Reconciliation Banquet

There was a famous pleasure spot in Kowloon, Hong Kong, called Lingering Cup, though everyone referred to it as the Red Chamber. Its halls were draped in red, and it had been founded by an elder of a major Hung Mun generation in Hong Kong, taking "red" for its homophone with "Hung."

It was a notorious money pit, said to turn princes into eunuchs and bleed people dry. But from another perspective, perhaps it was also a land of heroes. Amid the dust and glamour, there were surely people of true temperament, including no shortage of hidden masters.

Yet as Evenson stood before the Red Chamber, all he could think was: How much would one meal here cost?

He had asked Li Lin to find a place for them to share a reconciliation banquet, but when Evenson arrived, he found this antique building steeped in Republican-era charm. His heart immediately clenched, and he thought, Since she can't beat me up, is Li Lin trying to use another method to bankrupt me to death?!

Just as Evenson was wondering whether to call the Twins and ask for an advance on next month's allowance, someone suddenly gave his back a hard slap. He turned around and saw Li Lin approaching in a leather jacket, a cigarette dangling from her lips. "What are you staring at? You think I brought you here to visit a brothel? Next door, idiot." With that, she swaggered toward a restaurant beside the Red Chamber.

"Oh." Only then did Evenson realize it. Li Lin might have been somewhat androgynous and masculine in personality, but she was still a woman. And with Klayya along this time, going somewhere like the Red Chamber truly would not have been appropriate.

When they reached the place Li Lin had chosen, Evenson saw