Chapter Three: The Price of Genius

Zhou Jiming received Chen in a windowless room above the city. Live passenger flows coursed across the wall like blood. “How many resets?” Zhou asked, pouring tea. “Three.” Zhou smiled. “Someone with three resets doesn't check the sprinklers, then the exits, before sitting down. Only people who have died repeatedly inspect escape routes first.” He offered ten million after tax and a vice-presidency. In return Chen would disclose each daily task and withdraw when their tasks conflicted. “Why me?” “You still believe the words genuinely useful.” Zhou gestured at the map. “The system counts majorities, not kindness. Save fifty-one people a minute while costing forty-nine ten minutes and you win. There are seven players. One Anchor.