In this chapter, we are introduced to Mr. Simon, an employee of a hotel in Shanghai. He tells us that he and his friend have been living in the same building for many years, and that they have never met each other. He offers to give them ten superior rooms for free for a year. He apologizes for what has happened to his friend, but he is still conscious of the fact that he is in the middle of a "hot" day. He asks if he can just let the hotel go. He says he is just an employee and that the rooms can serve as a "welcome gift" . He then apologizes that his friend is in such a bad condition and asks if they can take him to the hospital for treatment.