The room was packed with guests . Everyone wanted a glimpse of the famous Chinese Red Blossom , Ah ’ Huang . Among the guests sat Mr . Du , “ the King of Shanghai ”. He was lounging in a velvet couch ; one of his wives was fanning him with her handkerchief .
One , two , three , one , two , three …... Cheers resounded throughout the room , the streets , the whole of Shanghai . Ah ’ Huang swept across the stage with unparalleled gracefulness ; her every move displayed exceptional skill , passion , and talent . The red qipao blossomed like a flower as Ah ’ Huang twirled . Thousands pairs of eyes were glued to her body . And she loved it . She loved every moment onstage . She loved the sense of manipulation over the audience ’ s emotions . She had been climbing , climbing ever since the sweet age of fourteen ; tonight , she reached her pinnacle of success . “ Chinese pride ”, the poster starring Ah ’ Huang as the Chinese Red Blossom stated , “ Catch a glimpse of the prettiest Chinese girl in town !”
The audience roared in elation as Ah ’ Huang retreated backstage . All the dancers hurried over and gave her a tight embrace . Ah ’ Huang scrutinised the faces of her fellow dancers . She saw exhilaration . She saw pride . But she could sense that , under the many plastered fake smiles , their hearts were green with envy .
“ Dance with me , Ah ’ Huang .” The dancers parted and Ah ’ Huang found herself facing a bony man with perked ears . She shot nervous glances at the girls around her , but they were reciprocated with anticipating and encouraging ones . Reluctantly , Ah ’ Huang followed the man .
That very night , Ah ’ Huang married him . He was none other than Mr . Du , the richest triad leader in Shanghai . Ah ’ Huang did not initiate the marriage , of course , but who was she to object the most powerful man in Shanghai ? She knew she was supposed to be grateful , as Mr . Du was probably the epitome of “ the man of dancers ’ dreams ”, and she was certain that all the dancers ’ heart were poisoned bright green .
Ah ’ Huang tried her best not to get involved in the whirlpool of gossips Mr . Du ’ s other three wives engaged in . She could feel she was isolated , but she preferred it that way . As the Japanese proverb goes , “ deru kui wa utareru ”. The stake that sticks out gets hammered down . Ah ’ Huang did not attempt to gain Mr . Du ’ s attention , unlike other wives . She was almost unnoticeable .
That was , until one evening , when she overheard the conversation between Mr . Du ’ s wives .
“ They attacked Lugouqiao .”
“ We simply could not match their standard .”
“ I heard they were planning to annex the whole of China . Oh , the Japs , the Japs !”
Ah ’ Huang sharply turned towards the wives . “ What ?”
The wives seemed taken aback , as sweet young Ah ’ Huang did not usually participate in their conversations . The eldest wife , who was dripping with jewels , shook her head and sighed . “ We are at war with the Japanese .”
Ah ’ Huang could not believe her ears . She was sucked into pitch darkness , and it was suffocating . Why ? Why ? Why ? Images of Okaasan and Otōsan flashed before her eyes . It never occurred to her that one day , she might not be welcome in China . After all , Japanese blood flowed in her streams . But then , Ah ’ Huang comforted herself . No one knows that I ’ m not Chinese .
Ever since her marriage , Ah ’ Huang had not been performing as much . It was more for passion , rather than money . She would return to her nightclub occasionally as a gratuitous cameo , to boost the revenue of the nightclub .