After dealing with Steward Ma and his gang of thugs, Ian Song smiled at Susie and said, "Susie, do you believe now that I can protect myself?"
Hearing Ian's words, Susie gradually recovered from her shock. Her gaze toward Ian grew more complicated, and she said softly, "You should leave, sir. Granaryford City has over ten thousand inner-garrison troops—even if your skills are strong, you can't fight an entire army."
Ian shook his head, his tone solemn: "Susie, you always think for my sake. How could I just leave and put you in danger? Wouldn't that make me a heartless scoundrel? Susie, would you be willing to leave with me?"
At his words, Susie's eyes grew even brighter, but hesitation appeared on her face.
With his deep cultivation, Ian could read people's hearts, and it was obvious Susie had worries and attachments.
So he said, "Susie, if you have any concerns, just tell me. I'll solve them all for you."
Susie felt even more moved. In the end, she sighed softly, "You should go, sir."
"Susie, do you really not trust me?" Ian took a step forward, his eyes meeting Susie's face. Since arriving in this world, he'd seen plenty of beauties—Lily Qi, Eve Autumn, Valerie Loneblade—all were stunning.
Especially Jade Pool Saintess Serena Sima and Clearheart Saintess Faye Xi, both rare beauties in the world—but none of them had ever moved his heart.
But Susie, a courtesan of Heaven Fragrance Pavilion, had touched him.
Her looks might not match Faye Xi or Serena Sima, but her kindness had deeply moved him.
"It's not that I don't want to go with you, sir, but I can't." Susie met Ian's gaze, her expression sad.
"Why?" Ian pressed.
Susie's face grew even more sorrowful: "When I was seven, my father sold me into the brothel. After I arrived, the big boss treated me fairly well, hired teachers to teach me qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Last year I reached the age to be 'sold out of the house,' but I refused, and the big boss didn't force me. If I leave with you now, the prefectural lord will likely blame the big boss, and I'd be seen as an ungrateful traitor."
"You really are too kind-hearted!" Ian said, sighing with even more pity for her. He thought to himself that the big boss probably didn't force her only because he hoped to sell her for a higher price someday.
This girl was still grateful to him for it, making Ian feel an even deeper tenderness toward her.
"Please go, sir. It's not that I don't want to leave with you—it's that I can't." Susie urged again.
Seeing Susie's worried, anxious eyes, Ian smiled: "If you don't want to implicate the big boss of Heaven Fragrance Pavilion, then let me handle it."
"Sir, you...!"
"Just wait and see." Ian shook his head, his gaze landing on Steward Ma. With a casual air-grab, he pulled Steward Ma from several meters away to stand before him. "Go notify your big boss at Heaven Fragrance Pavilion and tell him to come see me immediately."
"Yes, I'll go report right away!" Steward Ma nodded frantically, having witnessed Ian's ability to grab people from a distance. He felt no urge to resist.
"Susie, would you join me for a few drinks?" After sending off Steward Ma, Ian smiled at Susie.
"Please, sir."
Knowing she couldn't persuade Ian, Susie stopped trying and led him behind the room's screen to a small table.
"Please have a seat, sir."
"Alright!"
Ian sat down and quietly waited. Before long, Susie arrived carrying a few small dishes and a pot of wine.
Susie personally poured Ian a full cup of wine, then poured one for herself. She raised her glass and said, "Sir, Susie toasts you."
"You're too kind, Susie."
Ian clinked his cup against Susie's, producing a crisp sound. They both drank their wine, but Susie, unable to hold her liquor, blushed after just one cup, her pale face now tinged with red—making her look all the more alluring to Ian.
After putting down his cup, Ian asked softly, "Susie, was the couplet outside your door written by you?"
"I hope you weren't offended, sir." Susie replied with a shy smile.
"Then let me try to match it with a lower line."
"Please, sir," Susie said.
Ian pretended to ponder, then recited, "Layer upon layer, green mountains pile up; winding and winding, the road stretches on and on."
Hearing this, Susie softly repeated Ian's line to herself, thinking that while it wasn't exceptional, it was certainly well-structured.
"I've got another lower line!" Ian clapped his hands, then looked at Susie with feeling and recited softly, "Morning after morning, evening after evening; love deep and lingering, love from eve to dawn. Please give your thoughts, Susie."
At this line, Susie's face turned even redder. Her eyes grew misty as she looked at Ian. Though the line matched the first in quality, it revealed Ian's feelings, making Susie deeply satisfied. She raised her glass again: "Such talent, sir—Susie toasts you again."
After finishing another cup, Ian said, "Actually, I have one more lower line. Susie, listen: 'Winding and winding, green waters flow; curving and curving, the water winds.'"
"Wonderful!"
As soon as Ian finished, Susie couldn't help but softly applaud. She thought to herself, not only was he skilled in martial arts, but he was also talented—wasn't this her ideal husband? At the thought, she didn't dare look at Ian directly, her heart racing with shyness.
Seeing her expression, Ian knew she'd fallen for him. He mused to himself, girls in ancient times were so pure—unlike modern women, who needed a house, a car, and savings just to consider dating. Otherwise, no matter how handsome or talented you were, you'd just be a lifelong bachelor.
"Miss, the big boss is here!"
Just then, Xiaohuan burst in and reported.
Hearing this, Susie quickly stood up, looking a bit panicked.
Soon, a tall, imposing middle-aged man strode in. He wore brocade robes and had a square, authoritative face. His steady gait marked him as a martial artist of considerable skill—a first-class expert.
"Big boss, Susie greets you."
"No need for formalities, Susie." Quentin Stone nodded, then turned to Ian and asked in a neutral tone, "How should I address you, sir?"
"You can call me Shen Shaoyan, or Chief Shen," Ian replied lazily.
"Shen Shaoyan?"
Quentin Stone's face changed instantly, his eyes filling with terror. He hurriedly bowed to Ian and said in a trembling voice, "Quentin Stone greets Chief Shen. We didn't know Chief Shen was visiting our humble establishment—if we've offended you, please forgive us."
Seeing the big boss treat Ian with such respect—even humility—Susie and Xiaohuan were both shocked and confused.