Chapter Four: Lost and Found

“Xiaoman. Isn't that what you've been calling me?” “That was a cat's name.” “She said I could use it when I grew up.” Xiaoman's smile faded. “Wen Cheng said it.” Color left Wen's face. With security drawing closer, she finally stepped aside. Inside the darkness, she caught Jianwei's wrist—not to lead her, but seemingly to make sure she had not vanished. The passage ended in an abandoned darkroom. A red safety lamp still burned. Silver-gray film floated in the sink, and empty canisters covered the wall. Xiaoman opened a hidden cabinet and removed an old coat and a tin biscuit box. It contained nineteen negatives, each labeled with a date and name. The first read: “Wen Xingyao, age nineteen, first audition.” The handwriting was Shen Lan's.