Tables made of sandalwood were set around the area, adorned with fine wines and delicacies, as groups of guests huddled together, raising their glasses and drinking freely.
On the second-floor corridor, women could be seen leaning against the railings from time to time, their makeup exquisite, with pearls and jade in their hair, and their bodies wrapped in fine silk and satin, their eyes full of enchantment.
If a guest caught their eye, they could go up to the second floor to spend the night together.
The men from the Ding Fire Department looked around excitedly, as if they were country folk entering the city for the first time.
With the government coffers empty, they usually only went to brothels or private kilns to relax, and rarely visited such "high-end places" since just the Tea Service Fee could amount to a month’s salary.
Where have they ever enjoyed the "public funded visit to courtesans" treatment?
Qin Shou raised his glass and exclaimed loudly, "This drink is for Mr. Chen! Work hard under Mr. Chen and you’ll eat the best, drink the strongest, and play with the prettiest!"
"To Mr. Chen!"
"Mr. Chen is mighty!"
"I’m drinking!"
Everyone picked up their glasses and drank in one gulp.
Apart from awe, the looks they gave Chen Mo were filled with admiration and sincere approval.
Just a few days into his role at the government office, he had accomplished a great deed, solving a financial crisis.
He was bold against his superiors, yet so generous to his subordinates.
Who wouldn’t want to follow such a leader?
Chen Mo also took up his glass, drained it in one go, and waved his hand, "Alright, go play."
The men could barely contain themselves any longer; they rose and headed to the second floor.
Before long, only Chen Mo and Li Yuan were left at the table.
Looking at the "hungry" girl next to him, Chen Mo said with a chuckle, "Or is General Li planning to keep an eye on me all night?"
Li Yuan, holding a glass of wine, feigned calm and said, "Mr. Chen misunderstood, I’m just here to drink."
"Really?"
Chen Mo raised his eyebrows slightly and pretended to stand up, "Then may I go upstairs?"
Li Yuan turned her head aside and said, "You’re free to go where you like, I can’t control you."
"..."
Chen Mo shook his head.
This little fierce girl was too stubborn to admit her jealousy, which was practically seeping out of her.
Li Yuan waited for awhile without a sound and, turning her head, realized that Chen Mo was already gone.
He really left?
Li Yuan’s heart skipped a beat, a surge of inexplicable sourness rose, feeling as if a piece of her had been forcefully carved away.
After a moment of silence, she tilted her snow-white neck and drained her glass.
"He and I are just superior and subordinate; I have no right to meddle... I lack femininity and don’t act coy; he probably wouldn’t like a tomboy like me, right?"
"But why did he risk his life to save me, and why does he keep taking liberties with me?"
"He’s messed up someone else’s heart and then just walks away... What a big jerk, really annoying!"
Mist clouded Li Yuan’s eyes as she went to pour more wine, only to find the bottle was already empty.
"More wine here!"
"Right away."
A familiar voice responded.
"Hmm?"
Li Yuan looked up at the sound.
There she saw Chen Mo with a wine bottle in hand, looking at her with a brilliant smile.
Complex emotions filled her heart as the mist in Li Yuan’s eyes thickened, and she bit her lip, saying, "Didn’t you go off to be with some woman?"
Chen Mo spread his hands, "I looked around and found that none were as good-looking as General Li, so I came back."
Li Yuan glared at him.
These words... weren’t they implying she was to be compared with those women of pleasure?
Yet, there was not the slightest displeasure in her heart, the gloom swept away, replaced with joy and excitement, while still trying to appear calm on the face, "Don’t you have a sweetheart at the Qingya House? She is very beautiful, why not go see her?"
Chen Mo touched his nose.
Was it not because you followed me?
Those two together always ended up fighting, utterly uncontrollable... plus, after Gu Manzhi’s "sneak taste" last time, things were a bit delicate, and it would have been too awkward to take Li Yuan along.
"Today, there’s no one else, just you and me."
"We’ve known each other for so long, yet we haven’t properly drunk together."
Chen Mo said, smiling.
Recalling how she was made drunk the last time, Li Yuan’s cheeks turned slightly red. She took the wine bottle and filled the two cups.
"Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
The potent liquor flowed down their throats like fire, burning wildly in their chests and bellies.
Neither of them used their True Yuan to expel the alcohol, just drinking cup after cup, feeling an indescribable pleasure.
After the third round of drinks.
Empty bottles were arrayed across the table and the floor.
Li Yuan’s cheeks were flushed, her gaze hazy, already swaying slightly.
Chen Mo’s head was a bit dizzy, his body hot, but his mind remained clear.
Li Yuan lifted her blurred eyes to look at him and asked, "Chen Mo, what do you think of me as a person?"
Without a second thought, Chen Mo said, "Big chest, perky butt, great to the touch!"
"..."
With embarrassment and annoyance, Li Yuan glared at him, "I’m talking about my character!"


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