ebookland Chapter 218 I Like Miss
Chapter 218 I Like Miss
Inside the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, a woman meticulously applied makeup to her eyebrows in front of a bronze mirror. Hearing the door open, her eyes instantly became alluring. She turned to the side, eyebrow pencil in hand, and asked, "Granny, is that the leader?"
"She's here, waiting for Miss Ruofu outside." The old woman stared at her makeup: "It's been a long time since I've seen Miss dressed like this."
The woman looked down at her dress: "The gang leader doesn't like me dressing so flamboyantly."
The old woman replied, "Miss Ruofu is the most special in the leader's heart. Miss, please go quickly, lest the leader wait impatiently."
Her gaze pierced through the beaded curtain, landing intently on the man in the crescent-shaped robe. Her eyes were gentle and tender, her lips parted slightly, and her voice was melodious and graceful.
"Chief, Ruofu has learned a new piece of music. Would you like to play it for me?"
"No need, let's just play 'The Song of Longing'!"
The man was strikingly handsome and possessed an extraordinary air. His well-defined hands held a wine glass to his lips. His eyebrows resembled distant mountains, and his eyes shone like bright stars. The moment his gaze met Bai Ruofu's, she shyly lowered her head.
Of all the songs, the gang leader specifically chose "Song of Longing." Does this mean he has feelings for her?
Her cheeks flushed, and her heart skipped a beat.
After the song ended, Bai Ruofu deliberately tugged at her clothes, revealing a bit of her fragrant shoulder, and walked up to the man with her head down. She picked up the wine pot and poured him more wine: "Chief, was Ruofu's performance of 'Song of Longing' still pleasant to listen to?"
Her eyes sparkled with anticipation as she gazed at him with a slightly nervous heart.
"You've improved since then." The man twirled his wine glass. "Have you completed the task I asked you to do?"
"How could Ruofu dare to be careless about the things the gang leader instructed? All the items were prepared according to the list given by the gang leader, and they were delivered to the General's Mansion the day before yesterday. Gang leader, what is the relationship between the General's Mansion and us? Anyone who doesn't know the situation would think that the things the gang leader prepared were betrothal gifts."
"A betrothal gift? This leader would much rather it be a betrothal gift."
If this is a betrothal gift for A-Yuan, would A-Yuan like it?
The man got up, walked to the window, opened it, and looked in the direction of the general's mansion.
Bai Ruofu followed behind, her face growing increasingly shy.
"It was Ruofu who misspoke."
The man stood motionless. Bai Ruofu mustered her courage and raised her head, taking in his imposing back. The world said the gang leader was ruthless and cold-blooded. Only the gang members knew that the leader only appeared cold.
Two years ago, her mother was abducted by a local gentry and taken to their mansion. When she was seen again, she was a cold, unrecognizable corpse. Her father went to seek justice but was falsely accused of theft and beaten to death. She went to the government office to plead her case, but the corrupt officials and gentry colluded and sent her to the gentry's house. If she hadn't met the gang leader, she would have been dead long ago.
It was the gang leader who saved her, asked a master to teach her skills, gave her an important position, and brought her to the Hundred Flowers Pavilion in the capital.
The Hundred Flowers Pavilion was a intelligence-gathering place for the gang, but to the outside world it was a brothel, and she was the most beautiful courtesan there. Bearing that title, she naturally had to meet all sorts of men. Without exception, they all had ugly faces. They spoke sweet words while scheming and plotting. Even though they had wives and concubines at home, they claimed to be devoted to her. The more she met, the more she realized how rare her gang leader was. If she could submit to him, even as a concubine, she would be willing.
"What are you thinking about, Chief? Are you feeling tired? Ruofu has learned a new fingering technique, would you like to give me a massage?" Bai Ruofu looked at him affectionately. "Or, would Ruofu play a tune for you?"
"No need, just massage my head!"
The man sat down, and Bai Ruofu walked behind him, took a deep breath, and pressed her hand against his temple. The pressure was just right, and the man closed his eyes. Bai Ruofu's face flushed, but her mind was elsewhere.
The gang leader is known for his aloofness towards women, even his servants are all young men. The fact that he not only allows her to approach but also to touch him suggests that he treats her differently.
The beaded curtain swayed in the wind, creating an ambiguous atmosphere.
Looking at that handsome face, both righteous and wicked, Bai Ruofu had a bold idea. She wanted to seize the opportunity to become the gang leader and find her own happiness.
Her fingers moved from his temples to his neck. The man opened his eyes, a hint of disgust in them. Bai Ruofu, oblivious, subtly moved her wrist, encircling his neck, and breathed into his ear, "Chief, shall Ruofu serve you?"
"Bai Ruofu!" The man grabbed her hand: "Don't have those kinds of thoughts you shouldn't have."
With a push, Bai Ruofu fell to the side, immediately looking a bit aggrieved.
The man's thin lips curved slightly, his deep, unfathomable eyes not missing a single expression from her. Her shyness, disappointment, struggle, and resentment were all captured in his eyes. His eyes remained cold and unwavering.
"Chief, Ruofu is sincere! Ruofu doesn't ask for any title, she only asks to stay by your side." Bai Ruofu grabbed his sleeve: "Chief, would it be alright if you stayed with Ruofu?"
"Bai Ruofu, you're getting bolder and bolder?"
"Is the leader looking down on Ruofu?" Bai Ruofu's face lost all its luster: "The leader knows that Ruofu sells her body but not her art, and she is still innocent."
“Baihua Pavilion is my place, and I know for sure whether you are innocent or not. But what does it have to do with me whether you are innocent or not? Bai Ruofu, I saved your life, so it is only right that I let you work for me. Besides, I have never treated you badly.”
"The leader is certainly good to Ruofu." Bai Ruofu said sadly, "Did the leader reject Ruofu because he has someone he likes?"
"Someone you like?" The man was taken aback. "What kind of person would you like?"
“She’s the one the leader thinks of constantly, the one he always remembers,” Bai Ruofu said. “When he sees a flower he likes, he thinks of her; when he sees a beautiful dress, he thinks of her; when he sees something delicious, he thinks of her. Spring, summer, autumn, winter, all year round, he worries that she’s cold when it’s cold, and he worries that she’s hot when it’s hot. When it’s windy or rainy, he worries that the people around her aren’t taking good care of her. When he sees something that suits her, or something she likes, he can’t help but buy it. He thinks of her when he’s doing things. When he sees a woman who resembles her, he can’t help but compare himself to her.”
Bai Ruofu's words made the man's heart skip a beat. He had experienced all of those things she described. The person in question was none other than Lu Zhiyuan, the one who had bought him from the slave market, sent him back to the gang, and helped him rise to the position of gang leader. If what Bai Ruofu said was affection, could it be that he had fallen for the young lady?
A ripple stirred in his usually calm heart. He had loved the young lady ever since he first saw her at the slave market. Unfortunately, he realized it too late; tomorrow was her wedding to the Crown Prince. As her servant, he could only be there to witness her marry another man.
"Bai Ruofu, step back!"
"Who is the person the leader likes?" Bai Ruofu asked in a trembling voice, "Could it be that one from the General's Mansion... Leader, Miss Lu is to marry His Highness the Crown Prince!"
"Get out!" The man glanced at her sideways. "How dare you interfere in the young lady's affairs?"
Miss?
Should I call a prostitute for Ms. Lu, the supervisor?
What exactly is his relationship with that person?
She wanted to ask, but when she met the man's gaze, she shivered and staggered out of the room.
As the door closed, the man turned his gaze toward the palace. "Miss, Han Ting is back!"