Chapter One: Free Water

The scoreboard changed to 1–0. The drunk climbed over two rows to embrace strangers. His happiness was too bright to be human. He seized Lin Xi's sleeve with terrifying strength. “Don't stop,” he said. “Return to your seat, sir.” “Make them keep playing. Tonight can't end.” Blood ran from both nostrils as he smiled. Soon, people were singing the same line until their throats bled. A man threw his phone from the upper deck because it displayed an estimated finishing time. An elderly woman refused medical help, hugging her bottle and screaming that the match would last forever. Lin Xi called Old Ma. Her earpiece played only the sponsor's music. “Refreshment without end,” a gentle woman repeated. “Every second deserves forever.”