Jin Xunmeng had served in the military for many years. Despite being a woman, she was exceptionally responsible and accountable. Now, encountering an unexplained commotion on this crowded street, she naturally stepped forward to investigate, lest any real chaos occur and lead to irreversible harm.
Han Xinbai might appear to be an arrogant, self-important, and disdainful playboy who looked down on those beneath him, but in reality, he had a sharp tongue and a soft heart. Moreover, since Jin Xunmeng had already stepped forward, Han Xinbai naturally followed suit.
Upon reaching the front, they discovered that the commotion was centered around a brothel. Han Xinbai could be considered a regular at such establishments—he was intimately familiar with every pleasure house in the capital, so with just a glance, he could tell that this brothel was definitely a newly opened one.
Under normal circumstances, upon seeing such a fresh and novel place, he would have eagerly joined the excitement. But now was different—now, Han Xinbai was with Jin Xunmeng. He wasn’t foolish enough to abandon the woman he had secretly admired for years, the one he had finally managed to stroll with to deepen their bond, just to indulge in the pleasures of a brothel.
Just recalling his past “glorious exploits,” Han Xinbai suddenly felt a pang of guilt and nervously stole glances at Jin Xunmeng’s expression.
Noticing Han Xinbai’s cautious demeanor, Jin Xunmeng felt an urge to laugh: This Han Xinbai is quite interesting! If we really end up together in the future, it might not be such an unacceptable outcome!
Jin Xunmeng was no longer young. Though she had repeatedly avoided matchmaking gatherings under the pretext of military service, this was not a sustainable solution. In fact, rumors about her were already rampant, mostly spread by women of her own age.
Jin Xunmeng, doted on by her elder brother, could freely pursue her passions and desires, even amassing a legion of admirers in the capital. Meanwhile, those other women had no choice but to submit to societal expectations, marrying and bearing children. Even if their married lives were comfortable, the sight of Jin Xunmeng’s continued freedom and happiness inevitably left them resentful.
Though neither Jin Xunmeng nor her brother paid much heed to such gossip, the impact on her reputation as a woman was undeniable and far from ideal. Reluctantly, Jin Shaoxin had no choice but to patiently begin screening potential suitors for his sister.
It wasn’t that Jin Shaoxin was unwilling to support his beloved sister for life, but he couldn’t bear to see her subjected to slander and malicious rumors. As the saying goes: If you can’t change the world, then change yourself.
Jin Shaoxin was well aware of his own limitations—he wasn’t powerful enough to reshape society, so he could only adapt. Even so, he was determined to give Jin Xunmeng the best possible future, ensuring she could live happily and comfortably even after marriage.
Understanding the importance of familial support for a woman, Jin Shaoxin resolved to work even harder, striving to become Jin Xunmeng’s eternal, unshakable pillar—someone who could protect and care for her, ensuring her future in-laws would never dare mistreat her and that she would always have a refuge if wronged.
In the heart of Jin Shaoxin, the ultimate doting brother, a blazing fire of determination and fighting spirit ignited.
Just as Jin Shaoxin was grappling with this dilemma, his close friend You Qi provided him with information about Han Xinbai. Trusting You Qi’s judgment, Jin Shaoxin investigated Han Xinbai’s background. Though initially dissatisfied with Han Xinbai’s frivolous reputation, he ultimately refrained from outright rejection out of respect for You Qi.
In the end, Jin Xunmeng persuaded her brother to let her test the waters with Han Xinbai herself.
A couple’s life together is like wearing shoes—only the wearer knows if they fit. Only the individuals involved can judge whether their life is truly comfortable. Eventually, Jin Shaoxin relented and accepted his sister’s choice. After all, no matter whom she ended up with, he would always remain her steadfast support and greatest ally—this would never change.
Admittedly, though their interactions had been brief, Jin Xunmeng was quite satisfied with Han Xinbai.
First, Han Xinbai had a strong moral compass—principled and with clear boundaries, far from being a depraved monster. Second, though he appeared haughty, he was actually deeply respectful of others. Even in their short time together, Jin Xunmeng could discern from subtle details his genuine regard and care for her—precisely the kind of sincerity most worthy of trust.
