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Plain Garment Republic
墨書 Inktalez
October in Shanghai always carries a hint of chill. The endless stream of people moves like an undercurrent, forming intriguing lines, their footsteps quickening and slowing. The faint sound of the wind rustles but is abruptly silenced by the towering skyscrapers. Thousands of lights suddenly illuminate the entire city, and the sound at that moment shocks the passing crowd, causing them to halt, looking up as the soft glow of the moon appears insignificant against the backdrop of neon lights.
This is Shanghai's public Concession Area, filled with dazzling luxury and prosperity.
A black Ford car slowly drives through this night. Inside, a young girl slightly closes her eyelids, watching the throngs of pedestrians brush past her. The bustling sounds of vendors fill her ears as women in Qipao hurriedly rush to their appointments, while well-dressed young men engage in light banter and display superficial courtesy. Occasionally, some heavily perfumed women saunter by, surrounded like beautiful butterflies, flaunting their charm.
The car suddenly comes to a stop, producing a sharp sound as it scrapes against the ground.
The girl furrows her delicate brows and gently speaks, her voice youthful yet weighty, “Uncle Liu, what’s happening ahead?”
Liu Butler leans out to take a look, his face showing anger. “It seems there’s a roadblock; it hasn’t happened in a long time.” The girl sighs inwardly; it looks like she will be late for the card game with those ladies again.
Seeing her expression, Liu Butler can only offer comforting words. “This roadblock won’t last long; Miss, don’t worry. I’ll get out and check the situation.” Before he finishes speaking, a police officer strides up to their car and shows his badge, speaking in somewhat clumsy Chinese, “Hello, we are conducting a routine check.”
“A check for what?! This has never happened before!” Liu Butler's face turns stern. “You’re even checking my young lady? This is the first time I’ve heard of such nonsense! Call your superior over; I want to have a word with this blind fool!”
“Uncle Liu, don’t be rude.” The girl leans forward slightly, and only then does the young officer notice there is someone else in the back seat. In that moment of eye contact, he is taken aback by her beauty, standing there dumbfounded as if he had forgotten all his Chinese lessons and could only stare at her in awe.
She wears an elegant plain Qipao with her dark hair lightly styled up. Her smile is both charming and graceful yet carries a hint of playfulness. The interplay of moonlight and neon adds a subtle sparkle to her fair skin. Her eyes, usually calm like a still pond, suddenly shine brightly like stars. The corners of her lips curve into a beautiful arc as she says softly, “Officer, please check quickly.” She gently brushes aside some loose strands of hair with her delicate hand, smiling sweetly.
“No need for that check.” Another officer arrives looking anxious. “This young lady is from the Cheng family; you really shouldn’t…” He turns to smile apologetically. “Miss Cheng, Liu Butler here is new; his Mandarin isn’t very good and stopped your car.”
“Hmph!” Liu Butler still glares at the poor officer with anger on his face. “How can this new officer not recognize me? My old face doesn’t need his attention, but how dare he be rude to our young lady? You should ask him how he looked at our young lady just now.”
"Steward Liu, please don't be angry. Who doesn't know you, Steward Liu? You are highly valued by Director Cheng and are also a distant relative of Director Cheng. Otherwise, Director Cheng wouldn't let you handle so many family matters. This foreigner simply doesn't recognize greatness; you shouldn't stoop to his level," the officer hurriedly smiled, knowing that Steward Liu held significant power in the Cheng Family, almost like a master himself. During this period when Director Cheng was abroad on business, the entire Cheng Family was managed by Steward Liu.
Steward Liu turned his eyes and looked back at the young lady, smiling with a shrug, "Miss, let's go." After saying this, he didn't forget to shoot a glare at the two officers.
"Keep an eye out; that family should not be stopped in the future. That young lady is none other than Director Cheng's daughter, Cheng Mo Su."
Countless magnificent Crystal Chandeliers stretched across the ceiling, sparkling like stars and illuminating the large room as bright as day. Exquisite ceramics were lined up in rows, a dazzling array of treasures. The central Living Room appeared hazy from this angle but revealed rows of ink-splashed calligraphy masterpieces on the wall. The corridor connecting to the Living Room was filled with jade towers, glass bowls, golden artifacts, and rare expensive collectibles like the Wen Wang Ding. Cheng Mo Su smiled; Huang Wei's home could indeed be considered a divine abode.
"Yo yo, my Miss Cheng, why are you so late?" Huang Wei greeted her with a smile, his oval face still retaining some youthful innocence. His almond-shaped eyes widened, and his rosy lips parted slightly, dressed in an exquisitely crafted moon-white palace evening gown.
"I was accidentally stopped on the way," she replied with a slight smile, gently holding his hand. "Anyway, today I’m just accompanying your aunt and Auntie to play cards; they are really quite boring. Being a little late is no big deal." A hint of mischief sparkled in her black eyes.
