Don't mess with that Miao boy, he's sickly and perverted.

He raised his chin and pointed diagonally forward.

A magnificent, brightly lit pavilion with carved beams and painted rafters stands prominently on the riverbank in the bustling city.

On the plaque above the pavilion, three large gilded characters gleamed brightly—"Illusory Sound Pavilion".

As if afraid others wouldn't know what was going on inside, a small, flamboyant flag fluttered in front of the window along the street, with two large, flamboyant characters on it: Brothel.

"I won't stay!"

Before Chai Xiaomi could speak, two resolute and chilling words came from behind her.

There seemed to be a hint of gritted teeth in that voice.

The uncle laughed, "Young master, don't be so quick to anger. I'm not that kind of person who lacks sense of propriety. How could I let your young lady really end up in such a place?"

"These are unusual times, and all the inns are full. There are many travelers from other places, including some respectable young women like this lady. They have no choice but to stay temporarily in these empty rooms in brothels. They just want a place to shelter from the wind and rain, and they'll behave themselves."

He gestured towards the brightly lit pavilion: "Of all the buildings in Qianwu Town now, this Huanyin Pavilion is the largest. We might even be able to find a room available. However, the price will naturally be much higher than usual. If you hesitate any longer, even the last bed there might be snatched up."

Without hesitation, Chai Xiaomi immediately declared, "Stop!"

They lived in a brothel!

Wouldn't a brothel that can entertain guests from all directions be better in scale and facilities than an ordinary restaurant?

Putting everything else aside, the bed is definitely more spacious, softer, and more comfortable than those in the guesthouse.

Otherwise, how can people roll around?

"Go live there yourself if you want, don't drag me into this!" Wu Li's face suddenly darkened, and two cold flames seemed to flicker in his eyes.

Those cheap tulle fabrics, the sticky calls, the mingled scents of cosmetics...

Even the remaining fragments of memory made his stomach churn.

He would never go to such a disgusting place again in his life; he would rather sleep in a tree.

Chai Xiaomi was baffled by his sudden outburst of anger.

What did I do to offend him again?

What do you mean by dragging him into the water? It's not like we're forcing him to "go into the sea," why are you so agitated?

"Fine, I'll stay here by myself." Chai Xiaomi snorted. She'd rather not stay here. She'd be happy to sleep in a room by herself, saving her the trouble of getting dressed and showering at different times than him.

Seeing the young couple arguing over a single comment he made, the candy vendor felt a little annoyed. He quickly handed them two solidified sugar figurines and tried to smooth things over with a smile: "Young lady, don't be angry with your husband. In this world, how many men avoid brothels like the plague? Your husband is truly a rare find."

"Alright then, I'll give you another sugar figurine for free. Young lady, what kind would you like to make?"

Chai Xiaomi looked down at the two lifelike sugar figurines in her hands, amazed. Her eyes lit up at the words, "Uncle, your craftsmanship is truly amazing! Could you make me another pair of sugar figurines holding hands? Thank you!"

She didn't take it for nothing; she counted out another ten coins and stuffed them into his hand.

The uncle gratefully accepted the gift, then turned to the cold-faced young man and advised, "Young master, please calm down. Young ladies always need to be coaxed. My old wife is getting on in years, and I still have to coax her every day."

"Such a sweet-talking and pretty girl, if you don't cherish her and coax her carefully, she might be snatched away by someone else in no time."

Wu Li scoffed coldly: "So what if they ran away?"

She's so delicate; her face turns red and she can't catch her breath after walking a short distance up a mountain path. Where could she possibly run off to?

Even if she had a whole day to run, he could catch her in less than half an incense stick's time.

Chai Xiaomi held a candy stick in each of her hands.

On the left is "Lili," standing with her arms crossed and an arrogant expression, and on the right is "Xiaomi," standing with her hands on her hips and looking very smug.

She was looking down at it, finding the contrast in posture quite amusing, and couldn't help but smile.

Suddenly, a hand with distinct knuckles reached out from the side.

Without a word, he snatched the "millet" from her right hand, which was on her hip.

"Hey!" she exclaimed softly, quickly handing over the "Lili" coin in her left hand. "Yours is here."

"don't want."

Wu Li didn't even glance at the sugar figurine that belonged to her. She just twirled the "millet" between her fingers with curiosity, as if she had received some rare toy. She even gently poked the bulging face of the sugar figurine with her fingertip. "I want this one."

Chai Xiaomi was furious and glared at him.

He decisively bit off the head of the remaining "Lili" sugar figurine with a "snap".

Then she tilted her head back, put the candy head in her mouth, and mumbled at him in a smug and triumphant tone, "Your head is pretty sweet."

To everyone's surprise, he didn't even lift his eyelids, his fingertips still slowly twirling the "millet" candy figurine, his voice drifting over lightly:

"Then eat more, to replenish what you have. One head might not be enough, or you can have someone draw a whole string of heads for you."

Chai Xiaomi: "..."

Half an hour later.

The four people and the cat met up again in the same spot.

The results brought back by both sides were exactly the same. The only place with an empty room left is the Illusionary Sound Pavilion.

At Jiang Zhiyu's suggestion, everyone voted.

Ultimately, four votes were in favor of admission.

There was only one vote against.

The objection was invalid.

You Tiao (a type of fried dough stick) nervously spoke in Chai Xiaomi's mind: "Host, I feel like the villain really wants to hit someone right now."

Chai Xiaomi glanced at Wu Li, who was lagging behind, out of the corner of her eye.

His complexion did not look very good.

It's probably because they wanted to stay in brothels.

He had been adamant about not staying, but Song Yueyao had just whispered a few words of persuasion, saying that there were many male customers in the brothel and it was not unusual for men to stay there, but it would be unusual for women to stay there. Hearing this, he silently compromised.

Sure enough, the female lead's words were the most effective.

A slight bitterness welled up in her heart for no reason. She pursed her lips and turned her head back.

Just then, Ji Fangshi leaped down from Jiang Zhiyu's shoulder and nimbly jumped onto the roof to scout ahead.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Chai Xiaomi quickly walked a few steps to Jiang Zhiyu's side and handed over the pair of sugar figurines that she had been carefully protecting.

On two bamboo sticks, two small sugar figurines, a man and a woman, hold hands, their syrup solidifying them into an inseparable whole.

"Brother Yu," she whispered, gesturing towards Song Yueyao's retreating figure ahead, "use this to appease her."

Jiang Zhiyu accepted the sugar figurine, and his gloom of the past few days seemed to find a small outlet at this moment.

He had always felt that everyone was drawing a line between him and Yao Yao, and even Yao Yao herself seemed to be retreating. That feeling of isolation and helplessness almost overwhelmed him.

But now a supporter has emerged who is still on his side.

He looked at the girl with the clear smile before him, a genuine emotion welling up in his eyes: "I truly didn't mistake you for a sister, Xiaomi. From now on, wherever Jiang Zhiyu is, you can walk sideways!"

"It's nothing." Chai Xiaomi smiled and waved her hand. "On your big day in the future, just remember to let me sit at the head table, in the most prominent position."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhiyu's tightly furrowed brows finally relaxed, and his voice became lighter: "Of course! How could my sister not be at the head table? Whether the wedding goes well or not depends on her."