Chapter Two: A Hundred-Million Limit, One Human Life

Then she produced a yellowed clearing record. Its date was fifteen years in the future. The account holder's identification number belonged to Lin Che. Account designation: ZERO. “I reported on you three years ago because someone threatened me,” she said. “If I didn't put you in the public crosshairs, they said they would erase you from every correct timeline, just like this researcher.” Lin stared at the impossible document. In the lower corner was the emblem of a sun that never set. Tang inhaled sharply over the phone. “The Everlight Foundation. They donated the technology behind the midnight protocol for all twelve exchanges.” Measured footsteps sounded outside.