Chapter 46: Lotus Flowers

The man wore a lecherous grin. The young woman, appearing like a lamb that had strayed into a den of wolves, looked utterly terrified. "Kind sir, I perform arts, not services of the flesh."

"Don't put on such airs. What's the difference? I must say, I’ve taken quite a fancy to you just the way you are." As he spoke, the man began to paw at her.

"I won't sell myself," she said, her voice trembling with tears.

"That’s no longer for you to decide. You will sell, whether you like it or not. If you provoke me, you’ll regret it." The man’s expression turned vicious.

"In broad daylight, to think there are such lecherous scoundrels forcing their will upon others! Is there no justice left in this world?" Qi Yunyan, standing nearby, watched the act of bullying with indignation.

Shen Mengli looked at the two figures struggling ahead, lost in thought. "Let’s go over and see what that brute is trying to do."

As Qi Yunyan walked forward, Shen Mengli had no choice but to follow closely behind him.

"Let her go at once! The young lady has already said she will not sell. Are you not afraid of me dragging you straight to the magistrate?" Qi Yunyan declared, his face radiating righteous fury.

"Where did this fool come from? If you dare to ruin my fun, I’ll make sure you suffer for it." The man shook his fist at Qi Yunyan.

"Then by all means, try it." Qi Yunyan moved to engage the man. Shen Mengli tried to intervene, but Qi Yunyan was too fast.

After a few brief exchanges, the man was left bruised and battered. He scrambled away, throwing back a threat: "You little brat, just you wait! Don't you dare leave; I’m going to bring people back to show you what’s coming!"

"Go ahead and fetch your reinforcements. I’ll be right here waiting. If you don't return, you're a coward." Qi Yunyan hoped he would bring his cronies back, planning to round up the lot of these street thugs and send them all to prison.

Standing by, Shen Mengli was left stunned by Qi Yunyan’s ferocity. She had never realized that such a refined, noble-born gentleman could possess such impressive combat skills. She had truly underestimated him.

"Thank you, my benefactor. If not for you, I would have fallen into the tiger's maw today." The woman bowed to Qi Yunyan with deep gratitude.

Only then did Shen Mengli get a clear look at the woman’s face. She had an oval face, willow-leaf brows, and cherry-red lips, paired with a curvaceous figure—she certainly had the looks to attract unwanted attention.

"Benefactor, please see your kindness through to the end. Buy me. I can handle all the dirty and heavy work; I am capable of doing anything." The woman tugged at Qi Yunyan’s sleeve, weeping as she pleaded.

"Young lady, what is your name? There is no need to buy you. If you have any difficulties, just tell me, and I will help you however I can."

"Benefactor, my name is Hehua. My family is poor; it was just my aged father and me. We worked hard just to scrape by, but as they say, the rope always snaps at the thinnest point, and misfortune always finds the wretched. A cold took my father’s life. All our savings went to his medical care, and now I cannot even afford to bury him. With no other choice, I had to sell myself to raise the funds for his funeral. I never expected to encounter that brute, but fortunately, you saved me, sir."

"How much silver is required for the burial?"

"I inquired at the funeral parlor; with the coffin included, it will cost ten taels of silver."

"Then I will give you twenty taels. Ten for your father’s burial, and ten for you to live on afterward."

"Your kindness is immense, sir. I have nothing to repay you with, save for my own life. Please, sir, buy me. I am willing to be your servant for the rest of my days."