The Plow

Just after the New Year's Eve, news of the opening of Paramount Hall has spread throughout the streets and alleys of Shanghai Beach.

Shanghai is a place of hidden dragons and crouching tigers, and the people who can gain a firm foothold here are extraordinary.

He is an official in the government and a gangster on the road. Sometimes he meets a person on the road, who is described as ordinary and out of the ordinary. Maybe the neighbor of his uncle, wife, and second aunt has some great background, but it is natural to be able to open a dance hall in Shanghai. It's even more extraordinary, otherwise the gangsters come to collect protection fees today, and some policemen come to find fault tomorrow, and the business will not be able to continue.

It is not common to open a dance hall, and it is even more difficult to open a super large venue like Paramount Hall, especially on the opening day, Mayor Wu attended the speech in person, and the big bosses of the Youth Gang also came to support in person. You know, this boss has taken care of both black and white, and he must not come here to cause trouble, otherwise he will hit the iron plate and his head will be broken.

After all, the name Paramount Hall is too foreign, and not many ordinary people can remember it. It is replaced by "Paramount Hall" which is catchy, and even those daughters who have returned from abroad don't bother to chew on its original pronunciation, shouting like everyone else. Played Paramount.

Yue Dingtang went to Nanjing for a business trip for a three-day meeting.

In the past three days, Ling Shu was like an old bird released from a cage. One day, he asked Cheng Si to have a meal and dance, and tomorrow he would come to Yue's house uninvited for a meal. It is also impossible not to let him in. The Yue family is always not lonely with him. Ling Shu never sees outside, and he has no habit of eating without talking. Shu, the food of Yue guys has not decreased because of the absence of the masters of the Yue family. The old duck soup is still the same bowl of old duck soup, and the scallion noodles are also the same bowl of scallion noodles.

But without Yue Dingtang beside him endlessly probing, hiding words in his words, hiding his sword in his smile, Ling Shu felt relaxed, his life was so relaxed and comfortable, and he could even hum a little song while sleeping.

Ms. Zhen's birthday party was held at the newly opened Paramount.

When Lingshu arrived that evening, the gate was already full of traffic and bustling.

Cars are lined up from the gate to the back, and the doorman is responsible for welcoming the guests and opening the door. He bends so hard that his back can hardly straighten up, and his hands are already numb. It can be seen that there is a continuous stream of guests.

From this, the Zhen family's connections can also be glimpsed.

Compared with others who appeared with great fanfare, Ling Shu seemed low-key and unassuming.

He didn't take a car, didn't buy gifts, he was empty-handed, low-key to the point of shabbiness.

Fortunately, that face could still be seen. After the people from Zhen's family inspected the invitation card, Zhen's family let him in.

Since the completion of this place, Ling Shu has not visited yet, passing by on weekdays, he only knows that the exterior is magnificent and bright, and the interior will certainly not be too bad.

Under the decoration of colorful glass bulbs, the huge dance floor shines brightly. This is the only dance floor in Shanghai with a spring floor. Many people are proud of being able to come in and dance, and even the tips are not of the same level as other places.

Various small and medium-sized dance floors are scattered around the central big pool, which are usually reserved separately, but today, the entire Paramount serves only one person.

That is Zhen Congyun.

Suits and leather shoes, rich clothes and shadows, the status of the people that the Zhen family can invite will naturally not be too bad. It is impossible for poor boys to sneak in here, and it is even more impossible for wanted criminals to be recognized here suddenly. Oolong.

Ling Shu thought with interest, probably, among all the people in the audience, he should be the poorest one.

He took a glass of champagne, hid in the corner, carefree, and like a hermit observing all living beings, he had a self-satisfaction incomprehensible to others.

If Yue Dingtang is here, it can be seen that Ling Shu is trying to avoid laziness.

The main character, Ms. Zhen, has not yet shown up, but the guests are still entering the venue one after another.

"Hey! Ling Shu?!"

There was a sharp tap on the shoulder.

Ling Shu turned his head and saw Lin Dingkang, an old classmate whom he met at the consulate banquet last time.

"Why are you here?" Lin Dingkang's face was a bit incredulous, and then he realized that his question was inappropriate, and hurriedly smiled, "It's ok, Lingshu, I will look at you with admiration for three days!"

Lin Dingkang is the interpreter of the consulate. Although he is not qualified to get the invitation alone, it is not a problem to come in with the Americans.

Since Ling Shu was able to attend the consulate's banquet with Yue Dingtang last time, it is not a big problem to attend Miss Zhen's birthday party this time with the Yue family's face.

He took it for granted that Ling Shu must have followed Yue Dingtang.

"What about Dingtang, why didn't you see anyone?" Lin Dingkang looked around.

Ling Shu: "He went to Nanjing for a meeting, and I came alone."

Lin Dingkang was half envious and half joking: "He treats you really well. If I lose my job in the future, I will come to rely on you. You must say something nice for me!"

The invitation was given by Miss Zhen herself. Seeing that he misunderstood, Ling Shu didn't explain, just smiled and chatted with her.

"You didn't bring your girlfriend?"

"No, you too? It's okay, all the dancers from Paramount are hired by the Zhen family tonight, and they will dance with the guests later, no tips are charged, which one do you like, just strike up a conversation in the past, as long as they are willing, It’s fine even if you don’t pay the street clock, haha!”

"Who is that?"

Ling Shu suddenly pointed to a group of people who came in through the door.

Lin Dingkang: "That's the fourth eldest of the Zhen family, Zhen Ainong, the fourth uncle of Zhen Congyun."

Ling Shu: "I mean the two next to him."

