Rogues of Thirty, Bound by Mutual Understanding

Yu Xi watched as Xiaohong left, and seeing that this boy was about to mock him again, he flew into a rage. “You little brat, you’re asking for trouble yourself! I’ll show you how tough I am!” he shouted, raising his fist to strike Xiaoyun.

Xiaoyun quickly darted behind Second Uncle Xie, crying, “Second Uncle Xie, help me!” Second Uncle Xie hurriedly stopped Yu Xi, who barked, “Second Uncle Xie, you dare?”

Xiaoyun grinned. “Why wouldn’t he dare? Second Uncle Xie isn’t under your thumb anymore. He’s the Tiger-Slaying Hero of our village now. Yu, if you’re not convinced, why don’t you try your strength against him?”

Yu Xi looked at Second Uncle Xie’s tall, sturdy frame and his thick, powerful hands, and his confidence faltered. He growled, “Just you wait, boy. I’ll make you pay for this. And you, Second Uncle Xie, you’ll regret crossing me.”

“Oh? We’ll see who should be afraid of whom!” Xiaoyun replied with a laugh. He and Second Uncle Xie headed to the restaurant to find Manager Yang, leaving Yu Xi alone in the yard, fuming and dazed.

On the way, Xiaoyun asked, “Who is this Xiaohong? Is she really that influential?”

Second Uncle Xie explained, “Xiaohong is the Ninth Lady’s trusted maid and also the chief steward of this inn.” Indeed, a maid’s word here was worth a thousand pieces of gold.

The two of them entered the restaurant. Xiaoyun noticed the place was bustling with customers, and the waiters were all neatly dressed and handsome. Looking around, his eyes almost dazzled. Second Uncle Xie pointed discreetly to a chubby middle-aged man by the counter. “See him? That’s Manager Yang.”

Xiaoyun walked over and said, “Hey, are you Manager Yang?”

The man was startled, glanced at Xiaoyun, and asked, “Kid, are you talking to me?” At that moment, Second Uncle Xie hurried over and said with a smile, “Great Manager Yang, Miss Xiaohong sent me and this boy to work for you.”

Manager Yang glanced at them and said, “We have enough staff. Second Uncle Xie, aren’t you working for Yu Xi?”

“Yes, that’s right,” Second Uncle Xie replied. “But just now, Miss Xiaohong asked me and this boy to come work here.”

Manager Yang chuckled, “So you’re sent by Miss Xiaohong. All right, you can work here.” With that, he called out, “Xiaoyu, bring the register and write down their names.”

“Coming!” A youth suddenly appeared and bounded over. He asked Second Uncle Xie and Xiaoyun their names and ages, and they each replied in turn.

The youth, Xiaoyu, noted their answers. Xiaoyun saw that Xiaoyu was only a couple of years older than himself. Not only was he good-looking, but he also spoke and acted with an easy humor that immediately drew Xiaoyun’s attention and affection.

Xiaoyu, too, seemed to sense that Xiaoyun was a little out of the ordinary. He asked with a smile, “Xiaoyun, how did you end up here?”

Since he was asked, Xiaoyun answered, “It was Xiaohong who told me to come.”

Xiaoyu was surprised. “Miss Xiaohong? I’ve never heard of her sending anyone to work here. She never bothers with such trivial matters. Why would she ask you to come? Are you acquaintances, or are you related?”

Xiaoyun replied proudly, “I didn’t know her before. I only met her just now in the back courtyard. She asked me to come work here. What’s so strange about that?”

Xiaoyu said, “You think it’s easy to get a job here? When I first came, I had to put in a lot of effort to get hired. If you weren’t sent by Xiaohong, Fatty Yang wouldn’t have taken you at all. Strange, why would Xiaohong help you so easily?”

Xiaoyun thought to himself, “Isn’t it just because I have the skills to win Xiaohong’s favor?” Out loud, he joked, “Why do you keep saying I’m strange? What’s so odd about me? I think it’s you, always asking questions—that’s what’s odd.”

Xiaoyu gave him a long, scrutinizing look and said mysteriously, “Truly, you’re not an ordinary person. There must be many strange things in your life.”

Xiaoyun thought, “I just read someone’s fortune, and now someone’s reading mine. This is bizarre!” He couldn’t help but laugh and curse, “Come on, I didn’t read your fortune, but now you’re trying to read mine. That’s really something.”

Xiaoyu burst out laughing, amused that someone so handsome could speak so roughly.

Manager Yang saw them still chatting and scolded, “Xiaoyu, what are you two babbling about? Xiaoyun is new and doesn’t know the rules. Make sure you teach him, and show him around.”

Xiaoyu quickly agreed, stuck out his tongue playfully, grinned at Xiaoyun, and led him away. Second Uncle Xie, already familiar with the place, had gone off to work.

Xiaoyu first took Xiaoyun to their quarters and arranged a bed for him. “It seems I’m a few years older than you, so I won’t stand on ceremony—shall I call you my little brother?”

Xiaoyun, hearing the respectful address, quickly replied, “May I ask your family name, big brother?”

“No need for formality. My surname is Chu,” Xiaoyu answered.

“Very well, then I’ll call you Brother Chu. Brother Chu, I’m young and inexperienced, so I’ll be relying on your guidance from now on,” Xiaoyun said.

Xiaoyu laughed. “How amusing! A moment ago you were swearing up a storm, and now you’re speaking so politely. Truly interesting.”

Xiaoyun grinned. “Likewise, likewise.”

He set down his bundle and looked around. The room was spacious, with eight or nine beds. Since it was a men's quarters, there was an unpleasant smell that made him uncomfortable; clearly, many people lived here.

He asked, “Brother Chu, there must be a lot of people working at the Ruyi Restaurant, right?”

Xiaoyu smiled. “It’s hard to say exactly how many work here, but there are fifty or sixty waiters, plus thirty or forty song girls.”

Xiaoyun was surprised. “Song girls? Why didn’t I see any?”

Xiaoyu smiled, “They’re upstairs in the private rooms entertaining guests. Only special customers—either very wealthy or with special tastes—go up there. The song girls play music, dance, and sing for them. Some sell only their art, not their bodies, so they’re not only beautiful but truly charming.”

Xiaoyun laughed, “So, Brother Chu, you’ve taken a liking to them, haven’t you?”

Xiaoyu replied, “Indeed, in my eyes, all women are beautiful and lovable—especially the girls in this restaurant. They’re more mature, sensible, gentle, and adorable than ordinary girls. They really do win people’s affection. I bet you’d feel the same if you saw them. If you don’t believe me, I can take you upstairs for a look.”

Xiaoyun laughed, “No need. I like women too, especially adorable and beautiful ones.”

Xiaoyu laughed, “It seems that’s a common weakness among men. We’re born to love beauty. But what saddens me is that while I love beauties, beauties may not love me.”