Fourth Record, A Stunning Shock

As the music comes to an end, the dancer in red twirls and turns, her veil thrown up, drifting over the audience below

At this moment, the music begins anew, the lights in the venue shift and change, and countless small lights in the dance floor flicker, resembling scattered pearls on the ground. The golden spiral staircase on one side of the stage leads directly to the second floor, adorned with a profusion of flowers, and at the top, a cascade of colorful ribbons falls like a shower. The languorous dance music plays on, and the skirts flutter gracefully as four stunning beauties descend the spiral staircase in single file, instantly dazzling the audience with their brilliance, leaving them breathless. These four beauties are the main performers of tonight's song and dance, now dressed in identical evening gowns with high hairstyles, adorned with rose hairpins. Some appear charming, others aloof, some delicate, and others alluring, each resembling a princess stepping down from the clouds. From their elevated position on the staircase, they look down upon the grand hall, where the distinguished guests and wealthy elites gaze up in awe, utterly captivated.

A group of people entered through the door, led by two attendants in purple uniforms, followed by five or six others who walked in slowly, proceeding along the designated VIP corridor to take their seats in the front row. The individuals at the forefront all had black hair and yellow faces, while the two foreigners followed behind. Cheng Yizhe recognized the most striking among them, dressed in a black evening suit that complemented his elegant figure, exuding an air of nobility in his demeanor, making Cheng Yizhe feel inferior in both appearance and grace.

Bai Muhua lamented, "Indeed, there are people in the world who possess all kinds of glory, making it impossible not to feel envious."

Bai Muhua smiled without answering. The songs and dances took turns to appear, each performance more fervent than the last, with the women who took the stage each more enchanting than the one before, all displaying their charm and grace, captivating the audience to the point of forgetfulness and enchantment... Yet none resembled her. Cheng Yizhe felt a sense of grounding gradually settling within him, but there was a part that became increasingly elevated, making it hard for him to breathe. He stood up in a daze, smiled apologetically at his female companion, and said, "I need to step outside for some fresh air, I will be back shortly." Bai Muhua grabbed him, "Why go now, of all times? After waiting all evening, you choose this moment!"

The song gradually enters the ethereal realm, as that person stands with their head held high, slowly turning around, and the butterfly mask drifts down gracefully.

The audience was silent as a crow or sparrow.

The golden curtain on the stage slowly rises, the lights in the hall dim, and the sounds of the sitar and tabla resonate from the orchestra pit. The golden-red archway on stage opens wide, the sound of bells falls like rain, and the saris flutter in the air as twelve Indian dancers step to the lively rhythm, performing the ankle-bell dance. Among them, a lead dancer, clad in a fiery red sari, her veil adorned with golden beads, moves gracefully like a serpent, her pair of eyes sparkling with allure, exuding an infinite exotic charm. Cheng Yizhe gazes intently at the dancer, his heart racing, wishing he could immediately lift her veil to catch a glimpse of her true self. Among them, a lead dancer, clad in a fiery red sari, her veil adorned with golden beads, moves gracefully like a serpent, her pair of eyes sparkling with allure, exuding an infinite exotic charm. Cheng Yizhe gazes intently at the dancer, his heart racing, wishing he could immediately lift her veil to catch a glimpse of her true self

A segment of the aria from "Madama Butterfly," sung in melodious Italian, adds a delicate charm to the moonlit night and the frost that falls. There is no need to understand the meaning of the lyrics; one is still moved by its poignant and lingering beauty, leaving all who hear it entranced yet melancholic

The scenery outside the car window rushes by, with one side featuring a mountainside covered in climbing wisteria and green moss, and the other side showcasing a beach where white waves crash against the shore. The sycamore tree-lined avenue gently winds up the mountain, leading one into a picturesque landscape. The evening glow in the sky gradually sinks into the night, and the streetlights along the tree-lined path light up one after another

The curtain slowly descended, and suddenly a crisp cracking sound was heard from a corner, reminiscent of a glass cup slipping from someone's hand and shattering on the ground, yet akin to a drop of cold water seeping into boiling oil. In an instant, thunderous applause erupted throughout the venue. The lights brightened once more, and the men and women in their seats gradually returned to their senses, still filled with emotion.

