After two days in the hospital, one look at the bill was all it took for Xiang Wan to check herself out, fever and all. The pay at the Dream Club wasn’t bad, but after her basic expenses, she had little left over—money she needed to put aside for a rainy day. Back in the employee dorm, she changed her clothes, a wave of dizziness washing over her. She gripped a nearby locker to steady herself. The sound of approaching footsteps broke the silence. Seconds later, a violent shove sent her stumbling, the world spinning around her. The small of her back slammed into the metal lockers, and a sharp pain shot through her, forcing a choked gasp from her lips. Her roommate Lin Tiantian’s shrill voice cut through the air behind her. “Xiang Wan! You're a murderer. What are you doing touching my locker? Trying to pull something while we're away?” “I…” Xiang Wan was too stunned to react at first. She looked up at Lin Tiantian’s contemptuous expression, and it all clicked. The incident had been so public; everyone at the club must know she’d been in prison. A familiar wave of shame washed over her. She lowered her gaze and explained quietly, “I just felt dizzy and needed to brace myself. I didn't do anything. You don't have to worry.” “Who knows what you'd do,” Lin Tiantian sneered. “Living with a killer like you, I'm half-afraid I'll wind up dead in my sleep.” Zhou Miao arrived a moment later. Seeing Xiang Wan clutching her back, her face pale, she rushed to support her. “Lin Tiantian, what are you doing? Xiang Wan, are you okay?” Her face ashen, Xiang Wan shook her head. “I'm fine…” Zhou Miao studied her pale face, noting the unhealthy flush in her cheeks. She reached out and touched her forehead. “God, you're burning up! You already checked out of the hospital? Why didn't you stay a few more days?” “It’s just a cold, nothing serious…” “Hah, save the act,” Lin Tiantian spat, giving her own locker a final check before slamming the door on her way out. “I'm going to the manager right now to demand a room change. It's disgusting living with someone like her.” Zhou Miao stared after her, her own eyes welling up with anger. “Who does she think she is? Acting so high and mighty when she works at the same club as the rest of us! Xiang Wan, don't let her get to you.” Xiang Wan stared at Zhou Miao, stunned by her defense. A warmth spread through her chest. “Thank you, Zhou Miao.” Thank you for making me feel like this world isn’t so terrible after all. A few moments later, a knock came at the door. Zhou Miao answered it, her eyes widening in surprise at the visitor. “Huh? Ms. Meng Lan, what are you doing here?” Meng Lan just grunted in response, her gaze bypassing Zhou Miao to land on Xiang Wan, who was sitting on the edge of her bed. Her almond-shaped eyes sized her up. “You. Come with me.” Xiang Wan had seen Meng Lan once before, two years ago. A tabloid scandal involving He Hanchuan had implicated the Dream Club's owner, and Xiang Wan, desperate for information, had gone to great lengths to get a membership card just to investigate. She'd only caught a glimpse of Meng Lan from a distance, though, and the memory was hazy. When she’d been thrown into the Dream Club half a month ago, it was the assistant manager who had handled her arrangements; Meng Lan had never shown her face. “Your roommate was just in the manager's office, making a scene about changing rooms.” Meng Lan arched a delicate eyebrow. “Judging by your expression, you already know. Anything you’d like to say?” “No. It's my fault. I'm willing to move out of the dorms.” “You're quick to take the blame,” Meng Lan noted, a slight smile playing on her red lips. “The Dream Club has too many employees for me to deal with this kind of infighting. If everyone acted like you two, I'd have to shut the place down. Let's do this: I'll transfer you to the cleaning department. That should minimize any future conflicts. What do you say?”