In memory of my Dad
Note: In his early years, Dad worked for Nationalist’s government fighting against Japanese and Puppet Government formed by the traitor Won Jin-Wei (汪精衛). He was assigned to station in Shanghai, which had fallen into Enemy hands. The mission was very dangerous and hundreds of compatriot young men and women were sacrificed. This is a story written by my Dad in Chinese and was published in 4 magazines in Taiwan and Hong Kong (the Chinese version of Reader’s Digest.) Dad seldom talked to his children about his work. From this little story, we felt proud of his achievement and are honored to have him as our father.
General Dai was given the task to establish a Central Intelligence Bureau in 1932. Before that there was never such a unit in the government. Hence General Dai recruited and trained many young people to meet the need and carry out many important missions. From 1932 to 1945, the year we won the Sino-Japanese War, more than twenty thousand personnel had worked for the Bureau. Depending on individual’s duties and assigned tasks, their trainings varied. Sometimes they were trained individually, or in a small group or in a class. Most of the trainings were done in secluded locations and in secret. Each failed or succeeded mission was discussed with all so they could learn from the experience. There was also the so-called ‘Opportunity Training’ when you were assigned a mission and you were trained ‘on the job’.
During those 13 years when I worked for General Dai, I never participated group trainings, but I had many ‘Opportunity Trainings’. This is the story that occurred during one of such trainings.
I was transferred from Shanghai to Nanjing in 1935 to work along side of General Dai. In the following spring, I traveled with General Dai to Shanghai and stayed in New Asia Hotel on Szechwan Road. Besides the 26-storey International Hotel, New Asia was the best new hotel in town. Most guests were foreigners or wealthy businessmen. We had two rooms on the third floor. General Dai called me to his room one night, handed me a $500 money draft and gave me his order:
“This cheque is for your special mission. Your target is a beautiful and popular young lady dancer named ‘Ya-Ping (雅萍)’ at ‘Bai-Lok-Men Dancing Club (百樂門舞廳)’. Based on our months’ investigation, we think she is a Japanese spy. We also discovered that she has a brown envelope containing important document, and sealed with special red seals, hidden in the chest drawer of her bedroom.
“I am leaving for Hungchou tomorrow for about 10 days. You should stay here and try to get close to this lady and steal that document inside the envelope.”
After a small pause, I told General Dai:
“I have worked for the Bureau for almost three years and had lived in this city almost a year, but I have never had chance to learn how to dance. I mostly work inside the Bureau and seldom had field missions. I don’t normally have any opportunity to social and I usually dress very casual and am not sure if I could accomplish the assigned mission. There are only ten short days, is it possible to assign the mission to another more experienced colleague?”
General Dai said:
“Put aside your worries that could all be overcome. Use some of the money I gave you to buy a few suits from Yuan-An Department Store. You could also take dancing lessons from a dancing school in foreign district to learn some simple dances. Although you didn’t work on the field in the past, but you had seen and heard many other colleagues’ missions so you should have very good knowledge. I am counting on you to be a leader in the near future so you should get your feet wet to gain some field experience.”
I finally accepted the assigned duty. I wanted to satisfy my own curiosity to see if I have the ability to accomplish the mission and to repay General Dai’s trust on me.
* * * * *
I bought a couple of new suits from the store and went to that dancing school in foreign district. The owners of the school were a thirty-something German couple who both spoke fluent Shanghaiese. After a few simple questions, I started my first lesson. Although I had never learned to dance, with my love of music, I had feel for the rhythm. I was anxious to achieve my mission so I worked hard to learn the basic steps. After a couple days of lessons (three one-hour lessons a day) I could dance some simple steps.
On the third day, I walked into Bai-Lok-Men Dancing Club around 9 that evening.
There were many Dancing Clubs in Shanghai that were classified into four different categories. Only 4 clubs belonged to the ‘first-class’ – Bai-Lok-Men (百樂門), Li-Do (麗都), Sien-Lo-Shi (仙樂斯), and Broadway (大都會). Each dollar buys 3 tickets, and it cost $5 an hour to have a lady dancer sitting at your table. For ‘second-class’ clubs, $1 buys 5 tickets; at the ‘third-class’ clubs it buys 7 tickets. At the lowest clubs you get 15 tickets for each dollar, but no live band, just record music.
