23. The Headliner, Manyu

As the two were speaking, Blindman placed a cup of tea in front of Zhou Hongyi.

"Brother Zhou, have some water."

Zhou Hongyi glanced at him and asked, "What’s this? No need to go to the gang today?"

Blindman gave a bitter smile, pushed up his round sunglasses, and said with self-deprecation, "Brother Zhou, you know how it is. After that incident, I couldn't stay in the gang any longer. I’ve been staying by my mother’s side these past few days. She’s about to give birth, and I have the time to look after her."

Zhou Hongyi nodded. "That’s probably for the best. But what do you plan to do after the baby is born? That will be a significant expense."

"Oh, it's just another mouth to feed and another pair of chopsticks. We poor folks don't have such high standards for raising kids. As for work, I haven't decided yet, but Shanghai is vast; there’s bound to be a place for a man like me."

Zhou Hongyi thought for a moment and said, "I just leased a shop on the edge of the Concession this afternoon. I have a young brother watching over it, but tell me, Blindman, can you read and do math?"

Blindman was stunned, but answered honestly, "A little. When I was in the gang, I was responsible for guarding the warehouse and taking inventory. I’m no professional accountant, but I’m not far off."

"That’s excellent. Once your mother has recovered from the birth, come work for me and help manage the shop. My young brother is a good, honest kid, but he can't do math and his literacy is quite limited."

"Really? Brother Zhou, you are a great benefactor to my family, like a second parent! Not only did you help me pay back the money I owed the gang, but you’re also finding me work. If you weren't so young, I’d suspect you were my own father!"

Zhou Hongyi’s mouth twitched, and he quickly raised a hand. "Stop, stop. Why are you getting so carried away?"

He then asked curiously, "There is one more thing I’ve always wanted to ask. Why do you wear sunglasses day and night? You aren't actually blind, are you?"

Blindman touched his round sunglasses sheepishly and took them off in front of Zhou Hongyi. The latter finally saw clearly: Blindman’s left eye was a prosthetic. No wonder he wore the glasses all the time; he was hiding his false eye.

"I injured my eye during a gang fight. I managed to save my life, but I lost the eye. To avoid scaring people, I’ve worn these ever since."

Once Blindman finished, his mother huffed, "With your clumsy skills, trying to act like a tough guy in a fight! You didn't think about what would happen to me if something went wrong—who would look after me in my old age? And what about your younger siblings who are about to be born? I think following Master Zhou is a wonderful idea. He’s kind-hearted and capable; he’ll never treat you unfairly. Master Zhou, meeting you is truly a blessing for my family. Tomorrow, I’m going to kowtow at our ancestors' graves to see if the incense smoke is rising auspiciously."

"Please, no, Sister Qingxia. I see that Blindman is filial, efficient, and quick-witted. My shop needs someone to manage it, and I feel more at ease with someone I know well. But Blindman, if you ever run into trouble again, you must come to me. Don't make the same mistakes you did before."

Blindman raised three fingers to the sky and declared solemnly, "Brother Zhou, rest assured. I swear to the heavens that I will never do anything to betray you. You have shown my family great kindness; may I be struck by lightning if I break my word!"

Zhou Hongyi pushed his hand down. "There's no need for such drastic oaths. Just prove it with your actions."

After chatting for a while longer, seeing that it was getting dark, Mother Abing stood up with her hands on her waist. "Master Zhou, let's go. While the guests are few, I’ll call Manyu out for you."

Blindman dutifully helped his mother, while Zhou Hongyi felt a bit guilty. She was a woman about to give birth, yet she was running to a dance hall for him; it was quite a burden.

"Sister Qingxia, thank you."

"Oh, what's there to thank? If anything, we should be thanking you, Master Zhou. Let's go."

The three walked out of the alley, and Zhou Hongyi hailed a rickshaw for Blindman’s mother, following them all the way to the Paramount Ballroom.

