Sixty-five

Chapter Sixty-five

After I said to the beautiful gentleman in red, ‘remove your hands now, ladyboy‘, that beautiful gentleman sinks into a stiffened and unbelieving state of trance, and so I nimbly pull Bai Wei away, with not the slightest means of reflection nor guilt.

Alright, I admit I’m not a very nice person, clearly know of the person’s sore spot and just like to step on that spot a few times, how could that feeling be described with a simple word of ‘amazing’ alone? It has to at least be two words – very amazing.

Bai Wei shows extreme surprise towards my actions, nor do I explain much to her, just muttering to myself, “To even enchant a woman with those looks, isn’t this man just overly beautiful?” Bai Wei immediately falls silent upon hearing this, shame flashing past her eyes.

I inwardly sigh to myself, look at how shy and na?ve this lady is, to even be captivated by a stunningly beautiful man, how normal, unlike the strange species that is me, clearly in a fifteen-year-old body, yet I act just like an eighty-year-old grandma, blushing and fast heartbeats has nothing to do with me.

Dear heavens ah, exactly who created this sin?

After returning from ‘Fei Lai Feng’, Bai Wei and I obediently stay in the inn, when night came, Yuwen Rui and a very concerned-looking Bai Jian Fei returns, we have dinner together and then each return to our own rooms to sleep, everything was very normal.

The next day, Bai Jian Fei went out in search for the famed physician again, Yuwen Rui states he has matters to do, whilst Bai Wei and I once again go out onto the streets together.

In the jade store, Bai Wei holds a jade hairpin as she seriously asks me, “Ah-Lan, do you think this hairpin would look good on my sister?”

I nod, “Looks good.” That jade hairpin has a whole body of emerald green, the jade lustrous with no impurities, the tip of it carved into a hibiscus flower, not bad indeed.

Bai Wei faintly sigh, “But the amount things that are able to gain Sister’s liking are far too little……perhaps I should say there’s simply none.” She lowers her eyes, “Brother didn’t manage to find Divine Physician Liao Jun yesterday……”

I believe that in this moment, I should offer her some comfort, and so I pat her shoulders, saying some extremely typical words of comfort, “Good people naturally have the heavens’ blessings.”

Bai Wei instead laughs, mischievously saying: “Such words of comfort coming from your lips, sure is a little strange.”

I’m speechless, should I be saying some harsh and sarcastic words then?

Great earth ah, exactly who planted this seed?

Bai Wei ultimately bought that hairpin, according to what she says, whether Bai Qiang likes it or not, it is still the thoughts that counts. But according to me, if Bai Qiang doesn’t like it then she should wear it herself, isn’t that also great?

Look at this, I am indeed a selfish person.

Leaving the jade store, Bai Wei and I walk along the main street, today, we are both in our lady outfits, Bai Wei is born elegant and refined, paired with a body of delicately pretty demeanour, she sure has people gladdened at heart and pleasing to the eyes, earning an extremely high number of turning heads in the street. And of course, a little piece of grass like me serves as a contrast, I heavy-heartedly stroke the corner of my forehead, say, why do I feel heavy-hearted now? Say, how come I can still carry a little excitement within such heavy-heartedness?

What? You ask why I’m excited? I’ll tell you why, if it isn’t because of the ugly man in brocade clothing, and the huge group of hired thugs behind him that is blocking Bai Wei’s and my path.

I want nothing more than to clap and yell, ‘young lady getting harassed, passer-by edition’. For me to even run into such a dog-bloodied scene, I truly am feeling f*cking heavyhearted to the extreme ah!

Not to mention that ugly man in brocade clothing, who knows what dog hole those hired thugs came jumping out of, forget the fact he’s blocking our path, he is even deliberately acting distinguished as he tosses his 9:1 parted fringe, spreading open his fan as he deliberately acts refined and cultured, saying: “May Lady wait a moment, I have something to say to you.”

Bai Wei’s face turns cold after a moment of pause, courteously saying: “This gentleman is……?”

