3. Chapter 3

Xiaoman sits leisurely, one arm thrown over the back of Luo Fei’s chair, her gin and tonic held lightly in her other hand. Luo Fei had foolishly thought that she would need training on how to behave in a masculine manner, but she’s been studying men her whole life. Most women do, in her experience. It’s a protective measure, but also generally useful. Such as now, when she can sprawl the way men do (and women never can) over the chairs, Luo Fei, and, in general, the whole room.

She is really enjoying it.

Luo Fei is sitting forward, his legs tucked primly under the chair, knees together, leaning into her like she is the center of his orbit. Something she chastises herself not to get used to it.

“It’s that man over in the corner booth, with the pretty boy, and his bodyguards,” Luo Fei says with a smile, as if he is flattering her.

She nods graciously.

“You’re prettier than that boy,” she says without thinking, because he is. The boy in question is definitely young and sweet looking, but is not too comfortable in his presentation. Luo Fei is glowing, the dark hunter green of his cheongsam contrasting beautifully with his tawny skin tone, his hair curled and pinned up to accent his cheekbones and bring out his strong jawline. He wears the ensemble like a noble lady, refined and proud and born to it. “He’s a paste jewel but you are a diamond,” she adds thoughtfully.

After a moment of silence, she glances over at Luo Fei, who looks stunned. He covers quickly, though, taking a dainty sip of his martini.

“Have you noticed Ben Jie Ming?” He asks quietly.

“Looking very unhappy with that bland looking man? Yes.” She peers around the whole club and many people duck their heads, trying not to be caught staring.

“We can use him to separate us. Once the dancing starts, you abandon me to go talk to him as an old friend — he will play along. Everyone here knows him and will think he’s your contact with the police, improving our prestige. I will make eyes at our mark, and he will surely come over and ask me to dance!”

“Without a formal introduction, first?”

Luo Fei frowns.

“Never mind. I’ll handle this, dear.” She waves over Andy, who moves sensuously through the crowd with eyes only for them. She drops that she would like to meet the famous gangster and while Andy does give her the side-eye for that, he beckons them both over and introductions are made. The gangster definitely has eyes for Luo Fei, much to his own date’s chagrin.

They “talk shop” in a vague and round-about way until the gangster’s next set of drinks comes out and Xiaoman begs their excuses. It’s about time for the band to pick up again, so she settles Luo Fei at the table like the gentleman she is then kisses his hand before sauntering over to talk to Ben.

Who looks at her like she is a lion on the Serengeti about to murder him for dinner. This could be going better, she thinks. Is he mad she’s crashing his date?

“Ben Jie Ming!” She makes herself loud and garrulous. He holds out his hand half-heartedly and she pumps it. “Fancy meeting you here!”

“Yes. Fancy that,” he says, pulling his hand away.

She turns to his date, and finds that he is even less impressive close up. Ben deserves so much better than that. Mind decided, she leers at him while slapping her hand on Ben’s shoulder. “You understand this one is under my special protection, yes? You better treat him right!”

The man pales as if she just threatened his life, which in fact she just did. At least he’s not stupid. He stands up, stutters out an apology and something about his ailing mother whom he needs to check in on immediately and walks quickly out of the club.

Ben blinks at her. “...thank you?”

She sits down in the abandoned chair and just barely remembers to sprawl out of it a little instead of perching. Then she takes a moment to study Ben, who is still looking very unhappy, and whose ears are bright, bright red.

“Are you embarrassed? You shouldn’t be. Luo Fei knew you were on a date. We just didn’t know you would be here .”

“He knows? Of course he knows, of course he does,” Ben says and slams his drink like a sailor. Xiaoman has to stop herself from gasping in surprise. He goes still, closes his eyes, and takes a deep breath. “I would prefer that these two worlds never cross.”

“I don’t know why not.” She shrugs and Ben looks at her incredulously. Out of the corner of her eye she notices that the gangster is indeed sidling up to Luo Fei at their table. She gets up and grabs Ben’s hand, tugging, and he follows her lead to stand, confusion clear on his face. “We’re dancing,” she explains, tightening her hold when she feels him try to get free. She tugs and cajoles until they are on the floor, arguing about the steps.

“I’m taller, I should lead.”

“I asked you to dance, I should lead.”

“Do you even know how to lead?”

“I went to girls’ school, how do you think we learned to dance at all?” She leans up a little. “This way when Luo Fei gives me the signal I can step up and ask for a dance with him to break them up,” she whispers.

“Ah.” Ben nods agreeably and finally lets her lead. They sway around the dance floor with all the other dancers, not at all conspicuous due to the variety of couples around them. She puts aside her thoughts about how much she is enjoying herself, wearing a tuxedo and dancing with a handsomely be-suited man in such a place.

It is not too long before she sees Luo Fei’s fingers flick in their agreed upon signal, and she glides Ben with her over to the other couple. On the spur of the moment, she makes up her mind.

“Darling! Our friend Ben Jie Ming is too jealous! He wants a dance with you.” She shoves Ben at Luo Fei, then turns to the gangster and loudly offers to buy him a drink. Caught, he can’t refuse her, and unhappily lets go of the rather tight hold he had on Luo Fei’s waist to go join her at the bar. It doesn’t matter what they talk about, she reminds herself, since Luo Fei has the information they need. Her only goal right now is to give her boys some time to figure each other out before she drags them the hell out of there.