Chen Guanlou was ushered into the reception hall.
A middle-aged man who looked like a steward accepted his gift, and Chen Guanlou quickly handed over a sealed packet of silver. The man weighed it in his hand, his expression suggesting he was reasonably satisfied.
"Wait here. The Mistress will be here shortly."
"Many thanks!"
A young maidservant served tea. Chen Guanlou took a sip; the tea was fragrant and of good quality. The Liu Family’s servants treated guests with decency; they hadn't served him old, leftover tea just because he was from a fallen family.
This instantly boosted Chen Guanlou's confidence by a good measure. He smiled politely at the maid who served the tea to show his gratitude. The young maid, however, covered her lips with her sleeve, giggled secretly, and turned to leave.
After about the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, Liu Steward's wife finally arrived, sauntering in.
Hearing the movement outside, Chen Guanlou rose to his feet just in time and looked toward the entrance. The light in the reception hall suddenly dimmed as two people walked in.
Leading the way was a woman in her thirties. Chen Guanlou stole a glance—what a voluptuous figure. Her face could be called pretty at best, but her eyes seemed to speak volumes. With a single glance, they could exude a captivating charm. Her looks, which might have been a six out of ten, were elevated to a perfect ten by her alluring eyes—which seemed to hold both a world of unspoken emotion and a hint of indifference—and her seductive figure. She was more enticing than any young maiden of outstanding beauty.
Ripe!
Perfectly ripe!
She was like a juicy peach, dripping with nectar that made anyone want to take a bite.
This woman had to be Liu Steward's wife, Liu Wanshi.
Chen Guanlou didn't dare to look for long. He quickly averted his gaze, focusing his eyes on his nose and his nose on his heart, silently reciting, "Form is emptiness, emptiness is form."
Following behind Liu Wanshi was a young maidservant—the very same one who had served the tea.
"This young one greets you, Mistress."
As he was the one asking for a favor, Chen Guanlou felt no psychological barrier to stepping forward and bowing as a junior. There were boys in his clan his age who called Liu Steward "Grandpa Liu," so it was no disgrace for him to bow to Liu Wanshi as a junior.
When asking for a favor, one must adopt the proper attitude.
"So you're the son of Chen Chengzong from East Alley. Look how grown up you are. Don't be so formal, sit down and talk. I remember seeing you when you were little."
Liu Wanshi smiled as she took the host's seat.
Chen Guanlou wasn't in the habit of speaking with his head bowed. He looked up and said with a smile, "It is my honor that the Mistress remembers this young one!"
It would have been better if he hadn't looked up. The moment he did, Liu Wanshi got a clear look at his face. The faint smile on her lips instantly blossomed into a brilliant one.
What a handsome and dashing young man. The little maid wasn't lying; he was truly a fine specimen. Even with an ingratiating smile, he didn't seem fawning or sleazy. He just came across as amiable and well-mannered, utterly endearing.
Chen Chengzong was average-looking; who would have thought his son would be so handsome?
"Why are you sitting so far away? Come closer," Liu Wanshi beckoned.
Chen Guanlou hesitated for half a second. If she wasn't concerned with propriety, he had no reason to be timid. He took two steps forward and sat in a side seat, separated from Liu Wanshi by only a small square table. If he placed his hand on the table, he could easily hook her sleeve. Being so close, he could smell a fragrance coming from her, something like oranges, and he couldn't help but sneak another two glances.
Liu Wanshi saw his every little movement and was secretly delighted.
"You were looking for my husband, but it's an inconvenient time. He's not home. The Hou Mansion sent for him on urgent business, and there's no telling when he'll be back. If you have any difficulties, you might as well tell me. It's all the same."
Having come this far, he didn't have a second sum of money to prepare another gift, which meant there was no turning back. Since Liu Steward wasn't home, he could only take a gamble on Liu Wanshi's conscience.
"Reporting to the Mistress, my father's post at Tian Prison was taken by someone else long ago. Now I wish to work at Tian Prison, but I have no way to get my foot in the door. I can only brazenly come to beg Liu Steward and you, Mistress. I hope that for my father's sake, you and Liu Steward can lend me a helping hand."
