Chapter 2: Life in the Red - light District

Ling Xuan was strolling idly on the street alone. He randomly entered a fast - food restaurant to have something to eat. Maybe it was because of the cold weather or the fact that it was already past the usual mealtime, but there weren't many people in the restaurant. Ling Xuan found a quiet corner and sat down. Just as he ordered his food, coincidentally, the employees of this fast - food restaurant also sat down nearby to have their meals.

Since this fast - food restaurant was close to Ling Xuan's home, he often came here. He almost knew all the employees here. Although they didn't talk much, there seemed to be a kind of tacit understanding.

Just then, two beggars were shouting outside the fast - food restaurant, asking the boss for some food. The fast - food restaurant owner told the employees to drive them away and was cursing the beggars loudly.

"Actually, those beggars aren't real beggars. Most of them have homes. It's just that it's winter now, and it's the slack season in the countryside, so they come out to beg for some extra money," said a young man in his mid - twenties sitting next to Ling Xuan. Judging from his attire, he seemed to be a chef.

The words were obviously directed at Ling Xuan. Ling Xuan nodded and said, "Oh? Is that so? It seems they have quite a few ways to make money! When I came out just now, I met one who wouldn't let go of me. I even gave her ten yuan."

When the fast - food restaurant employee heard this, he became interested and sat down opposite Ling Xuan, saying, "Little brother, I didn't expect you to be so compassionate. In fact, you were deceived by them. These beggars are really hateful these days!"

At this time, the fast food Ling Xuan ordered was served. He ate while saying, "Actually, I also hate these people, but sometimes I think they're in a difficult situation. Because I still believe that some of them are forced to do this. Otherwise, who would leave their hometown to beg for food?"

"Listening to what you said, the one you met just now was probably a beggar from out of town. Either it's the situation I mentioned or there's some problem in their family. But the beggars in this city are something else. They have their own territories, division of labor, and even a 'gang leader'," the fast - food restaurant employee said non - stop.

"'Gang leader'? Isn't that like the Beggars' Gang?" Ling Xuan said.

"There's nothing we can do about it. These beggars each have their own tricks. It's normal for some of them to earn a hundred or so yuan a day," the young man from the fast - food restaurant said mysteriously. "I've also heard that they often fight over territory, even beat up beggars from other places. They often end up with broken heads and bleeding!"

Ling Xuan had never heard of such things and said, "Don't the police and urban management do anything about it?"

"Think about it. They're just doing their jobs. Who cares about those beggars? Sometimes, to deal with inspections by superior leaders, they even drive the beggars to the towns below. So, in their hearts, they wish more of these beggars would die, so they don't have to deal with all the trouble they cause all day long!" the young man said, shaking his head.

"That's really scary." Hearing what the young man from the fast - food restaurant said, Ling Xuan couldn't help but become a bit interested in the beggars.

The young man said, "This is the way the world is. The rich are the bosses, and the poor have to work hard. Actually, being a beggar isn't so bad. You just stretch out your hand and you can solve your daily livelihood problem."

Ling Xuan smiled and said, "It seems you really envy those beggars..."

The young man said in a low voice, "Brother, let me tell you. The leader of those beggars has a bunch of children. He cripples those children and makes them beg on the street. If those children don't bring back money in a day, they'll be beaten even worse, and sometimes they won't even be given food. And that beggar leader has dozens of wives at home, enjoying himself all day long among women. Damn it, he's happier than a god. So, what's wrong with being a beggar?"

When Ling Xuan heard this, he forced a smile and said, "What you said is a bit too exaggerated. Even if they have some money, how much can it be? How could he afford to keep dozens of wives? Even if he has the ability, there have to be women willing to be with him!"

Seeing that Ling Xuan didn't believe him, the young man said, "Little brother, you don't know this! The women the beggar leader finds are all female beggars from the countryside or the wives of other beggars. Especially those female beggars from out of town. They're unfamiliar with the place. Once they're caught by these local beggar leaders, if they're even slightly good - looking, they'll be forced to be his 'concubines'. Those rural women have no education and are helpless. What can they do for a living? They can only obediently submit. After the beggar leader gets tired of them, he'll let them go back to begging. Hehe, being a beggar is more comfortable than being a gang boss..."

Hearing what he said, Ling Xuan thought of the woman he met in the stairwell just now. Under her tattered clothes, there was clearly snow - white skin. Now, hearing what this young man said, he couldn't help but let his mind wander.

Ling Xuan got along well with this young man in the conversation, so he ordered two bottles of beer and a few more dishes. The two of them drank and chatted. Because of the cold weather and the lack of customers, the boss didn't interfere with their conversation.

During the conversation, Ling Xuan learned that this young man was named Zhang Hong, from out of town, and had been working in the provincial capital for almost ten years. He had worked his way up from a small odd - job worker to a small - time chef now, earning only about a thousand yuan a month. Since food and accommodation were provided, if he lived frugally, he could save about ten thousand yuan a year. Zhang Hong said that he had already saved tens of thousands of yuan and hoped to work for another two or three years, then go back to the countryside to build a three - story small villa and marry a beautiful wife to settle down.

When it came to women, Zhang Hong's eyes sparkled.

Ling Xuan asked him if he had ever been with a woman.

Zhang Hong's eyes lit up as he said, "At the end of this alley, there are many hair salons, small beauty parlors, and private hotels. In fact, they're brothels. It's usually fifty yuan for one time, and a hundred yuan to stay overnight. For some less - good - looking ones, twenty or thirty yuan is enough for one time, and fifty yuan to stay overnight."

Ling Xuan said, "You seem so familiar with it. Do you go there often?"

Zhang Hong smiled and said, "In this world, how many men don't cheat? The rich keep mistresses, and the poor can only go to prostitutes."

Ling Xuan said, "Aren't you afraid of getting some sexually transmitted diseases?"

Zhang Hong smiled and said, "Actually, those prostitutes are more afraid than the men. So, they always use condoms. It's absolutely safe." Then, his eyes twinkling, he said to Ling Xuan, "Recently, a few girls came from the north. They're so fresh and pretty. It costs one hundred and fifty yuan for one time, and three hundred yuan to stay overnight. Although it's a bit expensive, it's definitely exciting..."

Ling Xuan said, "Have you actually done it?"

Zhang Hong smiled and said, "I control my spending in this regard to within a hundred yuan a month. Their prices are... too high. But just looking at them makes me excited. It feels so good..."

Seeing that Zhang Hong was becoming more and more explicit and vulgar, and even a bit drunk, Ling Xuan didn't continue the conversation with him. But Zhang Hong became more and more excited and said, "Actually, I have a favorite there. I'm also considered a regular customer. Usually, I can enjoy it three times for a hundred yuan, or even four or five times. If I'm lucky, I can stay overnight. If you're interested, I can introduce you to a few..."

"I'm full. Maybe we can talk another time!" Ling Xuan felt a bit embarrassed as Zhang Hong was speaking louder and louder. He got up, paid the bill, and left.

Walking alone on the street was really boring. Somehow, as Ling Xuan walked, he headed towards the end of the alley that Zhang Hong had mentioned. That unconscious behavior - even Ling Xuan himself didn't know why he was walking there!

Perhaps it was the temptation of the prostitutes from the north that Zhang Hong had mentioned, or perhaps it was the long - term sexual repression that made him involuntarily fantasize about the red - light district in the alley!

Many times, a person's consciousness is in a chaotic state, often leading to unexpected results.

Just like Ling Xuan walking in this dim red - light district at this moment. There was a musty smell wafting from both sides of the alley. But here, the strongest desires and darkest sides of people's hearts were hidden...