Chapter Fifty Seven.

The two guys find their way to the lady's food stall, somewhere in Moon City. Her food stall,Wei Food stall is one of the many food stalls in Moon City. When Wei Jingyi sees the two men,her beautiful round face brightens up with her lips curving into a gentle smile. Her food stall rarely has customers due to the stiff competition from other food stalls. The two gentlemen greet her and proceed to take seats as she brings two servings of noodles.

"Madam Wei,what else do you cook apart from noodles?"Duan Xinyue asks politely.

"Dumplings and there's also wonton soup."

"Wonton soup? This gentleman here loves wonton soup. Bring us two servings,"Duan Xinyue requests gazing at Lei Qiang lustfully.

"Fine."

"How do you know I love wonton soup?"

"The same way you knew I love Jujube cakes,"Duan Xinyue replies boldly leaving Lei Qiang flustered to a point that he doesn't dare to continue the conversation. Wei Jingyi brings them two servings of wonton soup.

"Madam Wei,is there anything you're cooking right now?"

"No. I don't cook that much since there are hardly any customers coming here."

"Well then I would like to ask you something."

"Sure,go ahead."

Duan Xinyue inquires about Black Garden Pavilion and what kind of business goes on there. Black Garden Pavilion is located at a certain alley in Moon City making it a hidden and mysterious place. The ladies there use aphrodisiac perfumes to control their guests. The owner of Black Garden Pavilion and the owner of Splendor Music House used to be best friends but they severed ties a while ago due to personal reasons. They have competing over the years. When Murong Xuan the owner of Splendor Music House discovered Black Garden Pavilion was getting more prosperous, he hired new musicians but he didn't expect his business to backslide.

After finishing their meal, Duan Xinyue proceeds to pay for the meal but Wei Jingyi refuses since she had promised to offer them a free meal. Duan Xinyue still insists on paying seeing how rarely she receives customers.

"Just consider it a token for the information you've given us."

Putting it that way Wei Jingyi finally accepts the money. They leave the stall and visit other shops. Due to constant heat caused by the sunny weather, Duan Xinyue buys a hand fan and proceeds to buy a zither to play music with when he's bored. By the time they go back to the military camp it's already evening. Immediately Feng Yi learns of their arrival,he goes to see Duan Xinyue.

"Bro Duan, did you two go to visit that lady from last night?"

"Yes."

"How is her husband?"

"We forgot to ask,"Duan Xinyue replies nonchalantly.

"Mister Yuan left you a message. You should go see him at Azalea Opera House."

"Got it."

Duan Xinyue and Feng Yi leave the tent together. Duan Xinyue goes to the Military Bath House and takes a shower. He dresses up ready to leave.

"Do you want me to go with you?"Lei Qiang asks.

"No need."

"Will you return tonight?"Lei Qiang asks his face frowning.

"I'm not sure."

As Duan Xinyue is about to leave,Lei Qiang suddenly grabs his hand holding him back.

"What?"

"Are you going to fulfill his promise?"

"Of course."

Lei Qiang suddenly feels his joints and limbs becoming weaker when he recalls the promise Duan Xinyue is going to fulfill is spending a night with Yuan Ye.

"Don't worry about me. I'll be fine,"Duan Xinyue unwraps Lei Qiang's fingers which are gripping his wrist one by one while looking into Lei Qiang's eyes. Lei Qiang's eyes have a cold look in them. After releasing his wrist from Lei Qiang's grip,he walks out without saying another word.

Yuan Ye is anxiously waiting for Duan Xinyue. He asks the showgirls to keep watch and inform him if Duan Xinyue arrives. After a while of waiting, Duan Xinyue finally shows up.

"Sorry for being late,I received your message late."

"You're early I'm the one who is impatient."

"Oh. In my whole life nobody has ever told me I'm early. I'm usually late,"Duan Xinyue comments humorously receiving a slight chuckle from Yuan Ye.

Yuan Ye has actually found someone willing to steal the Musical Score sheets from Splendor Music House for them but it may take a while. After receiving the important information,Duan Xinyue takes the initiative to fulfill his promise.

"What character are you playing today?"

"Widow with a Willow Basket."

"Interesting."

Duan Xinyue peruses through the book which has different brochures of different Opera Characters. He takes the makeup brush and begins applying makeup on Yuan Ye's face.

"Where is that cold beauty and that fatty you were with?"Yuan Ye strikes a conversation to break the silence between them.

"They had other things to take care of."

"Mister Duan,is there any chance that you might be interested in men?"

Duan Xinyue drops the make-up brush from his hands after being startled by the unexpected question.

"Why do you ask?"Duan Xinyue composes himself.

"Nothing. I just find you amiable."

"In my life I interact with women as much as I interact with men so I'm not gender biased."

"That's not what I'm talking about. As beautiful as you look you don't seem to understand matters concerning romance. How about you learn from me?"

"No, thanks,"Duan Xinyue refuses chuckling awkwardly.

It's now 10p.m and Duan Xinyue hasn't come back yet. Between their two beds, there's a small table and a stool that Duan Xinyue bought to use when playing the zither. Almost dying of boredom,Lei Qiang takes the zither and starts playing a few tunes. His mind is a bit unclear so he can't fully focus on playing the zither. Be it figuring out his Master's real name or figuring out what Duan Xinyue and Yuan Ye might be doing,each one keeps tormenting his mind.

'Lei Qiang oh Lei Qiang what has gotten into you nowadays.'