Upon the deck.
Hundreds of young couples, either in matching outfits or in evening gowns, gathered in groups, chatting happily.
Dozens of young waiters in tailcoats weaved through the crowd, offering drinks and food to the guests.
Not far away, a band was playing soothing music.
With the twinkling lights, the entire ball seemed both upscale and welcoming.
"Have you heard? They say Boss Shen is holding this dance in memory of his recently deceased wife, which is why only couples are invited," someone whispered.
"I've heard that Boss Shen and his wife were deeply in love, hardly ever apart. Now that something like this has happened, anyone would be heartbroken," another remarked.
"Yeah, I heard Boss Shen can't accept the fact that his wife is dead and adamantly refuses to let anyone take her body away." The speaker lowered his voice to a hush, glancing around before continuing, "I got word from a friend that Boss Shen still cradles his wife's corpse to sleep every night."
