Chapter 2 Part 3: Shadows in the Wings
At the performances that evening, these five women obviously had to attend. First were group performances, then songs and dances, poetry recitals, and finally an anti-Japanese play.
As top leaders, these five women naturally didn't need to watch the whole show, but made an appearance where it mattered.
Families like ours could only sit a few rows in front. My sister, Ling'er, and I were about three rows behind the leaders.
My sister could never bear to watch such boring performances, so she snuck away after the choir. Ling'er, now in yesterday's new clothes, watched intently.
Suddenly, I saw a familiar figure sitting behind mother.
Yedun Taro? How did he get here? Seeing who was with him, I realized.
Yedun Taro is, after all, a major business representative from Japan. Of course, he would be invited as a guest. The man beside him was the mayor of the provincial capital no doubt arranged by future mother-in-law Leng Naixiang.
Mother seemed to know who was sitting behind her, but since reporters kept taking pictures, mother always maintained her charming smile.
Yedun Taro often leaned over and whispered something in mother's ear. Mother would reply with a polite, reserved laugh. Though both had tried to kill each other, personally, mother didn't resent Yedun Taro she even liked him a little. But from a broader perspective, mother and Yedun Taro were mortal enemies.
Ouyang Lijun, who didn't get along with mother, gave Yedun a sidelong glance, her eyes full of disdain and hostility. Yedun also looked at Ouyang Lijun, and tried to smile.
Ouyang Lijun turned away, while Yedun's fake smile flickered coldly.
After the choir, many leaders started leaving. Fang Suxun and Chu Lanxin left first. Mother was about to go, but was held back by Leng Naixiang. Ouyang Lijun went to the toilet, and Yedun Taro followed inconspicuously.
Perhaps mother also wanted to use the restroom, so she said something to Leng Naixiang and left. I was bored, so I figured I'd leave too.
Just as I left the theater via the fire exit, I saw a shadow in a black coat slip across the corridor on the second floor.
He didn't look like security, so I followed, thinking if anything happened, I could call the police.
The man was careful. When he met three more sneaky figures, they exchanged signals and headed for the upper floors.
The fifth floor was VIP rooms, but for this national event, they weren't open.
I moved quietly, and eventually found myself by a large curtain, listening for any movement. After a while, I heard the sound of a scuffle.
Two women's and one man's voices.
"Hmph! I knew it was a trap." Ouyang Lijun's clear voice was full of scorn.
"Don't get cocky. Your position is special better call for backup." Was that mother's voice?
"I want to see their tricks. Haven't had a good workout in a while today, I'll finish them off myself!" Ouyang Lijun's voice was heroic and full of confidence.
At this point, the four men who had slipped away earlier drew knives, surrounding Ouyang Lijun and mother.
I was about to dial the police, but I was shocked to see Ouyang Lijun in action. Her fists and feet flowed like the wind, her beautiful legs kicking with the force of a thousand pounds. Mother, by contrast, could barely keep up with one opponent.
In an instant, Ouyang Lijun finished them off.
"Not bad, you're okay. Get up and fight again!" Ouyang Lijun shook her hands and feet, showing no fear.
"Blah, blah, blah!"
"Japanese?" Ouyang Lijun laughed. "Had a feeling!"
The men quickly got up and fled.
"Running away? Come to China to assassinate a high-ranking officer and just leave?" Ouyang Lijun gave chase on her long legs.
Mother, in a tight, fancy qipao, couldn't keep up. She caught her breath, ready to call the police, but realized her purse was left in the bathroom downstairs. Sighing, she turned to leave.
"Clap, clap, clap!"
Suddenly, a tall figure walked up, clapping.
"Mrs. Gu, you're quite skilled!" Yedun Taro praised.
"Hmph. So you're impatient? Think killing Ouyang Lijun will get you off the hook?" Mother held her arms across her massive breasts, looking confidently at the tall, mighty Yedun Taro.
"Mrs. Gu, you're very smart. Originally, we planned to act slowly, even willing to give up most business benefits, just so Japanese companies could legally enter China, set up factories and manufacture weapons and equipment. But General Ouyang is too proactive, you won't budge, and Governor Leng keeps pressuring us. If we don't act, the Americans will not be happy."
"So, you waited for all of us to be at a national celebration without protection, and now you're acting out of desperation?" Mother looked straight at the approaching Yedun Taro, not an ounce of fear in her eyes.
Hearing mother's insult, Yedun Taro showed his true colors, his face twisting with cruelty, like a wild beast.
"Baka! Chinese pig! Today, you'll die here along with that major general!" Yedun Taro roared, tearing off his tight shirt, revealing crisscrossed scars and tattoos. His muscles bulged.
Mother was shocked, but didn't retreat. She kicked off her high heels, revealing soft white feet painted red by my sister.
Mother pushed out her massive breasts, breathing slowly, deeply. Just as Yedun raised a fist, mother's eyes flashed, and her body seemed to radiate power. Her delicate little hand blocked Yedun's mighty fist.
The impact sent a shockwave through the corridor.
"Interesting."
"Hmph!"
The two began to fight, trading blows in the wide fifth-floor hallway.
Ouyang Lijun's martial arts were external, hard and powerful. Mother's breathing techniques were internal, relying on willpower. Though delicate-looking, mother could hold her own against Yedun.
But mother was at a slight disadvantage every time she raised her leg, her purple lace thong was visible under the qipao. The sight of her thighs was dizzying, and her bouncing breasts made me worry they'd pop out of her tight dress.
After a few exchanges, mother started to gain the upper hand, forcing Yedun to dodge, occasionally allowing herself to be hit in less sensitive areas.
Bam! A side kick sent Yedun crashing through a door into a VIP lounge. There was a loud crash as tables and chairs toppled.
The fighting stopped, and I hesitated should I go in and look? What if mother catches me?
I decided to peek. Mother fighting was just too cool!
Crawling silently, I reached the door. Mother was standing triumphantly over the scarred Yedun, stepping on his chest, looking down at her defeated foe. Behind her was a balcony overlooking the stage below.
"Baka! Chinese pig! If you don't kill me now, I'll make you pay just like I killed your father and crippled your husband!" Yedun's vicious eyes stared up at mother.
"You…" Mother hated this man national enemy, family enemy but couldn't bring herself to kill him.
She'd never taken a life, let alone murdered someone in cold blood.
"Well? You big whore, wearing that transparent thong is it to seduce me? I'll satisfy your slutty cunt, you bitch!" Yedun seemed to throw off all restraint, yelling the foulest language.
"Shut up! Don't force me!" Mother was so flustered by Yedun's obscenity that her threats sounded weak.
"Since your husband was crippled, has this slut even been touched? Bet you're dying for a good fuck! Don't worry, as the emperor's strongest warrior, I'll satisfy your empty cunt!"
Yedun's face twisted hideously in the dim light.
"And those big tits of yours, have they been milked by a real man? Strip off, let me grab those fat tits and fuck your loose cunt!"
Mother's cold, beautiful face flushed red as blood, her breathing labored, her lips parting.
Yedun pushed mother off, stood up, pulled down his pants, and ripped off his boxers. A foul stench filled the air.