The boss of Tiantang House was named Duan Shuchun, and she was known for her firm and straightforward character.
When Xia Qiao met that woman for the first time a month ago, the woman also rejected her outright when she said that she wanted to join Tiantang.
Xia Qiao knew that it was not easy for girls to join Tiantang even though they were beautiful. They must be talented, and they must also be committed before joining.
Duan Shuchun thought that Xia Qiao didn't have enough commitment to Tiantang because the young girl didn't even want to take off her veil when she said that she wanted to join Tiantang no matter what.
The boss of Tiantang admitted that the black-haired girl did have talent in music, but how she refused to take off her veil irritated her. She even rudely said that the young girl might have an ugly face behind the veil, but Xia Qiao remained firm as she accepted the insult calmly and continued to say that she wanted to be a part of Tiantang.
The two of them hit a dead end in the discussion, and Duan Shuchun even almost lost her temper when she saw how stubborn the young girl was. Fortunately, Xia Qiao didn't come to Tiantang unarmed at that time, and she decided to use her last weapon to finally get the approval of the Tiantang boss.
That was a story that happened a month ago, and Xia Qiao was lucky enough as she managed to join Tiantang, but her position in Tiantang was in danger tonight when an unknown man suddenly came and said that he wanted to buy her after she performed one song on the stage.
Just one song, but it was enough to tempt a rich man in the city. She knew that Duan Shuchun was a woman who stuck to her principles, but who wouldn't be seduced by the alluring smell of the precious gold coins? Hence, Xia Qiao felt her legs suddenly become heavy as she carried them toward the Tiantang hall.
Lei Wen walked behind her, but the girl's presence didn't lessen her burden at all. Even if the two of them were the same age, they weren't close, and Lei Wen also treated her coldly most of the time.
Without realizing it, the two of them had arrived at the Tiantang hall, and all eyes were on Xia Qiao because she was the star of the night.
The main star ignored those gazes as she continued walking towards the yellow-clothed woman she recognized as the boss of the Tiantang House.
Duan Shuchun was already forty years old, but she still looked amazing in such a bright color, and even the wrinkles on her face were perfectly covered with makeup.
Lips that were painted in a color resembling blood immediately formed a beautiful curve as those brown eyes looked at Xia Qiao. At a glance, Xia Qiao could see her boss seemed relieved to see her coming.
"Come here, Ah Qiao! Master Fang wants to see you!" The boss immediately grabbed Xia Qiao's arm before holding the young girl by her side. Smiling at the girl before turning to a man in front of them, the boss continued, "Master Fang is the richest merchant in Chang City, and he said that he wants to take you home with him, Ah Qiao. Master Fang has supported Tiantang for many years, so please help me to save my face."
From Lei Wen, Xia Qiao knew that the man's name was Fang Delun, and he was indeed the richest and most famous merchant in Chang City.
She didn't know what kind of support that man had given Tiantang House over the years, but now she could only look at the man as if she was appraising him.
Lei Wen said that he was a middle-aged man, and Xia Qiao assumed that the assumption was not wrong. The man was wearing a fine-looking brown robe, and even at first glance, Xia Qiao could tell that it was made of the finest materials.
However, the man looked like he had lost his prime. The gray strands between the black hair were clearly visible, and even the wrinkles on the man's face were starting to dominate his face.
Nonetheless, the man still smiled so brightly at her as if showing off that he still had enough desire in his heart despite his no longer young age.
"I really like your music, Young Lady Xia," the man spoke to her while trying to focus his gaze on her eyes, not her cleavage. "I guess it wouldn't be enough if I just asked you to accompany me while I was drinking, so I thought of bringing you back to my house. My wife is sick now, and maybe she won't live long. You can be my new wife when the time comes."
Xia Qiao was stunned when she heard the man's words. She knew that men who came to a place like Tiantang definitely didn't have a good heart, and such men would not hesitate to betray their wives who were waiting for them at home.
And Xia Qiao assumed that a man like Fang Delun was the worst. His wife was sick at home, and she might not live long, but instead of accompanying her in her last days on Earth, he chose to find a replacement for his wife even though she had not yet breathed her last.
Xia Qiao hated such a man, and she didn't care even if the man had a mountain of gold in his house. "I appreciate it if you like my music, Master Fang," she replied coldly. "And you can just come here every night if you want to see me sing and play my pipa. If I agree to go to your house to replace your wife, can you even guarantee that you won't find a replacement for me when I'm dying?"
And everyone in the hall was shocked by the young girl's powerful counterattack.