Everything returned to calm. Hollowbelly continued teaching every day as usual, then went home. His dream of saving up to start a small business vanished completely after that night at the Blue Lotus Brothel.
Nearly half a year's savings, painstakingly set aside through thrift, were squandered in a single night.
Outwardly, Hollowbelly seemed unchanged, but inside he was in turmoil. The more he tried to forget that night, the deeper the memory etched itself, haunting even his dreams.
A new thought began to take root in Hollowbelly's mind: money.
In the past, Hollowbelly, like many scholars, viewed money with disdain—wealth as filth, fame as illusion. But now, something had changed. He felt the allure of money.
The wealthy young lady had already married over a month ago, yet Hollowbelly still thought of her. With money, perhaps he could have married the one he loved. With money, he could become an official. With money, he could revisit the pleasures of that night at the Blue Lotus Brothel.
With money, anything was possible in this world. Hollowbelly began to change. After class, some of the teachers would gather to drink and discuss learning.
At first, Hollowbelly wanted to join them, but no one invited him—in fact, they rejected him.
One evening at dusk, Hollowbelly was walking by the river. As he reached the bridge, he saw the Blue Lotus Brothel again. He stood there, a different light in his eyes.
"Young master, why haven't you visited Miss May lately?"
A faint fragrance drifted over, startling Hollowbelly. He turned his head—it was the woman who had accompanied him that night. Hollowbelly immediately tried to leave, but she grabbed him.
"Come sit with me tonight. Miss Wen May has no guests this evening. Let’s become friends, sir. I’ll wait for you here at midnight."
He almost fled home, slammed the door shut, and collapsed onto his bed, burying his head under the covers. He was terrified, though he couldn’t say exactly what he was afraid of.
As midnight approached, Hollowbelly was still lying on his bed, torn and resistant. Suddenly, he sprang up and ran toward the riverbank—it was already past midnight.
Hollowbelly slowed his steps, gradually reaching the bridge. It was deserted.
"What’s so good about someone like me? Heh."
His heart was full of loss and helplessness. Hollowbelly prepared to go home. Turning into the alley’s darkness, he felt even more desolate inside.
He lived in a shabby little courtyard, rented for cheap at the very end of a cursed alley. To get back, he had to pass several spots where water pooled.
Suddenly, a burst of light flashed before his eyes. Hollowbelly stared in shock—a woman in a red robe, carrying a lantern, was pacing at his doorway.
"Miss Wen May."
It was the woman from the brothel, Wen May. She was alluring and beautiful, yet gentle—the star of the Blue Lotus Brothel. But for someone like Hollowbelly, with only modest looks and no money, why would a woman like her come here?
After entering, Hollowbelly saw the courtyard already littered with leaves. He lit an oil lamp, bringing a faint glow to the room. In the dim firelight, Wen May slipped off her shawl and sat on the bed, her eyes full of temptation fixed on Hollowbelly.
"Do you think I’m beautiful?"
Hollowbelly nodded immediately. Wen May beckoned to him, and Hollowbelly, swallowing nervously, stepped closer, one step at a time.
"No, Miss Wen May, I..."
A hand pressed against Hollowbelly’s lips. He stared straight at Wen May.
"After that day, I watched you closely, sir. Your face says you’re short on money."
Hollowbelly immediately pulled away, his face twisted in anger. If a man had said that, it would be one thing—but coming from a brothel woman, it was too much. He couldn’t hide his embarrassment.
"Who in this world isn’t short on money?"
Wen May laughed. Her voice was enchanting, as if she could melt Hollowbelly, dissolving even the anger rising in his heart.
"Tonight, I only came to spend a beautiful evening with you. After all, what happened that night left Wen May utterly enchanted."
Hollowbelly moved toward the bed and embraced Wen May, but she suddenly shoved him away, her gaze turning cold and distant.
"This..."
"Someone like you is disgusting to look at. Don’t even think about sharing a bed with me."
It was like a bucket of cold water dumped over Hollowbelly. His heart froze completely, and a wave of sorrow surged within him.
"But... heh..."
Wen May laughed again, her gentleness and beauty returning as if nothing had happened.
"What you lack is just an opportunity. And when you act, you’re decisive and clean. I have a favor to ask of you."
As Wen May spoke, she slipped off her clothes and placed something golden on the table—gold coins.
"You..."
