In the warm chamber, old madam Mama Hua sat restlessly.

Her last performance had been twenty years ago, her professional skills long rusty. She dared not sing, couldn’t compose poetry, had forgotten how to play all the instruments piled in the cabinet, and could only remember stale jokes from the Daoguang era. All she could do was smile apologetically.

Her smile stretched too wide, the gold tooth reflecting light that dazzled her own eyes, causing more powder to fall from her face.

She could only offer: “Young master, miss, have some tea, have some tea.”

No choice – they’d already paid the tea socializing fee, and by the rules, she couldn’t turn them away. When she’d hinted at refusal, the young master had turned the tables, pulling out the “house rules” from behind the counter. One clause stood out clearly: “Those who refuse to perform shall be fined.”

Mama Hua was caught between laughter and tears: “That rule is for the girls, not including this old servant…”

“It doesn’t specify that here.”

Mama Hua was ready to cry. The house rules indeed didn’t specify the applicable personnel, but who else would randomly call an old woman like her to perform?

This young master looked young with an aloof bearing, not like a regular pleasure-seeker. Yet his words carried unquestionable authority – though his tone was gentle, it was inexplicably compelling.

The girl beside him was disguised as a man in a very neat long gown. Though dressed as a commoner, she’d forgotten to remove the jade gourd earrings from her earlobes – not ordinary items.

Initially she’d seemed somewhat shy, but after a few exchanges became composed, wearing an expression of focus and wariness as if carrying some mission.

Moreover, she occasionally reached out to touch her waist in a very suspicious manner.

The madam had an eye for people and instinctively felt these weren’t people to offend.

She could only bite the bullet, go to her room to touch up her makeup, using fragrant powder to fill in some facial creases, then applying extremely strong adhesive plaster to her temples to tighten the sagging skin. But this made her eyebrows look strangely fierce and slanted, so she quickly shaved them off and drew curved crescents. Finally, she wore gorgeous pearl hoops to cover the plaster. Perfect.

Mama Hua felt twenty years younger, her old instincts returning. Seeing the water boiling on the stove, she hurried to brew tea and serve them.

Su Minguan accepted the teacup Mama Hua handed him, looked down at the fingers gripping the cup with their inch-long nails, frowned, and pushed the teacup back with a clink onto the table.

Mama Hua’s heart trembled inexplicably.

“Young master, miss, do you play mahjong? Should I call someone else…”

The warm chamber’s soundproofing was limited. Various sounds from neighboring private rooms – opera singing, ballad recitations, sweet nothings, drinking games – drifted in faintly, making the atmosphere here seem cold as ice.

Mixed in was some girl’s crying: “Don’t hit me, don’t hit me, I won’t dare again…”

Who knew what rule she’d violated this time?

Mama Hua secretly stamped her foot. Couldn’t she cry more quietly! Just for this, she’d get beaten more!

Su Minguan suddenly lifted his eyelids, asking matter-of-factly: “What backgrounds do your girls here come from?”

Mama Hua’s expression immediately became stern.

Stealing a glance at this young master, he didn’t look like an undercover official.

Besides, even if he were an official, since the founding of the Qing Dynasty, which one had anyone ever cared about such matters?

“Of course they’re all from legitimate sources, young master, rest assured!” Mama Hua laughed it off. “Some families couldn’t afford to keep them, some had husbands with debts, some were attracted by jewelry and fine clothes – all voluntary anyway! Those who came to pay debts, once the money’s repaid, we part amicably with no coercion! If the young master doesn’t believe, I can call some people for you to ask…”

When ordinary customers visited pleasure quarters, didn’t they want to believe in “mutual affection”? Best to make them feel the girl they fancied had specifically fallen into this life, destined to wait for this good man.

Only then would there be romantic interest.

If the girls were all forced into business, putting on fake smiles… how mood-killing would that sound?

So Mama Hua dared not answer this question carelessly. She spun elaborate tales with countless examples, explaining how these girls had previously been so destitute and miserable that they voluntarily sold themselves. She’d spent money to buy them, cultivating them into incomparable beauties, letting them eat well and dress warmly, changing into beautiful clothes daily – what selfless dedication, what immeasurable merit.

Su Minguan patiently listened to the end before smiling with slight mockery: “Why are you panicking?”

He indicated Lin Yuchan with his eyes. The little girl hadn’t eaten or drunk much either. From a table full of tea and snacks, she’d only peeled a pomegranate. Her slender white fingers split open the red peel, bit by bit separating the pomegranate seeds, occasionally tossing one in her mouth. Her red lips chewed slightly, then nimbly spat out the small pomegranate pit.

