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she might end up years later like Madam Teng, a stone-hearted, soulless woman who schooled younger women about the life of a prostitute. That was something to aspire to.
    The rest of her lessons were about the sex act itself.
    Madam taught her what men liked in bed, how to fellate them, how to pose herself to please them, how to masturbate herself for their amusement, and which of her orifices she could expect them to enter with their cocks. Her explanations at first made Huiann blush furiously, but after a while her embarrassment at hearing such things faded. There was no longer any room in her for girlish innocence. She must be smart and sly and use whatever skills she could to get free of this place. If she couldn’t find a way to escape before her virginity was sold then she might have to pretend to settle into this life for a time. Maybe one of the men she met could be prevailed on to help her.
    Huiann finished the meal on the tray Madam had brought to her. The food here wasn’t like home, but it was filling and that was all that mattered. She’d only saved the bits she thought would hold up for a few days without going bad, rice mostly and the chewy bread. She didn’t know what would happen if she did escape Xie Fuhua’s prison. The little food she’d saved wouldn’t last long and, as he’d pointed out, she had no 40
    Captive Bride
    relatives or friends in this foreign place. Strangers would be afraid to take her in. She couldn’t speak English and had no idea how the city was laid out or where she might go for aid. But none of that mattered.
    She would still run away the moment she got a chance.
    For now, she waited and learned about her body and men’s bodies from Teng. Madam had explained that a bidding war was going on for Huiann’s virginity.
    The master was entertaining proposals from several interested men and seemed pleased with the way Huiann’s price was rising. Madam had heard him say she was a good investment, and she reminded Huiann that she must live up to the expectations of whichever man won her.
    “Every man is different. They enjoy different reactions from women, but all are the same in one regard. They want the illusion they are the best lover you’ve ever had. That is what they pay for and that’s what you will give them. And remember that in America you’re no longer the daughter of a merchant.
    You’re related to royalty. These men want to believe they’re fucking a princess so you will always exhibit elegant manners and demure behavior.” Putting her tray aside, Huiann walked to her window as she did dozens of times each day and tested the strength of the bars while staring down at the street.
    She’d memorized the buildings she could see from the window and planned to run to the pawn shop if she escaped. There she might be able to trade her expensive gown for a peasant smock and hide more easily among the people.
    She’d only been out of this room when she was taken for interviews in Xie’s office. She wondered Bonnie Dee
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    about the other rooms, the other courtesans who worked for him. Sometimes she heard faint voices, laughter or cries through the wall. Maybe she wasn’t the only one who wanted to escape from here. After she finally met the other women, maybe they could work together to be free.
    Just then the shrill song of a cricket started up as if to approve her thought. A good omen. Huiann searched the room for the little harbinger of luck but couldn’t find it, and then the door opened behind her, making her stomach drop. She was in a state of constant anxiety now. Waiting for what would happen next seemed almost worse than the sex Teng described.
    If a horrible stranger poked his stalk into her lotus at least it would be over with and she wouldn’t have to fear the unknown any longer.
    “Prepare yourself. Another potential client has come to call.”
    For the fourth time in as many days, Madam had come to take her down to Xie’s private office to be shown