Chapter Two: The Other Cheng Du

The elevator went dark. When light returned, the double stood beside Xu Man and Cheng was outside the doors. The display read not thirteen but a mirrored minus thirteen. He used a service key to reach the shaft. Between the cables, an inverted staircase descended into Daocuan Hospital. A Cheng occupied every bed: one who missed Mother's surgery, one who ignored Xu Man's call, one who left his sister waiting at Baiyu. “Go for me,” they begged, clutching his trousers. “Don't be late this time.” At 12:59, Cheng broke through the rooftop door. Rain rose from the roof toward the clouds. The white-coated girl waited beside the water tank. “Who are you?” “I can answer only after you finish the first appointment.”