How could I possibly be confined in a cage?

Ah Jian shoved Qing downstairs. It was still daytime, and most of the guests who stayed overnight yesterday were still asleep, with only a few sitting in the lobby.

The few seated guests looked listless; they would only get up when they were hungry and eat something in the hall.

Qingru stumbled and was pushed downstairs, her wet black hair covering half her face, and her dress clinging tightly to her curves.

A sharp-eyed customer immediately snapped out of his daze, "Oh, which girl has made a mistake that deserves such treatment?"

As soon as he spoke, the others, who had been bored, turned around. But this turn of their heads was significant; once they saw the beauty before them, their eyes lit up.

Seeing the reactions of the guests, Ah Jian let them look at her for a while before speaking: "Master Qin is wrong. This is not a mistake. This is our new beauty, Yu Meiren. My sister asked me to take her downstairs for a walk and to help her get familiar with the place."

Although he was addressed as "Master Qin," he wasn't very old, probably around thirty. He had a small mustache, was lean and capable, and didn't seem like someone who frequented brothels.

Putting away his folding fan, Qin Ye gently lifted Qingru's face and couldn't help but exclaim, "Wow, they really went all out. This must be the most beautiful courtesan."

Ah Jian stepped aside to block the others' stares, and said with a smile, "Thank you for your kind words. Our young lady still needs some training. When she is nominated for the title of courtesan, we will need your support."

Master Qin asked, "When will it begin?"

Ah Jian lowered his eyes. "Well, I don't know either. I'll keep an eye out for you. I promise to let you know as soon as I have any news."

Master Qin chuckled and tossed a handful of silver dollars to Ah Jian, saying, "This is a reward for you. Let her sit with me for a while."

Ah Jian stuffed the money back, "Oh, Master Qin, I wouldn't dare. My sister said that people are just here to familiarize themselves with the place, and they have to go up and keep our sister company later."

Master Qin counted out a few more large sums of money. "Is this enough? It's broad daylight, and I don't have the energy. Just having her keep me company while I eat will give me an appetite."

Seeing Qin Ye's discomfiture, the other guests couldn't help but sneer, "I told you you don't come here often, do you? The rules of Qin Huai Lou are that they dote on these girls the most. If you want to get close to them, you'll have to coax them."

"Hahaha..."

The group burst into laughter, but Master Qin wasn't annoyed. "I haven't come often, and this girl is a newcomer, isn't she?"

Ah Jian said with a smile, "That's right, it's fresh and still tender."

Master Qin stared intently at Qingru. "I want to redeem her. Go ask your elder sister how much she wants."

Ah Jian was taken aback; this was the first time someone had been redeemed so quickly. The other guests were also watching the spectacle. Everyone knew that the girls at Qinhuai Tower were expensive, and redeeming them was even more so. A few years ago, a wealthy man had tried to redeem the top courtesan, and he had spent almost half of his fortune.

Just as he was about to refuse, Madam Zhu slowly came down from upstairs. "Oh my, Master Qin, is this your first time visiting our Qinhuai Tower? And you're already so generous? This is also the first time our Lady Yu has come downstairs. We are truly destined to meet."

Master Qin simply smiled, his eyes never leaving Qingru, seemingly confident of success.

Seeing that Master Qin didn't even glance at her, Madam Zhu's expression turned cold. "Master Qin, you work for a big shot. Our small business can't compare to yours. But this Yu Meiren has only just arrived at our Qinhuai Tower, and you're already saying you want to redeem her. I'm afraid that won't be easy."

Qin Ye finally looked at Madam Zhu, "Oh? I don't care about what you're saying. I just want to know how much this girl is worth, and whether I have that kind of money."

Mrs. Zhu was a little annoyed. Her charm and affection had been used on a piece of wood for the first time, so she made an outrageous demand: "I won't say much, but this girl is worth at least 100,000 silver dollars."

"One hundred thousand? Madam Bamboo, you might as well just rob us. This is still brand new, how can it be worth that much money?"

Master Qin also frowned and did not answer.

Seeing that the 100,000 had intimidated the man, Madam Zhu couldn't help but feel a little smug, so she insisted on saying, "It's 100,000 silver dollars, not a penny less."

Master Qin frowned, then suddenly smiled and pulled Qingru into his arms. "Okay, I'll give it to you."

Caught off guard by his impudent manner, Madam Zhu said, "Fine, you'd better show me real money, otherwise it's just empty talk."

Master Qin reached into his pocket, and a hard, solid object brushed against him. Qingru immediately understood the man's plan.

Before she could react, Master Qin had already fired several shots, each hitting the area around Madam Zhu's feet, instantly distorting her composed demeanor.

Hearing the commotion, the thugs immediately pulled the triggers and aimed at Master Qin. Master Qin was not afraid at all, and smiled faintly, "Madam Zhu, this is my 100,000 silver dollars. Are you satisfied?"

Lady Zhu gritted her teeth, but was mindful of the other party's status. "Master Qin, you have powerful backers, and the owner of Qinhuai Tower is no nobody. Aren't you afraid of being put on the kill list by forcibly taking Yu Meiren today?"

Master Qin sneered, "I wonder whose fist is harder, your boss surnamed Xu or Young Master Long."

Madam Zhu was extremely unwilling. "No matter who it is, they can't break the rules of the underworld. This isn't Yunnan. Young Master Long's words are not as effective as Young Master Guo's."

Master Qin dropped his nonchalant demeanor and said coldly, "You can't say that. I don't need this girl. If you want money, go to the Long family yourself."

This arrogant attitude also aroused the dissatisfaction of the customers next to him. "I'm saying, even if you, Young Master Long, came in person, you wouldn't be this arrogant. Qinhuai Restaurant mainly does business in Shanghai, where the connections are very strong, and there are many people you can't afford to offend. If you cause big trouble for your young master, you won't have a good time either."

"Yes."

Other guests chimed in, and gun barrels were pointed at them from both upstairs and downstairs, putting Master Qin in a difficult position.

"Clap..." A sudden clapping sound came from behind, and everyone turned to look.

Jiang Shen was wrapped in gauze, followed by several guards. Upon seeing the attire, they realized it belonged to Commander Guo, and their expressions immediately changed.

Jiang Shen's face was pale, but filled with anger. Reaching the opposite side of Master Qin, he pulled Qingru over without a word.

Master Qin immediately realized what was happening and grabbed the other hand as well.

For a moment, the atmosphere became somewhat tense.