Most dancing clubs had polished wax dancing floor, only Bai-Lok-Men had springy wooden floor. And it had a special glass circular dancing area in front of the stage surrounded by tables and seats with dimmed light that were more suitable for couples to chat privately. All their dancing ladies were quite pretty and young. Most famous Shanghai’s female socialites came from this club.
General Dai told me that Bai-Lok-Men’s ladies not only could drink, but could also smoke and chat. Although I never smoked, I bought a ‘Longine’ brand gold cigarette case with a built-in lighter in case there was a need.
I also prepared a speech about my identity: I am 28-year old single, came from a wealthy Jiangshi family, my family owns a fabric company and a jewelry store. My father asked me to explore the possible market in Shanghai. I made up a name for myself – Chang Ruoshui (張若水).
The busiest hour at the club starts from 10 p.m. and I arrived at the club around 9:25. There weren’t many patrons and I could find a well-lit table next to the dancing floor so I could observe and to be seen. I asked if there is a lady dancer named ‘Ya-Ping’, the ‘Da-Ben (大班)’ (Head Waiter) answered:
“Yes. But she is our most popular dancer and usually comes late with an old customer. Would you like a different lady?”
“No. I can wait. When she comes, would you mind to let me know?”
He nodded and left.
When the music started, a few couples got into the dancing floor. They all danced well that made me scare. I had no idea how tall ‘Ya-Ping’ is and if my dancing skill is good enough. After a little while, I calmed down and thought it was a mission I had to accomplish regardless how awful was my dancing. If she were too tall for me, I would find an excuse to chat with her more and dance less.
While I was in deep thought, I heard some stir: “Miss Ya-Ping is here.” I turned my head to the entranceway and saw a beautiful, well-dressed young lady walking toward the dressing room at the right side of the stage. The Da-Ben came over and said:
“That is Miss Ya-Ping. Another guest had already purchased her time tonight, but she could sit with you for a few minutes if you so wish.”
I nodded.
I saw Ya-Ping dancing on the floor. She is a bit taller than me (with high heels), has a very pretty face, with little makeup, big watery eyes, straight nose, silky skin. Wearing a ‘Chipao’ she looked very noble and stood out among the busy crowd.
When the Da-Ben brought her to my table in 15 minutes, she asked me with a bright smile:
“How are you, Sir? Have we ever met before? Is it the first time you ask for me?”
“My name is Chang. Yes, it is the first time to meet you.
“As of why I asked for you, you won’t believe it if I told you.
“Last night I had dinner with an old friend at ‘Tao-Lok-Chun’, I overheard a conversation a table next to ours. They mentioned that there is a very beautiful lady dancer named ‘Ya-Ping’ at ‘Bai-Lok’Men’. So those two words – ‘Ya-Ping’ and “Bai-Lok-Men’ – were stuck in my mind. Since it is my first trip to Shanghai and I am learning how to dance, hence I came here and asked for you.”
After having listened to my story, she showed a little doubt in her eyes, but didn’t say anything, just smiled.
When blues music was played, suddenly I had the courage to ask her for a dance even if I might embarrass myself. It was she who led me through the whole dance. Once the music stopped, the Da-Ben came over to take her to another table and she apologized and thanked me. Since I only had a few days left, I had to find every possible way to get close to her, so I asked her for lunch the next day. But she turned me down because she already had other engagements. I finally told her that I would still come to the club to see her the next evening.
I wore a different suit the next night and went for a movie after the supper and then strode to the Club. While enjoying the night scenery, I was pondering what should I say to her to impress her that night.
I sat at the same table as the night before and asked the Da-Ben if Ya-Ping had arrived. He answered that she was already there and had asked if I had come. I asked the Da-Ben to invite her over.
A few minutes later, Ya-Ping came over. She wore a plainer dress with a sweater with light makeup. Clean, fresh, and elegant.
To save the time, I asked her for a date the next day after our first dance and she consented. We would meet at 1 o’clock at a Coffee Shop on Shia-Fei Road (霞飛路), and then have dinner and movie.
I was too excited to sleep when I returned to the hotel and cleaned up myself. General Dai gave me 10 days for the mission and five days had already passed. The next day’s meeting with Ya-Ping would take the whole day and I didn’t know when I would have the chance to get into her residence to lay my hand on that document that we were after? I couldn’t worry too much and decided to concentrate on having a good date the next day. I fell to sleep.