Cheng Yizhe leaned heavily against the back of the chair, exhaling a breath of relief, thankful beyond measure that it was not her

Cheng Yizhe looked closely and vaguely recognized one of the individuals as the Financial Secretary, but he could not identify the others

As the lights flowed, a beam of soft light illuminated a spot, instantly capturing the attention of the entire audience. At the top of the spiral staircase, a black satin gown shimmered with a dark luster, revealing a woman with an ethereal beauty. She descended the staircase step by step, as if descending from the night sky into the mortal realm. Though the ground was adorned with a myriad of vibrant colors, they were overshadowed by the striking simplicity of her elegance.

The figure slowly emerged from behind the screen, her long dress trailing on the ground, a snow-white satin shawl adorned with exceptionally long tassels swaying gracefully with her movements. Beneath her cloud-like hair piled high, a silver butterfly mask concealed her face, revealing only her delicate red lips and slender chin. The contrast of her snow-white skin and crimson lips was striking, captivating the imagination endlessly.

Bai Muhua smiled with great interest and said, "So, Medusa lives up to her reputation, doesn't she?"

Yun Yi lowered her gaze and looked around, her eyes sweeping over the familiar figure seated in the front row.

As the conversation flowed, esteemed guests arrived in succession and took their seats. The crystal chandelier in the hall gradually dimmed, and the music in the orchestra changed from a gentle and melodious tune to a more extravagant and enchanting sound. The two female companions, both modern women, were unreserved in their laughter and conversation, while Cheng Yizhe appeared distracted, much to the displeasure of the petite woman with short hair and phoenix eyes sitting beside him

Bai Muhua came to his senses, slammed the table, and exclaimed, "What is going on? How could Master Xue's people be taken by the Japanese?"

The Medusa Club has always only received familiar regulars; even if a newcomer is wealthy, they will still be turned away without a recommendation from a regular. The Cheng family is known for its strict family traditions and is not among the wealthiest families, although they do have a distant relationship with the Bai family, which operates in the paper industry. The Bai family almost monopolizes the paper industry in the city, and their wealth far surpasses that of the Cheng family. The waiter recognized Bai Muhua and respectfully bowed to lead the four of them inside. The Bai family almost monopolizes the paper industry in the city, and their wealth far surpasses that of the Cheng family. The waiter recognized Bai Muhua and respectfully bowed to lead the four of them inside

Five hundred

Cheng Yizhe showed no reaction, and without waiting for the waiter to come forward to replace the cups, he picked up the half-filled glass of leftover wine and drank it.

With a loud crash, Cheng Yizhe knocked over the wine bottle, causing the wine glasses on the table to topple as well. The bright red champagne splashed onto the snow-white tablecloth, nearly spilling onto the pink lace gown of the woman beside him, who was startled and pouted in response. Bai Muhua quickly tried to smooth things over with a smile, saying: "The crimson dress is stained with wine; although it is a matter of flirtation, Yizhe, you really should be more careful"

Yun Yi slowly descended the spiral staircase, casting a cold glance at Xue Jinming. Mr. Nagakawa had already risen, filled with ambition, waiting for the beauty to approach. However, Yun Yi paid him no mind, proudly lifting her face, neither speaking nor advancing, with a hint of solitary mockery at the corner of her lips

In an instant, the beauty astonished all, and someone stood up, seemingly forgetting themselves, wanting to snatch that veil

"Yi Zhe!" Bai Muhua hurriedly called out to him, causing a stir of astonishment among those present, yet Cheng Yizhe did not turn back.

"Yi Zhe, Yi Zhe, it is time to return to your senses!" Bai Muhua called out to him repeatedly, teasingly saying, "What a situation this is, losing your soul at just one glance. How am I supposed to explain this to Uncle when I turn back!" Cheng Yizhe, in a daze, turned around to see his cousin laughing and talking, while the two female companions appeared somewhat displeased. The surrounding lights and shadows were chaotic, and the fragrance of wine and color remained rich. However, the entire world had dimmed; on the grayish backdrop, everything had lost its color, with only that stunning face magnified infinitely before him, like flames licking and consuming, turning another shadow in his heart to ashes. One of the female companions beside him noticed his pale face and slight sweat on his forehead, sensing something unusual, yet saw him lift his wine glass and slowly drink it down sip by sip. However, the entire world had dimmed; on the grayish backdrop, everything had lost its color, with only that stunning face magnified infinitely before him, like flames licking and consuming, turning another shadow in his heart to ashes. One of the female companions beside him noticed his pale face and slight sweat on his forehead, sensing something unusual, yet saw him lift his wine glass and slowly drink it down sip by sip.

