Audiobook - Adult - Cindy Cheung

Transcript

Note: Transcripts are generated using speech recognition software and may contain errors.
The Eye of Jade by Diane Wei Liang Narrated by Cindy Cheung. Chapter one. In the corner of an office in an old fashioned building in Beijing's strong young district, the fan was humming loudly like an elderly man angry at his own impotence. May and Mr Shall sat across a desk from each other. Both were perspiring heavily outside. The sun shone, baking the air into a solid block of heat. Mr. Shaw wiped his forehead with a handkerchief. He had refused to remove his suit jacket. Money's not a problem. He cleared his throat. But you must get on it right away. I'm working on other cases at the moment. Do you want me to pay extra? Is that it? You want to deposit? I can give you 1000 yen right now. Mr. Xiao reached for his wallet. They come up with the fakes faster than I can produce the rial thing and they sell them in under half my price. I've spent 10 years building up my name 10 years off blood and sweat. But I don't want you talking to your old friends at the Ministry. You understand? I want no police in this. You're not doing anything illegal are you may wondered why he was so keen to pay her a deposit that was most unusual, especially for a businessman as shrewd as Mr Shaw. Please, Miss Wang, what's legal and what's not These days, you know what people say. The party has strategies and the people have counter strategies. Mr. Shaw stared at me with his narrow eyes. Chinese medicine is like magic. Regulations offer products that don't work. Mine cure. That's why people buy them. He gave a small laugh. It didn't ease the tension. May couldn't decide whether he was a clever businessman or a crook. I don't like the police. No offense, Miss one. I know you used to be one of them. When I started out isil herbs on the street, the police were always on my tail, confiscating my goods, taking me into the station as if I were a criminal. Comrade Deng Xiaoping said good. He who that individual traders were contributors to building socialism. But did the police care for what he said? They're muddy eggs now. Things are better. I've done well and people look up to me. But if you ask me, the police haven't changed. When you need protection, they can help you. I asked them to investigate the counterfeits. Do you know what they told me? They said they don't do that kind of work. But whenever there is a policy change and inspection or a crackdown, you can bet they'll jump on me like hungry dogs. Whether you like the police are not, we must play by the book. May said. Though she knew her voice was less convincing than her words. Private detectives were banned in China. May, like others in the business, had resorted to the counter strategy of registering her agency as an information consultancy. Of course, agreed. Mr. Shaw, A smile is wide. Is the ocean filled his face?