money player

Last night's stay in the presidential suite at the Plaza Hotel marked the end of his affair with Christina; from now on, they would only be colleagues, boss and employee. He now has a void waiting for someone new to fill.

When the white man left disappointed, he went up and took his seat.

"Miss, may I buy you a drink?"

The girl glanced at him. "I don't speak Chinese."

Sin Yiu-man thought to himself, "Nonsense." The girl's English had a distinct Chinese accent, and she didn't have any apple cheeks, so she obviously hadn't been speaking English for long and probably didn't speak it very often.

“OK.” Sin Yiu-man shrugged. “I’m Adam. I’m planning to rent a bed at a hotel tonight. You know hotel beds are pretty expensive. Would you like to share a bed with me and pay half the rent?”

Then, he switched to the accent of Peking Union Medical College and said, "There's an old Chinese saying: 'At home, you rely on your parents; when you're out in the world, you rely on your friends.' Friend, you won't refuse me, will you?"

The girl laughed loudly and said, "You're really shameless. Are you a Jew who lived in Shanghai?"

“You can call me Lao Guang, or you can call me Snake Eater, I don’t mind.” Then, Sin Yiu-man switched to English and said, “Actually, I’ve never been to Shanghai.”

"A bastard left behind by the Jews?"

“Ha, I like your frankness. It’s rare to meet someone who speaks their mind.” Sin Yiu-man glanced at the girl’s face. “However, some things are better left unsaid. If I were less magnanimous, you would become an Indian saint.”

"what?"

“Temple prostitutes kept by Indian temples serve at least dozens of pilgrims on pilgrimage days. Half of them may have sadistic tendencies, and the other half may have sexually transmitted diseases.” Sin Yiu-man deliberately looked the girl up and down. “Someone like you probably won’t live more than a year. Your body will be given to the Dalit for cremation.”

"Dalits, in Chinese, are 'untouchables.' They have a hard time finding wives, especially someone as fair-skinned as you. You could easily pass for a high-caste noblewoman. I'm sure the Dalit who cremates you won't waste your still-warm body..."

Before he could finish speaking, Sin Yiu-man reached out and grabbed the girl's wrist as she was about to throw the wine. "So, you're just a spoiled brat who was lucky enough to grow up in a wealthy family. Is your refusal to speak Chinese a protest against the injustices suffered by Chinese people, or a way to resist your parents' control? I believe it's the latter."

"Take your hand away, let me splash it in your face," the girl said indignantly in Chinese.

"Wow, that's not good. My suit is expensive, and I haven't finished paying off the installment bill yet."

"I'll compensate you."

"You don't need to pay me back. After you've splashed me, I'll splash you in the face too." With that, Xian Yaowen withdrew his hand.

The girl slightly raised her hand as if to splash something, but the wine in the glass did not spill. After a moment, she slammed the glass on the bar and snorted.

"Hehe, Miss Wang, have you had dinner yet? Would you mind having some blue oysters with us?"

"You are Miss Wang."

"Oh, Miss Zhang."

The girl rolled her eyes at Xian Yaowen. "Lee."

"Oh, Miss Li, I'd like to invite you to dinner."

The girl stared at Sin Yiu-man's face for a moment, then said, "Your skin is incredibly thick."

"Thank you for the compliment." Xian Yaowen grasped the girl's wrist. "Please."

The girl rolled her eyes again, but did not refuse Xian Yaowen's invitation. She slightly raised her hips, implying that she was willing to be led around.

Sin Yiu-man pulled the girl by the wrist to his table, arranged for her to sit down, and asked the waiter to bring a new set of tableware.

Do you like sashimi?

"Fortunately, I ate grass carp sashimi, raw silver fish, and red meat when I was a child."

"Dong ethnic group's red meat?"

“Yeah.”

So, is your ancestral home in Changsha, or were you born in Changsha?

"Born in Changsha." The girl asked in surprise, "How did you guess?"

“I used to work in the joint defense team, and I would occasionally do some serious work, such as cooperating with the Department of Health to carry out epidemic prevention publicity. There were three times in total, but two of them were publicity about liver fluke disease, and they were all about your Changsha.”

The girl suddenly realized, "Changsha's raw fish is indeed very famous."

"We may not be able to eat it in the future. I saw in a mainland newspaper that raw fish has been listed as a feudal custom and banned."

"Can you buy mainland Chinese newspapers in the US?"

"I live in Hong Kong and am in New York on a business trip."

"Li Youwen".

"What a coincidence, Sin Yiu-man. You're in a terrible mood today. Which unlucky guy has offended you?"

"Are you willing to listen to my troubles?"

