Chapter Five: Two Gu Linchuans

Outside, Lin Mo began a three-minute countdown. Without an anchor, both versions would collapse. Yanqiu studied their cuffs. Both bore the tear made during the struggle. But a strand of red conservation thread clung to the left man's sleeve—the thread that had wrapped Gu's wrist before the copying film touched his eye. She lifted the watch. The right Gu asked, “Are you certain?” “No. Authenticators can condemn originals too.” She threw the watch into a tank of deionized water and activated the ultrasonic cleaner. Silver residue streamed from the leather band. Both men doubled over. Yanqiu stopped the machine before the accumulated wear vanished completely and retrieved the watch without giving it to either.