“Haha, Lady is asking who I am?” The ugly man in brocade clothing sways his fan, that flying fringe not looking attractive at all, “I am the son of Tian Yin City’s magistrate, Liu Gao Yang.”

“So it is Gentleman Liu.” Bai Wei faintly smiles, “Don’t know what Gentleman Liu has to say to me?”

Liu Gao Yang reveals his crooked teeth, narrowing that pair of murky eyes as he says: “Lady went to ‘Fei Lai Feng’ in male disguise yesterday, right? I was also there yesterday, I sure got a deep impression from Lady ah……”

Bai Wei is not affected, “How embarrassing.”

“Didn’t think that I would also run into Lady here today, truly is fate ah, fate I tell you!” Liu Gao Yang laughs so happily, “Since it is like this, would Lady be willing to sit in the restaurant with me for a while?”

Having said that, he points to a high-end restaurant at the roadside, and on the second floor of the place he points at, there just happens to sit a delicately elegant man in silver clothing and a beautiful man in black clothing.

I slightly narrow my eyes, Yuwen Rui and Ladyboy, they’re sat drinking together?

“Many thanks for Gentleman’s good intentions, just that I have some urgent matters at hand today, truly sorry.” Bai Wei declines the offer with an apologetic smile.

Liu Gao Yang says with a flattering smile: “Don’t know what urgent matters Lady has? I am but very familiar with this Tian Yin City, perhaps I could be of help to Lady.”

“It’s just family matters, how could I trouble Gentleman?” Bai Wei apologetically smiles, pulling my hand as she prepares to swiftly pass them, “Gentleman, let us say goodbye here.”

Just that Liu Gao Yang is unwilling to let us off so easily, spreading his arm to block us, loudly yelling: “Wait!”

Bai Wei’s face turns a little cold, “Gentleman, what is the meaning of this?”

“It is no more than a cup of tea, is Lady not even able to give me some face?”

“Gentleman, I already said, I have urgent matters at home.”

Liu Gao Yang discards his politeness, speaking with an unruly smile: “Meeting Young Master, I, even if there are urgent matters, you must leave it behind for me! I must have you accompany me for tea now, it really isn’t possible to not drink it!”

Bai Wei tugs at my hand tightly, looking around to see the increasing number of people as she says: “Gentleman, to stop people in the middle of the streets, do you not have any awareness of the law at all?”

“Law? What is the law?” Liu Gao Yang flicks his hair as though thinking he’s chic, eyes sweeping around the surrounding people with seeming warning, “My father is the magistrate, my younger cousin – Liu Ru Xu – will soon become the empress, is it not just stopping people in the middle of street, who can do anything about it?” He then looks at Bai Wei, whose face is filled with nervousness, and bursts out laughing, saying: “I say, if you are to blame anyone, then blame Chen Zhuo, of all women to snatch, he had to snatch away Young Master’s Hong Yao, fine, Young Master gives him Hong Yao, now you come and play with Young Master, I!”

I grow quite interested upon hearing this, Liu Ru Xu……it sure has been a long time since I’ve heard this name.

Bai Wei fiercely looks at him, “I’ve long gotten rid of the title of Chen Zhuo’s wife-to-be, what’s the use in pestering me?!”

“Who cares whether you are now or not, Young Master must have you play with me!” Liu Gao Yang suddenly sets his eyes on me, ordering the thugs behind him, “Go and seize that bold lass for me first, don’t let her ruin my joyous matters.”

Two thugs come forward as told, just that when the one on the left reached out to grab me, he suddenly sounds “aiya”, before his entire person had fallen to the ground. The one on the right sees this and ridicules him, yet when he reaches out to touch me, he too, sounds a painful cry and falls to the ground, clutching his stomach, unable to get up.

“Two useless things, what are you doing?!” Liu Gao Yang spits out, “You lot, go up now!”

Another few thugs approaches me, just that before they had reached my side, they all go “aiyo-aiyo-aiyo” and fall to the ground, burly bodies trembling in pain. Only now does Liu Gao Yang realises something isn’t right, looking all around as he yells out: “Which good-for-nothing is ruining Young Master’s matters?! Do you not wish to live?!”

