Chapter Forty-Eight: So It Was You

“One hundred and eighty thousand taels, deal!” Ling Zexin suddenly sprang to his feet, slamming his palm onto the table, his eyes blazing with anger as he glared at the navy-clad figure upstairs.

“Two hundred thousand taels,” the man upstairs offered again, his tone unhurried. This must have set a new record for the highest price ever paid at a courtesan’s auction, and this was only for Miss Floating Fragrance’s first night. To pay two hundred thousand taels for a single evening of pleasure—such extravagance would make even an emperor pale.

Ling Zexin was now truly incensed. Clearly, this person was determined to challenge him. He wanted to see exactly who it was. Face dark with fury, he strode toward the stairs. The crowd, catching sight of his expression, parted instinctively to let him pass.

Meanwhile, the nobleman in navy upstairs was equally displeased. He, too, wished to see the face of the rival who dared to compete with him and could afford such an outrageous price.

Thus, under the gaze of all, the two wealthy young men met in the middle of the polished rosewood staircase.

“It’s you?” The nobleman in navy was the first to recognize the other, staring at Ling Zexin in shock. But as soon as the words left his mouth, he clapped a hand over his lips, spun around, and hurried up the stairs.

Ling Zexin hadn’t thought much of it at first, but the man’s tone implied he knew him. Upon a closer look at that familiar face, he realized where he’d seen it before.

“Stop right there!” he shouted. Yet the nobleman didn’t stop—instead, he dashed away, vanishing upstairs in a flash.

Ling Zexin gave chase, for now he was certain—he had recognized that familiar face. It was Sakura Fall, disguised as a man!

This little minx had dared to enter a brothel in men’s attire and even dared to bid against him. He would definitely catch her and drag her to Sakura Xuanyu to see her scolded thoroughly.

Sakura Fall knew at once that Ling Zexin had recognized her—that’s why he was so desperate to catch her. Her heart began to pound with panic. Though she wasn’t a royal princess, she was still a cherished daughter in a noble household. If her father ever found out she’d disguised herself as a man to wander through a brothel, she’d be grounded for life. For someone who loved adventure as much as she did, such a fate would be worse than death.

She stumbled up the stairs, glancing back to see Ling Zexin hot on her heels. In her panic, she darted into a nearby room and slammed the door, hoping to evade him. Right now, Ling Zexin seemed as terrifying as a raging beast.

“Who’s there?” As Sakura Fall leaned against the door, struggling to catch her breath and calm her nerves, a furious male voice boomed from within the room.

Startled, she hadn’t expected anyone to be inside. She instinctively looked up—and there, on the bed in the inner chamber, two pale, naked bodies were tangled together. Her abrupt intrusion had clearly interrupted their passionate moment.

“Ah!” Sakura Fall shrieked, hastily covering her eyes. Though mischievous by nature, she was still an innocent girl raised with traditional values. Such a shocking sight left her utterly flustered.

The burly man, unconcerned by her distress, grabbed his clothes and wrapped them around his waist. He strode over and seized her by the collar. “Where did you come from, brat? Daring to ruin my fun!”

Sakura Fall opened her eyes and saw before her a hulking brute, his face broad and brutish, beard wild and unkempt, muscles bulging across his body. With one hand, he lifted her clean off the ground, so frightened she could hardly speak.

“I—I…” she stammered, her voice trembling. As the youngest daughter of the Sakura family, she had always been doted on by parents and siblings alike—no one even raised their voice to her. Even when she angered her brother, Sakura Xuanyu, a little wheedling would quickly dissolve his temper. Though she often snuck out to play, her parents would always send people to watch over her. No one had ever dared lay a finger on her. But tonight, she’d slipped away with no one the wiser, and there was no one to protect her. Now faced with such danger, she had no idea what to do.

“Are you tired of living?” The bearded giant, seeing her trembling in fear, grew even more arrogant, raising his hand to strike her.

Seeing what was about to happen, Sakura Fall squeezed her eyes shut in terror, and the tears that had been welling in her eyes finally spilled down her cheeks.

At that critical moment, someone crashed through the door. Suddenly, a sharp slap rang out—crisp and clear.

Though the sound was sharp, Sakura Fall felt no pain on her face. She opened her eyes to see a familiar figure standing in front of her. That man’s right hand was gripping the bearded giant’s upraised arm, clearly trying to block the blow. Unfortunately, his strength was no match for the brute’s, and the slap landed squarely on his own face.

The bearded giant was just as stunned by this sudden turn of events. He blinked, then grabbed Ling Zexin. “And where did you come from? Get out!” With his other hand, he seized Ling Zexin’s clothes and flung both him and Sakura Fall out into the corridor, slamming the door behind them and locking it for good measure.

