Chapter One: A Nine-Dollar Tip

Strangely, he never looked at the menu. He watched Lin. The final bill was $612. The old man paid in cash, then placed nine one-dollar bills in the check presenter. Across the room, Cheng Ye's face darkened. House of Lanterns expected twenty percent. Nine dollars would not cover parking. “Those are yours.” The old man held the folder shut. “In nine days, use them to buy this place.” One of his companions laughed. Cheng arrived in time to hear the last sentence and joined him. “Mr. Shen, our servers frighten easily. Don't tease him.” The old man ignored Cheng. “Don't count the money,” he told Lin. “Count what leaves the table.” After they departed, Cheng inspected the bill and slapped the nine dollars against Lin's chest.