It was good to be in a city again and experience some luxury and sophistication that he hadn’t known since Shanghai. The contrast between the near-scalding water and the cold beer was a sharp delight, and Nicholai allowed himself to give in to the realm of the senses for a few minutes. Then he evaluated the Go board. He had advanced his position. I’m safely out of China, he thought, have funds—or will have tomorrow—and am in Saigon with Bay Vien as a patron and protector. Good and good.
