Bully 09 02

Lin Yanqing listened to his request and looked at his somewhat dirty clothes. While agreeing verbally, a trace of disdain flickered in her eyes.

This look did not escape Nian'an's observation. His heart sank a little, and Lin Yanqing's standing in his mind dropped a notch. But he immediately reminded himself that this was for the future, and there was no shame in it.

And so, he truly became Lin Yanqing's follower. Lin Yanqing, for her part, was quite pleased to have someone obedient who could also understand what she said.

"So, the law is the foundation of everything, understand? As long as everyone abides by it, the world will be a wonderful place," Lin Yanqing said, frowning. "Look at those ruffians over there. Such people are typical villains." Her eyes were full of contempt.

Nian'an was still digesting her earlier talk of "equality for all and a society ruled by law." Hearing her now, he nodded in agreement, though he didn't really understand what she was saying. It was clear Lin Yanqing utterly despised street thugs and hooligans. He could never, ever reveal his own past.

Over in the western suburbs, the young man who had left last returned, dressed in luxurious clothes. The person who had received the message and was waiting for him at the street corner immediately stepped forward. They watched as several carriages came to a stop behind him, drawing curious stares from many onlookers who craned their necks. After all, only wealthy, important families could afford such carriages.

"Brother Xu, is this the 'place of refinement' you spoke of?" asked a handsome young gentleman, his face full of doubt.

The young man surnamed Xu replied, "This is it. What, you think I'm tricking you all?"

"No, no, of course not. Brother Xu would never deceive us," someone chimed in with a smile to smooth things over.

"Well, we're already here."

The person sent by Fang Zhiyi led them inside.

The first young gentleman still seemed displeased. "Even if you talk until the sky falls, this place is still just a refugee village..." His words trailed off as his gaze was captured by the scene on either side of the street.

The street seemed much cleaner than even the city streets near his own home. Furthermore, since entering, he hadn't caught any unpleasant smells.

"Brother Xu, what are those people doing?" someone asked curiously.

Xu Bing glanced over, recalling what Fang Zhiyi had told him, and answered with a smile, "Planting trees."

"Planting trees? By the side of the street? Are they mad?"

Xu Bing explained, "These tree species were selected by Master Fang. Once they take root, they will blossom in both spring and autumn every year. He says it's to make the air smell better and to improve the environment."

"Environment?" someone pondered. "That does make some sense. But planting trees by the street... truly unheard of."

"Actually, I can already imagine the scene. It does seem rather elegant."

"Ah, let me think..."

For a moment, everyone became interested. Then they turned and saw an old woman grabbing a man with a sorrowful face and scolding him. The man apologized repeatedly, turned around, and fetched a broom to clean the ground.

"And this is?" asked the same curious soul.

Xu Bing was also a bit confused; these things hadn't been in place when he left. Fortunately, the person sent by Fang Zhiyi spoke up.

"That's a sanitation inspector arranged by our Master. For throwing garbage or spitting on the ground, the first time is an education and they have to clean it up themselves. The second time, it's a fine." Seeing all the young masters looking at him, he felt inexplicably nervous. "As for those who relieve themselves in public, if caught, they are locked up and put on display."

This piqued the young gentlemen's curiosity. "Your common folk here don't relieve themselves on the streets?"

One must understand, during this period, the concept of public toilets was scarce. Many commoners, when suddenly caught short, would simply find a secluded spot. This was especially true in a place like the western suburbs.

Xu Bing pointed to a structure not far away. "For that, they go there. That's a public toilet."

Chen Huaimin had waited for a long time without seeing the important guests his elder brother had mentioned. Growing anxious, he walked forward step by step. His brother had said that if things went smoothly, the Mianyue House would start making money today. He prayed nothing would go wrong. That bastard Liu Acai, relying on his lottery ticket shop's daily income, had already mocked him several times.

He walked a stretch, then another, and finally he saw the important guests... lining up in front of the public toilet.

"Brother Chen, are these the important guests the boss mentioned... coming to use the toilet?" an underling asked, dumbfounded.

Chen Huaimin was also baffled. Why weren't they going to the perfectly good Mianyue House? What were they all doing crowded around a public toilet? Could it be that these rich people had unusual forms of entertainment? But surely not inside a toilet?

"I declare, this is the cleanest latrine I have ever seen," announced one young master.

"Such an ingenious design. Truly hard to believe."

"Make way, let me look again. I must have my father build one like this in our mansion when I return."

Chen Huaimin felt somewhat awkward and could only cough a few times. Xu Bing noticed him, first offering an apologetic look, his eyes unconsciously flicking to Chen Huaimin's severed leg with a hint of confusion. But he didn't forget his mission.

"Gentlemen, gentlemen, shall we attend to our main business first?" He pointed at Chen Huaimin not far away. "Our host has come to greet us."

Chen Huaimin repeatedly clasped his hands in salute.

The group of young masters reluctantly left, but more surprises awaited them.

"These street vendors all have their own numbers?"

"It's the stalls that have numbers. Each vendor is responsible for the cleanliness in front of their own stall."

"It is quite clean, isn't it?"

"What's that place with all the people?" someone pointed at the lottery ticket shop in the distance.

Xu Bing knew that if he let them go experience that now, the day would be wasted. "Let's go experience the Mianyue House first. After we're done, I'll take you all there." He lowered his voice. "It's crowded now. Later, I'll have it cleared for you to have a proper look."

Only then did the group obediently follow Chen Huaimin into the Mianyue House.

As soon as they entered, their eyes widened. The interior decoration was quite artistic: lamps made from strangely shaped branches, floors deliberately paved with fine gravel, and even a small spring whose flowing water turned a miniature bamboo waterwheel.

What delighted them even more were the women here. Their styles varied greatly: some were charming and cute, some were cool as ice, and others were quiet and gentle.

It was only now that Chen Huaimin truly felt his elder brother was remarkable. He had given these women, who excelled in their studies and chose to stay, another round of "training." He didn't know what his brother had taught them, but he clearly sensed these girls were different from before. Whether in their makeup or their bearing, they seemed like entirely different people.

This time, Xu Bing was playing host. Taking the money he handed over, Chen Huaimin smiled wryly inwardly—wasn't this just taking from his left pocket to put in his right? But he said nothing.

Who could have known that after this day, wealthy young masters began visiting every few days, and even some scholars came in groups.

Word about the Mianyue House spread. It was said to have many talented women, proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, effortlessly composing poetry and verses. Guests who came here could enjoy the scenery, chat, recite poetry, listen to music, and appreciate performances.

However, the women here were not courtesans; they did not take clients.