Rose Lock - Chapter 10

The workers at Fenghai number as many as thirty or forty, so the bathhouse was built to be relatively large, with multiple compartments separated by curtains.

Nighttime was Fenghai’s busiest period, and at this hour, there were few people in the bathhouse.

Water splashed loudly, making a crashing sound between the towels and the hot water, splashing onto the floor, leaving it stained with water. Lingdang was even humming a tune while washing, making it difficult for Hua Manyi not to recognize her.

She didn’t know if someone had entered the bathhouse, but a cold draft snuck up from beneath the bath curtain, making her shiver.

Lingdang quickly dried herself and prepared to get dressed and leave, thinking that by now, Hua Manyi had probably finished attending to that person. Then she’d say a few nice words and send the person away. If it weren’t for Xue Wengan becoming stingy since last month, not only were the usual tips gone, but all the effort put into attending to her every day was for nothing, just a few copper coins—enough to send away a beggar.

If she weren’t afraid of gossip, she would have switched to serving a more generous lead singer long ago, like Xiaoxiao, whose monthly wages were several silver dollars more than hers. She found out it was all from the tips Fang Yu gave her. Truly, comparing people was enough to make one furious.

Lingdang also thought about being thrown up on—she was thrown up on every day. She didn’t have enough clothes to change into as it was, and the ones she was wearing were new purchases. Was someone trying to dirty them? How unlucky!

Just as she was about to put on her clothes, she didn’t notice someone standing behind her, only feeling a sudden gust of cold air on her back. She thought the wind had pushed open the bath curtain. However, when she turned around, a bucket of ice water poured down her collarbone. The bone-chilling cold penetrated every cell.

“Ah—”

Lingdang screamed, but that wasn’t the end of it. Scoop after scoop of ice water continued to douse her body. She backed up against the wall and finally saw clearly who was playing the trick on her.

“Hua Manyi! Are you crazy!” Lingdang covered her chest and stomped her feet, shivering so much her teeth chattered. Seeing Hua Manyi pick up another scoop of water, Lingdang finally couldn’t help but resist, grabbing the other person’s hand. Unfortunately, the other person was a step faster and completely restrained her hand.

“Ah… so cold… so cold…”

Her stomach, lower abdomen, and chest—there was nowhere to hide. It wasn’t until the bucket was empty that this woman, Hua Manyi, stopped.

“Feel good?” Hua Manyi tossed the scoop into the bucket and released her left hand, her expression cold.

Lingdang squatted down, hugging herself and trembling all over. Her mind seemed to be frozen, unable to think. It took a while for her to recover.

“What… did I do to offend you?” Lingdang suddenly looked up, her wet, cold hair plastered to her face like a madwoman’s. Her eyes were full of anger and resentment. “Hua Manyi! How did I offend you!”

“Lingdang, the one thing you shouldn’t do is treat everyone like a fool,” Hua Manyi squatted in front of her, staring directly at her. “You treat Sister Yan as a fool, you use me as a fool, and only you are smart. If I told Sister Yan what you’ve done, if I told Mama Gong, do you think you could still stay here?”

Lingdang’s face froze. She recalled the final fate of Zhu Zhaodi, who was also dismissed.

“Hua Manyi, I… I’m begging you… don’t tell Mama Gong. I have a younger brother at home who needs to go to school. I can’t lose this job.” Faced with the desirable job at Fenghai, she ultimately couldn’t bear to give it up.

…

Leaving the bathhouse, Hua Manyi ultimately did not expose Lingdang.

A week later, perhaps truly unable to resist the demands of those people, Mama Gong finally gave her permission to perform on stage. Since learning her schedule, Hua Manyi had been in a state of excitement. She spent the entire morning preparing, practicing her pitch, and arranging her makeup.

Because she knew very well that she was one step closer to becoming a wealthy woman.

She put on her full pearl earrings, and the delicate necklace on her chest was captivating. Hua Manyi looked at the woman with red lips and white teeth in the mirror, revealing a satisfied smile. Xiaoxiao, who had been sent by Fang Yu to help her, had to admit that this woman was naturally charming. She was tall and slender, yet she lacked nothing where she shouldn’t. No one had ever managed to wear the high-class, slit qipao with gold trim and convey the feeling of a refined socialite or wealthy madam.

Many wealthy madams harbored a prejudice and disdain for this type of high-slit qipao, believing it was unsuitable for public appearance, the kind of clothing worn by women in brothels.

After all, Fenghai was a place of romance and pleasure. Once inside, almost every girl who had performed on stage carried a certain air of worldliness, catering to preferences for profit, often losing their original innocence. But Hua Manyi was very unique. She never had that fallen, worldly air, yet she wasn’t associated with lofty elegance and purity.

