The flower boat was quite large and lavishly decorated. In the centre was a spacious area where men and women mingled, including many beautiful women. Though it could not compare to the neon-lit bars of his previous life, it was not far off. Courtesans sang sweetly, and quite a few young nobles indulged in extravagant pleasures here.
“This flower boat is luxurious, right? But that is not the most important part. The real reason people linger here endlessly is that the girls on this boat are all exceptionally beautiful!” Liang Shan boasted to Ye Chu. “After tonight, this young master will take you to have some real fun and forget all about Su Rong!”
Liang Shan was convinced Ye Chu had returned to Yao City for Su Rong. Ye Chu could not explain and simply pretended not to hear. “This is a flower boat. How is Su Rong here? Does she fancy men, and does this boat also offer male services?”
This remark made Liang Shan jump in fright. He glanced around quickly, saw no one paying attention, and breathed a sigh of relief. He leapt closer to Ye Chu, his face pale. “Big brother! Please do not speak recklessly again. If someone overhears, both of us are finished. Do you not know Su Rong’s status in Yao City? Just for saying that, countless people would pounce and tear you apart!”
Seeing that Ye Chu did not take his warning seriously, Liang Shan felt helpless and explained. “Although flower boats are places of romance and pleasure, when there is an event, someone can rent the entire boat! Do you still remember Fang Xinyuan? This time, it is that fellow who booked the whole place!”
Fang Xinyuan was the eldest son of Marquis Fang Tian and had some small reputation in the capital. Three years ago, he had achievements in both literature and martial arts. Ye Chu had no direct dealings with him, though he had some conflicts with his younger brother Fang Xinhu back when they were competing and fighting.
“Miss Su Rong has arrived!”
The commotion around them snapped Ye Chu out of his thoughts. He followed everyone’s gaze. From the other end of the flower boat, a group slowly emerged. Though the men were handsome and the women stunning, everyone’s attention inevitably focused on one woman.
The woman had long, straight, flowing hair that was graceful and captivating. Her oval face was the perfect beauty standard. Her smooth forehead, snow-white skin, straight delicate brows, deep and bright eyes, straight nose, and beautifully curved lips were tender enough to make one want to bite them. Her pointed yet rounded chin completed a flawless face. Her cream-yellow fitted dress outlined her modestly sized yet prominent chest and slender waist, with the faint curve of her perky hips visible. She was an absolute peerless beauty!
The moment this woman appeared, she became the centre of attention. Ye Chu’s gaze was drawn to her as well. Seeing her again after three years still brought a sense of amazement. Ye Chu felt a slight stirring in his heart, as if some lingering attachment remained in the depths of his soul. He knew this came from the remnants of the previous body’s owner’s feelings!
Su Rong was flanked by a group of people. Besides a sweet-looking young woman at her side, there were several handsome young men. Fang Xinyuan and his brother stood to her left, standing tall and full of vigour. The other youths surrounding Su Rong were also well-known figures in Yao City.
“How about it? Give up now! Every man around Su Rong is more outstanding than the last. Fang Xinyuan is just one of them!” Liang Shan said in front of Ye Chu. “Besides, Su Rong has great talent in martial arts. She is doted on by everyone, even recognised as an adopted daughter by the king. A woman like that is not someone you or I can dream of.”
Hearing Liang Shan’s sigh, Ye Chu could not help laughing. “Boosting others’ morale while destroying your own! You belittle yourself too much and naturally elevate the woman you admire into a goddess. Do you know what women are?”
“What are women?” Liang Shan asked curiously.
“Women are like eggs!” Ye Chu laughed. Amid Liang Shan’s confusion, he continued. “Hard on the outside, pure on the inside, but yellow at the core! Once you crack the shell and peel away the white, what is there to fear in conquering her? Do not tell me you cannot conquer the women you take to bed!”