With these two points in mind, Jin Xunmeng was already leaning heavily in Han Xinbai’s favor.
Now, seeing Han Xinbai’s awkwardness, Jin Xunmeng—never one to be domineering or unreasonable—gracefully offered him an out: “Xinbai, do you know what’s happening up ahead?”
Well, as a woman, Jin Xunmeng was still quite curious about the commotion. A mischievous impulse suddenly struck her.
Scratching his head, Han Xinbai stammered out an explanation about the new brothel, unashamed of his familiarity with such places.
Jin Xunmeng was, after all, a woman of remarkable strength and independence—precisely what Han Xinbai admired about her. Had she been a timid, reserved lady, it was hard to say whether his feelings for her would have remained the same.
After hearing Han Xinbai’s explanation, Jin Xunmeng grew even more intrigued. Though she had never visited a brothel, she knew enough to understand that such places were usually liveliest at night. Glancing at the sky, she remarked, “It’s still early in the day—why is the brothel so busy already?”
Han Xinbai also found this odd. Exchanging a puzzled look with Jin Xunmeng, he ventured, “Perhaps… there’s some unexpected event?”
Under Jin Xunmeng’s curious gaze, Han Xinbai sought out someone to inquire. As a regular and generous patron of the area, he easily found a reliable informant and soon obtained the details.
“Ah! Young Master Han! It’s been a while since you last graced us with your presence!”
“Enough chatter. I’m here to ask about that new brothel up ahead, not to play around.” Han Xinbai tossed a silver ingot over. “This time of day, the area’s usually quiet. What’s going on?”
The informant, though curious about Han Xinbai’s uncharacteristic disinterest in the new establishment—given his usual eagerness to sample fresh entertainment—knew better than to pry. In his line of work, discretion was paramount. Payment for information was straightforward; curiosity beyond that was unnecessary and potentially dangerous.
“Young Master Han is as generous as ever! Truth be told, it’s nothing major—just two women putting on some… promotional performance.”
“Promotion?”
“Indeed. Rumor has it it’s the new owner’s idea. And I must say, it’s quite the spectacle!”
“Enough teasing. Spit it out, or I’ll have to teach you a lesson!”
“Heh heh. This Hundred Flowers Pavilion recently changed hands. After renovations, it’s preparing to open. But as you know, Young Master Han, the competition here is fierce. The established brothels are formidable, so making a name for a new one isn’t easy. Hence, the owner came up with this promotional stunt.”
“He hired a few beautiful women to perform—singing, dancing—right at the entrance during peak hours. Novel and eye-catching, wouldn’t you say? Look at the crowd it’s drawn already! Word is, for the first three days after opening, there’ll be exquisite gifts and discounted refreshments. Plenty of young masters have already vowed to visit tonight!”
Han Xinbai nodded. “This owner certainly knows how to make an impression.”
Listening to the alluring melodies drifting over, Han Xinbai had to admit—under normal circumstances, he’d be tempted to join the fun. But… stealing another glance at Jin Xunmeng, his enthusiasm waned. No entertainment outside could compare to the importance of the woman he had yearned for all these years. Clearly, it wasn’t even close.
Since nothing could surpass her, why bother with distractions? Strengthening his bond with Jin Xunmeng was infinitely more valuable!
With that thought, Han Xinbai dismissed the commotion and gallantly invited Jin Xunmeng to continue their stroll. Seeing the sincerity in his eyes, Jin Xunmeng grew even more pleased with him, silently praising You Qi’s impeccable judgment.
With a smile, Jin Xunmeng resumed walking alongside the utterly smitten Han Xinbai. As for the brothel and its spectacle? What did they matter? Could they compare to each other? No? Then why waste another thought on them?
The pair carried on with their original plans, while elsewhere, the “cross-dressing” You Qi and Chi Huai also observed the unique performance—though in truth, Chi Huai’s attention was entirely fixed on You Qi, leaving little room for the lively scene before them.
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