Call him Mr.
In the winter of 1936, the national flag fluttered, highlighting the heroic sacrifice of life and death. Amidst the flames of war, the people suffered greatly, and the long bell tolled. With the coffin closed three inches deep, we hoped that the departed would remain forever in our hearts.
*
Please sit down, sir.
2025.09.03
By Xiangbei / Text
*
November 1936, Zaozhuang, Shandong.
"Oh my dear young lady, why are you still sitting here?" Aunt Rong pushed open the door and saw Feng Yue still sitting in front of the dressing table, her face full of panic: "That gentleman has been waiting outside for so long."
Fengyue leisurely placed the cosmetics in her hand on the dressing table and lazily asked, "What important person is he? Can't the other sisters serve him?"
“I can’t afford to offend this gentleman; he specifically asked for you.” Aunt Rong picked up the wooden comb Fengyue had placed on the table and began combing her hair, muttering to herself, “This gentleman doesn’t have a good reputation outside…”
"It's not like anyone here has a good reputation." Aunt Rong only said one sentence before Feng Yue interrupted her with a sneer.
Aunt Rong was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "That's true, but you really have to treat this gentleman well. Remember to call him 'sir' when you go out later."
"Sir?" Feng Yue frowned, a hint of disgust in his eyes: "Aren't you afraid of tarnishing your reputation?"
Aunt Rong smiled and shook her head: "It was arranged by outsiders, don't worry about it, just do as they say."
Fengyue's room was the best among all the sisters in the entire Huayue Tower. Coming down from upstairs, you could see the person sitting in the lobby on the first floor.
There were many people in the lobby, but he was the only one sitting.
Fengyue couldn't see his face, but she could see that he was wearing a Zhongshan suit, and his back was tall and straight, something Fengyue had never seen before.
He was a man whose presence alone could rival the entire world, yet he exuded the refined elegance of a scholar.
Perhaps hearing the sound, the person turned around and looked back.
With just that one glance, Fengyue paused in her steps as she descended the stairs.
Although she boasts that she has met many, many people, including some who are good-looking and outstanding.
But at this moment, she had to admit that this one person alone had intoxicated half of the springtime at Huayue Tower.
If before this it was "Jiangnan has nothing to offer," then the moment he turned around it was "I'll give you a sprig of spring."
Her eyes were filled with seductive charm as she picked up a wine cup and poured a drink for the person in front of her. When she held the cup to Zhang Chenglin with her slender fingers, her eyes were full of allure.
Feng Yue's temperament was outstanding; her face was full of unparalleled elegance, making her seem distant at first glance.
Having worked at Huayuelou for several years, I've never seen her so proactive in trying to please someone; even when she did, it was always a forced smile.
Aunt Rong stood on the second floor watching, thinking that Feng Yue had taken her words to heart, and happily calculated in her heart how much money she could make this time.
But only Fengyue herself knew that she was trapped, trapped in those eyes that held the entire spring of Jiangnan, trapped in a certain death that she could see at a glance.
But the world is often unkind, and in this game called "heartbeat," it was not she who ultimately met her inevitable end.
Zhang Chenglin stared at her for a long time, then reached out and took the wine glass that held less than a sip, but didn't drink it and casually put it aside.
Aunt Rong came down the stairs from the second floor, smiling and inviting the guests to sit down. The whole hall was filled with music and bustling with people.
Zhang Chenglin and Feng Yue were sitting at the table in the very center of the hall, yet they were as quiet as if they were in another world.
Ji Yuxing stood not far from Zhang Chenglin. He couldn't see anything unusual about Zhang Chenglin's expression. It was as if he was seeing a stranger as always, with that cold and aloof look.
But ironically, it was he who overheard Zhang Chenglin telling his men, "Go and inform Huayuelou to have Fengyue come to see me."
Ji Yuxing and Zhang Chenglin have known each other for quite some time and can be considered close friends. Ji Yuxing also claims to know almost everyone around Zhang Chenglin.
He just didn't know that Zhang Chenglin knew people from Zaozhuang, Shandong.
Fengyue thought that these people, like those who frequented brothels, would stay here for at least one night.
But they didn't. On the stage of Huayuelou, after the girls finished their fifth dance, Zhang Chenglin was the first to get up and walk out.
Then, the group of people who came with him also left without hesitation.
Fengyue's gaze fell on the wine glass on the table, the one she had poured for him but hadn't drunk.
As Ji Yuxing passed by Fengyue, he whispered, "He will probably come looking for you again tomorrow, Miss Fengyue, be prepared."
Not long after they left, Fengyue was called upstairs by Aunt Rong.
There were many women in the private room upstairs where Aunt Rong was, and they were all whispering about Zhang Chenglin.
"He's so handsome, oh my god!"
"I dream of serving someone like that."
"Ignorant! Don't you know who he is?"
A single sentence piqued Fengyue's interest, and she stood quietly at the door listening.
"Zhang Chenglin".
"The son of the villainous leader Zhang Deyue."
"He frequented brothels and pleasure quarters for years."
"What good stuff could it be?"
The girl speaking was indignant, using the least critical language to criticize someone she couldn't have.
Zhang Chenglin...
Fengyue had heard of this name in those extra editions of street newspapers.
