A leisurely life in the world of cultivation

Chapter 6 A real man

Brothels, the oldest and most traditional workplace in human society, are actually quite different from what Li Weizhou had imagined.

The kind of place where you take off your shoes and get on the kang (heated brick bed) as soon as you enter, that's not called a brothel, that's called a kiln, it's very low-class.

Brothels were more like high-end clubs in ancient times, where people would chat and talk about romance and nature amidst music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

It's not just about pursuing physical pleasure, but also about achieving spiritual self-satisfaction.

According to Li Weizhou's observations, less than 30% of people who go to brothels actually end up sleeping with a prostitute...

In fact, many famous scholars, now over thirty, have long since lost their health due to their youthful dissolute lifestyles. For them to go to brothels would be nothing short of humiliation, a waste of money to invite ridicule.

But in brothels, they could use money plus a little talent to win the admiring and adoring gazes of talented women.

This psychological satisfaction made them feel elated, as if they wanted to become immortals and attain enlightenment!

The four-story vermilion building that Li Weizhou entered was just such a place.

"Sister Qi".

At the counter on the first floor, Li Weizhou greeted a very beautiful middle-aged woman.

Sister Qi, also known as Qi Erniang, is the madam of Zuixianglou. She is said to have quite a background, and in recent years, it seems that no one has dared to cause trouble at Zuixianglou.

Upon hearing Li Weizhou's greeting, Qi Erniang, who had been cursing just moments before, turned around, her fierce expression replaced by a smile.

Qi Erniang was not at all like other brothel madams, who were vulgar and frivolous. She had a pair of eyes that had seen many stories, and the corners of her eyes were lightly brushed with charming rouge. When she smiled, the shallow dimples on her cheeks were full of charm.

Li Weizhou really liked Qi Erniang's smile; her smile was beautiful too, and most importantly, her words were sweet. It was precisely because of her address as "elder sister" that he stood out from the many competitors who called her "Mother Qi," and became a proud handyman at Zuixianglou.

The scene of shock to those around me at the time is funny to think about.

Don't underestimate this job; many people are willing to do it, and the monthly pay is not low.

When I first transmigrated here, I was really miserable. I had nothing to eat or drink, and I was even staggering when I walked.

At the time, I didn't know I could go back in time, so I just wanted to go out and find work to earn a living.

After searching six or seven places without success, he was on the verge of fainting when he happened to run into Qi Erniang at the entrance of Zuixianglou...

She rose to power because she was literate, could do arithmetic, and had a sweet tongue...

Li Weizhou looked somewhat shy and apologetically at Qi Erniang, saying, "Sister Qi, I'm here today to resign..."

Before he could finish speaking, Qi Erniang said in a sweet voice, "That black tiger in the jail can't stand it anymore, can he? It's not bad that he's been able to endure it this long. Xiao Zhouzi, listen to your sister's advice. Your uncle is actually quite good to you. After all, you're family. If you can reconcile, then reconcile."

Li Weizhou nodded and said, "It was because of Sister Qi's words that I decided not to cause trouble with them anymore, and now we have made peace. It's just that I have let down Sister Qi's care these past few days... Sister Qi, if there is anything I can do for you in the future, please feel free to send someone to let me know. I will do my best to help."

Qi Erniang carefully examined Li Weizhou's unbelievably handsome face, especially his eyes. They were the classic phoenix eyes of a beauty, yet his gaze was gentle and clear, neither seductive nor wicked, but rather so pure that it put people at ease...

Qi Erniang's face then showed some genuine emotion, and she said, "Little Zhouzi, you're a very good person. The reason I took you in was because I thought you were a good guy. Although Li Laohu has some reputation, he's just a lowly eighth-rank official, but he's got quite the airs. He even sent someone to tell you not to get into any trouble at Zuixiang Tower... If it weren't for the fact that I thought you were a good person with delicate features and a filial son, I would have just ignored him!"

Li Weizhou still smiled shyly, a mixture of gratitude and embarrassment...

Qi Erniang was a woman too; how could she possibly resist such a repressed and sensual energy?

Most importantly, she never sensed any contempt or covetousness from Li Weizhou.

No matter how much those famous scholars and gentlemen flattered him, his deep-seated contempt could not be hidden.

They always say derogatory things, whether unintentionally or intentionally.

Let alone celebrities, even those sleazy men passing by on the street, which one of them really looks up to them?
And yet, they all have eyes like those of a slutty dog, how hateful!

Of course, most of the time even they themselves look down on themselves, after all, what they are doing is indeed a lowly profession.

But that's how people are; they can look down on themselves, but if others look down on them, it will still leave a sting.

But with Li Weizhou, they didn't feel that way at all.

That's why he got along well with almost all the girls in the building.

If it weren't for Qi Erniang's stern warning, those prostitutes wouldn't have been able to keep Li Weizhou from being a groom several times a day.

Qi Erniang naturally couldn't have imagined that Li Weizhou actually came from a society where etiquette and morality had collapsed. For the girls in high-end clubs, as long as marriage wasn't a topic of discussion, everything else was negotiable.

You don't mind that I'm poor, and I don't mind that you're promiscuous. Let's not look down on each other.

Everyone gets what they need, everyone is well, and happiness surpasses that of the gods...

With this mindset, one naturally appears very cultured and is likable. "Alright, go on, and live a good life."

Qi Erniang said with a smile, then paused and added, "If you encounter any difficulties in the future, you can try mentioning my name. But I don't know if it will work."

Upon hearing this, the busy accountant behind the counter stopped what he was doing in surprise. He glanced at Li Weizhou and then teased Qi Erniang, "Erniang, you've finally met your match? It's a good thing this kid was born ten years too late, otherwise this would have been your downfall."

