I walked alone down the stone-paved pathway through the lush garden toward the front entrance, guided by red velvet ropes marking the way. The grounds were illuminated with hidden lights, as if by magic. I glimpsed a pond below rockery stacked poetically at its edge, more an art piece than a mountain. There was a moongate beyond the small pond, leading into another courtyard. Jin’s estate was large enough that no traffic noise carried to where I strolled near the mansion. Turning a corner, the lush walkway opened into a large circular driveway with a stone fountain at its center, decorated with carvings of leaping koi fish.

Two doormen dressed in tuxedos stood at either side of the grand arch leading into the massive double doors of Jin’s house. One bowed and proffered a hand, and I gave him my invitation. Their jackets were made of a deep silver brocade with the Jin character woven through it in pale gold. “It is a pleasure to welcome you, Mr. Zhou,” the doorman said, and pulled one heavy wooden door open. I was bathed in blue light, and I realized the entryway scanned each person who entered for weapons. Walking through without incident, I stepped into a beautiful foyer with marble floors and a magnificent chandelier hanging from the domed ceiling.

Six security guards stood against the walls of the circular foyer, silent and observant. They were unobtrusive, but I felt their presence immediately. No music or voices carried to me from the gala; the mansion walls must be soundproof. Other than a large flower arrangement placed on the middle of a round stone table, the foyer was undecorated. I glanced down at the bouquet I clutched in my own hand, feeling tense and ridiculous. I don’t belong here.

“Mr. Zhou.” A young woman clad in a deep purple qipao decorated with the same pale gold Jin character glided toward me. “Welcome.” She lifted a graceful hand. “Please follow me.” I trailed behind her down one of the wide corridors leading from the foyer, then picked up my pace so we walked side by side. The corridor was composed of pillared archways, lit by intricate ironwork sconces along the walls. We passed one set of closed double doors and several floor-to-ceiling arched windows looking out to the lush gardens beyond.

We walked for some time in silence. I tried to take in my surroundings, in no mood for small talk. It astounded me how the corridor just went on, that an estate as large as this actually existed in the heart of Taipei. How many apartment buildings had Jin knocked down to build this opulent home? Finally, the woman stopped in front of tall arched double doors and opened them. Classical music and the low hum of many people speaking filled the sudden silence. “Enjoy, Mr. Zhou,” she said and stepped aside. “Miss Jin has been waiting for you.”