One could almost feel sorry for the man—just trying to enjoy a night at the brothel, only to be interrupted again and again. Small wonder he was furious.

Though Sakura Fall was thrown out, she didn’t feel any pain. Opening her eyes, she realized she had landed in Ling Zexin’s arms. Ling Zexin, however, was clutching his lower back, grimacing and groaning, “Ouch, ouch…”

Seeing the face she so despised so close to hers, Sakura Fall’s cheeks flushed red despite herself. She glared at him and snapped, “Scoundrel!” Then, with a huff, she scrambled to her feet, gave him a fierce kick, and stormed off.

She hadn’t gone far when Ling Zexin’s groaning grew even louder behind her.

She turned to see him clutching his abdomen in pain, his face twisted in agony. Had she kicked him too hard just now? She wanted to ignore him and walk away, but worry gnawed at her. What if something really happened to him? After a moment’s hesitation, she stomped her foot, hurried back, and tried to help him up.

“Little Flower, you really don’t know your own strength. If you ever get married, your poor husband will probably be kicked to death… Ouch, ouch…” Ling Zexin, seeing her return, thought to himself that she wasn’t entirely heartless after all.

“What did you say!” Sakura Fall bristled at his words and promptly landed another kick.

“Ah!” Ling Zexin howled, clutching his groin in pain. “It hurts, it hurts—ah, I’m dying…”

Seeing his face contorted in misery, Sakura Fall suddenly realized that, in her embarrassment and anger, she’d kicked without thinking—and kicked the wrong spot. With Ling Zexin writhing in such obvious agony, she was struck dumb with fear. She hurried to his side.

“Are you all right? How are you feeling? I’ll take you to a doctor right now…” She grabbed his arm, trying to haul him onto her shoulders to carry him. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t budge him. Ling Zexin wasn’t fat, but he was well over six feet tall—there was no way someone as petite as her could carry him.

Hearing Ling Zexin’s cries, which sounded increasingly like the wails of a pig being slaughtered, and remembering the terror she’d felt at the hands of the bearded giant, Sakura Fall’s emotions overwhelmed her. She sank to the ground and began to weep.

Remembering why she’d run away from home in the first place, her sobs grew louder, her tears streaming down her cheeks like a lost little girl, utterly heartbroken.

Seeing her cry for real, Ling Zexin no longer dared to pretend. He scrambled to his feet and tried to comfort her. “Little Flower, please, don’t cry. It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have tricked you. Please, for heaven’s sake, stop crying…”

Truth be told, Ling Zexin had never had to coax anyone like this before. Women always smiled brightly at him, saying whatever they thought would please him. But now, with Sakura Fall crying so pitifully, he was at a total loss. All he could do was clumsily wipe her tears and pat her back.

“I only went out incognito today. That’s why I didn’t have my guards with me. Otherwise, I’d never have let that brute bully you. But don’t worry, I’ll get a whole gang together to take care of him later. Just please, don’t be sad anymore… Don’t cry…”

At the mention of the bearded giant, Sakura Fall burst into even louder sobs, clinging to him for comfort.

Ling Zexin was now completely flustered. Passersby stared at them, whispering and snickering, their gazes filled with mockery and amusement. After all, Sakura Fall was still in men’s clothes—anyone would think the two of them were lovers.

“Little Flower, please stop crying. I’m sorry, it’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have lied to you, shouldn’t have let you be hurt. Please, I’m begging you…” With the crowd watching, Ling Zexin was nearly ready to kneel and beg her to stop. After so many years of basking in the adoration of women, he’d never realized how troublesome they could be. At this moment, he decided that never marrying was the wisest thing he could ever do.

Hearing his continued attempts to comfort her, Sakura Fall gradually calmed down. She finally stopped crying, pushed him away, and said, “Don’t act so familiar—we’re not siblings, and I have no such scoundrel brother as you!”

“Thank heavens you’ve finally stopped crying.” Ling Zexin wiped the sweat from his brow. What a disastrous day—venturing out without his guards for once, only to be slapped and thrown out by a brute, and then kicked several times by Sakura Fall. Maybe he really needed to visit the temple and pray for some protection.

Ling Zexin looked quite disheveled as well. After taking a slap from the bearded giant, the fair, handsome face he was so proud of now bore a large red mark. Seeing him in such a state, Sakura Fall couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

Crystal tears still hung from her long lashes, but her face bloomed with a radiant smile. Seeing her finally laugh, Ling Zexin was seized by a strange feeling; suddenly, all today’s blows seemed worth it, and he couldn’t help but laugh along with her.