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"Thanks for stopping by but I'm really alright." She beamed at the other woman to underline her statement. Jin-Mei didn't look too convinced but she'd already given up on talking her friend out of it. A few times she had tried to persuade Lanhua to move in with her and her husband but every time the poor woman had declined and affirmed that she was just fine. Jin-Mei's eyes wandered over the shabby furniture and the cracked walls. In a few corners, right beneath the leaking roof, mould was rotting the wooden pillars away. She shook her head, but did not argue with her. "I should go now," she sighed with a short glance at her pocket watch. It was already dark and her master probably just had eaten dinner.
"That's good timing. My shift starts now." Lanhua declared as she began to brush her long dark brown hair. The older woman frowned a little and nodded. "Just be careful. I'm off now. Goodbye."
"Yeah, see you, Jin." The other female smiled and waved at her. The moment the door swung shut her cheerful expression vanished. A few seconds she watched Jin-Mei walking down the street. She had wanted to go with her so many times. But this was the way life goes. Some were meant to be happy, others weren't. She wouldn't cheat and live someone else's life by moving in with her and work as a servant at some lord's place. Of course she wanted to live a better life, but she wanted to get there by herself. She just was that stubborn. A few minutes later she left her apartment.

With purposefully steps and her head held high she rushed around the corner, advancing the inside of big city. The roads were empty and silent but that would change. The creatures of the night, ugly creatures, already lurked in the flickering shadows of the small lanes and alleys. She was heading for a rather striking building. Its windows were all lit up and the doors were wide open. Loud cheering and the hammering beats of exotic music came from its direction. Above the decorated porch was a giant sign that said: 'No money, no entrance' and they meant it. The taciturn, muscular men that guarded each and every exit weren't very gentle with tricksters. Lanhua walked around the house and entered through the employees' entry. The back rooms were dim, the air was stuffy and stale. On her way through the narrow halls she met a lot of young girls in skimpy outfits; some crying, some wearing emotionless expressions. That was no unordinary sight. Someone touched her shoulder.
"Lanhua! Hey, how are you?" a chirping voice exclaimed next to her ear. She swirled around and faced a young girl with bleached hair and too much make-up. She didn't know her real name so she used her alias. "Good evening, Sugar."
"Xia hasn't appeared tonight so you have to work double shifts."
"No way!" she gasped. "Why don't you cover her shift?"
"I'm already heading home. Beware; today's customers are just nasty pigs." Sugar warned her and then quickly flitted away.
Rubbing her temples Lanhua muttered to herself: "This job would be perfect without those old perverts."

