Ballad of the Desert

Chapter 5: Shadow in the Window

On the 6th day of performing "Hua Yue Nong", the prices have tripled and all the seats are sold out for days already. I'm paying the girls not only their wages, but also extra depending on their character performance on stage. Everyone is happy, even Fang Ru, who has rocketed to fame and can vie with the top dancers in the city on her fees for spending time with a customer [just chatting and drinking in a private box, not anything salacious].

The performance hall has a common area seating below, but also private boxes up top where the ladies or more high class clients can watch the performance in privacy. I bring the Li siblings to one private box. They protest such kindness but I tell them this is my box which I never rent out so they can use it. Li Yan gives me a look, wondering who I am keeping this room for? I smile at her, telling her to guess.

A maid comes running in and tells me Hong Gu desperately needs me because some very important guests have arrived. I stand up but then sit down to calm myself. Li Yan asks "Is the person you are waiting for finally arrived?" I nod "Most likely? Hong Gu grew up here and knows everyone. She won't need me unless it's urgent." She asks if I need this room but I tell here there are other empty rooms. I sip my tea and fix my skirt before heading out, having calmed myself.

Outside I see Hong Gu leading two men down the hallway. She sees me and her face immediately relaxes. Xiao Huo, no, Huo Qu Bing, hair finely combed and adorned, with elegant and lavish attire, wearing a somber expression, is right there. The moment he sees me, his footsteps stop. I have a small smile on my face as I walk up to courtesy to him. "Young master Huo has deigned to visit our Luo Yu House, what an honor it is."

He looks at me for a few moments, and then his face lit up and he smiles "You really came to Chang An!" Hong Gu looked at me and then looked at Huo Qu Bing, her face registering her confusion. I initially want to mess with him a bit, but when he smiled so openly and didn't seem to feel bad at all, I got a bit annoyed. I shifted and gestured for him to keep going.

Suddenly another maid comes running to tell me tha Wu Ye is here, with someone he calls Third Master Shi, and there is also someone else in the back of the carriage. I let out an "Ah!", pulling my skirt up and taking off. I suddenly remember and quickly run back to Huo Qu Bing and gave him a bow "I have an urgent matter to handle, will the young master please excuse me." I tell Hong Gu to bring him to his room before running outside.

Jiu Ye is pushing his wheelchair with Wu Ye, Tian Cao, Shi Feng following behind him. My happy voice arrives first "Why didn't you send someone ahead to tell me?" He laughs "It was a last minute decision to come see what has been keeping you so busy that you didn't even come home last night."

I wrinkle my nose and laugh, walking beside him "I wasn't busy last night, I was admiring a beauty. Later I'll let you meet the beauty." He smiles and doesn't respond.

At the end of the hallway, I tell the others to climb the stairs. They don't move until Jiu Ye tells them to go. I take Jiu Ye into a very small room, the size of a large box really, fitting only me and Jiu Ye inside. I can't even fully straighten my body, needing to crouch down next to Jiu Ye. I apologize "Because of safety reasons, it couldn't be built any bigger." The door is closed and I pull a bell. Soon the room starts to lift. Jiu Ye quietly asks " Did you build this on purpose?" I nod a yes.

In the darkness it's extremely quiet, so quiet it's like we can heart our thumping heartbeats. The candle is within reach but I don't move to light it. Jiu Ye doesn't mention it either. We just stay in this cramped space in silence. The light fresh scent from his body slowly drifts over to me, and his scent seems to enter my heart.

When we arrive, the performance has started. I make tea for Jiu Ye while Wu Ye urges me to go back and find Hong Gu, who is left with a mess to handle. Jiu Ye also tells me to go do my job.