When Red is Black by Qiu Xiaolong Read Free Book Online Page B

too.
     
    “He does not have to pay for my lunch.”
     
    “Mr. Gu pays me quite handsomely, as you know. Please, help me keep my job.”
     
    He examined the pictures with approval. They appeared clear, well focused. He picked up the first soup bun. “Well, I can’t complain.”
     
    “Please eat now,” she said. “The buns are warm.”
     
    They looked as dainty as quail eggs, almost transparent, the minced pork stuffing mixed with minced crab meat, combining the flavors of land and river. The soup inside burst out at the touch of his lips, hot, and delicious.
     
    “Be careful,” she said with a giggle, hastily wiping his chin with a pink paper napkin.
     
    Her fingers wiping the soup from his chin embarrassed him, and he felt obliged to say something. “According to a recipe book I read, the soup bun is special because its stuffing is mixed with pork skin jelly. When steamed, the jelly turns into hot liquid. You have to bite into it very carefully, or the soup will splash out, or even scald your tongue.”
     
    In spite of his book knowledge, he had made a small soup mess on the desk, and she brought a towel to clean it up with.
     
    He changed the subject. “You are really helping a lot. But you are a college student, White Cloud. I do not think—”
     
    “I have to earn my college tuition. Both my parents have been laid off. I have to work, if not as a little secretary for you, then as a K girl at the Dynasty Club, or somewhere else.”
     
    “It takes somebody like Gu to invent such a position,” he said as he put a chunk of smoked eel into his mouth. The eel was at once crisp and juicy.
     
    “He can’t get credit for this invention,” she said, as she sucked the soup out of a dainty bun. “Little secretary or xiaomi. Surely you’ve heard the term? Those Mr. Big Bucks must have little secretaries; we are symbols, just like a Mercedes.”
     
    He was surprised that she spoke so casually, as if the words had no relevance to herself.
     
    “There’s another new job invention: ‘passion companion.’ A full-page advertisement for this work appeared in Wenhui Daily. I don’t need to explain what it means. Believe it or not, there are high qualifications required for the position. At least a university degree. Able to talk intelligently. Presentable for social occasions, and, of course, for private occasions, too.”
     
    “I’m too old-fashioned, I’m afraid.”
     
    “You are special.” She stood up and began to put the leftovers into the refrigerator. “Well, I’d better do something to make sure Mr. Gu gets his money’s worth.”
     
    “I do have something for you to do: Can you check the definitions of these words for me? It will save me a lot of time. You don’t have to do it right now. In the evening, if you have time, after your class, will be fine. “
     
    “Sure. I can learn quite a few new words for myself.”
     
    The telephone started ringing. She picked it up instantly like a secretary. “Chen Residence.”
     
    “Oh.” There was a pause. “I’m Detective Yu. I want to speak to Chief Inspector Chen.”
     
    “Hold on.” She turned toward Chen, the receiver covered by her hand, whispering in his ear, “Detective Yu. Do you want to speak to him?”
     
    “Of course,” he said.
     
    “Sorry to bother you, boss,” Yu said in a hesitant voice.
     
    “Come on, Yu. What can I do for you?” He said to White Cloud in a low voice, “You may leave now. I will call you tomorrow.”
     
    “You don’t have to. I’ll be here to make breakfast for you,” she said. “See you.”
     
    “See you. Don’t worry about breakfast.”
     
    “You’ve got company?” Yu asked, delicately.
     
    “A little secretary.” Chen added, “I’m working on a difficult translation. She will help me.”
     
    “A xiaomi!” Yu did not try to disguise the surprise in his voice.
     
    “Gu insisted on sending her over to help,” he said. Yu might be the only one for whom he did not have