"You can treat me like a trash can; you can throw all your unhappiness at me."

Li Youwen was silent for a moment, then said, "Do you have a cigarette? Mary Jane will do too."

Sin Yiu-man raised his hand to call the waiter, "Marijuana is marijuana. Giving it a fancy name doesn't change the fact that it's prohibited by law. Breaking the law just to look cool is a very childish thing to do."

Li Youwen said impatiently, "Are you lecturing me?"

“No, I just don’t want to get involved in trouble.” Sin Yiu-man said to the approaching waiter, “One pack of Happy Time, and a box of matches.”

"Marlboro, thank you."

After the cigarettes were delivered, Li Youwen lit one, took a puff, coughed a few times, and once she caught her breath, she took another puff and slowly said, "Do you know that the Etiquette Society can eat people?"

"The principles of etiquette do not devour people; it is those who uphold etiquette who devour people."

"Only with proper etiquette can people uphold it."

"That's not entirely wrong. You can continue taking out the trash."

Li Youwen smiled slightly, “A few years ago, I refused to recite the Analects of Confucius and was put on a three-day fast by my father. Before today, I engraved the school motto on a bar of soap and let it melt away. I was given a major demerit by the school. My father froze my trust fund and stopped giving me living expenses. I went to the hospital to sell my blood to raise funds to prepare for creating a new work.”

How many times was it sold?

"twice."

Within a week?

"One day later."

Sin Yiu-man frowned and asked, "How much is a pint?"

"The first time is $15, the second time is $10."

"Don't you think this kind of behavior is cool?"

"At least this is my freedom."

"You don't speak Chinese just to defy your father's strict morals and how he can eat you up?"

"No, for freedom."

"Oh, your mother is also very traditional."

Li Youwen said incredulously, "Your thinking is really quick."

"It's not that I'm quick-witted, it's that I have a lot of experience, ah, experience in picking up girls."

"Oh." Li Youwen drawled, "So, you're making it clear beforehand that you're a bad man, laying the groundwork for your later irresponsibility?"

"Etiquette, cannibalism, freedom, and then you say you're responsible, so you have the freedom to choose, and you don't reject the aspects of etiquette that are beneficial to you?"

“Isn’t this human nature?” Li Youwen said cheerfully.

Sin Yiu-man shrugged. “Etiquette, cannibalism, freedom, and then irresponsibility—that’s me.”

"Ha, you're really interesting."

"I have 36 wives, 72 lovers, and countless romantic encounters."

"The 108 heroes of Liangshan Marsh?"

“Your mind is also very sharp.” Xian Yaowen picked up the bottle of Red Hook Porter beer. “I ordered beer, not dry champagne, I don’t know if it suits your taste.”

"Why not order a dry champagne? The oysters will be even sweeter."

As he poured the beer, Sin Yiu-man said, "This beer is good. It has the aroma of roasted coffee beans, a dark chocolate finish, and the bitterness of the hops perfectly counteracts the fishy smell of the oysters."

"What a strange combination."

“Not surprising, it’s Brooklyn style.” Sin Yiu-man raised his beer mug. “To freedom.”

"Cheers to freedom."

Li Youwen downed the wine in his glass in one gulp and slammed the glass on the table.

Xian Yaowen chuckled and said, "Don't drink so fast. I have no intention of seducing you into bed anymore, so you don't need to cooperate and get yourself drunk."

"Why? Why have you suddenly lost interest in me?"

“Because of irresponsibility, because of the cannibalistic nature of traditional ethics. Ethical ethics didn’t devour me whole, but it did bite my major artery. I told you I’m experienced enough to judge you as unmarried after just a few steps.” Xian Yaowen shrugged. “You’re not a suitable romantic partner. Consider me unlucky.”

Li Youwen laughed loudly and said, "Are you playing hard to get, deliberately trying to pique my curiosity?"

"No, you can completely believe what I'm saying, I'm just downplaying the important points."

"Waiting to be married is considered light; what is considered heavy?"

Sin Yiu-man pointed to the cheongsam on Lee Yu-man's body, "The silk fabric plus the labor cost will not be less than $150. And there's the trust fund you mentioned. Your father must be quite a figure. I'm a businessman, and perhaps one day I'll become his business partner. I don't want to be embarrassed in the future."

Is your business very large?

"It's ok."

"Mining business?"

"No."

"Then you probably won't have any business dealings with my father. He only deals in mining, specifically tungsten ore."

The surname is Li, he is from Changsha, and he is in the tungsten ore business. This is a strong indication that Xian Yaowen immediately thought of Li Guoqin, a person who confirmed the existence of tungsten mines in China and used the word "tungsten" to represent the chemical element.

