Chapter Four: Cohabitation at the Three-Meter Line

"Sleep," he said. "I'll repair the roof tomorrow." At six, hammering woke her. Through the window, she saw Gu Yanchen on a ladder in an expensive shirt, sleeves rolled up, awkwardly replacing tiles. Zhou Jibai held the ladder below as if protecting a corporate filing from a fatal fall. Her phone received an anonymous video. It had been filmed seven years ago. In Yaochuan Medical's underground laboratory, Xu Qinghe and Gu Minglan lay on parallel beds wearing silver headsets. The man signing at the control console was Gu Chengyue. A message appeared: WANT TO KNOW HOW THEY DIED? TEN TONIGHT. GU YANCHEN COMES ALONE TO THE OLD LAB. Xu Zhi looked up at the man on her roof and darkened the screen. They had just learned to stand close.