a living for the sake of her family . My 3 uncles used to work in my Great-grandparents ’ food stand while my aunt was too young then to work when Grandma was only about 17 . While the upper class could easily acquire wealth by understanding the implicit rules of decorum and making social connections that could make them rise to the top , the poor got tired . They did not want much , just a simple , dignified life with their family .
“ I was indeed very lucky to get a job in Paramount which was the most famous dance hall in Shanghai thanks to her dear friend Lan ’ s mother who was one of the well-known dancers .” As she continued , her pure smile showed innocence , untouched and unaffected by experiences , as it had been when she was enjoying her life in the 1950s . “ I was happier as ever as …….”
* * *
Paradise :
She was happier than ever as she was in her white ruffle dress , not too long , just nearly covering her juicy thigh . She had on a silver Latin dance shoes from England with crystals on it . With each rhinestone being applied individually by hand , the elegant and absolutely unique shoes not only caught attention but also admiration from the younger dancers who had always looked up to her , the 18-year-old dancer . Working in this dance hall , which became popularized and vulgarized over the year as some dancing girls , started going out with some rich customers for more than just dancing . The gaudy dresses , the gold shoes , the red lips , the blond bob hair , sparking necklaces which were probably romantic gifts from the passionate customers and the blue lights were all accentuating the purity of the absolutely clean girl . Her white face with a desirable red lip , her white dresses , white flower-like feather accessories next to her hair bun created her unique style . White , almost everything , she was so pure , like the colour of Lily flowers . She made up a name for herself- Lili , making her no less charming .
These taxi dancers earned even more than the Chinese professionals working in firms and could make up to 20 times more than the factory workers . There were foreign dancers , mostly Russians and Japanese . The dancing industry was developing so rapidly . Even famous film stars joined the fancy community for the attractive income . The popular and lucky ones could afford clothes that were fancier and lavisher than that worn by the daughters of some wealthy families . Yet , materialism was not filling her mind like a nickel sized dye diffusing through a once pure cup of water . From only a tiny little drop of color , to numeral blooming flowers as the drop separated , the once small dye eventually monopolized the whole glass of water . Just like the gals , given expensive golden necklaces which were only small pieces of metal that could neither give you eternal joy nor wealth , were all blinded . They spoke both English and little French so as to sort of communicate with their “ targets ”. They could get married to proper men like respected compradors or some well-educated men who still frequented dance clubs and halls after the marriage . Some felt their dreams being unraveled and got divorced . Some just do not even care as long as they have a mansion to live in and delicacies to enjoy every day .
There were always exceptions . Lili and Lan were best friends . Lan became a dancer because of her mother who believed Lan could get married to wealthy man by socializing in dance halls just like she did in the past . Lan ’ s father , however , died due to some dark underground criminal connections which was a rather common thing in Shanghai then . After all , Lan ’ s mother just wanted her daughter to lead a better life in which being a taxi dancer was the only way . Their career did not start easily as most people could imagine . They had to learn a lot like foreign languages , Western manners and sports to entertain the lavish men and entrepreneurs who were just wealthy enough to invite the dancers for horseback riding in a “ simple ” date . They were friends with the jazz band in which the members were so into music that they could play their instrument for the whole night .
Saxophones , oboes , clarinets , trumpets , trombones … were performing as one on the stage every night . With the jazz music echoing the hall , customers danced with the girls with gaiety . First came the clarinet solo , with bunch of trills . There went the accompaniment from the horns and trombones , softly , smoothly . Then , there was the trumpet solo . A more jazzy tone was projected as the player was using his ball-like copper mute , being attached to the bell of the instrument , creating a sharp , unique sound . The pianist moved his hands swiftly , manipulating the piano as he used almost all the energy he had to play the accented chords . The pace of the music was just right , not too fast for some dancing dummies who came for the first time , dancing with the sensual girls under the lights with glistening rings on their ring fingers .
This high class place did not only fling the customers and dancers together but also Lili and a saxophonist whose mother was French . Due to his lineage , he inherited his mother ’ s blond hair , curly and smooth to touch , holding Lili spellbound . Two years older than Lili , Seb started playing in the band for his passion for music and the dance hall was the perfect place for him . His clear jaw line , his curly short hair , his rosy cheeks , his shinny brown eyes and his cute dimple as he smiled genuinely attracted Lili . The squad enjoyed performing on stage , singing and playing jazz music . The squad was one of the reasons why Lili would not get out from the hedonistic , vulgar place . The relationship was said to be unfavorable to the