Snow and China

Author: Wu Jiliang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-09-01
Features: Chapter 3 "Meeting a Kindred Spirit Abroad" "I am one of the human race" On a day in August 1931, Shanghai was as hot as an oven. Snow was taking a nap. A clear phone ring awakened him. He picked up the receiver and heard the voice of the Deputy Consul of the U.S. Consulate in Shanghai, Paul: "Hey! Are you Snow? This is Paul." "What urgent matter do you have to disturb my nap?" "A Miss Foster wants to see you. She's from Seattle and just arrived in Shanghai today." Snow was immediately excited to hear someone new had arrived from his homeland, and that it was a woman. He asked playfully, "Is she a plump girl?" "Plump? Yes, much plumper than you." "How old is she?" "Around 50, but she's well-maintained." Paul and he kept joking over the phone. "Is she wealthy?" "Dripping with diamonds. She has bodyguards." "Does she carry weapons?" "Yes, everyone has two." Paul laughed, "Snow, if I were you, I wouldn't worry about any of that. Shall I take care of her for you?" "What is this Miss Foster doing in China?" Snow asked after thinking for a moment. "She's coming to work at our consulate." "That's good. Please ask Miss Foster to meet for coffee at Sullivan at 6 p.m. Please convey my sincere invitation to her." Snow said, pretending to be serious with diplomatic language. "You must be punctual, don't be late. Miss Foster is the first to want to meet you as soon as she arrives in Shanghai!" Paul knew Snow always did things his own way, never in a hurry, and that not keeping time was his old habit, so he reminded him. "Alright, it's a deal." Snow hung up the phone and returned to the bed, only getting up at 5 p.m. that afternoon. Snow put on the white linen shirt he had made in India. He looked at himself in the full-length mirror in the wardrobe and noticed it was a bit wrinkled. He then put on a new coat he had just bought, shaved, and combed his messy brown curls. Snow never paid much attention to his appearance or grooming. But today, for some reason, he deliberately groomed himself. Snow came to the side of Jing'an Temple Road to wait for a taxi. A young American girl named Mary, who was born in Shanghai, walked toward him. Seeing Snow, she quickly approached and greeted him warmly: "Edgar, where are you going?" Her tone was full of joy and familiarity. "I'm going to the other side of Nanjing Road." Snow replied casually. "I'm going that way too. Will you dance with me at the Paramount?" Mary invited him. "Sorry, I have an appointment. You can go alone." "Who are you going on an appointment with?" "A young lady who just arrived from America." "Is she your fiancée?" "I don't even know her." "Well... Mary still didn't leave, standing beside Snow as she chatted. Soon, a taxi came by. Snow waved his hand, and the car stopped. Just as he was about to bow in to get in, a commotion came from a nearby alley. Then, he saw a person rushing out of a smoke-filled building, completely on fire.