The moment the owner of Furong Pavilion received the money, the system's voice rang out:
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for squandering one million coins! The squandering task is completed!
The host has gained 10 attribute points and received a mysterious reward—Super Resource Lottery Card (which can draw resources that are highly beneficial to the host at this stage). Would the host like to settle the task?"
Yuan Shu silently thought, "Not settling for now."
The previous mainline task of recruiting Xi Zhicai was still unsettled, so naturally, this one could wait too. It would be better to go home and study these rewards slowly.
Now he somewhat understood how the squandering system's settlement worked.
When Yuan Shu participated in the Yue Dan Review, the system did not prompt him about successfully squandering two hundred thousand coins.
Similarly, when he recruited Xi Zhicai, there was no notification from the system.
However, treating Cao Cao to a meal counted as successful squandering, and redeeming Zou Rong also counted as successful squandering.
From this, it seemed that spending money to enhance reputation or recruit talent wouldn't count towards the squandering quota.
Only spending on food, drinks, and entertainment would be considered squandering.
Yuan Shu thought this made sense—after all, this was the Three Kingdoms Squandering System. Not all spending could be called squandering.
The owner of Furong Pavilion was quite happy after receiving one million coins.
For him, this was already the best outcome.
He had only spent two hundred thousand coins to sign Zou Rong, and now his profit had multiplied several times over.
However, the calculation wasn't that simple, as finding another beauty with Zou Rong's looks would be extremely difficult.
Standing nearby, Zou Rong was moved by Yuan Shu's generosity in spending a fortune to redeem her contract.
She gratefully said to Yuan Shu, "Young Master has saved me from distress and redeemed my contract. I have nothing to repay you with, except myself. I hope Young Master will not despise me."
As soon as Zou Rong finished speaking, the system's voice rang again:
"Ding! Zou Rong's affection towards the host has increased by 20 points. Current affection: 60 (Secret Admiration)."
Yuan Shu was overjoyed—her affection had risen again, and so quickly too.
Reaching 60 points meant Zou Rong was already beginning to like him. His skill in winning beauty's hearts was far superior to that brute Zhang Ji.
Feeling elated, Yuan Shu said to Zhang Cheng beside him:
"I'm in an excellent mood! Tonight, I'll cover all expenses at Furong Pavilion!"
Spending money when feeling good was the hallmark of a true squanderer, and those around Yuan Shu were already used to it.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Cheng nodded, took a few steps forward, and announced to the guests of Furong Pavilion:
"My Young Master has found a cherished beauty and is in high spirits! Tonight, all expenses will be covered by my Young Master Yuan! Please enjoy yourselves to the fullest!"
Initially, the incident with Zhang Ji had dampened the guests' mood, and many were planning to leave.
But they never expected Yuan Shu to cover everyone's expenses. Where could they find such luck on a normal day?
Instantly, the atmosphere in the entire venue became lively again.
"Thank you, Young Master Yuan! Young Master Yuan is truly generous!"
"Young Master Yuan is indeed the number one gentleman of Luoyang!"
"Whoever says Young Master Yuan is Luoyang's 'Evil Wolf' is wrong! Today, he rescued a beauty and spent generously. If anyone speaks ill of him again, they'll have to deal with me!"
The entire Furong Pavilion was filled with shouts, praise, and cheers for Yuan Shu, pushing the atmosphere to a climax.
Yuan Shu was very satisfied with the crowd's reaction and enjoyed it immensely. He thought to himself that no wonder the rich second-generation heirs of his previous life liked to spend money this way. At that time, he didn't understand and thought they were foolish.
Now that he had experienced it himself, there was only one word to describe the feeling: exhilarating!
Yuan Shu took Zou Rong, Shi A, and others back upstairs, while a few new dancers took the stage to continue the performance, restoring the previous order of the Furong Pavilion.
Although Zou Rong was the top courtesan of Furong Pavilion, she was not the only remarkable girl there.
The girls on stage now were not wearing veils, and their beauty was not bad either, so Zou Rong's departure did not affect the audience's enthusiasm for the performance.
The group returned to their seats to continue drinking and chatting in a pleasant atmosphere.
Yuan Shu asked Zou Rong, who was sitting beside him, "Miss Zou, why do you always wear a veil?"
Blushing, Zou Rong replied, "Young Master Yuan, you may call me A'Rong from now on. My appearance tends to invite trouble, so I always wear a veil to protect myself."
"A'Rong, take off your veil. From now on, with me by your side, no one will dare to have designs on you," Yuan Shu said gently to Zou Rong.
Zou Rong gently removed her veil, revealing a flawless face to Yuan Shu's eyes.
Her fair skin was like jade, with captivating large eyes, a delicate chin, and a cherry-like mouth, forming an exceptionally beautiful visage.
She was the most beautiful woman Yuan Shu had ever seen.
Despite having seen many beauties bombarded across the internet in his past life, none could compare to the woman before him.
She truly deserved to be called a peerless beauty. The system had not deceived him.
At that moment, Yuan Shu suddenly heard the system notification sound:
"Ding! Zou Rong's skill 'Peerless Beauty' has activated, increasing charm by 3 points. Zou Rong's current charm: 97!"
Yuan Shu thought to himself that the skill activation had increased her charm by 3 points, meaning his willpower was not strong enough.
Regardless of his willpower, Yuan Shu was overjoyed in his heart.
Winning the heart of such a beauty was something he had never experienced in both his lives combined.
Seeing Zou Rong's stunning appearance, even Xi Zhicai, sitting beside them, shook his folding fan and said with a smile, "Only such a beauty is worthy of Young Master."
To avoid suspicion, Xi Zhicai would address Yuan Shu as "Master" in private, but in public, he referred to him as "Young Master."
At this time, the owner of Furong Pavilion huffed and puffed his way upstairs.
Because of his excessive weight, he wobbled as he moved, looking quite comical.
Panting heavily, he handed Zou Rong's contract to Yuan Shu with a beaming face and said, "Young Master Yuan, here is Miss Zou's contract. From now on, Miss Zou belongs to you."
This contract was the primary means by which Furong Pavilion controlled Zou Rong.
As long as this document existed, even if Zou Rong fled to the ends of the earth, it would be useless. It was essentially her indenture contract.
Now that it was in Yuan Shu's hands, it was up to him to decide how to control Zou Rong.
Yuan Shu took the contract, smiled lightly at everyone, and casually tore it into pieces.
He said to Zou Rong, "The contract is destroyed. Miss Zou, from today onwards, you are free."
Everyone around showed expressions of surprise, even Zou Rong had not expected Yuan Shu to tear up the contract!
Only Xi Zhicai curled his lips slightly, as he had anticipated Yuan Shu would do this.
Yuan Shu's action touched Zou Rong deeply, her eyes turned red, and tears glistened at the corners. She looked at Yuan Shu firmly and said:
"From today onwards, Zou Rong belongs to Young Master.
Wherever Young Master goes, I will go. I will follow Young Master forever!"