Chapter Four: Trusted Time

Xu slapped down her press card and activated recorded-interview mode. A light came on: JOURNALISTIC EVIDENCE—AUTOMATIC OVERWRITE PROHIBITED. She read Luo Qing's transaction number aloud. Several customers looked away, suddenly aware that their purchases had belonged to dismissed workers. Ji sent Cheng a service map. “The master ledger isn't here. Reach the delivery floor. I can close one door for you.” “Why only one?” “Because Han Ce just gave me a job.” The image widened. Ji was no longer in a windowless room but in Cheng's conference room. Han stood behind him. “Manager Cheng,” Han said, “you no longer work here. Ji Chen is your role recipient now.”