CHAPTER 7 : OLD TALE: FESTIVAL

The three-day festival went on smoothly and as expected, the income rose during this season.

The red district was bustling with great decorations everywhere, stalls settled on each street, selling street foods and toys while the red houses were competing to become the most attractive brothels, alluring local men or those from the main capital.

Zedong and the other servants were now allowed to enter the house since the work became more hectic since a lot of people has been going in and out. It is the last evening of the festival so everyone has been enjoying the last minute adding up the fact that their new musician had the magical effect that keeps the customers at bay.

"Red wine and mooncakes to table 3!" said the kitchen.

Zedong hurriedly placed the current order and ran carefully towards the counter to take the next order, "Table?" he asked since he didn't hear the call earlier due to mixed noises surrounding the house

But the kitchen no longer paid him attention and went back to handle the matters in the kitchen.

Zedong stood there frozen for a second, he didn't know what to do.

"Hey! Hurry up! There are a lot of customers waiting!" one of the senior servants called out to him.

Zedong bowed lightly and immediately went to the hall, Panicked, he asked random tables if they ordered red wine and mooncake but several said no then the others just shoved him out, interrupting their intimate time with the beauties.

He was lost but soon, the loud noise from the musical instruments on stage ceased down replaced by a sound of a zither. Everyone stopped and all heads turned to the stage, the star had come!

"Milady Yu Yan!" one man called

"I love you Milady!" one second

"I can give my heart to you Milady! You can even string it with your beautiful fingers!"

Several men whistled and cat-called Yu Yan on stage, calling him Milady and all since he's so noble and ethereal that no man can touch.

But the man on stage was cold, didn't even dare to take a glance at what was infront of him, turning blind ears to them.

But Zedong got his vision locked on the man on stage, it's his first time hearing and seeing Yu Yan play on stage so he can't help but be amazed.

He was in a complete daze so he didn't notice that a man walked beside him. The man was observing the people around and when he confirmed that no one was looking, he changed expression as if he's drunk and wobbled, purposely pushing Zedong on the side.

The young man had no foundation so he easily fell on the table beside him, the tray he's holding crashed on the table and the food got wasted.

The man owning the table stood in anger, "YOU PEASANT! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!"

The sudden noise destroyed the good harmonious sound of the zither and interrupted the customer's peace of mind. All heads turned to them even Yu Yan stopped playing and finally lifted his head to look.

Zedong was shaken, and bowed continuously on the man, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."

The man didn't accept any of it and ridiculed him more, "Is this how you work? Lazing around and ruining your customers' mood?! Look! Even the food wasn't spared!" he shouted, enough to reach the uppermost floor.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry..." Zedong continuously bowed. He didn't know what to do and he don't know what to say.

The man who pushed Zedong winked at the angry man as he hid by the crowd.

The angry man winked back and continued, "I spent my one week pay for the food you wasted! I haven't even taken a single drop on the wine I bought! How can you recompensate?! Even your ugly face wouldn't do!" he said angrily

"WHERE'S THE PERSON IN CHARGE HERE?!" the man continued to yell

Zedong was trembling, he may be used to working here but meeting with people isn't his specialty adding the fact that all eyes were on him.

But he flinched when someone placed his hand on his shoulder.

"Excuse me my good Sir but I noticed that you're quite a babbler, ruining our harmonious relaxation here." Zedong turned to see a middle-aged man. His clothes were those of a merchant but his expression was too relaxed and playful. He owned the hand on his shoulder and still didn't withdraw it.

"HUH?! AND WHO ARE YOU?!" the angry man yelled again

"Oh my, let me introduce myself." he cleared his throat and walked closer to the man.

He wore a teasing expression and smiled, "I am your walking dick!" then he grope the man head-on.

Everyone's eyes widened even the man yelped from the shock.

"YOU...!!!" the man reddened from shame and tried to push him away but the playful man was flexible and easily dodged.

"As I said, I am your walking dick!" he then slapped the man's buttock loud which made the audience burst into laughter.

Zedong was still there, stupefied.

"What's going on here?" the Madam finally came down and she frowned seeing two adults playing the run and chase on her hall.

An angry root grew on her forehead and yelled, "WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?!"

With her thunder-like voice, everyone heard him.

The playful middle-aged man saw her and waved, "Hello Madam! Good day! See here!"

"He's trying to hurt me!" pointing on the man whose face was red from the humiliation.

The madam isn't familiar with the playful man but turned to the other, she immediately gritted her teeth, "YOU AGAIN!!" she roared then searched for his crime partner around the hall.

After spotting the man who pushed Zedong, she roared angrily, "CEASE THESE TWO!" pointing at those two men around the hall.

If there's business, those with evil intentions will also come by and the madam already lived enough to familiarize all of them.

Zedong stood in his position, stunned with the flow of the current situation because it was just earlier that he felt his heart is about to burst from nervousness.

"Yu Yan, where are you going?" one of the side musicians asked because the man suddenly stood and was about to walk out from the stage

Upon her call, Yu Yan snapped and turned to her, his face in disbelief as if he also didn't know why he stood.

"I...." he frowned

After that short commotion, everything went back smoothly again but Yu Yan's play is done for the night and the next performers were the classical dance to allure men which the customers most anticipated to.

Zedong got free from the scolding since the madam is still handling the affairs of those scammers, having them locked so they wouldn't repeat.

He was about to throw some trash when the playful man earlier approached him.

"Long time no see."