Zhang Deyue, who betrayed his country for personal gain, was a traitorous official hated by everyone. Zhang Chenglin was the idle son of a traitorous official who frequented brothels. Along with Zhang Chenglin's brother Zhang Shengmin, these three dogs would spit on each other.
"And what kind of good thing are you in brothels and entertainment venues?"
Someone objected, and the entire room fell silent as everyone turned to look at the person who had pushed open the door and entered.
Fengyue's hand was still resting on the wooden door frame, a faint smile on her face, as if she hadn't just spoken.
The people in the room, watching Feng Yue, remained silent, none daring to utter a single word of rebuttal.
Everyone in the Flower Moon Pavilion knows that Feng Yue is Aunt Rong's apple of her eye, cherished and protected like a precious gem. Dare to contradict her? That's tantamount to suicide.
They had witnessed firsthand the new girl from two years ago. Because Fengyue asked her to pour water for her but she didn't go, Aunt Rong assigned her to the most difficult mistress in Huayue Tower, and she was tortured to death.
Aunt Rong is a woman who doesn't tolerate anyone else; whoever makes money is the boss. And who can blame her when Fengyue has always been the most profitable establishment in Huayue Tower?
Every industry has its golden age, and theirs is no exception. So many people wait patiently for the day when their beauty fades and they themselves rise to the top.
Some people endured it, wasting their prime years in brothels, fading into obscurity under the enduring glow of romance.
Some people couldn't hold on, and after showing off their charms in the beds of one difficult man after another, they never appeared laughing and joking again.
No one knows how long Fengyue's heyday at Huayuelou will last. She has been at Huayuelou for several years and has long been accustomed to this kind of life, indulging in, depravity, and sensual pleasures.
What kind of good person is she?
Aunt Rong's gaze fell on Feng Yue. Today, she was wearing a bright red dress, and her fair legs were exposed when she walked, which was very alluring.
Standing next to Zhang Chenglin, he felt somewhat out of place.
"Mr. Ji said that gentleman will be coming again tomorrow, so you should dress conservatively."
Aunt Rong spoke, her tone both suggestive and admonishing.
Feng Yue lowered her eyes and responded with a soft "Mm".
"This man is difficult to please. I didn't originally plan to send you, but he made a special request beforehand that you be the only one he wants, so I have no choice."
"With the situation outside so chaotic and the officials nowhere to be found, once this gentleman arrives, Shandong is likely to undergo a complete upheaval."
"If you can get close to this gentleman, our Flower Moon Pavilion will have achieved something great."
Feng Yue's eyes were lowered; she neither responded nor answered.
Aunt Rong couldn't see her expression clearly, but a cold glint flashed in her eyes.
——
In the south of the city, there was a house that looked ordinary on the outside but was actually a hidden gem inside.
"Have you known each other before?"
Zhang Chenglin stood by the pond feeding the fish, while Ji Yuxing stood behind him, his face full of confusion.
Zhang Chenglin didn't move, his expression slightly frozen, as if he was annoyed that the person speaking was disturbing his fish.
Ji Yuxing waited for a long time but Zhang Chenglin didn't speak. He took a step forward and stood next to him, level with him, and asked again, "Did you know each other before?"
Zhang Chenglin, having run out of fish food, clapped his hands lightly and replied, "I don't know him."
Zhang Chenglin's expression was very serious, leaving Ji Yuxing no room for rebuttal.
"Then why did you go straight to Huayuelou as soon as you arrived in Shandong?"
"Then why do you always seek out pleasure at the Flower Moon Pavilion?"
"Something's wrong with you."
Ji Yuxing posed two questions in quick succession, eager to know why Zhang Chenglin would disregard public opinion and head straight to Huayuelou in Shandong.
Zhang Chenglin turned and walked into the house, not intending to answer his question.
"open……"
Ji Yuxing tried to call him back, but Zhang Chenglin interrupted him as soon as he opened his mouth: "Zhuang Yanbin and Jiang Rusu arrived in Shanghai yesterday."
Ji Yuxing's thoughts were instantly pulled back to reality, and he cursed, "These bastards... I knew they weren't up to any good."
“We just set off for Shandong yesterday, and they immediately went to Shanghai. Their intentions are truly despicable!”
Zhang Chenglin remained calm as always and said, "Jiang Yuanxing is not someone who is easily persuaded."
When Ji Yuxing spoke again, his tone was filled with disappointment and frustration: "What if?"
"Once Shanghai falls, we will never have a chance to recover."
"Don't forget the purpose of your trip to Shandong, not to solidify your reputation for frequenting brothels."
Zhang Chenglin didn't answer, but stared at him intently.
“Mr. Zhang, a letter from Shanghai.”
Xin Jie, one of Zhang Chenglin's subordinates, jogged over and handed Zhang Chenglin a piece of paper that was not folded neatly.
Ji Yuxing didn't know what was written on the paper, but he knew that after Zhang Chenglin read it, his aura instantly turned several degrees colder.
She left without saying a word to him.
Ji Yuxing was puzzled and turned to ask Xin Jie, who had come to deliver the message, "What happened?"
Xin Jie snapped out of his reverie as Zhang Chenglin hurriedly left, shook his head, and replied truthfully, "I don't know."
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