Chapter 91 - Chit-chat (1/2)
Translator: StarReader
Editor: p4553r
Zhuo Fan and the young master were like best pals now, chit-chatting what all young men talked about those days. This worked to Zhuo Fan’s advantage, finding all the particularities regarding Song Yu’s past.
Dong Tianba belonged to an average-sized town’s leading clan, considered a second-rate clan in the empire, but far stronger than the Song clan.
Not too long ago, Dong Tianba’s father sent him on business to Nightrain City, where this young master hit it right off with the dastardly Song Yu. The moment Song Yu found that his friend was from a second-rate clan, he took it in stride, drinking and going to pleasure houses, not forgetting to act the haughty part that deigned his new position, and all of this alongside his friend. It went so far that Dong Tianba was even planning on giving his sister’s, Dong Xiaowan, hand in marriage to Song Yu.
Song Yu was close to going crazy from joy as that was the greatest gift any from the Song clan would want. As all was set and done, he went straight to proposing.
Unfortunately, Dong Xiaowan was the only daughter of the Dong clan, the apple of her grandfather’s eye, so how could he let Dong Tianba decide her fate? As a result, when his grandfather found Song Yu’s social standing, his dastardly moral talent, the grandfather catapulted him out of his home and even rebuked his grandson.
As for Dong Xiaowan, she never forgave her dear elder brother for bringing up such a proposal. [I am your sister and you want to throw me to that pig?]
[He is a greedy slacker!]
While the Dong clan saw Song Yu for what he was, a sorry excuse of a man, Dong Tianba found him as his dearest of friends, going out with every chance he got.
[What greedy slacker? He is true to himself, unlike those hypocritical gentlemen.] Dong Tianba recalled that encounter with a smile, feeling he let down his dear friend in Nightrain City.
It was also thanks to him for having notified the Song clan of the Hundred Pill Meeting that they sent Song Yu to the gathering. He hoped Song Yu would use this chance to climb the ranks and dismiss the Dong clan’s despising glances.
With a bit of luck, the Song clan would be under Drifting Flowers Edifice’s care and the Dong clan would have nothing to say if he asked for Dong Xiaowan’s hand again.
Zhuo Fan gave a bitter smile at the side. [This is one odd elder brother! The rotten Song Yu just invited him to a drink a couple of times and he is ready to throw his sister in the former’s lap. If I were the Dong grandfather, I would’ve tanned his rear to a paste.]
[Furthermore, how come you push your sister on others you like while you yourself are unmarried?]
Zhuo Fan shook his head, worried over the happiness of the Dong clan and Dong Tianba’s sister. Even the four elders behind them were red-faced with humiliation from having such a weirdo for a young master.
They even looked around at times to make sure no one heard him!
Zhuo Fan sighed, [Birds of a feather flock together.]
“Bro Song!”
Dong Tianba beckoned him with a strange smile, “Where’s your sister?”
Zhuo Fan replied, “She left after bringing me here. I made sure to personally see her off.”
He had an ineffable smile when he said ‘personally’. But it went over Dong Tianba’s head who was downcast.
“And I really wanted to gaze upon miss Song one more time. I would’ve long sent the dowry if not for my old man refusing to have anything to do with your clan.”
“Ha-ha-ha, the world houses countless beauties, bro Dong needn’t ‘hang’ on just one.” Zhuo Fan smiled, “My sister doesn’t deserve you. Look around, there are countless girls in Drifting Flowers City to feast your eyes on.”
“Sigh, bro Song, you wouldn’t understand. You can’t touch any of the girls here!”
Dong Tianba made sure no one was around before whispering, “Don’t you know that the Drifting Flowers Edifice is unique among the seven houses for only having women? For a thousand years, they had men marry into their house. This is a place where women reign.”
“Does that mean you can’t even chase girls?”
Dong Tianba had a deep look this time, “Bro, how come I feel like I know you less and less? Don’t you know chasing and harassing have different meanings?”
Zhuo Fan laughed in dismay, “Yeah, you’re absolutely right. Bro Dong is a genius.”
“Ha-ha-ha, we both are. Didn’t we use to swap pointers? How could you forget? Must be from the blow my sister’s refusal gave you that you succumbed to your vices.”
Zhuo Fan nodded repeatedly. Dong Tianba was an oddball, but quite true to others. Talking with him all this time made Zhuo Fan feel at ease.
“By the way, brother Dong, what other rules are there? Like this tavern…”