Beijing's nouveau riche, comprising investment bankers, managers who work for foreign companies, movie stars and pop singers, socialise on a regular basis. Every now and then the not-so-rich - reporters, models and authors - are invited to party with them. Just like Hollywood celebrities, these people sometimes need groupies and paparazzi to create certain scenes - the Chinese nouveau riche need those who are not as rich to be their listeners. A good private life is not good enough. A rich life has to be told and retold, and then gossiped about. One night, Beibei takes Niuniu to a party organised by members of this so-called 'new money' in a house located in a discreet and well-manicured suburban neighbourhood. When they arrive they notice some investment bankers sipping Jack Daniels and discussing their life plan. Their long-term goal is to retire at 45 and their short-term goal is to improve their golf game. Everyone agrees that their approach shots to the green and their putting could be improved. Apparently, conversations about early retirement and golf are common at gatherings of the new rich - it's all part of the game. The thinking is that the good life needs to be told, particularly to the have-nots. The 'not rich' play their part too. Their envy and attentiveness are part of the same game. An interesting conversation between two female authors gets the attention of Beibei and Niuniu. One is called Andrea. 'My English lover has a ranch in New Zealand,' she says. 'I love writing there.' The other, Yani, raises an eyebrow. 'Really? Then we're neighbours. I write from my beach house in Australia,' she retorts. 'If we have writer's block or something, we can fly and meet for coffee.' An attentive listener exclaims: 'Wow, you guys are what they call international freemen, no, free women. So cool! I've never met such people before. I'm honoured.' The authors' faces radiate with pleasure, the pleasure of being admired and envied. Yani smiles at the listener: 'Well, I might be an international woman. But it doesn't matter where I go, I like China the best.' Beibei says under her breath to Niuniu: 'I know why she likes China the best. Only China can guarantee her an audience as she brags, this is not the case elsewhere.' Beibei and Niuniu hear more hilarious threads of conversations. They are creative and subtle such as 'I divide my time between my homes in Geneva, Beijing and San Francisco, my life has been crazy. Breakfast in Hong Kong, lunch in Singapore and dinner in Beijing', or 'I only eat fresh vegetables from my own garden ... and I make a point of walking at least nine holes every day,' etc. There are always listeners ready to show admiration and envy. Then Niuniu spots a friend she hasn't seen for ages. Kevin Chen is a childhood friend. Like many of Niuniu's old friends, Kevin is one of the best and brightest of his generation. His path is a typical one: graduated from the People's University with a degree in international finance and then went to Stanford to get an MBA. He now works for insurance and investment giant AIG. 'How's life?' Kevin asks Niuniu. 'Not bad. You?' she replies 'The usual, you know: making friends in Beijing, doing business in New York, living in Shanghai, shopping in Hong Kong, vacationing in the south of France and the Greek Islands. Mykonos is so elegant.' Beibei whispers to Niuniu: 'This is the second time I've heard him say that.' 'I bet you get a lot of frequent-flyer miles,' Niuniu says to Kevin. He nods: 'Yes, but I hate flying. Of course, I hate eating lobster more.' He laughs, obviously thrilled to enter the game again. 'Remember when we were young, you said in a class that your biggest dream was to fly someday,' Niuniu reminds Kevin. 'Really?' he replies. 'Of course that was a long, long time ago when China was still poor and when you were called Kai Wan,' Niuniu says with a smile. 'Wow, you guys are what they call international freemen, no free women. So cool! I've never met such people before. I'm honoured'