On an early summer morning, Shanghai's air still carried the dampness of the night. The glass facades of the skyscrapers along the river reflected shards of golden light. Tourists had yet to gather at the Bund, and the first ferry carved a pale streak across the Huangpu River.
Shen Yi stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows of her office building, a file in her left hand as she tapped the glass lightly with her right, lost in her habitual silence. At twenty-seven, she was the youngest senior analyst in Dejun International's investment department. Her education, professional ability, and calm approach to problems made her stand out among her peers. At the same time, though, she seemed enclosed in an invisible shell, keeping a deliberate distance from her colleagues. Her life was precise and regular, running like clockwork.
At exactly nine, she walked into the conference room.
Today's presentation was about a financing deal with Hansheng Technology, a rapidly rising medical technology company that the capital markets saw as a promising sector of the future. Representing the other side of the meeting was Lu Chen, Hansheng's newly appointed executive vice president.
The conference room door opened softly, and Lu Chen walked in.
He was quieter than the rumors suggested. He wore a black shirt and an unadorned watch, and his naturally aloof face showed no unnecessary curiosity when his eyes fell on Shen Yi. He simply nodded in greeting.
“Ms. Shen, we've been in touch by email,” he said. His voice was low, but steady and clear.
Shen Yi returned his nod, her tone even. “Yes. Today we'll focus on the details of the financing terms.”
Pages turned in the quiet room. Sunlight filtered through the blinds and fell across the table between them, breaking their shadows into fragments.
