To the Love of My Life

Shaking her head, Lynette locked the cabinet and left the lounge.

Ruby finished the milk, straightened her clothes, and went out to play the piano.

The business in the Gardenia Clubhouse was particularly good tonight, with almost all the private rooms being completely full. There were possibly people playing cards, and cheers occasionally erupted, almost drowning out the beautiful music played by Ruby.

At eight o’clock, a potbellied middle-aged man wobbled out of the “Rose” private room, having had some alcohol. He walked around the hall, and then made his way to the piano where Ruby was playing. He stared at her for a moment, circled the piano, and finally stood next to her. After examining her face for a moment, he gave a satisfied nod before asking, “Are you Ruby Gregory?”

As this was Ruby’s first time in a service industry, she still managed to maintain her composure while playing the piano. She nodded and smiled at the man who approached her and responded with a soft “Mhmm”.

The middle-aged man let out a belch and put his hand on Ruby’s shoulder.

The fingers of Ruby’s piano-playing hand paused, and the smooth and beautiful music stopped.

“Why did you stop? Continue playing, it sounded great,” the middle-aged man spoke.

Ruby quietly moved her body to avoid the man’s hand and continued playing without looking at him.

After listening to her for a while, the man reached over to press a piano key, disrupting Ruby’s music.

“I tried copying you, but why does the sound I make not as good as yours?” the middle-aged man said, reaching for her hand again, “Could you teach me?”

Ruby quickly withdrew her hand, and the middle-aged man smirked, whispering into her ear: “Name your price, how much for a night?”

Ruby’s face turned red from the obvious insult in the man’s words. She stood up abruptly and stared at him, chiding sternly, “Sir, please mind your manners.”

“Don’t act high and mighty with me. I’ve heard you’re a high-end prostitute, charging five thousand for a night.” The middle-aged man looked Ruby up and down, seemingly satisfied, and continued, “You do look good, with tender skin. Here’s the deal, come with me tonight, and I’ll double the price, US$1,400. What do you think…”

Before he could finish speaking, Ruby raised her hand and slapped him hard across the face.

Apparently not expecting Ruby to hit him, the man was stunned before cursing, “Stinking whore!”

Ruby’s face reddened even more with anger as she impulsively grabbed the sheet music from the piano and smashed it onto the man’s head.