Days turned into weeks, and no matter how thoroughly the Japanese and their collaborators searched the city, they found not a single lead. Beiping City had been under lockdown for two months, and as August began, the day finally arrived for Wang Yueshu to start her new position at the East District Police Station.
She had specifically chosen a newly tailored cheongsam for the occasion—a slim-fitting, short-sleeved garment in light blue. She wore Western-style shoes, though her hair, not having been permed, looked a bit dated. Qin Shuli stood in the main room with the twins, watching as Wang Yueshu emerged. Qin Shufan’s mouth hung open in silent astonishment, while Qin Shuping remarked, "Mother, you look truly beautiful today."
Qin Shuli agreed. At twenty-six, she was in the prime of her youth, and in that custom-made cheongsam, she was bound to turn heads. Qian Jin had taken her and the three children to have the outfit made a few days prior. Wang Yueshu had initially refused, but Qian Jin insisted that clothes make the man, noting that in these times, everyone was quick to judge by appearances—dress poorly, and you would be looked down upon. In the end, Wang Yueshu had paid for it herself; to explain where the money came from, she had taken two gold rings, claiming them to be dowry from her maiden family, and had Qian Jin exchange them for silver dollars.
Chapter 30