Chapter 18

Ning Xu subconsciously glanced at the head receptionist in the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall in front of him.

Being teased by the Melon-Eating System and referred to as the “head receptionist,” this person’s looks were naturally top-tier. Any more would make him seem too feminine, any less would make him seem frivolous, but now, it was just perfect.

His features were delicate, yet he had a certain charm and distance that belonged to male cultivators.

To be honest, with looks like his and a voice like that, even in the famous pleasure house in the cultivation world, “Laurel Pavilion,” he could indeed be a headliner.

After the Melon-Eating System said, “I just happen to know a lot of gossip about him, do you want to hear it?” Ning Xu cooperatively asked, “What gossip?”

The Melon-Eating System once again emitted its signature laugh. Generally, when it laughed like that, it meant it was about to spill some juicy gossip.

Just then, the head receptionist spoke at the right moment, “Friend, the talismans, brushes, and vermilion powder you need are here. Please check.”

This voice, smooth like a morning breeze, successfully interrupted Ning Xu’s conversation with the Melon-Eating System.

The Melon-Eating System momentarily muted itself.

The head receptionist’s ability to handle affairs was, of course, top-notch. He gathered all the items Ning Xu needed. After putting away the talismans and other items, he named the herbs the Melon-Eating System had asked for.

Without saying any unnecessary words, he efficiently said, “Please wait a moment.”

Despite his expression and tone being entirely ordinary, perhaps due to his looks, voice, and the perfect curve of his lips, even the most mundane sentence didn’t seem ordinary anymore.

Was this the head receptionist’s business ability? With the most formal expression and tone, he achieved an effect that most disciples couldn’t reach.

Ning Xu commented, “As expected of the head receptionist, really something else.”

Although the head receptionist hadn’t said anything special, Ning Xu somehow felt very happy staying in the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall.

The Melon-Eating System agreed, 【Right?】

【This is the emotional value the head receptionist provides.】

【No need for effort, it naturally provides positive emotions.】

Ning Xu secretly gave a thumbs up.

No wonder the Melon-Eating System called him that; it was indeed true! He was a thumbs-up! He deserved it!

The Melon-Eating System suddenly asked a question, 【Do you know why I call him the head receptionist?】

Upon hearing that, Ning Xu couldn’t help but have a guess in his heart.

“Could it be… he worked at the Laurel Pavilion?”

The Melon-Eating System answered, 【As expected of my host, so clever.】

Ning Xu humbly said, “You’re too kind.”

The Melon-Eating System spoke slowly, 【Back then, he hadn’t entered the Wenxin Sect yet; he was just an ordinary mortal.】

At that moment, the head receptionist suddenly walked out from inside and actively asked, “Friend, how many years old Moonlight Grass do you need?”

Ning Xu was momentarily stunned before answering, “Three hundred years. I just mentioned it.”

The head receptionist nodded, still using that charming and mesmerizing voice, “I know. I just wanted to mention that we have Moonlight Grass of five hundred years here, which is more potent. It only costs two hundred more points than the three-hundred-year one. Would you like to exchange the three-hundred-year Moonlight Grass for the five-hundred-year one?”

Ning Xu told the Melon-Eating System, “The head receptionist is so responsible.”

The Melon-Eating System casually responded, 【Isn’t that right?】

【Tell him, just the three-hundred-year one is enough.】

Ning Xu replied, “Okay!”

As the head receptionist left to prepare the herbs, the Melon-Eating System’s voice rang again.

The person who had been quietly observing from a distance—first experiencing social death, then numbness—had only spent ten minutes in this process.

Forget it.

This large-scale social death was likely inevitable. He had tried to stop it, but it seemed useless.

After all, he wasn’t the first to have his secrets exposed.

Even the Sect Leader accepted it calmly, so why couldn’t an ordinary disciple like him?

With that thought, the last bit of discomfort in the head receptionist disappeared.

---

In the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall.

The Melon-Eating System couldn’t stop talking, 【I just mentioned he was an ordinary mortal, right?】

Ning Xu cooperated, “Yes.”

【By coincidence, he was noticed by the owner of the Laurel Pavilion and became an employee there.】

【Since it’s the “most famous” pleasure house, the competition inside the Laurel Pavilion is naturally fierce.】

【At that time, there happened to be four male models—well, I’ll call them male models, I don’t like calling them male attendants(servants).】

Ning Xu, “…”

“Suit yourself.”

