Free Shanghai Redemption by Qiu Xiaolong

him, kneeling on the couch. “You must be tired, sir. Let me give you a massage.”
    For other customers at the nightclub, this might be a natural part of any party, like a cold appetizer before the banquet.
    â€œA special oil massage,” Red Coral pushed.
    â€œBut your hands—”
    â€œDon’t worry about it,” she said, noticing the greenish paint on her hands. “I’ll take a quick shower. Green Jade will keep you company.”
    He had no idea that the room had a shower as well, but considering the stories he’d heard about the Heavenly World, it was no surprise.
    â€œMr. Rong has engaged us for the night,” Green Jade said, edging up more closely. “He’s paid for the full service, whatever you like. And there will be a nice tip for us from him if you’re satisfied.”
    â€œI don’t know what to say. I don’t know anything about the arrangements he’s made. I just came for the book party.”
    â€œI can promise you an unimaginable night.”
    â€œA night like never before,” Red Coral said, calling out from the door of the bathroom. She was giggling, her naked body glowingly pink like a skinned cat. “Flying in pair, with both of us serving you at the same time if you prefer.”
    Green Jade was reaching for his belt, and he hastened to stop her. His hand deflected hers and brushed up against something throbbing in his pants pocket. It was his cell phone, he realized. It had started vibrating as if on cue. He sat straight up.
    â€œHold on,” he said, pulling out his phone. He looked at the number—it was his mother. She probably had questions about the restoration of his father’s tomb. “It’s urgent business.”
    Pushing the girl aside, Chen stood up and headed to the door. It was the perfect excuse to disengage, and he didn’t want his mother to hear the background noise.
    The moment Chen stepped out into the corridor, the door of the next private room over flew open. A girl, her robe unbelted and largely fallen off her shoulder, ran out of the room. She was bare-legged and barefoot, swaying her hips exaggeratedly, like a seductive robot. A sturdy foreigner rushed out after her. All of a sudden, the dimly lit corridor felt stifling.
    Chen hurried to the elevator at the end of the corridor, holding on to the phone. A girl in a yellow dress with a sweet smile like a flowering apricot blossom held the elevator door open for him.
    The lobby on the first floor turned out to be no less noisy, crowded with girls and customers milling around. An elegantly dressed lady was barging in through the revolving door, followed by a couple of fierce-looking men who looked like bodyguards. She was definitely not a “girl.” Confused, Chen wondered whether female customers came to the club as well, but quickly dismissed the question. It was none of his business.
    He slipped outside the club, then looked around. His phone was no longer vibrating. He saw a convenience store on the corner and headed over to buy a pack of cigarettes. Before lighting one, he took a deep breath of the fresh night air to clear his head. There was no need to go back inside, he decided. At least, not until it was time for the banquet.
    Not far away, he could see the Wuning Bridge stretching across Suzhou Creek, unfolding like a splendid dream, with golden statues glistening atop the magnificently lit arch. Shanghai had changed dramatically, but in spite of all the complaints, some of those changes were welcome.
    He pulled out his phone again, ready to call his mother back, but he stopped abruptly. He caught a glimpse of a black-clad man moving stealthily toward the nightclub. He was not alone: there were several others in similar clothing following him.
    Chen recognized the first one as a cop named Tang Guohua. He was in the Sex Crimes Squad of the Shanghai Police Bureau. Whatever Tang’s appearance here signified, Chen knew better