"Sister Caihong worked here before," Yang Ying said.
"How could she know about this food?"
Before answering, Yang Ying peeped at Lantian, who was picking up the fish and ate with her bowl of congee. Though her face was having a normal expression, Yang Ying knew that in her mind, she was not very happy at all. So, she tried to not disclose much information by saying that "she had a friend, and they told her."
"I see," Caihong wagged her head. "Where is she now?"
Yang Ying dropped her face and said in a low voice, "She died."
"Oh," Caihong seemed to feel guilty. She hurriedly said, "I'm sorry to hear that."
"Never mind." Yang Ying raised her face and smiled. "Please, have another bowl," she said, then took the empty bowl from Caihong to fill it before she put it on the same spot.
"Anyway, are you the owner of this place?" Caihong carried on the conversation.
Yang Ying shook her head. "No, I am not. Mother Wang is."
"Mother Wang? Is she your relative?"
"No, she and I do not have any blood relation."
"Then Mother Wang is a good person. She is not your relative, but she helps you to work and gives you pretty clothes; you are lucky."
This claim made Yang Ying glance at Caihong without dropping. She stayed quiet for a few seconds to observe her face and attitude. Then she felt that Caihong did not have any idea about Wan Hua Lou.
"Young Lady Yang, have you heard about our house?"
"No. It's my first time coming to your restaurant," Caihong said frankly.
"Restaurant?" Yang Ying popped her eyes.
Caihong waved her head one to confirm what she had said.
"Wan Hua Lou is not a restaurant. It's a brothel."
Caihong paused her chopsticks as she heard the word 'brothel.' Though the name of Wan Hua Lou was not familiar with her ears, she knew what the brothel was.
"So, you are…"
Yang Ying made her face low and nodded her head. "I'm a courtesan."
This answer froze the lips of Caihong, and the chopsticks were frozen between her fingers. Her head was blank, and she didn't know what to say or what to do.
"I know what Young Lady Yang is thinking. Working such a job is a shame. No one wants to be friends with," Yang Ying said in a sad voice.
"No, no. Don't misunderstand. I don't look down on you," Caihong hurriedly clarified.
At that time, Lantian jumped in, "If you don't look down on her, why do you stop eating?"
"I'm just surprised," Caihong explained. "I don't look down on anyone. Though she is a courtesan, she does not steal or rob."
Lantian grinned. "I don't know if you can say good words."
Caihong knotted her eyebrows. "Do you want to say I say bad words?"
"Yes. When you meet me, you use only bad words."
Caihong dropped the chopsticks. "It's because you abuse me."
"I don't abuse you. I speak with you nicely, but you are naughty."
"You!" Caihong bit her lips.
Seeing the younger girl seemed to be angry, Yang Ying hurriedly cut in to cool down, "If Young Lady Yang does not mind, come to visit us often."
Caihong hesitated for a bit, but then she decided to wave her head, "Fine."