Chapter 504
It must be the natural fragrance that Luo Ji carries, rather than her actively using her skills.
This meant that the other party's first test had passed.
Luo Ji sized up the young man across from her and put on a smile once more:
“I really can’t understand what could possibly attract young Li Lang to Wan Chun Ting. It can’t be... me, a widow, can it?”
She leaned forward, her demeanor humble yet subtly alluring.
“If that’s the case, you could have just let me know, no need to trouble the adults further.”
Li Mo couldn’t trust a word from this wicked woman; all of it was just her probing for the reason he had come.
But he also didn’t know that this was the Di Jing branch of Xi Yu Lou, and he couldn’t tell Luo Ji that it was merely a beautiful coincidence—she wouldn’t believe him anyway.
But who said little Li wasn’t a genius?
After a moment of thought, he found a reason.
Maintaining his icy demeanor, he replied flatly:
“The most troublesome thing about Xi Yu Lou is that it recognizes money over people, yet that’s also what makes it so appealing.”
“You want to hire me for something?”
Luo Ji narrowed her eyes, slowly rising to sit beside him.
She personally brewed some flower tea, crossing her legs, her gaze lowered, but her peripheral vision never strayed far from Li Mo’s expression.
It seemed she was trying to catch a hint of discomfort from him.
“Every renowned beauty on the Hundred Flowers List is bound to attract attention. I feel more at ease knowing they’re staying here.”
“Should I lend a hand? My services don’t come cheap. Is it worth such a price for this matter?”
“As long as it’s worth it, that’s all that matters.”
Li Mo remained impassive: “You must know that I’m acquainted with quite a few women on that list.”
“Now you’ve met another one. But this place is dear to me; it’s said that a gentleman doesn’t take what others cherish…”
Luo Ji poured tea into his cup and kindly handed it to him.
“The value of Wan Chun Ting isn’t in its location or decor, but in you and your people. Change the venue, and as long as you’re there, it won’t be long before it becomes the second Wan Chun Ting.”
Li Mo took a sip of tea, glancing at the ‘unremarkable’ wicked woman, ignoring her little gestures:
“I don’t like using other people’s things. This place belongs to me; you can take your payment and find somewhere else.”
The domineering little Li, devoid of sentiment.
Since it was business, spending a bit more was naturally a good thing.
Why not trade a pile of useless gold and silver for something useful?
“?”
Luo Ji narrowed her eyes.
Had she just flirted with a blind man?
Her usual tricks with young men like Li Mo had failed; he hadn’t even glanced her way, showing more interest in the cup of flower tea in his hand than in her.
What was even more infuriating was that this kid, brimming with vitality, was practically on fire, his physique better than many trained fighters.
A mature woman might not be as pretty as a young girl, but let’s be honest, she could be far more alluring to a young man…
Little did she know.
This version of Li Mo had seen through the facade; in his dreams, he dared to have his Empress Master call him “husband”!
“All things in Xi Yu Lou have their price. Name your offer.”
“I have a suggestion.”
Luo Ji, with her leg crossed, lightly kicked his calf with her toes, smiling sweetly:
“How about something for free?”
“?”
“For a talent like you, consider it an investment from me. Let’s be friends…”
The closer she got, the more she leaned in.
But little Li knew one thing: free things are often the most expensive.
Besides, he wouldn’t invest without spending anything; how could he engage in such a deal?
So he pulled out two deposit slips, blocking Luo Ji’s face.
Just as she was about to smile and speak, her expression turned to confusion.
She recognized the deposit slips from Hengtong Trading Company, but the withdrawal section was blank.
“How much do you want? Just fill in the number.”
“...”
Back when Li Mo was in Yunzhou, he had everyone in the Yunzhou branch acting as his bodyguards.
At first, she had doubted the authenticity of the information.
Now, she suddenly had no doubts.
“This tea isn’t bad. I’ll take some back to try.”
Li Mo knew he had passed this hurdle, and the business was settled.
He grabbed a handful of flower tea, rubbed it against his neck, and then stuffed two bags into his pocket.