It can be said that he discovered tungsten mines in China, and he invented tungsten.

Li Guoqin started trading in tungsten and antimony ore during World War I. In the 1910s, he opened up channels between China and the United States for the exchange of ore for mining equipment and steel and other industrial products. It seems that the Beiyang government even awarded him some kind of medal.

After the outbreak of World War II, metals such as tungsten and antimony became important strategic materials, while China's foreign trade was interrupted due to the war. Li Guoqin then invested in tungsten mines in Brazil, Mexico and other places, and began mining in Nevada, California and Colorado in the United States.

Li Guoqin is now considered a mining tycoon in the United States, a pivotal figure in the tungsten ore industry, and the chairman of Huachang Company in the United States.

“You can just say your father is Li Guoqin. He’s from Changsha and runs a tungsten ore business. I can’t think of anyone else with that surname.”

Li Youwen chuckled and said, "Do I need to praise your quick thinking again?"

"No need. Your father is very famous. Anyone who pays a little attention can guess who he is."

"Okay, I still have to say that you have a very sharp mind, which is why you have become a successful businessman at such a young age."

"Thank you so much for your compliment, so even after I lose interest in you, I'll still treat you to Blue Point Oysters, instead of just giving you bread."

"Ha, you're such a businessman, so pragmatic."

Sin Yiu-man picked up an oyster and placed it on Lee Yau-man's plate. "Would you like some wasabi? We have some here."

"Oriental wasabi?"

"No, it's mustard sauce made from yellow mustard seeds."

"You can have some."

Sin Yiu-man ordered mustard sauce, and the two of them slowly began to enjoy the blue oysters.

"Are you still studying?"

"Year 12 at Chabin Girls' School".

"Nice schools, which university do you want to go to?"

"Columbia University, majoring in art history."

When are you planning to go home and back down?

Why should I back down?

"Even if you pay your tuition in installments, the down payment is still $200, and the monthly payment is $50. Plus, there are all sorts of other things like alumni fund donations. Are you going to sell your blood to pay your bills?"

“I have a dad, but guess if I have a mom?” Li Youwen rolled her eyes.

"So, your parents separated?"

"Yes."

"Great, you have the right to be naughty."

“I’m an adult, don’t talk to me like that.”

"Alright, madam, where will you be staying tonight?"

YWCA (Young Women's Association)

"West 53rd Street?"

"Yes."

"I've heard rumors that many couples use that place as a meeting point. Have you ever been harassed?"

Li Youwen's face showed disgust. "I was not only harassed, but I also got into a fight."

"Ha, you should be happy. Your charm attracts not only men, but also women."

"Stop talking, I feel nauseous."

“Okay.” Sin Yiu-man shrugged. “There’s an artist’s house in Greenwich Village. You can even bargain. It’s $25 for a couple’s room for a week. I can pay for a week’s room for you. If you still don’t want to back down after a week, then you’ll have to figure it out yourself. Maybe you can go to the Chelsea Hotel. They accept artwork as payment for rent.”

"Are you pitying me?"

“No, it’s an older brother’s love for his naughty younger sister,” Xian Yaowen said sincerely.

Li Youwen stared at Xian Yaowen's face for a moment, then said, "Alright, I accept your help."

"My pleasure."

The two quickly finished a plate of oysters. Instead of ordering another plate, Sin Yiu-man ordered roasted wild duck with cherry sauce.

Li Youwen probably hadn't eaten anything good for several days. She ate very quickly, but maintained an elegant demeanor throughout. Clearly, the rigid rules of etiquette had taken a toll on her.

Sin Yiu-man ate slowly, his eyes darting around, searching for his next romantic encounter.

This time, he raised the age threshold.

His actions quickly caught Li Youwen's attention. "What are you doing? Looking for a romantic encounter?"

“Yeah, you’re quick-witted.” Xian Yaowen turned his gaze to Li Youwen. “I’m a businessman. I’ll make up for the losses I suffered at your hands by taking them from others. Little girl, you didn’t kill Bo Ren, but Bo Ren died because of you. I originally planned to open a $100 suite, but now the budget has been reduced to $15.”

Li Youwen chuckled, "Do you have a car?"

"uh-huh."

“You can save another $15.”

Sin Yiu-man scoffed, “Little girl, what do you know? A wrinkled suit, a dirty car, and… well, some things are not for someone your age to know.”

Li Youwen chuckled and said, "You're completely different now than you were just now. I feel cared for."

"Don't make wild guesses. There's only a thin line between liking and admiration. Even if I were willing to humble myself and take you in, you could only be my eighteenth concubine. Why make things difficult for yourself?"

