The womans hair is combed very smoothly, with a bun at the back tied up with a silk flower, wearing a purple cheongsam with sequins, paired with a plain-colored shawl. The makeup is quite heavy, giving off a strong Republic of China advertisement painting feel, with blush, eye shadow and bright red lips.

  If only talking about appearance, it doesnt quite fit Moyangs aesthetic. This woman has slightly high cheekbones and thin lips, giving off a somewhat stubborn impression.

  "Miss Mansa, I dont know what youre thinking, but I believe you can feel my emotions too. Im about to leave for the front lines, so please give me an answer." The Japanese officer said to the woman.

  "Kaoqiao Canmou, Ive already said it before, were not suitable for each other. Im just a songstress, and we dont match." The woman spoke in an even tone, her eyes gazing into the distance.

  "I dont care, I dont care that youre a songstress, I like you now and want you to be my wife." Takahashi said with deep emotion.

  At this point, Mu Yang felt that he might have eaten too much meat and was feeling a bit nauseous. He had an urge to laugh but was holding it back, and the corners of his mouth curled up into a smile.

  What a melodramatic plot, that woman obviously didnt care about you at all, yet she kept saying romantic words, completely misinterpreting the situation.

  Takashi said a lot of things, but that Chinese woman always had an expression of "I dont care", and in the end, the two didnt eat anything and left the rooftop.

  Watching such an interesting Republic of Chinas chasing girl drama code, seeing these people who have long since passed away reenacting a real scene from the past in front of him, Mu Yang always feels very awkward. He stands by the railing, looking at the night view outside, feeling that he still hasnt considered himself as a part of this era. He is watching them with a gods perspective, their joys and sorrows are all unreal and illusory to him, just like the Buddhist saying "like a dream, an illusion, a bubble, a shadow, like dew, also like lightning".

  All conditioned phenomena are like dreams, illusions, bubbles, and shadows; they are like dew or lightning. One should regard them as such.

  That is to say, all phenomena and things in the world that are formed by causes and conditions are temporary, just like dreams, illusions, and bubbles, not real.

  The waiter was summoned and Mu Yang said "Check".

  "Thats 80 yen in total, sir." The waitress bowed and replied.

  Mo Yang pretended to pat himself, then said with a worried expression: "I forgot to bring my wallet when I went out, what should I do? Can I ask the staff here to go with me to get it?"

  He actually didnt have much money, he only had a dozen or so dollars on him.

  "Ah, I see. Let me check with our manager." The waitress leaves.

  A middle-aged man in a black suit and white tie hurried over, bowing to Mu Yang, and said: "Im very sorry, sir. Ive disturbed you. I am Mountain Matsumoto, the manager of the third floor. Your situation has already been taken care of. This meal is on us, please dont pay the bill. Thank you for dining at our restaurant." He bowed again at a 90-degree angle.

  He originally planned to welch on the bill, but he thought that putting down his commanders knife would be enough to get him off the hook. Unexpectedly, the restaurant was understanding and didnt want any money. However, he still asked in doubt: "Really not going back with me to get the money?"

  "Its on the house, Colonel," said the manager in a very affirmative tone.

  "Alright, Im going to the second floor dance hall to take a look. If anything happens, you can find me on the second floor." After finishing speaking, he took back his gloves and hat and went downstairs directly.

  The manager watched as Mu Yang walked away, secretly wiping the sweat from his forehead. In fact, Mu Yang didnt know that there had been several incidents here where military officers wouldnt pay for their meals. The final result was always the same: the restaurant manager would get beaten up, and then the officer would just walk out. After that, the restaurant manager would be fired. He definitely didnt want to end up like that, so it was better to hurry up and send these unreasonable people away.

  Upon arriving at the second-floor dance hall, Mu Yang felt as if he had entered a movie set. The grand and spacious hall was bathed in bright lights that shone like neon, jazz music swirled with abandon, southern charm was unrestrained, northern elegance was carefree, and the air was filled with the scent of foreign perfume, it was truly a scene of revelry and indulgence.

  The area is vast, with over a thousand square meters. In front of it is a magnificent and spacious stage, where a singer is singing a song that Mu Yang has never heard before. Although its still early, many people have already gathered here, apparently theyve been accumulating their enthusiasm for the whole day and are ready to release it all here.

  If you only look at this, the music and dance are rising to a fever pitch, its hard to tell that were in a time of war. People are dressed up in suits, smoking cigars and holding wine glasses, constantly greeting and chatting with familiar faces. This place has become a hub for fame and fortune, a social circle.

  Apart from the dancing girls and merchants, there were probably the most Japanese military officers in uniform. Muyangs appearance didnt seem out of place at all. He walked straight to a seat near the center, took over the wine and water brought by the waiter, and slowly appreciated the scenery here.

