Chapter One: Everyone in the Rain Is Acting

Wanqing stared at Chenzhou and silently mouthed two words: Your turn. In the distance, a clock began striking midnight. Chenzhou reached forward, not for the handle but for a thin cord beneath Wanqing's collar. A hidden action camera dropped into his palm, still broadcasting to 170,000 viewers. “You don't want me to shelter you,” he said into its lens. “You want me to take this willingly.” For the first time, her face changed. Chenzhou placed the camera beneath the canopy. Then he closed his hand around the umbrella handle. The cold metal shuddered like a living thing. One by one, the silver drops turned red. The crane opened its eyes. The twelfth chime sounded.