“What’s this?” I asked.
He shrugged, then grinned so wide you would have thought I had tipped him a thousand yuan. “Have a nice day, sir,” he said and touched the edge of his black cap, nodding once.
Perplexed, I pulled off the purple velvet ribbon and opened the box. Three white calla lilies were tucked inside, so perfect I touched a petal, wondering if it was real. It was—the flower cool and smooth. They weren’t in season, but yous could grow most things in a greenhouse or have them flown in. A rectangular silver envelope rested at the bottom of the box with no name on it. I immediately thought of Daiyu. Was this some mistake? The card inside featured a traditional Chinese brush painting, a single pine tree perched on a rocky ledge, its needles laden with snow.
I opened the card. It was an invitation, the characters written in a hand well versed in Chinese calligraphy:
You are cordially invited to a gala hosted by Jin Daiyu at the Jin residence. There will be a silent auction and all proceeds benefit the Children’s Foundation. A 50,000 NT donation to attend is appreciated.
The invitation gave the details of the party, noting that it was a black-tie affair. On the top corner, the characters written quickly but in an elegant hand, was a personal note from Daiyu:
I had such a great time the other day. I hope you can make the party. Would love to see you.
xxo
Turning the card over, it simply noted the title of the painting in the front as “Wintery Solace” by Jin Daiyu. She painted, too? Of course she did. I felt the heat rise to my cheeks as I stared at the delicate strokes for the pine needles. There had been no mention of the calla lilies, although Daiyu knew it had been my mother’s favorite flower after discussing my tattoo. I’d never given flowers to anyone before, much less received them from a girl.
What was Daiyu’s game?
I didn’t know her well enough to gauge if this was simply a thoughtful gesture or polite you etiquette for teaching her to climb or—
What the hell was I doing?
I tossed the card onto the table and dictated a message to Victor. “I need a tuxedo. Make me look good.”
It’s a rough canvas I’m working with, Vic responded immediately, but I’m so brilliant at what I do, you’ll be irresistible.
Laughing under my breath, I scrubbed a hand through my hair. It might be too soon to understand Daiyu’s motivation, but what did it matter when I had received a personal invite to her exclusive party?
I sent a message to Lingyi: I’m going to Jin’s residence. Daiyu invited me.
That didn’t take long, she replied.
I think she likes me . . . , I nearly said, but instead dictated, “Why should it?”
I’m impressed, Lingyi responded. Give me 24 hours then I’ll prep you.
? ? ?
Daiyu lived within walking distance of the 101, but Victor booked an airlimo for me for the gala night.
“You’re not walking to this soiree,” Vic said. “Absolutely not.” He swept a hand over the black lapels of my Burberry tuxedo, then tilted his head and adjusted my bow tie. He had agonized over which brand and style tux I should wear and had finally settled on a sleek-fitting wool tux in a deep navy blue, tailored to fit perfectly. I had to admit I looked damned good.
“Stop fidgeting,” Victor said. He tapped my chest. “The femtocell is sewn into a hidden pocket here. Keep your jacket on at all times.”
Lingyi had shown me the cell when we screen chatted; slim as a cashcard, it was able to divert all machinery online and within range through it, giving her access to everything. “The closer you are to the personal device or machine, the better,” she had said to me.
Victor straightened. “You look immaculate—almost as good as me.”
“Impossible,” I said, laughing.
He stood back, eyeing me long enough I wanted to reach for a knife to spin in my hand.
“Really. I’m quite pleased with myself.”
“I am nothing without you, Victor,” I joked.
“I know,” he replied, then turned away from me, retrieving something from a large bag. “Here.” He passed me a huge bouquet of flowers. “These are for Daiyu.”
I stared. It was a beautiful arrangement; I recognized chrysanthemums, lilies, and roses. “It’s bigger than my head.”
“You’re there to make an impression, Zhou,” Victor said. “Not to fade into the background.”
I took the bouquet, ready to go. If I waited any longer, I’d start thinking too much, which was the last thing I wanted.
Vic glanced at his Palm. “Your limo has arrived downstairs.”
? ? ?
The Jin mansion was set on bigger grounds than any other residence in Taipei, surrounded by massive gray stone walls in the Chinese style with carved beasts and flora decorating them. Although it was already dark, the entire estate was brightly lit. My black airlimo circled over the grounds, giving me a view of the Chinese courtyards and gardens below. The mansion itself was European inspired, reminding me of the Tuscan villas I’d studied on the undernet when I had been learning architecture on my own. It was built of cream-colored stone with majestic rectangular windows lining the first and second floors. We drifted over the tiled roof to land in a designated parking area behind the mansion.
I was fashionably late, per Victor’s instruction. There were already dozens of expensive cars and limos parked in the large lot. A man dressed in a black suit opened the limo door and asked for my invitation. He wasn’t overtly threatening, but it was obvious he was part of security, and my senses told me he was dangerous. I regretted being weaponless going in—but it was too much of a risk.
“Jason Zhou, huh?” the man asked.
I nodded, keeping my face smooth.
“You’ve never visited the Jin residence before?”
“No,” I replied. “But I have a personal invitation from Miss Jin.”
“We’ll have to run a background check,” he said, then scanned my face with his Palm, bathing my vision briefly in green light.
I stood still, relaxing my stance. There was no reason I should be nervous.
The man stared at his Palm for some time.
“Is there a problem?” I asked finally, mimicking the bored and impatient tone of all the rich you kids and their net diaries I’d watched. “I’d like to get in before the party’s over.”
He flicked a disinterested look at me and returned the invitation. “Enjoy the gala, Mr. Zhou.”