Chapter 39: Comprehensive Development

Liu Liwa carried the clothes to the front. As soon as he entered, he saw Wang Meng, the security manager who stood like a black iron tower. Wang Meng glared fiercely at Liu Liwa without saying a word, as if trying to kill him with his eyes.

Liu Liwa felt extremely disdainful. These ancient people all had issues—they loved staring contests. Earlier, Wu Liniang played the staring game with him, and now Wang Meng was doing the same. What, were they trying to show off that they used eye drops or something?

Liu Liwa ignored him. Although he couldn’t get too cozy with the girls in the Pleasure House, he wasn’t interested in the men there either.

Wang Meng didn’t stop him, but his murderous gaze still fixed fiercely on him—no, not on him, but on the clothes in his hands. Even though Liu Liwa had intentionally tucked the underwear and underskirt in the middle, a pure white pant leg was still visibly sticking out.

Liu Liwa had long noticed that this “black-and-white pair” had secrets, so Wang Meng’s reaction was expected. Shen Zuijin stood not far away, seemingly indifferent, but her eyes kept darting over. She had hastily thrown her clothes at him earlier just to find an excuse to trouble him, never expecting her underclothes were among them. Now, thinking about it made her blush.

Liu Liwa saw through their thoughts and purposefully raised his voice, shouting, “Miss Shen, I’ve washed all your clothes for you and sprinkled them with scented powder. I guarantee you’ll look graceful and smell wonderful when you wear them!”

Liu Liwa spoke without restraint. Though business hadn’t started yet, many girls were already waiting in the hall, with servants moving among them. Hearing this, everyone stopped and looked at Shen Zuijin, curious to see how graceful and fragrant she would be.

Even though Shen Zuijin worked in a Pleasure House, she was part of the management. Around twenty years old and still a maiden, Liu Liwa’s straightforward words, though meant as praise, sounded more like harassment to her.

Liu Liwa could clearly feel the heat on Shen Zuijin’s face, as if it were on fire, while also sensing the cold, murderous intent from Wang Meng behind him. He smiled faintly, shoved the clothes into Shen Zuijin’s hands, and deliberately tugged lightly, causing the sleepwear to fall out. The onlookers grew even more excited. In this era, holding hands between a man and a woman meant a secret engagement. In a Pleasure House, the rules were a bit looser—paying redemption silver counted as a secret engagement, but having a man wash your underwear? Even if it wasn’t a secret engagement, it was definitely seen as flirting!

Amid the varied looks from everyone, Shen Zuijin fled in embarrassment for the first time. The servants and girls present felt a sense of vindication. Only Wang Meng continued to glare fiercely at Liu Liwa. After Yang Xiaosi announced, “Intoxication Pavilion is open for business!”, Wang Meng had no choice but to stand aside obediently.

A new day of work began. Liu Liwa finally had a goal—to buy his freedom. So he worked with full energy, striving hard for his liberty.

The two girls assigned to greet guests that day stepped forward first. Each girl only got one chance a month to greet guests. Being the first to face customers and able to meet every guest was as valuable as a prime-time ad spot on CCTV or a featured promotion for a novel. Thus, they treasured the opportunity, dressed themselves up meticulously in their prettiest clothes that highlighted their best features, and drank two bowls of sugary water in advance to make their voices sweeter.

Yang Xiaosi was also full of vigor. Working in a Pleasure House brought surprises every day. If you served the guests well, the tips were generous.

Liu Liwa followed behind Yang Xiaosi, continuing his apprenticeship. Though he wanted to earn money quickly to buy his freedom, he couldn’t show it too obviously or steal Yang Xiaosi’s business. So he wouldn’t rush to cozy up to figures like Brother Chun or Lord Zeng for tips anymore. But if you’re too outstanding, it’s hard to stay low-key.

Intoxication Pavilion opened at the same time every day. Regular customers arrived punctually—wealthy men, officials’ sons, and idle rich youths whose daily routine was eating, drinking, and having fun. They eagerly awaited the Pleasure House’s opening, having dinner and staying overnight there. It was like their second home.

As soon as these regulars entered, they ignored the brightly dressed greeting girls and the bowing Yang Xiaosi, heading straight for Liu Liwa. They asked cheerfully, “Are you telling stories today? We came just for you!”

Liu Liwa broke into a sweat. This was a Pleasure House—grown men coming for a young guy? Their thinking was too modern! Liu Liwa replied directly, “Gentlemen, please come inside first and find a girl to chat with. As for storytelling, that’s up to the manager’s arrangements.”

Liu Liwa wouldn’t overstep his authority and attract jealousy again. Shen Zuijin was already about to explode. But no matter how high-ranking the boss, they can’t beat the customers. The clients’ needs are our work goals.

The first wave of regulars who treated the Pleasure House as home had mostly arrived. The rest were occasional visitors. Sometimes important figures would come, but not often. Even when they did, they went straight to the third or Fourth Floor. These big shots were high officials and nobles—busy with state affairs by day, and with other affairs by night!

The girls in the Pleasure House were ranked by status, and so were the customers. Those who could go to the third floor were major figures who provided protective influence for the Pleasure House. The VIPs on the second floor were the money gods of the establishment. The casual customers on the first floor were the foundation that maintained daily operations and supported the girls.

Once the regulars were seated, Intoxication Pavilion became busy. Guests who had favorite girls would call them over to keep them company. The other girls were assigned by Yang Xiaosi. The kitchen was ready and began serving dishes. If guests had no special requests, food was usually served in a fixed set menu—mainly cold dishes and cooked meats as appetizers, along with some dried and fresh fruits. Four cold dishes, four fresh items, a pot of fine wine, and a pretty, conversational girl—life couldn’t be more pleasant!

After years of operation, Intoxication Pavilion had developed a set business model. When guests arrived, they got food, wine, and girls. The musical girls responsible for playing instruments took their positions, performing either sorrowful ballads or bold, suggestive tunes. Some regulars could sing better than them. Then there were the seductive dances at midnight—the dancing was average, but the costumes were enticing. Extremely translucent gauze and alluring moves stirred the guests’ desires, making them willing to spend silver taels.

However, using the same routine every day would make anyone bored and annoyed. Like today, everyone started to disdain Intoxication Pavilion’s set menu and even showed little interest in the girls beside them. Instead, they collectively focused on Liu Liwa, with someone even shouting, “Hey, it’s time for storytelling!”

Hehe, Liu Liwa smiled. This was the so-called overnight fame—and without any underhanded deals. Seeing the girls looking gloomy, Liu Liwa sighed. This was the difference between selling your body and selling your talent. Of course, the best was to develop both—selling both body and talent, like some female stars in later times who rose through underhanded means to sell their talent, while others became famous through their talent and then sold their bodies for money. In short, it was all about working hard to get rich!