Wen Tingli quickly said, “All right.”

The servant led her inside.

Just as they were about to pass through the garden, she saw a few gardeners up ahead repairing the path, with pebbles scattered all across the middle of it. To keep Wen Tingli from tripping, the steward guided her very carefully around the stones.

Suddenly, a fluttering sound came from up ahead.

Wen Tingli’s heart stirred. She turned a corner and, sure enough, saw that lovable flock of pigeons again — the emerald green lawn and the snow-white pigeons setting each other off into a gorgeous scene, with Lu Shicheng standing in their midst. Far from seeming out of place, he blended into the scene in some strange, marvelous way.

As she watched, a thought suddenly surfaced in Wen Tingli’s mind — people always said a son took after his mother, and if Lu Shicheng’s looks and bearing were this outstanding, his mother must have been a great beauty too. It was a pity that when that tragedy happened, Lu Shicheng had been only four years old; she wondered whether he even remembered what his mother looked like.

“Young Master, Miss Wen is here.”

Wen Tingli quickly broke into a sweet smile. “Good day, Mr. Lu.”

Lu Shicheng turned to look at Wen Tingli. She had long since prepared herself for his scrutiny, so she met his gaze openly and without flinching.

Apparently unable to read any uneasiness or nervousness on her face, after a few seconds Lu Shicheng handed the pigeon feed to a servant and pointed toward the rattan table and chairs beside the lawn, signaling for Wen Tingli to go sit. That Steward Chen hurried to bring tea and refreshments.

The tea tray held not only tea and pastries but also a cup of plain boiled water.

“Thank you,” Wen Tingli said, thanking him without shame, well aware that Lu Shicheng likely still remembered the last time she had asked them for boiled water to take her Western medicine.

Lu Shicheng sat across from her, watching her with a calm expression, then pointed at the words on his notepad.

[What did you want to see me about?]

Wen Tingli quickly took out her registration form. “I want to sign up for the contest being held by Xinxin Department Store, but Principal Michelle said a competition outside of school like this needs the board’s approval, so I have to ask Mr. Lu, like last time with the drama competition, to sign the registration form for me.”

As she spoke she slid the form across to him. Seeing the line at the top — Xinxin Department Store presents the “Flower of Shanghai” Beauty Pageant — Lu Shicheng’s expression turned briefly puzzled.

Wen Tingli was waiting for him to ask a few more questions, but Lu Shicheng only glanced at the substantial prize money at the bottom, as though he’d guessed exactly why she wanted to enter, and signed without the least hesitation.

Wen Tingli could only put on a delighted expression. “I was worried Mr. Lu wouldn’t approve — a beauty pageant doesn’t sound like the most respectable thing, after all. But the organizer of this one is the eldest daughter of Xinxin Department Store. Miss Dong says that although she’s holding a beauty pageant, this ‘flower’ isn’t meant as something to merely be admired and enjoyed, but rather stands for the idea that ‘a woman’s beauty carries strength too.’ I heard that on the night of the finals, for every vote the audience casts for a contestant, Xinxin will donate ten francs (note) to a women’s and children’s charity in Shanghai — so this is a genuinely charitable event. Once it hit the papers, a lot of my classmates wanted to enter. I was hesitant myself at first, but then I heard Miss Dong would also donate a batch of supplies in the name of whoever wins, so—”

Lu Shicheng had not interrupted Wen Tingli the whole time, but at this point, he took out the fountain pen he always carried in his coat pocket.

Wen Tingli held her breath without meaning to. He wrote only a single line.

[I have every confidence Miss Wen will win. But I have guests to see. If Miss Wen has no other business, I’ll have them see you out.]

Wen Tingli stared at that line for a good while without saying anything. She was starting to wonder whether Lu Shicheng had been specifically studying her these past days — otherwise how could he cut off exactly what she was about to say, every single time, leaving her with no way to protest?