I was at DDS Coffee Shop near noon the next day. Ya-Ping arrived 5 passed one. She had a bit more makeup; wearing a burgundy color Chipao with a short coat, looked so pretty and it turned everyone’s head in the Shop when she walked in.
We chatted a bit before lunch. I told her about my life story.
“Mr. Chang, do you mind tell me your first name?” She asked.
“No, not at all. Even you don’t ask, I was going to tell you anyway. My name is Ruo-Shui Chang.”
“That is a very nice name. Does it have any special meaning?”
“My original name was ‘Ruo-Shu (若虛)’ and the middle name is ‘Juo-Yean (竹庵)’. It came from ‘Ju-Ben-Shu-Sin (竹本虛心) - Bamboo is hollow’. I was devastated when the girl friend of my first love left me at college. After a painful period my heart became serene (心若止水) and I decided not to fall in love again (古井重波). I changed my name from ‘Ruo-Shu’ to ‘Ruo-Shui’.” I replied.
“Mr. Chang, why not, you are still young and there are plenty of life ahead of you.” She sounded so caring.
“Yes, maybe you are right. With a pretty lady like you, it might relight my fire.”
We chatted like this happily for quite a while. We went to see a movie at Cathy Theatre after the lunch. But she turned down my offer to take her home instead she asked me if I would be at Club that night? I gave her a affirmative reply.
Although we had only met 3 times, the distance between us was drawing closer, especially after having spent 4-hour together this afternoon. However she hadn’t hinted where she lives that worried me. How would I get into her place to finish my mission? I thought. I still had 4 days left, and I would find a way.
Having waited for an hour at the Club that night, Ya-Ping showed up with a guest. She came to my table after 20 minutes. Her walk was a bit wobbly that suggested me that she had been drinking. She didn’t say a word to me except staring at me.
“Why did you come to work with your present condition? You should stay home and rest.”
She looked at my concerned face and said to me:
“Would you please buy my remaining hours and take me home?”
That was the opportunity I had been waiting for, so I immediately called the Da-Ben and told him that I would buy Ya-Ping’s remaining hours that night. Ya-Ping asked me to wait for her at the front door and went to say goodbye to her other guests. In 5 minutes, we were on our way to her place at 1412 Shia-Fei Road, in a hired cab.
The building was a 7-storey apartment complex. I helped her into Unit 313 on the third floor. It was a spacious apartment – one bedroom, a living room, a kitchen plus a bathroom.
I laid her on the bed, took off her shoes and poured her a glass of hot water. She said:
“Do you know why I asked you to buy my hours and take me home?
“The guest who brought me to the Club tonight had ill intention. He tried to get me drunk and wanted to buy my hours when we came back to the Club. I was alarmed and told him that I had already promised another guest the rest of the night to drive him away.
“Thanks very much for bringing me home and taking care of me. Otherwise I might be in big trouble. My maid went home for her sick Mom the day before yesterday. Would you mind to entertain yourself while I am taking a bath?
“Could you go home after I have finished washing up? I apologize that you have to see me in such a awful condition the first time you come to my place.”
When she walked out of the bathroom with a bathrobe, it was close to midnight. She felt heavy-headed and went back to bed. She fetched a chain of keys out of her purse and handed it to me:
“Would you mind open that drawer and find me the bottle of sleeping pills?”
I saw the envelope that I was looking for in the drawer, backside up with red seals on each end. I wanted to check more carefully so I stayed in front of the chest, back to her, and asked:
“Why are there so many bottles here, are you feeling all right?” I sounded concerned.
“It is a long story. I will tell you someday. Please give me a couple of sleeping tablets?” she sighed.
The chest was close to the bed and she was staring at me so I couldn’t do much to the envelope. I locked the drawer and returned the keys to her purse.
I brought her a glass of water to take the pills, turned on the table lamp and shut the room light. I gave her my address and phone number and promised to come back to check on her at noon the next day. If she felt sick, she should call me and I would come over and take her to a doctor.
* * * * *
It was a long day and it took me awhile to fall in sleep. When I woke up the next day, the sun was high up on the sky. The phone rang when I was about to wash up myself. It was Ya-Ping.