  More and more people came, the dance hall was even more crowded than before. Suddenly, Muyang saw a somewhat lonely figure sitting alone at a table drinking wine. It turned out to be Takashi Goto, the high-ranking officer who had been rejected in his confession.

  Mu Yangs eyes rolled over and he picked up his own wine cup, coming directly to Gao Qiaos table. He said to Gao Qiao: "We meet again."

  "Ah, yes, we meet again." Kōhashi stood up and said, facing an officer one rank higher than himself, Kōhashi didnt dare to be slow.

  "Are you alone too? Its great, we can have a chat together." Murong said with familiarity.

  "Yes, please sit down. Im Takashi Kowai, senior staff officer of the 27th Armys headquarters. I dont know where Lieutenant-Colonel is stationed." He said, picking up a cigarette from the table and handing it to Muyang with both hands.

  Muyang took the cigarette and Gaoqiao quickly pulled out a match to light it for him.

  "Yamada Kōsoku, in the 16th Divisions infantry regiment, was responsible for garrisoning several county towns in North China."

  "Ah, its Captain Yamada after all." Takahashi showed even more respect.

  In the Japanese army, the most powerful person in each unit is the military commander, and staff officers, even senior ones, would be demoted if they were transferred to a combat unit. If Takahashi were to be sent down to a unit, he would at best be used as a company commander, or possibly even just a platoon leader. Therefore, when facing an actual battalion commander, Takahashi had no choice but to show respect.

  "Are you serving in the 27th Divisions staff? I and Chief of Staff Sekine Kyutaro of the 27th Division are from the same hometown in Akita Prefecture, and I have visited him many times before. I wonder if Chief of Staff Sekine is in Tianjin?" Maoyang directly fabricated a connection.

  "Yes, sir. Lieutenant General Kanzaki Kyutaro is still in Tianjin and was promoted to Major General this March. He remains as the Chief of Staff of the 27th Division. As you know, sir, he and the Chief of Staff are from the same hometown. Tomorrow, the Chief of Staff will be hosting a birthday banquet. I wonder if Lieutenant General Yamada will also attend?" asked Takahashi with respect.

  Muyang heard the news and thought deeply. Originally, he planned to use Yamadas identity or find another Japanese military officer in Tianjin to disguise himself and visit the 27th Division Commander, Ochiai Jinjiro, or Chief of Staff, Sekine Kitaro, at the Military Department. Now that Takahashi had given him this information, it seemed he could go directly to Sekines home without going to the Japanese military department. This way would be much safer, and at least if discovered, he wouldnt be surrounded by a large number of soldiers.

  Muyangs face lit up with joy, saying: "Yes, since we know this news, tomorrow must go to visit Guan Genjun, right? Tomorrow will you go?"

  "Yes, I was also invited and will go to pay respects."

  "What specific time will the birthday party be held?" asked Mu Yang.

  "Tomorrow at noon, at the Chief of Staffs residence." replied Takashi Takaishi.

  "Its really fate that we met today, Takahashi, lets have a drink together." Murai said, raising his glass.

  "I toast Mr. Yamada." He said, picking up his cup with both hands, respectfully touching the rim of the cup to his forehead, and then downing the liquor in one gulp.

  At this time, the lights on the stage were shining brightly, and the loud sound of a trumpet sounded. A middle-aged man wearing a luxurious suit walked to the center of the stage, next to the microphone, and said in an exaggerated tone: "Tonight we meet again here, the joyful moment is about to begin, please prepare your flowers and applause, ladies and gentlemen. Lets welcome tonights brightest female star, Miss Mansa, to perform the opening song for us."

  The people under the stage stopped chatting and moving around, and they all applauded to welcome.

  "Looks like Miss Mansa is very popular?" Muyang asked Gaoqiao.

  Takashis expression darkened as he said, "Yes, he is the Song Emperor of Saint Anna, with the most wonderful singing voice."

  The band on stage began to play the music, and Miss Mansa had already changed into a new outfit, walking elegantly towards the center of the stage, with one hand on the microphone, starting her own singing.

  "Im waiting for you to come back, Im waiting for you to come back."

  Im thinking of you coming back, Im thinking of you coming back.

  Waiting for you to come back and let me be relieved, waiting for you to come back and let me care about you.

  。。。。。。

  Not returning yet, spring light is no more; not returning yet, tears of longing overflow my cheeks.

  "The swallow on the beam has returned, and the spring flowers in front of the courtyard have bloomed for you."

  Takashi listened with rapt attention, but Muyang felt that the song had a hint of languor and melancholy, perhaps the singers heart already belonged to someone else, someone she had lost.