"Beauty and gold, both yours—if you’re willing."
Hollowbelly swallowed hard, staring at Wen May and the gold on the table. His mind went blank for a moment. A breeze stirred by his ear, and Wen May was suddenly standing right in front of him.
"It’s a small matter. If you do it, you’ll have everything. I promise you’ll be wealthy and honored from now on."
Her proud head slowly lowered. Hollowbelly nodded.
The whole night felt like a dream. When Hollowbelly opened his eyes, Wen May was gone, but the gold on the table was real. He might never have earned so much in his life.
A small bottle was left on Hollowbelly’s table, and something changed in his eyes.
What Wen May wanted was simple: murder.
The target was the local magistrate, Ding Lei. Barely past thirty, he was already in office, with powerful connections. Most importantly, Ding Lei had married the woman Hollowbelly loved. Hatred surged in Hollowbelly’s heart.
For the first time, Hollowbelly was late to his morning class, but he wasn’t reprimanded. That had never happened before.
The plan between Wen May and Hollowbelly would take at least five years. Five years was also the term for Ding Lei’s magistrate appointment—he might be transferred after that.
Afterward, Hollowbelly changed dramatically. He began inviting his colleagues from the academy out for food and drink, gradually blending in. Even his teaching style shifted—he’d slip in tales and secrets no one ever heard before, and the effect was remarkable.
But behind all this was Wen May, pulling the strings. Every so often, she would seek Hollowbelly out; in bed, they talked about everything. She taught him all these tricks.
Hollowbelly set new rules: students with top scores in exams would be secretly taken to experience the pleasures of the world. Within three years, his teaching quality soared.
Enrollment at the academy improved. Hollowbelly became a respected teacher in the city. Some opposed his methods, but the families who sent their children were satisfied. A few top students even became officials.
One rainy day, Hollowbelly drank at home, waiting. The door knocked. A woman ran in through the downpour and collapsed into his arms, sobbing and pouring out her troubles.
The rich girl from years ago now had a son, but the magistrate Ding Lei had already taken three concubines and had grown cold toward her.
"Zhu’er, I’ve thought of you day and night for three years. I can’t forget you. Now your child is learning to speak and needs a teacher. If you’ll allow it, let me take the job. Even if I can’t be with you, just watching from afar makes me happy."
With sweet words, Zhu’er agreed. Soon, Ding Lei sent someone with a generous offer to hire Hollowbelly as a tutor at the mansion. The plan was proceeding smoothly.
A harsh, chilling laugh rang out. Hollowbelly, sweating, glanced at Wen May beside him.
"What is it, Wen May? What’s making you so happy?"
"It’s finally going to work. Remember, be careful with the dosage of that poison. I want that man dead when he’s promoted and transferred. Then you can have back what you lost, right?"
Hollowbelly laughed, but still looked at Wen May with concern. He’d never imagined such cruelty behind such a beautiful face.
"Is the poison safe?"
"Don’t worry. My maid died months ago, and my coachman just last week. The poison can’t be detected. Take a little each day, and over time it works. I’ve tested it myself. When this is over, you’ll have money, a career, and women—maybe you’ll kick me aside then."
Hollowbelly laughed heartily, pulling Wen May close and shaking his head.
"Thank you, Wen May. Turns out, when used right, money really can change your fate."
Everyone in the city said Hollowbelly was destined for greatness now. With such powerful connections, he entered the mansion and taught Ding Lei’s son diligently, even helping with official business.
Gradually, Ding Lei saw Hollowbelly’s worth and promoted him to secretary. Wherever he went, he took Hollowbelly along.
Hollowbelly managed all the relationships perfectly. Ding Lei even promised to take him along when he was promoted.
"You haven’t forgotten our plan, have you?"
One night, Wen May asked. Hollowbelly shook his head.
"My students have risen high. I don’t need a mere magistrate. Heh. And I’ll take back what I lost—he must die."
Wen May let out a harsh laugh, tears glimmering in her eyes as she leaned against Hollowbelly.
"I knew I was right about you, Hollowbelly."
Ding Lei fell ill, coughing constantly. No doctor could help. Hollowbelly always said it was just a cold and rest would cure it, but Ding Lei’s condition kept worsening.
Eventually, Ding Lei collapsed, bedridden. The order for his promotion and transfer arrived from above at that very moment.