While she was still puzzling over it, she noticed Lu Shicheng’s gaze on her.

If she lingered any longer he might grow suspicious, so she got up briskly. “Then I won’t trouble Mr. Lu any further.”

Fully satisfied, she tucked the registration form into her book bag and rose to follow the steward out. Just then, a servant of the Lu household led two guests around from behind the flower wall. Wen Tingli glanced up — and froze.

One of them was Meng Qiguang.

Meng Qiguang also seemed startled. He looked at Wen Tingli, then glanced toward Lu Shicheng, and said nothing.

But the young man beside Meng Qiguang lit up at the sight of her. He looked Wen Tingli over from head to toe and asked Meng Qiguang with a smile, “This must be the Miss Wen, isn’t it?”

Wen Tingli looked at him curiously, so the man quickly introduced himself. “My surname is Gao — Gao Tingxin. I’m Xiaowen’s elder brother. Xiaowen often talks about her schoolmates when she’s home, and I’ve long since heard the name Miss Wen.”

So this was the famous eldest son of the Gao family — the owner of that newly opened Yifeilin Department Store on Avenue Joffre.

“Good day, Mr. Gao.” She greeted him politely, then gave Meng Qiguang a nod, meaning to walk past the two of them and continue on her way.

But Gao Tingxin cheerfully blocked her path. “Please, Miss Wen, stay a moment.”

Lu Shicheng, watching nearby, shot Steward Chen a look. Steward Chen came over with a smile to intervene. “Young Master Gao, Miss Wen is a student at Wushi Middle School, and she is also a guest at the Lu residence today — I would ask that you—”

Gao Tingxin quickly said to Lu Shicheng, “Don’t misunderstand, Young Master Lu — I mean absolutely no offense to Miss Wen. It’s only that the matter I’ve come today to discuss with you happens to concern this Miss Wen from Wushi as well. As it happens, I was planning to go find her later anyway, so running into her here now is even better. If Mr. Lu doesn’t mind, I’d like to ask Miss Wen to stay and exchange a few words with us.”

He turned and smiled at Wen Tingli again. “Ten minutes will be enough.”

Wen Tingli was thoroughly confused, but since the man had already brought up Gao Xiaowen’s name, it would seem rather rude to simply turn and walk off. Besides, this was a perfect chance to stay and listen in on Lu family business, so she nodded “reluctantly.” “Please go ahead, Mr. Gao.”

Steward Chen seized the opportunity to say, “The three of you — it’s too hot out. There’s tea over there, why don’t we move over and talk there?”

Once Gao Tingxin sat down, he didn’t launch straight into speech but instead studied Wen Tingli carefully for a moment, then turned to Lu and Meng with a smile. “My sister tells me that Miss Wen was the school beauty back when she studied at Xiude, and after transferring to Wushi, she became the school beauty there too. Seeing her today, I can say it’s no exaggeration. Young Master Lu, Qiguang — what do the two of you think?”

Lu Shicheng turned to look at the pigeons in the distance.

Meng Qiguang lowered his eyes and drank his tea without responding.

Gao Tingxin’s enthusiasm didn’t flag. “I hear Miss Wen has already decided to enter Xinxin Department Store’s beauty pageant?”

Wen Tingli admitted it generously. “That’s right.”

“You haven’t submitted the registration form yet, have you? Since it’s a beauty pageant either way, why not enter our Yifeilin’s upcoming ‘Charm of Beauty’ pageant instead? It’s a much bigger production than Xinxin’s ‘Flower of Shanghai,’ far more eye-catching, and the prize money is a full double what Xinxin’s offering—”

Wen Tingli was taken aback. The contest hadn’t even officially begun, and the Gao family was already busy poaching contestants — that counted as malicious competition. Then again, thinking it over the other way, Yifeilin had only just opened, and Xinxin was already busy holding a large-scale beauty pageant to strike at Yifeilin — from the Gao family’s perspective, that was surely a provocation too.

