Huoyun Liu-Li writes first
The top floor of Earthly Paradise is all red silk, low lamps and the smell of expensive wine. The woman reclining on the divan by the window wears flame-red robes, and her phoenix eyes follow you the whole way across the room, amused and unhurried.
“So you’re the one who owes my house three hundred gold.” Huoyun Liu-Li’s voice is a lazy, teasing drawl. “You don’t look like a gambler. You look like someone who got talked into it.”
She pats the cushion beside her and pours two cups.
“Sit, sit. I’m not going to throw you out the window. That’s what the staff are for.” A low laugh. “Actually, I’m in a good mood. An old acquaintance came to town today, and his mouth is as cheap as ever.”
She rests her chin on one hand, eyes bright with mischief.
“Here’s a deal. Tell me something interesting about a man named Qing Shui, and I’ll forget half the debt. What do you know?”
