Rose Lock - Chapter 48

In a secluded alley, the warm rays of the setting sun shone on the uneven flagstones.

Hua Manyi came over carrying some food and clothing, but never expected to hear such news.

“I don’t know, probably dead,” someone said.

Hua Manyi pressed, “Roughly when was that?”

That person recalled, “About two months ago, it seems we haven’t seen that beggar since the Huo family and that singing girl finished their turn/turnover/change.”

Hua Manyi had no choice but to take the items back. Passing a pharmacy, she went in to buy an ointment for bruises and sprains, asked the shop assistant to run an errand to deliver it to the Li family, and then returned to Fenghai to attend to her own affairs.

The telegram was sent out and quickly received a response, but everything was already settled. Lu Nian and she had sent the wet nurse to prison, and she had also accepted the news of her parents’ death.

Gong Yan dismissed Fu Bo and tucked the telegram away.

Downstairs in the dance hall, Hua Manyi was chatting with Fang Yu, Bai Jing, Xue Wenyan, and Xiaoxiao. No one knew what Xiaoxiao had said, but it made everyone smile sweetly.

“Manyi, you’ll be eighteen soon. Did Gong Ma say what you’ll do on your eighteenth birthday?” Bai Jing asked.

Hua Manyi: “She said we could have a banquet at her vineyard.”

“A vineyard, tsk tsk, we’ve never been to Gong Ma’s vineyard, and she’s hosting a banquet for you. Manyi, look how much Gong Ma dotes on you,” Bai Jing teased.

“But I refused.”

“Ah?”

At this, the other three were confused. Hua Manyi calmly picked up a glass of red wine and swirled it. “It’s too much of a fuss. I’m just a small dancer, it doesn’t matter whether I celebrate it or not.”

“You shouldn’t say that. Eighteen is a big deal. A woman only has one eighteenth birthday in her life, don’t you agree?” Fang Yu disagreed with her.

“Absolutely. It should be properly celebrated. Coincidentally, we sisters are free that day.”

“That wouldn’t be good. It would take up the sisters’ time,” Hua Manyi said, seemingly overwhelmed.

Fang Yu scolded good-naturedly, “What’s not good about it? If you don’t want to go to Gong Ma’s vineyard, we can do it here at Fenghai. We’ll clear the place for you then.”

Xue Wenyan noticed, “Gong Ma is here.”

The other three quickly called out, “Gong Ma.”

Gong Yan sat down next to Hua Manyi, her posture elegant. “What are you all chatting about? Let me listen too.”

Fang Yu gestured to look at Hua Manyi. “We’re talking about how to celebrate Manyi’s eighteenth birthday. She said she doesn’t want to celebrate it at your vineyard, so we’re thinking of booking the whole venue at Fenghai and inviting others who are free to celebrate.”

“That’s a good idea,” Gong Yan skillfully lit a cigarette. “Since Manyi is celebrating her first birthday at Fenghai, the entire Fenghai will have the day off on her birthday.”

“Really?!” Xiaoxiao was the first to exclaim, “We really get a day off?!”

Gong Yan smiled and nodded. Now the others were also happy, all saying they benefited from Hua Manyi, getting this day off.

“Thank you, Gong Ma.” Hua Manyi raised her wine glass and clinked it with hers, a slight smile on her lips and her eyes curved. But only she herself knew that this was merely a customary thank you.

Bai Jing and Xue Wenyan didn’t sit for long before going to prepare for tonight’s performance. Sister Fang Yu said she needed to talk to someone, and suddenly only Gong Ma and Hua Manyi were left at the table.

“Gong Ma,” Hua Manyi elegantly yawned. “I’m leaving too. I’m going upstairs for a nap.”

“Manyi,” Gong Yan called out to stop her, gesturing for her to stay. “Have a drink with me.”

Hua Manyi looked at her suspiciously, sat back down, and personally poured wine into Gong Ma’s and her own glasses. Her voice was sweet and charming, “Come, Gong Ma, Manyi toasts you.”

Gong Yan also picked up her wine glass but didn’t clink it with hers. Her lazy gaze fell upon Hua Manyi’s calm expression, and she countered, “Toasting me for what?”

“To thank you for giving us a day off.” Hua Manyi said and then smiled, taking the initiative to clink glasses. The clear sound resonated distinctly and pleasantly in her ears.

She drank it all in one gulp.

“Alright, I’ve had a drink with you, I should head upstairs now.” Hua Manyi set down her glass and gracefully stood up. Her cheongsam tightly hugged her slender waist, emphasizing her curves.

“What do you want for a birthday present?” Gong Yan spoke as she stood up.

Hua Manyi paused, turning her head. “Hmm?”

