Chapter 44

Shanpao laughed and said, "Wanlin, you woke up as soon as I mentioned a head massage and back rub. You don't sleep very deeply, do you?"

Kan Wanlin smiled awkwardly, "My neck and shoulders aren't in good shape. I was dreaming about a massage, and when you mentioned the back rub, I woke up. By the way, have you settled the bill? I'll take care of it."

Shanpao laughed heartily, "Come on, buddy, you think I'd let you pay? That would be insulting me."

The three men walked side by side on the iron slag street, heading straight for Mei Jie's hair salon. It was 3:30 PM, and the ironwork factories on the street were in full production, with the sounds of electric saws, the glow of welding, and the smell of paint filling the air. Various hair salons and massage parlors had just opened, and it was their quietest time of the day.

Nana and Xiaoya were sitting in the hair salon, cracking sunflower seeds and watching "The Legend of Zhenhuan." Seeing customers arrive, Nana shouted, "Mei Jie, your old flame is here."

Shanpao sat down in a chair, "Give my brother the full package."

Looking at Kan Wanlin, who was already grinning and making eye contact with Xiaoya, he was about to read her palm.

Nana also came over to massage Shanpao's shoulders, saying, "Brother Shanpao, wait a moment. Mei Jie is talking to someone."

Shanpao laughed, "Talking my ass, they're probably doing it in the back."

Nana pinched Shanpao's short neck, "Brother Shanpao, you're so naughty. I won't talk to you anymore."

Shanpao chuckled, his hand roaming over Nana's leg.

After five minutes, Mei Jie and Zhao Yufeng came out from the back, and Mei Jie patted her chest, "Brother, leave it to me."

Seeing Shanpao and Liu Handong, Zhao Yufeng didn't seem awkward, greeted them, and hurriedly left.

Shanpao asked, "Mei Jie, you were really talking?"

Mei Jie said, "Yes, about the rent. It's almost due. Brother Dong, please come inside. Your girl has been waiting for you all day." She then dragged Liu Handong to the back, where Huaxi was sitting in the room.

"Have a good chat," Mei Jie said with a smile, closing the door.

Liu Handong reeked of alcohol, his face flushed. Huaxi quickly poured a basin of warm water, wrung out a towel, and handed it to him, then poured a cup of tea and massaged his temples.

"Learning to take care of people, did Mei Jie teach you?" Liu Handong asked.

"I knew how to at home. My mother was bedridden, and I took care of her," Huaxi said, rinsing the towel again.

"Did you send money home?" Liu Handong asked.

"Yes, I paid off some debts and covered my brother's tuition this year."

Liu Handong fell silent, closing his eyes to rest. Soon, he started snoring. Huaxi gently covered him with a blanket and sat quietly by his side.

The familiar slapping sounds came from the next room, indicating someone was having a vigorous session.

When Liu Handong woke up, it was already dusk. He stretched and saw Huaxi still sitting on a stool by the door, looking at him. He asked, "Did Shanpao and the others leave?"

"They went back first," Huaxi smiled brightly.

"What are you smiling about?" Liu Handong touched his face.

"You drooled in your sleep," Huaxi laughed, showing her two little tiger teeth, which looked very cute.

Liu Handong took out his wallet, thought for a moment, and placed a hundred yuan on the table.

Huaxi quickly grabbed the money and pushed it back, "Brother, I don't want your money."

Liu Handong said, "You're in business, how can you not take money?"

Huaxi's eyes welled up, "I consider you my brother, I can't take your money."

Liu Handong had to put the money away, tidied his clothes, and walked out of the room. Mei Jie and the others were watching TV in the salon. They greeted him and continued watching.

"Go back," Liu Handong said to Huaxi, who was seeing him off.

"Drive carefully, brother," Huaxi said, leaning against the door frame.

After Liu Handong left, Mei Jie rushed over and asked, "Did he do anything?"

