Chapter 111: Choice

Chapter 111: Chapter 111: Choice

After Qiao Suluo finished speaking, she quickly lowered her head to avoid Tushan Feishang’s gaze, not daring to look at him any longer.

Her body remained stiff as she leaned against his chest. She didn’t dare to move a muscle, instinctively keeping her guard up around him. She had never expected Tushan Feishang to possess the Soul Capturing Technique. She had nearly fallen for it and blurted out her secrets. Even now that she was lucid, she had only snapped out of it thanks to the system’s warning. Thus, Qiao Suluo found him incredibly eerie. Terrified that her secrets would be discovered, she stayed perfectly still.

Holding her in his arms, Tushan Feishang could naturally feel her stiffness and unease. She actually didn’t dare to move. He curled his lips into a faint smile. The more she acted like this, the more he wanted to tease her and see her reactions. He reached out and slowly wrapped his arms around her.

Qiao Suluo’s body instantly trembled. She screamed internally, "AHHH... Doesn’t he despise me? Why is he hugging me?"

Tushan Feishang held her tight, leaning in close to whisper in her ear. "Didn’t my wife really want me to hold you in the past?

"Why is it that now that I’m holding you, you’ve become so stiff? Relax your body."

As he spoke, his fingers pressed against her waist.

Qiao Suluo shuddered reflexively. "You... Let go of me."

Snapping back to reality, she struggled to get out of his embrace, but Tushan Feishang refused to loosen his grip.

"My wife is very different from before. Could it be that now that you have Que Hongjin and Bai Qianluo, you won’t even spare me a glance?

"Before, you couldn’t wait to hold me and call me your sweetheart, but now you aren’t even willing to let me hug you. Sigh... It seems it’s true that females have always been fickle."

He put on a melancholic face and sighed, but his profound gaze scrutinized Qiao Suluo, not missing a single micro-expression on her face.

Qiao Suluo felt completely thrown off balance by him. Her mind raced, and suddenly, an idea struck her. "Didn’t your master say he wanted to improve the business here?

"I can tell you my idea right now, and you can relay it to him later."

She just wanted to say her piece and get out of there as quickly as possible.

"Oh? I’m listening. Tell me." Tushan Feishang had absolutely no intention of letting her go. She was emitting a unique, rather pleasant natural scent.

"I can’t think while being held like this. Can you... put me down first?" Qiao Suluo looked at him with pitiful eyes. The system had told her that when dealing with someone like Tushan Feishang, she could only use a soft approach, not a hard one.

Since they were getting down to business, Tushan Feishang finally released her. He pushed her away and brushed off his lapels, as if disgusted that she had dirtied his clothes.

Watching this, Qiao Suluo ruthlessly criticized him in her head.

"Alright," Tushan Feishang said indifferently. "You may speak now."

Qiao Suluo took a few deep breaths to steady herself. "Just playing instruments and singing really isn’t anything new, but you can use theatrical storytelling to attract an audience."

"Theatrical storytelling?" Tushan Feishang found her choice of words rather peculiar.

Qiao Suluo paused for a moment before realizing that things like theater and opera didn’t exist in this world. Even the music here only consisted of classical instruments like the zither and lute. With a shift in expression, she explained the concept of theatrical storytelling to him.

"It can be divided into several acts to draw people in. As long as there are performances, you can collect Silver. The establishment can also provide refreshments for them to enjoy while watching the play. You charge for the refreshments as well. By the end of the day, the Nanfeng Building will make a substantial profit..."

Tushan Feishang listened as she laid out her well-reasoned plan. While she spoke, her eyes sparkled brightly, looking radiant and dazzling.

He composed his expression. "Do you have these theatrical stories?"

Qiao Suluo nodded. "I have several different stories. Could you discuss this with your master? If my stories are good, he can buy the scripts from me. As for the training, I can personally instruct the performers for free."

If she demanded Silver for everything, the South Wind Tower Master might not agree. But if she only charged for the scripts and taught for free, he would likely accept.

"How is the master supposed to know if your stories are any good? If they aren’t, he’ll be furious, and his anger will even fall on me. And here you are, only thinking about making Silver. You’re completely obsessed with money."

Qiao Suluo curled her lips. "I don’t have a choice. The flood washed away all the houses in the village. Now that our home is gone, we can only live in a cave. Food, shelter, and daily necessities all cost Silver for the family, so I have to find a way to earn it.

"It’s all for the sake of the family. I just want you guys to eat a little better at home."

She put on a highly sincere expression.

Tushan Feishang studied her closely. After a moment of silence, he said, "As long as your stories are useful, I’ll mention this to the master. I imagine the South Wind Tower Master won’t use your scripts for nothing."

Qiao Suluo’s eyes lit up. "To show my sincerity, I can perform a short segment for your master first."

"Alright, I’ll go inform him."

Shortly after, an attendant approached her. "Miss Qiao, our master requests your presence."

Immediately after, Qiao Suluo was led to another room.

"Miss Qiao, the master is behind the folding screen inside. You only need to perform from here."

Qiao Suluo pondered for a moment and decided to sing a piece of traditional opera. She remembered *The Female Prince Consort* and had always enjoyed singing that particular tune. Since this was the Beast World—totally different from the modern era—she decided to change it to *The Male Prince Consort*.

She immediately cleared her throat and began to sing. "The spring breeze brings warmth to Xiangyang... To save my wife, I traveled far from home. Who would have thought I’d place first in the imperial exams..."

Behind the screen, Tushan Feishang was initially listening out of sheer boredom, but as the song went on, he became completely absorbed. A trace of turbulent emotion stirred within his eyes.

He wondered, "Is this still my good-for-nothing wife?"

Without a doubt, if this theatrical story were performed on the stage of the Nanfeng Building, it would attract countless Beastmen. That way, all the males in the establishment wouldn’t have to wait on the females. They could run the Nanfeng Building successfully just by performing on stage. Furthermore, with more Beastmen visiting and discussing the stories, he could have his subordinates gather even more intelligence.

Once she finished the segment, Qiao Suluo asked, "Is the master satisfied with this excerpt?"

Altering his voice, Tushan Feishang replied, "It’s acceptable."

Qiao Suluo let out a sigh of relief and began to negotiate the price. The South Wind Tower Master offered two taels of Silver per script. She also had to teach the performers for free and ensure they were ready to take the stage.

"Master, isn’t two taels of Silver a bit too little? I still have to put in the hard work to teach them. Could you increase the price slightly?"

Amused, Tushan Feishang said in a low voice, "I can offer more Silver, but the price to redeem Tushan Feishang will also increase.

"Which does Miss Qiao choose?"

Qiao Suluo cursed him out in her head, but on the surface, she feigned helplessness. "I’ll stick with two taels of Silver. I just hope the master keeps his promise and grants Tushan Feishang his freedom when the time comes."

Although they had a contract, she still worried that the South Wind Tower Master might go back on his word. Therefore, after some thought, she realized she shouldn’t hand over too many scripts all at once.

Upon hearing her choice, Tushan Feishang’s expression shifted slightly. He hadn’t expected someone so greedy for Silver to make that decision.

He couldn’t help but ask, "Is Tushan Feishang really that important to you?"