The north wind outside the window never stops.

The nursemaid asked, "Did Miss Yu ever see Xing Zhi again in Shanghai?"

I stirred the charcoal fire in the stove with a poker, and the sparks grew brighter, like twinkling lights, as if they were taking me back to the autumn of 1927 at the Ruijin Hotel.

The Ruijin Hotel was located in the French Concession and was a British-style building. Dignitaries and celebrities were frequent visitors here.

A huge red crystal lamp had been installed at the Ruijin Hotel, and when the waiter turned on the light, the entire floor seemed immersed in a red dream.

The music gradually started, and lotus flowers bloomed on the floor as many people began to dance spontaneously.

I sat there alone, feeling awkward and out of place.

The waiter walked over and asked me, "Miss, if you've been stood up, it's better to go back early."

I put down my glass and politely declined his offer, saying, "It's okay, I'm waiting for someone."

To my surprise, that waiter turned out to be Xing Zhi, dressed in a tailcoat and white gloves, a true gentleman.

I was slightly taken aback; it had been two years since we bid farewell on Xiapu Road.

At this moment, someone rushed in from the entrance and sat directly across from me.

"Xiao Yu, sorry for being late."

I had indeed made plans with Zhen Youshen, who worked at the Shanghai Police Department and was often busy until late at night.

He was a frequent customer at the bank, and ever since I helped him with a very difficult transaction, he consulted me for his financial affairs.

While I was thinking of going to see Xing Zhi, he had already disappeared into the crowd.

Zhen Youshen saw me looking at the dancing crowd and pulled me to the dance floor.

The music was melodious, and our feet spun around.

In the dazzling scene, I kept searching for Xing Zhi's figure.

"Bang!"

Suddenly, gunshots rang out from upstairs, and everyone stopped at the first shot.

But by the second and third shots, the red crystal lamp swung violently, and people started panicking and rushing towards the exit.

A large number of French police officers and detectives rushed over, and on the third floor, there were only a few bodies lying in pools of blood; the shooter had long since disappeared.

The French Concession was heavily guarded, yet someone dared to commit a shooting. The incident quickly made headlines in various newspapers.

I bought a copy of each newspaper.

The one who died that night was a traitor, and the murder plan was well-prepared and ruthless, clearly aimed at rooting out traitors and punishing evil.

I understood why Xing Zhi had asked me to go back early.