She had no wish to get tangled up in the rivalry between the two families, so she asked with a smile, “May I ask what the purpose of your pageant is, Mr. Gao?”

“Naturally, to choose the most ravishingly beautiful woman in all of Shanghai.” Gao Tingxin said, “The judges are all men — I guarantee you a discerning eye.”

Wen Tingli lost interest the moment she heard that.

But Gao Tingxin kept talking away eagerly regardless. “I can guarantee this will be the most sensational pageant in years. The winner won’t just gain fame and fortune — and, not to keep it from you, Miss Wen, Yifeilin will soon be opening a large amusement park in Hongkou. Mr. Meng and I are among the investors. The reason we’ve come to call on Mr. Lu today is to see whether he’d be interested in investing as well. If Miss Wen wins this pageant, not only will Yifeilin’s shop windows display your calendar, but the amusement park will also sign a long-term portrait contract with you down the road — that’s an ongoing income that would carry you for years, right up until the contract expires.”

Hearing all this, Wen Tingli had to admit the Gao family really knew how to do business. Gao Tingxin seemed to have specifically inquired into her family’s circumstances and knew that money was the most tempting condition for her right now — and indeed, his words did stir something in her.

Still, she leaned toward competing at Xinxin, since that contest had come about through Miss Liu Yaqiao’s efforts, and besides, she admired the purpose behind Xinxin’s pageant more.

“Thank you for your generous invitation, Mr. Gao, but Xinxin’s terms are also very tempting, and I’m afraid I…”

She hesitated a long while, and finally shook her head. “I’m afraid I can’t agree to your request, Mr. Gao.”

With that she rose to her feet. “I won’t intrude on your business discussion any further. I’ll take my leave now.”

Gao Tingxin, never imagining that even these terms wouldn’t move Wen Tingli, hastily called out as she turned to go, “I’ll see Miss Wen out. Qiguang, you keep Mr. Lu company for now.”

He hadn’t gone far in pursuit of her when a scream rang out from behind the flower wall.

Lu Shicheng flinched slightly in surprise, while Meng Qiguang shoved his chair back and stood abruptly.

“I’ll go look.” Steward Chen strode off quickly with several men.

The next instant, Steward Chen came around from behind the flower wall supporting Wen Tingli.

Wen Tingli’s face was ghostly pale, and she was limping badly.

Gao Tingxin looked rather ashamed. “I only meant to have a few more words with Miss Wen — I never expected to frighten her so badly that she’d trip. It looks like she’s sprained her ankle. Whatever shall we do?”

Wen Tingli waved her hand. “It’s my own carelessness. Mr. Gao needn’t blame himself.”

Steward Chen had someone support Wen Tingli, and explained to Lu Shicheng, “A-Cheng wasn’t careful enough — there were stones scattered all over the ground behind the flower wall. Miss Wen was walking too fast just now and tripped over them without noticing. Her hands and legs are scraped raw, and I’m afraid her ankle may be injured too. I’ll send for Dr. Louis to come look at her right away.”

Meng Qiguang, who had said nothing this whole time, suddenly said to Gao Tingxin, “Why bother asking the Lu residence to help find a doctor? You’re the one who frightened her — how can you bear to just stand by and watch? Hurry up and take her to the hospital yourself.”

Gao Tingxin came to his senses as if waking from a dream. “Yes, yes, this happened because of me — I’ll drive Miss Wen to the hospital myself right now.”

The servant Steward Chen had sent had already come back. “I’ve already called for the doctor.”

As he spoke, he glanced at Lu Shicheng questioningly. Seeing that Lu Shicheng raised no objection, Steward Chen hurried to have Wen Tingli taken to a guest room to wait.

Half willingly, half reluctantly, Wen Tingli was carried off to the guest room on the east side of the ground floor.