Huaxi blushed, "He just slept all afternoon, nothing happened."

"Good, I was worried sick," Mei Jie patted her chest, then pulled Huaxi back inside, "Quick, change your clothes, we're running out of time."

Following Mei Jie's instructions, Huaxi changed into a black lace bra and panties, a pair of jeans, a white shirt, and sneakers, and tied her hair into a ponytail, carrying a backpack.

"Looks like a high school girl," Mei Jie said, satisfied, resting her chin on her hand.

After changing, Mei Jie took Huaxi out to catch a taxi to the city, but it was the shift change time for taxis, and they couldn't find one. Bus 520 didn't go to their destination, and Mei Jie kept checking her phone, getting more and more anxious.

A white Fukan drove by, driven by Liu Handong. He had just picked up his car from the dog meat restaurant and was about to go to work. Seeing Mei Jie and Huaxi waiting for a taxi, he stopped beside them.

"Where are you going?"

"To... Hot Springs Town, to visit a friend," Mei Jie said.

"Get in," Liu Handong said.

Mei Jie was delighted, opened the door, and let Huaxi sit in the back, while she took the front seat, complaining about the lack of taxis.

"Where are all the taxis?" Mei Jie said angrily.

"At this time, the more they run, the more they lose," Liu Handong drove the Fukan skillfully towards Hot Springs Town, a scenic suburban area with many high-end residential areas. Mei Jie said she was visiting a friend, but it was likely a cover for delivering "service" to a client.

Liu Handong glanced at Huaxi in the rearview mirror; the girl was looking down, her mood low.

Mei Jie chatted happily, but Liu Handong remained silent, driving coldly until he dropped them off at the entrance of Water City Grand Hotel in Hot Springs Town.

"How much?" Mei Jie took out her wallet.

"A hundred!" Liu Handong said harshly.

"Stop joking, I'll buy you a good pack of cigarettes later. Wait a moment, I have to go back," Mei Jie said, still laughing, and got out of the car with Huaxi, heading towards the hotel.

Liu Handong had already guessed that Mei Jie was taking Huaxi to do business. He was furious but helpless. As Huaxi had said, if he didn't buy, someone else would. Huaxi's family was in trouble, and he could only help her temporarily, not forever. What was going to happen would happen, but what annoyed him was that Huaxi didn't resist. If she had said no, no one could force her.

"Damn!" Liu Handong stepped on the gas and drove away, lighting a cigarette and smoking fiercely.

"Where did he go?" Mei Jie looked back, spat, and said, "Who owes you? Let's go, Huaxi."

Water City Grand Hotel was newly built, known for its hot spring culture, and had a five-star standard. The spacious lobby was luxuriously decorated, with a white piano in the center, adding to the hotel's cultural atmosphere.

Mei Jie walked in timidly, sat on a sofa in the lobby, and called, "Zhao Yufeng, I'm here. Where are you? Hurry up, I'm waiting."

Looking up, she saw Huaxi nervously looking around. A group of young people, around twenty years old, came in, all wearing the same T-shirts with "Third International University Debate Competition" printed on them. They were laughing and talking, taking photos in front of the lobby's sculptural background. Huaxi, with her backpack, blended in seamlessly.

"Hey, classmate, why haven't you changed?" a tall, thin boy asked Huaxi.

"I... I'm not with you," Huaxi quickly explained.

"Oh, that's why you look unfamiliar," the boy smiled and said, "Are you a student at Jiang University?"

"I... I..." Huaxi couldn't speak.

"I'm Ling Zijie, a Chinese major at Beiqing University, the chief debater for our team. Nice to meet you," the boy smiled warmly.

Huaxi, though from a rural background, knew basic manners and extended her hand, "Hello, I'm Lan Huaxi."

"Huaxi, that's a beautiful name," Ling Zijie shook her hand and was about to say more when someone called him to take a photo. He smiled at Huaxi, "See you later," and ran over.

