NOVEL WEB Chapter 101: Expansion
Chapter 101: Expansion
Returning from the docks, Xu Lian made a beeline for the Lichun Brothel in town, managing his time efficiently.
He had no interest in the painted women of the brothel, nor did he care for listening to songs. No, his purpose here was to see Chuntao.
Aunt Fang approached eagerly, but before she could utter any of her usual flattering words, Xu Lian handed her a silver ingot.
“Oh, Manager Xu, your silver is getting bigger and bigger. It seems you’ve been doing quite well lately,” Aunt Fang chuckled, her eyes twinkling.
Xu Lian inquired about Chuntao’s recent progress.
Aunt Fang replied, “Chuntao is always thinking of the kindness you’ve shown her, Manager Xu. She’s also very grateful for the money you’ve spent on her. She’s been working very hard to learn songs and dances. Aside from eating and sleeping, she’s almost always practicing. After all that effort, she’s really starting to look the part.”
“That’s good to hear,” Xu Lian nodded slightly, then followed Aunt Fang into the back hall.
Aunt Fang winked and said, “I always thought this little girl was pretty and had the potential to be a courtesan. After spending some time here at the Lichun Brothel and eating well, she’s blossomed into a true beauty. Manager Xu, you really got a great deal when you bought her for just three taels of silver.”
As they reached the back hall, Xu Lian saw Chuntao practicing her dance moves under the guidance of a dance instructor.
He was stunned for a moment. In just over a month, Chuntao had undergone a significant transformation. She was now an unmistakable beauty.
Seeing Xu Lian, Chuntao immediately stopped her practice, wiped the sweat from her brow, and hurried over to greet her benefactor with a bow, “Manager Xu”.
Who could resist that? Xu Lian promptly sent Aunt Fang and the dance instructor out of the room.
After some time had passed, Xu Lian checked Chuntao’s affection level.
[Note: Chuntao’s affection for you has increased from 65/100 to 70/100.]
Only a five-point increase. Xu Lian was slightly disappointed. After all, Little Pepper’s affection had increased by ten points at a time.
However, he couldn’t blame Chuntao. Perhaps the hard work of learning songs and dances had been too taxing, and his sudden visit had caught her off guard.
“Is something bothering you?” Xu Lian asked worriedly.
Chuntao shook her head. “Aunt Fang and the sisters here have all been very kind to me. They’ve taught me with great care.”
Xu Lian offered a suggestion of his own. “I was just watching you dance. It’s already quite good, and your posture is appropriate. However, I believe that a courtesan needs more than just songs and dances to really stand out. She should also read some books and work on her expression management”.
Chuntao looked puzzled. “I understand about reading – I have already started. But what is ‘expression management’?”
Xu Lian explained, “It means not showing your emotions on your face. It’s how you interact with others.”
“Thank you for your guidance, Manager Xu,” Chuntao nodded gently, beginning to understand.
After a few more moments of conversation, Xu Lian decided that it was time to leave.
Her family had sold her here for food, and she had severed all ties with them. Even if he were to help her family, it wouldn’t increase her affection for him.
Chuntao had dreams of becoming a courtesan, and only when those dreams were realized would her affection likely see a significant boost.
Staying here any longer would be pointless.
“Manager Xu,” Chuntao called out to him, hesitating for a moment before mustering her courage. “I heard from Aunt Fang that the county town has already started to distribute the entry permits for the courtesan selection.”
Xu Lian replied, “Alright, I understand. I’ll make sure to get you an entry permit.”
Seeing how straightforward he was, Chuntao’s eyes reddened. Feeling that her earlier response might have seemed dismissive of his efforts, she stepped forward, perhaps seeking to make amends for her perceived ingratitude.
Xu Lian felt a pang of sympathy. “It’s okay, don’t cry. I know you’ve worked hard to practice your dance.”
After a while.
Xu Lian checked the affection level again.
[Note: Chuntao’s affection for you has increased from 70/100 to 75/100.]
Indeed, combining emotional attachment with tangible benefits often led to faster progress.
After leaving the Lichun Brothel, it was already evening.
Xu Lian returned to his residence on New Street.
As he opened the gate and entered, he noticed the faint glow of an oil lamp in the kitchen.
Stepping into the kitchen, he saw Wang Cuiyun squatting by the earthen stove, her hands clutching a large piece of beef, her mouth greasy with satisfaction, her old face beaming with enjoyment.
“…”Xu Lian was speechless for a moment.
Truly, no one lived as carefree as she did.
Xu Lian asked curiously, “Xiya was taken to the capital by her father. Aren’t you worried at all?”
“Master’s back,” Wang Cuiyun quickly stood up, putting down the beef, and fished out another piece from the pot, handing it to Xu Lian with a smile. “What’s there to worry about? After all, that’s the capital. They must have plenty of good food there. At least they won’t go hungry.”
Xu Lian took the beef and squatted by the stove to eat, just like her.
