Chapter Four: There Is No Chef in the Freezer

Zhou Ran did not turn. He raised the brass thermometer as a mirror. In its reflection, ice sealed Lin Wan's mouth while the faceless thing peeled her features away. “Staff Roll Call.” [LIN WAN: TEMPORARY SECURITY CONSULTANT. UNREGISTERED.] [FACELESS CHEF: APPLICANT. AWAITING MANAGERIAL APPROVAL.] “Application rejected.” The figure froze. [STATE REASON.] “Impersonating a colleague, no health certificate, and harassing a customer during working hours.” An angry blade rang in the depths. A mouth split open across the creature's chest. It lunged. Lin Wan broke the ice and kicked its knee while Zhou Ran yanked the safety line, switching their positions. The thing crashed into the hanging bags. Every bag opened its eyes.