As the crisp notification sound rang in his ears, he pushed the door open and walked out.
After a moment of watching his retreating figure down the stairs, Luo Ji finally spoke:
“Come out.”
As her words fell, the music from behind the screen stopped, and a woman set down her instrument, gracefully stepping forward.
Dressed in maid attire, her features were slightly obscured until she revealed her true appearance.
“Mian Mian, it seems your taste has gone a bit overboard.”
“Recruiting talents for the establishment is my duty.”
Yin Mian Mian’s eyes flickered.
Luo Ji teased, “Since you don’t fancy him, I’ve been a widow for many years, and I could…”
“Don’t make such jokes!” Yin Mian Mian immediately became alert.
Luo Ji smiled even more, feigning innocence: “Look at you, why are you so anxious? Didn’t you say it was perfectly reasonable?”
“I’m looking out for you,” Yin Mian Mian shook her head.
“What do you mean by that?”
“If you want to die at Ying Bing’s hands, don’t drag me down with you.”
...
Upon reaching the main hall, Li Mo looked up at the sky, realizing it was already noon.
After reaching an agreement with Wan Chun Ting, Luo Ji had indeed been working; soon, a list of the women on the roster arrived in his hands.
Not just the list, but a wealth of information, more detailed than the divine eye of fate.
Some were yet to arrive.
Some were unlikely to come, while others were on their way.
“Those who can arrive in a couple of days... Mao Zhen, Lu Yunyi…”
“Uncertain arrivals, merchants…”
Li Mo flipped through the pages, pretending not to see.
Since there was still time, he decided to gather the Hundred Flowers together, at least to collect the handover for the upcoming performance.
“Please inform them.”
“Of course, of course.”
“By the way, do you have a grill here?”
The servant, upon hearing his request, went from room to room to inquire.
Well, although they had prepared performance props in advance, he had no idea what they actually needed.
No matter, he would ask them all later.
For now, let’s get the skewers going.
“I’m really hungry today.”
Li Mo said as he brushed sauce onto the grill.
Yes, he was genuinely hungry.
It had nothing to do with the overwhelming scent of various women that would soon fill the air...
---
**Chapter 569: A Gap Opens Between the Young Talents**
What’s the most important thing about skewers?
Is it how delicious they are?
No, that’s only the second most important thing; the top priority is the aroma!
Just like instant noodles, once they’re cooked, they smell so good that anyone with an empty stomach will drool. Barbecue has a similar effect!
Little Li Master put a lot of effort into the fragrance, filling the entire Wan Chun Ting with a spicy aroma.
However, skewers aren’t common in Di Jing, as they’re messy and considered low-class.
If we were to make a comparison.
Wan Chun Ting would be a seven-star hotel, where everyone must wear ties and suits, while barbecue is more like a roadside stall; its presence here feels a bit out of place.
What if the one grilling skewers is the top of the Qianlong List?
Now that would be even weirder!
After the servant notified everyone, the doors opened one by one, and many curious women, eager to see this man with a “wife-attracting spirit,” had even dressed up a bit upon hearing he had arrived.
The women on the Hundred Flowers List were mostly quite young.
Time is a cruel blade; beauty fades, and while the women on the list are stunning and renowned, it doesn’t mean their talents can defy the passage of time.
Moreover, figures like the leader of the Penglai Star Sect, a top-tier powerhouse, wouldn’t bother attending a Hundred Flowers gathering.
“What a fragrant smell... Who is Li Shao Xia?” Lan Tian surveyed the hall.
“Looks like... he’s grilling skewers over there?” Tu Yan raised an eyebrow.
The women exchanged glances, each reflecting the confusion in the others’ eyes.
The image of the top of the Qianlong List seemed to be fading away.
“Isn’t he the sword hero who wields the Tianren Divine Sword...?”
“I saw his poetry in Yunzhou and thought he was a cultured gentleman, like a jade-like nobleman.”
“Something about him feels a bit different from what I imagined.”
“Wan Chun Ting’s food is pricey, but surely he wouldn’t bring his own to grill, making such a strong smell.”
Madam Shen covered her nose, her brows knitting together.
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