The King of Shanghai Read Online Free PDF Page B

at its slow movement was compounded by the anxiety of having lost sight of her father. Then she heard her name and the dream took a twist. Uncle was standing at the front of the line, dressed as always in a black suit and white shirt buttoned to the neck. He waved at her. “Join me,” he said. She hesitated, worried that her father might not find her.
    As she was weighing her options, she woke. The room was entirely dark except for the light thrown by the bedside clock. It wasn’t quite six o’clock. She lay quietly, the dream still with her. Had it been one dream, or had Uncle’s presence signalled the start of a second dream?
    She pulled herself out of bed and went to the window. The first morning light was creeping across the gardens below, the larger plants’ leaves moist and glistening in the sun. She turned back to the room, turned on the coffee machine, found her running gear, laid it on the bed, and then went to the bathroom to brush her teeth and hair. Fifteen minutes and two coffees later, she walked into the lobby of the Peninsula.
    “I would like to go for a run on the Bund. How is the air quality this morning?” she asked the concierge.
    “As good as it has been in weeks,” he said. “I don’t think you need to worry.” Ava thought about pressing for details but let it pass.
    Even at that time of the morning the promenade was busy. There were stretches where she had to reduce her pace or swerve to avoid collisions, but the run was magnificent all the same. The air was fresh, with a slight saltwater snap to it, and there was no visible trace of yellow fog. The river seemed to be flowing with more vigour, although it still reflected shades of green, blue, and black from the oil slicks. The historic buildings were coming to life. A steady stream of workers walked across the plazas that fronted the buildings along the Bund, and lines of cars were sliding into underground parking garages.
    She ran six kilometres, three times up and then back along the Bund. When she got back to her room, the International Herald Tribune and Shanghai Daily were at her door. She made another coffee and spread the Tribune over the massive desk. The Middle East was in turmoil, the European Union seemed to be in danger of falling apart, and another American investment guru had been caught running a Ponzi scheme. She turned to the Daily . The front page almost exclusively covered economic news: the forecast for next year’s growth in GDP had been reduced from nine to eight percent, and new housing starts were projected to grow by only fifteen percent. These numbers were a cause for concern in the new China — numbers that would have caused glee anywhere else.
    At five minutes to eight she took the elevator to the breakfast room in the lobby. Amanda and May were already there, sitting side by side, a sheaf of papers in front of Amanda. This was the first time Ava had seen them together like this, and it jolted her. She was in a new business and they were her partners — it wasn’t just theory anymore.
    They both stood as Ava neared the table. Amanda was the smallest at just a little over five feet and weighing perhaps a hundred pounds. Her shoulder-length hair hung loose, framing her fine features. When Ava first met her, Amanda had been into heavy makeup; now it was just mascara and lipstick. She was wearing designer jeans and a black silk blouse. Ava stared into Amanda’s face, searching for any lingering effects of the attack in Borneo, and found none.
    “Excuse all this paper,” May said. “I wanted Amanda to see Suki’s final numbers.”
    Amanda took a few quick steps forward and threw her arms around Ava’s neck. “It’s so good to see you,” she said. They hugged fiercely, each of them understanding the pain the other had suffered. Over Amanda’s shoulder, Ava saw May wipe a tear from the corner of one eye.
    “And it’s wonderful to see you.”
    “Amanda was waiting for you to get here before she gave a