ‘love at first sight’? Making it look real? Great acting matters! And that’s hard to find! Ten taels each? That’s practically friends-and-family discount!”

Miss Zhao considered it. It made sense. Besides, business wasn’t once-off; she might need him again. Still cautious, she said, “Ten each… fine. But lower the price for the girls? I can pay part in gowns, as their reward.”

Pfft! Gowns… stock from her own shop? Overstock collecting dust? Paying with stagnant goods? Her thinking was kind of progressive.

Liu Liwa waved a dismissive, smiling hand. “No need for you to worry about that, Miss Zhao. I only named a price for the seven men! Didn’t mention silver for anyone else!”

“Then what do you want?” she snapped, suddenly tense. Her collar tightened noticeably—the nighttime ambush had left her jumpy.

Liu Liwa broke into a nervous sweat. As if I’d demand… payment in person?! Since Wu Liniang gave him full authority over Intoxication Pavilion’s external affairs, he had to leverage its resources for the pavilion—actually helping the girls. His priority wasn’t the madam’s profits. It was the girls’ well-being. They’d crossed paths in this life. He couldn’t rewrite each one’s fate… but he’d try his best. He spoke firmly. “Miss Zhao, first hear me on who these seven girls should be. They can’t be too young. If they’re the same age as those match-seekers, how can your dresses prove their magic? We need older girls. Seeming instantly younger and prettier in those gowns? That’ll be credit to the clothes! Secondly… while the girls help you—even with my approval—Madam won’t be thrilled. She can’t touch you… but she might make life miserable for the girls. Drive away their business? No silver? Then… kicked out like Miss Xiuzhu? Starving on the streets? So… a favor to ask.”

“What. Do. You. Want?” she demanded, clutching her collar again. Liu Liwa wondered what material her dress used. Those “great peaks” earlier… looked flat as runways now?

“What I mean is, Miss Zhao—since you want to rent them… two days isn’t enough. Make it three years!” Liu Liwa laid out his demand, adapting from modern labor law—three-year contracts meant employers had to provide benefits. He was fighting for the girls’ coverage.

His suggestion was baffling. Miss Zhao looked stunned. But she was smart. She didn’t pretend expertise on unfamiliar things. She signaled him to continue. “Miss Zhao, your An Luwei Clothing Boutique just started. But… with the Zhao Family’s reputation, position, wealth… and your sharp business mind? An Luwei will grow big! And during that growth, you’ll need the girls’ help. Last time proved—live models work. So… shouldn’t keep borrowing from a pleasure house! You need your own team! Snatching these girls cheap, locking them in now? Gives you permanent promotion assets! But most importantly? It offers these poor girls a future. Warm meals. A place to belong.”

Passionate. Appealing to both softness and logic. Miss Zhao felt radiant listening—like her very soul glowed noble! She nodded almost unconsciously.

Liu Liwa instantly pulled paper and ink from his sleeves. “Miss Zhao, your heart is kind as Bodhisattva’s. May a good person thrive! But… let’s get it down in ink. Clear and solid.”

Honestly, Liu Liwa’s demand—difficult to others—was win-win for Miss Zhao. Seven older pleasure house girls: bold, daring, fearless models? Huge boost for her boutique. The one obstacle: their origin. Their Lowly Status Register. Common shops wouldn’t risk hiring them… fearing society’s scorn. Not Miss Zhao. The Zhao Family had wealth, power, influence. Taking them in? Few would dare criticize. Most would praise her compassionate heart for sheltering the vulnerable.