Chapter One: The Best Door on the Worst Day

The office water dispenser exploded at the exact moment Lin Wanxing was fired. It was not a figure of speech. She had just accepted the termination notice from Human Resources when the nineteen-liter bottle launched out of its base and drenched the only white blouse she owned that was fit for an interview. “Don't take it personally,” the HR manager said, holding out tissues. “It's departmental optimization.” A waterlogged ceiling panel dropped behind her and crushed only Wanxing's box. The office went silent. “I know,” Wanxing said, wiping water from her lashes. “If you wanted to target me, you wouldn't need to optimize the whole department.”