Chapter One: The Stranger on Open-Source Day

“Who is this?” “Ms. Chen, my name is Lin Mo. You don't know me. I found an anomaly in your Qiongjing account. In the photograph you took tonight—” “Are you from the platform?” “I used to be. Have you noticed anything strange? Roads that shouldn't exist, perhaps, or—” “Lunatic.” She hung up and blocked him. Lin found the stall's address and pulled on a raincoat he had not worn in two years. In the elevator, a Qiongjing spokesperson smiled from the news screen. “Beginning today, every recommendation will have a traceable cause.” In the mirrored wall, the floor display behind Lin did not show 26, 25, 24. It flashed three symbols that looked like narrow doors. He spun around. The elevator was empty.