Chapter One: The Biggest Spender in the Universe

A countdown appeared: 29:59. His audience jumped from three to thirty-seven, then four hundred, as if an invisible hand were stuffing viewers into the room. [Scripted.] [He bought the million-coin effect himself.] [Go turn on a fan in a chili factory.] Gu Ye grabbed his coat and ran. Tang Ke chased him. "Where are you going?" "To save my credit score!" At this hour the shopping district was deserted. Finding one hundred strangers proved harder than finding one million coins. He checked a barbecue stall, an emergency ward, and a twenty-four-hour gym. Even the stray cats numbered only six. With twenty minutes left, he considered surrendering to the police for the crime of wasting a cosmic billionaire's affection. Tang Ke pointed across the road.