didn’t sway my hips like a flirt, didn’t lower my eyes like a servant, didn’t smile like someone for hire. Instead, I raised my free hand, gave them a polite nod like the businesswoman I was, and said in perfect American English, “Good afternoon, gentlemen. How are you?”

He smiled, remembering that people on the ocean liner said that Jews had arrived in Shanghai to make a fortune as early as in 1843, after Britain defeated the Chinese Qing dynasty during the first Opium War.

A love that couldn’t accept a lover’s flaws was a selfish love.

The German government had announced that a Jew living abroad could not be a German citizen and all the assets of the Jews would be taken over by the Third Reich.

Occupied Shanghai was the only open port for Jews, the only city that accepted him without an entry visa. This city was his dream; Berlin a nightmare.

along the walls, empty tables cast shadowy figures like land mines.

Really, the best life was the safest.

But who would say it was wrong to indulge in a song from your heart during the winter days of your life?

Luo Ye Gui Gen, fallen leaves long for the roots,