“…”

  The implied suggestion really left Bubai speechless.

  Merlin’s stinking diapers, do these guys really want to… do that? Seriously?

  His face must have betrayed his thoughts, for Qian Bage didn’t hold back from teasing him.

  “Ouuu, Brother Bai, what’s with that look? Haha, did you misunderstand something?”

  At his other side, Qian Feifu also smirked. "Oi, oi, Xiao Ba. It’s hard not to misunderstand when you’re being so vague..."

  “Ouu! Ouu! Haha!” Qian Bage patted Bubai’s shoulder.

  “Brother Bai, I can guess what’s running through that head of yours, but don’t worry, a good rabbit doesn’t eat the grass from his brother’s burrow, ou!”

  “Yeah! Yeah! Well said, Xiao Ba!”

  As if to prove their words, Qian Feifu clapped his hand and hollered over his shoulder. “Xiao Panzi, you can send them in!”

  Bubai glanced back, just to see an old acquaintance who had quietly slipped into the room at an unknown time.

  Though this acquaintance’s appearance was a tad more haggard than before, Bubai still recognized him to be the eunuch who served as his tour guide when he first arrived at the sect.

  There was no mistaking that this eunuch similarly recognized himself.

  But upon meeting his gaze, Xiao Panzi averted his eyes, pretending not to recognize him.

  He simply gave a demure little bow and went with the flow. "By your command."

  With that, he stepped back, pulling open the door and waving for those waiting outside to file in.

  A parade of colors flowed into the room—blue, red, yellow, green, and white.

  Five women, five shades, five flavors.

  Their face veils matched their gauzy, flowing robes that bared their generous curves, ranging from mature elegance down to youthful charm.

  Though none possess devastating beauty that could rank them as goddesses, their fair looks were unquestionably at the level of top-tier flowers.

  After lining up from tall to short, the five courtesans curtsied with synchronized grace.

  "Qing Yi, Er, San, Si, Wu greets my lords."

  Bubai blinked. Then blinked again.

  Merlin above, who in the world came up with such lazy names?!

  His moment of stunned silence didn’t go unnoticed.

  With a half-lustful, half-understanding grin on his face, Qian Bage slung an arm around his buddy’s shoulder.

  "Ouuhoho, Brother Bai, how is it? These are the five famous Qingmen Sisters from Bai Hua Lou. Does any of them catch your fancy? You can have first pick!"

  Huh? What’s this? This routine… beauty trap?!

  Shaking off his brief gaffe of surprise, Bubai quickly tore his eyes away and politely rejected. “No need, no need. I’m good, really.”

  From the other side, Qian Feifu also slung an arm around his shoulder.

  “Aiii, brother, you sure? All these butterflies have already been paid for. There’s no need to hold back! It’ll be a waste if we don’t earn back the cost from these spirit stone diggers!”

  “Yea, yea, brother, just take a pick! Don’t be shy!”

  The well-built Qian Zhongta rubbed his hands together eagerly.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  Even the taciturn second brother shot Bubai a look that practically said “please, no need to be polite”.

  Getting put through all this peer pressure, Bubai almost couldn’t refuse!

  Honestly, there is no harm in playing around here, especially since he didn’t mind watering this quality of flowers.

  But he knew: the more he accepts now, the harder it’ll be to refuse later! So...

  “Bubai appreciates everyone’s kindness, truly, but I’ll have to pass.”

  He patted the soft hand that was kneading his shoulder like a dough. "I still think it’s better to stick with the rose I brought from home."

  The brothers collectively shifted their gazes to the beauty in qipao standing behind him, and a look of understanding dawned on their faces.

  "Ouu, right, right! With such a big beauty already in hand, Brother Bai really has no need to look at other wildflowers, hahaha!"

  “Yeah, yeah! Whew~ A lady from the palace definitely has her plus points!”

  Seeing an opportunity, Qian Feifu let go of Bubai, then saluted the others.

  “Hey, since Brother Bai has his own priorities… if my dear brothers don’t mind, then let me bear the burden of two for all of you.”

  A beat of silence. Then, the group erupted in protest!

  "Ouuuu! Lao Wu, how can you be so shameless?!"

  "Yeah, yeah! We all paid for this equally from our own pockets! Why do you get an extra?!"

  "Aii, it’s cause I can handle two in the same time you weaklings can barely manage one!"

  "Pei! That’s just ‘cause you’re a quick finisher! Better to let my endurance speak!"

  "Ouuu, please! I think my length has the strongest right to speak!"

