Chapter 52: Worth a Thousand Gold

The night was deep and all was silent, except for the little loli Meng Xinying on the bed occasionally mumbling in her dreams. The two were extremely careful; although they were very nervous, they didn’t make much noise. Of course, this method was not advisable—suppressed sexual life could cause mental tension and failed to provide enough satisfaction.

Despite that, both felt some fulfillment. Qin Wan’er had successfully passed a turning point in her life, and Liu Liwa’s life had begun a new chapter. It was just too sudden. Now that they had calmed down, it even felt a bit strange.

However, Liu Liwa didn’t speak. As a man, raising questions at this moment might seem like taking advantage and acting innocent. But he knew something big must be happening with Qin Wan’er.

After resting for a while, Qin Wan’er silently put on her clothes neatly, after all, Meng Xinying was still in the room. Even girls from the pleasure house didn’t want to engage in activities while being watched. Liu Liwa also wrapped himself in his gown. Qin Wan’er didn’t move, still wrapped in the quilt. Liu Liwa was squeezed out and sat by the table, gazing at the dark night sky outside, his mind full of thoughts. How nice it would be to have a cigarette right now!

The two remained silent in the dark room. Before long, Qin Wan’er broke the silence with tears and sobs. And these were not tears of happiness, nor were they from overwhelming joy. With Liu Liwa’s current prowess, he wasn’t capable of making a woman cry from excitement.

“Alright, Wan’er, you can tell me what’s going on now,” Liu Liwa said softly, leaning close to her ear. Although he didn’t speak in classical prose, he could still cozy up to her.

Qin Wan’er gave him an annoyed look through tear-filled eyes and sniffled, “The madam said I am a virgin. If I accompany a guest, I could be worth a thousand gold. Now I’ve given myself to you. Since we are somewhat acquainted, you can pay half—five hundred gold will do!”

Huh? Liu Liwa was stunned. Why was she charging money? Wasn’t it from the heart, when emotions grew thick, things happened naturally, and she surrendered to his unparalleled charm, offering herself voluntarily?

Seeing Liu Liwa dumbfounded, Qin Wan’er felt a bit better. It was true that seeing others suffer was the best way to find happiness. Just then, the distant sound of a rooster crowing signaled that dawn was near and a new day was about to begin. Thinking about the drastic changes her life was about to undergo, Qin Wan’er’s expression dimmed again. But for now, she was still herself, and speaking her mind could lighten her mood.

She sat up, looked out the window, and murmured, “Daylight is coming. Tomorrow, I will be arranged to accompany guests.”

Huh? This time Liu Liwa was truly shocked. A young maiden who had just been intimate with him was going to ‘accompany guests’ the next day—any man would be stunned by that.

Qin Wan’er ignored him and continued, “This is my fate, an unchangeable fate. But I won’t comply. I will never lose my purity in this filthy, dirty place…”

Liu Liwa was shocked. Qin Wan’er was using a one-night stand to express her firm resolve not to yield to fate. Liu Liwa never expected that this seemingly sly, thick-skinned, opportunistic young lady could be so strong-willed. It made him feel a sense of respect, but more than that, he felt helpless. She had successfully become a woman, but the path ahead would be even harder.

Liu Liwa felt he should say something, but he struggled for a long time, not knowing what to say. Finally, he managed, “You’ve only trained for a few days and you’re already on duty. Are you familiar with the job yet?”

Although Qin Wan’er hadn’t heard terms like ‘on duty’ or ‘training,’ she understood what he meant. She glared at him fiercely and retorted, “Sir, how did you feel about it just now?”

Liu Liwa blurted out, “Not worth a thousand gold!”

“Don’t you act innocent after taking advantage!” Qin Wan’er said, her face red, gritting her teeth.

Liu Liwa ultimately couldn’t escape the fate of ‘acting innocent.’ In this helpless moment, there was no topic that could lift their spirits. Liu Liwa sighed and said, “Why so sudden? Why are you being sent to accompany guests so quickly?”

Qin Wan’er shook her head. “I don’t know, but the madam personally instructed it. From her tone, it seems like a very important person, and she’s taking it very seriously. And it seems like this important person prefers virgin maidens!”

“Hmph, as if he doesn’t like them?” Liu Liwa grunted with annoyance, then suddenly realized the key point. “Wait a moment, sis. What you’re saying is that the madam wants you to entertain a very important person who prefers virgins, and it’s someone the madam highly values?”

Qin Wan’er nodded, her eyes bright like stars in the night, finally showing a hint of a smile. Liu Liwa also understood—there’s no such thing as a free lunch, no such thing as a girl slept with for free. This wasn’t just a one-night stand; it was mutual destruction!

The Intoxication Pavilion was large, with high consumption levels and strict registration rules for guests. Even the wealthiest individuals could only linger on the first and second floors, belonging to the middle or lower classes. To reach the third floor, one needed at least deputy bureau to full department level status. The fourth floor was even more exclusive, starting at ministry level or higher, or being the offspring of cabinet officials. And tomorrow, for Qin Wan’er, such a top-tier companion to be arranged by the madam herself—what level would that important person be?

Never mind what level he was; just the fact that he preferred virgins was critical. Now Qin Wan’er had bid farewell to her past, transformed, and been reborn. If inspected tomorrow… before the important person even said anything, the madam would be the first to jump out. Just this morning, Qin Wan’er was still untouched—how could she have lost her protective layer in half a night? In such cases, people usually wouldn’t blame the girl; the most hated would naturally be the one who broke that protective layer!

Liu Liwa suddenly felt a chill all over, sweating profusely. He felt that he had fallen into a trap—not only had he expended physical and mental effort, but possibly his life as well.

In the great Celestial Empire, spanning five thousand years, human life was the cheapest, especially the lives of commoners. A human life was so insignificant it wasn’t even worth a gaming card. And in this feudal era, the lives of those registered with lowly status were even more trivial.

Who knew how the so-called important person would react upon learning that Liu Liwa had breached the protective layer he was meant to overcome? Fury was certain, and the consequences…

Just as Liu Liwa was panicking, a woman’s voice came from outside the door, calling softly by their window, “Miss Qin, are you rested? The madam sent me to fetch you for grooming and preparation for later!”