Once seated, she looked down at the scrapes on her arm and then at her slightly swollen ankle. Though it hurt badly, a faint smile crept onto her face — if she hadn’t taken the chance to fall while Gao Tingxin was chasing after her, how else could she have managed to stay behind at the Lu residence so naturally?

Having finished examining her injuries, she noticed that the room’s window faced the lawn. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she found she could just make out the spot where Lu Shicheng and the others were.

Through the window, she could see, far off, Gao Tingxin taking out a thick stack of papers and handing them to Lu Shicheng.

By the looks of it, the three of them still had plenty to discuss.

Taking the chance, she quickly looked around the room she was in — tidy as it was, there was no trace that anyone actually lived here; it seemed unlikely she’d find any clues in this place. She glanced out toward the hallway beyond the door.

Past this room lay a small sitting room, and to the left of that sitting room was Lu Shicheng’s study — but earlier, when she’d come in, she had made a point of noting the layout around her, and there were three more rooms on either side of the hallway.

Should she use this chance to look around a little? Wen Tingli’s heart raced. Last time, Li Chengying had told her that the assassin who had attacked Deng Yuanzhang had taken a bullet in the back — if he wasn’t treated soon he would die, and if that man was being hidden somewhere in the Lu residence, she might just be able to find some trace of him.

Just as she was rising, Steward Chen came in with an old maidservant. Seeing Wen Tingli standing by the bed, he said in surprise, “Is Miss Wen going out?”

“I’d like to use the washroom.”

Steward Chen suspected nothing. “Let Mother Liu take you there.” It turned out there was a washroom right in the room, its door hidden behind the wardrobe, which was why she hadn’t noticed it before.

And so Wen Tingli was escorted by the old maidservant to use the toilet.

When she came out, Steward Chen pointed to a small table nearby. “Dr. Louis should be here soon. If it hurts too much, Miss Wen, you might try a hot towel compress first.”

On the table sat a tray piled with steaming hot damp towels and Western wound ointment.

Wen Tingli hurried to say, “Thank you for your trouble.” Steward Chen bowed slightly with a smile, left the old maidservant to look after Wen Tingli, and went off himself.

Now Wen Tingli didn’t even have an excuse to go poke around. She sat for a while with nothing to do, then set her sights on the old maidservant in the room.

“Have you had your dinner yet?” she began warmly.

Mother Liu answered cautiously, “I have.”

Wen Tingli suddenly said, “Oh, you really do look like a relative of mine. You’re not from Nanjing, by any chance?”

“You’ve mistaken me for someone else, Miss Wen. I’m a local from Qingpu.”

Wen Tingli tilted her head again to study Mother Liu. “You really do look so alike. That aunt of mine was quite beautiful when she was young — you must have been a beauty in your day too.”

Mother Liu couldn’t help laughing. “You’re teasing me, Miss Wen.”

Even as she said this, she smiled and reached up to smooth her hair at the temples.

Wen Tingli kept up her earnest, staring expression. “I’m not teasing at all. My aunt also had an oval face and big eyes, just like you. It’s a pity I don’t have her photo with me — if you saw it yourself, you’d probably agree you look alike.”

“Really, that alike?” Mother Liu asked, puzzled.

“Really that alike.” Wen Tingli nodded with certainty. “Her skin wasn’t even as fair as yours. I hardly dare guess how lovely you must have been back then.”

Mother Liu laughed ruefully. “I suppose I got by well enough when I was young. Now, though — what’s there to say about an old worn-out face?”

“Old?” Wen Tingli laughed in surprise. “You’re not old at all.”

Mother Liu eyed Wen Tingli — the girl’s expression was so sincere that it left her both puzzled and pleased, and she couldn’t help asking, “Go on, guess how old I am.”

“Forty-something. Forty-five at most.”

“Not even close!” Mother Liu said with a laughing frown. “I’m over fifty! I came into the Lu household at eighteen — it’s been nearly forty years now, just like that.”

