Yu Jin observed the scene with an expressionless face and cold eyes.
Qingqing’s face drained of color as she turned to the madam for help. “Madam—”
The madam hurried over. “Sir, have you perhaps had too much to drink?”
Seizing the opportunity, Qingqing broke free and hid behind the madam.
The man looked displeased. “Madam Liu, you’re not being fair. Why didn’t you bring out such a fine girl to serve me earlier?”
“Sir, Qingqing is new here. She hasn’t received any clients yet.”
The man chuckled. “A fresh girl, eh? That’s exactly what I like. Come, come, join me upstairs for a drink.”
Seeing the man reach out with his large hand, Qingqing let out a frightened cry.
Impatient with the madam’s interference, the man pushed her aside and opened his arms towards Qingqing. “Come here, beauty.”
Qingqing was overwhelmed with panic. Catching the sight of Yu Jin watching coldly from the sidelines, she saw him as a potential savior and ran towards him. “Young Master, save me—”
The man noticed Yu Jin and his expression changed. “Who are you?”
“Just a spectator.”
“What?” The man didn’t quite understand, and snarled, “I’m warning you, this girl is mine. If you dare to compete with me, watch out for your life!”
Qingqing hurriedly hid behind Yu Jin and mustered the courage to say, “I’ve already been reserved by this young master. Sir, please find another girl…”
“I’ve set my sights on you. Boy, get out of my way!”
Yu Jin quickly stepped aside.
The man was quite surprised and stared at Yu Jin, momentarily forgetting to react.
Yu Jin smiled. “Don’t worry, I haven’t paid yet. Feel free to do as you please, brother.”
“Smart of you to know your place!”
As Yu Jin walked past the man towards the exit, the madam’s lips trembled.
How could this man have no sense of chivalry? Is he even a man at all?
“Let’s go, beauty!” The man hoisted Qingqing over his shoulder with one hand and walked upstairs, laughing lecherously.
Qingqing struggled desperately, but the people in the hall were used to such scenes and didn’t even bother to look twice.
The madam hurried after Yu Jin. “Young Master—”
Yu Jin’s face darkened. “I came here for entertainment, not to play the hero. Your Fufang House is truly dull. I think I’ll find another establishment.”
“Oh, Young Master, Young Master—”
Yu Jin had already walked out, casually hailing a small boat drifting on the river and jumping aboard.
The night breeze carried a heavy fragrance, making Yu Jin frown in discomfort. He smiled as he heard the madam’s curses fading away.
He had seen the person, and it was nothing special. He deliberately didn’t cooperate, curious to see how they would proceed with their act.
As for getting the person close to him to lure out the big fish behind the scenes, he couldn’t be bothered with such a nauseating task. There were many ways to uncover those behind this, and he saw no need to choose the most repulsive one.
Thinking of how the madam and Qingqing had gotten close to him earlier, Yu Jin felt disgusted. He thought to himself: What a waste, I’ll need to bathe at least twice when I get back.
Back in Fufang House, after the man carried Qingqing upstairs, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in the back of his head and lost consciousness.
The madam and Qingqing faced each other in a quiet room.
Outside the window came the faint sound of laughter and merriment. It was the busiest time on the Golden Water River. In a while, the men who had their fill of songs and dances and were slightly tipsy would be taking courtesans to spend the night together.
“This servant has provided the opportunity. If the fish doesn’t take the bait, there’s nothing more we can do,” the madam broke the silence first.
Qingqing pursed her lips and remained silent.
She was just a pawn, with no real connection to the mission target. Someone else would be more anxious than her about this.
“Oh, Miss Qingqing, if you’ve taken a liking to that young master, couldn’t you think of another way? You don’t receive other clients, yet your face is so alluring. If this continues, won’t we offend all the patrons of Fufang House?” The madam complained as she poured herself a cup of tea.
Qingqing rested her chin on her hand. “In Madam’s experience, could that young master perhaps prefer the company of men?”
The madam was startled, nearly spitting out her tea.
“Since he came to Golden Water River, there’s no reason for him to be so indifferent,” Qingqing murmured.
She was quite confident in her beauty.
“That, this servant wouldn’t know. Perhaps that young master simply doesn’t prefer the pure and innocent type,” the madam replied.
Qingqing gently touched her face.
Yu Jin had already left the boat and come ashore. Walking to a secluded spot, he called out, “Cold Shadow.”
A dark figure appeared silently before Yu Jin.
“Send some men to watch Fufang House. See who contacts Qingqing.”
“Yes, sir.” Cold Shadow acknowledged and vanished as quietly as a shadow.
Yu Jin looked up. A thin crescent moon hung in the sky, emitting a feeble light.
He let out a soft sigh as if trying to expel the lingering scent of powder and perfume, before heading home.
Early the next morning, Yu Jin went to Pine Nut Lane.
At the entrance of Pine Nut Lane, a new stall selling osmanthus cakes had appeared. Yu Jin casually bought a portion, looking at the delicate pale green cakes with a smile, thinking Ah Si would surely like them.
When he reached the door of the residence, he realized Jiang Si wouldn’t be coming at this time, and someone else was living there. So he stood at the entrance and quietly ate the cakes himself.
Long Dan looked away.
He didn’t want to acknowledge this was his master!
Wiping the corner of his mouth, Yu Jin gestured for Long Dan to go forward and knock on the door.
There was no gatekeeper in the residence. Usually, only Ah Fei would come by occasionally. Last night when Yu Jin left, he had instructed Long Dan to send someone over, ostensibly to protect Chuchu, but in reality to monitor her.
Yu Jin had no kind-hearted intention of cherishing beauty. He had no good feelings towards anyone who might bring trouble to Jiang Si.
The door opened, and Yu Jin entered.
Chuchu was already up and seemed surprised by Yu Jin’s sudden arrival.
Yu Jin pointed to the stone chair under the tree. “Sit.”
Chuchu sat down opposite him.
“How are Miss Chuchu’s injuries?”
“They’re better,” Chuchu replied vaguely, not understanding Yu Jin’s intent in asking.
Compared to the unpredictable young man before her, she preferred dealing with the girl who had been abducted last night.
A weak and delicate young girl was more reassuring.
“That’s good.” Yu Jin tapped his fingers on the stone table, his expression enigmatic. “I have a suggestion. Perhaps Miss Chuchu would like to hear it?”
“Please, go ahead.”
“There’s a group of people you don’t know about hunting you. You’re in the open while your enemies are hidden. Even if you recover here, you’re likely to be entangled again when you leave, right?”
Chuchu was silent for a moment, then smiled bitterly. “I understand. You think I’ve caused you trouble.”
This man is truly shameless, she thought. He’s come to drive me away behind his fiancée’s back.
His fiancée saved me, and I don’t even know her true appearance. It’s a pity when I think about it.
Yu Jin waved his hand dismissively. “The trouble is obvious, isn’t it? So, would you like to cooperate with me to resolve this problem?”
If the people pursuing Chuchu were targeting Ah Si, it would mean they were the same group behind Qingqing. Starting from Chuchu’s side might be easier.
“How should I cooperate?”
“By luring the snake out of its den. You’ll be the bait, and I’ll take care of those people.”
Chuchu carefully examined Yu Jin’s expression. Seeing he wasn’t joking, she asked with surprise and suspicion, “Why are you helping me like this?”