It was the beginning of sunset. Red lights of the lanterns illuminated the corridor. The small girl beside me was walking slowly, and so was I.
Her footsteps were light and playful, she hadn't worn anything on those little feet. Her hands were rested on her lower back, she was imitating the manner of the elderly.
"What do you think, young master? Is sister Rea better or sister Qiong?"
'How would I know that? It seems she forgot the threat from just a minute ago...'
"Sister Qiong, of course," I said. In this rather dimly lit corridor, my body towered over her, so she couldn't see with how much apathy I'd spoken.
"Right? I'll take you to sister Qiong instead,"
Hearing her words, I was amused. Earlier, fear had covered this girl's face, but now it had vanished, and she was like an excited butterfly.
I shook my head, 'Did they not teach her to behave in front of strangers?'
The little girl started walking ahead, making unnecessary noise with her movements. That long skirt she was wearing did manage to slow her down, though. They had dressed her up.
The corridor we were in was 'T' shaped. It was long and we were just reaching the junction. I walked a little faster to match her pace. This playful one might've just left me had I not done that.
'These look like they were hastily closed,' I examined the doors on my left side. I could tell they were thicker and more secure than the doors downstairs.
"Hey, will you tell me about something?" I nudged her little head.
"Ask away, ask away... just whatever it is, ask away," she made a melody out of her reply.
"Who is this Chae your step-mother spoke of?" Honestly, I still had a hard time comprehending that that woman was the step-mother of this child.
'She should be a grandmother instead,' I shook my head.
The only clue I had at finding that woman among the tens of prostitutes here was that she wanted to assassinate the whole of Chae family.
The girl visibly stuttered when she heard the word 'Chae.' It was like I'd spoken of a monster.
"Sister Wong is... scary. They say she eats people. Step-mother has locked her at that room," the girl pointed at a door which had a nickname 'beast' carved on it. It was to our far right and was lit by an identical red lantern.
'Hmm, sounds about right. Could she be the one?' I stroked my chin and walked towards it. I had this nagging feeling in my chest, though. If she really was the woman I was searching for, then I had found her too easily.
"No, don't go over there," the girl clung to my waist. Contrary to my expectations, she didn't scream.
"It's okay, I'll just be looking from the outside," I peeled her hands away and walked ahead. I had lied to her, of course.
I knocked on that door as soon as I came in front of it. There was no response. I knocked again but the outcome was the same. It seemed the girl named Chae Wong was either not inside or was sleeping.
I considered both of the options and decided to ask the child behind me, "Does you sister Wong go outside at this time?"
I stroked the carving on the wooden door and held the handle. My gaze went to the floor when I didn't hear her speak. A small yellow light was leaking from the inside. I frowned, 'This smell... seems like-'
Suddenly, a door creaked open from behind. It was of the room at the junction.
"Sister Rea!" the girl cried and ran towards the woman who had just opened the door from the outside. Strange, how had I not sensed this Rea coming?
The little girl hurriedly said, "She is here. I-I will go now, step-mother will beat me otherwise."
And, she ran back to where we came from. I didn't know what had caused her to change her mind.
"Tingting, don't disturb others. Walk slowly," Rea warned but the girl was already gone.
"Did young master specially choose me or was I recommened?" Rea came towards me, rubbing her wet ears with the towel she had on her head.
I turned towards her. If I kept showing my interest in the door behind me, I'd be considered highly suspicious. That was the last thing I wanted to happen.
"The brothel keeper said you are the best woman in all of Pinchu town," a little flattery would do no harm. My words seemed like they were true, though.
Rea was as tall as me. She was wearing a loose night gown. Her freshly washed body had not yet dried. Bathed in the red light coming from the various lanterns, she walked towards me with light steps.
A V-shaped cut at the chest which showed her cleavage could leave a man gasping.
Those two melons she had were bundled together by some strap from the inside. Even so, her gown was stretched to its limits, showing the shape of her nipples at the tip.
Stuck to her curvy hip, the wet clothing she was wearing made her look all the more sexy. The movements of her aesthetic waist were wavy, like a still water suddenly disturbed inside a container.
Her body proportions were perfect.
"Then young master must be a vigorous man," she placed her long palms over her lips.
She had a powerful laugh and an intelligent gaze. This was an experienced woman, unlike Qu Hua. Indeed, no prostitute reached rank five without being this level-head.
She looked to be in her mid twenties, how had she ended up as a prostitute here? Even I had a hard time guessing a valid reason.
"Miss Rea, it seems you won't disappoint me," I gave my own sly smile. That meant I had made myself alert. Something appeared to be odd about this woman.
"Come in," She held my hands and led me inside. My gaze naturally went to her large bums. Up and down, up and down - they teased my eyes.
A bright yellow light illuminated the room inside. This room was decorated with patterns and there was a feeling of softness in the atmosphere.
The ceiling was raised in a gable structure, the bright light was coming from the lanterns hanging below it. There was a queen-sized bed right below the lanterns. Violet flower petals covered the pink bed sheets on it.
After locking the door, Rea casually sat on the bed and asked with a smile, "Does young master prefer to undress this Rea or shall I do it myself?"
She was a bold woman, as most prostitutes tend to be.