Under Currents in Jiangcheng’s Past

“Uncle Fa, looking sharp today! Won some money at the races, did you? Let me send you some slow-simmered soup to celebrate! Number eight! Make sure the soup gets there while it’s still hot!”

“Chao, you’re here early! Going to Macau tonight, are you? No problem. I’ll make sure we work all that fire out of you! You’ll be burning with energy, ready to clean up at the tables! Number five! Chao’s a real powerhouse, so give it your all later!”

“Ms. Feng, hello… Hey, hey, don’t take advantage of me again! All right, I know you’re looking for number ten. I saved her just for you! Number ten! A regular’s here, get over here!”

“You’re new here, sir… Oh, Ms. Ping sent you? Then you deserve a discount on your first visit! Come on, I’ll have our star therapist, Mei, take care of you. She’ll only charge you the regular rate. Remember to send your coworkers our way! You office workers are so prone to poor health!”

At 3:03 p.m. in Jiangcheng, in the crowded, narrow, bustling old city district, customers were already lining up for tickets at Changhong Therapy, right in the most prominent spot in Jinhui General Merchandise Market. A young man who looked barely into his twenties bustled around, looking after customers who came in for massages. He hadn’t stopped talking for five minutes straight: one moment he was bringing out soup and fruit, the next he was chatting with regulars, and every so often he’d even hand flyers to people in the market. His efficiency and enthusiasm made it seem as if he owned the place.

“Miss Zheng, where did you find an employee like Xiao Pu?” A kindly-looking auntie waiting for her turn sipped a bowl of bone broth, simmered until it was milky white, and couldn’t stop praising the young attendant, who had tidied up a room and ushered in the next customer in just five minutes. “He’s worth three people!”