Outside the corridor of Dawn Spring Courtyard, a handsome young man was currently surrounded on all sides.
Several girls jostled each other, their chatter never ceasing.
“Young Master, where are you from? Won’t you come sit with me for a while~?”
“Little Master, you’re quite handsome. Come over to sister’s place, and I can give you a better deal~”
“Come on~ Come on~”
The girls were passionate as fire. Seeing such a rare handsome young man, they nearly lost their composure.
But it wasn’t their fault for getting excited like spring had arrived. In truth, it all came down to the fact that these girls usually didn’t get to feast their eyes on much.
Either fat-bellied heavy men or stubbly middle-aged uncles. On normal days, the best guests they fought over were nothing more than inexperienced passing scholars.
Now that they saw a young hero with an eye-catching appearance, one that left an impression at first glance, which of these battle-hardened girls could withstand such a test?
It was truly like a long drought finally meeting rain.
As for the young man—oh no, Liu Yao—she seemed rather skilled at handling these enthusiastic responses.
She kept her hands in front of her, maintaining a distance from the girls, and dealt with them with a smile on her face.
“There’s no need. I’m just here on some business. How about next time, if there’s an opportunity?”
“This elder sister is indeed beautiful and kind-hearted, willing to offer a discount. But I, your younger brother, truly have matters to attend to and cannot break away. Please forgive me, sister.”
“I will definitely come next time. Mm! For sure!”
She kept a forced smile on her face while speaking all sorts of insincere words.
Outwardly, she maintained the image of a young master, her words perfunctory yet not impolite.
Why are these girls still so clingy?
Sigh… Truly, being handsome is a sin…
But being handsome can’t put food on the table. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have to work for someone else.
Liu Yao might not show it on the surface, but she was secretly narcissistic.
She glanced again at the girls before her, their enthusiasm undiminished, and sighed inwardly.
‘That’s why I stay in a quieter private room. Every time I come here, I get mobbed by a crowd. It’s really a waste of time, isn’t it?’
Normally, as a bodyguard, Liu Yao shouldn’t stray too far from her employer.
But first, Liu Yao’s appearance was too striking, making it easy for some thirsty girls to block her path—not exactly good for bodyguard work.
Second, Liu Yao herself was currently a woman disguised as a man, and some little secrets were better hidden in quieter, more secluded places.
Just as Liu Yao was trapped and couldn’t break free, a cold voice came from outside the crowd.
“Everyone, move aside.” The voice wasn’t loud, but it carried an unyielding coldness.
Hearing the sudden voice, everyone was stunned.
The girls turned their heads and saw a young woman in a light purple dress stepping forward.
Her features weren’t extraordinarily beautiful, and her eyes carried a distant aloofness, but the charm between her brows constantly told others that she was one of the smiling girls around her.
She swept her gaze over the girls present, her eyes passing over each face indifferently, finally landing on Liu Yao and pausing for a moment.
“This young master…”
“Oh, oh! I’m of the Lu family. Just call me Master Lu,” Liu Yao snapped out of her daze and introduced herself.
“I was invited by Lord Wang and am employed as his bodyguard for these few days.”
“Lord Wang’s bodyguard…”
Hearing Liu Yao’s introduction, it was now the cold-faced girl’s turn to be stunned.
She looked Liu Yao up and down, then nodded to herself as if confirming something.
“Uh… Miss?”
“Uh? Ah! So you’re Master Lu. I’ve actually heard of you from Lord Wang. Now that I see you, you’re indeed… outstanding,” the girl snapped back to reality and began to flatter.
“In fact, Lord Wang was just praising you a moment ago, hehe.” She covered her mouth with a chuckle.
“Haha, it’s just empty fame, empty fame…” Liu Yao scratched her head sheepishly.
“Ah! Lord Wang had called me over earlier, but I accidentally wasted too much time!”
“No worries. I’ll tell these girls; they won’t bother you anymore.”
The somewhat cold-faced girl assured Liu Yao, then turned her head and swept her gaze over the remaining girls.
“This young master is a guest invited by Lord Wang.” Her voice was low and cold, yet it clearly reached everyone’s ears. “All sisters, when you crowd around Master Lu, think a little more.”
“If Lord Wang has urgent business with this young master, but it’s missed because of your horseplay…”
“You all know Lord Wang’s temper… It’s better not to offend him.”
Hearing this, the girls exchanged glances, and the previously lively chatter immediately died down.
Someone muttered a few words, seemingly complaining, but in the end, no one dared to talk back, and they dispersed one by one.
Liu Yao breathed a sigh of relief, straightened her collar which had been pulled askew, and cupped her hands toward the newcomer.
“I must thank miss for resolving this.”
“It’s nothing, young master. Please don’t blame the sisters too much. They’re just a bit too curious, um… enthusiastic.”
Having said that, the girl began to examine Liu Yao again.
Her gaze moved from Liu Yao’s face to her shoulders, from her shoulders to her waist, as if confirming something or pondering something.
Liu Yao felt uncomfortable under her scrutiny and was about to ask, but the girl withdrew her gaze and bowed slightly. “Young master, Lord Wang is still waiting inside. From here on, please go ahead.”
With that, she didn’t wait for Liu Yao’s reply, turned, and left.
But just as she brushed past the young girl, she suddenly tilted her head and shot Liu Yao a sidelong glance.
That glance was dim and flickering, as if she had something left unsaid.
Liu Yao was startled by the inexplicable look and felt a chill run down her spine.
‘Why do I always feel like there’s an odd look in her eyes… like she’s looking at an idiot?’
Before she could figure it out, the girl had already turned, disappearing around the corner of the corridor without looking back, leaving only a faint trace of powder fragrance lingering in the air.
Not far away, a few girls who hadn’t left yet gathered together whispering. Their voices weren’t loud, but Liu Yao had sharp ears and caught most of it.
“Look at her. Just because she caught Lord Wang’s eye, she walks around with a sour face all day, like everyone owes her money.”
“Exactly. What’s she so proud of? That Lan woman thinks she’s made it to the top? Who does she think she is, with her background? Does she really think she’s the boss?”
“Shh! Keep it down! She’s Lord Wang’s favorite now. Offend her, and she’ll make your life difficult later.”
“Hmph, who cares…”
‘…Lan, huh?’
Liu Yao filed that surname away in her mind. Thinking back to that glance, she still felt something was off.
‘Did she have something to say?
‘But why didn’t she just say it outright?’
Liu Yao shook her head, temporarily suppressing her doubts.
‘Forget it. Let’s handle business first.’
“Ladies, I have urgent matters, so I’ll take my leave now!”
She brushed off the few girls still lingering with a few perfunctory words and quickly walked toward Wang Chengle’s private room.
At the end of the corridor, the private room’s door was tightly shut, with warm yellow candlelight seeping through the cracks.
The sounds of clinking glasses and laughter emerged faintly from within, punctuated now and then by Wang Chengle’s signature loud voice.
Liu Yao took a deep breath, raised her hand, and knocked three times lightly on the door.
“Thump, thump, thump—”
The noise inside abruptly stopped.
There was a moment of silence.
“What’s the big idea…” the young girl muttered discontentedly.
After another long moment, Wang Chengle’s slightly displeased voice came from inside the private room, his tone even carrying a hint of drunkenness.
“Who is it?”