With an exhausted groan she let herself fall onto the soft king-sized bed. The red silk was warm and sweaty. She shuddered but didn't move. She would have loved to take a shower now but she didn't have the time for that.
The night had been hell. Her whole body ached and she felt like an old rag, dirty and used. When she had been fifteen years old that feeling had been able to make her break down in tears. Now, with twenty-three, it couldn't even elicit a frown from her. She wiped some sweat off her forehead. Why did they keep the rooms so hot?
She sat up and took her clothes back on. There was a ray of hope, at least. The next customer would be her last for today. Arranging herself among the cushions she waited for him and braced herself. That was necessary because she wasn't allowed to show any sign of disgust no matter what… or who. Several times a day she had to remind herself that this was nothing but business and that she had to distance herself from the whole subject. Three fast knocks at the door made her jump a little. Fixing a smile on her face she said: "Please come in."
The man that entered the room caught her off-guard. He was so different from her usual customers that she couldn't help the surprised sigh that escaped her lips. Half-long coal black hair fell loosely over his shoulders and eyes with the color of liquid steel rested on her. Even though he scrutinized her as though she was a horse he was about to buy his face somehow showed a warm feeling of understanding. No one had ever looked at her like this. She waited for his reaction, startled by his looks. He wasn't perfect, his nose was a little too big for his face, but the other men around here couldn't compete with him. No gram fat was to be found on his athletic body. He had a very healthy complexion and showed no signs of stress or worry. Judging by his clothing he was one of the wealthy folks, probably a lord or a well-off merchant. She was a little puzzled that someone of his status would stoop to visit such a place. He closed the door and approached the bed with measured steps. A smile twitched in the corners of his mouth.
"You were one of the more expensive still I didn't expect to find such a pretty face." He told her in an undertone. His voice sounded like the purr of a big black cat. Unsure how to respond Lanhua cast her eyes down in a bashful manner, just like she had been taught.
"May I know your name, sir?" she asked.
The man stripped off his coat and answered in a casual tone: "It's Jian. Who are you?"
People normally didn't want to know her name. It tended to get too personal that way. That was why many girls created an alias. Yet she replied truthfully: "My name is Lanhua, sir." Giving him a shy smile she looked up to him through her eyelashes.
"Fine." He nodded decisively and unbuttoned his shirt. "Do you have something to protect yourself?"
She blinked, confused.
Oh! Right… Work.
For a second she had forgotten where they were. He wasn't here to chat.
"Yes, wait a moment." She leaned over and reached into the drawer next to the bed. After preparing everything she returned to him and lay down again.
"What did you order?" she wanted to know; her tone was polite and indifferent as though this was none of her business.
"Normal procedure, nothing special. Maybe a little talk." He met her questioning gaze with a friendly expression. She relaxed at once. She nodded and spread her legs a little teasingly. "Then come."
She didn't have to fake interest as he climbed on the bed and knelt in front of her lying figure. Muscles shifted under his skin and caused her breathing to speed up. For a moment she just stared at his bare torso like a teenage girl that had a crush. Embarrassed by her own unprofessional behavior she hurried to sit up and untied her light tunica. With a skillfully arranged seducing smirk she undressed and presented her naked body to him. She tilted her head to the left and watched the desire flash up in his gray eyes. He bent forward and with the tip of his tongue he stroked the length of her neck and wandered down to her breasts. Then she felt his fingers' gentle fondling at her sex. Heaving a small sigh she pretended to be aroused by his tender caress; hopefully he didn't believe that he wouldn't have to pay if he caused her some pleasure. She turned her attention towards his body and reached for the fastener of his elegant pants. Before long he was more focused on his own lust. As soon as he was in her she simply followed the instincts of her body and moved along with him. His hoarse moans filled her ears and her heart picked up speed. His moves grew more urging and with a low sigh he gave himself to his climax. Like most men he just waited an instant before retreating. Lanhua sank back against the pillows. When she looked at him again she found him staring at her curiously.
"How can it be that a pretty woman like you has to work in such a cheap establishment?" he wondered aloud. Ignoring his compliment she shrugged. "How can it be that a wealthy man like you has to buy company in such a cheap establishment?" she allowed herself a short-living superior grin. He seemed to think about that for a second before chuckling lightly. "It's interesting how many coincidences lead to one situation, isn't it?"
"It is, indeed, sir." Without hesitation she took her clothes back on and after a moment Jian did the same. She sort of regretted that she couldn't spend some more time with him. Of course that was a ridiculous feeling and she quickly locked it away.
"But tell me: Do you like this life?" Jian observed her every move now and she was sure he noticed the small wrinkle between her eyebrows.
"I do not enjoy it." She told him. Somehow she felt like she owed him the truth. "I ran away from my parents' house when I was fourteen and since a few years I'm working here. It's a safe income."
"Do you think so?" he mumbled, more to himself than as a real question. Then he raised his voice: "Don't you want to start a family and all that?"
Her eyes widened a bit. She hadn't expected him to pick such a topic. But he had mentioned before that he searched for conversation as well.
"I… I would like to start a family, I think. When I was a child I always dreamt about having a son." It was weird but there was something about this stranger that made her tell him more than he asked about. Somehow she wanted him to know her. Inhaling deeply she continued: "One day… in the future… Maybe this dream will come true. I'm still young and maybe I will meet a man that loves me and I will love him too."
"That sounds like a fairytale." Jian commented. Lanhua narrowed her eyes a bit. "Don't you believe in love?"
He remained silent for an endless minute and then finally said: "I believe it exists…"
"But not for you." she finished his sentence. Pity was plain to see in her deep blue eyes. Even though he possessed so much more than she he carried less hope in his heart. He didn't believe that things would turn around someday.
"Do you have a family?" she asked. His whole body tensed and she already feared that he would leave now but when he responded his voice was level and grave. "I have a wife."
A painful sting twisted through her chest and then Lanhua understood that she had hoped he wasn't in a relationship. He was so different from everyone she knew that she couldn't help feeling some kind of affection for him.
"I see." She managed to utter. "But you don't love her?"
"No. She doesn't love me, as well." He sighed.
"I'm sorry." She whispered.
"Don't be. My father arranged that marriage... But I have to return now." Strong dislike rang with his voice. He rose to his feet and grabbed the coat he had left on the floor. He reached into his pocket and pressed a few golden coins into her hands. She shook her head and wanted to return the money. "You don't pay here, downstairs is a counter where –" She started but he cut her off with the words: "I already paid. This is just for you. You are worth more than you cost, Lanhua." He smiled. Following an impulse she bent forward and quickly kissed his lips. His hand lay on her hip and one last time his silver eyes seemed to be blazing with lust. The next second he left. With her mouth forming a surprised O she counted the amount in the palm of her hand. She almost squeaked with joy. This was enough to move out of that rat hole she lived in right now and rent a nicer apartment in the city. A few moments she stared at the closed door through which her customer had disappeared.