“I have some business to take care of this morning, and I won’t make it back by noon. I am feeling much better this morning, and you don’t have to come to my place. I will meet you at DDS Coffee Shop around 5 o’clock.”
She was already waiting for me when I reached the Coffee Shop. She didn’t wear any makeup, seemed a little pale, but looked cheerful. While she was making a phone call at the phone booth, I was thinking that I only have 3 days left before General Dai comes back. I need to find a way to finish my assignment. I asked her when she returned:
“Could I take you out to dinner tomorrow night?”
“Didn’t you treat me to lunch yesterday? You don’t have to waste money to dine out again.”
“I have two good reasons to invite you to dinner - my Dad asked me to go back home soon; and it is my 28th birthday tomorrow. I feel lonely if I spend it by myself. You are the only female friend I have in Shanghai. I wish you wouldn’t turn me down.”
“All right, I would say yes then. But you have to let me treat you so I could celebrate your birthday and say goodbye to you at the same time.” She said cheerfully.
“Okay. But only if we could eat in at your place, just a home-cooked meal, nothing fancy. You told me you were from Dong-An, Hunan (湖南東安) and I heard that place is famous for its ‘Dong-An chicken’.”
“All right, I will do my best. However my maid isn’t back yet, hope that you don’t mind my cooking though.”
She then said she would take the night off so she could get up early the next morning to shop at the market. I should meet her at her place around 6.
I arrived at her place promptly. A young girl answered the door; I guessed that she must be Ya-Ping’s maid and came back a day earlier.
I handed the bundle of carnations and the box of chocolate to her and walked into the living room. On top of the big table there was a birthday cake with 28 little candles and the writing:
“To Brother Juo, Happy Birthday and Longevity, from Sister Ping.”
I was touched and happy.
Walking toward the kitchen, I saw Ya-Ping was busy cooking. She asked me to wait at the living room, and the dinner will be ready in half-an-hour.
I turned on the radio and Chou-Hseun’s (周璇) top hit song ‘Tien-Ya-Ge-Luu (天涯歌女)’ was playing. I turned up the volume and sought for her purse for the key to the chest, but nowhere to be found. Although Ya-Ping was in the kitchen, the maid was in and out of the kitchen, the bedroom and the living room so I couldn’t do more thorough search.
Ya-Ping came out of the kitchen. She was wearing a flower-pattern short winter jacket and a pair of pants with an apron, and a pair of pretty embroidered slipper. Even without any makeup, she had rosy cheeks, bright, shiny, and healthy looking face.
“I’ll be with you in a minute. Let me get changed first.” She rushed into her bedroom.
A few minutes later she came out. She had changed into a Chipao with small plum flowers pattern. She sat by my side, took my hands, and said:
“Happy birthday. Wishing you many more happy days ahead, more prosperous business deals and a joyful life. And a safe journey home.”
The stream of well wishes warmed my heart and made me very happy. Candles, cake, flowers, a beautiful lady, and the fresh spring air painted a very attractive picture. I wondered if I was dreaming, but General Dai’s assigned mission was still lodged in my mind – I have to find a way to get hold of that document.
We sat at the dinning table, she raised the wine glass to give me a toast, I emptied mine without a blink of eyes. She was surprised at how well I could drink. I filled my glass and raised it to her:
“Thanks for your warm wishes and your caring. Let me wish you forever beautiful and happy.”
She took my glass and drank half of it, and then returned it to me. She then gestured her half-filled glass to signal another toast. We both drank our wine. Seeing her love-filled eyes, I was wondering if she was hinting me something more special than just a birthday wish.
When she asked the maid bring a knife to cut the cake, I stopped her:
“May I try those nice-looking and smelling dishes that you cooked before eating the cake? I could also enjoy those nice words you wrote on the cake a bit longer.”
“You, silly. Those words are already deeply imprinted in my heart and it will never be erased. According to western custom, we always taste the cake before the dinner. How about a small piece, okay?”
My body was suddenly warmed from the heart to the toes. What did I do to deserve this lovely lady’s passion and care?
After a few rounds of toasts, her cheeks turned red and her smile brighten, she got up to go to the bedroom to change. I asked the maid to clear the table, but she stopped her, seemed to suggest we would drink more later.
I was pondering how could I get her drunk and get the maid away from the bedroom and the living room so I would have chance to go near the chest drawer to get the document.
