(Jin Guangyao/Reader) You're my sun, my universe

Chapter 3: Drifting apart

Maybe it was when you first started to bleed that everything seemed to fall apart.

'Ah my sweet darling, I was getting impatient and yet here we are...' the madam beamed as if her whole world seemed to light up...

You began your training.

The best way to present yourself, to talk, to smile, to whisper, to enchant.

'The image is always important' Rong Li recited, 'While it is true that many customers simply go in for the...pleasure...The matter of the fact is that we need recurring customers.'

'The best way to do that is to build a character they will want to observe within the brothel' she giggled while observing your posture from afar 'Like Lin Ji, who cultivated the image of an unapproachable temptress, or Liu Mei who became known for her child-like behaviour and beauty.'

The madam circled around and assessed you, 'You however will grow into such an enchanting beauty that it wouldn't be surprising for people to think you came from a noble household.'

'Furthermore, from your lessons with that boy and Meng Shi next door, it seems that you know how to somewhat read, write, and play the guqin am I right?'

Surprise radiated from your figure and the madam simply laughed once more 'What?' she began mockingly 'Did you think I didn't know? Why else would I let you visit him time and time again.'

You began to build up the character of an innocent, young lady.

'The second coming of Meng Shi' they whispered.

Meng Shi, A-Yao's mother, who was one of the most prominent prostitutes of her time.

She was an all-time beauty; one who knew how to read and write poems, sing, paint, play the guqin and chess. Someone who was only beginning to dwindle in popularity due to rumours of her being sick.

'Ah the regret I have that she wasn't sold to me...well no matter, she won't last much longer anyway, plus you have many years ahead of you.'

And so, you continued to train.

The best places to touch a man, how to whisper sweet sayings, how to uphold an innocent image even while doing indecent things.

'Of course, I won't let you make the same mistake as her. It was entirely stupid of her to allow herself to have a child' the madam continued, seemingly ignoring the way you clenched your fists to hold back your bubbling emotions from the insult, 'But it's okay A-(Y/N) I will take much better care of you. You'll be famous.'

'And make me many profits...'

***

You began to run out of free time to spend with Meng Yao, in the daytime you began to train immensely and even slowly debut into the scene. Even the late evenings were no longer viable, as now the madam seemed to keep a close eye on you and with an iron grasp forbid you from leaving the premises without her permission.

That did not mean you never tried to sneak out, but many of the attempts were unsuccessful, and often resulted in punishment where you were locked in the basement that was devoid of any light nor any other means of escape. The feeling of suffocation and unexplained terror grew each time you found yourself confined in such a small, oppressive space.

You couldn't breathe. Why. Why. WHY.

Soon enough you learned your lesson and never attempted such childish escapes again.

The only extended amount of time you were able to spend with him New Years' Eve, along with the several days after it when the madam left for her hometown and thus away from the brothel. The only other time you were allowed in his presence was when you strictly monitored by her.