Though it was still early, this "Pearl of the Orient" had already lit up all its neon signage. Waiters in white shirts and dancers in cheongsams with permed hair stood at the entrance to welcome the first wave of distinguished guests.

Mother Abing moved her somewhat clumsy body to the foot of the stairs and waved at a dancer. "Cuicui!"

The dancer saw her former colleague and hurried over with a beaming smile. "Oh, Sister Qingxia! You’re in such a delicate state, why are you still running to the dance hall?"

Qingxia held the dancer’s hand and laughed. "You little thing, you’ve become even more beautiful since I last saw you. I just missed you all, that's why I came. By the way, is Manyu here? Help me call her; tell her I have something to discuss."

When the dancer heard the name Manyu, a look of disdain flashed across her face, though she quickly hid it.

"Sister Qingxia, you come here just to find Manyu? She’s the headliner of the Paramount now. Many big shots line up just to dance with her; she doesn't bother with us old sisters anymore. Even though we dance on the same floor every day, I haven't spoken to her in three days."

Just as the dancer was being snide, a voice like a silver bell drifted over.

"Sister Cuicui, you wrong me by saying that. I, Manyu, have always considered you all my dear sisters, especially Sister Qingxia. I still remember how well you took care of me when I first arrived at the Paramount. Sister Qingxia, when are you due? It looks like the day is near, doesn't it?"

The group looked over to see a black sedan parked in the open space beside the Paramount. A young woman stepped out, dressed in a luxurious silk cheongsam, her figure exquisite, walking with the grace of a willow branch.

Manyu’s eyebrows were like distant mountains, her eyes moist and shimmering as if hiding a pool of autumn water. Her flaming red lips parted slightly as she spoke, and a tiny black mole at the corner of her left eye added a touch of allure.

"So this is Manyu," Zhou Hongyi thought to himself.

For a man who had seen countless women, her appearance was at best upper-middle-tier—not even as beautiful as his own sister, Zhou Pan'er. But the charm and unique temperament she exuded were incredibly captivating. Added to the female pheromones she radiated with every move, it was likely that any man would find it hard not to look twice.

"Oh, Manyu, my dear sister! You are the top flower of our Paramount now. If I ever fall on hard times, I’ll have to come and rely on you. Don't forget about us sisters when that time comes!"

Manyu curled her lips, her eyes curving into crescents. She teased, "Sister Qingxia, you love to joke. Even after you have your baby, your charm will be as strong as ever; a mature woman has a unique appeal. By the way, did you come here today to support me?"

After a few pleasantries, Mother Abing got straight to the point, pointing at Zhou Hongyi. "I brought a distinguished guest to meet you today. This is Master Zhou, my son's boss. He has long admired your name, and when he heard that you and I knew each other, he insisted on coming to meet you."

Zhou Hongyi stepped forward with a gentlemanly smile. "Miss Manyu, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am Zhou Hongyi."

Manyu looked Zhou Hongyi up and down. In her line of work, a sharp eye was a mandatory skill; from one's speech, mannerisms, and attire, one could roughly gauge their social standing and financial status.

After observing him, a flicker of surprise appeared deep in her eyes.

"So, you are Master Zhou. Truly a man of distinction; one can tell at a glance that you are no ordinary person."

Mother Abing introduced him in time, "Master Zhou works at the Jing'an Second Precinct and is a section chief of the Special Operations Unit. He is young and promising, and he has even opened a shop next to the Concession. My son works for him now."

"Master Zhou is a police section chief? I know Director Feng of the Jing'an Second Precinct, but I don't recall hearing about any Special Operations Unit."

Mother Abing didn't know the details, but Zhou Hongyi remained calm. "It didn't exist before, but it does since I arrived. Miss Manyu, the truth is, I troubled Sister Qingxia to introduce us for two reasons: one is that I have admired you for a long time, and the second is that I am very interested in the Paramount. To be honest, I am looking to invest in a similar venue, and if the timing is right, I have my eye on this very establishment."