Chapter Four: The Credit of Twenty-Seven People

Gu Tingshan appeared before Lin for the first time, immaculate at fifty-something, with Cheng and two lawyers behind him. “A waiter assembling small shopkeepers into a consortium.” Gu flipped through the commitments. “Touching.” He pushed a document across the table. “Unfortunately, Lanting petitioned for reorganization this morning. All individual debt transfers are stayed.” Behind him, Cheng silently mouthed two words: You're out. Lin noticed the filing time: 9:12 a.m. At 9:30, Lanterns had paid a $120,000 “emergency consulting fee.” A company claiming insolvency had transferred money to an affiliate after seeking bankruptcy protection. Lin looked up. “Chairman Gu, this isn't reorganization.” “What is it?”