Rose Lock - Chapter 6

These two days, a slender figure could often be seen dancing under the lights in the rehearsal room. Even Li Zhen, who didn’t have much of an opinion of Hua Manyi, couldn’t help but sigh.

“This girl is really enduring. Her feet are all swollen and she’s still dancing.” Li Zhen cracked melon seeds and stood at the doorway looking inside. “But, no matter how well she practices, I still think she’s no match for Sister Fang.”

Who is Sister Fang? She’s the leading lady of Fenghai. Once she steps onto the stage, she commands a thousand responses. Her figure, her voice… is enough to captivate most of the young gentlemen in the audience. How could a newcomer like Hua Manyi possibly push her out?

“Exactly! Hey, Li Zhen,” said Zhu Zhaodi, who was standing next to Li Zhen with her hair in two pigtails. Her eyes showed disdain as she lowered her voice and leaned close to Li Zhen’s ear. “I suspect she came here to steal Sister Fang’s thunder.”

Li Zhen’s gossip interest was ignited. “How so?”

Zhu Zhaodi glanced around. Seeing no one nearby, she said, “Look, she signed a contract with Mother Gong. She was scolded a couple of days ago, so she’s probably working so hard now to get Mother Gong’s attention. If I haven’t guessed wrong, her ultimate goal is definitely Sister Fang’s position as the leading lady.”

Li Zhen nodded thoughtfully. “What you’re saying sounds quite reasonable.”

“Tsk, you know the saying, ‘One mountain cannot hold two tigers,’ right? Poor Sister Fang even pleaded for her, almost getting Mother Gong to throw her out. Sister Fang really shouldn’t have; doesn’t she worry about raising an ungrateful wretch?”

Zhu Zhaodi took a handful of melon seeds from her pocket and gave half to Li Zhen. “Don’t you agree?”

Li Zhen accepted the melon seeds without ceremony and skillfully picked up a seed. “What you’re saying is not impossible.”

“Li Zhen! Li Zhen!” Zhu Zhaodi suddenly whispered loudly. “She’s coming out.”

“So she’s coming out, why are you making such a fuss?” Li Zhen was quite displeased.

“You don’t understand…” Zhu Zhaodi complained. “If she really takes Sister Fang’s place someday, then we probably won’t have a good life either.”

“What do you mean?”

Zhu Zhaodi shot her a look of exasperation. “Forget it, I can’t explain it to you.”

Hua Manyi took a handkerchief and wiped her forehead, wanting to go out and get some water. Unexpectedly, as soon as she opened the door, she saw two people standing there. She paused and nodded politely. “Sisters, I’m going out to get some water.”

However, Zhu Zhaodi looked her up and down—a fair, clean face and a pair of expressive eyes. Even standing quietly, she was enough to attract attention. Zhu Zhaodi’s gaze was complicated, mixed with many intriguing thoughts. With an unfriendly “Nods,” she reluctantly stepped aside to let Hua Manyi pass.

“Thank you.”

Hua Manyi didn’t think much of it. After drinking the water, she went back to practice. Her efforts over the past few days were showing initial results. Not only could she complete the entire Spring Day Like Brocade dance, but she had also learned other songs and dances.

…

In a high-end French café next to the New Territories.

“Mr. Lu, if you are truly sincere about wanting this batch of my newly brewed Fakplan wine, you wouldn’t quote this price.” Gong Yan’s face hardened. She called the young waiter over. “The check, please.”

Seeing that she was about to leave, Lu Ren became anxious. “Madam Gong, please stay!”

Gong Yan stopped and waited for him to speak.

Lu Ren scratched his head. “Madam Gong, I was rash. You see, I only arrived in Haicheng not long ago, and my consideration was inadequate. How about this, we’ll go with the price you offered. How does that sound?”

Gong Yan waved a hand, making a gesture to invite him. “Since Mr. Lu is sincere, let’s sign the contract.”

After signing the contract, Gong Yan got into her Ford car. Old Fu, in the driver’s seat, asked, “Madam, are we going to the winery or Fenghai now?”

“Fenghai.”

“Alright.”

The Ford car slowly drove down the street. Outside the window, various foreign pedestrians flowed continuously. Haicheng was becoming increasingly prosperous. The number of foreigners had doubled compared to the past. New-style schools, girls’ schools, and newspapers were no longer monopolized by the military government.

