Chapter Three: Twelve Water Stations

Silver vests appeared, pushing water carts in perfect unison. The leader still possessed a normal face: the promoter who had first offered Lin Xi a bottle. He removed his white cap, revealing an exceedingly ordinary middle-aged man. “Han Duo, Facilities Director.” He politely displayed his credentials. “You have entered a restricted area.” Cheng Ye stepped in front of Lin Xi. “What's in the water?” “Something that makes people happy,” Han said. “Fans buy a victory that lasts one second. Then they lose, age, and forget. We are extending their best second.” “What's underground?” Han smiled. “Beyond the stands are more stands. Beyond the door, another door. If the match never ends, the people we've lost haven't truly left.”