Chapter Four: One Life Divided Twelve Ways

The 1.2-million-yuan bonus arrived. Every player's phone sounded, as did the phone of Old Ma, the team driver. He stared at his twenty-thousand-yuan share with wet eyes. The wealth had not vanished. It had stopped flowing to one person. In the locker room, Gao handed Lu Chen an old key. “Ten years ago, Qin Feng tried this. Best player in the league. Then he retired before the Finals. He died three years ago, but told me to give this to the second man brave enough to pass away a game-winner.” Half a candle was engraved on its bow. When Lu Chen touched it, crimson text surfaced: [One auxiliary key to the master ledger. Remaining keyholders: three.] Every light went out.