The Golden Cane and the Wild Rose - Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Yun Ran felt very uncomfortable under Miss Peony’s gaze in the mirror. She subtly sensed that Miss Peony’s intentions toward her weren’t as innocent as they seemed.

While this era was a significant step forward from the social conventions of the past, most of the girls at her school held romantic and idealistic views about love. Yun Ran, however, was different. She seemed to still be living in an older era, believing that love and marriage were a ladder to a new, safe home and a stable, prosperous life—a shortcut granted to her by heaven. She was born with a beautiful face, after all.

She was extremely cautious about love, having politely rejected many unsuitable suitors and only kept her senior in a “probationary” period. She didn’t care about a person’s gender, only that they could give her the life she wanted. But Miss Peony was not that person. She lived a glamorous but dependent life, relying on others for support. Yun Ran decided to be a little more distant from her.

She just needed to hold on until her shift was over. Once all three ladies were on stage, she could go home. Miss Peony was the last performer tonight. Yun Ran felt a sense of dread as she waited.

“Miss Peony, there are only three songs left until your performance. Your makeup is done, please go change.”

A girl with a plain appearance, who was only responsible for miscellaneous chores, came over with Miss Peony’s evening gown.

Yun Ran was about to say that if Miss Peony had no other requests, she would be leaving for the day and would see her again in two days. But Miss Peony spoke first. “Ah Ran, help me change.”

Yun Ran hesitated, as this wasn’t part of her job, but the girl had already handed her the bright red gown. Yun Ran took it and walked with Miss Peony into the dimly lit dressing room. Yun Ran was about to turn on the light.

“Don’t.” Miss Peony stopped her with a sharp voice.

Yun Ran pulled her hand back, feeling a little confused. Miss Peony began to take off her high-collared qipao. Hideous marks appeared in the dim light. The red, worm-like welts on Miss Peony’s neck and back left Yun Ran speechless.

Miss Peony didn’t turn around. She reached back and skillfully took the gown from Yun Ran’s hands. The gown had a backless, low-cut design. Everything that should be seen, and shouldn’t be seen, was exposed. The red welts on Miss Peony’s neck and back transitioned from the shadows to the not-so-bright light, appearing even more gruesome.

Yun Ran remained silent, her spine chilling. It felt like not only had her voice been silenced, but her eyes had been stabbed out as well.

No wonder my dad said the dance hall was a mixed bag of people and that I should never set foot in it. No wonder my senior was so nervous when he found out I was working here and rushed over to protect me.

What had Miss Peony gone through? Yun Ran didn’t dare to ask, shouldn’t ask, and didn’t want to ask. Her resolve to distance herself from Miss Peony became even stronger.

“Don’t worry, Miss Peony. I didn’t see anything today.”

“It’s fine if you saw it. As long as no one else does. Can you help me?”

Yun Ran was silent. She was afraid of getting tangled up in something dangerous, a situation where even her dad, who worked for the feared Jiang Musheng, wouldn’t be able to save her.

“I won’t ask you to do anything dangerous,” Miss Peony said with a laugh, but her usual graceful smile turned into a bitter one. “Just help me do my makeup one more time and cover these marks.”

“I’ll give you half of my pay today.”

“No need.” Yun Ran wasn’t a selfless person. She just didn’t want to owe anyone anything. “The qipao you gave me earlier wasn’t cheap.”

A look of uncontainable joy came over Miss Peony as she hugged her. “If you like it, I’ll give you another one.”

“I’ll go get my makeup.” Yun Ran deftly slipped out of Miss Peony’s embrace and walked out.

Miss Peony watched the dressing room door gently open and then close quickly. Yun Ran was being very careful not to let her exposed injuries be seen by anyone outside. Stroking the scars left on her neck by Boss Li’s whip, Miss Peony let out a quiet sigh, filled with resentment and helplessness. “Men.”

The dressing room door opened again, and after Yun Ran came in, it closed quickly. The room was small, and Yun Ran felt her chest tighten, unable to breathe. She asked Miss Peony, “Can I turn on the light? I need to make sure I cover everything properly.”

This time, Miss Peony agreed. Yun Ran reached up and turned on the light. This was the last time she would do this. She had seen the horrifying truth behind the glamorous facade of this place through Miss Peony’s injuries, and even as a backstage worker, she was starting to fear that disaster would one day fall on her.

She was paid daily, and as soon as she got her pay today, she wouldn’t be coming back. She planned to accept her senior’s help directly. She wouldn’t take his money for free, of course. She would work at his family’s restaurant. His family owned dozens of roasted pigeon restaurants in Hong Kong. Compared to her and her father, who was risking his life under Jiang Musheng, they were an excellent family she could only hope to get close to.

She had always known that her senior liked her. Many boys at school liked her, but he wasn’t the richest. However, he was the one who respected her the most, and overall, he was the best choice. He was a year ahead of her and was already studying at her dream school, the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He still pursued her relentlessly in his free time. He was mature and always took her feelings into consideration, fulfilling her need to be cared for.

As Yun Ran covered Miss Peony’s scars, she made her final calculations and came to a decision. Her senior was a good man in every way; she just lacked a little spark.