Old Fu hesitated for a moment but still asked, “Madam, if I may ask, why sell the newly brewed Fakplan wine to Lu Ren? What about Yuelai Hotel?”

In the previous years, with the opening of Haicheng’s coast, various foreign wines were imported, with many varieties. They not only catered to the upper-class merchants’ pursuit of famous wines, but their flavors were also more diverse. Unlike the local spicy, pungent baijiu (white liquor), wine has flavors that are both sour and sweet, making it more suitable for women, and it quickly captured the market.

It was then that Gong Yan took over an old winery that was about to close down. Besides importing foreign wines, she focused more on research and development and brewing new wines. Nowadays, her Luhe Winery has almost become the supplier of famous wines for major hotels throughout Haicheng.

And Lu Ren was just a novice young man. No one knew how long his newly opened hotel could last under the pressure of other giants.

To sell a newly brewed wine to Lu Ren like this, wasn’t it a bit unfriendly to other partnering establishments?

“Those old guys at Yuelai Hotel have always been critical of the contract price. Do you think the diarrhea scandal that broke out a while ago was really a problem with our wine?”

Old Fu was shocked. “Madam, are you suggesting?”

Last month, Yuelai Hotel revealed that a guest at their hotel had a problem after drinking their wine. In order to suppress the price of the wine, they didn’t act first and report later to escalate the matter, but instead directly put the blame on Luhe Winery. However, the purpose behind this incident was nothing more than a warning to them. If they had blown up the incident, Luhe Winery would definitely have a terrible outcome. Facing mass returns from major hotels would be light; a more severe consequence, like closing down, was not impossible.

Gong Yan took a puff of her cigarette and sneered.

…

The atmosphere in the kitchen of Fenghai was tense.

Hua Manyi was carrying a bucket, intending to fetch some hot water to wash herself, but the Zhu Zhaodi in front of her told her that there was no more hot water.

“Then I’ll boil the water myself, is that okay?” As soon as Hua Manyi put the bucket down, Zhu Zhaodi blocked her.

“Hey, this firewood needs to be saved for cooking breakfast tomorrow. If you use it tonight, what will Aunt Zhang use to cook tomorrow? It’s freezing now, and the wood in the warehouse won’t be delivered until tomorrow night at the earliest. Have you considered Aunt Zhang’s feelings? Don’t be so selfish! Aunt Zhang hasn’t harmed you in any way, yet you are so malicious as to want her to be scolded by all the brothers and sisters of Fenghai tomorrow. Don’t think that just because you were a young mistress before, you can come here and not follow the rules!”

Aunt Zhang was timid, wiping her hands on her apron, not knowing what to do. “Zhaodi…”

“Aunt Zhang, don’t worry. With me here, no one will bully you.” Zhu Zhaodi looked righteous, her loud voice attracting many sisters who were changing shifts or finishing work to come and watch.

“It’s just boiling a bucket of water? You’re making it sound so serious. I… I won’t wash then.” Hua Manyi bit her lower lip. An inexpressible feeling of embarrassment surged from her heart, driving her to escape.

Turning around to walk out the door, as she passed the group of people, Zhu Zhaodi spoke in a triumphant manner, comforting Aunt Zhang behind her, “You can’t indulge her. Aunt Zhang, if she dares to bully you again, just tell us. The sisters of Fenghai will definitely stand by you.”

The other sisters, who didn’t understand the situation, only thought that this newcomer, Hua Manyi, was throwing a young mistress tantrum and making unreasonable demands for Aunt Zhang to serve her. They deeply hated such behavior and all agreed with Zhu Zhaodi.

Clang, a sudden sound made them turn their attention to the hallway. They saw the figure who was originally running away in distress, had somehow returned to stand before them, staring expressionlessly at Zhu Zhaodi.

If one looked closely, the bottom of her eyes was red and sore.

“Hua Manyi, what do you want to do?” Zhu Zhaodi was not afraid of her, but facing Hua Manyi’s eyes, her body instinctively took two steps back. Trying to embolden herself, she said, “This is Fenghai. If you want to hit someone, be careful, Mother Gong will kick you out…”

“Even if she kicks me out, I’m going to hit you!” She had never been so falsely accused before. Why should she endure this anger?