"Fuck your mother!"

Qi Erniang laughed and scolded, then said, "Give Xiao Zhouzi his monthly pay, an extra month's." She then preemptively shut Li Weizhou up, saying, "You don't think the monthly pay at Zuixianglou is dirty, do you?"

Li Weizhou shook his head and said, "Who wouldn't want to be born into a royal or noble family... Sister Qi, I'll also give you a gift."

As he spoke, he took out a piece of scented soap from his sleeve pocket. It was clearly different from the scented soap on the market. It was as transparent as crystal and much more fragrant.

After all, it was a complimentary gift from a five-star hotel...

After carefully examining what Li Weizhou was holding, Qi Erniang was stunned. After a long while, she looked at Li Weizhou again and asked in a deep voice, "Little Zhouzi, where did this come from?"

Li Weizhou chuckled and said, "This is a fragrant soap made using a recipe left by my mother. I've tried for many years and finally succeeded, which gives me the confidence to resign. This recipe was devised by my mother herself. I'm giving it to Sister Qi. Thank you for your care these past few days, Sister Qi. Farewell!"

There is such a thing as scented soap in this world; he saw girls using scented soap to bathe at the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion.

But soap that looks this good is naturally a top-quality product.

After saying that, he was about to take the money and leave, but Qi Erniang grabbed him by the hand and dragged him upstairs.

She lifted the person with one hand, her steps light and effortless.

The accountant, probably unable to bear it any longer, advised, "Second Madam, the age difference is too great. Li Laohu is nothing, at least give Li Silang some face..."

Li Delong's third son, the fourth in the Li family, was born with martial prowess and was only two months younger than Li Weizhou. A few days before Li Weizhou's parents' accident, he was noticed by a prominent figure in the capital and taken as a personal disciple, and brought to the capital.

If not for this shock, Li Weizhou's predecessor might not have gone insane for six years, and the rest of the Li family might not have had such a bright future or such a respectable life...

"Get out of here, motherfucker!"

From the corner of the stairs came Qi Erniang's scolding voice.

……

Amidst the teasing laughter of passing girls, Qi Erniang led Li Weizhou to her boudoir. After closing the door, she looked Li Weizhou up and down and said, "Little Zhouzi, is this really made from the recipe left by your mother?"

Li Weizhou nodded and said, "Yes. Although my mother passed away early, I still remember her saying that she would help me build a family business in the future, which would be called Baibaolou. My mother loved reading, and this recipe was something she came up with and left behind. It's a pity that she passed away too early."

As Qi Erniang washed her hands with freshly scented soap by the copper basin, she exclaimed, "I never imagined that there was such a heroine in Qingzhou Prefecture. It's a pity I didn't meet her sooner."

When she bent over, the cross-collar mid-waist ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) she wore bulged out in an exaggerated arc below her waist.

Li Weizhou turned her gaze elsewhere. The boudoir was separated by a thin gauze screen, so she couldn't see much in front of it, but she could vaguely see a four-poster bed, a table and chairs, and a wardrobe.

"It's so fragrant!"

After wiping her hands clean, Qi Erniang glanced at Li Weizhou and smiled, "How about I take another bath and try it?"

Li Weizhou exclaimed in amazement, "Sister Qi, how do you have such strength? You can lift a big man like me with one hand!"

Upon hearing this, Qi Erniang burst into laughter, her body trembling. However, since she was facing a naive young girl, she finished laughing and rolled her eyes, saying, "You call yourself a grown man... how grown? But you are indeed a very filial son. Are you planning to do this business with Li Laohu's family?"

Li Weizhou shook his head and said, "I want to try it myself."

Qi Erniang smiled, understanding the situation. She asked in a gentle tone, "Do you know which family in Qingzhou Prefecture makes scented soap?"

Li Weizhou thought for a moment and said, "I've heard of it. It's the Zhou family of Xinyi."

Qi Erniang chuckled and said, "The Zhou family has had members working in the household registration office for generations; they're a true local tyrant in Qingzhou. If it weren't for your family having a Li Silang, you might not have been able to compete with them. The Zhou family's Xinyi Firm not only does well in Qingzhou Prefecture, but also in Jinzhou City in Shangzhou, with connections everywhere. Ordinary people can't afford things like scented soap; there are only so many high-ranking officials and wealthy people. If you try to steal their business without involving Li Silang, do you think they'll let you off the hook? Actually, even if you involve Li Silang, they still won't let it go easily. This business is too profitable; I wouldn't be surprised if a few people die."

Li Weizhou, understanding the implication, thoughtfully asked, "Sister Qi, do you also want to do this kind of business?"

Seeing how cooperative he was, Qi Erniang smiled broadly and walked over with a somewhat seductive gait. She put an arm around Li Weizhou's shoulder and said, "Good brother, isn't our cooperation a match made in heaven?"

Li Weizhou thought for a moment, then said, "The recipe was left to me by my mother, so I won't share it. However, I can give Sister Qi one hundred yuan worth of scented soap every month. Sister Qi can give me some money as she sees fit, or not if she doesn't. But I hope Sister Qi can bless my Baibaolou business. If Baibaolou really succeeds, Sister Qi can also invest and receive dividends. There's no end to the money in the world. Actually, I don't care how much money I earn. What I care about is building a successful business to comfort my late mother's spirit in heaven."

Qi Erniang's eyes lit up as she looked at Li Weizhou and said happily, "Good lad, let your sister take a good look... He really is a great man!"

……

P.S.: Starting today, I'll be updating twice a day.

(End of this chapter)