“So what are you going to do next?”
“A Wenhui journalist is going to interview me tomorrow. He might want to speak to me because of my partnership with Chief Inspector Chen. But I think I’ll focus on the Liang case. The number of high-end properties Wei has in her own name might prove to be an irresistible revelation to the newspaper.”
“By the way, how did Party Secretary Li behave toward you today?”
“Surprisingly nice. It was quite a turnaround. Beats me what’s going on with him.”
“Your friendship with Chen is no secret to Li. I don’t think he’ll ever trust you,” she said. “The business at our restaurant is picking up. Perhaps it’s time for you to think about leaving the bureau and joining me.”
The suggestion came out of the blue; he hadn’t anticipated it at all. He was momentarily tongue-tied.
“Qinqin is in college,” she went on. “We don’t need too much for ourselves. There were a lot of years wasted in the Cultural Revolution and other political campaigns; I hope we can spend the rest of our lives without worrying about such things. Perhaps you can start a new career for yourself.”
“But what other job can I really do? Nowadays, many young people are trying hard to get jobs in the police bureau because of the job security and the benefits. The Party needs the police to maintain stability, so the pay isn’t too shabby.” Yu resumed after a pause, “Let’s discuss this after Chen gets out of woods. Then maybe I could look into early retirement, maybe try to come and help you at the restaurant. But with so many restaurants opening and closing in Shanghai, almost every day, there’s no guarantee your restaurant would be able to provide for both of us.”
“There’s nothing you can take for granted in today’s China. Not even Inspector Chen, in spite of his connections and abilities. There’s no certainty at all.”
Perhaps Peiqin was right.
He got out of bed and walked over to the window to smoke a cigarette. She walked over to him, barefoot, leaning against his shoulder. Outside the window, they could hear another shikumen block being pulled down. It was not too far away, the noise rising and falling, like the turbid ebb and flow of ignorant armies clashing by night.
“Come back to bed, husband,” she said. “I want you to hold me.”
ON THE TRAIN BACK to Shanghai, Chen took out his regular cell phone and called Manager Hong at the office of the cemetery in Suzhou.
“I slept late this morning, Manager Hong. I’m going to have a bite at Cai’s Noodles and then I’ll come over in the afternoon.”
“No problem. Enjoy yourself. You’ve heard about the old, ideal Suzhou way of life, haven’t you? In the morning, warm noodle soup in your stomach, and then a bathtub filled with warm water as an aid for digestion and relaxation.”
“The Suzhou way of life indeed.”
“Don’t worry about the renovation. I’ll keep an eye on it for you, Director Chen.”
Their phone conversation was tapped. No doubt about it. Let others believe that he was in Suzhou, enjoying himself like an incorrigible gourmet, and supervising the reconstruction of his father’s grave like a filial son.
At the Shanghai Railway Station, Chen took out his special cell phone and dialed Old Hunter, who picked up at the first ring.
“Oh, where I am? I’m in Zhangjiang, Pudong, with an important client this morning. I’m quite a distance from you. Go ahead to the noodle restaurant by yourself. The place you call the Shanghai Number One, the one that serves the noodles mixed with scallion oil, peanut butter, and fried shrimp. It’s so tasty. There will be another real surprise for you there, and after you’re done, you can call me.”
“Another real surprise there!”
Old Hunter was speaking guardedly, possibly in the presence of a client. But Chen understood. Shanghai Number One meant Peiqin’s new restaurant. Peiqin made a point of using traditional recipes and ingredients, and the noodle dishes were popular among Shanghai’s budget diners.
Chen was heading over to the long line at the taxi stand when he caught sight of a subway sign. The number 2 line. It had a stop at the intersection of Nanjing and He’nan Roads, and he could walk to the restaurant from there. Given the invariable traffic jam that was in Shanghai, the subway was a more reliable alternative.
Thirty minutes later, he stepped into the restaurant. Looking around without seeing a familiar face, he chose a table in the corner.
An elderly waiter shuffled over to the table, clutching a mop in his hand. “What do you want?”
“I’m a friend of Peiqin’s. Can you tell her I’m here?”
It was common for customers to mention it if they knew someone who worked at the restaurant. Sometimes it was for the sake of saying hi, and sometimes in hopes of getting special treatment.
“Peiqin, you have a friend waiting for you,” the waiter called up the stairs.
When Chen was last there, Peiqin hadn’t introduced him to her colleagues-at least, she hadn’t mentioned his official position. She didn’t like to show off her connections.
Peiqin hurried down from her attic office. To his surprise, she extended her hand rather formally.
“Welcome to our restaurant.”
He took her hand in a similar manner and felt something in his palm. Without speaking a word, he clasped it-a small square object.
“It’s been a long time, Mr. Chen. I hope you enjoy your meal today.” She smiled and then looked over her shoulder toward the kitchen. “Please enjoy double toppings for China’s number one noodles. They are the best. And on the house.”
“Thank you,” Chen said, playing along.
“It’s now the number one dish in the noodle category on the Mass Review Web site. That’s very significant, because it reflects the genuine opinion of real customers. Our small restaurant couldn’t afford to simply hire people to vote for it online.”
“The dish absolutely deserves the honor. Congratulations!” he said. “By the way, I took the subway here this morning. It’s very convenient, and it might be the same for you too.”
“In fact, I always take the subway-the seven fifty-one train-and it arrives at this stop at eight fifteen. From the number 3 exit, it is only a ten-minute walk to the restaurant. The subway is very reliable.”
To anyone who happened to overhear their conversation, it would have sounded like a chat between two old acquaintances who hadn’t crossed paths in a while.
But Peiqin seemed to be trying to pass on a subtle tip. If he needed, he should be able to get catch her at that particular time and at that particular subway exit.
“Shanghai Number One has a truly authentic Shanghai flavor, which is so different from that of Suzhou. My mother likes it too. I brought a box of noodles to her place one time, and she finished all of them in less than ten minutes.”
“Sorry, I have been too busy to visit your mother lately. She doesn’t live very far from here. Do you want to bring a box to her today?”
“Well, I’m really supposed to be in Suzhou today.”
“I see-”
“Peiqin, you have a phone call from the Apricot Blossom Group CEO,” another waitress said in a loud voice.
“The Apricot Blossom Group is named after the restaurant on Fuzhou Road. I still have my state job there,” she said, by way of explanation. “I have to take this call.”
“Of course, you take the call. I, too, have to leave.”
Ten minutes later, he headed out of the restaurant without seeing Peiqin again. It might be just as well. The couldn’t really talk openly in the restaurant.
He pulled out the envelope she had passed him, which contained a mini cassette tape. Peiqin had taken great care to make sure no one saw her hand it over.
Читать дальше