Chapter One: The Last Coin

The night Zhou Lin was expelled from the Zhou estate, Haizhou suffered its worst storm in a decade. His black suitcase tumbled down the steps. The locks sprang open, spilling two shirts and an old photo album into the rain. Under the shelter of the gate, the butler recited the message like an obituary that concerned no one he knew. “The eldest young master has frozen your cards. At nine tomorrow morning, the lawyers will deliver the renunciation of inheritance to your residence.” “My residence?” Zhou Lin picked up the album and wiped mud from its cover. “He didn't leave me enough for a hotel deposit.” The butler lowered his eyes. The iron gates closed.