MWC – Chapter 8 The New Era of Cohabitation

I AM DROPPING THIS NOVEL. IF ANYONE WANTS TO CONTINUE THEY CAN. IF POSSIBLE PLEASE SHARE THE LINK SO I CAN BINGE READ TOO.

The high-rise buildings standing in close proximity, the dazzling neon signs, and the wide avenues filled with various cars reminded Lu Ming of photos he had seen of New York in the 1950s.

However, such a magnificent scene was only present in the main urban area, especially the western district, which housed the largest Western residential area and was the most prosperous region in Donghai.

In contrast, the newly developed areas with the most immigrants and the suburban satellite towns extended beyond, featuring tenement courtyards and slums on the dark side of the moon, where the most underprivileged laborers, who contributed their blood and sweat to the operation of the vast city of Donghai, resided.

Beiguan Town, adjacent to Donghai’s new development area, was administratively part of the Donghai Autonomous Metropolitan Area. It was the largest satellite town of Donghai. Despite being called a town, it was larger than Wuan, with a population of hundreds of thousands, comparable to some small northern cities in terms of population, and in terms of prosperity, it far surpassed them.

The Beiguan branch of the Imperial Bank was housed in a slightly old clock tower-style building.

Across the street from the bank, in an alley, there were both courtyard houses and small two-story buildings.

Lu Ming was currently in a small two-story building, standing on the second-floor balcony, looking down at the narrow alley below.

Under the moonlight, the alley was very quiet with no sign of people, only the swaying green willows.

Lu Ming had bought this two-story small building for 7,000 Imperial Yuan, which was slightly cheaper than a high-end apartment in the Donghai city center, though the living area of a high-end apartment at the same price would be much smaller than this.

Lu Ming had come to Donghai over a month ago and had settled everything by now. Yesterday, he had just brought Zhen Shi from a grand hotel in a nearby city to this place.

The second floor of this small building had been completely cleaned and repainted, with all new furniture. Zhen Shi’s bedroom was specially furnished in traditional northern style, with a moon gate bed, a dressing table, and other items.

Lu Ming’s bedroom, on the other hand, was more in the style of Donghai, with a large Simmons bed and a bedside table.

The second floor consisted of four rooms and a living room. According to the original layout, Lu Ming lived in the master bedroom, Zhen Shi in the lady’s bedroom, with a study and a servant’s room as well.

However, the first floor of the small building was still rented out as a laundry shop, though the lease was about to expire, and Lu Ming did not intend to renew it for the tenant.

From the second floor, a side stairway from the balcony led down, not connected internally with the first floor, as the previous owner had renovated it to be rented out as a storefront.

…

Just now, Lu Ming had gone out for a walk and had just returned.

However, Zhen Shi seemed very tired, having fallen into a deep sleep since yesterday and was still asleep in her bedroom.

During the time without him, she must have felt very helpless. Fortunately, it was a high-end hotel where she didn’t need to see anyone, as the maid she generously tipped took good care of her.

But psychologically, she must have been very exhausted.

Like a pet that had lost its owner’s protection?

Lu Ming froze, feeling that this thought was too disrespectful.

But perhaps Zhen Shi really did feel that way.

The more he thought about it, the more he felt pity for her.

Lost in his thoughts, Lu Ming checked his pocket watch; it was already past nine in the evening.

After some consideration, he returned from the balcony and opened the door to the room on the east side. The room was filled with a pleasant fragrance.

It was a very quaint bedroom, with red curtains hanging from the moon gate bed, a jade-green Ruyi scepter replica on the table, and a single vase with a feather duster.

Inside the moon gate bed, a figure lay faintly visible under a thin red blanket, with only the beautifully coiled black hair visible from Lu Ming’s angle.

Lu Ming smiled and coughed lightly.

“Ah…” With a start, the owner of the beautiful hairstyle sat up abruptly, turned, and laughed charmingly, “Master, you’re here!” Her face was full of joy as she reached out her delicate hand to pull back the bed’s sheer curtains.

The beautiful woman was none other than Zhen Shi.

Her face was delicately painted like a moon, stunning and enchanting, wearing a luxurious red gauze jacket and a goose yellow skirt. Sitting on the bed, the hem of her skirt slightly revealed her small, exquisitely wrapped feet in beautiful silk socks, exuding a lazy charm that made one’s heart race.

Lu Ming rubbed his nose, averting his gaze.

Zhen Shi hurriedly got out of bed, “Master, I will prepare some snacks for you and then make you a hot meal.”

Lu Ming nodded and followed her out, feeling extremely unusual.

Every time he was in the same room with this little enchantress, this strange feeling grew stronger.

Following her, he noticed her graceful figure, her waist swaying with each step, exuding an understated allure, with each glance and smile like a blooming flower. When she sat down, her demeanor was full of boundless charm.

On the dining table outside the kitchen’s carved glass door, several snacks were placed under a net cover to prevent insects from falling in.