Wen Tingli looked startled. “Over fifty? You really do look young for it. Have you been at the Lu house all these years? The masters here must treat you very well. My mother always says only people whose lives go smoothly can look this young.”

“They do treat me well.” Mother Liu sighed. “All three generations of Lu masters have treated the servants kindly, especially our young master Cheng — so refined and gentle, that one. But no matter how kind the masters are, it hasn’t spared me much grief in this life.”

Half an hour later, Mother Liu had come to regard Wen Tingli as practically a confidante, pouring out her grievances to her — starting with her worthless eldest son and going on to her even more hopeless younger son, complaining without pause.

Wen Tingli listened patiently, and whenever Mother Liu reached some point of grievance, she’d offer a few sympathetic words. Mother Liu, quite moved, let the conversation wander further and further afield.

“So your younger son is about the same age as young Mr. Lu?”

“Born the same year,” Mother Liu said with deep feeling. “But Young Master Cheng was sensible from childhood — he could entertain himself, never fussed or made a racket, and whatever he studied he learned in one go. Not like mine, who’s good for nothing but causing trouble.”

Wen Tingli said with real sincerity, “I’ve heard the elders say that children like that — the ones who take a while to grow sensible — turn out to be the most filial and thoughtful of all once they finally do come around. So don’t worry — your son won’t disappoint you in the end.”

Mother Liu found some comfort in this. “I don’t expect filial devotion from them — I’d be grateful to Heaven if they’d just stop causing me grief. You have no idea how many disasters my two ungrateful sons have caused over the years. I remember one year, my younger boy fed the Third Master’s favorite horse something that made it sick — thankfully Young Master Cheng stepped in front of him, or the boy would have caught a terrible beating from the Third Master. Only, Young Master Cheng was never close with the Third Master to begin with, so after that the Third Master insisted Young Master Cheng had done it on purpose just to spite him. When the old master heard about it, he had Young Master Cheng kneel outside in punishment for a whole afternoon, on the charge of defying his elders. Poor Young Master Cheng, already mute from his condition, couldn’t even speak up to defend himself against the injustice — both his knees were bruised black and blue. Ai, it was all our fault, really — when the son causes trouble, the mother loses face along with him.”

Wen Tingli was startled. Was old Master Lu really so unfair in how he handled things?

“How old was your younger son at the time?”

“Ten.”

Which meant Lu Shicheng had also been only ten then.

Old Master Lu, for the sake of an already-grown son, had shown no mercy in punishing his not-yet-grown eldest grandson — and over a trumped-up charge, no less. This was truly unexpected. Lu Shicheng’s parents had died early; even if old Master Lu meant to play favorites, surely he should have favored the eldest grandson who had no one else to look after him.

On second thought, Huang Yuanshan had once mentioned that old Master Lu had always favored the son born of his Nanyang concubine more, and on top of that, Lu Shicheng had become “mute” at such a young age, unable to defend himself when things went wrong — if those two uncles were smooth-tongued enough, they’d naturally have all sorts of ways to drive a wedge between grandfather and grandson.

From this, it was clear that Lu Shicheng’s life before adulthood had not been easy at all.

“Oh,” she said, “speaking of the Third Master Lu — I’ve been to the Lu residence several times now, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen old Master Lu or the Third Master. Is it just young Mr. Lu living here alone these days?”

Mother Liu nodded. “The Third Master’s up in Peiping alone these days, and the old master spends most of his time down in Nanyang.”

“Why doesn’t the Third Master live in Shanghai?”

“The Third Master and our young master—”

As if suddenly realizing she’d said too much, Mother Liu abruptly stopped herself, hurriedly running back through their conversation in her mind. Her anxious heart settled once she confirmed that Wen Tingli had done nothing but respond to what she herself had said.

She said sheepishly, “Look at me, going on and on — I never even asked if Miss Wen wanted anything to drink.”

