Chapter Five: A Date Destined to Succeed

Jibai's “tomorrow” began with an abduction. At six in the morning, Xiaoman vanished from her protected room. A warm cup of soy milk and a movie ticket remained. On the back: BRING THE HEIR'S AUTHORITY, OR SHE PAYS YOUR FIRST DEBT IN FULL. The Red Hat Society, traders in stolen coincidence, had taken her to a cinema where 327 probabilities would intersect at seven that evening. Gu's order was simple: recover Xiaoman, but preserve the heir if the hostage became expendable. Wanxing crossed out expendable. She and Jibai entered the theater dressed like a couple. He wore dark gray; she wore a borrowed red dress one size too small. “Nervous?” he asked, opening her seat. “I can't breathe.” “I meant the kidnapping.” “That ranks second.”