Chapter 24: Lured into the Brothel

Chapter 24: Lured into the Brothel

Li Zhiming had no idea what was going on.

"I still don't know which family you're from, young master. Aren't you going to tell me your name?"

At this, Cui Liuer tilted her head to look at him, flicking at her silk robes, with hidden emotions swirling in her eyes, tinged with a hint of shallow sorrow.

As if scolding him for not making the first move.

The moment she looked at him, Li Zhiming blushed instantly, his charming eyes curving into a handsome smile.

"My apologies, that was careless of me. I—I'm the eldest son of the Prime Minister's household. And who might you be, miss?"

"The Prime Minister's household?" Cui Liuer seemed startled. She looked at Li Zhiming with surprise, murmuring softly, "Rumor has it the Prime Minister's eldest son is a wild and reckless sort. But the young master I see before me..."

He cleared his throat.

Li Zhiming explained awkwardly: "I was young and reckless—maybe the rumors were a bit blown out of proportion. Please don't hold my checkered past against me, miss."

"Ah, I see."

"Mm, and what about you, miss?" he asked, a hint of hope in his voice.

The person hiding in the shadows was stunned by what he saw, knuckles cracking as his fists clenched tight.

No wonder he'd disappeared the moment they stepped out—gone for ages without coming back. He'd thought something bad had happened to him, but it turned out he was sneaking off to meet some pretty girl.

Was he holding him back?

Sang Yu narrowed his eyes, his dark gaze burning with possessiveness and displeasure.

But Li Zhiming, oblivious to the hidden watcher, gazed at Cui Liuer with gentle eyes, waiting for her reply.

The instant she met his gaze, Cui Liuer's face flushed red. She averted her eyes, playfully curling her finger at him, and laughed: "Me? I'm from a humble family—nowhere near the Prime Minister's son's league."

"You're too kind, miss."

"Are you betrothed, young master?" She suddenly changed tack. Even though she was still blushing, her bold directness caught Li Zhiming off guard.

Are the girls around here always this forward?

They'd only just met twice.

He shook his head, being honest: "No, I don't."

"So, what do you think of me, young master?"

"?!?"

"Pfft, I'm just teasing. I'm sure Young Master Li wouldn't look twice at someone from a family like mine." She hiked up her skirt and climbed the steps at the end of the bridge, then turned back to flash him a smile. "Meeting you today has made my day. Could you spare that jade pendant in your hand for me?"

"Ah, this?"

Li Zhiming, in a daze, opened his palm, revealing two delicate little jade pendants, absolutely beautiful.

Cui Liuer nodded: "Mm, can you bear to part with it?"

His head was spinning, so blindsided by this unexpected romantic advance that he didn't know which way was up. In the end, he had no idea how he'd ended up handing her the pendant, or even how he'd gotten back to the restaurant.

By now, it was already dark outside.

He went back to the private room, but it was empty—no one inside, only a waiter cleaning up the table. The food on the table looked like it hadn't been touched.

"Where's the young gentleman who was here?"

Li Zhiming grabbed the waiter by the arm and asked.

The waiter shook his head, looking confused: "No idea. He probably took off."

Oh no—he's probably pissed off.

He'd promised to show him a good time, but in the end, he'd ditched him.

Li Zhiming started to panic. He dashed downstairs, planning to head home. If he'd left, he must have gone back to the manor.

"Oh, young master, why so out of sorts? Feeling blue, are we? Come on in, come on in—have some fun."

"Don't be shy, young master—come inside! I've got plenty of girls for you."

"Come on, young master, I'll keep you company."

A voice so sweet it seemed to melt into his bones drifted into Li Zhiming's ears.

He glanced over without thinking and froze on the spot—Sang Yu was being tugged at by several girls, like he was sinking into a swamp.

A place like this...

He glanced up at the sign overhead: "Spring Breeze Pavilion."

While he was still reeling in shock, he felt an icy stare boring into him, making his hair stand on end.

When he came to his senses, Sang Yu was already gone, and the girls at the door had disappeared as well.

Oh no.

Li Zhiming didn't stop to think about whether it was a brothel—he rushed over.

Sure enough, he got swarmed by a few girls too, the heavy scent of face powder and perfume hitting him full in the face, making his head spin for a second, and a shameful thrill ran through his entire body.

This was the first time he'd ever been this close to a girl.

But he still had his wits about him. He shoved a fistful of silver at them, saying he was looking for the young gentleman who'd just come in, and managed to get rid of them. He was led up to a private booth on the second floor.

The moment he stepped inside, he spotted the pale, skinny youth.

Though he'd mostly recovered, he was still skinny.

The two of them stood facing each other across the doorway. For some reason, the youth's shoulders were a little damp, and the girls around him were all gone. He stood there all alone, looking a little pitiful.

"Sang Yu."

Li Zhiming hurried over, feeling a twinge of guilt.

The youth's thin frame looked like a strong gust of wind could knock him over.

The wind was biting cold—who knows how long he'd been standing out here. His face and the tip of his nose were all red, his delicate features carrying an androgynous beauty. He was staring at Li Zhiming right now, his cold demeanor tinged with a barely audible note of grievance.

Like a stray puppy that had been abandoned.

"How did you..."

"I got worried when you didn't come back, so I came out to look for you."

As he spoke, Sang Yu's mouth pulled down, and he weakly gripped Li Zhiming's arm, seeming a bit frightened: "Everyone here is so scary, they dragged me in here."

Li Zhiming was surprised Sang Yu would come looking for him out of worry, feeling both moved and concerned. He reached over and ruffled his hair: "I'm sorry, I ran into an old acquaintance and it held me up for a bit."

He then pulled out a handkerchief and gently wiped the water droplets from the young man's forehead, his gaze warm and calm, exuding an upright air.

"An old acquaintance..."

Sang Yu lowered his head.

The two stood very close, close enough for him to catch the faint, unique fragrance of Li Zhiming—a remedy that calmed his nerves.

He breathed in deeply, trying not to be obvious.

He raised his eyes to meet Li Zhiming's, seeing his clear, calm eyes, untainted and pure, like a flawless work of art—serene and composed.

"What are you staring at me for? Got something on my face?"

Li Zhiming touched his face in confusion, even wiping it as if something might actually be there.

"No."

Sang Yu lowered his head, and suddenly the look in Li Zhiming's eyes when he saw that woman flashed through his mind: anticipation, joy, nervousness, excitement, and intense focus.

And the reverence with which he handed the jade pendant to her.

At that moment, Li Zhiming was not a libertine, not a spoiled brat who took what he wanted, nor was there any cowering, ingratiating act—only sheer delight.

This isn't how it should be...

Sang Yu's face slowly fell, and his hand, hidden in his sleeve, clenched harder and harder.

"You two gentlemen, why are you standing here? Come, come, sit inside, please sit."

The madam had appeared from who knows where, pulling them both toward a private room.

Li Zhiming had no choice but to take a seat.

"You two wait here, I'll go get the girls."

With that, she left.