âLian er?â Gu Xun looked at Tang Doudou with surprise. âWhy is Alliance Head Li looking for Lian er?â
After asking that, he worried that Tang Doudou would misunderstand him, so he explained, âIn Wind Cherishing House, Jin Yi is the only one that knows about my plan, so dragging Lian er into it isâ¦â
Tang Doudou shook her head. âBoss Gu, I understand your worries, but I really do need Lian er for this. Donât worry, itâs definitely not related to this matter. I just need to ask him some private questions.â
This explanation didnât quite match up. Lian er was just a courtesan, what was there about him that couldâve caught Tang Doudouâs eye?
In addition, Lian er was very petty and had a dirty mouth, yet he always liked to act very delicate and sweet. Although the guests liked him, none of the people in this brothel liked him.
Gu Xun had a faint recollection of this courtesan because he had almost driven him out of Wind Cherishing House for being audacious and refusing to follow orders.
He couldnât understand what exactly Tang Doudou liked about Lian er. Jin Yi had also informed him that Tang Doudou had asked for Lian er in the afternoon.
However, because she was asleep, they didnât actually see each other and a strange person had kicked Lian er down the stairs.
Thatâs right, who was that person?
Gu Xun looked around, then his gaze stopped on the screen. Was he in there?
It was probably Jun Xin. There was no one else he knew of that would follow Tang Doudou so closely.
âBoss Gu? What are you looking at?â asked Tang Doudou curiously when she saw that his attention was focused on the screen.
Gu Xun retrieved his gaze. âAhem, itâs nothing.â
Tang Doudou smiled and didnât press him.
âSince Alliance Head Li insists on heading out, I wonât stop you. Time is tight so Iâll go call Lian er up for you right now, and then Iâll help you two leave Wind Cherishing House quietly.â As Gu Xun got up, he glanced towards the screen again.
Tang Doudou said, âThen Iâll be troubling you, Boss Gu.â
âNo need to be so polite, Alliance Head Li. Itâs just an exchange. I just hope that Alliance Head Li wonât forget what youâve promised me.â Gu Xun walked past the screen and glanced behind it, but he didnât see anyone there. He furrowed his brows in confusion. He had clearly sensed someone behind the screen earlier, so why was there no one there?
âDonât worry, Boss Gu, as long as I get to Huai City safely, Iâll naturally fulfill the promise.â It was a different story if there was no way to get back safely.
Gu Xun nodded with a smile, then left.
Tang Doudou watched him leave, then silently sunk into thought for a while. She walked behind the screen and saw that Jun Xin was sprawled out there sleeping.
Wasnât Jun Xin right here?
Why did Gu Xun look as if he hadnât seen him?
âIt looks like your guess was wrong.â Baili Yu sat up and leaned against the head of the bed.
Tang Doudou nodded, then shook her head. âNo, my feelingâs definitely right. Gu Xun canât be trusted.â
âThe stinkinâ woman is right for once. Itâs best not to trust these Bai family siblings. Gu Xun isnât a good person, and Bai Feiyun is no better.â Jun Xin walked out from behind the screen. âThereâs no way you guys will be able to get back by relying on Gu Xun, so Iâm going to head out to arrange things. You guys should be careful, especially you. Why are you heading out for no reason?â
âI need to look for Lin Shuxuan,â said Tang Doudou in a low voice.
âLin Shuxuan? Whoâs that?â Jun Xin didnât know about the things that had happened recently so he didnât know who Lin Shuxuan is.
Tang Doudou said, âHeâs a rich kid that I met here in Hibiscus Garrison. He has quite some influence here.â
âHow much influence could someone from a tiny place like this have?â Jun Xin showed his disdain.
âYou shouldnât look down on him. Heâll come in very useful in helping us leave.â Tang Doudou giggled without explaining further.
Jun Xin curled his lips disdainfully. âAlright, then look after yourself, Iâm leaving!â
Not long after Jun Xin left, Lian er came upstairs.
âAlliance Head Li.â After Lian er walked in, he glanced at Tang Doudou timidly. âDoes Alliance Head Li have instructions for Lian er?â
Tang Doudou rubbed her chin and glanced behind her. When Lian er walked in, Baili Yu had lay back down. From the even breathing sounds, it seemed he had fallen asleep.
âLian er ah! You said that you had grown up in Wind Cherishing House, right?â
Lian er didnât know why she asked this, but he replied in the usual way, âEn, most of the courtesans here had grown up in Wind Cherishing House.â
âThen what about the courtesans that were here while you guys were still children? Where did they go? Why havenât I seen any of them?â asked Tang Doudou.
Lian er froze. Tang Doudou explained, âI heard someone say that Wind Cherishing House has been here for twenty years already, but you guys look only fourteen at most. So who worked here while you guys were still children? It couldnât be that Wind Cherishing House waited until you guys grew up to start taking customers, right?â
âOh, Alliance Head Li, why are you asking about this?â Lian er exclaimed in surprise, seeming stunned by Tang Doudouâs question.
âIâm just asking casually. Just answer me honestly. If you answer well, this Alliance Head has a big reward for you!â
âAlliance Head Li, youâre clearly making things hard for this servant on purpose! I was so little back then, how could I possibly remember?â Lian er pouted unhappily.
Tang Doudou brushed back her head and said apologetically, âIt was my neglectance.â
Lian er glanced over at Baili Yu out of the corner of his eye. When he saw that Baili Yu was asleep, he slowly moved closer to Tang Doudou and asked sweetly, âCould it be that Alliance Head Li called this servant over only to ask these boring questions?â
Tang Doudou didnât push him away so he fell into her arms. âAlliance Head Li, this night is so quiet and boring. Why not allow Lian er to dance for you?â
âDance?â Tang Doudou shook her head. âNo, I have another task for you, but Lian er, will you be able to bear this responsibility?â
Lian erâs brows furrowed slightly. This was the martial arts alliance head, how could a courtesan like him help her with anything?