Chapter Five: The Twelve-Division Business

Beneath it, a girl whispered, “Papa, don't let them remember today.” The darkroom lost power. The safe unlocked itself. Only four recent negatives were stored there, but a man stood inside. Gu Changzhou developed slowly from the darkness, unarmed, almost gentle. “You mistake my daughter's words for a warning,” he said. “It was the last time she was afraid.” Shen Yan shielded Lin Wan. “Return the first three.” The half photograph flew from his pocket into Gu's hand. “You saw this shop when you were six,” Gu said. “Ask your mother why there are no birthday photographs before you turned seven.” Lin Wan hit the alarm. As red light filled the room, Gu became transparent.