The pedestrians withdraw their line of sight, pretending to not see and not hear anything from the scene over here, yet not many people leaves.

“All of you get up now!” Liu Gao Yang kicks at the people by his feet, angrily saying: “Nothing more than two lasses, Young Master, I, shall take care of it myself!” Having said that, he furiously walks towards the two of us, just that having made a few steps, he falls to the ground like dog poop, so embarrassing.

“Aiyo my leg! Which scoundrel threw this……silver?” When Liu Gao Yang picks up the ‘weapon’ that committed the assault, he slightly freezes, then in the next moment, he continues to curse: “Don’t let Young Master catch this secret attacker! I’ll have you crippled should I catch you!”

With another sound of “dong”, Liu Gao Yang falls face first to the ground, presumably got hit on the back of his head.

“Young Master, Young Master!” The thugs comes to Liu Gao Yang’s side with injured arms and legs, “Young Master, are you alright? Young Master!”

Liu Gao Yang raises his head with a dust covered face, not speaking so smoothly now: “Aren’t, aren’t you going to quickly help Young Master up! I, I, I’ll let this scoundrel in the shadows off today! Leave now!” He ferociously glares at us, “You two also wait for it! Should Young Master run into you again, Young Master must……” Before he finishes, he suddenly holds his waist and cries out, “Young Master’s waist ah! Scoundrel! Stop now! Young Master is leaving now!”

The corners of my lips twitches, I cannot believe this, he sure has the heart to bear it, each and every nugget were all silver ah.

Young Master Liu Gao Yang leaves with an extremely tragic fate, the people on the side burst into cheers and laughter, then fights for the silver on the ground, I pull along the yet to snap of her trance – Bai Wei – as I head towards the restaurant, walking up to Yuwen Rui and Ladyboy’s table. Ladyboy’s eyes start to severely twitch when he sees me, whilst Yuwen Rui is still ever so elegant and calm.

When Bai Wei’s eyes falls onto the ladyboy, she is suddenly hit with shock, “You, you,” She then looks at Yuwen Rui, dryly laughing as she says: “Gentleman Yu Wen? Such a coincidence ah, hoho.”

Yuwen Rui’s pretty fingers slowly rubs against the cup in hand, long and fine fox eyes remaining placid, he lightly smiles and says: “Lady Bai, what a coincidence.”

“Hoho.” Ladyboy leisurely turns his eyes, line of sight travelling back and forth between Yuwen Rui and Bai Wei with romantic ambiguity, his red lips alluringly open, “Didn’t think Gentleman Yuwen is also one that is softhearted for pretty women, but this lady is indeed not bad looking, yesterday, I……”

“Cousin.” I speak up and cut off his words, lovably saying: “I’m hungry.”

Ladyboy deeply looks at me upon hearing this and says no more, whilst Yuwen Rui slightly nods, calling over the worker to order dishes, and so, the few of us sit around one table, the meal was also considerably peaceful. Just that after finishing the meal, when we were all prepared to part ways, Ladyboy suddenly looks at Yuwen Rui with a seeming smile, saying: “So this bold lass is Gentleman Yuwen’s cousin……a rather interesting one from what I’ve seen, how about Gentleman Yuwen give me this little lass, and I’ll agree to the matter you spoke of before, how’s that?”

Bai Wei is clearly stumped, looking at Ladyboy and Yuwen Rui at a loss, whilst Yuwen Rui narrows his long and fine eyes, elegantly smiling as he says: “Tian Yin City is not bad indeed, I believe Gentleman Pan is able to stay here for a few more years to your heart’s content.”

I mindlessly have a drink of tea, as though what they’re discussing doesn’t involve me at all. Ladyboy Pan wants me to go with him, for him to agree with Yuwen Rui’s matter, and Yuwen Rui on the other hand, directly told him to enjoy his time here for a few more years……

The matter Yuwen Rui has on hand right now?

