Chapter Three: The Hidden Eighth Rule

8. THE BIRTHDAY GUEST IS NOT A CUSTOMER. THE BIRTHDAY GUEST IS THE PERSON WHO RECEIVES A GIFT TONIGHT. At that moment, the girl in the wall threw him the burned badge. “Your gift,” she called. The badge landed in his palm. The black flame bent toward Zhou Ran. August 9 vanished from every guest's identification. A paper crown appeared on the table with his name printed across it. Zhou Ran was the birthday guest. “Blow voluntarily,” the voice inside Meng urged. “Make a wish. Your brother can return. Your debt can disappear. You can own this restaurant.” The flame showed him visions: debt collectors cornering his mother outside a hospital, Zhou Jin turning inside an abandoned subway tunnel, a bank balance large enough for ten lifetimes.