The Lady of the Night (in China)

In mainland China, prostitution is illegal. Like most places, that doesn't mean it does not still go on. The reality on the ground is complex. The government officially bans the practice. Still, the industry thrives using hidden and disguised methods.

I spent quite a bit of my time working in China. I was an executive responsible for compliance at a large pharmaceutical company. Most of my time was spent in Shanghai or Beijing, neither of which I found attractive.

This is a true story that happened to me on one of my visits. Looking back, I was very naive at the time. I only let it happen once; once bitten, twice shy.

It was around the time when China was in the global spotlight for bribery and corruption in the pharmaceutical industry. Incidentally, this time prompted the original version of a series that I am running in the Humour community called Ben Boa. It's a playful tale about an Australian sent to China to check on company corruption. You can find the first episode here if you are interested.

I arrived on a flight from Melbourne, Australia. It went via Singapore with a couple of hours' layover and then into Shanghai. The Chinese are known for their "hospitality," especially during vendor audits.

I arrived at the hotel and made my way to the reception desk. It has a big, luxurious foyer; one might as well say opulent, as far as the Chinese standard goes. In hindsight, I can remember only a few guests in the hotel since I arrived after midnight.

I saw a very attractive Chinese lady sitting in the middle of the foyer. She was facing the reception desk, but I didn’t think much of it. Dragging a small suitcase and carrying a second shoulder bag (work bag), I had “visiting businessman” written all over me.

I was tired after a long flight and didn’t think much of it. I checked in, got my room key, and headed for the lifts. I can’t remember the exact floor, but I know it was in the twenties.

As I reached the lift, I noticed the lady had joined me and was standing next to me.

“Hello", she said, in very good English, “Did you have a good trip? The company welcomes you.”

“It was a long trip, and I was a bit tired, but at least I got here in one piece,” I replied.

“So glad I am here to make you comfortable.”

“What the …..” I thought to myself as the jet lag started to clear.

“Do you work for the company?” I asked with innocence.

“Oh yes, the company wants you to be very happy. I have been waiting for you to arrive so I can make you comfortable and very happy.”

It was then that the penny dropped. The company had no idea which flight it was on or when I was arriving. In fact, I was a day early; I was spending the first day in the affiliate office getting a briefing on this company.

“I will be fine,” I said. There is no need for you to do anything.

“I can make you very happy,” she reiterated as she latched her arms around my neck and wrapped one leg behind mine.

“Whoa, whoa,” I said, "I'm tired, and I am already very happy, so you need to go back downstairs.”

I pressed the next-floor button to stop the lift.

“Is this your floor?” she asked.

“No,” I replied, "but it's your floor. If you do not get out, we will go downstairs, and I will take you to the manager. Is that what you want?”

“I want to make you happy; don’t you want me to make you happy?”

“No,” was my only reply as I pushed her out of the lift. Luckily, she got the message and gave up. I continued up to my room, made a quick entry, and locked the door.

Mental note to myself – “Confucius say: Ladies sitting in the foyer past midnight are not there to greet you!”

Till next time,

Calvin

[A/n: Every month, George's Girl 2026 and I have this unofficial challenge. We take it in turns to come up with a topic. This month, it is "Lady of the Night." It can be a poem, fiction or non-fiction story as long as it is based on the topic. Feel free to join in if you are so inclined. The more the merrier.]