Night deepened, and the lights upon the Qinhuai River grew ever more dazzling.
Li Jinrong leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-open and half-closed. "Miss Wanjun, you play the pipa beautifully... far better than Yuqin at Wanhua Pavilion in Jin City... I'll come listen again another day."
Wanjun covered her mouth and chuckled. "Master Li flatters me."
Tie Kun checked the time, then rose to his feet. "Master Li, it's getting late. Time to head back."
"Sit a little longer..." Li Jinrong waved a hand, but his body was already refusing to cooperate. He tipped to one side, nearly sliding out of his chair.
Tie Kun reacted swiftly and caught him at once.
Chen Mo released Haitang's waist, took a banknote from his pocket, and placed it on the table. "You sang well. I'll look for you again next time."
Haitang froze for a moment, then smiled. "All right. Thank you, sir."
The black Ford started up and slowly drove out of the alley, heading toward Jinling Inn.
The lights of the Qinhuai River receded farther and farther in the rearview mirror, gradually turning into a blurred patch of red.
"Chen Mo." Li Jinrong, half-drunk and half-awake beside him, suddenly spoke, his voice slurred. "You and that Miss Haitang seemed to get along quite well."
"Not bad."
"What do you mean, not bad?" He let out a drunken belch. "I thought you two were practically stuck together. Master Tie, wouldn't you say so?"
Tie Kun sat in the front passenger seat without turning around. "Master Li, you've had too much to drink."
"I haven't had too much!" Li Jinrong shouted. Then his head lolled to one side, and he slumped against the seat, soon snoring away.
After Chen Mo and the others left, the private room fell