Chapter 514
He did not notice the changes in her expression and simply continued his speech . “This Luo Hanjin… Wasn’t he found guilty of committing depraved acts on children a few years ago? This piece of news got entirely blown up, and many children at the welfare center were discovered to have received varying degrees of sexual assaults – simply outrageous . That welfare center was registered under an individual . While the place operated under the pretext of a ‘welfare center’ back then, unbeknown to the public, the people working there were selling innocent and young children to rich people as playthings . In other words, they were rearing thin horses . ”
“What do you mean?”
Regaining her senses, she failed to grasp the meaning of his words .
‘Rearing thin horses’? What does that mean?
The man had a look of surprise on his face . “Don’t you know the meaning of ‘rearing thin horses’?”
“I’m not sure . Something to do with thin horses, perhaps?”
“It has nothing to do with horses at all! You’re not unsure of its definition – you’re simply clueless about it . Ha ha . What an innocent child!” A corner of his lips rose, which quickly blossomed into a grin . “The thin horses of Yangzhou – have you heard of them?”
She turned her head left and right cluelessly .
He, thus, explained it to her . “Currently, in the entertainment industry, there are many popular groups . Don’t be deceived by their dazzling appearances, for they actually have investors backing them . For example, the in-demand members of the group SWEETGIRLS are, in fact, a bunch of ‘thin horses’ that the record company is grooming . Many rich men like to play with girls that are ‘growing up’– it’s a current trend in the high society . ”
“What exactly does ‘rearing thin horses’ mean, then?” She was befuddled by his explanation .
“This has to be explained from the start . In the past, within the water towns of Jiangnan, there were many young girls who have received special training to serve rich men as their mistresses . These girls have pretty features and thin physiques – hence the name ‘thin horses’ . During the Ming and Qing dynasties, ‘rearing thin horses’ became such a profitable investment a majority of people engaged in the activity . ”
He paused to look at her before he went on with his explanation . “Similar to choosing products, those people in that business carefully selected poor and young girls from all over the country . Those with better physical appearances were trained to have many talents . They were adept at the Four Books and Five Classics, lute-playing, chess, calligraphy, and painting . Eventually, they were sold off to the rich as mistresses for a high price . However, not all ‘thin horses’ were that lucky . Those who did not get selected were sent to brothels . Those songstresses found along the Qinhuai River were originally ‘thin horses’ . ”
She took this story with a pinch of salt as she could hardly believe that such a thing had happened in the past .
Noting her skepticism, he said with a chortle, “That private welfare center used its name to take in orphans and secretly picked out those good-looking ones . Some were sent to the rich with their prices clearly marked . ”
She squeezed her brows . This world apparently had many dark secrets she was unaware of .
She was truly horrified .
During her dark childhood at the welfare center, she had her share of seeing Luo Hanjin’s filth and shamelessness .
Fortunately, Yun Yecheng appeared and took her away from that hellish place of misery . She was thus eternally grateful to him!
If it had not been for his timely arrival in her life, she would probably have turned out differently .
In the time she was in a trance, Qin Zhou had brought over his home-cooked porridge . He set up the table attached to her bed and presented the porridge and side dishes to her . He said smilingly, “You must be hungry . Ha ha! Come and have a taste of this specially prepared plain porridge by Sir Qin Zhou for you . I’ll let you be the judge of my cooking skills!”
She shockingly asked, “You made this for me?”
“Who else, then? I realized that you haven’t had your lunch . Since you slept through the entire afternoon, you must be famished now!”
“Thank you!” She pressed her lips together, thankful for his thoughtfulness .
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