Tomorrow was Sunday. She would quit this part-time job, dress up beautifully, agree to be his girlfriend, study hard in university, get married at the legal age, become Mrs. Gu, and allow her father to leave the service of the feared Jiang Musheng and live a peaceful life in retirement. She would finally be free from the late-night sound of him returning home, covered in blood, and quietly treating his wounds so he wouldn’t wake her. Even if she didn’t love her senior, she could at least live a secure and comfortable life by his side.

All of Miss Peony’s scars were covered. Yun Ran immediately pulled her hands back. “Thank you, Ah Ran.” Miss Peony was extremely pleased with her makeup skills. The scars on her exposed skin were all gone, and the more severe vertical welts on her back were artfully transformed into stalks of peony flowers by Yun Ran’s clever hands. She had also drawn a beautiful, though not perfectly detailed, peony on her bare back.

Miss Peony was overjoyed. She went to hug Yun Ran again and instinctively puckered her lips for a kiss. Yun Ran skillfully dodged her, her smile now strained.

“Ah Ran, you’re the same age as my sister and have received a modern education, but my sister loves to hug and kiss, while you’re so resistant.”

Yun Ran’s smile was a little stiff. “It would ruin the makeup. Miss Peony, you have to be careful.”

“You’re right.” Miss Peony immediately became nervous.

Just then, someone came to rush Miss Peony to the stage. She was already a few minutes late. Though she wasn’t as popular as she used to be, a significant number of her loyal fans still came to see her. The restless noises from the audience reached the backstage area, and Miss Peony rushed out.

Yun Ran put away her makeup, hearing the audience’s dissatisfaction turn into passionate cheers and applause. She finally felt a sense of relief. She would just collect her pay from the manager, and this part-time job would have a perfect ending. She let out a relaxed sigh.

“Ah Ran.” A gentle male voice came from behind her.

“Senior.” Yun Ran smiled as she turned around, a qipao from Miss Peony draped over her arm.

“Did Miss Peony give you a hard time?”

“Not really.” Thinking about how she would be able to leave this place soon, Yun Ran’s voice was light and her eyes were bright.

“Did something good happen?”

“Come with me to get my pay, and I’ll tell you later.”

He went with Yun Ran to find the manager to get her pay for the day. After she got the money, Yun Ran brought up the subject of quitting. To her surprise, the manager’s expression changed abruptly, and he refused to let them leave.

“Miss Yun Ran, you’re being a little ungrateful. If you’re not satisfied with the pay, we can discuss it.”

“You can’t just quit. Who’s going to be responsible for the losses we incur when we can’t find a replacement?”

“I’ll be responsible,” Gu Hongfei said, speaking up. His tall, sturdy frame and upright expression were perfectly matched by his righteous voice.

The manager suddenly laughed. “Where were you earlier, Mr. Righteous? From the moment Miss Yun Ran stepped into our dance hall, she was no longer as pure as she used to be.”

A swift punch flashed before Yun Ran’s eyes, breaking the manager’s nose. Yun Ran was stunned. This was the first time she had ever seen her gentle and refined senior hit someone.

“Blood! Manager, you’re bleeding a lot!” one of the staff members behind the manager yelled.

The situation suddenly became complicated. Yun Ran couldn’t blame her senior for being impulsive. She could only try to calm both sides down and agree to work for another two weeks. The manager’s small, fish-like eyes rolled around in their sockets, and he finally nodded in agreement.

Yun Ran pleasingly handed him a tissue. “Miss Yun Ran is still the sensible one.” The manager gave a sinister smile and a pointed look at Gu Hongfei. He may have a righteous heart, but he can’t protect the beauty.

Yun Ran was afraid her senior would get angry again, so she reached out and took his hand. His hand was big and soft. She held it all the way out of the dance hall before letting go. Gu Hongfei looked down at his empty hand, still a little dazed. Yun Ran found a tissue and wiped the blood off his hand.

“Does it hurt?”

“No,” Gu Hongfei said, taking Yun Ran’s hand. “Ah Ran, we…”

“Oh!” Yun Ran suddenly let out a small gasp. Gu Hongfei thought his action had scared her and quickly let go.

Yun Ran bit her lip. “I left the roses you gave me backstage. I’ll go get them.”

Gu Hongfei wanted to go with her, but Yun Ran insisted he wait outside. He had no choice but to listen.

Yun Ran went back backstage and immediately felt that something was wrong. The air was eerily quiet. She couldn’t help but lighten her footsteps. Just as she was about to turn the corner and walk in, someone grabbed her from behind. It was an unfamiliar face, who spoke in a very low, trembling voice.

“Miss Yun Ran, don’t go in.”

“…Why?”

“Jia… Jia… Jiang…” The stranger stuttered.

A name that had terrified Yun Ran for years popped into her head. “Jiang Musheng?” she asked in a very low voice.

The stranger nodded heavily. To be precise, an enraged Jiang Musheng was inside.

In the next few minutes, Yun Ran heard a series of horrific, inhuman screams from the backstage area. The voice was very familiar to her, it belonged to the manager who gave her her pay every day and with whom she and her senior had just had a conflict.

“Ah!” One final, bloodcurdling scream echoed through the night.

The world went silent, and Yun Ran’s heart stopped.

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