Chapter 145: Moving in Silence
Days passed in a blur of preparations, every hour spent honing my plan. I moved deliberately, staying under the radar while making sure everything was set.
Despite everything, I maintained the shop. Supplies were scarce, and even with my storage of dried herbs and extracted essences, it wouldn’t last forever.
Still, the shop remained open. People stopped by, not to buy anything, but to offer their support in the ways they could. Mrs. Wang brought over a steaming pot of stew one morning, pressing it into my hands before I could protest.
Others dropped off small tokens; a basket of eggs, a bundle of firewood, even a loaf of freshly baked bread. Some stayed to chat, like Xiao Bao and the other children. It was both heartwarming and humbling, but it also served as a constant reminder of why I couldn’t fail.
But as Wei Long promised, he quietly left me alone, allowing me to work in peace.
As I expected, Lan-Yin and Wang Jun were among those who stopped by, though their visits were far from casual. They didn’t bother with pretense, each of them entering the shop with an air of determination that left no room for pleasantries.
Lan-Yin leaned against the counter, her arms crossed as she fixed me with a pointed look. “So, are you going to tell us what’s going on, or are we supposed to keep pretending nothing’s wrong?”
Wang Jun stood nearby, his expression softer but no less concerned. “Lan-Yin’s right. We’re not blind. You’ve been avoiding us, and it’s obvious you’re planning something. Why not just tell us?”
I met their gazes, doing my best to appear calm. “I’m biding my time,” I said simply, shrugging as though it were nothing. “There’s nothing to worry about. When the time is right, I’ll explain everything.”