Chapter 8 – Leaving (1)
To say that He Yunshu was surprised is an understatement. Out of all the people she encountered, only the Young lady Xue Yao—and a courtesan at that—had managed to unveil her disguise! It was unthinkable.
Or it could be worse. It might be that only the Young lady had the guts to tell her and she had been prancing around town looking like a complete idiot.
How reckless! He Yunshu scolded her self internally.
She had been pulled from her thoughts by Su Xin’s soft, inviting voice.
“Come inside my room and we shall talk.” Su Xin kindly offered.
He Yunshu followed Su Xin to her room. As she stepped foot inside, a frown settled on her face.
Although the room looked clean, it was old and unkempt. Tables and chairs were chipped, walls were bare, there wasn’t really any sort of charisma in the room. Outrightly unembellished as it was, it didn’t match the Young lady Xue Yao’s elegance. She simply looked out of place.
Why was the Young lady here anyway? If He Yunshu was not mistaken, she’d seen her upstairs this afternoon. She appeared skeptical with the way things were.
Curiosity always gets the best of her and it sometimes gets out of hand.
To begin with, she was looking forward to see the infamous festivities in the brothel firsthand, not to chatter inside a lady’s room. But to her utter disbelief, it seemed like her feet had a mind of their own. The Young lady must have bewitched her!
He Yunshu cleared her throat and proceeded to ask what’s necessary instead.
“Please enlighten me, how did you know I’m a girl?”
Su Xin breathed a deep sigh of relief, though not so obviously, and answered He Yunshu’s query. “The miss has the lingering fragrance from the cosmetics that of a daughter from a distinguished house, which must have accumulated through time. Also, those clothes are everything, but a vain attempt in concealing the miss’ delicate form.” Su Xin paused with a concerned look. “I’m afraid, you are unlikely to convince anyone.”
Anyone at a distance would go haywire.
“Getting to know each other is fate. The miss is of noble blood and I am well, a courtesan which is far below nobility.” Su Xin put the silver back into He Yunshu’s hand.
“Don’t say that. Your kind is not inferior in any way, at least for me. I have not looked down on people who dabbled in questionable methods to get out of poverty1. Let alone you are not a normal courtesan who sells their body but art and entertainment2. You are not lowly.” He Yunshu urged Su Xin to keep the money as meeting gift.
“Many thanks.” Su Xin bowed as an expression of her gratefulness. Her voice was distinct and soft, like a lullaby. He Yunshu looked past the dim lighting to see a gorgeous countenance.
After He Yunshu left, Su Xin called Fourteen in her mind.
Master Fourteen, do you know when will Miss Mary Sue go to the capital?
[To check and report to the host.. half a month from now.] The dutiful AI answered Su Xin’s question.
I see. Master Fourteen, what do you do when I don’t talk to you?
Su Xin became interested in the system’s life outside of work.
[Looking at other hosts.]
Oh? I have a fellow worker?
[Well, there are two of you.] Fourteen answered. Because candidates for the Fate Trading system are difficult to find, it was only able to found two.
Is it a boy or a girl? Can I speak to them?
Su Xin asked curiously.
[It’s a girl. Initiating call request…]
[I’m sorry but the other party hung up on your request angrily, saying this greeting was insulting.]
Why is that?
Su Xin was genuinely bewildered. This coworker of hers seemed to be a difficult person to get along with. Would a little chat hurt?
[Because the other person is currently making some.. sauce3.] Fourteen’s voice was a bit clipped and defensive.
Su Xin mouth twitched at the corners. This system was trying to kill her for being so insensitive, ah. Didn’t even inform her in advance that the recipient was currently engaged with such activities.
Well, isn’t this system a smartass.