Chapter 53: A Heart in Suspense

Washing and dressing while it was still dark? This level of importance was no less than that of a bride’s wedding day makeup!

Qin Wan’er let out a cold laugh and slowly stood up. The earlier penetration had left her somewhat uncomfortable, and she walked with a slight stagger. When she passed by Liu Liwa, she said softly, “Starting from today, I might move to the third or Fourth Floor in the front building. If you miss me, you can come find me, but you’ll need to prepare your Silver Taels!”

After she finished speaking, Qin Wan’er left unsteadily. She pushed the door open and left, and the sound of her footsteps quickly faded, leaving Liu Liwa alone in a daze. He could clearly sense the pain in Qin Wan’er’s heart. At this turning point in her life, she had chosen Liu Liwa as her pivot. In truth, she didn’t have to go this far—that protective membrane couldn’t even resist a finger, let alone a Divine Weapon, but she still chose Liu Liwa.

Liu Liwa believed that Qin Wan’er had no intention of deliberately harming him or dragging him down. No woman would use her most precious possession as a wager. Qin Wan’er’s actions could only mean that she saw Liu Liwa as her reliance, her final lifesaver. She had confidence in him, which was why she staked everything, betting her most precious treasure on Liu Liwa, hoping he could save her from the fiery pit.

This was a gamble, and it was also trust. Could it also mean that the girl had some interest in him?

After feeling moved, Liu Liwa grew excited. Staring at the shocking crimson rose on the bedding, Qin Wan’er’s exquisite face, and her glistening tears, Liu Liwa couldn’t help but clench his fists. To hell with it—whether you’re a wicked Madam, a corrupt official, or a bully, if you dare try to take my woman, I won’t let you succeed, and I’ll make sure you suffer!

Yes, my woman!

Liu Liwa waved his fist fiercely. Damn, life was truly unpredictable. In my past life, I tried every trick to act as a pimp just to push Furong and Yufeng into men’s arms. But in this life, I’ve become a legitimate Brothel Steward, yet now I’m trying to snatch a girl away from them. Life was so damn bizarre!

Though he was burning with passion, Liu Liwa wasn’t stupid. Going out now and challenging others directly would surely end worse than Gaddafi’s fate. Therefore, this matter couldn’t be tackled by force; he had to use his wits. The urgent task was to ensure Qin Wan’er didn’t have any real contact with the so-called big shot. But goals were always easy to set—putting them into practice was another matter entirely!

“Mmm…” The Little Loli on the bed comfortably turned over, her little feet kicking off the covers. Liu Liwa envied her; even in the lion’s den, she still kept that innocence.

What lay before him now wasn’t just the Little Loli’s fair, tender feet, but also harsh, cruel reality. If the big shot and the Madam discovered that Qin Wan’er had lost her protective membrane, he, as the one involved, would be done for. But if the big shot gave Qin Wan’er a ‘check-up,’ leaving Liu Liwa wearing the green hat on his head, it would be a fate worse than death. But what could he do?

Liu Liwa grew as frantic as a wolf in heat, pacing around the room in circles. In his anxiety, he kept scraping off bits of the wall—creak, creak—joining with the Little Loli’s teeth-grinding sounds to form a beautiful and melodious “Little Black Room Concerto”!

He didn’t know how much time had passed like this. Outside, it gradually brightened; the rooster’s crow grew clearer, and the horizon revealed the light of dawn. Another day was about to begin, but Liu Liwa’s mood grew heavier.

Just as Liu Liwa was overwhelmed with anxiety, there came from outside the door Yang Xiaosi’s strident cry, like a rooster whose tail had been stepped on or a hen struggling to lay an egg: “Wake up, wake up, all of you, wake up! Stop dreaming about being young masters and misses—we have an important task to assign today!”

Following that was the sound of forceful door-kicking. It was clear that Yang Xiaosi was in a worse mood than yesterday. Soon, the courtyard filled with noise as Yang Xiaosi, like a death-hastening judge, urged everyone to get up.

Then, Liu Liwa’s door was knocked on. When he opened it, it was Yang Xiaosi, forcing a smile. Today, Yang Xiaosi was completely unlike his spirited self from yesterday—his hair was messy like a brooding hen’s, his eyes were sunken into dark circles, and his clothes were thin, his outer gown missing. Liu Liwa was startled and quickly asked, “Brother Four, what happened to you?”

“Ah, don’t even mention it. Last night was spooky—it came up big thirty times in a row, and it cost me…” Yang Xiaosi looked as if he wanted to cry but had no tears. He grabbed Liu Liwa’s hand and said, “I’m sorry, brother. The Silver Taels you entrusted to me, I… Don’t worry, I promise I’ll pay you back someday.”

Damn, just looking at him made it obvious he’d lost it all. Liu Liwa gave a bitter smile and quickly said, “It’s just a small sum, Brother Four. Please don’t worry about it.”

Yang Xiaosi was deeply moved. “Brother, you truly are my lucky star. Oh, right—these are the things you asked me to get, but I’m a bit tight on cash, so I could only manage this.”

As he spoke, Yang Xiaosi pulled out a bag from behind. Inside was a dry, comfortable cotton mattress and quilt—exactly what Liu Liwa needed most, as the weather was about to turn cold and survival was key. He had also asked Yang Xiaosi to get some tasty food for a treat, but Yang Xiaosi only brought him a basket of meat buns and two pounds of soybeans. He gave an embarrassed laugh and said, “Sorry, brother, this is all I could get. The meat buns are fresh out of the oven—eat them while they’re hot. As for the soybeans, you can use them to add a little something to your meals.”

Who the hell uses soybeans as a side dish? Liu Liwa was speechless. In this life, drinking and fooling around might be fine, but never get involved with gambling or drugs!

These were critical times, and having more friends meant more options. If Qin Wan’er’s matter came to light, having Yang Xiaosi—who was a local of Linyu County, worked as a foreman in the Pleasure House, and had connections at different levels to some extent—might just help him at a crucial moment.

“Brother Four, you’ve put in a lot of effort,” Liu Liwa said cheerfully, not bringing up the Silver Taels again.

Faced with such an understanding Liu Liwa, Yang Xiaosi felt even more embarrassed and decided in his heart to build a good relationship with him from now on. Besides, Liu Liwa’s rise was obvious—even Shen Zuijin was going out of her way to make things difficult for him, which said a lot.

Yang Xiaosi handed the items to Liu Liwa and suddenly remembered something. He hurriedly said, “Oh, right, brother. Hurry up and get ready—today might be very busy.”

Huh? Liu Liwa was taken aback. Was Yang Xiaosi implying this had to do with receiving the big shot? Liu Liwa asked casually, without showing any emotion, “It’s still dark—what’s so busy at the Pleasure House? Have they introduced special time-slot services now?”

Yang Xiaosi glanced around and lowered his voice. “Today is the busiest day of the month at Intoxication Pavilion. Everyone has to be on their toes because we’re receiving a big shot today.”

“What big shot?” Liu Liwa pretended to be curious.

Yang Xiaosi didn’t hide it from him but instead warned, “Xiaoqi, I know you have skills and are eager to buy your freedom, but you’ve just arrived at Intoxication Pavilion, and there’s a lot you don’t understand yet. Don’t overstep. Take this big shot coming today, for example—if you rashly try to curry favor or suck up to him, you could easily end up in mortal danger!”