More tomorrow.
Wangjiang Restaurant.
Jia Yun hunched over as he withdrew from the private room, using his sole remaining arm to pull one half of the door shut. He was about to close the other half as well, cutting off the lewd talk within.
Unexpectedly, someone suddenly appeared beside him and hurriedly shut the door for him.
Jia Yun raised a brow. Rather than pleased, he felt even more irritated—given his proud nature, what he hated most was having others treat him differently as though he were crippled.
"Greetings, Fifth Master!"
Unaware that his flattery had struck the wrong nerve, the newcomer wore a fawning grin, hunched his shoulders, and cupped his hands. "May I ask whether Eldest Master has any free time at present?"
Jia Yun cast him a sidelong glance and recognized him as Gardener Fang Chun from West Street. The irritation in his heart turned into a measure of pity.
With a sigh, he said, "What difference does it make whether he does or not? Don't you see what sort of place this is? Is it somewhere just anyone can barge into?"
Then he tipped his chin toward the stairs. "We'll talk as we walk."
Without waiting for Fang Chun's response, he headed downstairs.
Fang Chun instinctively followed for two steps, but could not help looking back. Hearing burst after burst of lascivious laughter from the private room, a nameless fury rose in his heart. He wished he could kick down the door and charge inside without a care.
"If you really want to go in, I won't stop you."
Yet Jia Yun's casually spoken words instantly extinguished both Fang Chun's rage and courage.
He hurried after him, following at Jia Yun's side with a crooked shoulder and ingratiating smile. "Fifth Master, you jest. Even if lard