Cheng Yizhe stared blankly, his gaze fixed on the empty stage curtain where people had just departed, as if his soul no longer belonged to his body. A servant quietly approached, picking up the glass shards from the floor and replacing his broken wine glass, yet he remained completely unaware. Bai Muhua found it both amusing and exasperating; she had long known that this bookish fellow had little experience with the world of romance, but this was truly an excessive display of losing oneself.

"What does this mean?" asked the short-haired woman with phoenix eyes in a delicate voice, but Cheng Yizhe remained indifferent. Bai Muhua quickly smiled and said, "This is the most distinctive program of Medusa!"

Every night after the singing and dancing concludes, a night-long revelry ensues. The five beauties who take the stage that evening will select their dance partners and lead them into the dance floor. If gentlemen wish to be chosen by someone, they must purchase a rose of the color representing her and place it on the table. The beauty will then come to you, and whether or not you are chosen will depend on your charm

As the curtain rises, a massive silk painting screen appears, adorned with pink cherry blossoms that blanket the stage. A soft light gently envelops the scene, revealing no figures on stage, only a faint silhouette behind the screen. At this moment, a delicate melody begins to rise, initially as fine as a gossamer thread, accompanied by a lingering musical refrain that gradually fades into the void, undulating and weaving silently into the soul, gently knocking on the heart's door

"Celestial beings, oh celestial beings." Bai Muhua gasped, as if he had just returned from a journey through the clouds, only to find himself back in the mortal world

Four Belarusian women each pushed a flower cart onto the stage from both sides, dressed in identical high-slit cheongsams, their long, snow-white thighs dazzling. The flower carts were adorned with silk roses in four colors: pink, white, yellow, and red, corresponding to the colors of the roses in the hair of the four women on the spiral staircase. At this moment, the most frenzied climax of the evening arrived

Even Bai Muhua noticed that his behavior was unusual. However, due to the presence of his female companion, he could only exchange glances discreetly, while Cheng Yizhe remained in a daze.

"Sit down, sit down, they have arrived!" Bai Muhua's voice trembled with excitement.

Bai Muhua glanced in the direction of Young Master Xue Si, smiled, and extended a finger, saying, "This is the price for the other four colors, the black rose..." He raised an eyebrow and smiled, extending five fingers.

Before 8 PM, the area in front of the door was already bustling with luxurious cars and a continuous stream of guests—rumored to be the enchanting Medusa Club, which is surprisingly tucked away from the hustle and bustle, hidden within a lush green setting by the mountains and the sea. The Indian attendant with brown skin and blue eyes opened the car door, and Cheng Yizhe followed his cousin Bai Muhua out of the car, each taking the arm of their respective female companions as they stepped onto the golden and emerald carpet at the entrance.

Bai Muhua lowered his head, just about to drink, when he heard the words and laughed heartily, "What an ignorant bookworm, Yun Yi is not so easily seen, not yet, she won't come out until the very end"

The time had reached 8:30. Cheng Yizhe took a sip of wine and impatiently glanced at the stage, feeling increasingly anxious and restless. Suddenly, he heard Bai Muhua lower his voice and laugh, saying, "Look, they have arrived." Cheng Yizhe's hand trembled, and he turned back in surprise, nearly spilling the champagne in his glass. However, there was no movement on the stage, yet Bai Muhua's gaze was directed towards the entrance. Cheng Yizhe felt a sense of relief in his heart, but it tightened again, unsure of what he was truly worried about.

It turned out it was not her; a mouthful of champagne lodged in his throat, turning into bitterness. Cheng Yizhe forced a bitter smile as he set down his glass, no longer interested in the pleasures of the flesh. A female companion exclaimed in surprise, "Such beauty, and yet not as good as Yun Yi?"

Fifty? The female companion made a clicking sound.

This is so interesting! The two female companions laughed continuously, and one curiously asked, "Does it matter how much you buy?"

In the dome of the hall, the scattered lights gradually illuminate, casting a soft and hazy glow.

Cheng Yizhe was taken aback, just about to speak, when suddenly everything before him went dark, and the lights in the hall went out.

Young Master Xue Si!" exclaimed the female companion beside him, both women filled with delight

In the elliptical hall, the center is reserved as a dance floor, with a resplendent stage at the front. The scattered seats are few, accommodating approximately one hundred people. Cheng Yizhe glanced around, noticing mostly fair-haired, blue-eyed foreigners dressed in finery, while a few familiar faces with black hair and eyes belonged to well-known figures. However, all the seats closest to the stage were left empty. A white-uniformed waiter led the four to a seat at the front side, and immediately, a voluptuous and alluring White Russian woman, dressed in an embroidered qipao, approached to pour champagne.

