Chapter One: The World Presses Reset

“Your temporary contract is over,” Zhao said impatiently. “Clear your desk.” The box struck Lin's shoes. All around him, people gasped at the writing in the sky as though seeing it for the first time. Lin alone stared at his supervisor and wound the crown of his broken watch. The second hand, frozen for three years, moved forward by one mark. “Supervisor Zhao,” Lin said softly, “this time, you're the one clearing out.”