Chapter Four: There Is No Chef in the Freezer

Zhou Ran returned to Midnight Zero at eleven thirty on the second night carrying a workplace-injury claim. Zhao Qi, an operations director from Zero Degree Entertainment, waited at the entrance. His eye twitched when he saw the paperwork. “The company suffered major losses last night, and you want compensation?” “An employee put claws through my shoulder. Company asset, management liability.” Zhou Ran handed him the medical bill. “Also, I own one percent of this place. Tonight I'm auditing the kitchen.” Zhao Qi stared, then smiled. “President Gu appreciates ambition—provided it survives until morning.” After he left, Old Cai emerged from the maintenance room and gave Zhou Ran a brass thermometer. Its scale did not end at minus forty.