Lán waited patiently while Su Youlan went down the long velvet stairs of the Green Lotus as she greeted guests and ordered staff. She looked stunning but wore modest clothes and make up that made her look more like a merchant than a courtesan. She was exactly what Lán hoped she would be.

He got information from Shú about Su Youlan, she was a self made woman that could also be a ruthless merchant when necessary, still, she seemed to treat her girls and other staff kindly in a notoriously cruel business. For the few minutes he waited, Lán saw that Shú’s information was right.

Eventually Su Youlan made her way towards Lán “Young Master Lán! It is an honor to have such a distinguished guest in our halls” She greeted him. “Please accompany me to my office so that we may discuss business”

Lán looked puzzled at her suggestion "Greetings Su Youlan, If I may ask, how did you know I was here on business?”

“Oh please, a dashing young man like you surely has no problems with the ladies” she giggled “Also, some of my girls told me that your people have been asking around about me, while I’m flattered I must say I'm married to my job”

Lán blushed as Youlan grabbed him by the arm and guided him to her office, Baek tried to step behind them but was stopped by Youlan’s bouncers.

“Oh, there are no guards allowed inside the Green Lotus, don't worry, I bite, but I promise I won't hurt him” She winked at a stunned Baek as she took Lán away.

_______________________________________________________

Lán sat down in a beautiful posh office filled with velvets and exotic skins. He caught his breath, the long stairs towards the main office, while beautiful, almost murdered him.

Youlan wasted no time “So, lets talk business, what can The Green Lotus help you with”

“She’s ruthless” Lán thought “The moment she caught me taking a breath she immediately started asking questions” Lán shifted in his seat and cleared his throat to give himself some time to breathe.

“The Lúse Family wants to sponsor a summer festival and we need your help to make it a reality” Lán said.

“A festival?” Youlan asked “It seems like a good idea, a lot of merchants come to Húchéng for business, but the city has very little in terms of tourism, I don't really see how the Green Lotus can help with that”

“I don't need the Green Lotus, I need you” Lán said

Now it was Youlan’s turn to blush “My my, Young Master, what could a man like you possibly want with a girl like me” she said as she brushed him off.

“I want you to be head of the Húchéng Summer Festival Committee” Lán said seriously, he had begun to notice how Su Youlan was using flirting as a weapon, while he wanted her as an ally, he couldn't afford to get swept up by her and end up in a disadvantageous position.

“Here’s the full plan, I want to loosen the grip the Jinzi Merchant Union has on Húchéng, I plan to use this festival to earn enough money to buy them out” Lán continued.

Youlan straightened in her seat and looked at Lán directly, she realised the boy she was toying with was serious about this.

“And how do you plan on doing that? They have a solid grip on most businesses here, won’t a festival only help them?” she asked.

“Thats where you come in, I need your skills as a merchant and negotiator to convince all of the businesses that are not under the Jinzi Merchant Union to become part of the Húchéng Summer Festival Committee” Lán said “If they do, we can control the information around the festival to make sure that tourism is directed towards them, as long as they provide a small percentage of their earnings towards us of course”

“Well, what's stopping me from going to the Jinzi Merchant Union and telling them about your little plan? They can surely offer me more gold than you ever could” Youlan grinned.

“You won’t” Lán replied “The little outburst Guan Baocai had earlier was not lost on me, they are surely bullying you as they harass other businesses not associated with them”

“Very well, I’m in, but what do I get?” Youlan replied.

Su Youlan brought out pens and paper to begin drafting legal documents and contracts. It was a fierce battle, Su Youlan was constantly trying to get Lán to commit to an unfavorable deal, she first used her usual tactics, a wink here, a gentle touch there, but all of her advances were quickly deflected by Lán. So she switched strategies, trying to trap Lán in technicalities, margins, loans and other financial devices. When she realised she couldn't gain the upper hand, she settled for a win-win scenario instead.

But by that time it was too late and Lán sprung a trap of his own, Su Youlan noticed too late that the small concessions Lán had given her only trapped her more in their own contract. By the end of the negotiations Su Youlan had managed to claw some of her loss back, while it was not a bad contract in any way, the situation still favored the Lúse Family.

“You got me” Su Youlan chuckled dryly as she reclined in her seat. They had spent the entire night debating and the sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon.

“Surely you jest, the contract is favorable for both of us” Lán said with a grin on his face.

Youlan stared at the young man in front of her “He is a kind man, that contract could have easily put me in a terrible position, but he still allowed me to get to a neutral point” she thought.

“You are a good man, you remind me of your mother” Youlan said.

This caught Lán by surprise, he felt a pang of sadness as the sudden reminder rang his ears

“You knew her?” he asked.

“Only briefly” she replied “She helped me out during the fire three years ago, I don't know why she helped me, but I see both of you share the same kind eyes”

Su Youlan stood up to shake Lán’s hand, he had lit the fire of ambition in her, and while she would never admit it, gained her respect.

“Lets get to work” they said in unison as they headed outside.