Part 16 – Men About Town

Stuffed full of Yunmeng’s finest fare, Jin Ling had been feeling quite content. Then the bill for dinner had come in, with all of its excesses in generosity, and he’d realized he’d left his money pouch back in Lotus Pier. He was so used to charging credit in his uncles’ names that he didn’t think too much about carrying around coin unless he was traveling abroad.

“Jin Guangyao, you say?” the proprietor of the restaurant repeated back to him dubiously, tugging at the oily grey wisps that dangled from his chin. “Yes, I’ve heard of him. He was the one who caused all that trouble in Yunping City awhile back. Got himself killed there too, didn’t he? Forgive me, young master, but the dead don’t settle up in my experience.”

Jin Ling ground his teeth. He wanted to wring this old fool’s skinny neck. “Who’s claiming they do?! The point is, I’m Jin Ling, his nephew and heir. Now that he’s dead, I’m the new leader of the Lanling Jin Sect. So obviously, I’m good for it!”

At this claim of sect leadership, the proprietor eyed him more skeptically still. Jin Ling glowered. His only other option was to charge the bill to Jiang Cheng, and presently that option seemed worse than death to his pride. Just as he was stewing over this, he felt something land in his lap from beneath the table. It was a coin purse, and quite a hefty one at that.

Lan Sizhui, Jin Ling realized. His mouth twisted ruefully. On the other side of the table, the Lan disciple sipped his tea in easy nonchalance.

Closing his fist around the pouch, Jin Ling slammed it down on the tabletop with a heavy, clinking thud. “Here you are then, you greasy old crane! I’m more than good for it, as you can see. So spread the word!”

The proprietor’s eyes bugged out at the size of the purse. His greedy fingers twitched toward it. “A-absolutely, sir! Forgive me, sir!”

Yanking the purse back, Jin Ling doled out the coin with much resentment as he rose to his feet. Lan Sizhui followed suit. The proprietor groveled after them the whole way down the stairs. They’d almost made it to the exit when another figure intercepted them. It was the mother of the crying girl from the lobby before. Bowing low to Jin Ling, she thanked him profusely for the generous gift of food he’d given them.

At this misdirected gratitude, Jin Ling grimaced, wanting to sink into the earth. The moment they were out on the street and in the clear, he thrust the purse back to Lan Sizhui. On the pretext of giving a smuggled potsticker to Fairy, Jin Ling turned away, hiding his embarrassed flush.

“I’ll pay you back once we’re in Lotus Pier,” he said stubbornly, turning back.

Stowing the money pouch away, Lan Sizhui smiled lightly. “Of course.”

Jin Ling crossed his arms, glancing about. “I guess we should find an inn. You Lans sleep at hai time, right?”

“Yes, but we’re not in Gusu, are we?” A devious glint shone in Lan Sizhui’s dark eyes. “Let’s stay out awhile yet.”

“All right,” Jin Ling said, arching a brow. “Where would you like to go?”

Lan Sizhui looked around. After a moment, he pointed toward a gaudy building up ahead. Bright red lanterns hung from its eaves. Through its flung-wide doors, the sounds of bawdy songs and laughter spilled out onto the streets.

“How about there?”

“There?” Jin Ling exclaimed. “That’s a teahouse!” When Lan Sizhui seemed unfazed by this, he said hotly, “A brothel!”

Lan Sizhui grinned. “It seems lively though, doesn’t it? Come on, Young Master Jin, let’s check it out. I’ve never been to one before, have you?”

Before Jin Ling could retort that there were plenty of places he hadn’t been to and what did that matter, Lan Sizhui had already started off down the street. Red-faced, Jin Ling hurried after him with Fairy at his heels.

“This is the problem with you stuffy Lans,” he muttered. “Give you a little freedom, and it goes right to your head!”

Mo Dao Zu Shi © Mo Xiang Tong Xiu