Chapter 8A person is not just their facial expression, as a small mind cannot fathom a great mind. Study the middle finger to tell fortunes by physiognomy. You cannot only look at the look. What is more important, one must inspect the personal character conduct, namely heart and morals.
—Mai Youlang, exclusive courtesan
From the Ming dynasty novel, Awaken the Common Saying
6:00 p.m. GMT–6, May 7, 2022
Over the Continental United States
“Who are you, Peter Gollinger?” she says back to him.
“Dunno,” Peter mumbles with his mouth full of delicious Umbrian strangozzi and black truffle. He is famished as he has not eaten since breakfast. “My mother says I’m more suited to be a librarian than an adventurer.”
Mei laughs at him, taking her napkin to wipe an errant piece of truffle escaping d