Zhen Shi lifted the net cover with her delicate hands, revealing the exquisite snacks: golden balls and snow-white rice cakes.

Lu Ming was stunned, “Did you make these?”

“Mm, Master, please try them and see if they suit your taste…” She picked up a snowball-like treat and brought it to Lu Ming’s lips with her jade-like fingers.

Looking at her delicate hand with its painted nails, Lu Ming hesitated for a moment, unable to open his mouth as if afraid of touching a precious artwork.

But the snowball was already at his lips, so Lu Ming had to open his mouth slightly, feeling a hint of sweetness from his lips.

“Master, do you like it? …” Zhen Shi asked expectantly with her beautiful eyes.

Lu Ming could only nod vigorously, the treat melting in his mouth with a fragrant taste, a rare delicacy in the world.

However, her words, though innocent, had a hint of ambiguity, especially with her lovely face so close, looking so pleasing. Lu Ming’s mind wandered, almost kissing her.

He quickly took two steps back, calling out to himself in his heart. How could he, a young man full of vigor and inexperience, withstand this?

Especially as a modern man, suddenly having a stunningly beautiful and docile concubine, a perfect beauty, who thought in such a traditional manner, ready to serve him in any way. The psychological and physiological impact was overwhelming.

“Doesn’t it suit your taste?” Zhen Shi saw Lu Ming stepping back, a hint of disappointment flashing in her beautiful eyes.

“No, no, it’s delicious, really delicious!” Lu Ming hurriedly said.

“Ah, as long as you like it!” Zhen Shi’s thinking was so simple. Immediately, she wiped away her tears to smile, her smile as radiant as peony blossoms.

She continued, “I didn’t know when you would come, so I made dessert. What would you like for dinner? I’ll prepare it!” Then she added, “The gas stove here is so convenient, luckily there’s a manual.”

Only then did Lu Ming remember how she could use a gas stove and chuckled, “That’s because you’re clever.”

Originally, he thought she was just a vase, but who knew, she turned out to be a fine product trained to perfection, adept in both the drawing-room and the kitchen.

Nowadays, he quite liked her, completely different from his first impression in the courtroom.

She was delicate, perhaps even less physically capable than his body, which had been ravaged by heavy smoking. Yet, she had followed him tirelessly, traversing half the empire, circling around for months.

He was exhausted to the point of almost coughing up blood once, and he had slept for several days and nights, all thanks to her care.

But she never complained or showed signs of fatigue. Most of the time, she disguised herself as a mute at his request, silently following him and doing as he instructed.

Gradually, she became the first person he felt close to in this world, someone he relied on for survival.

Looking at Zhen Shi, Lu Ming smiled, “What if I open a small restaurant and deliver three meals a day here? You won’t need to interact with outsiders, and the delivery lady will leave the food at the door. Your delicate hands shouldn’t touch cooking too often, they’ll lose their softness if you cook every day, and that would be my fault, wouldn’t it?” He said with a smile.

Zhen Shi’s cheeks turned slightly red, but there was a hint of joy in her beautiful eyes as she replied, “It’s not necessary. I can cook for myself.”

Lu Ming didn’t pay much attention to what she said and pointed to the small round table on the balcony, “I brought dinner today, you can have it here. Take a breath of fresh air and enjoy the moonlit night and the scenery outside.”

However, Zhen Shi gently shook her head, “I prefer to eat in the dining room.”

Lu Ming understood though. Although she was a bit absent-minded, she knew that exposing herself in this unfamiliar place could bring trouble.

“Alright, suit yourself…” Lu Ming smiled.

Indeed, Zhen Shi was the kind of beauty that could cause trouble, so it was better for her to keep a low profile.

Especially with her accustomed attire, wearing it outside would attract too much attention. Mainly because his current environment wasn’t suitable for it. If she were in an affluent social gathering area, some noblewomen actually liked to wear such traditional clothing.

As for asking her to wear skirts now, first, it would definitely go against her long-held beliefs about modesty. Not to mention revealing skin, even embroidered shoes weren’t meant to be shown to strangers, right? Secondly, if she wore a skirt and revealed her flawless skin? That was simply unimaginable; it would drive any man she met crazy, causing even more trouble.

“Master, let me tidy up. When would you like to sleep? I’ll help you with bathing.”

When dinner was almost ready, Zhen Shi blushed as she got up to clear the tableware.

Lu Ming was momentarily stunned, his heart pounding.

The meaning behind her words was understood by any man.

But whether he was the sage Su Shi reborn or hadn’t fully adapted to this era, the concept of female servants and the like, or whether he was ready for it, was uncertain.

He knew his own physical condition; he didn’t want to fail miserably the first time, as it would haunt him for a lifetime.

Thus, he was pondering how to exercise and strengthen his body.

Although there were gyms in the Eastern Sea, they were mainly in the Eastern District.

Besides, could this body of his be trained in a gym?

Most importantly, he needed nourishment?

While he had overcome his addiction to cigarettes, the body was still the same. He needed to figure out how to regulate and strengthen it.