Mei Jie watched this scene, feeling proud. The outfit she had picked for Huaxi was so good that even real college students mistook her for one. The Benetton jeans were worth the money.

Zhao Yufeng came out of the revolving door and saw Mei Jie, "Hey, over here."

Mei Jie quickly pulled Huaxi forward and followed Zhao Yufeng into the elevator. Just as he was about to press the close button, a group of students rushed in, filling the elevator. Ling Zijie, standing by the floor buttons, asked, "Lan Huaxi, which floor are you going to?"

Huaxi looked at Mei Jie, who looked at Zhao Yufeng, who took a puff of his cigarette and pressed the button for the sixteenth floor.

The students coughed from the smoke.

"Sir, no smoking in the elevator," Ling Zijie said.

Zhao Yufeng glared at him but still extinguished his cigarette. However, he soon cleared his throat and spat out a mouthful of phlegm, drawing disgusted looks from the others.

The students got off at the eighth floor, and Ling Zijie gave Huaxi a deep look, perhaps sensing something odd about her being with Mei Jie and Zhao Yufeng.

Huaxi felt like a thorn in her back, deeply lowering her head. These were her peers, coming to participate in an international debate, while she was here to sell herself. Ling Zijie's final look made her feel utterly ashamed.

"Damn, these students are so arrogant," Zhao Yufeng lit another cigarette.

"Zhao Yufeng, is the client here yet?" Mei Jie adjusted her hair in the mirror, wearing a leopard print top and leather skirt with boots, feeling very sexy.

"The client has an important meeting and will be here soon. Huaxi, you'll wait in the room alone. You don't need to say or ask anything. Just help him undress and give him a bath to relax. Got it?"

Huaxi bit her lip and nodded.

"Let's go," Zhao Yufeng waved, leading Mei Jie out.

"Sis, I'm scared," Huaxi was panicking.

"Girl, don't be afraid. It'll be better after tonight," Mei Jie comforted her, feeling a pang of sympathy. Huaxi shouldn't be here; she should be with those college students.

On the sixteenth floor, Zhao Yufeng led them to room 1618, a suite with a hot spring bath, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a large bed with a small toy, all indicating luxury, even the faucets were gold-plated.

Zhao Yufeng checked the room and instructed Huaxi, "Wash yourself first. When the client comes, don't say or ask anything. Just help him undress and give him a bath to relax. Got it?"

Huaxi nodded, biting her lip.

"Let's go," Zhao Yufeng waved, taking Mei Jie out.

"Sis, I'm scared," Huaxi was panicking.

"Girl, don't be afraid. It'll be better after tonight," Mei Jie comforted her, feeling a pang of sympathy. Huaxi shouldn't be here; she should be with those college students.

The door closed, leaving Huaxi alone and helpless.

Out in the hallway, Zhao Yufeng and Mei Jie were silent, walking on the thick carpet to the elevator.

"This girl is lucky. She can earn thousands in one night. I wish I were a woman," Zhao Yufeng lit another cigarette, smoking in the elevator.

Mei Jie was silent, her mind in turmoil.

In the lobby, Zhao Yufeng went to the underground entertainment club to play cards, while Mei Jie sat on the sofa, waiting for Huaxi. She lit a cigarette, and in the smoke, she saw her younger self.

Mei Jie was once a good student, just a few points short of getting into university. She later gave up, got pregnant by a village thug, and was tricked into the city to do sex work, leading her down a path with no return.

Huaxi was about to follow the same path. She was much better at school than Mei Jie had been. If she studied hard for another year, she could get into Jiang University. Her life should be like those vibrant college students, full of laughter, love, job hunting, working in foreign companies or government agencies, and finding a loving and capable husband to live a happy life.

That's the path Huaxi should take.

Mei Jie extinguished her cigarette in the ashtray, tears streaming down her face, smearing her makeup and eye shadow.