She was a strange woman, like she floated between the two, finding a balance that astonished everyone.

“Sister Manyi, don’t forget the gloves,” Xiaoxiao smoothly changed her address to Sister Manyi and handed over a pair of white, openwork lace gloves.

“I almost forgot. You have a good memory, Xiaoxiao,” Hua Manyi put on the gloves and walked down with soft, slow steps. As soon as she stepped onto the stage, she was met with unprecedented cheers.

“Hua Manyi!”

“Hua Manyi!”

“Hua Manyi!”

At this moment, no one would associate her with Miss Hua Manyi, the disgraced daughter of the Hua family who had her home searched and confiscated a month ago. Here, she was a new person with a new life.

The new song she learned, “The Wandering Singer,” was sung with a different charm coming from her mouth. The flashing neon lights shone on the golden microphone, creating a scene of extravagant decadence.

The rule for a lead singer was generally to perform about five or six songs before the lesser-known singers came out to keep the atmosphere lively.

Hua Manyi was called to a table of guests to share drinks. There were about three or four people, all wealthy young gentlemen. When they toasted her, she reciprocated politely, her etiquette impeccable, giving them no room for complaint.

“The wine’s all gone?” Hua Manyi propped up her chin and covered her mouth, exuding charm. She said in surprise, “Young Master Li, why don’t you try our Martell? It’s not expensive, just 138 silver dollars a bottle.”

Young Master Li was caught in her half-closed, slightly intoxicated eyes, feeling as if she were a star in the sky—noble and pure, yet condescending to favor him. His vanity was greatly satisfied. “Since Miss Hua Manyi is so enthusiastic, then bring a bottle.”

Hua Manyi’s red lips instantly curved into a smile, and she gracefully stood up. “Then Manyi will fetch it for you herself.”

For this 138 silver dollar bottle of wine, she would get a 30 silver dollar commission for every bottle sold. It would be a shame not to fleece this Young Master Li.

Arriving at the liquor cabinet, Hua Manyi asked the attendant to bring down the most expensive Martell for her. The bartender watching the liquor was full of admiration as he retrieved the bottle. Few people had managed to sell this particular bottle so far. Hua Manyi had sold a bottle on only her second time on stage—it was incredibly enviable.

“Open it, please, and give me a few stemmed glasses,” Hua Manyi requested. While waiting, her peripheral vision seemed to catch something. She frowned and looked to the side.

Wasn’t that Lingdang? What was she doing here?

Sister Yan seemed to be there too, but it looked like they were only passing by. Hua Manyi didn’t think much of it. Seeing the bartender prepare the items, she returned with a cheerful heart.

“Here, Young Master Li, the Martell you ordered. Manyi offers you a toast.”

“Come, come, Miss Manyi, another cup…”

“Another cup…”

After three consecutive cups, Hua Manyi’s vision swayed. She thought she was just unaccustomed to such strong liquor. After all, few people could afford the expensive Martell, and she hadn’t had a chance to build up her tolerance beforehand.

A flush of color tinged the corners of her eyes. Hua Manyi felt a little hot, and her tongue was slightly burning.

“Come on, Miss Hua Manyi, can you still drink?” Seeing her state, Young Master Li’s lust flared. He moved closer, trying to put his arm around Hua Manyi’s shoulder. Hua Manyi felt an instinctive resistance. She picked up a glass of wine and subtly turned her body, dodging his touch. “Young Master Li, why are you showing no pity for a delicate flower? Why don’t you drink this for me?”

“Alright! It’s my honor, I, Li, to drink for a beauty.” Young Master Li was a shrewd man, and seeing her like this, he was clearly waiting for his opportunity.

Hua Manyi shook her head, her mind on high alert, but the wine’s effects were too strong. She could barely stay conscious, and her reason told her she had to find a way to leave.

But as soon as she stood up, she was too dizzy to walk and immediately slumped back onto the sofa. Her consciousness was fading. She wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but she felt someone touching her body. She pushed the hand away in disgust, but her hand had no strength. She grew increasingly anxious.

In her ears was Young Master Li’s ill-intentioned calling, which made her heart pound even more.

Tonight was going to be a disaster, a voice in her mind kept repeating.

However, in the next moment, her wrist was seized, and a force pulled her up from the sofa, making her stumble into a warm, soft embrace, accompanied by the familiar scent of smoke.

A lazy voice, carrying an unquestionable tone, said, “Yiyi is drunk. Consider this drink on me, Gong Yan, to Young Master Li. Please excuse us.”

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