Chapter 178: Misty Water Cold, Moonlight Sand
“It is my honor to contribute to the Empire,” Chen Yang said with a slight bow: “Minister Oshima, I have no questions..”
Oshima Kenjiro nodded slightly, putting on a serious expression: “Everyone, you are the most outstanding transportation officers of the Army Department, and also the most elite transportation team of our Southern Transportation Department.”
“Next, you will compete against the Navy’s transportation team. In Shanghai, even throughout the entire South, the Army Department’s transportation efficiency must absolutely not lose to the Navy Department.”
“If the Army Department fails in the competition, then everyone will probably face the most severe punishment, understood?”
Several people glanced at each other, then bowed in unison: “Please rest assured, Minister, we will give our all.”
*********
The wind of October 1938, carrying the moisture of the Yangtze River and the bitterness of lingering gunpowder smoke, swept over the fallen Shanghai Bund.
The leaden clouds of Wuhan’s fall weighed heavily on the hearts of all Chinese people outside the concession.
However, deep in the Japanese residential area, the heavy black-lacquered gate of the Moonlight Sand Club quietly opened at the end of October in deep autumn.
Inside the gate, a huge crystal chandelier refracted the shadows of people toasting into a bizarre and dazzling array, weaving a stunning icy golden web.
The scents of cigars, chrysanthemum wine, and French perfume intensely intertwined. Maidservants in kimonos glided like ghosts carrying Bordeaux red wine, silently weaving between gold-lacquered ukiyo-e screens, their Kyoto-accented soft speech serving as carefully tuned background noise.
On a rosewood couch in the corner, a Japanese military saber sheath casually pressed down a bright yellow Suzhou-embroidered cushion, its tip’s cold gleam reflecting faces piled with fawning smiles.
Deep in the lobby, an ice sculpture of Fuji Mountain seeped wisps of chill, while across from it, the empty Suzhou ballad stage stood solitary with a lone pipa-shaped shadow.
A gorgeously dressed geisha leaned forward to pour wine; deep within her stacked twenty-four-layered collar like clouds, a glint of cold metal against her skin flashed and vanished.
Time pointed to seven in the evening; a black sedan flying the Sun Flag entered the rear alley and steadily parked in the parking lot specially set up by Moonlight Sand.
Several men in uniforms were in the parking lot; a few stepped forward to cover the license plate, and the leader immediately opened the car door and said in Japanese: “Welcome to Moonlight Sand. Do you have a reservation?”
“Moonlight Sand is a membership-system high-end club; without a reservation, we regretfully cannot serve you.”
Chen Yang pulled a golden card from his pocket, adorned with exquisite patterns, but what was most astonishing was not the card itself, but the number on it.
The number on this card was prominently: 001
The man in charge of verification trembled all over: “Good evening, Boss..”
001 was the club owner’s number, and second was Moonlight Sand’s manager, Lin Su, numbered 002.
Chen Yang slightly raised his hand, signaling the other not to make a fuss, and said to Ino Yusuke in the car: “Ino-kun, come down.”
“We’ve arrived.”
Ino Yusuke pushed open the car door and, after getting out, looked around; the building before him seemed no different from the surrounding buildings. Seeing it so ordinary, Ino Yusuke seemed somewhat disappointed.
“Mr. Chen, this is the best club in Shanghai’s history that you mentioned, the Moonlight Sand Club.”
“It seems, not that impressive.”
“Is that so?” Chen Yang was not at all surprised by Ino Yusuke’s evaluation at this moment: “Ino-kun, China has an idiom called inner universe; don’t jump to conclusions too soon.”
Ino Yusuke seemed interested, “Oh, I’d like to see just how it’s an inner universe.”
“Mr. Chen, Mr. Ino, this way please; Big Sister has specially reserved the Moon Viewing Room.” Moonlight Sand adopted the model of future world private high-end clubs, where all receptions required reservations.
What person, what time of arrival, which private room they would enter, how many guests, what standard of reception corresponded—all plans were already in place.
So, the moment Chen Yang showed the card, the man before him knew exactly how to receive them next.
The leading man guided them to the Moonlight Sand entrance, where a female attendant in a kimono immediately came forward to receive them.
The female attendant in charge of reception took small quick steps, leading the two to a semi-open compartment on the second floor with an excellent view, the Moon Viewing Room.
Fine bamboo curtains hung down, with shadows already visible behind them.
“Mr. Chen, Mr. Ino, this young lady has been waiting for a long time.”
A lazy yet penetrating voice like struck metal rang out from a woman.
The bamboo curtain was gently lifted by a hand wearing a large jade bracelet, revealing a charming and refined face before the two men.
Lin Su, nicknamed Xiao A Qiao
In Shanghai, she had an even more resounding title: the boss lady of Phoenix Cry Pavilion, known as Big Sister.
Ino Yusuke’s eyes lit up; he had been in Shanghai for no short time and was an old hand in the world of pleasure, but he rarely saw anyone dressed like Lin Su.
She wore an ink-green high-neck modified qipao with silver edging, outlining her still graceful curves, with a snow-white mink shawl casually draped over her shoulders.
Her black hair was meticulously pinned into a bun, with only a single kingfisher-feather phoenix-headed gold hairpin slanted in it, the phoenix’s mouth holding a shimmering pearl.
Her makeup was exquisite, her red lips full, her phoenix eyes brimming with smiles, yet their depths unreadable, as if they could easily see through people’s hearts.
