Beyond the beaded curtain was the area for drinking and listening to music—and also where they selected their men.
The décor had a decadent, almost licentious feel. At first glance, it seemed elegant: calligraphy on the walls, embroidered and carved screens. But a closer look revealed the words were lewd, the paintings suggestive, with half-dressed figures in inviting poses. The screens themselves were even more explicit.
The fabric was thin, letting one faintly see what was behind. The madam explained that this was the changing area.
Xie Yan could barely look further. Sitting down, he urged Li Feng to choose quickly.
“Finish picking, then we go home.”
Li Feng insisted on choosing a refined man. He pointed to one, had him walk a few circles, and then told Xie Yan, “This one’s good. Your husband will like him!”
Xie Yan: …
Sitting upright, he scrutinized the men before him, picking out anyone sturdy, saying, “Your husband will definitely like him!”
Everyone present went from shock to numbness, eventually giving the two strange, confused looks.
The madam didn’t ask much, simply smiled and called over someone to record names.
“You two pick carefully. I’ll keep their schedules clear, just for your master.”
She didn’t mention “your husband” at all.
Li Feng and Xie Yan fell silent, taking a brief truce to confer.
Xie Yan had never met Hong Chu, so he didn’t know his preferences.
Li Feng said Hong Chu was somewhat like Lu Yang in temperament and advised choosing someone more refined.
Xie Yan had a different opinion:
“Usually men seek young ladies—they want them beautiful, virtuous, and sensible. Those are the ones you’d marry. If they meet someone wealthy and high-status outside, they’ll chase after him. We just choose according to men’s tastes.”
Following that logic, they picked some sturdy, muscular men—hard to intimidate in daily life—along with a few who looked refined and somewhat noble, representing higher status.
Then they selected some softer, more pliable types, easier to handle, whether for teasing or protecting.
Once the number was set, Li Feng confirmed: “Tomorrow afternoon, we’ll come again to finalize and call them all.”
The deposit would come from their firm’s funds—not Hong Chu’s. It was a necessary expense.
The next afternoon, Lu Yang would review the selection and make final adjustments.
Pressed for curfew, they hurried home, not bickering along the way.
Back at the brothel, the madam sipped tea, telling the men serving it: “See that? Those two must be sons-in-law. Look how clumsy they are—what man would choose his own hat? Forget ever wanting a son-in-law.”
Li Feng and Xie Yan didn’t know they were considered “sons-in-law.” Near home, they slowed down and resumed their playful arguing.
Li Feng teased that Xie Yan was experienced enough to warrant a complaint.
Xie Yan retorted that Li Feng had peculiar tastes and should be reported to Brother Liu.
Li Feng asked what was peculiar.
Xie Yan grinned knowingly: “I say what’s peculiar, and that’s final.”
They exchanged a look, tacitly agreed to a truce, and returned home to seek comfort from their husbands.
Xie Yan bragged at length, belittling the brothel men:
“Jingzhi, none of them are better than me. I saw them all. Many are tall, robust men, none to your liking. Seeing them is like seeing a bunch of Li Fengs—what’s so interesting? When everyone else gets left and right embraces, you’ll be lonely. Take me with you, please?”
Lu Yang laughed so hard he nearly spit out his tea.
Xie Yan wiped his mouth, patted Lu Yang’s back, and his touch slowly became more intimate. He lowered his body, holding Lu Yang’s waist, showering him with precise, lingering kisses.
Having visited several brothels, Xie Yan still carried the scent of powders and perfumes—a messy, almost intoxicating aroma.
He asked if Lu Yang would take him along. Lu Yang watched his behavior and decided against it.
Xie Yan covered his face, frustrated by such cruel affection, yet deeply enamored.
Meanwhile, Li Feng returned home. Lu Liu buzzed around him like a little honeybee, sniffing, nuzzling, and trying to plant sweet kisses, checking if Li Feng was a “good flower.”
Li Feng, feeling a mixture of melancholy and amusement, asked, “What’s this? Are you afraid I’ll run away?”
Lu Liu disliked the perfume scents on him, stripped off his clothes, and sniffed his warm, oily skin—smelling of sweat.
He said, “I always hear you worry about men being taken away by others. Now that you went, I naturally worry.”
Li Feng, shirtless and sprawling on the chair, pulled Lu Liu onto his lap.
Lu Liu, tiny compared to him, shivered, recalling nights of collisions and bruises.
He asked what Li Feng had seen at the brothel. Li Feng said: “Nothing worth seeing. I advise you not to go. The men are weak, like Xie Yan. You won’t like it. By then, they’ll be embraced left and right, while you’re held by weaklings. What kind of experience is that?”
Lu Liu looked up, smiling sweetly:
“In that case, I can go! I want to see it for myself. They say it’s a place men go. I never dared think of it before. Big Feng, please let me go. I don’t like weak ones—I like you.”
He reached out, bluntly stating: “I like big roosters, not weak chicks.”
He had planned this treat for Li Feng—tonight, they would feast.
Afterward, Lu Liu asked if he could play outside.
Li Feng, pleased, agreed: “I’ll be with you outside. Call me if you need anything.”
Lu Liu adored him: “My Big Feng is the best!”
The next afternoon, Lu Yang and Li Feng returned to the entertainment district, finding Xiangman House. They confirmed the men and booked five days in advance.
The following morning, Lu Yang personally delivered invitations to the Hong family and waited for Hong Chu’s reply.
In the next few days, he took Lu Liu and Shun Ge’er to the docks multiple times, attracting new clients and keeping the accounts in order.
With some free time, he also visited a jade dealer to select a fine piece of jade.
Xie Yan’s birthday was at the end of the month. He had picked the jade himself. The piece was raw, with uneven edges—appearing like scrap, but far larger than scraps. Not enough for a bangle, but enough for pendants, safety amulets, plaques, and seals.
Lu Yang told the dealer to call it scrap if Xie Yan asked.
The dealer, unaware of the couple’s tastes, asked if Lu Yang wanted other material.
“I have some smaller fragments for earrings or beads.”
Lu Yang waited as the dealer opened a box on cloth, picked two small pieces.
With many people at home, water needed to be carried for everything. Small pieces were fine, but they couldn’t be missing entirely.
He paid for them immediately. The fragments were cheap, costing two to five taels depending on quality. The better jade he bought for Xie Yan was pricier—thirty taels before carving.
Lu Yang had checked jewelers, but the dock stall offered the best deal.
He asked the dealer if he knew any jade carvers: “When I finalize the design, I’ll come to you for carving.”
The dealer said he knew someone, waiting for Lu Yang.
“The carver is excellent. Big city jewelry shops offer him huge sums, but he only looks at the best material. Boss Lu, I’ll take you there. Next time, be generous—support my business. Buying scraps and broken stones all the time isn’t fun.”
