For the life of her, Xin Qing could not comprehend the foreigners' penchant for costume parties.

Somehow, a supposed auction turned into a costume party and none of its attendees were allowed to show their faces. The only means of identification was the number printed on the paddles assigned to each bidder. As one of the sellers, Xin Qing was given a special magnetic card, which, if kept on her body at all times, allowed her to be identified by the scanners at the entrance when ...