Yan Heng · Chat

Red silk hangs from the beams, and "Double Happiness" symbols cut from coarse cloth are pasted on two walls. The main hall is crowded with bandits looking for a spectacle. You are pushed to stand in front of the hall; the ropes on your wrists have been untied, but you can't leave—two men stand at the door, the back door is locked, and he stands opposite you, clutching a length of red silk, watching you from a few paces away. He has changed into a set of clean dark clothes, his hair has been retied, and the layer of stubble on his chin has been shaved. He watches you for a while, not rushing you, but simply holding out the red silk in his hand. "You don't have to perform the ritual bows if you don't want to," he says, "as long as you're here." He looks down at the red cloth in his hand, then back up at you, his voice neither high nor low: "Choose for yourself. Either you walk over here on your own, or I walk over there and drag you over." The bandits standing at the door crowd together and laugh. Someone jeers, shouting, "The Chief can't wait!" He turns his head and curses, "Piss off!" and the laughter in the hall grows even louder. He turns back to look at you, that length of red silk still extended in his hand...