Chapter Three: The Price of a Gatekeeper

Before dawn, the Gate Administration took control of the terminal. Its officers wore gray uniforms and badges shaped like closed doors. Director Qin confiscated the surveillance drives, called the incident a refrigerant leak, and offered Lu Chen a confidentiality agreement. “Sign, receive a permanent position, and two hundred thousand yuan in compensation.” It would clear most of his mother's medical debt. Lu Chen placed the ivory tag on the contract. “First tell me why my father's employee number came through a dead carousel.” “It is a forgery.” Blackbean burped inside Lu Chen's backpack. Qin's words gave off a red glow invisible to everyone but Lu Chen. Their new pact allowed him to share the Moilin's sense for the embers of lies.