Jin Xiangyu reached out with a slender, pale hand, picked up the half-full glass of liquor in front of Chen Fan, gently swirled it, and sat sideways on the arm of the sofa.
She was so close to Chen Fan that he could smell the faint jasmine fragrance on her.
The scent was not strong, yet it was a little dazing.
Before Chen Fan could move, Jin Xiangyu curled her fingers and brought the glass to his lips, her eyes shimmering. "Mr. Chen, have a sip."
Chen Fan reached out, clasped Jin Xiangyu's hand, and chuckled. "Of course I'll drink your liquor, Boss Jin."
"But people always say drinking gets in the way of business."
"Sixth Master, shouldn't we take care of our business first?"
Jin Xiangyu's gaze sharpened slightly. Their positions were rather delicate now.
Jin Xiangyu held the glass, while Chen Fan's hand rested on hers.
On the surface, Chen Fan seemed to be taking liberties with her. In truth, they were secretly testing their strength.
But it was obvious at a glance who had the upper hand.
Chen Fan chatted and laughed with effortless ease. No matter how hard Jin Xiangyu tried, she could not move her hand an inch.
Although Jin Xiangyu was an opera singer, she had trained since childhood. In times like these, anyone making their way through the jianghu was bound to have a few tricks up their sleeve.
From this single glass of liquor, Jin Xiangyu could tell that Young Master Chen's abilities were definitely above hers.
At least in terms of strength, they were in entirely different leagues.
"Young Master Chen, fine liquor and beautiful women are among life's greatest pleasures," Old Knife Handle said with a smile. "Don't spoil the mood."
"As for the money, I worked it all out long ago."
"That shipment has all been sold. The buyers took delivery in two batches, and all the payments have come in."
"It sold for twenty-four thousand six hundred in total. After the necessary deductions, your share should be five thousand seven hundred and twenty."
"I've had it ready for ages, just waiting for you to collect it."
As he spoke, Old Knife Handle took a bundle of fiat currency from a drawer and placed it on the table.
"Straightforward as ever, Sixth Master. A toast to you." With a gentle turn of his wrist, Chen Fan took the glass from Jin Xiangyu's hand, raised it toward Old Knife Handle, and drained it in one gulp.
A flash of astonishment crossed Jin Xiangyu's face, and she obediently shifted from the armrest onto the sofa.
Half her body pressed against Chen Fan. As he set down the glass, he raised his hand in the same motion, his right hand brushing the nape exposed above her qipao, whether deliberately or not.
Jin Xiangyu stiffened slightly, then smiled again. Rather than pulling away, she nestled closer into his arms.
Sitting opposite them, Old Knife Handle watched the scene, the smile lines at the corners of his eyes deepening.
He slowly exhaled a mouthful of smoke, then said, "Young Master Chen, winning Miss Jin's favor is no easy thing."
Chen Fan chuckled. Pleasantries like that were best simply heard and forgotten.
If he actually believed Old Knife Handle, he would be a complete fool.
Everyone knew that performing at any of Shanghai's major opera theaters required Old Knife Handle's approval.
Every trade had its rules. A star of Jin Xiangyu's stature might fool others, but if she dared go against Old Knife Handle's wishes,
she knew very well how she would end up.
They had met by chance, and spending a night together posed no real pressure for Chen Fan.
It was only playing along. As if anyone didn't know how to do that.
Jin Xiangyu leaned close to Chen Fan, her fragrant breath brushing his ear. "Mr. Chen, are you still leaving tonight?"
Chen Fan lowered his head to look at her.
The light fell from the side, casting a warm glow over half his face.
He reached out and brushed the back of his fingers very slowly over Jin Xiangyu's cheek. "That depends on whether you ask me to stay, Boss Jin."
"Ha!" Old Knife Handle laughed beside them, slapping the armrest. "All right, then. My accounts are settled."
"Miss Jin, Mr. Chen is in your hands tonight. Don't let him get away."
"Get away? Sixth Master, with a stunning beauty like Boss Jin here, only a fool would leave."
As he spoke, Chen Fan gave Jin Xiangyu's chin another squeeze. "Wouldn't you agree, Boss Jin?"
Jin Xiangyu buried her face against Chen Fan's shoulder. "You're awful. You men only know how to deceive a girl with sweet words."
Holding Jin Xiangyu, Chen Fan chuckled. "Boss Jin, surely you don't expect me to imitate Liu Xia Hui and remain unmoved with a woman in my lap?"
"Wouldn't that be the greatest insult to you...?"
Old Knife Handle could no longer stand their shameless billing and cooing. He spoke up. "Young Master Chen, Miss Jin, a banquet has been prepared upstairs. Since you and Miss Jin have hit it off so well."
"Miss Jin, keep Young Master Chen company over a few drinks."
Before Chen Fan could speak, Jin Xiangyu rose and took his hand. "Young Master Chen, do me the honor."
As the saying went, the poor heard her voice, while the rich savored her charms...
Jin Xiangyu had made herself so obvious. If Chen Fan still failed to understand what she meant,
then he truly would be a complete fool...
"Boss Jin, after you, then..."
Early the next morning...
When Old Knife Handle stealthily pushed open the door, Jin Xiangyu was already dressing and doing her makeup with the help of her personal maid.
Old Knife Handle approached and looked at the face in the mirror. Though she looked somewhat tired, her eyes were bright and lively...
"Sixth Master, you're here early."
Old Knife Handle gave the maid a meaningful look, and she obediently withdrew.
With an ingratiating air, Old Knife Handle picked up the cup of water nearby and handed it over.
Jin Xiangyu accepted the cup and took a sip.
That gesture alone showed that the trust between them was far from ordinary.
For a renowned opera performer like Jin Xiangyu, her teacup was her most important personal possession. Only someone she trusted completely could fetch her cup for her.
Simple as the task might seem, its requirements were exacting. The water in the cup had to be kept at a constant temperature, neither hot nor cold.
Moreover, the cup could never leave her sight. Ultimately, it was all to protect herself.
After all, their greatest asset was their voice.
"Miss Jin, how was Chen Fan?"
Jin Xiangyu laughed coyly. "In what respect would you like to know, Sixth Master?"
Old Knife Handle gave a couple of dry chuckles, then abruptly turned serious. "Miss Jin, the tusi has already sent someone with a message."
"Their goods must be disposed of within half a month. I want to know how much time you need."
Jin Xiangyu dropped her frivolous expression and considered for a moment. "Half a month? Isn't that a little rushed?"
"Boss Du may no longer be in Shanghai, but Zhang Xiaolin, Ji Yunqing, and Shen Xingshan are still here."
"You want to move such a large shipment in so little time. I'm worried someone might get something on us."
Old Knife Handle frowned. "Miss Jin, we're grasshoppers tied to the same rope."
"If we can't raise all the money for the tusi, we'll all be in trouble."
Jin Xiangyu fell silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Sixth Master, I suddenly want to know why you chose Chen Fan."
"Because he's greedy," Old Knife Handle said slowly. "A man with little to fall back on who dares to do business with the Japanese has plenty of nerve."
"Someone willing to risk his life for money makes a very suitable target for us."
"It's just a shame about Chen Zhongming."
"He was a very loyal man. He never gave us up, even in death. A pity the feng shui of the Chen family's ancestral grave isn't very good."
"I'm afraid their family line is about to end..."