Renewing

Hwi and TiShan are in the brothel building. It is mostly ready, there was a lot to do but it came out very nice, especially compared to what it was before.
They are starting their selections. The first challenge for everyone is reaching Fengshii.

They are in the office, TiShan sat by the desk and Hwi near the window. There is a thin smoke layer in the room, some cigarettes in the ashtray.
They met a few people already, not all convincing. It is finally her turn to enter the office.
She wears a simple and commoner outfit but her pose and ways may reveal she is actually a noble. Hwi makes a slight smirk, pointing one of the chairs in front of the desk. "Take a seat, dear." He approaches then. "Can I see your ID?" They intend to make things well in every detail.
She has a moment of hesitation but expected they would have asked. She extends her ID badge towards Hwi.
He takes it and tilts his head. "Jun Lien Liu?" The name rings a bell, he is learning who the Sacred Blood families are.
"Liu only, please."
"Liu. You can call me Hwi." He reads carefully the badge. "22 years old...that's good." He hands the badge back to her. "Thank you." Hwi moves close to TiShan, keeping her eyes on her. "What do you think?"
"Why do you want do this job?" TiShan asks.
"I admit I didn't expect a Sacred Blood." Hwi says, leaning against the desk with crossed arms.
She shuts her eyes at the question. "My family received the ultimate defeat...we won't get up from this. It is time for me to...look around, for possibilities, opportunities. I am on my own now, I and my family took different paths." Overall, she maintains elegance and class regardless everything.
"What happened, if I may ask?" Hwi fears to be rude.
"Is it important, now?"
Hwi clears his throat at her answer. "It certainly isn't. I don't want to seem...even more indelicate with you, but there are a few personal questions you need to answer." He is appointing a few things. "Are you virgin?"
"No."
"How many men have you been with?"
"One."
"Do you have any experience with women?"
"No, not yet."
"Should you be taken in, are you willing to learn different techniques in the art of making love?"
"I guess, shi."
"Very well, Liu. Would you like a cup of tea? Or soju, if you prefer. Next and last step will lead you to...take a few layers off. We need to be sure you are comfortable enough."
Liu lowers his gaze. "I won't have anything." She stands up, starting to unbutton her top.
Hwi interrupts her when she reaches the very last layer, as she doesn't hesitate. "That's enough, you can dress up. Go to wait outside, we will decide and let you know. Feel free to have something at the bar, during the wait."
She walks out once she finishes to dress up, accompanied by Hwi. He returns to TiShan. "What do you think about this one? Visuals are no joke, pretty good confidence too."

Liu sits by the empty table, without drinking anything. She just stands there, lost in her thoughts. She might give a sad vibe, but it is not due to the idea to work there, it is everything that brought to it.
She was just a child, when Jun started to decay even more. She had a very good education, learnt proper manners, a perfect wife material.
Very well known is and was the hate between Zhou and Jun families. Jun constantly trying to earn back what was theirs, till her grandfather managed to achieve his place in the Ministry of War, too bad that, not long after, SongJin managed to get the throne and eventually, put all the blame on him for the war with the tribes. He got executed for fake accusations, a perfect plan from Ri and SongJin.
What remained of Jun...Ri actually considered to let the young girls and their mother be, but SongYu didn't agree, reminding Ri everything Jun plotted against them in the centuries, and convincing him they deserved a punishment too.
SongYu himself took Liu and her older sister inside his personal harem, at all effects a way to mock them. He was far from gentle with them, but he didn't turn violent at least.
That lasted until Qing managed to take over the Palace and send away the Zhou. SongYu didn't bring the girls with him, once on their own, they took different paths after sharing with each other what was left of the Jun patrimony. Really not much.
Liu really tried to think about what she could do. Find a place in the ministries, or in another decent office, but hardly any luck. A woman alone and from such a hated family.
She went to the IAs hq too, but Li gave her everything to make her fail the test.
Sudden luck when she found their advertisement. She decided it was worth trying so she traveled to Fengshii.

After some time, they call her inside the office again. "Please, read the contract and if you really want to work with us, sign."
She carefully reads and it shocks her how fair it is and how many advantages she gets. She doesn't hesitate to sign it.
Hwi handshakes with her in northern way. "Room 4, if you plan to live here. You can move in your things from today." He gives her a key.
She bows and takes the key. "Xiexie. I will give my all working for you! There is only one thing I need to ask."
"Tell us."
"About my name. Can it stay between the three of us only? I can be just Liu or I'll come up with a nickname."
"Certainly, my dear..." Hwi says kindly.