Chapter Two: Fear Has a Price

Meng still breathed, but his face was smooth, all features kneaded beneath the skin. Seven guests now stood at the table. “One more!” A-Bei screamed. The last lights died as Lulu sang the final word. Zhou Ran put down the pizza. Without counting chairs, he took a blank customer feedback card and wrote: THE NIGHT MANAGER IS ALSO A PARTICIPATING CUSTOMER AT THIS TABLE. Then he sat in the eighth chair. The song stopped. [EIGHT GUESTS FOUND.] [CONFLICTING IDENTITIES DETECTED… RULING VALID.] [DREAD +30. AUTHORITY UPGRADED: TRAINEE MANAGER.] The wall opposite the table giggled. Wallpaper split, and a pale hand offered Zhou Ran half of a burned employee badge. The photograph showed Zhou Jin twenty-three years ago.