Originally this was going to be a longer set, but I’ll go through the important points for the sake of moving the story along.
⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️
- “The ship I was traveling on had to make an emergency stop for parts and repair. It was close to midnight and I was told the only place open at that time where I could get a warm meal was the famous pub “First Post” the oldest establishment in the bay. It was a freezing night and I was really hungry. What I thought was going to be an uneventful night ended up being much more than that. The owner started making small talk when he brought me my plate. We started talking”
Short version: they both realize they are at a cross roads in their lives. She wants to settle in and he wants to sell everything and travel de world. One is tired of traveling around the world and the other one is tired of being all of his life in the same place.
He mentions he has tried to sell the bar but it has been difficult because the bar comes attached to the brothel next door. His former business partner managed the brothel and he managed the bar.
- “A few year ago my partner got in trouble with a very dangerous customer and ended up loosing his life. I know nothing about running a sex joint so the girls have taken over and managed it to the best of their abilities. But they are no business ladies and the place is going down faster than a sack of bricks in the middle of the ocean. I want to sell the bar but no one wants to buy the sex joint next door”
Something happened inside Huã when she heard that. Almost as if a light she never knew she had was turned on for the first time. No real thought went before saying:
- “Show me”
- “Show you… what?” Said the man.
- “Show me the brothel. I wanna see it”
Surprised at the request the owner agreed. The brothel was divided in sections. The first sections were the once better kept. Probably because they were used for the customers with more money. The other sections were used for quick blowjobs or customers who didn’t want to pay a more luxurious experience. As Huã witnessed the poor conditions of the place she couldn’t help it but think about the unsavory conditions she also had to endure while having sex for money. Every girl there was a reminder of her former self. Somehow the smell and darkness of that place seemed very familiar to her. The deeper in she went into the brothel the bigger the feeling inside her. It was not until she arrived to the living quarters when she broke down. Not only the place these girls fucked was unsanitary, also their chambers, the rooms they lived in were painful to watch. Seeing the conditions these girls lived in made her know she had arrived there for a reason. A stillness in her heart arouse. Peace, quiet and a sense of BELONGING took over her.
- “I’ll buy it”
The owner heard the words correctly but his brain could not believe and register the idea correctly.
- “Excuse me?”
- “I’ll buy it. The bar AND the brothel”
The owner once again heard correctly but still had difficulties believing his ears.
- “You’ll … buy … BOTH? You’ll buy the bar AND the brothel”
- “Well, actually … I’ll buy the brothel and the bar that comes with it”
Not wanting this opportunity to get away the owner extended his arm and they shook hands. They walked back to the bar and Huã had a waiter go to the ship and tell the captain she was going to stay there and to have all her belongings brought to her at once.
The very next day they got the paperwork done and the payment settled in full. The deal was done. She was now the owner of the brothel and the caretaker of the girls living and working in it and that, automatically, turned her into a Madame. Hence, Madame Li was born.
⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️⚪️
Next Chapter: “A NEW FAMILY” 
