TRWSB – Chapter 31 Friends Everywhere

“Young Master Shen, long time no see,” Qi Shaorong greeted with a wave of his little fan.

Zhuang Qian looked at Qi Shaorong with admiration and said, “Fourth Young Master Qi, you really are good-looking.”

“My good looks don’t need your validation,” Qi Shaorong replied, pulling out a small mirror to adjust his hair. “To look this handsome is simply outrageous.”

Shen Yuan: “…”

Zhuang Qian: “…”

Zhuang Qian asked cautiously, “Fourth Young Master Qi, do you know the Dark Doctor?”

“Of course I know him. We’re best friends—slept in the same bed! Little Xie doesn’t sleep well; he hogs the blanket and sometimes rolls off the bed,” Qi Shaorong shook his head and said.

Zhuang Qian: “…”

Qi Shaorong glanced at Shen Yuan and remarked, “Young Master Shen, you haven’t changed a bit since I last saw you.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah! Not a bit more handsome. I heard Little Xie has been in the capital for a while; why haven’t you sought him out for a little touch-up?”

Shen Yuan: “…”

“Don’t you think your eyes aren’t big enough, your nose isn’t high enough, and your mouth is a bit large?” Qi Shaorong commented critically, tilting his head.

Zhuang Qian looked at him and asked, “Fourth Young Master, did you ever have any work done?”

Qi Shaorong pinched Zhuang Qian’s cheek. “Nonsense! This young master is naturally flawless; I don’t need any work.”

Then he lifted Zhuang Qian’s chin and teased, “Hey, you want a makeover? I think you need some liposuction. Since I’m good friends with Little Xie, I can get you a discount.”

Zhuang Qian replied awkwardly, “No thanks; I think I’m fine the way I am.”

“Yeah, you’re fine—like a walking rice barrel. Clearly, you’ve got a good appetite.”

Zhuang Qian: “…”

“Fourth Young Master, you call the Dark Doctor ‘Little Xie,’ but he’s already seventy,” Shen Yuan said in a strange tone.

Qi Shaorong glared at Shen Yuan, “Little Xie is forever eighteen. You think he’s old? Watch out, or he’ll throw his medicine box at you.”

“Fourth Young Master, aren’t you going back to the Qi family?” Zhuang Qian asked cautiously.

Qi Shaorong looked at him and said, “What’s the rush? I finally ran into some old friends, so we should catch up, don’t you think, Young Master Shen?”

Shen Yuan smiled and said, “You seem to have changed quite a bit, Fourth Young Master.”

Qi Shaorong pulled out his mirror again and checked himself, “Little Xie says I should look a little more handsome every day. It’s almost unbelievable how good-looking I am.”

Zhuang Qian: “…”

Qi Shaorong turned to Zhuang Qian, “Kid, I heard your brother looks pretty good. Little Xie says he has the potential to be a kept man, but he’s too young, not mature enough.”

Zhuang Qian: “…”

Shen Yuan looked at Qi Shaorong, “You and the Dark Doctor are pretty close, huh?”

“We’re good friends! Since I’m here in the capital, why don’t I take you both out for a little fun?” Qi Shaorong suggested.

Zhuang Qian looked at him and replied, “No need to be so polite, Fourth Young Master.”

Qi Shaorong slung an arm around Zhuang Qian’s shoulders, saying, “No need to be so formal. After all, I almost married your brother; we’re practically family.”

Zhuang Qian: “…”

“Fourth Young Master, where are we going for fun?” Shen Yuan asked.

Qi Shaorong waved his fan and said, “Since you’re all in the capital, there’s one place we can’t miss.”

A hint of dread crept into Shen Yuan’s mind. “Where?”

“The brothel.”

Zhuang Qian looked at Qi Shaorong and commented, “You and the Dark Doctor really are two peas in a pod.”

“Oh? How so?”

Zhuang Qian gave an awkward smile, “Both love brothels?”

“A brothel is a great place—lots of beauties, fine wine, delicious food…” Qi Shaorong said.

Shen Yuan frowned and said, “You’ve just arrived in the capital. Isn’t it a bit inappropriate to run off to a brothel right away?”

Qi Shaorong looked at Shen Yuan. “What’s inappropriate about it? The Qi family’s not going anywhere. We can head there later.”

Shen Yuan: “…”

Qi Shaorong pinched Zhuang Qian’s cheek again and asked, “Hey, you up for it?”

“Sure!” Zhuang Qian replied.

Shen Yuan: “…”

“Let’s go,” Qi Shaorong said.

…

Qi Shaorong led them to a place called Luohua Pavilion, where he ordered a lavish spread and called over a few beautiful ladies to entertain Shen Yuan and Zhuang Qian. Qi Shaorong spared no expense, ordering the finest items on the menu.

Zhuang Qian looked at him and said, “Fourth Young Master, you seem to be quite wealthy.”

“I made a bit of money. You know, the Qi family’s rather tight-fisted. If I want to live comfortably, I’ve got to find my own means,” Qi Shaorong said, fanning himself.

Zhuang Qian asked, “What sort of business are you in?”

“Running a brothel. Unfortunately, the business isn’t doing too well in the countryside, so I’m here in the capital to pick up some tips.”

Zhuang Qian: “…”

“Fourth Young Master, how did you meet the Dark Doctor?” Zhuang Qian asked.

“He came to my establishment. I gave him a discount,” Qi Shaorong replied.

Zhuang Qian: “…”

Just then, Bi Liuyun entered the private room, “Shaorong, you finally made it to the capital.”

“Liuyun, you’re looking more and more beautiful.”

“Oh, stop! I prepared a hot spring bath for you. You can soak while you put on a facial mask,” Bi Liuyun said.

Qi Shaorong gave him a big hug, “Liuyun, you’re the best. Just wait, and I’ll bring a grand carriage to marry you.”

“Quit joking. Go on,” Bi Liuyun replied.

Shen Yuan looked at Bi Liuyun, surprised, “Mr. Liuyun, you know Fourth Young Master Qi?” Had he, perhaps, visited Qi’s establishment as well?

“Yes, Fourth Young Master and I are good friends.”

Zhuang Qian: “…”

“Fourth Young Master certainly knows a lot of people,” Zhuang Qian said with a strange expression.

“Of course! My friends are everywhere,” Qi Shaorong said with pride.