Chapter Three: Rules Do Not Protect the Greedy

“No,” Lu Chen said. Chen Jiudeng smiled, the lines in his face like creases in old paper. “Too quick. Young men who answer quickly are the ones most likely to regret it at the free-throw line.” Su Tang activated her phone recorder. The old man flicked his brass bead against the screen, and the phone went black. “When machines hear certain words, the accountants hear them too.” Chen led them through the boiler room beneath the old court. A narrow door behind a wall opened into a chamber crowded with objects left by retired players: shoes, wristbands, broken trophies, unsent farewell letters. A red paper tag hung from each. “Money isn't lifespan,” he said, lighting a kerosene lamp. “Money is a ruler.