The new gown that Madam Yen Hoa gave Huu Quan to wear is such a meretricious one.
This gown is different from the performing one, while remaining discreet, it cannot cover any thing wears inside. The sleeves are made of transparent black lace that go up to the shoulder blades, and the body is made of silk fabric so thin that the glimmering body lines can be seen without even try to notice
Huu Quan is terrified, and the more he keeps covering his body parts, the messier his gown becomes.
This room is not overly bright, there's only one candle on the table, along with a tray of tea, a jug of wine, and a large plate of fruit. But whoever comes in will probably not pay attention to any of these.
Because those people come here to buy a spring night.
Huu Quan's hands have been trembling since Madam said someone had bought him. Remember how many people were watching him when he was performing Hong Tuyet? Huu Quan can't recall anyone and has no idea which of them spent such a large amount of money.
It may appear simple, but the single word "buy" contains the meaning that has Huu Quan terrified. This is sex. That person purchased his first time, and he has to do everything that person says.
Huu Quan trembles just thinking about a strange old lady approaching him with lustful eyes.
He clutches the cross necklace in his hand and prays without stopping, then prays continuously again and again.
"Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen."
Prayer after prayer, until the wooden door opens.
Huu Quan's palms are sweaty as he tightens his grip on the gown. The person who has just entered the door is a man.
Huu Quan doesn't look at the other man directly, so he can't see his appearance, but he assumes the man is about the same age as him, maybe a little older. Shiny Western toe-caps, and upright trousers, but the figure is not as muscular as Western men. He is certain that this man is a Linh Nam mandarin.
Huu Quan has heard a lot about the costumers with strange hobbies. It's not like he didn't notice the men below while performing. But it's hard to think a man would spend money to buy a virgin guy like him.
"Good evening, sir." It takes a long time for Huu Quan to regain his ability to speak. "My name is Huu Quan, and I'll be serving you tonight."
As soon as the words were spoken, a feeling of shame rises in Huu Quan's stomach, what should he do next, sit like this or stand up? Should he approach him or wait for the man to approach him?
Thai Thuy locks his gaze on the slender man wearing a revealing Ao Tac. Huu Quan is attractive in the style of a young boy, easy to fool but hard to tame. The innocence on his face still lingers, his eyes looking at him curiously, can't help but be afraid, but mixed in with it is an irreplaceable stubbornness. Thai Thuy can't keep that innocent look despite the fact that he and Huu Quan appear to be about the same age. Because he was used to being pampered, his slutty behavior was instilled in him.
Huu Quan crouches back with each step Thai Thuy takes. Why does it look like he's preparing for war more than selling his virginity?
Huu Quan sits quietly and fidgets his shirt in awkward silence. Thai Thuy smiles as he draws a chair and sits in front of Huu Quan.
"Why are you just sitting there?"
Huu Quan raises his eyes to look at Thai Thuy. For a brief moment, the gentleness in the man's eyes reassures him. At least Thai Thuy is not like what Huu Quan saw previous customers who came to buy virginity. He talks to him, making him less afraid, rather than jumping up and stripping naked like the customer who paid for the girl last week.
"Please excuse me, this is my first time, no one has ever taught me this."
"Oh." Thai Thuy nods, "Didn't you have any relatives before being sold here?"
"I have parents." Huu Quan replies, "My parents are in prison." The after sentence is as small as the sound of a mosquito.
"Oh, why?" Thai Thuy asks.
"My parents were arrested for smuggling." Huu Quan says. "They were accused wrongly."
Huu Quan is visibly moved when he speaks about his parents' wrongful conviction, and his voice becomes slightly louder. Thai Thuy is unconsciously drawn into that firm statement as well:
"How do you know your parents have been accused wrongly? Is any criminal who is arrested always complaining? You keep saying, but you can't provide any evidence to back it up?"
"I have evidence." Huu Quan says "It's just that the upper mandarin wouldn't let me submit it."
Thai Thuy is surprised. Oh, that's strange, there's evidence but they won't let him complain, so this is how the great ones eat up the little ones, to block the weak?
"Then why don't you find a job? An injustice crime can still pay a ransom? Not to the extent that to be here."
Huu Quan's face turns red and he glances away.
"I graduated from college in primary education. But because my parents were accused of smuggling banned products to The Mother Land, the school stopped accepting me. I can't do mental work, and they think I can't do manual work either. So they sold me here."
Thai Thuy sits with crossed legs. He usually does this when he is deeply thinking or planning something. He does it a few more times after that out of habit, so it's difficult to tell when he is truly thinking and when his head is empty.
Not every time he witnesses an injustice story. Thai Thuy becomes a little more interested.
"Didn't your parents also teach you that?" Thai Thuy reminds. "Sex."
"My parents have talked about it, but only told me how to do it with women," Huu Quan replied, shaking his head. "Sex is all about reproduction. God also taught that."
Thai Thuy is even more surprised when he hears that. He has no idea how many women surround him or how many times he had fun without the intention of giving birth to a child.
"You believe in God?"
"Yes, my family is Catholic." Huu Quan responds politely.