"Hahaha~" Li Youwen bent over backwards, laughing so hard he was shaking. "Your skin is really, really thick."

"Say what you will, eat your food, and don't get in the way of my womanizing."

Sin Yiu-man picked up his glass and walked back to the bar. A woman had just arrived; she had light skin, blonde hair, dark eyes, and a high nose, exhibiting distinct Ashkenazi Jewish physical characteristics.

"Hi, Eve."

The Jewish woman glanced at Xian Yaowen and said irritably, "Are you Adam?"

“Yeah, I’m Adam, Adam Hepburn. Hello, Ms. Eve Hepburn.” With that, Sin Yiu-man squeezed between the Jewish woman and the man’s seat, looked at the man’s face and said, “Sir, I’d like you to go to the toilet to take a piss.”

"I……"

Sin Yiu-man pointed to the wine glass in the man's hand, "It's on me."

"Okay." The man shrugged. "Thanks for letting me pee."

After speaking, the man left, and Sin Yiu-man took his seat. He turned to the Jewish woman and said, "You can speak now."

The Jewish woman glanced at her sideways. "I don't like the way you hit on me, and I especially dislike your... damn it, what gives you the right to call yourself Adam?"

"To fulfill the mission of giving you the name Eve."

The woman gave a wry smile and said helplessly, "Fine, Rachel, you got my name."

“Adam,” Sin Yiu-man raised his glass, “you have it.”

“Adam, don’t joke about the Eden Covenant next time,” Rachel replied, raising her glass.

“OK.” Sin Yiu-man raised his glass again, took a small sip, and said, “This is a bar that advertising people like to come to. Are you an advertising person?”

"What about you?"

"No, I made an appointment with an advertising professional."

“Me neither, I also made an appointment with an advertising professional.” Rachel pointed to Xian Yaowen’s cufflinks. “They’re very unique, custom-made?”

Sin Yiu-man raised his wrist and glanced at it. "Why can't it be bought ready-made?"

“I’m a fashion buyer, and I trust my judgment,” Rachel said confidently.

"Wow, fashion buyer, that's a good job. 3% or 5%?"

Rachel chuckled and said, "You know a lot about the fashion buyer profession?"

“I think I understand. Andrew Jackson would tell me several times a day: Fashion buyers make a lot of money, fashion buyers make a lot of money.”

"So, you're in the clothing business?"

"uh-huh."

Rachel took a silver cigarette case out of her bag, lit a cigarette, and said, "I never take kickbacks from suppliers."

"So, a family business?"

"uh-huh."

The profession of fashion buyer currently only exists in department stores, and it is an open secret in the industry that suppliers give fashion buyers a 3% to 5% rebate on the value of the goods, especially in the clothing sector, where garment factories will add 5% to the cost when making budgets.

"Which one?"

"Alexander."

"What a wonderful encounter. Let's get to know each other again. Yaowen Xian, the major shareholder of Chinatown Group. I supply shirts to many department stores."

Rachel grasped Sin Yiu-man's hand. "What's the relationship between Chinatown Group and China Garment Manufacturing?"

"China Garment Manufacturing Co., Ltd. is a subsidiary of Chinatown Group."

"Your people went to Alexandria, but they couldn't agree on a price."

“It’s a great pity, but it’s my responsibility,” Sin Yiu-man said sarcastically. “If I had known that Alexander’s boss was Jewish, I would have accepted the loss-making order. Losing tens of thousands of dollars a month is something I can still bear.”

“Adam, you don’t need to say that on purpose. Alexander’s price still makes a profit.”

Sin Yiu-man shrugged. "We can't calculate the profit in Hong Kong. Maybe we can open a branch factory in Krakow."

"Why would Krakow be an option?" Rachel asked in surprise.

“You don’t know?” Xian Yaowen asked deliberately. “We have our compatriots in Krakow. They don’t need wages. All they need each day is 300 grams of black bread mixed with sawdust and a liter of soup made from potato peels. They will work like crazy, even if they die on the job, they dare not slack off.”

Rachel said with a dark expression, "Adam, I'm from the Soviet Union, and my mother is from Poland."

“Is that so?” Sin Yiu-man pointed to his face. “I am half Chinese. The female workers under my command are human beings, not livestock. When faced with oppression, they treat themselves as human beings. When faced with the weak, they treat others as human beings. The reputation of the Jewish people is ruined by Jews like your father, who squeeze every penny of profit and leave no way for others to survive.”

You think yourselves shrewd businessmen, but little do you know you are nurturing another ambitious schemer who will target the Jewish people. (End of Chapter)