Liu Wanshi's eyes danced. "I was wondering what it was. You want to inherit your father's post, is that right?"
"Exactly!"
"The post of a Tian Prison bailiff is a lowly profession. Are you sure, a fine young man like you?" Liu Wanshi's tone was one of pity.
Chen Guanlou said seriously, "I am now an adult and can no longer let my older sister worry about me. Times are hard. Although the job at Tian Prison is a lowly one, it provides a stable life, which is better than idling my days away in a daze."
"You certainly have a clear head. I will pass this on to my husband. Are you betrothed?"
Liu Wanshi smiled as she stared at him, growing more and more pleased the longer she looked. Her body involuntarily leaned in his direction, the edge of the table pressing against her chest, making her figure all the more prominent.
In his past life, Chen Guanlou had often caroused with clients and had long since cultivated an indestructible heart of vajra. He could watch people getting it on and remain perfectly calm, his expression and body unmoved. Liu Wanshi's little display was hardly enough to stir him.
But he had forgotten. In his past life, he had been a seasoned veteran, his body long since immune. This current body, however, was still a virgin, and at the most hot-blooded and impulsive age.
It was going to his head, making his heart burn. A true test of willpower.
He maintained his composure, took a deep breath, and suppressed his body's natural instincts.
"I am not betrothed."
"Are your standards too high?" Liu Wanshi casually rested a hand on the tabletop, only two inches away from him. She could hook his sleeve with a flick of her finger.
"I have not established a career, how could I dare to start a family?"
With that, he reached for his teacup.
The moment his hand touched the white porcelain cup, a soft, delicate hand landed on the back of his, gently twining around it.
Chen Guanlou: "..."
*Hmm! I'll just stay still for now.*
Did Liu Steward know his wife was like this? How could he be at ease, leaving such a seductive woman at home? Wasn't he afraid of wearing a green hat? Or perhaps, it was already a deep shade of green.
What a wanton woman. The movements of her hand grew even more entangling.
"They say start a family, then establish a career. Why do you have it backward?" Liu Wanshi's smile was fervent, her gaze so intense it seemed to spin silken threads, weaving a spider's web. All that was left was to pull the young man into her lair and have her way with him.
"I can't hold a girl back."
"You are a considerate one. Is the tea hot? Why aren't you drinking?"
Hearing this, Chen Guanlou quickly lifted the cup and took a sip. She was the wife of a 2nd Rank Martial Artist. He dared not provoke her; he had to keep his distance. His life had just begun, and he didn't want to die.
Once this business was settled, he would stay far, far away from this woman.
"I'm tired! Go home and wait for news!"
Liu Wanshi, who had been burning with passion just a moment ago, changed her tune in a split second, coolly dismissing him.
Chen Guanlou was visibly stunned. He stared at her face, but she wasn't joking.
He didn't try to argue or linger. Instead, he stood up, bowed, and said, "I'll have to trouble the Mistress with my affairs. This young one will take his leave!"
With a dignified expression, Liu Wanshi waved her hand, signaling for him to go home and rest assured that news would come soon.
Chen Guanlou walked out of the Liu residence in a daze, glancing back at the closed main gate. He couldn't figure out Liu Wanshi's attitude. Was it because he hadn't responded to her advances? Or *because* he hadn't responded?
If it was the former, he was in big trouble. She would hold a grudge against him, and she didn't seem like the magnanimous type.
If it was the latter, did she appreciate his looks and, by extension, his character? He couldn't say for sure about other things, but just based on his face, if he were to sell his services, he could charge at least fifty thousand a night.
You know Takeshi Kaneshiro, right?
He was even a tiny bit more handsome than Takeshi Kaneshiro.
Liu Wanshi's gaze could spin silken threads? That was nothing. If he got serious, his gaze could weave a damn net. In his past life, he had used this very skill to make young maidens and young wives cry and beg for his embrace.
He was just too principled. Otherwise, he would have been living in a mansion and driving a luxury car long ago. Why would he have needed to carouse with clients?
Proofreader: Peter Pan