As a Double Red Pole, he could never have brought himself to say such things to Zhao Wenye of his own accord. Chan Ah-sap, the society's chairman, had told him to say every word.
Zhao Wenye froze for a moment. He was effectively Rotten-Life Ju's grand-disciple, and there was no custom of a boss treating his grand-disciple, so he was about to refuse. But then he saw the eagerness in Rotten-Life Ju's eyes and thought of his final words. With a blast of the crisp sea breeze, a light seemed to go on in Zhao Wenye's head.
If Brother Yiu hadn't become Secretary Song, Rotten-Life Ju probably wouldn't have thought of him, much less promoted him to work aboard the boats. When all was said and done, he plainly wanted Zhao Wenye to invite his cousin out for drinks that evening.
"I'll definitely tell Brother Yiu about it," Zhao Wenye told Rotten-Life Ju.
Rotten-Life Ju patted him on the shoulder. "Apply yourself, and you'll make a name for yourself soon enough."
After seeing Zhao Wenye, Rotten-Life Ju went to a gambling den his society ran at the docks. He passed through the noisy crowd placing bets in the outer room and entered the back, where he saw his boss, Chan Ah-sap, counting the gambling money. Cigarette between his fingers, Rotten-Life Ju took a seat and said to Chan Ah-sap, who was counting with his head down:
"Brother Ten, I passed your words on to that kid. Do we really need to go this far? Ah Bao took four knife wounds helping the society fight for territory at the Tai O docks a while back. By the rules, he ought to be the one leading the team aboard the boats. Even if the kid is Secretary Song's cousin, there's no need to be so blatant, is there? What if the brothers under us aren't happy..."
Chan Ah-sap didn't answer. He first finished counting the stack of money in his hands, then bound it with a rubber band and tossed it to Rotten-Life Ju.
"That's two thousand. Didn't you say Song Tianyao gave you and Ah Kun five hundred each last night? This is for paying him back. If that kid Ah Yip can't get Song Tianyao to come, you can use the money as an excuse to call on him."
Rotten-Life Ju thumbed through the stack of bills. "Wow, the interest doubled overnight? Even loan sharks don't calculate it that way. Boss, I've already heard that Song Tianyao only started working for Chu Xiaoxin last night. It's hard to say whether he'll be able to stay by his side. You're giving him money and helping find jobs for his cousin and his father. Aren't you rushing things? What if Chu Xiaoxin throws the guy out in a few days..."
"If he throws him out, things will be easy. However much he's taken, I'll have you go straight to his door and get it back, with interest. The real trouble is if Chu Xiaoxin doesn't throw him out. You saw it last night too: Young Master Shun blamed us for being too slow to step forward. Do you know how many Chiu Chow gangs want to climb into the Chu Family's good graces but don't have the chance? We need to take good care of this Secretary Song and have him put in a few good words for us. Otherwise, if Young Master Shun gives the word to shut down Chao Yong Yi's work at a few docks, are the brothers in our gang supposed to drink the northwest wind? Find out what sort of banquet Secretary Song ordered at the Taibai Seafood Restaurant last night. Order a table with exactly the same dishes tonight, find the woman who accompanied him last night, and pay for her full time." Chan Ah-sap said to Rotten-Life Ju, "Do you think running a gang is just fighting, killing, and grabbing docks? Offend these rich men, and no matter how well you fight, you'll be left waiting to starve."
"Understood, Brother Ten." Seeing how seriously Chan Ah-sap spoke, Rotten-Life Ju jumped down from the table and stood at attention. "I'll do my utmost to handle this properly."
It was the same private room by the window as yesterday, the same attendant preparing the tea, and the same girl playing the pipa. Song Tianyao sat watching the attendant make tea, while the girl sat quietly in a corner of the room, looking at him.
Once the attendant had brewed the tea and left the room, the girl set her pipa upright and asked Song Tianyao, her voice as soft and lingering as it had been yesterday, "Sir, would you like to hear a long piece or a short one today?"
"How much do you have to give your master each day at the very least to get something to eat?" Instead of answering her, Song Tianyao turned to glance at her and asked with a smile.
While chatting with Wu Jinliang yesterday, he had learned that most of the young Songstresses in teahouses were orphans bought by old musicians or old Songstresses. They were raised as apprentices and taught their skills from childhood. Once they turned ten, they were sent to teahouses to learn the ways of the world. At fifteen or sixteen, they were sent to the various seafood restaurants to drink with and entertain guests, and could even be bought out.
"Three dollars." The girl didn't know why Song Tianyao was asking how much she had to give her master each day, but she answered truthfully.
Three Hong Kong dollars was the price of one long piece. Unfortunately, most teahouse customers came to drink tea and chat with friends. They might listen to a short tune now and then, but a long piece could last anywhere from one to two hours, depending on the selection. No customer had the patience to sit in a teahouse listening for that long. Besides, anyone who wanted to listen might as well go straight to a Cantonese Opera Society, where two dollars bought a seat for the whole morning. So the little Songstress earned most of her money from short tunes. On a lucky day, she could make four or five dollars; on an unlucky one, it was common for her not to earn even a dollar.
"No need to sing. Play something cool and calming. Rest when you're tired, and help yourself if you want tea." Song Tianyao leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes as he spoke softly.
The girl watched him quietly. After three long breaths rose and fell from Song Tianyao, she gently plucked the strings with her fingers, fitted with artificial nails, and the pipa rang out in the quiet room.
Perhaps Song Tianyao's question had reminded the girl of her own past. In the corner, she closed her eyes and concentrated as she played Autumn Moon over the Han Palace, a classic piece in the Chongming School's tremolo style.
In the room were a man and a girl. The man rested with his eyes closed, while the girl played with her head bowed. No voices could be heard; only the cool, mournful sound of the pipa echoed through the room without end.
To the strains of the beautiful old tune, Song Tianyao leaned back in the rosewood horseshoe-back chair and fell fast asleep. He didn't know how much time had passed before Wu Jinliang's voice sounded outside. Then the door opened, and Song Tianyao opened his eyes to see Chu Xiaoxin striding in, his face full of triumph. Behind him came Yan Hung, unable to conceal the gloom on his face, and A Wai, Yan Hung's subordinate from last night. Song Tianyao's gaze fell to their waists; the sidearms that marked them as plainclothes officers were gone.
Chapter 28: The Song Tianyao Yan Hung Couldn't Read
Only when Chu Xiaoxin sat down opposite him did Song Tianyao notice that it was already afternoon, and that his whole body ached from sleeping in the chair for so long.