Chapter Three: Please Remember the Man Who Owes Hotpot

Tang Xiaogao’s face filled the screen. “Night Market Guy! Victory hotpot! I sent the address. If you don’t come, you owe us four meals.” The noise caught Chen’s attention. “Your friends?” Zhaoye paused. “Teammates.” For the first time, the word felt like more than a menu category. The four had taken the largest table in the hotpot restaurant. Luo Wanxiang carried a paper bus map. Lin Luanma hid her laptop behind the menu. Qiao Mai’s real voice was unexpectedly gentle; every time he spoke, Xiaogao asked with disappointment, “Where’s the broken mic? You don’t sound right without static.” As Zhaoye sat, the server handed him a menu. “Are you joining strangers at their table, sir?” Xiaogao slapped the tabletop. “He’s our fifth.”