She also thought “male models” sounded better. After all, she still thought in modern terms and found modern vocabulary easier to understand.

The Melon-Eating System continued, 【At that time, the four male models were competing for the position of head receptionist.】

【You should know that the daily income of the Laurel Pavilion was terrifying. The resources a regular male model and a head receptionist could get were worlds apart.】

【Once they entered this line of work, most male models naturally wanted to be the best.】

【The Laurel Pavilion treated its male and female models well. The more they earned, the more they got in dividends.】

【At that time, the four male models fought tooth and nail for the position, but! Here’s the twist! The head receptionist from the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall started to stand out.】

【His most common line to customers at that time was, “I’m hot, pick me.”】

Ning Xu, “…”

The person who was secretly listening while picking herbs, “…”

The most socially awkward moment… really came.

It’s so awkward!

This is what it feels like to be the gossip source.

At this moment, he finally understood!

---

The Melon-Eating System excitedly said, 【Because he was so hot, at that time, he was the most chosen. You know, the cultivation world isn’t short of rich people, and rich women are even more plentiful.】

【The Laurel Pavilion was actually quite legitimate. Although there were male and female models, while inside the pavilion, they mostly just chatted and provided emotional value. Of course, they could be taken out.】

【Relying on his talent and skills, he completely stood out that month, and was taken out more than once.】 As for what happened when they went out, that’s a matter of personal opinion.

After hearing the Melon-Eating System’s words, the disciples of the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall who were exchanging resources for other disciples, and the same sect members coming to exchange various cultivation resources, were all shocked.

What…?

Can they even hear this?

It’s… a bit exciting! It sounds good, love it, more gossip please!

Who would have thought the head receptionist of the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall had this side to him? Wait, no, the former head receptionist of the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall had this side to him!

After hearing this, Ning Xu felt quite satisfied. He hadn’t expected the head receptionist to have such a rich past. If he could become the head receptionist at the Laurel Pavilion, how could he not succeed in the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall?

Entering the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall, it was just like fish in water.

The Melon-Eating System clicked its tongue, 【I’m telling you this gossip, partly to let you enjoy it, and partly to help you recruit him as your underling.】

At first, Ning Xu’s expression was relaxed, but upon hearing this, she furrowed her brows slightly, “You mean?”

The Melon-Eating System said with obvious appreciation, 【You don’t have connections, you don’t have resources, and your spiritual root isn’t particularly good in others’ eyes. Between ‘serving you’ and ‘being the head receptionist of the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall,’ smart people know what to choose.】

The Melon-Eating System’s tone carried an obvious admiration, 【But I really have high hopes for him.】

【I think working in the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall is completely wasting his potential. He could be much better.】

【If he becomes your auctioneer, it’ll be a win-win for both of you!】

It sounded like her auction house was already in business.

Ning Xu helplessly said, “I don’t even have an auction house yet.”

The Melon-Eating System casually responded, 【If you want it to exist, that’s easy.】

【Owning an auction house is not difficult; just having spirit stones is enough. But recruiting talent isn’t that simple.】

【He’s perfect for it.】

It was clear the Melon-Eating System didn’t want to miss out on this talented head receptionist.

But Ning Xu’s inner resistance was strong.

She directly asked, “Do you want me to use this gossip to threaten him?” If he disagrees, would she expose the gossip and make him unable to survive in the sect?

The other disciples could hardly suppress their excitement, shouting in their hearts: No need, they already know.

The Melon-Eating System responded, 【This is the final move. It’s all about offering both threats and temptations, but of course, I prefer to tempt him. Only as a last resort will I threaten him.】

Ning Xu nodded, “I agree with that.”

Threatening others was too low. If she could recruit him peacefully, that would be ideal.

Just as one person and one system were discussing this, the head receptionist returned with the herbs Ning Xu needed.

He walked out, still smiling without a flaw, “Friend, the herbs you need are in the storage bag. Please check.”

When Ning Xu took the storage bag from him, the words “I’m hot, pick me” began to loop infinitely in her mind.

She lowered her head, not even giving him an extra glance.

Who understands? She really couldn’t face this friend anymore!

---

Note:
The term “小倌” (xiǎo guān) traditionally refers to young male attendants or servants, especially in pleasure houses. It can imply a subservient role, but in modern contexts, “male model” is used to neutralize any negative connotations while maintaining the idea of a service role in places like the “月桂楼” (Laurel Pavilion). The term “male model” avoids the negative historical implications and is seen as more neutral.