While gnawing on the beef, Wang Cuiyun mumbled indistinctly, “But I think Xiya’s father didn’t need to take her to the capital. Our family’s conditions are already very good. We have plenty of good food every day. Why go to the capital to eat? Wouldn’t it be the same if we just closed the doors and enjoyed it at home?”
Xu Lian explained, “Xiya’s father is a highly qualified… practitioner. He wants Xiya to follow him and become a practitioner too, so that she might have the chance to achieve longevity. Many people would envy such an opportunity. Maybe going to the capital isn’t such a bad thing for Xiya, as it gives her a chance at longevity.”
Mentioning the royal family of the Yin Dynasty or the ascension of Prince Zhennan might have been beyond Wang Cuiyun’s comprehension, so Xu Lian kept it simple, referring to the blade fighting among the men of Green Bamboo Town, which she would surely understand.
Wang Cuiyun replied, “What’s the point of blade fighting? Isn’t it all for food and sustenance? Master has the ability to ensure that Xiya doesn’t lack for food or clothing. Why does Xiya’s father insist on her learning blade fighting? If anyone should be fighting, it’s the men. Women can depend on men to survive. There’s no reason for a woman to learn blade fighting. This so-called “longevity” is just a bunch of nonsense. Living well in the present is what matters.”
Xu Lian felt like they were talking past each other, completely out of sync.
Thinking about it, it made sense. Wang Cuiyun had spent her entire life in Green Bamboo Town and had no understanding of the outside world.
Xu Lian asked, “Based on your intuition, do you not believe that humans can achieve longevity?”
Wang Cuiyun chuckled, “All I know is that there are ghosts in this world. Maybe those who seek longevity will end up becoming ghosts. All this effort for nothing.”
Xu Lian was startled. Although Wang Cuiyun was an ordinary person, her intuition often came closer to the truth. Perhaps the ultimate destiny of practitioners was indeed to become ghosts.
Otherwise, how could the world be in such a strange state, as if the entire world was sick?
“Do you have any other intuitions? Feel free to share them,” Xu Lian decided to temporarily play the role of a reporter and thoroughly interview Wang Cuiyun.
Wang Cuiyun finished gnawing on the bone in her hand and fished out another piece from the pot. “Our Green Bamboo Town doesn’t have any bamboo, so why is it called Green Bamboo Town? There must have been a lot of bamboo a long time ago.”
Xu Lian nodded. “That makes sense. Go on.”
Wang Cuiyun continued, “I have a feeling that many people in our town are actually ghosts wearing human skin.”
Xu Lian was surprised. “Why do you feel this way?”
Wang Cuiyun looked at him deeply. “Master, don’t be angry, but I think there is a ghost in our house.”
Xu Lian was truly shocked. Could she have discovered the demonic ghost in the old well? “Where?”
Wang Cuiyun pointed at Xu Lian. “You are the ghost, master.”
“?” Xu Lian was stunned. The ghost was himself?
Wang Cuiyun chuckled. “Originally, we lived in the old mud house on Old Street. The neighbor, the bachelor Xu Lian, was dull-witted. But after being seriously injured in the mine, he miraculously recovered overnight and became a completely different person. Suddenly he became smart and capable, rising step by step to become the mine manager. Now, I don’t even know how high he’s climbed. I often wonder, how could a man on the verge of death suddenly recover and change so drastically? Master, am I right?”
Xu Lian fell silent.
If he had been transported to a normal world, he wouldn’t have been discovered. Even if he stood on the street and proclaimed himself a transmigrator, no one would believe him, just like no one would believe Elon Musk if he claimed to be an alien.
But in this world, where ghosts existed, a person’s sudden and drastic change would naturally lead those close to them to suspect something supernatural. It was simple logic.
Wang Cuiyun continued, “Actually, I was not the only one who noticed it, Xiya also noticed it. But she’s fallen in love with you and decided to keep this secret buried. I shouldn’t have said anything, and I didn’t dare. But after living with you these past few months, my eyes and heart are as clear as a mirror. Master, even if you’re a ghost, you’re a good ghost. You wouldn’t hurt me. Now that we’re a family, there’s no need to hide anything.”
Of course, Xu Lian didn’t admit it. He reached out and touched Wang Cuiyun’s forehead and asked, “Are you about to die? Is this one last burst of clarity before the end? Stop talking nonsense!”
Wang Cuiyun’s wrinkled face broke into a smile. “Not so soon. With all this fine food every day, I’ve slowly regained some of my lost vitality. I think I have at least ten or twenty years left.”
Xu Lian said, “With your old bones, if you fall at home, there’s no one to help you up. It’s not a good situation to have no young woman to take care of things. Tomorrow night, bring the selected women to our household.”
Wang Cuiyun was excited. “Alright! With young women in the house, Master will be happy, and so will I. I feel so lonely at home, with no one to talk to.”
Xu Lian didn’t say anything more and went to sleep in his room.
The net had been cast. It remained to be seen whether it would catch any fish.