Has capitalism’s sugar-coated shell made a comeback?”
A round-faced man scoffed, “Get lost. You, who walks through Shinjuku’s Kabukicho like it’s home, don’t act all righteous.”
Zheng Wei laughed. “You think he doesn’t want to, but customs won’t allow it.”
“You understand me best,” Ye Zhengchen leaned back on the sofa chair, sounding helpless, “If customs allowed, I’d really like to bring back a whole troupe…”
While everyone chatted, a delicate young girl came on stage, bowing deeply and greeting everyone in Japanese. She said, “Today, a special guest has arrived. Someone asked me to sing a song – don’t say goodbye (sayonara)!”
All the lights went out, pitch black, a lingering Japanese song played. I closed my eyes, remembering that scene at the airport, the last words I said to him – “sayonara.” If I had known all his unspoken secrets then, I would have accepted being his lover; but he said nothing.
“Senior, if I gave you three minutes, what would you say? Would you tell me the truth?”
He held me tightly… “I’ve always been grateful you didn’t give me those three minutes!”
Watching a capitalist performance, drinking capitalist wine, dusk arrived unnoticed. More guests arrived, with many beautiful women swaying seductively on the dance floor.
Ye Zhengchen was somewhat drunk, his hand wandering restlessly on my leg. Typically, he drinks well, but tonight he had indulged for my sake. I had a glass of red wine, and when he touched me, waves of heat surged through my body, prompting me to quietly stand up.
“Where are you going?” he asked.
“Restroom.”
After washing my face, I noticed a quiet balcony separated by hanging curtains. I walked over, hands on the railing, looking into the distance. The harbor was visible, with navigation lights blinking beautifully.
“Are you bored?” a voice said behind me. I turned to find Zheng Wei, who extended a glass of ice mineral water.
“Thank you!” I replied. “No, I’m just a bit hot, coming out for some air.”
Zheng Wei leaned on the railing, looking at me sideways. “I’ve always wanted to chat with you. Will you spare me some time today?”
“I’ve wanted to talk to you too, just never found the opportunity…”
“Oh?!”
“I heard you were responsible for Yin Zhongtian’s case…”
