I Came From Heaven [Transmigration/Time-Travel] - Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Handan stood up and led Sixiao towards me. Finally, we met again through the window. Her gentle expression disappeared. She raised her hand and beckoned for me to lean closer. Being a simple person, I believed her. I pressed my face against the window, but she suddenly grabbed my cheek and squeezed it tightly.

“Hiss… painful, painful, painful…”

“If you dare to yell at my son again, believe it or not, I’ll hang you up and beat you!”

Forget Miss Handan, or Sister Lotus—fairy tales are all lies! She’s clearly a shrew! Women who protect their young are all the same. Normally, they pretend to be fragile like Lin Daiyu, who can’t even peel an eggshell, but in reality, they could probably lift an ox! I begged miserably:

“Oh, let go, let go, I was wrong, this little one won’t dare to do it again!”

Sixiao giggled uncontrollably at my appearance. Only then did Handan release her grip, feeling satisfied. I rubbed my cheek and recovered for a good while, then blinked my glistening eyes at Handan. Yes, the drama queen was back in action, but this time, the pitiful look was genuine. I watched the pastry in Sixiao’s hand and swallowed.

Handan understood what I meant. She turned her back on me, preparing to leave with Sixiao. I immediately called out: “Spare a dime, please.”

Am I a comedian? Can’t I speak seriously? Handan stopped when she heard my begging. She crouched down and rubbed Sixiao’s head. Sixiao, being a smart child, nodded, returned to the window, and held out the pastry: “Here, take it and eat.”

I knew this child probably didn’t get to eat well often, and it was rare for his mother to bring him food, so I only took one piece, just to taste it: “It’s really delicious.”

Finally, I could eat something with flavor. I felt that happiness could be so easily satisfied. Handan stood under the moonlight, draped in a thin layer of light. She told Sixiao to go back to his room to sleep. Sixiao’s face showed a hint of reluctance:

“Mommy, when will you come down to see me again?”

“Be good. Whenever Mommy isn’t busy, I’ll bring you goodies to eat. Go back to your room now.”

“Okay!”

The little guy obediently agreed with Handan, walking into the room but looking back at every step. After watching Sixiao return to his room, a trace of strained emotion appeared on Handan’s face. She sighed and prepared to leave, but I stopped her: “Miss, can you chat with me for a while?”

I thought my request wouldn’t be answered. Surprisingly, Handan stopped. She walked to the window and looked at me quietly. I reached up and touched the bridge of my nose, suddenly unsure how to start a conversation. She became slightly impatient, so I quickly spoke to keep her there:

“Let’s make a deal.”

The word ‘deal’ made Handan cover her mouth and chuckle lightly: “You poor boy, you can’t even afford your meal. What do you have to deal with me?”

“Although Miss Handan is the top courtesan in this establishment, seemingly glamorous and constantly seeing high officials, nobles, gold, silver, and jewels, secretly you have a child to look after. You must have some untold difficulties.”

My serious tone and demeanor were rare, causing Handan to look at me in surprise, remaining silent for a long time. Finally, she let out a mournful sigh. I knew it, she was a woman with a story. Tsk, tsk, tsk.

“It breaks my heart more than anyone else to have Sixiao live in this environment, but life is often contrary to what we wish. I am already satisfied that my child and I have a place to stay and a hot meal to eat.”

Her tone was firm, as if she didn’t want to discuss the trivialities concerning her child and this pleasure house. I came up with a good idea. Since she was the top courtesan, she must hold significant status and influence. Although ‘Bao Xia Ju’ was the boss, seeking refuge with Handan would be like having half a backer.

“Miss, I have a favor to ask. Please plead with the Mama and let me out.”

“I can’t make that decision.”

“My intention is, I won’t sign the indenture contract, but I will stay here and work as a laborer to pay off the silver I owe. Besides, Sixiao is intelligent. He should be studying at this age. You can’t let him be an attendant from childhood to adulthood. I can teach him to read and look after him for you.”

How logical and touching! In my heart, I kept muttering that a child is a weakness, a child is a weakness. And wow, the child really was a weakness. My suggestion seemed good. Handan raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms: “You are the ‘Liar Big Brother’ in Sixiao’s mouth. How can I trust you?”

“Wait here.”

I ran to my backpack and pulled out five pieces of silver. It killed me to do it. But we must believe in the truth that you can’t catch a wolf without sacrificing a cub! Clenching the silver, I returned to the window and handed it to Handan:

“Although I claimed to have no money, I do have some belongings, just this much. You are someone who has seen the world and may look down on this fragmented silver, but I am showing genuine sincerity. Please take it. Treat it as money to buy Sixiao a decent set of clothes. If you make friends with me, you won’t lose out.”

Handan weighed the silver I gave her and put on a kinder expression: “You are a strange person. I told you to be polite to Mama and hand over your silver, and perhaps she would have been kind and spared you. Why cause such a scene?”

“Everyone has their own dignity and integrity. I call this ‘preferring to be broken jade than intact tile’ (寧為玉碎不為瓦全).”

“Such integrity. You stay here quietly for now. Tomorrow, I will speak well of you to Mama. Although the silver you gave is not much, I will hand it over to her. In the meantime, stop causing trouble.”

“Sijie thanks Miss Handan here.”

I clasped my hands and bowed. Handan nodded slightly and then walked away leisurely.

…

🎭 The Meeting with Mama Bao

The next day, as soon as the rooster crowed, the backyard became lively again. It seemed the Chun Sheng Lou’s business was truly good, feeding and entertaining a crowd of girls. This ‘Bao Xia Ju’ must be more shrewd than I thought.

I stared blankly at the ceiling, my brain spinning rapidly. This so-called brothel was nothing more than an entertainment venue for ancient people seeking pleasure, equivalent to modern clubs or nightclubs with ‘princesses.’ The business philosophy is similar; only the equipment is different. I had already planned a way to repay the silver. Now, I just had to wait for the plump madam to take the bait.

I didn’t see a trace of ‘Bao Xia Ju’ all morning. I started to wonder if Handan had pocketed my silver and wasn’t doing her job. By the afternoon, a few attendants unlocked the door. My heart cheered when I saw the open door. The attendants led me to the madam’s room. ‘Bao Xia Ju’ was leaning against the table and waved her hand, signaling the attendants to leave.

Suddenly, only the two of us were left in the room. I was a little scared. Was she going to finish me off? I don’t have that ability, baby! ‘Bao Xia Ju’ cleared her throat. A person must have good judgment, so I quickly walked to the table and poured her a cup of hot tea, remembering to blow on it: “Mama, be careful, it’s hot.”

“Oh, are you possessed? Being locked up for a day and a night, you’ve completely transformed. You should be causing trouble for me now.”

Listening to her sarcastic remarks, I endured it!

“Yesterday, Sijie was ignorant and unintentionally offended you. I ask Mama not to hold it against me.”

“Hmph, you think I don’t understand your little tricks? Don’t think that chatting with Handan for a few sentences will resolve everything.”

“Actually, Sijie is not an unreasonable person. It is only right to repay a debt. I will not short Mama a single penny of what I owe; I will definitely pay it back.”

“Easy to say. What do you have to convince me?”

Since she asked this, it meant there was a chance. I walked behind ‘Bao Xia Ju’ and started giving her a massage, tapping her shoulders and rubbing her neck to loosen her muscles: “Mama, how does that feel? Is it comfortable?”

The madam narrowed her eyes, enjoying the massage. It seemed my technique was good. Hehehe.