C15 Is the Suspicion Equivalent to Guilt?

News travels fastest in places bustling with people. Where the masses converge, you'll find either gambling dens or brothels!" Jia Jiucheng mused to himself.

In South City, the most renowned brothel was undoubtedly the Hundred Flower Building. It often puzzled people why such a grand establishment would be set up in a poor district. Would anyone even visit?

Dingyuan City was divided into four districts: East Market, West Market, South City, and North District. Those in the know were aware that South City was densely populated, accounting for 80% of Dingyuan's residents, thanks to its proximity to resource-rich areas.

Moreover, if a brothel were to open in the North District, it would hardly be convenient. Men seeking pleasure would have their wives knocking on their doors daily, or worse, watching and gossiping about them from the shadows.

"Mrs. Hsiao, come quickly," Worker Zhang called out upon his arrival.

"Ah, here comes the Great Official Zhang," a woman of exquisite poise and beauty emerged from behind the fluttering silk curtains.

She had a fair, oval face with rosy lips and pearly teeth, her eyes sparkling with allure. The faint lines at the corners of her mouth hinted at the passage of time.

Adorned in a vibrant silk gown, her delicate feet peeked out, the fairness of her skin contrasting with the tiny moles that dotted it.

Mrs. Hsiao, once a celebrated courtesan of the brothel, was now of an age with no other refuge. She had taken it upon herself to run the Hundred Flower Building, having never married or borne children.

"Boss, take Laosan and Laosi with you to have fun. I need to discuss some matters with Mrs. Hsiao," she said, instructing her sisters to look after them before sauntering off, her hands suggestively on her hips.

"Look at you," she chided. "Pinger, come quickly and attend to these distinguished guests!"

Pinger, Mrs. Hsiao's confidante and right-hand woman, was both striking and tastefully dressed, her beauty radiant yet refined.

"I'm on my way, Mother. Gentlemen, please follow me," she said, leading the guests away.

"This lecher's tastes are indeed peculiar. Could it be that Mrs. Hsiao is the most desirable one here?" Zhu Yeqing wondered aloud.

Mrs. Hsiao is the epitome of romance and truly understands men's fears.

Worker Zhang wrapped his arms around Mrs. Hsiao and led her into a room. As soon as the door shut, all pretense of politeness vanished. He embraced Mrs. Hsiao tightly and they began to get intimate.

"Look at you, so eager!" Mrs. Hsiao laughed softly.

A storm of passion ignited within the room as primal desires unfolded.

"Come, behind me…" Mrs. Hsiao turned around.

"Hmm… Ah, hey, that's not right, where did you go?" Her hips swayed gently, her flesh rippling seductively, captivating onlookers.

"Get out of there, go down…"

Worker Zhang laughed and complied, "Haha, have you heard of the Xie family at 254 Yellow River Street?"

While moaning, Mrs. Hsiao replied, "I've heard of them. Those two sisters are gorgeous. Surely you haven't fallen for them?"

Their union was as inseparable as water mingling with glue.

"What are you talking about? They died last night!"

"Recently, I saw Xiao Pozi always following those two sisters around Yellow River Street. Many girls in the building noticed and teased him for aspiring to such lofty heights."

"Ah! Really?"

"Yes!"

...

Eldest senior brother Geh Yuanliang and third senior brother Zhu Yeqing, accompanied by Jia Jiucheng, settled into an elegant private room upstairs. They summoned Pinger to serve them food and wine and requested that she quickly bring out the girls for them to see.

During the Song Dynasty, the term "miss" was used for women providing companionship services. Jia Jiucheng, though unfamiliar with such matters, was not entirely ignorant, having heard of them even if he hadn't experienced them firsthand.

The age-old dynamic between brothels and their patrons remains a heated topic. Who is to blame? It's merely a transaction: women driven by necessity, men by desire. Ultimately, the patrons are the ones who indulge excessively. After countless encounters, they leave no lasting mark; ultimately, they gain nothing but a fleeting obsession. Life passes swiftly, and in the end, we all return to dust.

In this lifetime, Jia Jiucheng had no intention of squandering his life on such matters. He yearned to find a love that was truly his own, rather than entangle himself with the suffering women of the brothels.

Life was still long, and he refused to let himself decay!

Soon enough, the food and wine arrived, accompanied by Pinger and a troupe of beautiful women. They gathered around the table, a dazzling array of charm and grace.

"Kid, you're definitely a virgin, aren't you? Why don't you pick first?" Zhu Yeqing teased Jia Jiucheng with a nod of her chin.

To be honest, despite being a second-generation man, Jia Jiucheng was indeed a virgin, a status he'd maintained for several decades.

"No, no," Jia Jiucheng stammered, his face flushing with embarrassment as he edged away, wishing he could disappear into the ground.

"Ding... The system has issued a mission. Unique Side Line Mission 3: Shame.

Mission Description: Jia Jiucheng has remained a virgin for a total of forty-two years—twenty-five on Earth plus seventeen since crossing over. The system is deeply ashamed and requires the player to resolve his virginity within one month (since you're not using it anyway, you surely won't mind... with the stipulation that all actions must be consensual and not violate any moral or legal standards).

Mission Success: Your 'little brother' grows an inch, and you earn 100 taels of gold.

Mission Failure: Your 'little brother' shrinks three inches (evil smiley face)."

The countdown starts at 29 days, 23 hours, 59 minutes, and 59 seconds.

The countdown starts at 29 days, 23 hours, 59 minutes, and 58 seconds.

...