At this moment, the distinguished and wealthy guests in the venue have completely purchased all the four colors of roses from the flower cart. Four women successively descend the spiral staircase, moving gracefully through the crowd, bringing with them a fragrant breeze. Each selects a dance partner, all of whom are high-ranking officials and affluent individuals. At this moment, a white Russian woman in a bright red qipao steps off the stage, holding a bouquet of black roses, and gazes charmingly at the audience below.

Young Master Xue Si slightly turned his body and instructed a servant behind him. The servant smiled and nodded, making a special gesture towards the white Russian woman on stage. The woman walked to the front of the stage, beaming with a smile, and threw a handful of black roses towards Young Master Xue Si's table, announcing in fluent Chinese, "All the most beautiful roses tonight have been purchased by Mr. Hasegawa"

There was a commotion here, while the front stage fell into a deadlock

Everyone in the audience held their breath in anticipation, and no one dared to make a sound.

His voice was quite loud, attracting the attention of two brown-haired foreigners seated nearby, while his female companion hurriedly tugged at his sleeve. Bai Muhua, feeling impatient and about to speak, suddenly saw Cheng Yizhe, who had been drinking quietly, stand up abruptly and stride towards the front of the stage

A series of intricately carved long doors opened, crystal chandeliers swayed transparently, and the ethereal tones of the violin seemed to flow through the air, entwining like silk; the floor, smooth and mirror-like, was embedded with something unknown, sparkling with countless silver glimmers, making each step feel radiant... Two female companions gasped in low voices, and Cheng Yizhe also paused, squinting slightly, almost doubting he had stepped into a dream. Bai Muhua turned back with a smile, already knowing that the three of them would react this way.

The two women exchanged glances, losing their color. The short-haired woman, more curious, asked: "So, how much does this black rose cost?"

Bai Muhua shook his head and smiled, "Medusa upholds the romantic chivalry, not judging by quantity, but entirely based on your intentions towards the fair lady... unless you possess the caliber of Young Master Xue Si."

It turned out to be a Japanese person, and the entire venue fell silent for a moment, then immediately erupted in a clamor.

Hasegawa, not Xue Jinming

Bai Muhua sighed, "It is not just in the past; it has been like this every day for nearly half a month now"

The beauty lazily turns her gaze, and the entire venue falls silent

At the foot of the nearby mountain, various luxury cars are parked along the roadside, nearly blocking the intersection. Behind the tall and slender iron fence, a large area of evergreen shrubs is trimmed into exquisite shapes, and a Roman-style fountain is constructed from milky white marble, with melodious music emanating from within the crystal gate

It is said that Young Master Xue Si once booked the entire venue to present black roses to Yun Yi The short-haired woman with phoenix eyes widened her eyes

With the influence of the Bai family, they could only sit at the side. Cheng Yizhe glanced at the few people seated in front of him; apart from a few foreigners, they were all prominent figures from the political sphere who were rarely seen in the past. Bai Muhua followed his gaze and smiled slightly, "That is the counselor from the Dutch and Danish embassies, along with the two owners of foreign firms... This is quite ordinary; the real big shots have yet to arrive"

Cheng Yizhe, in high spirits, raised his wine cup and said with a smile, "Miss Yunyi is indeed beautiful"

Xue Jinming held a champagne glass in hand, elegantly raising it in a toast with a smile to the man beside him. The slender middle-aged man slightly inclined his body in acknowledgment, dressed in a gray suit, with a small patch of goatee on his lips. Beneath his courteous smile, there was a hint of the characteristic rigidity typical of Japanese people.

In this poignant opera, a Japanese woman who falls in love with an American officer waits day and night for her lover's return, only to face the cruel outcome of being abandoned, ultimately taking her own life with a knife. Before the tragedy strikes, she gazes at the harbor from which her lover departed, filled with hope and tenderness, singing "Un bel di vedremo" ("One Fine Day"). "Un bel di vedremo... The names he called me upon his arrival. All this will happen, I promise you. Keep your fear to yourself. I await him with unwavering faith." (His gentle voice echoes in my ears, finally fulfilling the promise he once made. Yes, this day will surely come.)

Time seems to have frozen at this moment, and the hall is so quiet that not a single sound can be heard