For a Man's Dignity!

"All right, all right, let's look at your love life first."

Holding Zhu Zhuqing's small hand, Lu Qian began to examine it "seriously."

A minute later, Lu Qian raised his head and said to Zhu Zhuqing with great solemnity:

"Your path to love is fraught with hardship. Unless you can face your heart and follow the choice fate has made, you will never find happiness in this lifetime."

At Lu Qian's words, Zhu Zhuqing's expression instantly darkened.

She was about to ask something else, but Lu Qian simply waved his hand.

"That is all I can say."

Putting on an air of mystery was an old trick of wandering charlatans, but Lu Qian found it very effective against a young girl as inexperienced in the ways of the world as Zhu Zhuqing.

Zhu Zhuqing's face was now filled with disappointment, as though she no longer held any hopes for the future.

That was hardly surprising. After all, Zhu Zhuqing had come here to see whether Dai Mubai really was as wretched as the rumors claimed.

Dai Mubai was the second prince of the Star Luo Empire, after all. As a thorn in the eldest prince Dai Weisi's eye, Dai Mubai would leave him unable to eat or sleep in peace as long as he remained alive!

Yet Dai Mubai was actually idling away in Suotuo City, spending his days drinking and carousing without any desire to improve. How could he possibly turn the tables?

And as Dai Mubai's designated wife, Zhu Zhuqing would be on his side whether she wanted to be or not.

If Dai Mubai were a worthy husband, Zhu Zhuqing thought she could accept her lot in this life. Whether they succeeded or not, at least she would have chosen the right man.

But now, according to the fortune-teller, Dai Mubai really was just as the rumors described. Her visit this time would end in utter disappointment!

A rocky path to love, and no happiness in this lifetime!

Those two phrases kept circling in Zhu Zhuqing's ears, and sorrow visibly spread across her face.

Lu Qian could not quite bear the sight. He had done this to make Zhu Zhuqing stay away from Dai Mubai, not to fill her with despair.

Then Lu Qian took Zhu Zhuqing's small hand again and commanded in a low voice:

"Calm your mind!"

At Lu Qian's shout, Zhu Zhuqing's thoughts slowly returned.

Her gaze fell on Lu Qian, and only then did Zhu Zhuqing realize she had lost her composure.

"Remember, you aren't living this life for any one person. You're living it for yourself."

With that, Lu Qian stood, patted Zhu Zhuqing on the shoulder, and left the tavern with an easy air.

After sitting in a daze for a while, Zhu Zhuqing left as well.

Lu Qian had not gone far after leaving the tavern. Instead, he waited out of sight, and only after seeing Zhu Zhuqing safely to her hotel did he leave with his mind at ease.

Although Lu Qian had all but said outright that Dai Mubai was not good enough for her, he did not think Zhu Zhuqing would necessarily let go.

At the very least, she would have to confirm things herself before deciding to give up on Dai Mubai.

So over the next few days, Zhu Zhuqing would probably go stake out the brothel street. That was likely the clumsiest yet most effective method she could think of.

Lu Qian then went to Yixiang Pavilion. The manager received him personally, and Lu Qian directly instructed him to fetch Ma Hongjun.

Although the manager looked bewildered, Lu Qian's distinguished status left him afraid to disobey.

Fortunately, Ma Hongjun was taking a break, and upon hearing that Lu Qian had arrived, he immediately came to meet him.

"Brother Qian, what took you so long?"

"Brother Ma, could you do me a little favor?"

"You said it yourself-we're brothers. Why be so polite? Just say the word!"

Ma Hongjun spoke with great generosity.

"Then I'll ask."

"Go ahead."

"Could you keep an eye on Dai Mubai for me over the next few days?"

"Dai Mubai? Why keep an eye on him?"

Ma Hongjun was somewhat puzzled.

"Heh, well, I did bully him, after all. I'm worried he'll take revenge, but I don't know anyone else here, so you're the only one I can turn to."

Lu Qian feigned embarrassment as he spoke.

"So that's it. Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on him for you."

Ma Hongjun agreed without the slightest hesitation.

The rest would be very simple. When the time came, Lu Qian only needed to "accidentally" bring Zhu Zhuqing before Dai Mubai while he was indulging in pleasure, and she would give up on him completely!

And even if no opportunity arose over the next few days, Lu Qian still had one final chance: the Rose Hotel, where Tang San and Dai Mubai would first meet.

Those twin beauties would probably give Zhu Zhuqing quite a "surprise"!

After all that running around, it was already late at night. Lu Qian thought it over and decided to head back.

But Ma Hongjun suddenly gave Lu Qian a sleazy look and said:

"You still want to leave this late? What, are you... not up to it?"

"Get lost, get lost! I've been busy all day, and I'm dead tired. Can't I want a good night's sleep?"

"Tch, excuses. Nothing but excuses!"

Ma Hongjun spoke with utter disdain.

They were both men. How could Lu Qian possibly take that? He glared at Ma Hongjun and said:

"I'm not leaving tonight!"

"Don't push yourself too hard."

Ma Hongjun continued being obnoxious.

"Push your sister! Hurry up and scram, or you'll get another shock in a minute."

Lu Qian spoke irritably.

"All right, all right, I'm going."

Having achieved his goal, Ma Hongjun naturally left without any fuss.

At the same time, the manager, who had long been waiting outside the door, came in at just the right moment and bowed as he inquired:

"Young Master Lu, the owner specifically instructed us to reserve a few of our finest girls for you. Every one of them is a match for the twins from this afternoon."

Looking at the manager's face, plastered with smiles, Lu Qian felt deep contempt. You bastard, you just want to hurry up and make money off me!

But at this point, it really was difficult for Lu Qian to refuse. First, it would show he knew nothing of social niceties; second, it would cost him his dignity as a man!

Yet Lu Qian did not want to lose his virginity here, so he was still very conflicted.

In the end, feeling somewhat helpless, Lu Qian said directly to the manager:

"I like a bit of a challenge. Bring me someone who hasn't been properly trained yet-the wilder her temperament, the better!"

"Huh? Well..."

The manager was dumbfounded. What sort of perverse request was this?

But a manager was a manager. After losing his composure for only a few seconds, he immediately returned to normal and smiled at Lu Qian again.

"Understood, Young Master Lu. I'll arrange it right away."

Lu Qian merely nodded casually, signaling for him to hurry.

Before long, the manager brought a very young-looking girl into Lu Qian's room.

Before the manager could say anything, Lu Qian drove him straight out.

"This Young Master Lu is not only a pervert, but impatient as a monkey too!"

The manager muttered that after leaving.

Faced with Lu Qian, however, the young-looking girl seemed very frightened.

Lu Qian frowned as he looked at her. She was more or less as he had imagined: there were bruises on her wrists, and her clothes had been freshly changed. She was probably another respectable girl forced into prostitution.

Although Lu Qian also felt very awkward, after some thought, he still said to the girl:

"Rest for a bit first. In half an hour, shake the bed boards over there and moan for me at the same time. Understood?"

"???"