In her hand, she held a slender white jade cigarette holder attached to an all-ebony pipe, with wisps of blue smoke adding an air of mystery.
Lin Su’s voice was round and pleasing, with just the right Wu dialect soft tone, every word clear: “Miss Miyagi, why don’t you invite the officers to sit? This top-quality Longjing tea just arrived from Hangcheng, waiting for the distinguished guests to taste it.”
“Yes.” A graceful voice softly echoed, the bamboo curtain lifted again, and a plump figure appeared beside Lin Su.
Unlike the gorgeously dressed geisha of Moonlight Sand or the attendants in kimonos.
The woman before them wore a white silk lace blouse, topped with a black small suit.
Below was a black short hip-hugging skirt, reaching only to the thigh roots.
And between her legs, she wore the latest custom black thigh-high stockings from Shanghai’s Zhenhui Stockings Factory.
This stockings differed greatly from traditional ones; previous black stockings could be called pantyhose, thick like pants, but this was made with the latest imported machines, only one-third the thickness of before.
It was already six or seven points similar to future black stockings, paired with high heels and black-rimmed glasses.
Instantly, a mature OL vibe surged before the two men, and Ino Yusuke’s eyes went straight.
Mature, sexy, glamorous, aloof—several different styles manifested so concretely on one woman.
What was especially unique was that Ino Yusuke actually sensed professionalism on this woman.
It was as if every move of hers had undergone strict training, her actions perfectly embodying the word professional.
“Please.” Miyagi Yui gracefully guided Ino and Chen Yang to the low couch laid with brocade cushions.
On the small table in the center of the couch, a fine set of white porcelain tea set steamed with heat.
Lin Su gracefully entered the compartment and sat in the host’s seat.
Miyagi Yui knelt before the couch, her hands flowing like clouds and water, calmly brewing tea for them and serving it one by one.
Chen Yang raised his cup and smiled: “Boss Lin, Ino-kun, please.”
Lin Su lifted her tea cup, her phoenix eyes smiling, her gaze flowing between the two: “Moonlight Sand is honored by your presence. Tonight’s moonlight is perfect, and the courtyard view is pleasing to the eye—ideal for discussing some… romance, and some serious matters.”
Her words were soft, yet she slightly emphasized “serious matters,” carrying a subtle undertone.
Chen Yang set down his teacup: “It seems Boss Lin has made arrangements?”
Lin Su smiled: “A distinguished guest arrived here today; I think you two would be interested in meeting him.”
Chen Yang set down his teacup, glancing at Ino Yusuke beside him.
Ino Yusuke seemed to have no time to pay attention to Chen Yang; his gaze was fixed on Miyagi Yui.
That gaze seemed as if it wanted to swallow Miyagi Yui whole.
Lin Su exchanged a look with Chen Yang; he smiled: “Then let’s proceed with your arrangements.”
Lin Su stood: “Please wait a moment, both of you.”
With that, Lin Su stood, slightly bowed to them, then turned and walked out of the Moon Viewing Room.
Outside the compartment, the clamor of the lobby downstairs was filtered by the bamboo curtains, becoming indistinct.
The murmur of artificial streams faintly came through; the autumn moon hung high in the fragmented night sky cut by flying eaves, the icy stream water reflecting clear glow, ripples shaking as the moonlight shattered into countless cold silver fragments.
Crisp footsteps sounded outside the door, but Ino Yusuke paid no attention to the outside changes, his gaze captivated only by Miyagi Yui’s every move.
Chen Yang took a small sip of tea and couldn’t help but admire Lin Su’s means.
This woman was indeed formidable; in just over a month, she had trained the woman Chen Yang had scouted from various places into such a professional demeanor.
Miyagi Yui was just one representative; at Moonlight Sand, there was no shortage of all kinds of women.
The rules here were also very interesting; the reservation system was to lock in customer information and analyze the most suitable girl for him.
Others might not find it so easy, but for Chen Yang, it was too simple.
After his computing function integrated all the other’s information, he could easily select the most suitable service target.
Even if there was no matching woman, Chen Yang could simulate the type of woman he admired and create a corresponding one.
All of this could be described as customization.
Chen Yang provided the standards, Lin Su trained the girls, and the two sides hit it off perfectly; Moonlight Sand’s girls were privately customized for customers.
“Mr. Chen, Mr. Ino, sorry to keep you waiting.”
Lin Su lifted the bamboo curtain and walked in, slightly bowing to them: “Gentlemen, allow me to introduce.”
“This guest is Lieutenant Colonel Saito Koichi of the Navy Department.”
“So it’s Saito-kun.” Chen Yang stood and slightly bowed: “I didn’t expect to meet you here.”
Saito Koichi was also somewhat surprised: “Mr. Chen, I thought we’d meet in a couple days at the Southern Transportation Department; didn’t expect to see you here first.”
“I heard Mr. Chen is the section chief of the future Army Transportation Section; you and I will be colleagues.”
Lin Su feigned some surprise: “So Mr. Chen and Mr. Saito work together; it was I who was presumptuous.”
“Miss Yuxi, Miss Junzi, come in.”
At Lin Su’s call, two differently dressed women entered with small quick steps.
“Please, both of you.” Lin Su invited them to sit and had the two girls accompany the others.
Saito Koichi was somewhat deferential, letting Chen Yang choose first, but Chen Yang waved his hands repeatedly, saying there was no need.
Indeed, on various forums, people would curse each other over differing views.
Only one kind of forum had harmonious comments below, with everyone selflessly sharing.