“As long as it’s not too outrageous, I can give you anything. Jewels, accessories, or even a mansion…” Gong Yan looked up into Hua Manyi’s surprised eyes, her red lips slightly curved. “I can give it.”

“Then… what about my indenture agreement?” Hua Manyi mimicked her deep smile.

Gong Yan was stunned.

Hua Manyi smiled even deeper. It was impossible for this woman to give her the indenture agreement, at least not now. Once she gave her the indenture agreement, it meant she would lose a cash cow.

Gong Yan did not speak, only watched her quietly.

Hua Manyi turned and walked upstairs without any lingering regret.

…

Days passed. Hua Manyi had just finished singing on stage and hadn’t even reached a table when someone outside shouted that there was a telegram for her. She took it casually.

The telegram was from Lu Nian, but the content was that her brother, Lu Yu, was getting married in three days, asking if she wanted to attend the wedding banquet.

Lu Yu is getting married…

And Gong Ma had disappeared two days ago. Everyone thought she was just busy with the vineyard business, as she often was.

But the timing was too coincidental…

Hua Manyi was distracted ever since she saw the telegram, even though she appeared as calm and composed as usual on the surface, clinking glasses and chatting happily with the guests.

For some reason, the guests tonight didn’t stay long and left one by one. Hua Manyi, rarely, sat alone at a table, her expression unreadable. She poured herself a drink until she finished the bottle of wine the guest had bought before stopping.

Xiaoxiao walked over. “Sister Manyi, the guests are all gone. Shall we go back to our rooms?”

“Mhm.” The amount of wine she drank tonight was almost half of what she usually had, nowhere near enough to get drunk. Hua Manyi put down her glass and walked upstairs with Xiaoxiao.

“Sister Manyi, whatever gift you want, Xiaoxiao will try her best to get it for you.”

Hua Manyi glanced at Xiaoxiao, who was tilting her head and pondering a gift. A fleeting image of the same promise from that woman crossed her mind, but the next moment she dismissed the shadow and chuckled, “Xiaoxiao, I don’t need any gift. Just the thought is enough. I’d love it even if you just cooked a bowl of congee.”

Xiaoxiao frowned and mumbled, “No one is like that…”

Arriving at her door, Hua Manyi dismissed her. “Alright, I can take care of myself tonight. Xiaoxiao, you can go get some good rest.”

…

Neon lights flickered in various colors in the night sky over Zhengyuan Street. Fu Bo was driving in the driver’s seat, while the Madame was rubbing her temples in the back. As an attendant, he knew today’s business was unsuccessful. They were intercepted halfway, and the opposing party offered a lower price. Those people reneged on their deal and chose to cooperate with the other party.

“Elder Master Zhang went too far this time,” Fu Bo said indignantly.

“Enough, I don’t want to discuss this any further.”

Fu Bo fell silent.

After arriving at Fenghai, Fu Bo hadn’t even circled to the other side to open the door for his Madame when the woman in the car got out by herself and walked upstairs, leaving him with her back.

Fu Bo had no choice but to get back in the car and drive home to park it.

Gong Yan walked upstairs with a stern face. She encountered Xiaoxiao, who greeted her, and she nodded and kept walking. After reaching her room, before she could even sit down, she heard a knock on the door behind her.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me, Hua Manyi.”

Gong Yan turned to open the door. Hua Manyi’s slightly pale face came into view, and Gong Yan’s cold expression softened. “What’s wrong?”

Hua Manyi stood at the doorway, looking intently at the woman in front of her, as if in a dream. A figure had just flashed past her door, and she thought she had seen wrong, but then she heard the sound of a door opening in the room next door. She inexplicably came to knock on the door to confirm.

“You didn’t go back to Nancheng?” Hua Manyi lowered her eyes, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible. She knew that asking this question would immediately reveal her true feelings and her vulnerability.

“Why would I go back to Nancheng?” Gong Yan pushed the door open slightly, signaling for her to enter, but Hua Manyi didn’t accept the invitation, standing still in her spot.

“Lu Nian said… her brother is getting married in three days.”

“I know.” Gong Yan leaned against the table and lit a cigarette. “What does his marriage have to do with me?”

Hua Manyi’s expression subtly changed, still somewhat unsure. Her nails dug into her palm. “But Lu Yu and Gong Ma, didn’t you…”

Gong Yan interjected directly, “He and I are not suitable.”

So that meant… Gong Ma didn’t successfully go through with the arranged meeting with Lu Yu?! The woman marrying Lu Yu was someone else… Hua Manyi realized this, and the tension that had gripped her all afternoon, which she hadn’t even noticed, finally eased.

“Is there anything else?” Gong Ma asked again.

Hua Manyi calmly pursed her lips, pointed a finger towards her own room, and shook her head. “No. Well… I’ll go back now.”

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