Shu Dehou immediately rapped his chopsticks against his hand when he saw him reaching out for food without proper etiquette.
Shu Desheng didn't dodge and took the blow squarely, wincing and blowing on his sore fingers.
"Hehehe!"
Bai Suxiang was amused by the pair, never expecting two people whose combined age exceeded a hundred and fifty years to still act like children.
"Quick, quick, go call them out for dinner. You'll need energy after eating!"
"Alright, alright! I'll go right now!"
Bai Suxiang agreed and hurried to push open the door.
A moment later, the three girls emerged from the room.
Although Fang Xiaoxia and Sasha were injured, they were young and able to get out of bed to eat.
In this unfamiliar environment, they were unaccustomed to being served. Bai Suxiang had initially suggested bringing them food if they couldn't get out of bed, but they had refused.
Despite a slightly awkward atmosphere, everyone was amiable.
Shu Dehou and Shu Desheng joyfully served them dishes, much like grandfathers doting on their granddaughters.
Once the mood had lightened considerably, Shu Dehou quietly began to inquire about Sasha's situation.
According to her, her mother had passed away, and the note she found was from a safe deposit box.
Along with the note was a letter.
Sasha didn't reveal the contents of the letter but said she learned from it that there was another important person on the island.
As for why she was rescued, she had taken a gamble.
This, of course, she hadn't told Fang Xiaoxia, nor had she mentioned it at the dinner table.
Her reason for coming to the island was, in fact, related to her work.
She was a journalist, and after hearing about some secrets of Red Island from a friend, she decided to come.
She learned from that letter that the note could save her life.
Truthfully, upon arriving on the island, she hadn't held out much hope. She hadn't expected the island to be dangerous at all, nor did she believe her life could be entrusted to a seemingly random note.
If she hadn't witnessed it firsthand, she would never have believed it.
However, from her interactions with the girls on the island, her intuition told her that there might be a bigger secret hidden here, which was why she chose to stay even when she had the chance to leave.
"Wuwuwu, it's all my fault, it's all my fault!"
While Sasha was chatting calmly, no one expected Shu Desheng to burst into tears.
Shu Dehou comforted him while recounting the events of that time.
Back then, Shamen Town was still a small place, not yet developed for tourism.
The three small islands were the property of their Shu family and were quite prominent in Shamen Town.
At that time, although Shu Dehou and Shu Desheng weren't exactly dashingly handsome, they weren't lacking in female admirers.
Youth often led to such foolish incidents.
He didn't go into specifics in front of the three girls.
He simply explained that Shu Desheng and Sasha's mother had been deeply in love. However, one day, he was seen coming out of Wu Yanhong's room.
This enraged Sasha's mother, who resolutely left the island and disappeared.
At this point, Bai Suxiang understood the meaning of the words on the note:
"I hate you! I will hate you forever!" followed by a delicate name: Qing Meng.
"Let's go, we'll tidy up and let them have a good talk!"
Shu Dehou suggested at the opportune moment, easing the oppressive atmosphere.
The group withdrew from the room one after another, leaving only Sasha and Shu Desheng.
Fang Xiaoxia had recovered considerably; perhaps she was simply hungry.
She could move much more freely and had a lot to say, sticking close to Bai Suxiang.
Shu Dehou led them to his residence, which was much larger than Shu Desheng's living quarters.
"Uncle De, can they stay here for now? I might need to go over there later!"
Bai Suxiang said, pointing to the other side of Red Island.
She hadn't reported to Aunt Hong for several days and, having not received a call, worried she might have missed an important event.
"Hehehe! Not enjoying your stay with me, are you in such a hurry to leave?"
Shu Dehou said with a laugh.
"Not at all, Uncle De! After all, I have my job to do and can't have special treatment, or I'll break the island's rules."
Bai Suxiang replied sheepishly.
"Go ahead, it's fine. You're young, career comes first. As for those two, don't worry, they can stay with me for as long as they need!"
Shu Dehou didn't insist on keeping them and spoke directly.
Fang Xiaoxia wanted to say something but hesitated, deciding it was best to stay for now.
At least she had escaped that hellish world.
"Take care of yourselves, I'll come to see you when I have time! It's safe here, don't worry!"
Bai Suxiang instructed Liu Sandao and Fang Xiaoxia before departing in haste.
Upon seeing Bai Suxiang, Aunt Hong didn't scold her much; instead, she was quite polite.
"You're here?"
"Yes, Aunt Hong. I came back right after finishing with Uncle De's matters!"
Bai Suxiang replied, using Uncle De as an excuse, hoping not to be targeted.
As expected, Aunt Hong didn't say much, only remarking casually:
"Since you're back, get ready for work! Come with me!"
Bai Suxiang followed her to the dressing room, where several girls were doing their hair and makeup.
Yu Xiaoman and Wang Xiaohong were both there.
This was a dedicated makeup room, and the girls only got to use it before work.
It was equipped with various cosmetics, clothes, bags, and any jewelry imaginable.
Therefore, this was the place the girls most wished to enter.
For this privilege, they eagerly anticipated the arrival of guests at all times.
Of course, a job with a million-dollar annual salary wasn't that simple.
Makeup was just the beginning. Aunt Hong explained that periodically, girls would be chosen to entertain clients. Those selected would receive bonuses ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands after the client engagement was concluded.
After everyone was made up, Aunt Hong ordered them to line up, awaiting her command.
"Follow what I told you before, keep walking forward, don't look back, don't look around!"
She sternly warned the girls, fearful of them making a grave mistake with a moment's inattention.
The girls were clearly facing such a situation for the first time, and the rhythm of their chests rose and fell rapidly.
"Go!"
At the word, the girls set off!
Ahead was a curtain, similar to a talent show stage.
However, no one knew if it was truly like a talent show inside.
Bai Suxiang took a deep breath and followed.
She gently lifted the curtain with her hand and stepped out.
Outside, soft music played, accompanied by the rhythmic "tap-tap" of the girls' high heels, creating a cheerful and rhythmic sound.
The stage was a straight path, surrounded by darkness.
Unlike a talent show, there seemed to be no audience in the darkness.