(Set in a parallel universe. Entirely fictional, and not intended to correspond to the real world.) Cheng Ming, twenty-four, works at a convenience store. His greatest achievement in life is learning how to smile while selling expired oden to overworked wage slaves who are numb from overtime. During the New Year holiday, his paternal uncle suddenly shows up. Supposedly, after retiring from the Celestial Empire’s military, he went abroad and started a “human resources company.” When he hears that his nephew has no job and no savings, he excitedly makes a decision on the spot: “Come with me to South Black Country. The company will be yours one day.” Cheng Ming thinks he’s going to be a lowly office worker serving coffee, but on his third day in Africa, his uncle tosses him an AK-47 and points to three trucks. “Welcome to the real workplace. We’ve got a shipment of ammunition to escort to the front today. If you die, don’t blame me. Make it back alive, and we’ll split the money.”
