The camera cut back to the original news reporter standing in front of the abandoned Jin Corp building in Taipei. “Meanwhile, the Old Taipei Theatre that was opened and funded by Jin’s own daughter, Jin Daiyu, has had long lines since its grand opening in May. Let’s go to Peng Jielan for the story.”

My heart lurched at the sound of Daiyu’s name.

The wall screen showed her in a sleeveless pale blue dress, cut short enough to reveal most of her stunningly toned legs, as a crowd of rich yous swarmed around her in fancy dress. She had attended alone, as head of the theatre and the hostess of the gala. Jin might be in disgrace with some in Taiwan, but his name and his wealth still carried weight.

The evening was a raging success, the yous were whisked home in their aircars and limos, trapped once again in regulated spaces, wondering why the government didn’t actually do something about the polluted air. Especially since they didn’t have their suits to venture out now, like before.

The images from the glittering opening gala had been replaced by the facade of the actual theatre, with the lush trees of Yangmingshan as a backdrop framing the domed roof.

“Since the opening of the Old Taipei Theatre,” the new reporter standing by the theatre’s silver entrance said, “there have been rumblings on the undernet as well as among the wealthy about the state of Taiwan’s air and environment. Many of the wealthiest Taiwanese have stepped forward to advocate the introduction of environmental legislation to improve Taiwan’s pollution. The new bill will be brought up to vote in the fall.”

The reporter smiled winningly into the camera before they cut to previously recorded footage. Angela’s face filled the wall screen. She showed much less skin since the last time I saw her, wearing a black sweater and turquoise skirt that emphasized her curves. “Why shouldn’t we have better air? Clean, breathable air?” she demanded, speaking right into the camera. Her hair was longer and swept past her shoulders, but it was as red as ever. “Why should we be forced to cower and hide in regulated spaces, trapped inside like dogs?”

The corner of my mouth twitched upward. Hadn’t I used almost those same exact words when we were making our plans?

“But the meis”—the unseen male reporter stopped himself—“those who couldn’t afford suits have been living under these conditions for years. Why do you care now?”

Angela blinked her wide, kohl-lined eyes. “Because it affects me now,” she said in a tone that told the reporter in no uncertain terms he was asking a ridiculous question.

I laughed under my breath.