He coughed, “You go ahead and rest. You don’t need to serve me for now.”

“Ah…” Zhen Shi was somewhat surprised, stealing a glance at Lu Ming with her beautiful eyes, but also seeming relieved.

Lu Ming rubbed his nose, thinking, it seems you’re not entirely willing, are you?

But your upbringing since childhood has taught you to rely on me, to be obedient to me.

…

Simmons king-size bed.

Lu Ming slept comfortably, it had been a long time since he had slept so peacefully.

In the middle of the night, Lu Ming suddenly woke up, as if he had had a nightmare.

Ghostly black hands were strangling his throat, making it hard for him to breathe.

Lu Ming sat up abruptly.

“Dang, dang…” The clock on the wall struck twelve.

Lu Ming wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. Just as he was about to lie back down, he suddenly looked to the side and saw a shadow. He couldn’t help but startle, quickly pulling the light cord, and the bedside lamp illuminated the room.

Lu Ming was dumbfounded.

He saw Zhen Shi, wearing a red dress with floating ribbons, standing on the small round table by the window. At this moment, she seemed like a celestial being, delicately poised on the tips of her embroidered shoes, gracefully spinning.

“Zhen Shi, what are you doing?!”

But Zhen Shi seemed to be immersed in a dream, her pretty face becoming even more charming.

Silently, she suddenly appeared on the red carpet on the floor, frozen in the same posture.

It was as if a segment of video had been extracted directly, giving the illusion of instant movement.

The next moment, she suddenly appeared at the bedroom door, and with another flash, she disappeared.

Lu Ming was dumbfounded for a moment, then slowly got up, pondered for a while, and followed her out of the room.

There was no one in the living room.

After hesitating for a moment, Lu Ming gritted his teeth and gently pushed open Zhen Shi’s bedroom door. It was very quiet, with a refreshing floral scent.

He saw Zhen Shi sleeping peacefully in the moonlit bed, her serene face visible through the light pink curtains, devoid of the coquettishness when she opened her eyes, replaced instead with a tranquil beauty.

“Master, I remember, my life is to protect the young master…”

“I’m three years old this year, from now on, I live for the young master…”

Zhen Shi muttered in her sleep, speaking incoherently, tears streaming down her eyes, as if she were experiencing some kind of pain.

Lu Ming was stunned for a moment, wanting to wake her up, but hesitated and withdrew his hand.

After sitting on the balcony for a while, Lu Ming returned to his room.

Lying in bed, his thoughts surged like a tide, making it impossible for him to sleep.

Zhen Shi, it seemed, was also a practitioner, probably much more skilled than Lord Long.

But her fragility was definitely not a pretense. Based on his past experiences watching movies or reading novels, she might have been temporarily restrained from using her abilities, or even her childhood memories might have been suppressed.

Suddenly feeling a bit bitter, he wondered who her “young master” was, someone she had sworn to protect since childhood.

But due to some twist of fate, she ended up as his servant.

How did she end up by his side?

Although Lord Long’s martial arts skills were not high, he had practiced martial arts since childhood and had a broad understanding of things. How could he not notice anything unusual about Zhen Shi?

Was he really sending such a powder keg to himself?

Recalling the scenes of interaction with Lord Long from fragmented memories.

Suddenly, he froze. At that time, when Lord Long was about to give Zhen Shi to him, he vaguely said, “She is not just some plaything, she was originally trained for Young Master, you’ll understand later!”

At that time, he thought Lord Long’s words were similar to his past bullying, saying, “What’s yours is originally prepared for me…”

But now, thinking about it, it probably wasn’t that simple?

“Training” didn’t mean that Zhen Shi was just a means of serving people?

Rather, it meant martial skills?

Could the “young master” in Zhen Shi’s mouth possibly be himself?

Lu Ming was suddenly stunned.

If that were really the case, then the Lu family might not be as simple as the surface image of a prestigious lineage passed down through generations.

It made sense, considering how the enemies of the Lu family had silently orchestrated many coincidences, almost causing the Lu family to become extinct.

The type of enemies one has generally correlates with one’s level of ability.

If the Lu family were merely wealthy in Wuan, despite being an ancient lineage, they shouldn’t have attracted such powerful enemies, right?

Lord Long could shake Wuan City with a stomp of his foot, but he treated Lu Ming’s grandfather and father like servants serving a master.

This couldn’t be explained simply by social connections.

Scratching his head, Lu Ming was speechless for a moment. The more so, the more dangerous his situation became. Was he going to be hunted down for the rest of his life?

Fortunately, there was a geographical barrier between the north and south. No matter how powerful the other party was in the north, they couldn’t reach the Eastern Sea.

Moreover, the isolation between the north and south could be likened to the barriers between domestic and foreign countries in his previous life, and it wasn’t just geographical isolation; information was also not shared. After all, the Eastern Sea and the four northern provinces were almost two different social forms, and they didn’t care about each other’s information.