Blood Bonds And Golden Ties

Chapter 10: The Fallout

[Quan Mo Ran]

After fleeing the room, Mo Ran barged into an empty room and shut the door. His back leaned against the door as he tried to calm his beating heart. Calm down! Mo Ran! What's wrong with you? What were you thinking? Did you really think you could marry her? Remember who you are! He forced himself to breath in slowly. His heart slowed. Finally gaining his composure, he thought. The first thing I need to do is to find Xie Fei.

He opened the door and walked out confidently. He made his way to the main hall. Upon entering the it, he was immediately swarmed by a group of women as each tried to get his attention. Mo Ran merely pushed them away and strode into another hallway.

He peeked into each room only to find drunk men and dancing women. From up ahead he heard a loud voice laugh, "That's enough! That's really enough!" It was Xie Fei's voice.

Mo Ran quickly strode to the room and pushed the door open. There sat Xie Fei, surrounded by women as they served him. His arms lay on the table while his head rested on the table by his left arm. In his hand he held a cup of wine.

"Time," Mo Ran said.

When Xie Fei heard him, he glanced up. Upon seeing that it was Mo Ran, Xie Fei smiled stupidly and struggled to get up. "Li...Qing..." he slurred his words. "You're...here." He tried to walk but stumbled. Two women caught his arms and helped support his weight as he stumbled toward Mo Ran. They brought Xie Fei to Mo Ran who slung Xie Fei's right arm over his neck and provided support .

"L-look, Li Qing," he pointed to the ceiling. "T-there i-is a butterfly. B-butterflies are p-pretty."

Mo Ran helped Xie Fei out of the pleasure house. Once outside, he shoved Xie Fei to the ground and said sternly, "Done acting?"

Xie Fei immediately straighted. "You, Li Qing! How dare you shove a drunk person!"

"Childish," Mo Ran said after glancing at Xie Fei. He strode away.

"Wait! Li Qing!" Xie Fei struggled to catch up to Mo Ran. "Where are we going next?" He asked.

Mo Ran didn't reply, instead, he crossed the street to the building across from Lian Hua Lou. He walked up to the counter. A man was standing behind the counter while using a suàn pán to make calculations. He didn't notice him.

"A-hem," Mo Ran coughed.

The man immediately glanced up, and upon seeing Mo Ran, smiled apologetically, "Forgive me for not noticing you earlier. How many rooms would you like?"

"One," Mo Ran said as he plopped a golden boat on the counter.

The man's eyes lit up. "Right you are sir! I'll give you the best room and—"

"I want the room facing Lian Hua Lou."

"I'm afraid that won't do. That room is already booked..."

Mo Ran plopped another golden boat on the counter.

The man immediately changed his tune. "Alright, you got it! Here's your room key." He handed Mo Ran a wooden card with the number 29. Mo Ran turned away and headed toward his room.

Xie Fei blocked his way. "Where am I going to stay?"

"Don't know," Mo Ran said as he tried to move past Xie Fei but without success.

"What do you mean?! Didn't you get two rooms?!"

"No."

"Li Qing, you're being ridiculous! You're the one who wanted me to go on this adventure with you! You should at least pay for my food and my sleeping needs!"