Tiang'an was an adjacent city to Tingzhu. Where Tingzhu was prestigious and produced well-mannered and highly educated men that went to become respected workers for the emperor, Tiang'an held the most beautiful prostitutes and the highest rate of criminal outlaws. It was clear neither of the cities wanted to have anything to do with each other, on the surface at least.
Those same respectable men of Tingzhu were most frequently visiting the beautiful ladies of Huaxiang, the largest brothel in the entire city of Tiang'an. And none of these men could escape the piercing stare of the brothel guard, Zho LanLin, the renowned lioness of Tiang'an.
Known as the prostitute's daughter, many ridiculed Zho LanLin throughout her life. She was also equally feared by the same people who dared to mock her. The thing was, people only dared to do it behind her back. For a supposed prostitute's daughter, Zho LanLin was both well taught in martial arts and literature. It was widely known that if she couldn't beat you with her wit, she would beat you with her stick, and the yardstick was mighty sturdy and long.
In her entire career, she only ever smiled for one customer, and today, that customer came into her line of view. Zho LanLin was resting the yardstick idly over her shoulder at the main doors, as her sisters leaned over the balcony and waved with their handkerchiefs, calling, "Childe Huan! It's childe Huan!"
Two years and the Bull of Huaxiang was back in town to visit. Mama Zhao, the owner of the brothel, stepped over to the girls on the balcony and shooed them away with, "Get inside! All of you!", turning her attention down to Zho LanLin, she bellowed so loud, the powder layer on her face almost cracked, "If he comes by, don't accept his money! I have a business to run!"
Zho LanLin was grinning almost as widely as Huan PingZe, as the man strut over and raised his eyebrows seductively. "Zho LanLin! Still withholding the virtue for the one and only?"
"I'd rather be run over by an army of horses then take a man from these parts."
"Not run over by a bull by any chance? Maybe this bull of Huixiang can be tamed by a lioness." PingZe said playfully, but his manner was slightly off the usual, which caught Zho LanLin's sharp eyes.
"What is wrong?" LanLin said with sudden interest.
"I don't know what you are talking about."
"You seem different from the usual. As if you aren't excited to be here." A smile quivered on her lips as she marveled at what got the man that earned himself the name 'Bull of Huixiang', to act this way. He had his back to the main entrance of the brothel, while his eyes never strayed up the balcony to gaze at any beauties.
Two years ago, PingZe had arrived at the city of Tiang'an with a pouch full of money, booked a private room in Huixiang, and went through all 90 prostitutes within 30 days with no rest between. Earning him the title 'Bull of Huixiang' for his bull-like stamina. All 90 prostitutes had to take leave, and it nearly shut the brothel down. Mama Zhao lost many customers from Tingzhu for the prostitutes being so tired, they couldn't take any customers for that entire month. The girls seemed to be ecstatic that the childe was back, but mama Zhao dreaded his presence, for good reasons.
It had been the best month in Zho LanLin's life to date, too. She had never before had the pleasure to turn down so many customers at their doorsteps before.
"We have lots of new girls here. Maybe make a quick round and see if you like them." Zho LanLin said with hope. Another month of seeing disappointed looks on the sleazy men's faces would do her heart good.
However, PingZe stood motionless and somehow deep in thought.
"We also still have all the male prostitutes you didn't touch. They would gladly be bulled over too," LanLin expected her sudden proposal to shake the man. After all, two years ago, any kind of prostitute, be it sickly or old, PingZe had taken them in his room. But when it came to male prostitutes, he had gracefully led them out the door, declaring that 'Never in his life would he do a man, thank you'. PingZe was the politest customer LanLin had ever encountered.
Instead of reacting with revulsion, PingZe raised his head like a dog catching a scent and turned to her with a look that could only startle the otherwise unshakable LanLin.
"What? You are taking me seriously?" And here she had thought she knew him pretty well with their encounters. PingZe seemed to go through a battle in his mind, as he stood there, silent. He didn't even blink for an entire minute. When he snapped back, Zho LanLin only listened quietly as he talked, her smile slowly turning into a frown. After a moment of silence, Zho LanLin said, "You want to know about tattoos on our male prostitutes' bodies?"
The request was not odd per se, it was odd because it came from PingZe, the man who cared about nothing else but carnal pleasures - and only with women.
"Yes, if I can see the tattoos, it would be even better."
"Mind me asking why?"
"I'm doing research." PingZe made it clear he didn't want to elaborate on the topic any further, and LanLin nodded.
"There aren't many with tattoos. But I can take you to the ones who have. But the payment-"
"I will pay them fully, as long as they show me their tattoos."
Zho LanLin raised an eyebrow but said nothing else and brought PingZe inside. Mama Zhao seemed to have plenty of things to say as she hurried towards them. But as she heard only tattoos were being looked at, she shamelessly took the pouch full of money and beamed at her current favorite customer.
After inspecting all the tattoos, PingZe gave an approving nod and left without a word.
Imagine Zho LanLin's surprise when several weeks later, PingZe reappeared in front of her, seeming to have aged years but smiling contently.
"What the hell happened to you?" It wasn't the most polite greeting, but it sufficed. PingZe smiled at her, but the smile differed from the times before it. There was no mischievous glint in his eyes. Zho LanLin almost felt scared of his genuine, friendly smile.
"Rough, but I pulled it through."
"Listen, PingZe, if you got tangled with the wrong crowd, I know some people-"
PingZe laughed light-heartedly. "I'm fine! Just had a rough little time, but now everything is good."
Zho LanLin was still quite worried. Despite their limited interactions, she still could see PingZe was a good guy. He treated all the prostitutes with respect and never looked down on anyone. He was a fresh breath of air among all the scumbags she had to deal with from day to day.
"Then what brings you here?" Said LanLin. PingZe pondered for a brief moment, then started listing qualities he looked from a prostitute this time around. It was safe to say, the further he went in his list, the deeper LanLin's frown became until she couldn't take it anymore and lifted her hand to silence him. It was an awkward silence in which LanLin thought about the request and finally said,
"Eh, PingZe, since when have you been into such immoral things?"
"..." PingZe opened his mouth but then closed it, not knowing what to answer.
"I think you are a good person, but this is something I really can't help you with."
"..."
"And before you ask, no, not even our male prostitutes will make your fantasy come true. We are talking about their most valued asset here."
"But ..."
"I'm sorry."
"I..."
"I think you should move along before I can't look at you the same way anymore, PingZe." LanLin tapped him on his shoulders and firmly guided him out of the brothel premises with the yardstick at arm's length like PingZe was diseased. "Come by to visit again when you have more reasonable demands."
As PingZe reluctantly left, LanLin could only shake her head. No matter how good a guy was, they seemed to have a weird desire hidden somewhere, waiting for the time to peak its head out. Although this was the first time she heard of a request like PingZe's. And she had heard of many weird demands in her lifetime.