"Uh..." Jia Jiucheng's heart skipped a beat. Damn, the system had actually issued such an indecent mission. Was this its way of pushing him to get married? To solve his singlehood within a month?

Eldest senior brother Geh Yuanliang intervened, "Laosan, don't trouble the boy. I'll handle this." He surveyed the room and chose a woman with flowing hair and a striking figure.

Zhu Yeqing wasted no time embracing two fair-skinned, red-lipped women in purple attire. "I'll take two!"

The two women giggled. "Official, you're quite the man!"

"Laosi, don't be shy. It's not like you're picking a wife. Just find someone to sit with for a bit. Surely you're not rootless, are you?"

The room erupted in laughter at the comment.

Jia Jiucheng, internally rolling his eyes, casually pointed and said, "Her, then."

The woman he chose smiled knowingly and said, "I had a feeling you'd pick me," as she sauntered over.

Jia Jiucheng gestured for her to keep her distance, which she did without a word, leaving them both feeling somewhat awkward. Meanwhile, the two senior brothers were far less reserved, grabbing food and drink with both hands and thoroughly enjoying themselves.

After a short time, the woman came back with a glass of wine. Jia Jiucheng, puzzled, asked, "What's this for?"

"According to the establishment's rules, I must offer a toast to everyone present," she replied.

Jia Jiucheng, ever astute, figured this was likely a strategy by Mrs. Hsiao to go through more wine and boost profits, possibly with some incentive for the ladies as well.

Now that they were conversing, Jia Jiucheng inquired further, "What's your name?"

"Jin Lin!"

"Jin Lin, as in the one from the saying 'a golden scale is not a common fish'? Quite poetic," Jia Jiucheng mused, reminded of something from his past life.

"No, it's Jinling. From Jinling City, that Jinling!"

Jia Jiucheng pondered whether the mission could be completed simply by spending money here, as it was entirely voluntary and met the requirements. He mulled over this perplexing task.

...

The conversation was brief, and Jia Jiucheng's first visit to the brothel wrapped up in less than half an hour. Worker Zhang came rushing out, calling, "Let's go, let's go! Enough playing around, we've got a case to solve!"

Zhu Yeqing muttered under his breath with a hint of complaint, "Is it over already?"

"No more playing, we've got a lead," Worker Zhang said, tossing a silver ingot onto the table, about two taels in weight. Jia Jiucheng estimated that each woman probably earned just a few hundred yuan.

"Ah, but we were just getting started!"

"Who is it?"

"Capture Xiao Pozi from Yellow River Street and he'll tell us everything we need to know."

Soon, they arrived at 65 Yellow River Street, where Xiao Pozi and his family were happily enjoying dinner together. Just then, four figures approached the house, clad in the uniform of the Captor.

Xiao Pozi, with the surname Long, was at home when Old Man Loong spotted the visitors. "Ah, Official Master, please come in. What brings you to my humble abode today?"

"I won't be sitting today, Old Dragon. Is Xiao Pozi home?"

"Yes, he's right over there." In the corner sat a frail and simple-minded youth, who waved his hand cheerily. He appeared to be about 16 or 17 years old.

"Scram! Why aren't you upstairs already?" Old Man Loong, sensing the visitor's ill intent, quickly tried to dismiss the boy. Xiao Pozi, upon hearing this, made his way upstairs, his uneven gait indicating his difficulty in walking.

"Official Zhang, Zhang Tou, my son was born with disabilities and is a bit slow. If he has done anything wrong, I apologize on his behalf. Please, be generous and forgive him." The common folk often felt fear upon encountering government officials.

Brushing past the old man, Worker Zhang followed Xiao Pozi upstairs. "We have a matter at the yamen that requires Xiao Pozi's cooperation for an investigation. We just need to ask him a few questions."

Xiao Pozi quickly tried to evade, crying out, "Dad, Dad!" Overwhelmed, he didn't know what else to say.

"Official Master, may I inquire about the issue? My son seldom leaves the house. Could you please explain?" asked Old Man Loong.

"I apologize, Old Dragon, but I can't disclose any details at the moment. We just need to bring him in for some questioning. What's with all his dodging?" replied Worker Zhang.

Ultimately, the commoners had no power against the officials, and Xiao Pozi had no choice but to go with them. Old Man Loong calmed his son and encouraged him to quietly accompany Worker Zhang and his group.

Back at the yamen, Worker Zhang locked Xiao Pozi in a cell and summoned everyone together. He then ordered some snacks, saying, "Let's eat quickly. We'll have to work late tonight interrogating him. The case is nearly solved; we just need to get Xiao Pozi to talk."

"Is that really all there is to it?" Jia Jiucheng wondered, feeling uneasy. He was concerned because there was no evidence, and Xiao Pozi hardly seemed physically capable of criminal activity.

Jia Jiucheng queried, "Worker Zhang, Master Zhang, how can you be so sure that Xiao Pozi is the culprit?"

Worker Zhang replied, "On what basis do I judge? It's all about intuition!"

Jia Jiucheng's face registered skepticism and incredulity.

"If you don't believe me, just consider this: a criminal's dark heart can't hide from my watchful eyes," Worker Zhang declared with conviction. "Nothing in this world can elude my gaze."

"And what about me?" challenged Jia Jiucheng.

Worker Zhang peered into Jia Jiucheng's eyes, attempting to discern his innermost thoughts. After a moment, he admitted with a hint of remorse, "I've heard about the situation with your father. I wasn't at the yamen then; I was out and about. My apologies!"