Candy was a rarity wherever it was. Most of these girls came from poor families. Even though they had experienced a few days of luxury, they couldn't earn any money. The people here didn't treat them like human beings at all. Their living conditions were even worse than at home. So as soon as they heard there were candies, they immediately swarmed over to grab them.
The sweetness of the candies melted in their mouths, and everyone became more amiable.
"This candy is really delicious. There's no such candy in the supply and marketing cooperative in our village. Did you buy it from the department store?"
"You're really pretty. You're even more beautiful than the girls on the second floor."
Li Chuchu smiled sweetly. "Thank you. What are you doing here? Do you need my help?"
Naturally, they were glad to have someone help. The previously listless atmosphere became a bit more lively because of Li Chuchu's enthusiasm. Standing among them, Li Chuchu found that they answered every question she asked.
She soon learned that the girls sent here basically had to start training from the first floor. Only those who performed well could go out to receive guests. If someone was exceptionally outstanding, they could go to the second floor. The guests there were generous, and it was said that they could earn a hundred yuan in one night.
Some of the girls here were sold here. Those who didn't obey the discipline would be locked in a small dark room. If they tried to run away, they would be caught back. Over time, they stopped thinking about running away.
Li Chuchu asked them who was in the small dark room, but they didn't know.
Li Chuchu thought that if Jiang Wen was in Dongtai, she could only be among these girls or in the small dark room. If she wasn't in the small dark room either, then she could look elsewhere.
At this moment, a gasp suddenly came from the crowd.
"Li Mei! Is that you?"
The voice was unfamiliar. It came from outside.
Li Chuchu turned around and saw Li Xiaguang standing at the door, heavily made - up. She was looking at Li Chuchu in surprise.
When she saw Li Chuchu, she was half elated and half haughty.
What was the use of being good - looking? So what if she was from the city? If she didn't know how to adapt to the situation, she was still no better than her.
Li Xiaguang greeted a few of her dancing partners on stage warmly, then pulled Li Chuchu to catch up. "Why did you come here? Did you just arrive today? You looked down on this place when I invited you before, didn't you?" After not seeing each other for a few days, there was a hint of vulgarity and cunning that didn't match her age in her once - pure eyes.
Li Chuchu remained calm. "Well, I changed my mind."
Li Xiaguang shook her head smugly. Wearing an exposing performance costume, the cheap colored ribbon on her head flashed.
"Humph, if you had come with me at that time, you would have been better off. You wouldn't have to come here alone now." Judging from her coquettish appearance, she must have been doing well in this cannibalistic place.
Li Chuchu smiled. "I was naive at that time. Now I have no choice but to come." Yes, she was forced by the slow progress of the police station. She had to take matters into her own hands.
Li Xiaguang obviously didn't understand what Li Chuchu meant. She was extremely conceited. "I told you not to ignore my advice back then!"
Li Chuchu knew how to deal with her, so she played along. "I see you're so well - dressed now. You must be making a lot of money here, right? What about that girl who came with you at that time? Is she doing as well as you?"
Li Xiaguang was so arrogant that her nostrils were almost pointing to the sky. "Humph, do you think everyone has the same opportunity as me? I was among the first batch of newbies to enter the stage! Her? She's muddle - headed. She's still locked in the small dark room."
Li Chuchu was overjoyed. Finally, she got a lead on Jiang Wen's whereabouts.
Li Xiaguang rolled her eyes, probably thinking of some bad idea. "If you want to make money, I can take you under my wing for the sake of our hometown connection. But there are rules for the old - timers to take newbies here. I'll take half of your tips every day after you start working."
It seemed that Li Xiaguang had thoroughly understood the rules of Dongtai and was eager to use her status as a working girl to make money from others. It had to be said that Li Xiaguang was a very adaptable person with good social skills. She wasn't particularly beautiful, but she knew how to make people happy. If she didn't do it at the expense of others, Li Chuchu would definitely admire her.
Li Chuchu nodded and readily agreed. "Sure!"
As long as she could get more information from Li Xiaguang and find the location of the small dark room, Li Xiaguang could take as much of the tips as she wanted. Anyway, Li Chuchu wasn't going to make any money here.
Immediately, a timid little girl behind Li Chuchu tugged at her sleeve and whispered, "Don't agree to her. Even without her help, you'll soon be able to go out and receive guests."
Seeing the money slipping away, Li Xiaguang flew into a rage. "Mind your own business! I think you'll be like a rat in the gutter, staying in this shabby shed and never getting a chance to turn things around for the rest of your life!"
As soon as she said this, several girls fell silent immediately.
Dongtai wasn't short of money to build better rest areas for the actresses. Instead, they deliberately created a huge gap between the girls' living conditions here and the outside world, so as to arouse their sense of competition.
The girls on stage could enjoy better treatment, live in bigger rooms, and earn more money. But if they didn't work hard, they would have to stay in this small shed where they couldn't even see the sky forever.
So even the girls who were sold here and didn't want to obey at first would eventually be dragged into this abyss by the open suppression of the managers and the covert competition from the people around them.
It had to be said that the managers' methods were really clever.
Seeing these girls who were speechless, Li Xiaguang felt a surge of pleasure. She turned to Li Chuchu. "Well, have you made up your mind?"
Li Chuchu looked puzzled. "I already agreed!"
Hadn't she always agreed?
"But I have a question. Where is that small dark room you just mentioned?"
Li Xiaguang glanced at her. "You don't need to inquire about that. As long as you're obedient, you definitely won't be locked in there."
"I'm just curious. And since I'm lucky enough to have an acquaintance who's doing so well here to take me under her wing, I'm afraid I might do something wrong and cause you trouble." Li Chuchu's tone was a bit shy, flattering Li Xiaguang to the fullest.
Flattered, Li Xiaguang blurted out, "Those who make mistakes or break the rules here will be locked in the small dark room. It's in the alley behind Dongtai. Hardly anyone passes by there. If you're locked in there, even if you scream your throat out, no one will hear you."
Li Chuchu nodded thoughtfully.
"Okay."
Since they were on this topic, Li Xiaguang quickly pressed on. "You have to listen to me here. Otherwise, if you're locked in the small dark room, you'll be completely helpless."
At this moment, the leader who had brought Li Chuchu in earlier came over. When Li Xiaguang saw him, her eyes lit up. "Consul Wang, how did I perform today? Do you think there's anything I need to improve?"