That evening during dinner, the three of them did not mention anything about the loan.
Brother Ke saw Feng Yu and Kirilenko were chatting as if nothing had happened and he had another idea.
“Feng, you should not have anything to do this evening? We have a ball here tonight. Join us.”
Ball? Was it like those ball in Shanghai before in the 1920s? A group of military officers in their uniforms, a group of politicians and businessmen and some socialites gathering and dancing? If any of the officers, businessmen or politicians like any of the socialites, they would bring them back at night?
“I don’t know how to dance.” Feng Yu tried to reject. Every country has their local dances, and Feng Yu was not sure what dance will they be dancing at a Soviet Union Ball. Traditional ballroom dance?
“It’s fine. Many people also do not know how to dance. Just go and enjoy yourself. Furthermore, I can get someone to teach you. You can surely pick up how to dance!” Brother Ke insisted.
Feng Yu looked at Kirilenko and Kirilenko also persuaded him: “Feng, just go. It is a ball for the younger officers. It is very interesting.”
Young officers ball? Feng Yu remembered a news article he read in his previous life. Russian young officers ball has lots of pretty women and lots of celebrities.
This ball was a form of socializing event. If the young officers had no strong backings, then this ball would be the chance of them to join the different factions.
But those Generals will only be there for a short while and would leave the ball after a dance. Those that wanted to join their factions would be there early and approach them. There was no point for the Generals to stay any longer as those that do not want to join them would not contact them even if they remained at the ball longer. It would be embarrassing for them to see the officers they like joining other’s factions.
Of course, these were not important to Feng Yu. The most important part was that there will be many pretty ladies there!
Soviet Union women had a fair complexion, long legs, blue eyes, etc.……
Feng Yu blinked and said: “but I do not have a dance partner.”
Kirilenko suddenly remembered what happened on the plane. He remembered the stewardess telling him that Feng Yu was not interested because he had drunk a lot!
Yesterday Feng Yu had drunk, but this afternoon, Feng Yu did not drink, and Feng Yu still took a nap in the afternoon. Tonight, Feng Yu should be feeling better.
Feng Yu really wants a dance partner, or he wants a woman to accompany him tonight? Whatever. Just get a girl that can dance and sleep with him!
As for these type of arrangements, Kirilenko was very familiar. When he was buying the industrial machinery and technologies in the Soviet Union, he had made these types of arrangements for the factory directors. Once those directors accept his arrangements, the deal will be finalized!
“Feng, it’s just a dancing partner. Leave this to me.” Kirilenko immediately says. Brother Ke also wanted to say something but Kirilenko was faster than him.
Although this was Brother Ke’s territory, Kirilenko also knew other second generations officers. He could also arrange two “dancing partners” for himself and Feng Yu. Worse come to worse, he just needs to spend some money.
Brother Ke was curious why Kirilenko did not drink during dinner. This was weird. If Kirilenko were drunk and missed the ball, then he would have the opportunities to speak to Feng Yu.
“Fine, we shall leave at 6.30pm. I will send a set of ballroom attire to Feng’s room later.”
……
At 6.30pm, Feng Yu had changed and left his room. The ballroom attire was only a set of military officer uniform without ranks.
At the entrance of the hotel, there were two military plate cars and two young girls, wearing long white dresses standing beside the vehicles. Kirilenko walked towards one of the girls, and Feng Yu was dragged into the car by the other girl. She looks like she was about 17 to 18 years’ old.
Although Feng Yu was supposed to invite the girl into the car, it was the reverse. Feng Yu felt good with this experience.
In the car, Feng Yu was feeling slightly uncomfortable. This young girl was too close to him, and this was not normal for an ordinary dance partner.
Feng Yu stole a glance at the girl and felt mesmerized by her beauty. He remembered that Ukraine was famous for their beautiful girls, which looked like real-life Barbie dolls.
Ukraine women had been voted as the world’s most beautiful women, but they look old faster. It might be due to the Soviet Union’s tradition of marrying young. Girls were allowed to get married at 14 years’ old and the earlier one got married, the sooner they matured. This also resulted in them aging faster.
“Mr. Feng, my name is Elena. What kind of dance do you know?”
Elena, in Russian meant sunshine and this girl, was absolutely worthy of this name.
“I am not good at dancing, and I am from China. I am not familiar with your dances.” Although Feng Yu said this, he actually wanted to dance with Elena.
“That’s fine. There will be a group dance for those young officers, but you are a distinguished guest, so you are free to participate in any dance after that. There are single and double dances. There are no rules for single dance, and the doubles dance is also very simple. I can teach you.” The young girl said and looked intensely at Feng Yu.
“All right then.”
After alighting, Feng Yu opened the car door for Elena like a gentleman. Elena smiled sweetly at him.
A young girl’s sweet smile was contagious, and Feng Yu also felt happy.
Elena walked with Feng Yu with their arms linked behind Kirilenko. They entered a building which resembles a church.
Wow……
Once inside, Feng Yu was astounded by the interior of the building. This place was huge. It should be more than a thousand square meters, and there were lots of lightings on the ceiling. Speakers were hung on every wall. This place seems to be built especially for balls.
Extravagance!
There was a small stage in the front and on the stage, there was a microphone. At the back of the stage, there was a traditional band. This place plays live music?
Looking at the band’s uniform, they look like soldiers. They should be from the Soviet Union’s military band.
“Feng, over here. This is my fiancée, Ida. I will introduce you to some of my friends later.” Brother Ke said to Feng Yu.
Feng Yu noticed a young woman standing beside Brother Ke. She was about 18 years’ old. Brother Ke actually brought his fiancée here. But the age difference between the both of them was quite big. Brother Ke was almost 30 years’ old.
“Nice to meet you. I am Feng Yu from China.” Feng Yu introduced himself to Ida. He shook her hands politely as he does not want Brother Ke to have any misunderstandings. This place is Kiev, and it is Brother Ke’s territory.
They went to a corner and sat down. Brother Ke and Kirilenko were chatting with their female companions, and Feng Yu could only talk to Elena. But Feng Yu felt that their conversions were boring. Elena just answered whatever he asked, and she did not ask Feng Yu about anything.
Feng Yu found out that Elena was instructed by her leaders to not ask about Feng Yu. She was only a member of a dance troupe, and she dares not to offend Kirilenko.
After a while, at about 7pm, the main door was closed, and the lights were dimmed. On the stage, there was only candlelight and someone who resembles a General went up the stage.
The ball was starting……