  Seeing his younger brothers all arguing like they were in a vegetable market, the oldest taciturn Qian Fusha frowned and knocked on his armrest.

  "Enough, enough! Have you all not embarrassed yourselves enough in front of Brother Bai?"

  The rowdy argument instantly died down, and the brothers looked over at Bubai with awkward smiles.

  Qian Fusha gave Bubai an apologetic nod. "Apologies, Brother Bai, you shouldn’t have to watch these rascals making a joke of themselves."

  Bubai waved a hand, laughing lightly. "No, no, please don’t mind me. By all means, please carry on."

  But Qian Fusha’s face remained serious.

  “No. If we let these rascals go on, they can argue until the sun sets. Let’s put an end to it here. Huh. That’s it, I’ve decided.”

  “I know Brother Bai isn’t interested now, but the days ahead are long. In the meantime, let me hold on to the extra for you.”

  A beat of silence—then chaos erupted once more!

  "Ouuu?! Lao Er, I never knew you were this kind of person!"

  "Yeah! How cunning!"

  “No, no, Lao Er, what gives you the right to decide that?”

  “Right?” Qian Fusha snorted. “I’m the oldest here. I have the final say!”

  “Shameless!” “Yeah!” “Ouu!”

  Qian Fusha let out a rare chuckle. “Okay, okay, I won’t take advantage of you lot. Rascals, go ahead and choose first—starting from the youngest.”

  "Ouuu! Lao Er is the best!"

  The youngest got won over and immediately took his pick. "Qing San, it’s you!"

  The middle one in green stepped forward and curtsied with a disciplined smile. “San’er obeys.”

  Checking out the slim lady breezing over, Qian Feifu smacked his lips. "Aiya, Xiao Ba, you still can’t resist the green jade like always."

  Without missing a beat, he waved a hand toward the shortest end in the lineup. "As for me, my taste is still white."

  Qing Wu blinked innocently then quietly shuffled forward.

  Seeing the youngest of the batch floating over like a white lotus, Qian Zhongta laughed out loud.

  “Ahah! You, Lao Wu, still like them pure and innocent. But I personally still like them experienced!” He then pointed at the lady in hot red sporting ruby earrings. “Qing Yi, come!”

  “As my lord wishes.”

  The ripe as a juicy peach woman in red showed that amorous smile—the kind only a woman well-versed in pleasure could wear.

  Swaying her hips, she made her way around while shooting a provocative glance at the other redhead in the room.

  To her dismay, her low-level tricks got completely ignored.

  She was unhappy, but due to the difference in status, she still held back her tongue and simply slinked over to her partner.

  “Ayoh Young lord Ta, Yi’er can’t wait to feel you inside me”

  “Ahahaha! Yeah, yeah, I’ll fill you up lots today!”

  Three sisters were already helping three brothers get in the mood, leaving the daisy yellow and serene blue who fell into the hands of the eldest.

  Qian Fusha welcomed the twin swans with open arms, hugging them left and right.

  “Lord Fusha, who would you like to try first? Da Er or Xiao Si?”

  “Hmm. I have no problem handling both at the same time.”

  “Hehe, Lord Fushuai, you’re so bad~”

  With that, each brother had their share, while the only half-man had already quietly stepped out and shut the door.

  This left four men greedily getting drunk on the fragrance of flowers.

  “Ouuu, this scent—just the right touch of bamboo, exactly how I like it. Great! As expected of you spirit stone diggers! You even know this!”

  “Aiyo! You don’t say! It’s not everyday we get to enjoy top quality like this! The garden back home really can’t compare!”

  “Yeah, yeah! Nothing like a wild blossom to warm us up! Hahaha!”

  Laughter filled the room, accompanied by the rustling of silk and the amorous giggles of the courtesans.

  Smelling the floral perfume invading his nose, Bubai sat there stiffly, peeking left, peeking right.

  Too close. This was literally front-row seat to a live battle!

  Everywhere, there were hands roaming freely, lips whispering teasing words, and eyes throwing half-flirtatious, half-curious glances his way as if investigating a prey.

  Merlin’s beard! They had their hands full, but they still didn’t want to let him go?!

  Still, it was just the same boring routine. Nothing worth staring at!

  Bubai forced himself to look forward at the live battle happening outside.

  But... he was no sage.

  He could pretend not to see, pretend not to hear, pretend not to feel, but it’s hard for something to not react…

  Slowly, inevitably, something stirred.

  Harder. Longer. Stiffer.

  Dear Merlin, can he really resist the temptation? Or more like… how long can he resist?