Could it be that Ladyboy Pan is also a ‘Mén’?

Whether Ladyboy Pan is a ‘Mén’ or not, I have no idea, only because I couldn’t find the chance to ask Yuwen Rui at all. After Yuwen Rui got back to the inn, he had once again been hurriedly dragged away by Bai Jian Fei, and my feelings make a rare show of discomfort –– if it isn’t right though, not even having the time to ask a question, what is this considered?

But thankfully, I am an openminded person, Yuwen Rui has no time, and Bai Wei and I aren’t the type to loiter around either. Bai Wei is originally a noble lady, the opportunity to come out is originally very rare, having come out this time, of course she wouldn’t let go of any opportunities for fun. Look at this, only the second day and she had dragged me onto a cruise, saying to go and admire the sea view.

No break, really is no break.

This cruise Bai Wei and I are sitting on, is different to the pleasure boats for touring the lakes, this cruise is much bigger and sturdier than the pleasure boats, the most important factor being, you can easily own a pleasure boat to tour the lakes, whereas, it is extremely difficult to get hold of a cruise.

Gentlemen and young ladies from different families have all booked their own rooms to admire the scenery, Bai Wei and I are of no exception, just that not long after, someone comes knocking on our door, and that person has a stunningly beautiful face –– if not Ladyboy Pan who else can it be?

Ladyboy Pan naturally said a load of pleasantries before occupying the room with us, I see him speaking back and forth with Bai Wei, looking rather harmonious, and so I lower my head and demolish the plate of fruits, waves of satisfaction spreading in my heart.

“Lady Ah-Lan.” Ladyboy Pan suddenly speaks up, ill-intent and mischief flashing past those enchanting eyes, “I see your appetite isn’t small, sure is similar to a certain animal.”

What’s this, want to ridicule me, suggesting that I’m a pig?

I leisurely wipe my mouth, slowly saying: “Gentleman Pan, I would like to verify a matter with you.”

Ladyboy Pan raises his brows, “What matter?”

I lightly say: “Truthfully, after we left that day, you kept looking at yourself in the mirror, right?”

“……”

As I had wished, I see Ladyboy Pan’s arrogant expression go hua-la-la shattering to the ground, looking oh so surprised and stiff.

The room falls silent for a moment, Bai Wei carefully observes us, and the corners of Ladyboy Pan’s lips constantly twitches, simply impossible to stop. It seems that only I am still so carefree, leisurely eating my fruits.

Ai~, you guys must know, without an opponent, I would be so lonely ah. En, of course, Yuwen Rui needs not be counted.

All of a sudden, the cruise starts to violently shake, the sound of women’s sharp screams and terrified cries can be heard from outside, I grab onto the shaking table, furrowing my brows, “What’s going on?”

Bai Wei also shows a worried face, “Why is the cruise shaking without stop?”

Ladyboy Pan finally stops his twitching, mind at peace as he says: “Presumably due to encountering strong waves.”

“What to do then?” Bai Wei desperately asks.

Ladyboy Pan smiles so stunningly beautiful, “It’s nothing, such intensely strong waves will pass after a moment, nothing much can……”

The damned word of ‘happen’ had yet to be said, when the cruise makes a violent shake, and the I that just happened to be sat by the window, is sent flying out, drawing an unimaginable curve in the air.

Bai Wei exclaims, “Ah-Lan!”

I also exclaim, “My great master’s!”

With a sound of “pu-tong”, I had already dunked into the ice-cold seawater, wanting to cry but no tears coming out, am I filming a fantasy drama right now? How could I even manage to fall like that?! Before I had stopped wanting to cry, another sound of “pu-tong” is heard, followed by Ladyboy Pan’s beautiful face appearing before me.

He hooks his lips up into a smile, “Ah-Lan, I can’t swim.”

I freeze, what’s it got to do with me if you can’t swim?

But in the next second, I gnash my teeth, f*ck you Ladyboy Pan, if you can’t swim then forget it, why must you pull my hand and drag me down with you?!