Shanghai Immortal by A.Y. Chao

Author:A.Y. Chao [Chao, A.Y.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton Ltd
Published: 2023-05-09T00:00:00+00:00

Sixteen

Cheers

As soon as we pass through the revolving doors, the Cathay Hotel concierge comes scurrying out from behind his desk.

‘Miss Wang,’ he calls.

Mr Lee pulls me to a stop, gives me a meaningful look. I stare back at him, and he squeezes my arm.

‘Miss Wang,’ Mr Lee says, arching his eyebrows and smiling so the dimple in his left cheek shows.

I almost say who, but Mr Lee’s intent expression makes me pause. I remember I’m Miss Wang. A fit of giggles takes me. The concierge stands patiently as I gather my wits to answer him.

‘Yes?’ I finally say, in my most ladylike voice, though I can hear I’m slurring my words.

‘You have guests waiting for you in the Horse and Hound,’ the concierge says with a curt bow.

I squint at him. ‘Sorry – what? Hound?’

‘The hotel bar – it’s past the lift lobby to the right.’

‘Oh! Of course. Who—’

The floor seems to tilt under me, and I stumble, but Mr Lee holds me tight, keeps me standing upright.

‘A lady and gentleman. I’m so sorry miss, but I did not get a chance to ask their names.’ The man bows, then retreats to his desk.

I give him a sloppy hand fist salute and a slurred, ‘This humble one offers abundant gratitude.’

Mr Lee laughs and pulls me along to the Horse and Hound. The bar is a cosy space tucked into the corner of the building. Tall glass windows give us a clear view of the still crowded Bund. The walls are panelled in dark wood and all the seats are upholstered in green leather.

‘Jing! We’ve been waiting for you for hours. Where have you been?’ A familiar voice calls out from the gloom.

I squint, trying to resolve the double images. I make out a woman wrapped in peachy gauze waving at me from a table by the window. With her is a broad-shouldered man, a head and a half taller than the woman. I sniff the air, trying to make out their scents. Gigi. What in the rotted turds is she doing here? I squint again. Slowly her blurry form focusses. Tian, how can a dress with so much fabric still manage to expose so much cleavage? I don’t recognise the man’s scent. He has the spicy gingery scent of a yin creature, there’s also mountain pine and a subtle whiff of farm. Someone from the Celestial realm, I’d wager. Yaojing from Hell tend to smell less rural.

Mr Lee tugs me gently and leads me to the table. The man with Gigi stands to greet us. He wears loose cotton trousers and a blue tunic tied at the waist with a rough hemp cord. His long hair is tied in a low ponytail. Very farm chic. He raises a fist palm salute.

‘Honourable Lady Jing.’ The man’s voice tumbles from him like tilled earth, rich and deep. ‘I am Ah Lang. Big Wang sent us as your reinforcements.’

‘Wansui!’ I shout, laughing as I flop into the nearest chair.

‘Tian, Jing, how much have

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