Rather than eating fruit, it was more like passing the time.

He smiled slightly: “My sister wants to organize a theater troupe at home, buying several girls around ten years old. Do you have anyone on hand?”

Mama Hua was stunned, then her demeanor relaxed as she smiled gently.

Still calling her “sister” – did real siblings casually hold hands like that?

Mama Hua thought: young people, truly still green. Couldn’t fool this old woman who’d seen all manner of romance.

Carrying this sense of experiential superiority, she didn’t doubt Su Minguan’s statement, laughing: “Yes, yes, yes, I happen to have several girls around ten, trained to be very well-mannered…”

Child prostitutes also had to wait until twelve or thirteen to receive clients. Rather than raising them several more years, selling them now to recover capital wasn’t a bad choice.

As for whether others bought them back to organize theater troupes… the madam didn’t care about that.

“Want ones with clean backgrounds.” Who knew the young master would block her with one sentence? “Preferably just sold. Don’t want ones that others have trained. The poorer the background, the better – my sister likes playing the rescuing bodhisattva.”

His tone carried mockery, as if quite scornful of his “sister’s” behavior. But while speaking, he unconsciously glanced at Lin Yuchan, his gaze flashing with warm intimacy.

Lin Yuchan sat expressionlessly, keeping quiet while listening to his fabrications.

She could also see that Su Minguan’s fabrications were quite skillful, strategically similar to when he’d fooled the entire Defeng Trading House into buying tea.

First, pretending to be a half-knowledgeable amateur, naive and self-important, to eliminate the other party’s wariness, then mixing truth and falsehood to propose what seemed like a very harmless, profitable deal.

Sure enough, Mama Hua was completely drawn in, saying with difficulty: “This… so many requirements, I don’t have any here.”

Then immediately: “But I know some brokers – with effort, I can inquire about all the newly available little girls in Shanghai!”

Su Minguan’s features brightened with delight: “Much obliged then.”

Having said this, he smiled at Mama Hua and stood to bow.

Mama Hua stroked her chin, smiling and making polite conversation. Only fools would make connections for free.

Seeing the old madam being evasive, Su Minguan grew somewhat anxious. After several indirect hints, he “suddenly” remembered something and quietly asked Lin Yuchan: “Do we need to give a referral fee? How much?”

Lin Yuchan looked completely innocent, cooperatively discussing with him: “Don’t know – what’s their usual rate? Twenty percent? Thirty percent?”

Mama Hua’s mind exploded with a bang. Her face immediately lit up, the corners of her mouth uncontrollably turning upward in a blooming smile, the powder in her wrinkles gently rubbing together.

Just making a connection – the usual rate was three percent commission, and they didn’t know!

“Thirty percent… twenty-five percent. Young master and miss are Tianxiang Tower’s benefactors, this old servant dares not cheat you – I’ll only take twenty-five percent! Young master and miss wait here, this old servant will immediately find people for you!”

Left alone in the warm chamber, the pair of young lovebirds looked at each other and couldn’t help laughing.

“Don’t waste six silver dollars.” Su Minguan reached for the snack plate, finding a piece of fresh, beautiful chestnut cake, breaking it in half and handing her one piece. “This is dinner. Insufficient budget, make do.”

Lin Yuchan accepted it but didn’t eat, adjusting the small cap on her head while smiling as she sized him up.

“Young master, quite knowledgeable, aren’t you?” She suddenly put on a stern face, using a walnut as a gavel and slapping the table with a bang. “Been here before?”

“How could I have?” Su Minguan remained composed, biting into the chestnut cake. “With that spare money I’d save to buy ships.”

Lin Yuchan smiled: “Don’t believe it.”

He’d immediately spouted a string of trade jargon, given exactly the right tea socializing fee, showed no nervousness after entering, and with just a few words had fooled an experienced old madam. She didn’t believe this was his first offense.

Su Minguan smiled silently. She’d also learned to probe people, her pupils jet black, her face flushed red from the rich warm fragrance, looking completely righteous.

He got up to open the incense burner, extinguishing the hot incense that gave off cloying sweetness. Searching the drawer beside the burner, he couldn’t find any suitable incense.

He remained stubborn: “Never been here.”

Lin Yuchan’s heart skipped slightly: “Never even had a tea socializing?”

Su Minguan finally hesitated, leaning on her chair back and saying quietly in her ear: “Yes.”