Lin Dingkang snorted: "They are from the Japanese consulate. One is Counselor Sada Miki, and the other one is unknown. It seems to be Sada's secretary."

Ling Shu: "The Zhen family is indeed very capable. People from the consulate came to cheer, and the big bosses of the Youth Gang also came. Even if Nanjing sends people over later to celebrate Miss Zhen's birthday, I wouldn't be surprised."

Lin Dingkang said with a smile: "Isn't that right? With these people raising their hands, it's enough for us to eat for a year. To be honest, I didn't expect Miss Zhen's birthday to make such a big queue. Those who are not willing to come , I heard that Ms. Zhen is not yet married and has no boyfriend, if she can fall in love at first sight tonight, maybe she can become the son-in-law of the Zhen family, then it will be like a carp jumping over the dragon's gate!"

He chattered for a long time, only to realize that Ling Shu was totally absent-minded, half of his attention was not on himself, so he couldn't help but follow the other party's line of sight.

A beautiful woman in a burgundy cheongsam was holding the middle-aged man's arm, and the two were whispering, their heads almost touching each other, as if they were intimate.

The woman's appearance is really outstanding, surpassing most of the same sex here, so many eyes fall on her, and they will stay for more than three seconds.

"Hey, isn't that He You'an? She's here too? The man next to her isn't Shen Shiqi, who is that?"

Lin Dingkang had never seen that Mr. Cheng, and it was normal that he couldn't recognize him. Ling Shu didn't speak.

His gaze passed He Youan and Mr. Cheng, passed through the bustling crowd, and landed on a corner not far away.

There, also stood a person.

Just like Ling Shu a few minutes ago, he is alone and does not communicate with others.

No one took the initiative to approach him and talk to him, it was like separating him from the people around him with an invisible barrier.

The position of Ling Shu and the others happened to be just a few steps up the stairs, somewhat condescending, yet inconspicuous, just suitable for observing and recognizing people.

When he saw that person, he was also staring at He Youan's direction, his face was expressionless, and he didn't seem to have good intentions.

The opponent's whole body exudes an aura that is definitely not kind.

"Who is that person?"

Ling Shu raised his chin and signaled Lin Dingkang to look.

"The one standing by the liquor cabinet."

Lin Dingkang took a closer look: "It seems that the person next to Lu Tongcang is called, what is his name Jiang?"

Ling Shu: "Jiang He."

Lin Dingkang: "That's right, Jiang He! This is a ruthless character who kills people without blinking an eye. Although he has Lu Tongcang's trust and his ability is not small, if there is nothing wrong, it is better to avoid dealing with this person."

Across the crowd, the other party seemed to feel Ling Shu's gaze on him, and raised his head to look this way.

Lin Dingkang quickly looked away, turned around and lowered his head to drink, pretending to be fine.

Ling Shu didn't dodge, but raised his glass to Jiang He from afar.

Jiang He glanced at him, turned away coldly, and didn't respond at all.

"You know each other?" Lin Dingkang couldn't help asking.

"I didn't know each other before, but now I do?" Ling Shu shrugged.

Lin Dingkang was speechless, feeling that his heart was really big.

Out of the affection of his old classmates and the relationship with Yue Dingtang, he reminded him again.

"You still remember the headless corpse case that made a big splash last year. It is said that the deceased had offended Jiang He, so he ordered someone to behead him and dismember his body. So far, no one has dared to pursue it, so it just goes away. He usually Being by Lu Tongcang's side is to be responsible for the dirty work that Lu Tongcang is inconvenient to do, and the blood on his hands is not a speck."

Ling Shu patted him on the shoulder.

"Don't worry, I understand."

While speaking, there was a commotion at the door.

Many people raised their heads and looked at the source of the movement.

First the doorman opened the way.

Then there are the stars twinkling and the gorgeous floor-length skirt.

In the end was Zhen Congyun who was surrounded by many people and entered the arena gracefully.

The crowd automatically and consciously moved out of the way, allowing her to pass unimpeded and accept the baptism of eyes.

Zhen Congyun was calm and composed, not even a little shy, obviously used to such scenes.

She walked straight up to center stage and said only one word into the microphone.

"Today is my birthday, thank you all for coming, I wish you all a happy return."

After finishing speaking, he snapped his fingers, and the long-awaited band immediately started playing music.

The guests didn't move.

Everyone is waiting for her to dance.

She was alone when she came in, and there were many young and handsome people present.

Zhen Congyun is bound to choose one of them.

Those who came with their female companions may have secretly regretted it by now.

The meaning of the first dance is different. Many people who think they are qualified can't help showing that they are bound to win.

Someone else stepped forward and reached out to Zhen Congyun.

"Miss Zhen, I wonder if I have the honor to invite you to dance for the first time?"

Ling Shu knew that person.

The other party came from a family that had been a tumbler in officialdom for several generations from the late Qing Dynasty to the Beiyang government and then to the Nanjing government. Such a lintel was more than enough to match the Zhen family's family status.

However, Zhen Congyun just smiled at him and didn't take that hand.

The man was a little embarrassed, his hand stopped in mid-air for a moment, and he had to withdraw it.

There were also many people who felt good about themselves and took the initiative to invite Zhen Congyun.

Among them are even the big bosses of the Youth Gang and important government officials.

But Zhen Congyun smiled and refused.

"This Miss Zhen has quite high vision." Lin Dingkang couldn't help muttering.

"Choosing one is tantamount to offending the others. It's better not to choose anyone, but to find an outsider who dares not resent anyone." Ling Shu smiled.

Miss Zhen's thoughts are much smarter than ordinary people's. She deserves to be her father's secretary.

As soon as the words fell, Zhen Congyun walked towards them.