After the soothing high, Qin Jun wrapped an arm around Daini and drifted off. Honestly, men get tired after that. There’s mental fatigue and physical. Qin Jun was the first.
He woke to shouting. He opened his eyes, drowsy and angry. He’d been sleeping well, and someone woke him. Who wouldn’t be mad?
He listened. “Whoever’s inside, come out. Please, spare Daini.”
He chuckled inside. So he’d run into that cliché? A poor kid in love with a courtesan?
He’d seen it in dramas. The poor boy learns someone slept with the girl he likes. He can’t stop it. He just begs outside the door.
He wanted to get up and see who it was. But Daini had him in her arms. Her lips murmured nonsense.
He thought, forget it. I’ll nap. If the kid is still arguing later, I’ll deal with him.
Before sleep took him, his thoughts went cold. Don’t they say performers have no true feelings, prostitutes no loyalty? Daini’s probably using you.
He flicked out a Barrier. The noise outside vanished. No one could enter this room. He hugged Daini’s soft body and slept on.
Outside, Josiah kept pleading. No one came out. Sweat beaded. Words stopped mattering. He cursed, “Animal inside, get the hell out!”
Even so, no one came out. Blood rushed to his head. He almost charged the door. He stopped a meter short. Fear hit. What if the man inside was a big shot? He could end Josiah in a minute.
He told himself he truly liked Daini. Every time he went adventuring, all the money went to her. Daini said she was saving to buy her freedom and marry a good man.
He fell for it, head over heels. He kept thinking he was that good man. Once she bought her freedom, he’d marry her.
But he had a little brother. The kid was small. If Josiah died, the boy was done. He didn’t dare risk his life to push open that door.
He knew this world had laws, sure. But those laws only hit ordinary adventurers with no status. For great clans and the strong, they were air.
As he thought, he started to console himself. I yelled so loud and no one answered. Maybe those thugs who took my money lied. Maybe Daini went out.
The more he thought, the more possible it felt. He stepped closer to the door, pressed his eye to the crack. He saw Daini’s pale legs bare in the air, draped over a young man.
The young man’s hands rested on Daini’s chest, kneading until the shape changed. Daini and the man were so close it looked like they’d fuse.
Josiah’s rage flared. He screamed inside, Why, why? She’s mine. I won’t let you touch her. I won’t!
He forgot fear and lunged to smash the door. Peeking was easy, but Qin Jun’s Barrier wasn’t easy to break. It even bounced back.
He swung a wooden stick and slammed it. It rebounded. He flew back and landed hard.
Josiah went a little mad. He sat limp with the stick, staring at the solid door. He jolted up, glued himself to it again, peering through the gap at Daini’s bare skin.
His eyes shone with greedy heat. He’d never seen Daini naked before. Whenever he saw her, she was aloof, dressed tight. No chance to admire that beauty.
He admired in his heart. So beautiful. So beautiful.
After a few minutes, Daini’s body moved slightly, like she was about to roll.
Josiah shouted inside, Turn over! Turn over! My lovely Daini!
Daini granted his wish. She rolled, letting him see all of her. The swell of her chest. The soft plain below. Every inch of skin before him was clear.
“Ah, so beautiful. Daini, you’re mine, mine. One day, one day I’ll put you at my side. I’ll look at you. We’ll be together forever.”
Josiah’s lower body jerked. He released himself.
He smiled greedily and walked away, step by step.
When Qin Jun woke again, night had fallen. He dismissed the Barrier. Outside was quiet. No more shouting.
Daini still slept, still holding him. But he didn’t want to stay. His need was met. There was no reason to linger.
He woke Daini and asked her to let go. Daini woke groggy and released him.
Qin Jun gave her a mysterious smile. It made her hair stand on end. She asked nervously, “Sir, is there something you need?”
Qin Jun shook his head. “You’re pretty. I want to tip you.”
Daini gasped. “Really?”
Qin Jun nodded. “Of course. Ten Amethyst Coins.”
He handed her ten Amethyst Coins. Daini was so stunned she couldn’t speak.
He didn’t wait for words. He smiled. “May we never meet again.”
As soon as he finished, he vanished before Daini’s eyes. She glanced at the spot where he disappeared, then couldn’t tear her gaze from the Amethyst Coins.
Qin Jun left Daini and went to find the madam. Seeing him, she greeted him with a smile. “Sir, was everything to your liking?”
Qin Jun kept a straight face. “Fine. Someone was noisy at my door. But since the girl was good, I won’t blame you. Here. A tip. I have a question.”
He handed her ten Gold Crystal Coins. She accepted with a beaming smile. “What would you like to ask, sir? I’ll tell you everything.”
Qin Jun asked, “How many coins to buy Daini’s freedom?”
The madam smiled. “Sir wants to redeem Daini?”
Qin Jun said coldly, “Don’t ask what you shouldn’t.”
She gave a fawning smile. “Not asking, not asking.”
Then she raised eight fingers. “Eight Amethyst Coins.”
Qin Jun nodded. “Got it. That’s all. You can go.”
The madam took the hint and left.
Qin Jun glanced toward Daini’s room and let the malice swirl. What will you do? This is going to be fun. I’ll be watching.
He stepped outside, wanting to see the sights. He wondered what nights in this other world looked like.