“I once hoped my mother wasn’t dead.” He smiled flatly. “She was bought from Yangzhou, twelve years old, fifteen hundred taels. After I started earning my living, I ran to almost every brothel in Guangzhou. My first year’s hard-earned money from working the streets was all thrown in there.”

Lin Yuchan’s heart suddenly sank. She immediately regretted asking, grasping his fingers and saying softly: “Did you find her?”

“Later, they laughed at me for being stupid. Women injured and sick like that – they always threw them out, never bought them back.”

The warm chamber was lavishly decorated with gold and silver-threaded screens, exquisitely carved antique ornaments, bookshelves full of beautifully illustrated erotic poetry collections, and even the opium paste stored in tortoiseshell-inlaid boxes.

Behind the sick, lingering intoxication lay traps built of flesh and blood.

Lin Yuchan’s voice was hoarse as she said quietly: “I don’t like this place.”

Su Minguan smiled coldly: “There are many things in this world you can’t stand. Bear with it.”

“No.” She turned halfway around, looking at him firmly. “These places will all close down sooner or later.”

Su Minguan shook his head helplessly. When the little girl became naively stubborn, she didn’t seem like someone who could earn thousands of taels of silver.

He picked up a melon seed, cracking it between two fingers to extract the kernel.

Then, pointing at the annual inspection license posted on the warm chamber wall, he smiled: “A’Mei, don’t be foolish. This is the most law-abiding place in the entire Qing Empire. Forget about making them close – if you break one bottle here, the next day someone will extort your entire fortune.”

His words were light, but his tone carried a heavy warning.

Lin Yuchan bit her lip gently, finding it all absurd.

There were still over eighty years until national liberation. Who would believe it if she said so?

Su Minguan pushed a plate of shelled mixed nuts toward her.

“Alright, eat more – we’ll need energy for work later.”

She gradually became excited, rubbing her hands together and eating the melon seeds he’d shelled.

He smiled deeply, reaching out to caress her smooth nape, fingertips tracing over the delicate bones, gently massaging.

“Remember what to do?”

Her face immediately reddened. Biting a melon seed, her breathing became erratic for two seconds before she gave a small “mm.”

Shanghai’s South Market’s most business-savvy broker was called Second Master Hu, with dozens of subordinates and countless resources on hand. Behind dark glasses, his eyes could determine a girl’s age accurately to the month with just one glance, with ten years in business with no errors.

Having also introduced concubines to many foreigners, his wealth had risen accordingly. Currently he rarely handled business personally.

This evening, Second Master Hu was listening to opera at a restaurant when the familiar old madam Mama Hua came to visit, repeatedly insisting she had a profitable deal with two suckers as clients.

“This old servant won’t deceive you, you-you can earn this money with your eyes closed!”

Second Master Hu sneered inwardly. For Mama Hua to be so enthusiastic, she must have something to gain.

Ordinary people couldn’t move him. But he and Mama Hua were long-term business partners – he had to give this face.

Second Master Hu had his followers wait outside while he entered Tianxiang Tower’s warm chamber, quite surprised.

Inside was quite deserted, with only one elegant, handsome male client guarding a pot of good tea, drinking alone. Hearing the door, he lifted his eyelids in greeting.

A girl dressed as a man crouched by a bookcase in the corner, looking like a female entertainer, frantically flipping through music scores. Holding a pipa, trying to figure out fingering – cramming at the last minute.

Second Master Hu frowned. Were Tianxiang Tower’s courtesans so unprofessional?

Looking around again. Where was the incense? The opium? Everything that should be there?

“Trouble you to make this trip.” Su Minguan’s clear voice drew Second Master Hu’s gaze back to him. “We all value our time, so I won’t waste words. Poor family girls from South County, surname Huang, eight to ten years old, entered the market between the tenth and fifteenth…”

Hearing him speak, Second Master Hu immediately felt something was wrong. Where were the promised suckers?

Snorting through his nose, he was about to take his leave.

“…That’s the child of someone I know. I’ll pay double the price.”

Su Minguan continued unhurriedly with his final sentence.

Second Master Hu stroked his beard and smiled – now this was more interesting.

He pulled over a chair and sat down, habitually ordering casually: “Let’s start with Suzhou ‘Hanging Branches.'”

While waiting, he studied this clear-featured young man.

If what he said was true, when ordinary people encountered such situations wanting to redeem an acquaintance’s daughter, they’d generally first inquire at the broker markets. Markets had market rules – who would freely answer questions for you? After great effort to find out, the girl would have been transferred, who knows how many times, perhaps already hundreds of miles away. Some might already be receiving clients.

