The old servant did not want to disturb the teacher and instead led Chen Ji and Liu Jingyun to the kitchen. Chen Ji set the heavy basket down on the floor.
The servant quickly brought over teacups and a teapot. “Thank you both for your help. If not for you, I would not have made it home so quickly today.”
“No trouble at all. Since there is nothing else, we will be going now,” Chen Ji replied.
“Of course. I will not keep you any longer.”
After bidding the old man farewell, Chen Ji and Liu Jingyun headed back the way they came. The residence was moderately sized, but because only two elderly men lived there, it felt somewhat desolate.
“A-Ji, is this how you became friends with everyone in Tianyun City?” Liu Jingyun asked.
Chen Ji gave a proud smile. “Did you learn something? Follow your senior brother and do a good deed every day. Add a bit of thick skin, and you can become friends with an entire city!”
Liu Jingyun shook his head. “I do not need that.”
“More friends mean more options. How can you not understand such a simple— Good day, teacher.”
Chen Ji gave a polite greeting to the private school teacher who had suddenly appeared before them.
“Who are you two?” the teacher asked.
“We were just passing by and saw your elderly servant carrying heavy items, so we lent a hand. I hope our intrusion has not disturbed your class,” Chen Ji apologized.
The teacher replied, “You were kind enough to help Uncle Liu, so it is I who should say thank you. Your faces are unfamiliar. You do not seem like residents of Qingyun City.”
“We are just passing through. We saw how lively it is and came to have some fun.”
“No wonder you look so unfamiliar.”
“Teacher, we have other things to attend to, so we will not bother you further.”
Chen Ji took his leave politely and led Liu Jingyun away by the hand. Once they were outside the gates, Liu Jingyun asked, “A-Ji, why were you not more enthusiastic toward that teacher?”
“I am terrified of schoolteachers. Besides, he did not seem to welcome us in his home. It was best to leave quickly!”
“I did not sense any coldness.”
“Jingyun, is your observation skill really that low?” Chen Ji asked.
Liu Jingyun blinked, looking confused.
“That teacher’s eyes were cold and devoid of emotion. He is just like you; he does not like being friendly with strangers. I have many friends in Tianyun City because I know how to read people.” Chen Ji was full of pride.
Liu Jingyun still could not understand what was so strange about the teacher’s expression.
“Anyway, let’s not dwell on that. We need to keep gathering information about the Hundred Fragrance Pavilion, Miaoyin, and Li Sukang.”
Chen Ji planned to learn as much as possible so they could carry out their plan that night. In the midst of their busy searching, nightfall arrived quickly. Chen Ji and Liu Jingyun arrived at the entrance of the Hundred Fragrance Pavilion to wait.
The street was lined almost entirely with brothels. Women dressed in colorful, flowery outfits waved their sleeves and laughed to attract customers. As soon as the two of them appeared, nearly every woman’s gaze fell on Liu Jingyun.
“What a handsome young master! Why not come in and play with us?”
“You are so good-looking. I have never seen anyone as handsome as you.”
Faced with these compliments, Liu Jingyun kept a stony expression. “A-Ji, what kind of place is this? Why are these women—” He did not know how to describe it. He gripped Chen Ji’s arm tightly, as if afraid he would be dragged away if he let go for even a second. Having never visited a brothel, he looked at these women as if they were tigers.
Chen Ji felt a bit resentful. He was not bad-looking himself, yet everyone flirted with Liu Jingyun instead of him. Not wanting Liu Jingyun to get caught up in the “tender trap,” he also gripped Liu Jingyun’s arm firmly.
“They just like your looks. Listen to your senior brother and stay away from them!” Chen Ji said righteously.
Liu Jingyun nodded slightly. They spent the rest of the walk dodging perfume and rouge until they reached the Hundred Fragrance Pavilion. Unlike the other establishments, this pavilion was much more luxurious in both size and decoration.
“Brother Chen, Brother Liu! Over here!” Liang Sijian called out.
The two followed the voice and met up with him. “You arrived early, Master Liang.”
“Not early at all. Follow me inside quickly!” Liang Sijian pulled them toward the entrance.
Just as they reached the door, a madam who still retained her charm stepped out to block their path. “Oh, young Master Liang, why are you back again today?”
“I have money, do I not? Why would you not let me in?” Liang Sijian asked arrogantly.
The madam covered her mouth and laughed. “No one turns away silver. However, while you may enter, this little young man cannot.” She pointed a finger at Chen Ji.
Chen Ji was confused. “Why can I not go in?”
“Little master, at your age—” The madam smiled without saying more.
Chen Ji immediately lost his temper. “What is wrong with my age? I am older than both of them!”
“Oh my, little master, you are still so young. Once you are older, I will certainly welcome you. For now, go home and study hard.”
“You! You!”
Chen Ji was speechless with rage. He was twenty years old, yet because he was a bit short, he was being refused entry into a brothel.
“Then why can he go in?” Chen Ji asked, pointing at Liu Jingyun.
The madam looked at Liu Jingyun with pure admiration. “This young master is handsome!”
“And I am not?!”
“A-Ji, you are very handsome,” Liu Jingyun complimented him immediately.
Chen Ji snapped, “I did not ask you! You, answer me!”
“The little master is certainly handsome, but you look a bit too young. You are not my type,” the madam said bluntly.
Chen Ji was truly about to explode. How could there be such blatant discrimination based on appearance?
“Brother Chen, remember we are here to wake that bastard Li Sukang up. Why do you not just wait outside so you do not waste our time?” Liang Sijian said impatiently.
Chen Ji swallowed his resentment. He leaned toward Liu Jingyun and whispered, “Liu Erha, no matter what happens inside, do not start a fight. The things in here are expensive, and we cannot afford the damages. This is not our home. If you break something, you will have to sell yourself to this place to pay it off. So even if you find out that Miss Miaoyin is a demon, do not attack. Come out and tell me first, okay?”
Liu Jingyun did not answer. He stared at Chen Ji with clear eyes that seemed to say he would make his own decisions.
“You must listen to your senior brother when we are out. Just try me if you do not.”
Liu Jingyun let out a faint sigh. “I understand.”
“Fine, go on in. I will wait outside.” Chen Ji patted his shoulder.
Liu Jingyun followed Liang Sijian inside reluctantly. Chen Ji looked at the bustling street and the beautiful women, never imagining he would be mistaken for a mere boy because of his height. It was rare for him to visit a brothel, yet he could not even get in.
Chen Ji circled into a side alley and quickly scaled the wall. He thought to himself that if they would not let him through the front door, he would simply climb over the wall instead.