Chapter 32 — I Want to See You Dance a Strip Dance

After Mu Nanjin boarded the boat, she was immediately escorted to the second floor, to Gong Xiurong’s private room. The courtesan’s pleasure barge quickly pulled away from the lakeshore, gliding gracefully toward the center of the lake.

Gong Xiurong raised a small cup of wine and said with a gentle smile, “This cup is to thank Miss Mu for saving my life.”

He had originally planned to visit the Mu residence the next day to express his gratitude, but the Mu family’s steward had turned him away, claiming that Mu Nanjin was injured and could not receive guests. He had not wanted to intrude by force.

Who would have thought they would meet again today at Baodian Lake? Unable to contain his joy, he had immediately invited her onto his boat.

As Mu Nanjin watched the top courtesans perform their graceful dances, she sipped her wine leisurely. “The assassin was trying to kill me too. Driving him off was just self-defense. You don’t need to thank me.”

In truth, saving him had not been an act of pure kindness. She had an ulterior motive.

She remembered reading gossip in the news about her and Gong Xiurong being somehow connected. Her intuition told her that this man could not die, and that he was very likely related to the “mission” her system had mentioned. Since that was the case, why not save him?

Gong Xiurong smiled faintly. “Even so, you still saved me.”

He poured her another cup of wine. “This time, Miss Mu, I also invited you here to say farewell.”

“Farewell?” Mu Nanjin frowned.

So she would not get to see this handsome man again? What a shame.

“Yes,” Gong Xiurong’s eyes darkened. “It seems something may have happened at home. I need to return and check.”

Someone he trusted had betrayed him, and it left him deeply unsettled. Whatever had happened at home must have been serious for that person to act so out of character.

“Oh,” she replied casually.

Her lukewarm response left Gong Xiurong oddly disappointed. The words he had wanted to say hovered on his lips, then faded.

Mu Nanjin caught on. “You have something to say. Spit it out.”

“The journey is long, and there is a chance that I might encounter…”

Seeing his hesitation, she raised a brow. “Are you worried about being ambushed by assassins again? Do you want me to escort you home?”

Gong Xiurong nodded lightly.

Mu Nanjin shook her head. “Impossible. I can’t leave the Great Qian, at least not for now.”

He had expected as much. Smiling faintly, he said, “I was being presumptuous.”

Mu Nanjin’s gaze fell on the red necklace hanging around his neck. “Give me that necklace.”

Without hesitation, Gong Xiurong took it off and handed it to her.

Mu Nanjin infused it with spiritual energy, and before his eyes, the cracked bead repaired itself, the fracture lines vanishing completely.

Gong Xiurong stared in astonishment.

She returned it to him. “With this, even if you run into that assassin again, he will not be able to harm you.”

“Miss Mu, thank you so much. I don’t even know how to repay you.”

He carefully clasped the necklace back around his neck. “By the way, since I’m leaving the Great Qian, I can’t take everything with me. I’d like to gift you Xiaoqing Tower, and two other brothels as well. Once we disembark, I’ll send their land deeds and ownership papers to your residence, along with a few people to assist you.”

What a generous, considerate, and truly charming man.

Hehe… now she could visit the brothels anytime she wanted!

Since she had saved his life, virtually his “second parent,” Mu Nanjin did not stand on ceremony and accepted the gift without hesitation. “Write down the names of the people closest to you, and also those of your enemies.”

“Of course.”

Though puzzled, Gong Xiurong complied.

Mu Nanjin went through the list, pointing out a few names he should be wary of.

The warning made him thoughtful. He was curious how she knew who posed a threat to him, but he did not ask.

“Miss Mu, why are you helping me?”

Without missing a beat, Mu Nanjin replied, “Because you’re good-looking.”

Gong Xiurong blinked, then burst into laughter. “Is that truly the reason?”

She nodded solemnly. “Of course it is.”

His laughter grew brighter and more carefree, loud enough to draw the attention of the courtesans outside the room, who peeked in shyly.

When his laughter finally subsided, he smiled and asked, “Miss Mu, since I’m about to leave the Great Qian, is there anything you’d like me to do for you before I go? If it is within my power, I’ll see it done.”

Mu Nanjin’s eyes lit up instantly. “I want to see you dance a strip dance.”

Gong Xiurong: “…”