Chapter 553: How Much Did You Win?

　　How did she find her way here? It didn’t take Jian Fengchi long to figure out the purpose of Chu Liuyue’s visit. She’s here to get her money!

　　At the thought of this, his face darkened a little.

　　Meanwhile, Shui Liu’er had swiftly retreated back to her seat behind the screen, pretending that she had just finished playing her piece.

　　Knock, knock…

　　Jian Fengchi’s countenance turned even darker. Why even bother to knock on the door when she already knows which room I’m in?

　　Seeing that he wasn’t going to move to answer the door, Shui Liu’er got up instead. As soon as she opened the door, a beautiful face entered her line of sight.

　　Despite having met many beautiful ladies while playing music at Chun Feng Restaurant, her eyes lit up when she saw the visitor’s appearance. Shui Liu’er gave her a small smile. “May I know who…”

　　A hint of surprise flashed across Chu Liuyue’s eyes when she saw the lady before her. What’s Shui Liu’er doing in Chun Feng Restaurant? Isn’t she from Jin Chuan?

　　There was a saying that was once widely circulated around, and it was: Liu’er’s song can move Jin Chuan. It was a praise for her outstanding pipa skills.

　　Jin Chuan is a thousand miles away from Xi Ling. Why is she here? The ladies working at Chun Feng Restaurant only sell their skills, not their bodies. Consumption costs are really high in this restaurant, and the average folks can’t even afford a mouthful of tea here, much less hear the ladies sing and play music. It looks like Shui Liu’er has become Chun Feng Restaurant’s headliner. Chu Liuyue suppressed the surprise in her heart as she smiled at the other. “I’m Chu Liuyue.”

　　Shui Liu’er was taken aback by the name. Although she had heard this name going around in Xi Ling lately, she didn’t expect this name’s owner to look so beautiful. “Shui Liu’er pays her respects to Ms. Chu.”

　　As Chu Liuyue peered into the room, she asked, “May I know if Young Master Jian is inside?”

　　Shui Liu’er nodded.

　　“Little Liu’er, I won’t meet anyone today!” yelled Jian Fengchi lazily.

　　Although Shui Liu’er was inwardly cursing Jian Fengchi for using her as a shield again, she put on a difficult expression on her face as she looked at Chu Liuyue. “Ms. Chu, why don’t you—”

　　“Ms. Liu’er, your hairpin is crooked.”

　　“Huh?” Startled, Shui Liu’er hurriedly turned around and walked to the bronze mirror, where she carefully checked the hairpin on her head.

　　Chu Liuyue couldn’t resist chuckling inwardly at the sight. Apart from pipas, hair accessories have always been the next most important thing to her. It looks like she hasn’t changed after all.

　　While Shui Liu’er was still looking at the mirror, Chu Liuyue seized the chance to enter the room and walk past the screen.

　　Never expecting her to barge straight into the room, Jian Fengchi was shocked to see her here.

　　“It looks like you’re enjoying life, Young Master Jian!” Chu Liuyue sighed from the bottom of her heart. While making her way up, she had already heard about Jian Fengchi booking the entire venue for a certain lady, but she didn’t expect it to be for Shui Liu’er, who commanded the highest rates. He wouldn’t have been able to splurge so extravagantly if he didn’t make a killing from betting on me.

　　It was only then that Jian Fengchi snapped to his senses. “How did you get in here? Little Liu’er? Little Liu’er!”

　　Shui Liu’er was done adjusting her hairpin when she heard Jian Fengchi calling her. She turned her head back, only to see that Chu Liuyue had already entered the room. Her heart skipped a beat as she thought, Oh dear, I forgot about her!

　　Chu Liuyue flashed her a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, Ms. Liu’er. This matter has nothing to do with you.”

　　Shui Liu’er froze as a sudden thought flashed across her mind. No wonder I found her somewhat familiar. She looks like…

　　Chu Liuyue shifted her gaze to Jian Fengchi. “Young Master Jian, I’m actually here to ask you something: Don’t you think you’ve forgotten a certain matter?”

　　Knowing he couldn’t hide from her any longer, he put a hand on his hurting head. “I didn’t, alright! I’ll give you what I promised to give you, and not a penny less! It’s just that I’ve placed bets at so many betting stations that I need a few more days to collect all my winnings. I can only split the winnings with you once I calculate them.”

　　Chu Liuyue obviously didn’t buy into his lie. Her smile grew increasingly warm and gentle as she said, “I heard that you’re notorious for your frivolity and compulsive gambling habits in Xi Ling City. Even if the gambling dens haven’t paid you your winnings, I’m sure you remember how much money you bet, don’t you?”

　　His brain works very well, and he can remember things clearly, especially when it comes to life’s pleasures. He’s obviously determined to make a fortune from gambling this time, so how can he possibly have forgotten how much money he has bet?

　　“I’m not greedy, so I’m only taking ten percent of your winnings. I’m sure you can afford to take this bit of money out, right?” Chu Liuyue then let out a weary sigh. “To tell you the truth, I had no choice but to come and look for you here. I’m currently short of money.”

　　The corners of Jian Fengchi’s lips twitched. Where did this lass even hear those rumors from? What else can I say when she’s already said her piece?!

　　“Are you kidding me? You? Short of money?” Jian Fengchi eyed her skeptically. “You eat and live in the Mu Residence. Did Mu Qinghe not give you any money? Is he that stingy?!”

　　Mu Qinghe is far from being stingy. You—on the other hand—are a real miser. “You may not know this yet, but I’ve already moved out of the Mu Residence.”

　　“Oh? Why did you suddenly move out?” Jian Fengchi was surprised to hear that. Living there is an excellent choice for her, given her current situation. She has just won the Wan Zheng Competition, yet she wants to disassociate herself from Mu Qinghe?

　　Chu Liuyue couldn’t be bothered to explain so much to him. Thus, she only told him that she was now a Chong Xu Cabinet member and had thus found herself a permanent residence since she would be staying in Xi Ling for a long time.

　　“Xi Ling is a good place, but its living costs are simply too high. Everything needs money. Can you really bear to see me living on the streets, Young Master Jian?” she implored.

　　Living on the streets? Her? Jian Fengchi felt the corners of his mouth twitching. It’ll be good enough if she doesn’t make others live on the streets!

　　“Erm… I placed most of my money down as bets. Since I still haven’t collected most of it back, I can’t take out so much for the time being… Why don’t I give you a portion of your share first?” Jian Fengchi tried negotiating with Chu Liuyue, but he received a look of disdain from Shui Liu’er as soon as he said that.

　　Tsk, he didn’t even blink when he took out 100,000 white crystals earlier, yet he’s pretending to be poor now. He’s obviously agreed to share his winnings with Chu Liuyue, but when it comes down to it now, he’s trying to renege on his word. Bah, he sure is something! The rumors about him liking Chu Liuyue are nothing but pure nonsense! Shui Liu’er thus approached them and gently advised, “Young Master Jian, you’ve always been generous and a man of your words. So you’ll surely help Ms. Chu out since she’s facing some trouble now, right?”

　　Jian Fengchi felt immensely stressed as he spoke through clenched teeth. “I’ll find a way to raise the money.”

　　He then began taking out one Cosmic Ring after another and showed no signs of stopping even after taking out the fifth ring.

　　Shui Liu’er’s expression gradually stiffened as she watched this and wondered, Just how much has he exactly won?!