This young boss was refreshingly direct. Somehow, he’d managed to buy off Mama Hua and come straight to him.

Saved a lot of unnecessary talk and time.

Double the price was also quite sincere.

But Second Master Hu still smiled and cupped his hands apologetically.

“There are indeed three to five girls matching your description. But buyers have already paid deposits – we businesspeople value integrity. If you’re interested, I’ll look for suitable ones for you later. May I ask your honorable surname?”

Acquaintances’ daughters and such – just listen to that. In these times, where were such warm, devoted friends? Based on years of experience, Second Master Hu judged that those making so many specific demands usually had special fetishes. So he promised to search for him, also giving Mama Hua face.

Unexpectedly, the other party completely refused to buy it, sipping tea and setting down his cup.

“Compensate double the deposit. Triple the price.”

Second Master Hu still smiled and shook his head.

Having reached his level in business, money wasn’t the most important thing. What mattered was reputation and credibility.

“People are like goods – once bought, hands off. You also seem like someone from our world and must understand. Unless the emperor orders someone specifically, let’s still follow the rules, shall we?”

“Four times.”

Second Master Hu raised an eyebrow, having just picked up a melon seed that had fallen again.

Could he be a swaggering sucker?

“Seems like really an acquaintance’s daughter.” Second Master Hu smiled slyly, his voice grating. “Accidentally fallen into the pleasure quarter – truly pitiful. Your friendship with that friend must be quite good? – Hey, young sir, why aren’t you playing music yet?”

Since the friendship was good, he shouldn’t be stingy with money. Four times the price – what was that? Still treating people like goods, too insincere.

At minimum, it should meet the standard of a wealthy family’s betrothal gifts, right?

Second Master Hu’s eyes were full of hints as he smiled and cracked melon seeds.

While studying this composed, steady young man, secretly reading his face.

Never appeared on Fuzhou Road, probably lived in the foreign settlements. Not surprising – anyone with some extralegal business but no solid official connections would rather pay extra rent to hide in the settlements, rarely entering the city.

However, he didn’t seem like someone extremely vicious…

“Five times. Your reputation is only worth this price.” Su Minguan remained patient, his gaze sharp, fingers rhythmically tapping the table. “My budget is limited. Please stop the extortion at appropriate levels.”

Second Master Hu stood up, spitting out melon seed shells.

“Young brother is straightforward. This time I can’t help. In the future, wherever you need this humble person’s services, just send someone to find me. I’ll give you regular customer prices.”

Having said this, he smiled and cupped his hands.

Today wasn’t a wasted trip – he’d met a potential business partner. Just a pity he didn’t hear any music.

“This humble person has another appointment, taking leave first…”

Second Master Hu’s words suddenly stopped, both hands frozen in mid-air.

The back of his neck felt ice cold. A metal tube, brushing aside that greasy queue, pressed between two vertebrae.

Then came the soft sound of a gun bolt being pulled.

Second Master Hu’s face instantly turned pale, his entire body’s blood freezing.

“You…”

He’d been so focused on competing with the “sucker” that he’d completely ignored his surroundings!

When did another tough customer enter?

Also, where had that “female entertainer” fiddling with the pipa gone??

“Don’t turn around.”

The young man before him was completely at ease. In fact, Second Master Hu thought he’d seen wrong – he even saw him smile slightly toward his back, the smile containing approval.

Su Minguan stood up, kicking aside the pipa at his feet.

“Sorry, I’ve said several times – limited budget.”

Second, Master Hu’s instantaneous reaction had already told him this person wasn’t some battle-hardened underworld leader. Just a small local snake.

Look – his legs were already shaking.

The little girl’s posture was good, the gun barrel positioned just right, sufficient for intimidation.

Second Master Hu never saw her face throughout. No need to worry about her being troubled later.

He winked gently at the opposite side, tenderly reminding: “Be careful, don’t break any bottles here.”

Lin Yuchan gripped the gun handle tightly, arm straight, nervousness mixed with excitement, imagining herself as a female spy from TV dramas, her mind repeatedly going over the firearm precautions Su Minguan had taught her.

The young master trusted her!

Only half an hour of rehearsal, not even a warm-up. Exciting was exciting, but… what if the other party fought desperately…

She pressed her lips tightly together, returning an urging glance, meaning to finish quickly.

Su Minguan smiled enigmatically, glanced at Second Master Hu, and said gently: “Don’t be afraid.”

This made the scheming Second Master Hu break out in goosebumps, thinking he’d encountered a psychotic killer.

