Chapter One: A Dead Man Accepted the Order

At 11:47 p.m., the worst storm of the autumn was drowning Lancheng. Zhou Jibai's scooter died twice in the flooded streets, but the red countdown on his phone kept running. His final order was bound for the penthouse of Building Seven, Cloudrest Residence. Delivery fee: 188 yuan. The note contained two lines: Ring the bell at midnight exactly. Delivery by assigned rider only. One hundred eighty-eight yuan would cover three days of interest. The app did not explain who the “assigned rider” was. Under an awning, Jibai lifted the strangely light paper bag. It held seafood congee, pickled green plums, and ebony chopsticks. The restaurant—Tideborn House—had closed seven years earlier, yet the package was warm and stamped with today's date.