SC Chapter19

As dawn approached, Xiao Ning carried Shen Yunjie, who had fallen asleep leaning against the door, back to bed. Only then did he notice some scarlet spots on his snowy white underpants. Xiao Ning thought he had injured him again. He didn’t know how other couples managed their intimacy; this sort of thing was supposed to be a pleasure for both, so why did Shen Yunjie always end up getting hurt in his hands?

For this, Xiao Ning didn’t give Shen Yunjie a single pleasant look for two days. Shen Yunjie was helpless. Despite the throbbing pain in his lower abdomen, he took the initiative that night to seek closeness, hoping to soothe his Young Master’s anger. But Xiao Ning was determined to stay angry, and he even mocked Shen Yunjie for being shameless.

The ‘shameless’ Shen Yunjie could only sleep in the small, warm room with Xiao Yuan for two days.

Early that day, Xiao Ning dumped the stall work onto Shen Yunjie, leaving behind only the words: “Don’t wait for me for dinner.”

“Where are you going, Young Master?”

Xiao Ning simply said, “It’s none of your business.” Shen Yunjie felt uneasy but still didn’t follow Xiao Ning. Instead, he kneaded the remaining dough, saving it to make flatbreads tomorrow.

By evening, as Shen Yunjie was preparing to close the stall, Grandma Wang from the street corner came over with a basket. She craned her neck and looked around, asking, “Xiao Shen ah, why are you here all by yourself?”

Shen Yunjie wrapped the last two flatbreads for Grandma Wang and said, “My cousin went out.”

Grandma Wang took the flatbreads but wasn’t in a hurry to leave. She asked him, “Where did he go?”

Shen Yunjie continued kneading the dough as he said softly, “Perhaps he went to get some wine.”

Grandma Wang glanced left and right, then lowered her voice and said, “Xiao Shen, listen to what Grandma has to say. My third son came home from work just now and said he saw your cousin in Nanjiu Alley.”

Shen Yunjie hummed a light acknowledgement while kneading the dough.

Grandma Wang quickly set her basket down, leaned in closer, and urged, “Xiao Shen ah, do you know what kind of place Nanjiu Alley is?”

Fearing that Grandma Wang might tumble headfirst into the flour barrel, Shen Yunjie quickly reached out to steady her. He said, “I don’t know. I don’t usually go out.”

Grandma Wang sighed, slapped her thigh, and said, “Don’t mind Grandma for being nosy, but I see you’re raising a child alone, and it’s not easy. That Nanjiu Alley is a place for men to seek pleasure, and the things that go on there, oh dear… I shouldn’t say it, I shouldn’t say it!”

Shen Yunjie’s expression was calm: “Perhaps he was mistaken.”

“My third son isn’t the type to talk nonsense, you know. But Grandma is just casually telling you this too, so don’t take it too much to heart. You’re so good-looking, thoughtful, and capable; your cousin wouldn’t treat you badly.” Grandma Wang clutched her basket, turning back as she walked away. “Don’t overthink it. These young men just fool around while they’re young. It’ll get better in a few years, alright?”

The warmth in Shen Yunjie’s eyes faded as he looked up at the gradually darkening sky. He thought of the days beside the Qinhuai River in Jinling City, where bright candles and a flourishing scene failed to distract his Young Master. Then he thought of how coldly Xiao Ning had treated him these past few days. If he truly found him tedious, it was only natural for him to go out and seek pleasure. Thinking too much inevitably left his mind uneasy, and the dull ache in his lower abdomen intensified. He had to lean on the door frame and slowly squat down to endure the pain before he could finally get up and close the stall.

It was late in the evening when Nanjiu Alley was just starting to get lively.

Xiao Ning found the biggest brothel on the street and walked right in. The madam of the house greeted him with a smile. “First time here, little brother? You look unfamiliar.”

Xiao Ning’s face was grim. He casually pinched a handful of gold beads and slipped them into the madam’s hand, getting straight to the point: “I want your most experienced courtesan, the one with the best ‘skill’ here.”

In those days, those with some wealth often enjoyed affecting elegance, requesting companions who could compose poetry, play music, or paint. Someone as direct as Xiao Ning was rare. The old madam was delighted to receive the gold beads and nodded repeatedly, saying, “My Lord, don’t worry, I guarantee you’ll leave here thoroughly satisfied. Please come upstairs.”

It was quiet upstairs. Xiao Ning sat patiently in the room, and before long, someone pushed the door open and stepped inside.

The person who entered appeared quite mature, dressed in thin scarlet garments and heavily perfumed. He approached Xiao Ning, bent down to pour him wine, and his loose collar exposed the pale skin beneath.

“My Lord, my name is…”

“That’s enough.” Xiao Ning blocked the wine cup the male courtesan offered, frowning impatiently. He said, “Sit further away.”

The seductive smile on the courtesan’s face froze for a moment, but he still obediently sat down.

Xiao Ning took a small notebook from his lapel and a brush from a nearby table. He said, “I’ll ask you something, and you answer honestly.” He thought for a moment and then pulled a few more gold beads from his waist. “Don’t give me any nonsense. Answer well, and all of these are yours.”

The courtesan instantly straightened up and respectfully asked, “What does My Lord wish to ask?”

Xiao Ning poured himself a bowl of wine and drank it in one gulp. With a dark expression, he asked, “How can you make it less painful when being intimate?”

The courtesan was stunned for a long moment before he began: “My Lord, there are countless techniques involved…”