The more Hua Manyi thought about it, the more wronged she felt. Her eyes filled with sparkling tears, but she grabbed Zhu Zhaodi’s collar, raised her hand, and slapped her without hesitation. “I didn’t bully Aunt Zhang! Why are you falsely accusing me… Why…”

Gong Yan had just gotten out of the car and hadn’t entered the door yet when she saw Xiaoxiao rushing down from upstairs, seeming to be looking for Fang Yu, but her eyes lit up when she saw Gong Yan. “Mother Gong, hurry to the kitchen and see! Something bad has happened! Hua Manyi and Zhu Zhaodi are fighting!”

“Fighting?” It was Old Fu who questioned. At his age, it was the first time he had heard of two women fighting.

Xiaoxiao was about to speak, but she saw a tall figure flash past, walking straight toward the kitchen. She had to shut up and follow closely behind.

When Gong Yan rushed over, she saw this scene: Hua Manyi, the newcomer she had just scolded, was straddling Zhu Zhaodi, crying and slapping her, while Zhu Zhaodi was covering her face and wailing loudly.

“What are you all doing?!”

A voice full of anger echoed in the air, and the small space of the kitchen instantly fell silent.

“Wuwuwu, Mother Gong, Hua Manyi hit me…” Zhu Zhaodi cried, covering her swollen face.

Unexpectedly, as soon as she finished speaking, smack, she was immediately slapped again. It was loud and clear, and everyone was stunned.

“Do you dare to falsely accuse me again?” Hua Manyi, with red, swollen eyes, spoke the harshest words.

Zhu Zhaodi was so scared that she stopped crying and shook her head frantically. “No… I won’t dare.”

Only then did Hua Manyi look up at the figure in the doorway, trying hard to calm herself down. Before Mother Gong could speak, she preempted her, “I admit that hitting people is wrong, but Mother Gong, you just heard it, she was the one who falsely accused me first, and I was so angry that I hit her.”

Zhu Zhaodi originally wanted to explain to Mother Gong, but upon hearing Hua Manyi’s words, she suddenly realized that Hua Manyi was tricking her into admitting the false accusation.

A cold sweat suddenly broke out on her back. She looked at Mother Gong in panic. “Mother Gong, listen to my explanation…”

“The two of you, come to my room.”

…

In the elegant and spacious room, the woman sat on a rattan chair, crossed her long legs, and coldly scanned the two people in front of the table. “Speak, what happened?”

Hua Manyi didn’t speak. She turned sideways and looked at Zhu Zhaodi with a wronged expression. “I didn’t provoke you, why did you falsely accuse me?”

Gong Yan: “…”

Zhu Zhaodi: “…” Didn’t Mother Gong ask them to reply?

Under the pressure of two gazes, Zhu Zhaodi still recounted the whole story, only faltering and speaking softly when mentioning Hua Manyi asking Aunt Zhang to boil hot water for her.

Hua Manyi, with her sharp ears, heard it and widened her eyes. She was so angry that she raised her hand. “Zhu Zhaodi, do you think I haven’t hit you enough? How dare you lie again!”

“Enough!” Gong Yan covered her forehead and called a stop. This unruly young mistress really wouldn’t tolerate any loss. “Zhu Zhaodi, go to the accounts room and find Butler Liu to get your monthly wages. You don’t need to come to Fenghai anymore.”

“Mother Gong! Mother Gong, I was wrong…” Only then did Zhu Zhaodi deeply regret it. Although Fenghai was scorned as a place of pleasure, the salary for a maid there was much higher than outside.

However, no matter how much she pleaded, Gong Yan remained unmoved.

After the person was dragged away, Hua Manyi felt relieved but didn’t show it. She knew not to push her luck. She bowed respectfully and said, “Thank you, Mother Gong, for your wisdom and fairness. Then… I’ll go back now.”

“Stop,” Gong Yan called out to her. “Did I say you could leave?”

Hua Manyi pursed her lips and stepped back. “Mother Gong, if you also want to kick me out, I have no complaints.”

“Did I say I’m kicking you out?” Gong Yan was amused by her wronged appearance. She glanced at Hua Manyi’s backside. A large red stain had already soaked her skirt, but this little mistress apparently hadn’t noticed yet.

Gong Yan coughed once. “There is a bathroom inside, with automatic hot water.”

Hua Manyi asked, “Hmm?” in confusion.

“You’re on your period.”

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