Chongqing Office Conference Room Before Dawn

Stark fluorescent tubes cast a cool, even glow across a symmetrical conference table in a Chongqing open-plan office. Early winter light falls through floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the quiet space before the day begins. One water glass sits half-full beside a closed notebook, while tangled charging cables snake across the polished surface. The room holds a measured calm, with empty chairs pushed in perfectly aligned. Shadows stretch long and soft across the floor, meeting the faint blue hue of the pre-dawn sky visible through the glass. A reflection of the overhead grid appears on the table's edge, marking the stillness of the hour.