Espionage: You're tasked with spying, but you'll blow up the Special Higher Police?

When Zhou Hongyi said this, not only the blind man and his mother, but even Manyu showed surprise.

Manyu thought to herself, "Investing in the Paramount? This young master Zhou is really arrogant. Does he know how much manpower, resources, and money it takes to open such a dance hall? Not only that, in the complex and chaotic world of Shanghai, money alone is far from enough; connections are also extremely important."

Seeing the doubt on the other party's face, Zhou Hongyi realized that if he wanted to impress this Miss Manyu, he would have to show some real skills.

"Hehe~ I know. Our Paramount was jointly funded and built by Sheng Aiyi, the seventh daughter of Sheng Xuanhuai, a high-ranking official in the late Qing Dynasty, and Gu Liancheng, a wealthy merchant from Huzhou. Sheng Aiyi has a strong family background and a certain business acumen. She has a certain influence in the business and social circles of Shanghai. Gu Liancheng has strong financial resources. It is with their wealth and connections that Paramount was able to take root in such a complex city as Shanghai."

Although the Bund had established entertainment venues like the Great World and Cinemas before it, and rising stars like the Yiyuan, Metropolitan, New Cinemas, and Venus, the Paramount Ballroom still stood out and was sought after by people from all walks of life. I think that besides strong financial backing, its advanced business concepts were also indispensable.

Hearing Zhou Hongyi's words, Manyu was even more impressed. Few knew the true owner of their dance hall, yet this young master Zhou spoke of it as if it were an encyclopedia. Either he had indeed done his research, or he had a powerful family backing him.

Manyu was a shrewd woman. She rolled her eyes and said with a smile, "Young Master Zhou, let's not talk outside. Since you are interested in the Paramount, I will personally accompany you to have a good look around today."

After speaking, Manyu said to the waiter at the door, "Mr. Zhou's ticket is on my tab. Sister Qingxia, given your health condition, you shouldn't go in, right?"

The blind woman paused for a moment, then smiled and waved her hand, saying, "Of course, of course. I won't go in. Manyu, please take good care of Young Master Zhou for me."

The blind woman and Zhou Hongyi exchanged a glance, and then, with her son's help, she got back into the rickshaw and slowly drove away.

Zhou Hongyi then gentlemanly opened the door for Manyu and gestured for her to enter.

Maggie Cheung was very pleased and, with a cat-like gait and swaying waist, walked into this magnificent den of iniquity.

This was Zhou Hongyi's first time entering such a place. Although he was a time traveler and had been to many places for karaoke and dancing before, entering the Paramount Ballroom at this moment still made him sigh inwardly, "It's quite grand."

The Paramount Ballroom's exterior boasts a rare modern art style, with smooth, simple, and elegant lines. The extensive use of glass and metal made it appear remarkably fashionable and avant-garde for its time. Combined with its tall doorways and exquisite carvings, it further accentuates its unique and noble character.

Upon entering the hall, the first thing he saw was a huge crystal chandelier. The chandelier emitted a dazzling light, illuminating the entire hall as if it were daytime. The light reflected off the marble tiles on the floor, creating a magnificent effect.

The walls on both sides of the hall are also decorated with exquisite murals and reliefs, which are intricate yet tasteful, demonstrating that the owner's aesthetic sense is absolutely top-notch.

"Is this your first time visiting our Paramount, Mr. Zhou? How do you find it?"

Maggie Cheung walks like a water snake that has come to life, with a wide range of waist swaying.

Zhou Hongyi, being a true gentleman, did not linger his gaze on the other person's buttocks, but instead maintained eye contact with them.

"It's grand and elegant, yet retains an artistic atmosphere. Not bad."

“Young Master Zhou has quite the eye for talent~~ This is our main hall, and further in is the dance floor. Our Paramount's dance floor floor has special springs installed, making dancing on it a truly special experience. Tonight I have a new song to perform there, and I'd appreciate any feedback from you, Young Master Zhou.”

Zhou Hongyi looked around, praising the decorations and design of the ballroom.

But his attention was actually focused on the private booths next to them, because what he was really interested in was Ms. Maggie Cheung's private dressing room.

"Young Master Zhou, the private rooms over there are reserved for guests to discuss matters in a private space. The second floor is not open to the public for the time being; it is only for regular guests."

Zhou Hongyi knew that the private rooms on the second floor were reserved for important figures. In addition to entertainment, they would also socialize and discuss some shady business dealings.

After wandering around inside for a while, both the waiters and dancers greeted Maggie Cheung, which shows her status as the top performer at the Paramount Ballroom.

"Young Master Zhou, please take your time to look around. I need to change my clothes. There are getting more and more guests, so please find a good spot to enjoy my performance later!"

Zhou Hongyi bowed slightly in a very gentlemanly manner and said, "We'll wait and see."

As time went by, the Paramount Ballroom became increasingly crowded and lively.

Zhou Hongyi watched Manyu enter the backstage area, but he couldn't follow her in to see where her dressing room was. He could only stand in a corner by the bar and observe who gathered there every night, hoping to run into Comrade "Bodhi" and pass on the traitor's identity information.

The Paramount Ballroom is doing really well. Zhou Hongyi glanced at his watch; it wasn't even eight o'clock yet, and it was already packed. The booths were full, and the private rooms were probably just as crowded.

The women were dressed to the nines, and the men were mostly well-dressed and gentlemanly, but after a few drinks, it was hard to say whether they could still maintain their appearance.

As more and more guests arrived, the newly dressed dancers came out of the dressing room to the hall, looking for familiar customers, chatting quietly, and occasionally letting out silvery laughter. Everywhere was filled with the sounds of beautiful women, exuding an enchanting atmosphere.

On stage, a six-member international band began playing soothing music. To Zhou Hongyi's surprise, they were also playing more fashionable Black jazz, including some classic pieces he had heard in his previous life.

Shanghai truly deserves its nickname, "Little Paris of the East," as it is at the forefront of the world in fashion and art alone.

As the band began to play music, some men very politely extended their hands to the women next to them, extending their invitations.

The women, with a touch of demureness, placed their hands in the men's and began to dance gracefully in the center of the dance floor.

They were mostly doing fairly normal ballroom dances, nothing more than moving forward and backward and turning in circles. Zhou Hongyi watched with little interest, ordered a drink, and sipped it half-heartedly, while his eyes darted around like radar.

To his dismay, none of his friends from the Special Higher Police, the Military Intelligence Bureau, or the Red Party came tonight. How could he possibly contact the Red Party liaison?

Zhou Hongyi was feeling down when suddenly the band on stage stopped playing, the overhead lights shifted slightly, and all the spotlights on the dance floor focused on a single microphone.

Wearing an extravagant red evening gown and a fur shawl draped over her shoulders, Maggie Cheung slowly emerged from behind the curtain and stood in front of the microphone amidst enthusiastic applause. It seemed she was about to perform.

The musicians began to play music, and Maggie Cheung's bright red lips parted slightly as she sang a string of lyrics that Zhou Hongyi knew very well.

"Rose~ Rose~ I love you~~~~"

"The song she was talking about is this one."

As Maggie Cheung sang, the men below seemed somewhat intoxicated, while the women's gazes were much more complex. Although some looked on with admiration and others with envy, the vast majority were filled with jealousy, and even a hint of malice.