Of course, if Second Master Hu dared to tear off the mask, Su Minguan was prepared too. But on Shanghai territory, he preferred following local customs – using words when possible rather than force.

Limited budget. Bullets cost money, too.

“Don’t turn around.” He calmly commanded again, while sowing discord. “Mama Hua has already taken your two bodyguards to drink flower wine. Shouting won’t help.”

Second Master Hu immediately broke into a cold sweat. He hadn’t offended Mama Hua! Why was she plotting against him?

He finally realized he’d met a ruthless character today. The gun muzzle at his neck was warmed by his body temperature, making his scalp tingle.

He quickly softened: “It can be sold, this humble person will compensate the deposit, even if it ruins my reputation, I’ll snatch the person back for you…”

“Too late. Who told you to be greedy?”

Su Minguan stepped closer two paces, expertly beginning to search him.

He found a bag of change, over two hundred in banknotes, several documents and letters, a jeweled enamel snuff bottle, and a book of erotic poetry.

He casually flipped through the poetry book, fingertips taking a piece of osmanthus cake, biting once, reading a line, then shaking his head in disgust at the poor writing.

Second Master Hu lowered his voice, trying to be fierce while inwardly cowardly: “Armed robbery – I’ll report to the authorities.”

“Who cares about your little money?” Su Minguan tossed the poetry book on the table, pocketing the other items. “Before this time tomorrow, deliver the child, and I’ll still pay double price. I’ll return all these trinkets of yours, too.”

Second Master Hu asked dryly: “Deliver… deliver where? Your residence… or here?”

Su Minguan gave him a “do you think I’m stupid” look.

He lifted his eyelashes, making eye contact with the girl across from him for an instant, the corner of his mouth quirking up.

“Deliver to Xujiahui, Tou Shan Wan Orphanage.”

“Quickly, let’s go!”

Lin Yuchan had just put away the gun when Su Minguan took her arm, and they quickly left.

Second Master Hu only needed to walk a few more steps to discover his two tall, burly bodyguard followers weren’t drinking flower wine, but had just found two stools to sit and have a smoke.

The two exited through the side door, crossed Fuzhou Road, and quickly ducked into a small alley.

Leaving Mama Hua and Second Master Hu to fight it out.

This wasn’t Heaven and Earth Society territory – caution above all.

The sky had darkened, the alley was pitch black with over ten streetwalkers and several tax-evading wild couples openly carrying on, intimate and tender.

Lin Yuchan’s heart was pounding, the excitement of playing male-female bandits refusing to fade, like she’d just won an Olympic gold medal, only knowing how to giggle.

“My posture was pretty good just now, hahaha… Let me tell you, I almost pulled the trigger hahahaha…”

Su Minguan endured for two seconds, then extended a thumb to press against her lips. Warm and soft.

“Alright, just wait for them to deliver tomorrow.” He said quietly. “Maybe they’ll deliver more than one. You remember that girl’s appearance, right?”

She nodded. His hands still carried the scent of fruit.

Suddenly she said again: “That person’s queue was so greasy, my gun barrel almost slipped, hehe…”

Su Minguan was both amused and exasperated, helplessly pulling her forcefully into his embrace, his chest blocking that chattering little mouth.

Due to running, his heartbeat was also fast, but quickly returned to a normal, steady beat by beat.

“We’ll talk when we get back.”

The little mouth wasn’t blocked at all. Lin Yuchan turned her head forcefully and continued summarizing: “But my hands still shook, fortunately, he didn’t notice… Hey, I need more practice in the future…”

Su Minguan couldn’t bear it any longer, scooping up the back of her head and suddenly leaning down, nose tip brushing her nose tip, lips stopping above that pair of chattering lips.

Her mouth was full of tea fragrance, scattered by his breath.

Lin Yuchan was frightened into silence, seeing those obsidian-like eyes so close.

“Don’t, not here…”

“Keep talking.”

His tone was threatening, his voice dark and unrestrained.

The small red lips were slightly parted, within half an inch – he could suck them with just a bow of his head. He closed his eyes.

Lin Yuchan’s ears burned, her feet went inexplicably weak, and she hurriedly kept quiet for safety.

Su Minguan laughed softly, lightly pecking her cheek.

“Tea socializing fee is six dollars.” He controlled his breathing, counting carefully in her ear. “Child’s price ten dollars, doubled to twenty. Personal night work, fifteen dollars flat rate. Total forty-one silver dollars, within your budget. Miss Lin, please settle the account first.”