"I thought it's important for religious people like you to be cynical." Thai Thuy says as he pours a cup of tea, pushes it into Huu Quan's hand, and then pours himself another cup. "So much so that one'd rather die than sell his body."
"Please don't say that." Huu Quan sips his tea. "Please don't misunderstand, I do care about virtues. Until now, I have never done it with anyone. It's just that if you have to choose between losing your virginity and your life, losing your virginity is more forgivable."
"Why so?" Thai Thuy is curious.
"Because life is a gift from God to you." Huu Quan says "Suicide is despite what God teaches you."
Between Thai Thuy's eyebrows appear wrinkle. This God is so odd. Creating a life for people but not providing them with a peaceful life. To the point, a liberation that brings an end to suffering is also contrary to God's teachings.
"So what happens if you kill yourself?"
"I will be denied an ecclesiastical burial." Huu Quan replies. "I will also be denied a funeral."
Thai Thuy is dumbfounded for a while, then burst out laughing. Huu Quan is bewildered and doesn't understand what the other person is laughing at, laughing to the point of crawling on the wooden table. It takes a long time for Thai Thuy to look up, wipes away the tears that didn't even stay on the corner of his dry eyelids, and sarcastically asks:
"What about homosexuality? Catholics don't accept homosexuality. If you have to die tonight or have sex with me, Is suicidal still more sinful?"
Huu Quan's face blush as he is reminded of the original purpose. He adds with a slight nod.
"Homosexuality can confess. Suicidal, however, can not."
Thai Thuy's smile fades. The empty tea cup places on the table.
"So your God expects you to listen to what he says, and if you don't, he won't love you? That doesn't sound good either."
Huu Quan bows his head and stays silent. Thai Thuy realizes immediately that he has said something that made the other person uncomfortable, so he changes the subject:
"So, what are you going to do after today? If you have already sold yourself?"
"I'm not sure either." Huu Quan shakes his head "You'll either buy me or leave me here. I will find a way to pay the debt and then my parent's ransom."
The more Thai Thuy listens, the darker his vision becomes. Like that? Just make money with your body, then pay the debt?
"Until?"
"I don't know either. When it's enough? Until God calls me, or until my debt is paid off."
The voice sounds innocent and bitter at the same time. Thai Thuy feels that the bottom of his heart is very uncomfortable. Out of debt? There are very few people who could pay off their debt. Interest rate after interest rate, until you die and bury yourself here.
"You said your parents were accused wrongly, you must want to prove your parent's innocence, right?"
Huu Quan stands up, nods, then shakes his head.
"I want to. But that's too far-fetched. My parents don't work as mandarins, so it's harder than usual to ask someone to whitewash. Even more, it's such a serious crime that only Your Majesty can save."
Your Majesty? Which Your Majesty?
"Your Majesty? Linh Nam Emperor?"
"Yes." Huu Quan raises his head. "You know the Emperor?"
Thai Thuy smiles slightly. How convenient! Linh Nam Emperor, does he know him?
Of course he does.
"Of course I know." Thai Thuy nods "If you want, I will help you to meet Your Majesty."
Huu Quan is at his last straw but is saved by Thai Thuy, his eyes brighten up.
"Thank you Sir, thank you!"
"Sit down." Thai Thuy waves his hand "I don't help you for nothing, too."
Huu Quan sits down on the wooden bed, dumbfounded, thinking about Thai Thuy's last sentence.
"Do you… still want to do that with me?"
Thai Thuy doesn't even remember the original purpose of buying virginity, he looks at Huu Quan in confusion. It isn't until later that he remembers, smirking.
"So you're still hoping for that?"
Huu Quan's face turns red again and he lowers his head. That extremely cute expression, could not escape from Thai Thuy's eyes.
"Don't worry, I won't do that to you tonight. In the future, if I need you to do something to repay me, I will tell you." Thai Thuy says slowly.
Huu Quan breathes out a sigh of relief as he looks at Thai Thuy removes his vest and places it on a chair, then climbs up and lies down next to him. Thinking that he wants to sleep, Huu Quan doesn't hesitate to lift the blanket and lie next to him.
He has only half crawled into the blanket when Huu Quan notices him reach over.
"You... you said you weren't going to do that, didn't you?" He stutters as he is startled.
"What? You think I'm going to do something?" Thai Thuy laughs "I said I wouldn't do anything, so I won't do it. But since I bought your virginity and also helped you in meeting the Emperor, all I ask for is this small bet fee."
Having said that, Thai Thuy draws Huu Quan down and kisses him on the lips.
Huu Quan's mind races as a result of the kiss. He keeps a half-standing, half-kneeling position on the edge of the wooden collapsed, feeling more flutter than scared. His mouth opens like a fish out of water. Thai Thuy, on the other hand, appears to have done this numerous times. He leads Huu Quan step by step, more like licking than kissing. Huu Quan's lips are itchy and numb as they touch.
That's all, then he stops.
"Looks more like it." Thai Thuy is satisfied. "I can't let you out of here tomorrow, unblemished. It's done, now let's sleep."
After that, he goes back to sleep.
Huu Quan is so embarrassed that he hides under the blanket, and dazes for a long time. It's not until midnight that he blows out the candles.