When Wang He Di leaves the small village he grew up in, to find work in the streets of glamourous and dangerous Shanghai, the first thing that catches his eye is the beautiful Shen Yue, a young woman also trying to make her fortunes in the "Paris of...
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New Year's eve 1929
He Di finishes off applying the Brilliantine cream in his hair, slicking it back into the fashionable and sophisticated style of the day. He washes his hands in the basin, wipes them off, and then straightens out his bow tie. He admires himself in the mirror... the tuxedo looks really good on him. He is excited for the New Year's Eve party he will be attending at one of the most popular supper clubs in Hong Kong. 1930 is a few hours away and He Di is ready for the new decade! He has spent the last year and seven months learning about the tea business. He has found that he loves it, and being the fast learner that he is, has managed to excel in all the tasks handed to him. His dream is to own a tea plantation back in Sichuan, where he can someday spend his life with his wife and kids.
Emmet has taught him about stocks and shares as that's where the real money is made, and when He Di was finally in a position to purchase some, he did not hesitate. It has been discovered that he has a firm head for the stock market, and has made a tidy little sum, managing to escape the devastation of the Wall Street crash, which happened two months ago in October. He has also paid back any little loans Emmet gave him in the beginning. it has been extremely important to him not to be given any handouts.
He looks at his pocket watch...its "7:40 p.m"... he is running five minutes late. It will take him twenty five minutes to get to the supper club, and she hates it when he is late. He puts his watch back in his pocket and then taps his other pocket, where there is a little box with a ring in it, before rushing out the door.
While checking his coat in the coat room, he runs into Emmet.
"He Di my boy! It seems we are both running late for the party."
Hanging on Emmet's arm is his lady friend Li Jing, and they have been together pretty much since He Di and Emmet arrived in Hong Kong. She is a slender and beautiful thirty-five year old woman, with a three year old son named Li Bohai, whom Emmet has practically made his own child. The three of them live in a big white colonial style house up on the hill... an inheritance from Emmet's father, who set it up many years ago. He Di lived with them up until 6 months ago, when he was able to move out into his own space, but he visits them every weekend and plays with Bohai.
"Yes it seems that we are late. Hello Ms Jing?"
"Hi He Di, always good to see you. You will still be coming to eat lunch with us tomorrow for New Year's Day?"
"Yes, I wouldn't miss it for the world."
"Are you excited about tonight?" Asks Emmet, with a knowing smile.
"A bit nervous to be honset. Do you think she will say yes?"
"Of course she will my boy. You have done very well for yourself, you are smart, a young Adonis... but most importantly, you are the kindest soul that I have ever come across. You deserve happiness in your life He Di. I spent many years alone without the comfort of a woman, but now I have Jing."