Huang Wei shook his head helplessly. "Listening to them chat is almost unbearable."
Cheng Mo Su smiled sweetly and pretended to be delicate as she imitated, "Look! This is the ring my husband just bought; it cost a fortune." Huang Wei couldn't help but laugh lightly and gently pinched her slender waist. "You really mimic him perfectly."
The two laughed as they walked through the luxurious corridor into an even more dazzling Living Room. Before they could focus their eyes, they heard a burst of laughter and a waft of fragrance. A pair of hands adorned with translucent milky-white rings had already grasped her; looking up revealed Madam Qin. "Yo yo, Miss Cheng finally arrived!"
Another lady, slightly older but equally splendidly dressed, stood up to welcome her with a smile covering her mouth. "I saw Miss Cheng last time at the residence; we chatted for a short while and even listened to some opera together. Your striking appearance left quite an impression on me! I hurriedly asked Huang Wei to bring you over because I was worried you might forget about me amidst all your important matters."
"How could that be, Madam Wang?" She slowly sat down with a radiant smile as her translucent jade cup was filled with fine wine. A green platter displayed various seasonal fruits. "I unexpectedly encountered an officer investigating on the way, which delayed me quite a bit."
Madam Qin's expression froze for a moment. "How could someone be so blind?"
Madam Wang was about to agree when she suddenly changed her tone as if she had thought of something, "I heard from my husband that something seems to have happened in the North. A very important person has escaped and is said to have already arrived in Shanghai." Huang Wei, who was drinking tea, was momentarily taken aback and interjected, "Aunt, now that you mention it, I seem to recall that my brother works at the Ministry of Transportation. He mentioned that there seems to have been an incident in the Northeast, and the whole city is under martial law now."
Cheng Mo Su Wuxin was not interested in this conversation; her snow-white hand gently caressed the jade cup, and the slightly swaying pearl earrings accentuated her flawless complexion. "Miss Cheng, I heard that Young Master Zuo Wei from the Xiao family is coming back soon," Madam Qin said with a slight smile, tinged with a hint of teasing. "I wonder when we can enjoy the wedding banquet of Miss Cheng and Young Master Xiao."
Cheng Mo Su raised her head, her brilliant Eyes carrying a hint of coolness, and her rose-colored lips exhaled like orchids, "Not long ago, Brother Zuo Wei wrote to me. He is supposed to be getting on a train from the Northeast, so he should be arriving soon. But according to what Madam Wang said, it seems that the martial law in the Northeast might have a significant impact; he still hasn't reached Shanghai. As for the wedding banquet, I fear Madam Qin might not be able to wait for it. Brother Zuo Wei and I have grown up together; he went to Germany for school years ago, and we haven't seen each other for many years. How could we talk about marriage right after he returns? Besides, he treats me like a real sister, and I see him as a real brother; it would be unreasonable for siblings to marry."
"Since you don't like Xiao Zuo, then consider my brother!" Huang Wei blinked her eyes with an expectant look. Cheng Mo Su rubbed her forehead in frustration; Huang Wei's brother was a typical wastrel. Even with his family's help arranging a job for him, he couldn't settle down. If they met, she would surely hear him bragging nonsensically. Huang Wei naturally knew what her brother was like and wisely changed the subject. The four of them then began playing mahjong.
When she looked up again, it was around midnight. The usually talkative Madam Qin had also begun to feel sleepy, and the game came to an end. As they left, there were inevitably more kind words exchanged. After saying goodbye to Huang Wei, Cheng Mo Su got into the car, unable to shake off her overwhelming drowsiness. "Uncle Liu, please drive faster."
"Yes," Butler Liu replied without daring to delay.
The Cheng Family Courtyard was even more luxurious than Huang Wei's home; however, having lived there since childhood, she didn't find anything particularly extravagant about it. She dismissed the maid's assistance, wrapped herself in a silver tassel coat, put on a pair of moonlight boots, threw the green satin cushion onto the floor, and collapsed onto the bed. But… something felt off… In the darkness, she seemed to see a pair of piercing eyes like wind; all her sleepiness vanished instantly as she reached out to turn on the light.
A pair of steady and strong hands covered her mouth; she couldn't make a sound. The fear inside her made her struggle desperately, but those hands were too powerful; it felt as if they could crush her with just a gentle squeeze. Grief slowly seeped into her heart as she closed her eyes slowly, gripping tightly with her delicate hands. Only one thought remained in her mind: better dead than dishonored.
A man's voice gradually reached her ears; it wasn't exactly gentle nor cold but exceptionally pleasant to hear. Through the subtle vibrations in the air, every word he spoke reached her ears with an irresistible force: "I won't hurt you; I just hope you'll listen to me..."
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