The party guests here were older, much more conservative in their elegance, although their jewels were displayed just as prominently, even more extravagant than what I’d seen on the younger crowd. Large diamond chokers, bracelets, and rubies glittered even in the soft ambient light. I led us to one of the many tables by the floor-to-ceiling windows. The 101 building was encased in glass, and the party was held on the eighty-eighth floor, owned by Jin himself. The Chinese considered eight to be an auspicious number, so it was unsurprising that Jin had bought this entire floor for his personal use. Taipei’s lights blinked and flashed beneath our gods’-eye view, and it looked beautiful from up here.

An attendant dressed in a gold qipao embroidered with dark pink chrysanthemums offered us finger foods from a large silver tray. Angela took two meatballs and I chose a stuffed mushroom. It was filled with tender bamboo shoots and was the most delicious thing I’d ever eaten, its flavors exploding in my mouth. Angela nibbled from one meatball but left them both on her gilded plate. It took all my willpower not to chase after the attendant and snatch more food from her, given so freely and endlessly. Leftover food and drinks were discarded everywhere around us, even as attendants came and swept the plates and glasses away. What could feed entire hungry mei families—food better than anything they had ever tasted—thrown into the trash.

The waste was unfathomable.

“You’re a good dancer,” Angela said, sipping from the glowing straw dipped into her tall glass, watching me from beneath lowered lashes.

I raised my beer to her and took a swallow. “I had a fantastic partner.” Jin’s beer was a golden hue, the flavor crisp and cool, reminding me of wax apples in the summer. Mom would always save so we could share a few when they were in season. “I haven’t danced like that in a while.”

She widened her kohl-lined eyes. “Why not?”

“Too busy studying, I guess.” I grinned. “Besides, the clubs in Berkeley don’t compare to what you have in Taipei.”

“Studying, huh?” Angela wrinkled her nose as if she smelled something rotten. “You’re too hot to be a nerd.”

I laughed, even though my initial reaction was one of scorn. “Sorry to disappoint.”

Play the part.

Her gaze settled on someone behind my shoulder; she straightened, as she had been leaning closer across the small table. She raised her hand and waved, and the subtle scent of her floral perfume drifted to me. “I wasn’t sure if you’d stayed,” Angela beckoned.