The night fell quickly and enveloped the fading Lan Shan Tower. Faintly, the gentle singing of a girl could be heard in the distance. Zhong Cui placed the white jade hairpin I had worn when I first arrived into my hair. As she looked at the white veil brought by the madam, she furrowed her brow and said, "Aying, please listen to me, don't wear the white veil, alright?"

I couldn't bear to see the frown on Zhong Cui's face, so I didn't ask her why. I just nodded. Seeing my nod, she immediately picked up the white gauze and walked briskly towards the door. Watching her hurried figure, I felt a lingering reluctance in my heart. I didn't care to straighten my clothes and hastily followed her outside, draping my robe over my body.

I saw Zhong Cui pushing open Madam's door with a white veil in hand, and then with a loud bang, the door was slammed shut. Immediately after, Madam's high-pitched voice came through: "Oh, my dear daughter, why are you here? It's almost time to perform, you should go back and rest."

"I thought I've mentioned this to you before, haven't I? Only I am allowed to wear white robes in this building. What's wrong with you? Have you forgotten already after such a short time? Don't forget, if it wasn't for me, Zhong Cui, this dilapidated building of yours wouldn't have lasted this long."

"Cuicui, have some water to calm down, calm down. Mom knows she was wrong. You are Mom's precious daughter, after all. From now on, Mom will rely on you for everything. I'll have someone prepare new clothes for Yu Ying right away, alright?"

"Cui Cui, my good daughter, please calm down..."

The madam in the room was still apologizing incessantly to Zhong Cui, but a trace of chilliness welled up in my heart. Cui Cui, I had always thought that I was different in her heart, but that was just my wishful thinking. Although I didn't know what special meaning the white clothing held for her, tears were already welling up in my eyes. On one hand, I cursed myself for being weak, while on the other hand, I couldn't help but press my ear closer to the door of the madam's room.

The porcelain cup fell to the ground, making a crisp sound. I couldn't help but react quickly. Then, I heard Zhong Cui's voice from inside the room. She must have accepted the apology from the brothel owner. Her voice sounded unusually calm as she said, "You don't need to bring the clothes to Aying's place. I'll go back first. I'll go to dance later when the time comes."

Following that came the faint sound of footsteps. I hurriedly gathered up my trailing robe and ran towards my room. Fortunately, my room wasn't far from the madam's. Once I returned to my room, I sat in front of the dressing table and vigorously rubbed my slightly moist eyes in the mirror. I adopted a nonchalant posture and casually perused the dazzling array of jewelry on the table.

Before long, the door was pushed open. Though I had mentally prepared myself, I couldn't help trembling as I heard the jingling sound of bells on Zhong Cui's ankles. I forced a smile that I believed to be decent and casually picked up a golden hairpin, holding it up in front of Zhong Cui. With an artificially relaxed tone, I said, "Cui Cui, how do you think this hairpin suits me?" After uttering those words, I wished I could slap myself. I clearly had a hairpin stuck in my hair, why did I have to hold up a hairpin?

My other hand nervously held onto my robe. Without waiting for Zhong Cui to speak, I coughed and hastily said, "Cui Cui, I feel that this jade hairpin is too plain and simple, not at all suitable for my personality, so..." As I spoke, I reached up to touch my hair bun, intending to remove the white jade hairpin from my head. However, after fumbling around for a while, I realized that my hair had somehow fallen down without my knowledge. I knew in my heart that I must have lost the hairpin in my panic. Feeling guilty, I lowered my head, even sensing Zhong Cui's probing gaze upon me. Putting on a calm facade, I smiled at her and continued, "Look at me, I completely forgot that I had already taken off the hairpin just now. Cui Cui, do you think this golden hairpin suits me?"