Something told her that Jian would return to her…

Description
"Thanks for stopping by but I'm really alright." She beamed at the other woman to underline her statement. Jin-Mei didn't look too convinced but she'd already given up on talking her friend out of it. A few times she had tried to persuade Lanhua to move in with her and her husband but every time the poor woman had declined and affirmed that she was just fine. Jin-Mei's eyes wandered over the shabby furniture and the cracked walls. In a few corners, right beneath the leaking roof, mould was rotting the wooden pillars away. She shook her head, but did not argue with her. "I should go now," she sighed with a short glance at her pocket watch. It was already dark and her master probably just had eaten dinner.
"That's good timing. My shift starts now." Lanhua declared as she began to brush her long dark brown hair. The older woman frowned a little and nodded. "Just be careful. I'm off now. Goodbye."
"Yeah, see you, Jin." The other female smiled and waved at her. The moment the door swung shut her cheerful expression vanished. A few seconds she watched Jin-Mei walking down the street. She had wanted to go with her so many times. But this was the way life goes. Some were meant to be happy, others weren't. She wouldn't cheat and live someone else's life by moving in with her and work as a servant at some lord's place. Of course she wanted to live a better life, but she wanted to get there by herself. She just was that stubborn. A few minutes later she left her apartment.

With purposefully steps and her head held high she rushed around the corner, advancing the inside of big city. The roads were empty and silent but that would change. The creatures of the night, ugly creatures, already lurked in the flickering shadows of the small lanes and alleys. She was heading for a rather striking building. Its windows were all lit up and the doors were wide open. Loud cheering and the hammering beats of exotic music came from its direction. Above the decorated porch was a giant sign that said: 'No money, no entrance' and they meant it. The taciturn, muscular men that guarded each and every exit weren't very gentle with tricksters. Lanhua walked around the house and entered through the employees' entry. The back rooms were dim, the air was stuffy and stale. On her way through the narrow halls she met a lot of young girls in skimpy outfits; some crying, some wearing emotionless expressions. That was no unordinary sight. Someone touched her shoulder.
"Lanhua! Hey, how are you?" a chirping voice exclaimed next to her ear. She swirled around and faced a young girl with bleached hair and too much make-up. She didn't know her real name so she used her alias. "Good evening, Sugar."
"Xia hasn't appeared tonight so you have to work double shifts."
"No way!" she gasped. "Why don't you cover her shift?"
"I'm already heading home. Beware; today's customers are just nasty pigs." Sugar warned her and then quickly flitted away.
Rubbing her temples Lanhua muttered to herself: "This job would be perfect without those old perverts."