“Bloody hell!” Liang Shan cursed involuntarily. He suddenly felt Ye Chu was even more lewd than before. What kind of metaphor was this? If women heard it, they would drown him in spit. But… it really hit the mark! Hehe… Liang Shan suddenly felt much less inferior in front of Su Rong. After muttering, he suddenly thought of something and asked Ye Chu. “Then what about men? Are men much purer at heart than women?”
Seeing Liang Shan’s shameless grin, Ye Chu shrugged. “Men are like mangoes! Yellow on the outside… and even yellower inside!”
“Bloody hell! I thought you would praise us men a bit!” Liang Shan was very dissatisfied with Ye Chu’s answer. “But Su Rong’s shell is very hard to crack! I advise you to give up!”
“I think the issue now is not whether I give up or not, but that trouble is coming our way.” Ye Chu looked ahead, feeling his scalp tingle. He thought the previous Ye Chu had truly left him with plenty of trouble. Even standing in such a secluded spot, someone still recognised him and came looking.
Liang Shan followed Ye Chu’s gaze. Fang Xinyuan and his group were walking toward them. Surprise flickered in their eyes, quickly replaced by disgust.
“Ye Chu?” Fang Xinhu spotted him from afar. Seeing someone who looked very much like the scumbag from three years ago standing with Liang Shan, he suspected it was Ye Chu. But thinking how Ye Chu dared set foot in this territory again, he had some doubts.
“Long time no see! I did not expect you to still remember me!” Ye Chu smiled. “Everyone gathered here, is it not to organise a welcome party for me?”
Liang Shan almost cried out. Welcome party? Not throwing rotten eggs at you would already be good. Putting on such a shameless front also depended on the occasion. How could he admit to being Ye Chu at a time like this!
Fang Xinhu and the others saw Ye Chu personally confirm it. They exchanged glances, and the disgust in their eyes grew stronger. They had never imagined the scumbag who was thrown out of Yao City would dare return, let alone appear before them.
“Su Xiaorong! Long time no see!” While everyone was still lost in memories, Ye Chu leaned against the wall and smiled faintly at the graceful and elegant Su Rong.
Su Rong’s eyes showed surprise. She was no stranger to Ye Chu. She had heard of his notorious reputation in Yao City back then and knew he had designs on her. In the past, he never dared speak to her, only watched from afar. She had not expected that after three years, upon meeting again, he could call her Su Xiaorong so naturally, leaning lazily against the wall with a carefree, unrestrained air.
“Su Xiaorong is not a name you can use!” Before Su Rong could speak, a sweet-looking young woman with a small mole at the corner of her mouth stepped forward and scolded Ye Chu.
Zhang Su’er was furious. Su Rong was her closest friend. She knew only those extremely close to Su Rong could call her Su Xiaorong. Yet Ye Chu had done so. If this led to misunderstandings and rumours spread that Su Rong had any connection to Yao City’s greatest scumbag, it would disgust Su Rong to death!
Fang Xinhu also reacted at this point and roared at Ye Chu. “You still have the face to set foot in Yao City! Get out of Yao City right now! Otherwise, this young master will throw you into Cold Lake to feed the fish!”
Ye Chu was not surprised by this outcome at all. He shrugged and smiled at Fang Xinhu. “If you throw me into Cold Lake, at least the fish would eat! But if I throw you in, I am afraid even the fish would not dare touch you.”
Liang Shan could not help laughing. He thought Ye Chu’s tongue was still as sharp as ever. But remembering where they were, he immediately felt his heart rise to his throat. At this moment, clashing with Ye Chu was no different from seeking death!
“You are tired of living!” Fang Xinhu roared. Veins bulged on his arm. Seeing this, Liang Shan’s heart nearly jumped out. He knew Fang Xinhu’s strength very well. He had achieved some success in martial cultivation and ranked in the upper-middle among their group of young nobles.
Though Liang Shan did not know what Ye Chu had done in these three years, he clearly remembered how frail Ye Chu was three years ago. If hit by Fang Xinhu’s punch, Ye Chu would either die or lose half his life.