This anthology features some of Zhu’s most cerebral and critically-acclaimed stories: an outlaw extracts gold from inside his own body; a scientist invents a solution that will dissolve the entire universe; a group of sleep masters risk (and sometimes lose) their lives by falling asleep under increasingly impossible and dangerous circumstances. A gloriously innovative and versatile writer, Zhu Yue playfully interrogates many so-called “Western” ideals and values: What is the value of invention if it has no practical use? How much of ourselves are we willing to sacrifice for wealth and greatness? And to what extent is a person’s physical existence a sufficient expression of their individuality? This story collection is translated by Jianan Qian and Alyssa Asquith. Read more here