Chapter 111: Shame on Me

The three women did not understand his shout, but they understood taking off clothes. So, with Qin Wan’er leading, they summoned their weapons at Liu Liwa. Qin Wan’er wielded a fur brush stained with ink, Miss Liuyun held a dust-covered rag, and Little Loli brandished a freshly folded meteor hammer. They charged at Liu Liwa with overwhelming force, as if capable of splitting heaven and earth.

Liu Liwa was caught off guard and was hit by everything. The brush poked his face, the rag landed on his head, and the meteor hammer struck his little JJ…

Liu Liwa wiped the ink off his face with the rag and sneered, “You only dare to throw small tantrums at me because I’m kind-hearted. But other men… Enough, stop standing there blankly. Change your clothes quickly. Some important guests have arrived outside. The Madam personally requested you to entertain them, and you’ll be staying overnight!”

After speaking harshly, Liu Liwa pushed past Little Loli, climbed onto the soft bed, crossed his legs comfortably, and said cheerfully, “Ah, after you all leave, this bed will finally belong to me alone!”

Hmph, they had grown too comfortable. They truly began treating this place like their own backyard, spending their days drawing, singing, and dancing. Meanwhile, I worked shamelessly and risked my life out front. Instead of receiving any gratitude or favors, this was the attitude I got. What was I even doing this for? Let’s be honest and ask ourselves—who’s really in charge here?

The three women were terrified. After a period of peaceful days, they had truly forgotten their identities as Pleasure House girls. They had grown accustomed to Liu Liwa’s protection, but in the end, they could not escape the constraints of fate. That day had finally arrived.

Seeing Liu Liwa’s indifferent attitude and his earlier fierce expression, the three women suddenly felt abandoned. This felt even crueler than being asked to entertain guests. Especially for Miss Liuyun, who had just begun to believe she had escaped the fiery pit and could live an ordinary life. The stark contrast made her involuntarily shed tears. Yet, Liu Liwa remained unmoved and said, “The Pleasure House doesn’t believe in tears!”

“Is what you said true? Did the Madam really ask us to entertain guests? Do I have to go too?” Qin Wan’er crouched by the bed, glaring at him, emphasizing the word “I.”

Liu Liwa naturally understood she was hinting that she was his woman. Could he bear to watch her entertain other men? Qin Wan’er was wearing a dress designed by Miss Zhao that broke from tradition—a V-neck. As she leaned over the bed, without any undergarments, two soft, pale peaks were clearly visible, forming a deep, seemingly bottomless crevice with endless allure, as if ready to draw Liu Liwa in.

Little Loli also came forward, holding a paper-folded figure. With her hands on her hips and a majestic air, she handed it to Liu Liwa. Blinking her pure, bright, watery eyes, she said, “Brother Liu, this is for you. I made this based on your image—a great hero who stands tall and firm.”

Wow… So in Little Loli’s eyes, I was a great hero and a champion!

Both women had expressed themselves in their own ways. Only Miss Liuyun had nothing to rely on and could only weep silently by herself. She was naturally elegant and stunningly beautiful. Now, with her sorrowful tears, she resembled rain-soaked pear blossoms or dew-kissed begonias, exuding a unique beauty. Liu Liwa had been captivated by Miss Liuyun from the first moment he saw her. She left him with an impression of being cool yet fragile, the kind that stirred a man’s protective instincts.

“Ah…” Liu Liwa sighed softly, appearing to soften a little. “We all live under the same roof, fellow travelers in this world. We’ve shared hardships and are closer than family. How could I bear to see you being mistreated by those lowly men? But the Madam specifically asked for you, and I’ve been busy all day. Right now, my back aches, my legs are sore, and my tongue feels numb. I can’t think of a way to delay this at the moment. How about you go and entertain them for now? Once I’ve recovered a bit, I’ll come to rescue you.”

Before he finished speaking, Qin Wan’er had already taken action. She flipped him over like a dead fish and began pressing on his waist with her soft hands. The pressure was just right, and her technique was skillful—a required skill for young ladies from official families, as they would need to serve their husbands after marriage.

After massaging his waist, she moved to his legs. But how could she treat his numb tongue? Qin Wan’er swallowed. Actually, that request was easy to fulfill. It was just that there were a few too many people around at the moment.

As Qin Wan’er sat on him giving the massage, Little Loli and Miss Liuyun watched silently. Qin Wan’er felt a bit embarrassed and changed the subject. “This afternoon, Yang Xiaosi brought two more pieces of meat. This time, it’s beef—fresh and tender. You’re not allowed to sneak any tonight!”

Damn, there’s still meat… Liu Liwa’s face flushed red upon hearing this. Thankfully, they didn’t know the truth, or he wouldn’t be able to live it down. Little Loli chimed in, “Brother Liu should cook tomorrow. Your cooking is really good. The mutton today was delicious. Only Sister Liuyun didn’t eat much; she left it all for us. Tomorrow, Sister Liuyun should eat more of the beef!”

Huh? Liuyun didn’t eat? She didn’t seem like a vegetarian. Liu Liwa glanced at her secretly and saw that Miss Liuyun was also sneaking glances at him. Her cheeks were flushed, and though her eyes still held tears, they were no longer sad but filled with shyness. She looked at Liu Liwa timidly, too embarrassed to meet his gaze directly.

That expression, that look, that shyness… Liu Liwa was horrified. He forced a dry laugh and said, “Actually, I wasn’t getting out of bed to sneak meat. It was just that the night was chilly, and I wanted to check if you were cold. Xiao Xinying tends to kick off the covers, and I was worried you might catch a chill, so I was just covering you up.”

“Hmph, that’s easy for you to say. Who knows if you were just trying to take advantage in the middle of the night?” Qin Wan’er retorted. “Even if you meant well, we’re all women, and you should know to keep your distance. Besides, you don’t need to worry about us. Sister Liuyun always sleeps on the outside. She’s a light sleeper and wakes at the slightest sound. If the covers are kicked off, she’s the one who covers us back up.”

Crack… Qin Wan’er’s words struck him like a lightning bolt, leaving him dizzy and disoriented. So, it was Miss Liuyun who had been sleeping on the outside with her leg exposed. It was now confirmed that it wasn’t her leg but two pieces of flat-skinned mutton. And in the dark, it was impossible to tell who was who. Liu Liwa had naturally relied on his first impressions and the voices at the time to identify them. But with three women crowded on one bed, it was hard to pinpoint where the voices came from. After waking up, they all sat wrapped in blankets, making it impossible to distinguish by body shape. Now he understood: it wasn’t Qin Wan’er but Miss Liuyun who slept on the outside. And she was a light sleeper, easily disturbed, almost neurotic. That meant she must have noticed him the moment he got out of bed, and then he was by the bed, huffing and puffing with two pieces of mutton…

I can’t go on living…