CHAPTER 12 : OLD TALE : THE RESORT

The commotion in the hall of that red house got intensified when Han Wu's head didn't stop bleeding and the madam needed to call first aider to the nearest pharmacy to take care of his head. Han Wu was cursing nonstop venting his anger on the madam while the others could only stare in interest and laugh.

All of them were amused how the icy and silent Yu Yan actually gets angry moreover, he could hesitantly hit a customer up front if he's angered. It was truly a show.

But the talk of the town was worriedly tending his lovers burned back by the hut behind the bustling red house.

The hut didn't change after all these years, cramped and small but the magnolia scent coming from Zedong's things was soothing Yu Yan every time he stays the night here.

But he ignored it since he was more than focused on bandaging Zedong's back through his chest.

"Just why did you cover me for?! You know how that water is! What if it got to your face?! You'll look uglier than before!" Yu Yan called angrily.

Zedong laughed, "You told me before that even I get older and wrinkled, you'll still love me, hm?" he teased reminding the past where they both confessed to each other after a long while of hesitation.

They were just young and common, making promises and doing sweet talks to each other, Zedong laughed again. It's been a while since their relationship started.

"Stop it, I'm serious." Yu Yan said

Zedong laughed again and pulled his hand which was tending his side waist, he kissed the back of his hand and uttered, "I couldn't just stand there."

Every day and every night, Zedong has been monitoring Yu Yan from afar remembering the persons he's been communicating and negotiating since this business isn't that clean and decent.

The moment he gave his alpha mark on Yu Yan, he has this responsibility to take care of his mate despite all circumstances and Zedong knew that he isn't a proper alpha, unlike those dominant ones that's why he needs to work harder to protect his beloved.

Upon hearing his words, Yu Yan just stared at his miserable back which had red marks from the hot water.

Yu Yan leaned and gently damped a kiss on his bandaged back, "You don't need to protect me, I'll protect you."

Zedong smiled and moved his head to the side, wanting to see him but the pain on his back was stopping him so he just remained in that posture and rubbed Yu Yan's hand.

They both went silent as they sat there, feeling each other's company when suddenly, the door's hut swung open and Gu Yun's panting figure appeared.

"Yu Yan...the madam...is calling you... now...." he took in breaths between words but that made Zedong and Yu Yan stare at each other.

"Urgently...she said." Gu Yun added

Yu Yan just stared at Zedong for a second then gently leaned to rub his forehead against his, "I'll be back."

"I'll go with you," Zedong uttered and was about to wear his robe back but Yu Yan stopped him.

"No need. Just rest here." Yu Yan said and stood to follow Gu Yun.

Zedong knew this will come sooner or later since they made a huge commotion in front of the customers earlier. The Madam has grown sensitive whenever the evening feasts get disturbed.

"Gu Yun, can you accompany Zedong here while I'm away." Yu Yan asked

"Of course since you are called alone," he answered

Yu Yan nodded and walked back towards the house. When he entered, several eyes landed on him and started whispering after he passed by them.

The beauties and the servants working in the house didn't like Yu Yan from the start so the moment he snapped earlier, they've gotten a chance to spread malicious rumors against him.

But Yu Yan didn't spare care for them since their opinions didn't matter.

Upon arriving on the third floor, he knocked on the madam's office.

"Enter." the madam called from inside

Yu Yan braced himself and entered the office, he expected a one-on-one talk with a heavy atmosphere with the madam however, what welcomed him in the room was a dozen of people that he hadn't seen and the madam who was speaking on the head leader of the group.

Seeing his presence, the madam and the leader sat straight again and welcomed him, "Yu Yan, please have a seat." she directed a seat to join them.

Yu Yan was confused but he bowed in reply and sat with them.

He immediately realized that this was the Madam's visitors from the north with their peculiar clothing and scents.

"Yu Yan, now that you're here, I will take this chance to speak out about the course that I'm thinking to offer exclusively for you." the madam started

Yu Yan was confused, "Course?"

The madam nodded, "You see, my friend here Fei Yu is part of an organization that specializes in harnessing people with good potential in music, they travel around the continent to showcase beautiful music and in the process, it is a training to gain a momentum on their career as a musician."

She turned to Yu Yan, "I've been keeping this in myself for these recent years but I want to polish you into a good one, someone that everyone would look up to with talent and beauty! Your future is so bright my dear Yu Yan so I want to at least, fulfill just a bit of your dream."

The leader nodded, "We also heard your play earlier and we all agreed that you have a pure talent that we're seeking."

"And he's beautiful right?" the madam asked the leader

The leader smiled, "Truly he is exceptional."

But Yu Yan haven't recovered from the shock when he called loudly, "Wait! Please hold on!"

He turned to the madam, face ashen and confused, "M-Milady, are you...are you trying to get me out of here?" he asked in disbelief

The madam turned to get confused from his statement, "Oh dear Yu Yan! Why would I even to?!"

She turned all her attention to the man as she spoke, "Yu Yan, it's rare for you not to get my point.

She continued, "But as I said I'm not trying to kick you out of here but to guide you in pursuing your dream as a successful musician." she took his hands and honestly uttered, "This brothel is almost done, it's hanging on its death line before going into bankruptcy that's why I'm giving you a chance to live and continue your music."

Yu Yan felt a bolt of lightning struck inside his head and was frozen, eyes wide as he listened to the madam.

"I am planning to recommend you first and set you off the next season however, the commotion earlier hastened my decision to send you off."

She stared at Yu Yan seriously, "That young master had a wild temperament, so does his family. Once he'll recover, I'm sure that he'll get back to you 100 times that's why this is the last resort to save you from the demise."

Yu Yan trembled, "B-But how about the house...? Wouldn't it get affected too?"

The madam made a weary smile, "I got some connections so he won't easily attack or bring down this house but I cannot protect you from the accusations of the witnesses."

"It's their words against yours, your impulsiveness against their hate. Even you, you cannot save yourself," she said

"This is the last resort Yu Yan."