A Lovely Girl Turning into a Rat

Dong Ci surfaced, gasping for air, and then shouted for help. She was now in the Song dynasty. Many people stood on the edge of the bridge with their arms across and showed no intention of helping her. They had just finished their lunches and in their eyes, watching someone floundering in the river was a good pastime. It seemed to be a tradition to stand by when someone was in danger since ancient times. In Song dynasty, the system of rewarding those who did boldly what was righteous wasn’t established yet. Some people pointed at Dong Ci and said indifferently, “A woman fell into the water.”

It was necessary to learn to swim.

Fortunately, it was summer. Otherwise, Dong Ci would freeze to death, even if she tried not to drown.

Fortunately, it was just a small river. If she was in the sea, the seawater would make her dehydrated and kill her.

She floundered in the water for a long time and then found that the river was shallow and she wouldn’t get drowned as long as she stood up.

Dong Ci composed herself and climbed up the bank like a drowned rat. Her silk dress was completely wet and sticking to her, revealing her fine figure. She looked as sexy and charming as a mermaid. Dong Ci felt hot and hungry. She walked over to a pear vendor and asked, “Excuse me, can you tell me how to get to Autumn Wind Teahouse?”

The vendor looked at her and replied, “Buy a pear, and then I will tell you.”

“You are really snobbish. Tell me how to get to Autumn Wind Teahouse, and then I’ll buy the pears from you,” Dong Ci said.

“It’s right next to you,” the vendor said. “Now please buy some pears.”

“I have no money with me.” Dong Ci looked at Autumn Wind Teahouse next to her and continued, “It’s easy to fool you. Alas, I have poor eyesight.”

In Autumn Wind Teahouse, a hubbub filled the hall. Li Qiufeng saw Dong Ci standing outside. She was wet all over but looked beautiful and elegant in the sunlight. He quickly walked out and asked, “Hello, do you want to come in and have some tea?”

He stared at Dong Ci’s white neck with fixed eyes.

“What are you looking at? Haven’t you ever seen a pretty woman like me?” Dong Ci shook the water off her hair and body like a drenched dog drying itself out.

“You look like my…” Li Qiufeng’s heart skipped a beat.

“Like your dead daughter?” Dong Ci looked at him. “Your chat-up line is really old-fashioned. Can I stay in your teahouse and wait for someone? I will leave when he comes.”

Li Qiufeng was surprised and dazed, but soon he came back to himself and gave her a smile. “Please come in.” Then he shouted to the waiter inside the hall, “San, serve this lady a pot of tea.”

Dong Ci sat in the hall and waited for Nima. However, he didn’t come. Gradually, night fell. Dong Ci became increasingly anxious because she couldn’t afford to pay the bill. So she slipped away when Li Qiufeng wasn’t looking.

When she got out of Autumn Wind Teahouse, the pear vendor was still at the roadside. The world changed but there were always pear vendors.

“Do you know how to get to Nima Mansion? I promise to buy the pears as long as you show me the way,” Dong Ci said with a sincere look on her face.This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

The vendor had no time to answer her question because he saw some vendors running past him in panic. He quickly put all the pears into a big bag, carried it and turned to run.

Gasping, Dong Ci was running after him and asked, “Why are you running away?”

“The urban management officers is coming. No stalls are allowed here. I don’t want to be caught by them.” The vendor stopped and said, “Nima Mansion is just ahead. I’m going to sell pears there. You can follow me. By the way, you are really a beautiful girl.”

“Oh really?” Dong Ci gave a smile in smug self-satisfaction. From small to large, she was proud of her nice appearance.

Women would preen themselves on the praise they received and forget their troubles for the time being.

She followed the vendor. He told her that he came from Shandong Province. Dong Ci flattered him by saying, “What a good place your hometown is! Shandong is famous for its handsome men.”

The vendor walked along the street while saying, “You have a good taste.”

They reached Nima Mansion which had an air of opulence and grandeur. The two white marble lions in grotesque shape, guarded the gate and many red lanterns were hanging high. Dong Ci murmured to herself, “It reminds me of a film named ‘Raise the Red Lantern’.”

The handsome vendor from Shandong Province said, “I have to answer a call of nature. Please help me look after my booth.”

Nima took a sip of tea and said to Yang Zhen who was lying on the bed, “Have a good rest. I’m going to a brothel to have some fun.”

Yang Zhen complained, “Master, I’m not very well today. Can you stay with me instead of going to a brothel? Please don’t leave me alone. I will feel lonely without you by my side.”

“I have to find a woman to satisfy my sexual needs. Otherwise, I will get sick.” Nima pinched her thigh and said, “Since you feel uncomfortable, you should stay at home and rest.”

Dong Ci finished eating a pear and then looked around. Just then, the gate opened and Nima walked out.

At the sight of Dong Ci, he felt as if he had met her somewhere before, his heart beating violently. She had watery eyes and looked lovingly pathetic, which hit the softest place in his heart.

Dong Ci knelt down and pleaded, “Master, please take me in.”

Dong Ci was brought into Nima Mansion. She changed into a red undergarment and a red silk gown, and then pinned two flowers in her hair, which flattered her fair skin and delicate face. She looked like a goddess from the heaven.