Chapter 29: Seizing the Opportunity to Satirize

"Come in."

Tang Pei pushed the door open and entered, seeing Mo Zhicheng hang up his overcoat, a delicate bow still clutched in his hand.

"Mr. Mo," Tang Pei murmured.

Mo Zhicheng sat down in the leather swivel chair, placing the bow tie aside. Tang Pei glanced at it; he had specially chosen it for Mo Zhicheng, tailored to his preferences. Just as he was about to ask if Mr. Mo was satisfied, Mo Zhicheng spoke first, "Have the results of the reserve cadre assessment come out?"

Tang Pei paused, then handed over the documents. "Please take a look, Mr. Mo."

Receiving them, Mo Zhicheng leafed through the stack of assessment results, and caught sight of a fresh, youthful face.

—Water benefits all things without contention. The highest virtue is like water: it nourishes all, yet seeks no fame or gain. That phrase seemed apt for Mr. Mo as well.

He shifted his gaze to the bow tie—bait and release? A faint, meaningful smile touched his lips, and a glimmer of light flashed through the depths of his eyes, not just curiosity but a sense of novelty. With a quiet 'snap,' he closed the file, and heard Tang Pei add, "Also, Mr. Mo, to report, as usual there will be a celebration banquet next week."

"Very well, you arrange it." Mo Zhicheng signed another document with effortless grace. As if remembering something, he asked, "Which day next week?"

"It's scheduled for the weekend evening."

"The weekend?" Mo Zhicheng pondered, "Do I have any engagements that night?"

"There's a charity gala at eight o'clock, should last about two and a half hours."

Mo Zhicheng nodded, lightly gripping the golden fountain pen in his hand. Seeing this, Tang Pei added, "If you find it too late, Mr. Mo, shall I book you a nearby room to rest?" He spoke softly.

Mo Zhicheng leaned back, fingers interlaced casually, then looked up at Tang Pei, deliberating for a moment before saying, "No need," his deep gaze half-veiled. "That's all, you may go."

"Yes," Tang Pei turned to leave, then remembered, "Oh, Mr. Mo, one more thing. Last time I settled the bill at the tailor's shop, the owner said the payment for the qipao had already been made."

"Who paid?"

"He said it was the young lady who accompanied you last time. She went back later and settled the bill." Though Tang Pei was curious about the identity of the lady, seeing Mo Zhicheng's expression darken slightly, only for it to be masked a moment later, he refrained from asking.

"Alright," Mo Zhicheng spoke softly, "I understand."

***

Night had deepened.

Before leaving, Lily-of-the-Valley rifled through the mailbox, finding a stack of newspapers and letters. She hurriedly sorted through them until she found a white envelope. The handwriting was a bit childish, but she smiled as she tucked it into her bag. Aside from her job at Night City, she also worked a lighter side job as a guzheng musician at an upscale teahouse. Since it was part-time, her hours were flexible.

When she arrived at the teahouse, lanterns were just beginning to glow. Outside the main hall, rows of red lanterns hung, resembling peonies wandering at night—so regal and lush, carrying an ancient, elegant charm.

Lily-of-the-Valley pushed open the private room door; the guests had not yet arrived. Tonight, she wore a peach-pink qipao, carefully chosen a pair of red pomegranate earrings, and, as always, applied a delicate makeup for her performance. Her lips shimmered orange-red, her features refined and graceful, poised and radiant.

She took out the guzheng first, polishing it to a gleaming shine. Unlike the crowd's preference for Western instruments these days, she favored the classical ones, carrying the profound heritage and culture of a millennium-old civilization.