With an exhausted groan she let herself fall onto the soft king-sized bed. The red silk was warm and sweaty. She shuddered but didn't move. She would have loved to take a shower now but she didn't have the time for that.
The night had been hell. Her whole body ached and she felt like an old rag, dirty and used. When she had been fifteen years old that feeling had been able to make her break down in tears. Now, with twenty-three, it couldn't even elicit a frown from her. She wiped some sweat off her forehead. Why did they keep the rooms so hot?
She sat up and took her clothes back on. There was a ray of hope, at least. The next customer would be her last for today. Arranging herself among the cushions she waited for him and braced herself. That was necessary because she wasn't allowed to show any sign of disgust no matter what… or who. Several times a day she had to remind herself that this was nothing but business and that she had to distance herself from the whole subject. Three fast knocks at the door made her jump a little. Fixing a smile on her face she said: "Please come in."
The man that entered the room caught her off-guard. He was so different from her usual customers that she couldn't help the surprised sigh that escaped her lips. Half-long coal black hair fell loosely over his shoulders and eyes with the color of liquid steel rested on her. Even though he scrutinized her as though she was a horse he was about to buy his face somehow showed a warm feeling of understanding. No one had ever looked at her like this. She waited for his reaction, startled by his looks. He wasn't perfect, his nose was a little too big for his face, but the other men around here couldn't compete with him. No gram fat was to be found on his athletic body. He had a very healthy complexion and showed no signs of stress or worry. Judging by his clothing he was one of the wealthy folks, probably a lord or a well-off merchant. She was a little puzzled that someone of his status would stoop to visit such a place. He closed the door and approached the bed with measured steps. A smile twitched in the corners of his mouth.
"You were one of the more expensive still I didn't expect to find such a pretty face." He told her in an undertone. His voice sounded like the purr of a big black cat. Unsure how to respond Lanhua cast her eyes down in a bashful manner, just like she had been taught.
"May I know your name, sir?" she asked.
The man stripped off his coat and answered in a casual tone: "It's Jian. Who are you?"
People normally didn't want to know her name. It tended to get too personal that way. That was why many girls created an alias. Yet she replied truthfully: "My name is Lanhua, sir." Giving him a shy smile she looked up to him through her eyelashes.
"Fine." He nodded decisively and unbuttoned his shirt. "Do you have something to protect yourself?"
She blinked, confused.
Oh! Right… Work.
For a second she had forgotten where they were. He wasn't here to chat.
"Yes, wait a moment." She leaned over and reached into the drawer next to the bed. After preparing everything she returned to him and lay down again.
"What did you order?" she wanted to know; her tone was polite and indifferent as though this was none of her business.
"Normal procedure, nothing special. Maybe a little talk." He met her questioning gaze with a friendly expression. She relaxed at once. She nodded and spread her legs a little teasingly. "Then come."
She didn't have to fake interest as he climbed on the bed and knelt in front of her lying figure. Muscles shifted under his skin and caused her breathing to speed up. For a moment she just stared at his bare torso like a teenage girl that had a crush. Embarrassed by her own unprofessional behavior she hurried to sit up and untied her light tunica. With a skillfully arranged seducing smirk she undressed and presented her naked body to him. She tilted her head to the left and watched the desire flash up in his gray eyes. He bent forward and with the tip of his tongue he stroked the length of her neck and wandered down to her breasts. Then she felt his fingers' gentle fondling at her sex. Heaving a small sigh she pretended to be aroused by his tender caress; hopefully he didn't believe that he wouldn't have to pay if he caused her some pleasure. She turned her attention towards his body and reached for the fastener of his elegant pants. Before long he was more focused on his own lust. As soon as he was in her she simply followed the instincts of her body and moved along with him. His hoarse moans filled her ears and her heart picked up speed. His moves grew more urging and with a low sigh he gave himself to his climax. Like most men he just waited an instant before retreating. Lanhua sank back against the pillows. When she looked at him again she found him staring at her curiously.
"How can it be that a pretty woman like you has to work in such a cheap establishment?" he wondered aloud. Ignoring his compliment she shrugged. "How can it be that a wealthy man like you has to buy company in such a cheap establishment?" she allowed herself a short-living superior grin. He seemed to think about that for a second before chuckling lightly. "It's interesting how many coincidences lead to one situation, isn't it?"
"It is, indeed, sir." Without hesitation she took her clothes back on and after a moment Jian did the same. She sort of regretted that she couldn't spend some more time with him. Of course that was a ridiculous feeling and she quickly locked it away.
"But tell me: Do you like this life?" Jian observed her every move now and she was sure he noticed the small wrinkle between her eyebrows.
"I do not enjoy it." She told him. Somehow she felt like she owed him the truth. "I ran away from my parents' house when I was fourteen and since a few years I'm working here. It's a safe income."
"Do you think so?" he mumbled, more to himself than as a real question. Then he raised his voice: "Don't you want to start a family and all that?"
Her eyes widened a bit. She hadn't expected him to pick such a topic. But he had mentioned before that he searched for conversation as well.
"I… I would like to start a family, I think. When I was a child I always dreamt about having a son." It was weird but there was something about this stranger that made her tell him more than he asked about. Somehow she wanted him to know her. Inhaling deeply she continued: "One day… in the future… Maybe this dream will come true. I'm still young and maybe I will meet a man that loves me and I will love him too."
"That sounds like a fairytale." Jian commented. Lanhua narrowed her eyes a bit. "Don't you believe in love?"
He remained silent for an endless minute and then finally said: "I believe it exists…"
"But not for you." she finished his sentence. Pity was plain to see in her deep blue eyes. Even though he possessed so much more than she he carried less hope in his heart. He didn't believe that things would turn around someday.
"Do you have a family?" she asked. His whole body tensed and she already feared that he would leave now but when he responded his voice was level and grave. "I have a wife."
A painful sting twisted through her chest and then Lanhua understood that she had hoped he wasn't in a relationship. He was so different from everyone she knew that she couldn't help feeling some kind of affection for him.
"I see." She managed to utter. "But you don't love her?"
"No. She doesn't love me, as well." He sighed.
"I'm sorry." She whispered.
"Don't be. My father arranged that marriage... But I have to return now." Strong dislike rang with his voice. He rose to his feet and grabbed the coat he had left on the floor. He reached into his pocket and pressed a few golden coins into her hands. She shook her head and wanted to return the money. "You don't pay here, downstairs is a counter where –" She started but he cut her off with the words: "I already paid. This is just for you. You are worth more than you cost, Lanhua." He smiled. Following an impulse she bent forward and quickly kissed his lips. His hand lay on her hip and one last time his silver eyes seemed to be blazing with lust. The next second he left. With her mouth forming a surprised O she counted the amount in the palm of her hand. She almost squeaked with joy. This was enough to move out of that rat hole she lived in right now and rent a nicer apartment in the city. A few moments she stared at the closed door through which her customer had disappeared.

Something told her that Jian would return to her…