Chapter 76 Something’s Off About This Girl!

From the moment Mo Jianjia took her seat, the atmosphere at the table grew lively. Mo Jianjia was remarkably conversational; whether the topic was poetry, literature, painting, seal carving, anecdotes, or idle chatter, she always had something to contribute. Throughout the conversation, she was especially considerate of Xu Mo’s feelings, frequently casting glances in his direction—sometimes gentle as water, sometimes brimming with affection.

In contrast, Xu Mo’s attitude toward her was much colder. Unless Mo Jianjia addressed him directly, he wouldn’t initiate any conversation. This left Mo Jianjia feeling quite frustrated. Was she really so unattractive? Why did he seem so indifferent and unresponsive?

On ordinary days, when wealthy young men visited Lisui Pavilion, they all vied for her attention, falling over themselves to please her. Now, however, the situation was entirely different, and Mo Jianjia found it hard to adapt. If she failed to lure Xu Mo into a private room, she was certain Wang Shunyang and the others would mock her relentlessly.

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became, and the more embarrassed she felt. At this point, she was no longer fighting just for those four bars of scented soap—she was fighting for her dignity, for the honor of being Lisui Pavilion’s most sought-after courtesan.

“Mr. Xu, please smell my hand,” Mo Jianjia suddenly made her move, lifting her right hand and holding it out before Xu Mo.

Both Li Changsi and Ning Yongqiang were slightly taken aback by this, but they exchanged a glance and said nothing.

Xu Mo paused, puzzled. “Miss Jianjia, why do you want me to smell your hand all of a sudden?”

Mo Jianjia kept her hand outstretched, her voice coy and sweet, “Mr. Xu, don’t ask yet. Just have a sniff and you’ll understand.”

As she spoke, she deliberately swayed her waist, causing the softness of her chest to tremble slightly.

Yet Xu Mo remained unmoved and shook his head. “I’d rather not.”

Seeing Xu Mo refuse her, Mo Jianjia immediately pouted, lowering her hand forcefully and complaining, “Mr. Xu, you truly don’t know how to appreciate a woman’s charm.”

At this, Li Changsi said, “Miss Jianjia, if Mr. Xu won’t smell it, then I shall.”

But Mo Jianjia shook her head, “Young Master Li, you needn’t save me from embarrassment. I suppose my plain looks simply fail to catch Mr. Xu’s eye.”

Li Changsi quickly tried to persuade Xu Mo, “Mr. Xu, that’s not quite right. This is Lisui Pavilion—it’s a place for us men to find pleasure and amusement. There’s no need for such formality.”

He then looked to Ning Yongqiang, signaling him to join in.

Ning Yongqiang took the hint and chimed in, “Indeed, Mr. Xu. Miss Jianjia rarely takes the initiative like this—surely there’s a reason behind her actions. Just go along with it a little. Don’t make things awkward for her.”

No sooner had they finished speaking than Mo Jianjia fixed Xu Mo with a pitiful gaze, waiting for his response.

Xu Mo, feeling helpless, finally nodded.

Mo Jianjia’s face lit up instantly. She raised both hands, leaned forward, and held them before Xu Mo.

He took a shallow sniff.

At once, a familiar fragrance wafted into Xu Mo’s nostrils.

This scene did not escape the notice of Wang Shunyang and Wu Boyi, who were hidden on the second floor.

Wang Shunyang, green with envy, clenched his fists in anger. “So, Xu Mo dares to smell my woman!”

Wu Boyi, beside him, quickly tried to calm him. “Young Master Wang, don’t be upset. As the saying goes, you can’t catch a wolf without risking your own child… bear with it, just bear with it…”

Suppressing his rage, Wang Shunyang said, “Give orders immediately. When this is over, I want that man’s nose broken! How dare he smell my woman—damn him!”

Wu Boyi nodded hurriedly and dashed off.

At the entrance, Qin Moutu also witnessed the scene.

Qin Moutu felt a pang of anxiety. He remembered Xu Hui warning him that the courtesans of pleasure houses had many tricks to attract men. It seemed this fox spirit had already started using her charms on his master.

“Mr. Xu, does it smell nice?” Mo Jianjia asked with a smile.

“It does,” Xu Mo replied. “So you like to wash your hands with scented soap, Miss Jianjia?”

“You know about scented soap, Mr. Xu?” Mo Jianjia was slightly surprised. Although scented soap was famous throughout the city now, most people only knew the name, not the scent.

Xu Mo nodded. “Just happened to know, that’s all.”

Mo Jianjia pressed, “Then can you guess which fragrance I used?”

At this question, Ning Yongqiang couldn’t help but chuckle, “Miss Jianjia, do you know who he is? Does he really…”

Before he could finish, he felt a hard kick under the table.

He turned to see Xu Mo looking at him.

Ning Yongqiang realized at once that he’d nearly slipped up.

“Master Ning, what were you going to say? Why stop suddenly?” Mo Jianjia asked.

Ning Yongqiang forced a smile and quickly changed his words, “I… I just meant, how could he possibly guess…”

Ignoring him, Mo Jianjia turned to Xu Mo, “Mr. Xu, since you recognized the scent of soap, surely you can guess what fragrance it is?”

Xu Mo shook his head. “Sorry, Miss Jianjia, I really don’t know. Perhaps Young Master Li should try instead.”

At this, Li Changsi immediately straightened his back, looking expectantly at Mo Jianjia.

Mo Jianjia pretended not to hear him and promptly said, “Mr. Xu, the soap I used is peony-scented. If you don’t believe me, take a closer smell—isn’t there a hint of peony blossom?”

She held out her hand again.

This time, Xu Mo gently pushed her hand aside and smiled, “Miss Jianjia, I’m rather tired. I’ll take my leave for today.”

As he was about to rise, Mo Jianjia said in a wounded tone, “Does Mr. Xu truly dislike me so much?”

Xu Mo paused in surprise, then shook his head, “Of course not, Miss Jianjia.”

“Then why have you been so cold toward me from the start, and now you can’t wait to leave, as if you’re trying to avoid me?”

“It’s not that, Miss Jianjia, you misunderstand. I really am just a bit tired, so—”

Before he could finish, Mo Jianjia interrupted, “I know a way to banish your fatigue, Mr. Xu!”

Xu Mo looked at her, puzzled.

With great tenderness, Mo Jianjia said, “Why don’t we find a quiet place, Mr. Xu? I’d be honored to play the zither for you alone, and afterwards, I can massage your shoulders and back. That’s the best way to ease your tiredness.”

What?

Xu Mo was taken aback—his first thought: This girl is not right!

Even though it was his first time in a brothel, he knew well enough that such places were dens of indulgence. Even an ordinary girl wouldn’t be so forward without seeing any silver exchanged, let alone a famed courtesan like Mo Jianjia.

Yet here she was, so eager to get close to him after just meeting, without him having spent a single coin…

Just what on earth did she want?

Suspicion rose sharply in his mind. Xu Mo immediately became vigilant.