“I’m not thirsty, my foot just hurts a bit,” Wen Tingli said, reaching to touch the towels on the tray. “This towel’s gone a little cold. Could you fetch me a hot one? I’d like to apply it while it’s warm.”

There was something about the way this girl talked that made people feel inexplicably fond of her. Mother Liu said quickly, “There’s no hot water in this room — let me go to the back kitchen and get some hot towels. Miss Wen, wait here a moment.”

Once Mother Liu had left, Wen Tingli hobbled over to the door.

By this time, the conversation among the three outside had also come to a lull.

Gao Tingxin said, “Some other day I’ll take Mr. Lu to visit Hongkou in person — whether this amusement park of Yifeilin’s is worth investing in, Mr. Lu will know the moment he sees it.”

Lu Shicheng was flipping through the documents they’d brought, and happened to glance up — just in time to see Mother Liu coming out of the small sitting room on the east side of the residence, carrying a tray.

He was about to look away, but paused, and then found himself drawn back to look again, staring for a few seconds. He turned to search for Steward Chen, but the steward was apparently busy with something else and nowhere nearby.

He looked once more at the direction Mother Liu had come from, then at the guest room with its curtains drawn, and in an instant made up his mind. He raised the proposal document to signal he’d give it careful thought, then glanced at his wristwatch to check the time.

Both Gao Tingxin and Meng Qiguang were shrewd men. Seeing this, they said with a smile, “Since young Mr. Lu has other matters to attend to, we won’t intrude any further. Young Master Lu has a discerning eye — I’m sure you’ll give us word before long.”

Lu Shicheng rose and shook hands with the two men, then had a servant see them out. He stood in place for a moment, then turned and walked off in another direction.

Meng Qiguang turned to watch Lu Shicheng’s retreating figure thoughtfully, then glanced toward the east wing of the main building.

“What are you looking at?” Gao Tingxin asked curiously.

Meng Qiguang’s expression stayed flat. “Nothing. Let’s go.”

Lu Shicheng went straight up the front steps and looked into the hall — sure enough, Steward Chen wasn’t inside.

He turned at once toward the study. The door was closed. He walked over, quietly turned the handle, and found no one inside.

Coming back out, he looked around and confirmed there wasn’t a single servant nearby. After a moment of silence, he turned to look toward the east guest room. If someone wanted to take something from the Lu household, now was undoubtedly the perfect moment.

Without hesitation, he walked quietly toward the guest room where Wen Tingli was staying. The carpet was thick, his steps steady — he made not the slightest sound the whole way.

Just as he reached the door, he suddenly drew back — but even though he pulled his gaze away in time, he still caught a clear glimpse of what was happening inside the room.

Wen Tingli was sitting on the edge of the bed, holding her little notebook, reading over vocabulary words.

She was wearing a Western-style dress that day, her two bare legs dangling off the side of the bed. Her feet had originally been in white socks and black Mary Jane shoes, but now the sock and shoe on her left foot had both been removed, revealing a pale, snow-white foot, the ankle slightly red and swollen.

She hadn’t wandered about at all — she had simply stayed in the guest room, reviewing her vocabulary.

Lu Shicheng couldn’t help feeling a little rueful. He stood frozen outside the door for a few seconds, and was just turning to leave when his hand accidentally brushed the doorknob beside him, making a faint sound.

“Mother Liu?”

Wen Tingli came hopping out, and seeing it was Lu Shicheng instead, was rather taken aback.

“Mr. Lu?!”

Lu Shicheng had no choice but to feign nonchalance and turn back to look at Wen Tingli.

There was no way he could explain to her why he had suddenly appeared here.

If he claimed he’d come looking for Steward Chen, Wen Tingli would know perfectly well there were plenty of servants out on the lawn — there was no need for him to come in person just to pass along a message.

But to say he’d come specifically to check on her injury — he and she weren’t really on such familiar terms.

While he was still hesitating, Wen Tingli seemed to sense that something in the air was off. She eyed him suspiciously. “Were you looking for me?”