Font Size:
Wei Lan returned to her room, her gaze landing on a set of lace lingerie hanging by the bedside. A bold idea flashed through her mind: wasn’t this a perfect business opportunity? If she could introduce modern, sexy lace lingerie to the Ming Dynasty, the profits would be immeasurable.
She gently stroked the fabric—a flowing red silk, as deep and mesmerizing as red wine. The texture was smooth, almost like a second skin, softly conforming to the body and providing an indescribable comfort. The silk was not only vibrant and lightweight but also perfectly complemented the wearer’s complexion, making the skin appear even fairer.
The edges of the lingerie were adorned with exquisite black lace, forming delicate vine-like patterns interwoven with small black roses. These patterns not only enhanced the garment’s aesthetic appeal but also subtly accentuated a woman’s curves. The top was designed in a heart shape, providing just the right amount of lift, while the bottom was a simple yet elegant pair of boyshorts—maintaining a classical modesty while embracing a modern boldness. The contrast between the red silk and the black lace was both passionate and pure, like a rose blooming in the night breeze.
Wei Lan took a light sniff, detecting a faint lingering scent of roses. This lingerie set had been her own carefully designed creation, so precious that she had never worn it. But now, she felt it was time to put it to its true use. Holding the lingerie in her hands, she had already devised a plan—she would head to the city’s tailoring shop.
However, as she was about to step into the shop, she hesitated. She was well aware that she knew little about the customs and rules of this era. If she suddenly introduced such a modern piece of lingerie, she would undoubtedly attract unwanted attention. She didn’t want to cause unnecessary trouble or become the target of scrutiny.
Her eyes flickered with thought, and a clever plan began to take shape in her mind. She made her way once more to the City God Temple. The place remained as desolate as it had been the day before. She tiptoed around the temple’s perimeter, peering inside without stepping in. Her target was the beggar leader who had stood out in the crowd the day before.
Just as she was fully focused on her search, a voice suddenly spoke behind her, as eerie as a ghost at midnight:
“Looking for something?”
Startled, Wei Lan shuddered and quickly turned around, finding exactly the person she was searching for. She patted her chest and exhaled in relief.
“You scared me! How do you walk without making a sound?”
Liu Liu raised an eyebrow in recognition. “It’s you?”
Wei Lan nodded. “Yes, it’s me. I have a job for you—interested? If you succeed, I’ll give you ten wen. How about it?”
Liu Liu was surprised that such a good deal had come knocking on his door. “Ten wen?” he repeated.
Wei Lan looked him up and down. “But first, at least wash your hands. Otherwise, what if you dirty my package?” Without waiting for his response, she grabbed him and led him to a nearby riverbank, dipping his hands into the cool water and meticulously cleaning them. As a doctor, she was adept at this kind of task, while Liu Liu stood stiffly like a wooden block, letting her manipulate him.
Liu Liu was caught off guard by her sudden kindness. He wrestled with the unfamiliar warmth—was this genuine, or was she setting him up for some kind of trap? As a beggar who had lost his parents young and lived on the streets, he was used to people’s indifference and disdain. When had he ever been treated with such care? He couldn’t help but wonder—was the task she was about to give him actually a death sentence?
Wei Lan, meanwhile, was captivated by his hands. Long and strong fingers, well-defined knuckles—not overly bony but full of a unique masculine charm despite the rough skin worn by hardship.
It wasn’t just his hands—his face was also striking. When she first saw him, she had experienced a strange sense of déjà vu, as though he reminded her of someone from the modern era. Perhaps her younger brother? There was no direct resemblance, but an inexplicable connection lingered in her mind.
Yet, for a beggar, was having a handsome face truly a blessing?
She took out a small fabric pouch from her bag and handed it to him. “What’s your name? How old are you?”
Liu Liu looked up at her with a hint of confusion. “My name is Liu Liu. I’m thirteen.”
Wei Lan repeated his name with amusement. “Liu Liu? That’s a bit of a mouthful. How about I call you Xiao Liu, and you call me ‘big sister’?”
Liu Liu nodded obediently. “Big sister.”
Satisfied, Wei Lan patted his head. “Inside this bundle is a piece of clothing. That’s all you need to know. Just deliver it safely to the shopkeeper of Liang’s Tailor Shop and tell her this: ‘This is one half of a set of clothes. The other half is with me. If she wants the full design and the remaining piece, she needs to pay twenty taels of silver.'”
Liu Liu clutched the package tightly and nodded solemnly. “Understood.”
Wei Lan smiled. “Xiao Liu, this is very important to me. I need these twenty taels to open a medical clinic. Once it’s up and running, I’ll hire you so you’ll have a warm place to stay before winter comes. How does that sound?”
Liu Liu’s eyes lit up, his voice trembling slightly. “Really? I can have a home?”
Wei Lan nodded firmly. “Of course.”
With the bundle secured, Liu Liu made his way to Liang’s Tailor Shop. As he reached the entrance, the shopkeeper, Madam Liang, waved him away impatiently.
“Go, go, don’t block my storefront!”
Unafraid, Liu Liu cleared his throat and spoke confidently. “Shopkeeper, a noble person asked me to deliver this to you. You’ll know its worth once you see it.”
Suspicious, Madam Liang hesitated. The beggar boy was holding an oddly refined fabric pouch. Curiosity got the better of her, and she took it. Inside, she found an exquisitely decorated pair of boyshorts with intricate black lace patterns. Her eyes widened in shock.
As a seasoned tailor with access to the latest styles from the capital, she had never seen anything like this before! She could already imagine how sensational it would be once women started wearing it. Her business instincts told her this was a golden opportunity.
“This… what is this?” she asked, stunned.
Liu Liu replied, “Just half of the outfit. The other half and the design blueprint are with my employer. Pay twenty taels, and you can have it all. If you agree, follow me now.”
Madam Liang hesitated. Twenty taels was a hefty sum—she barely made one tael per silk outfit she sold.
Sensing her hesitation, Liu Liu swiftly grabbed the pouch back and turned to leave.
Madam Liang panicked. She didn’t want a competitor to snatch up this unique design. She quickly changed her tune. “Wait! I just need to fetch some money from the bank.”
Liu Liu led her through winding alleyways to a secluded dead end, where only a small doghole in the wall served as a passage. On the other side, Wei Lan waited in the shadows, listening keenly. When she heard the approaching footsteps, she tapped the wall twice with a stone—her prearranged signal with Liu Liu.
The trade began.
When the deal was sealed, Liu Liu didn’t just leave. With a nimble leap, he scaled the high wall, landing silently beside Wei Lan like a ghost.
Wei Lan turned in shock. “You can fly?”
Liu Liu grinned mischievously. “Big sister, you’re leaving already?”
Thinking he wanted a bigger reward, she handed him an extra tael. “Here, a little bonus for your hard work. I’ll come find you again, okay?”
As she disappeared into the distance, a group of hidden beggar boys emerged.
“Boss, should we grab her now?”
Liu Liu’s expression hardened. Gone was the obedient boy—his gaze turned sharp.
“No. The bigger fish takes time to catch.”
His fingers lightly traced the silver tael in his hand, still warm from Wei Lan’s touch. His lips curled into a chilling smile.
“Big sister, if you dare deceive me… I will find you. No matter where you hide.”