Chapter One: The Midnight Menu

Xu Zhiwei saw the door at the exact moment her phone changed from 12:12 a.m. to 12:13. Rain had turned South Huai Street into a black, shining river. She carried her heels in one hand and protected a folder of termination papers with the other. Ten minutes ago, she had contained a married client's scandal. Three minutes ago, that client had accused her of causing the leak. Her boss's last message read: Fix it before nine tomorrow, or you're fired. She had replied, Fine. Then her battery died. Every shop was dark except for a lamp between two condemned buildings. Beneath it gleamed a brass plaque: AFTERTASTE PATISSERIE. A wooden sign hung from the handle. OPEN: MIDNIGHT TO 12:13 A.M.