Chapter 36 : Division
The afternoon sun leaned westward across the ridge.Yan stood beside the livestock pens when Ren entered the storehouse.Ren’s steps slowed as he approached.
“Yan, have you come up with anything?” he said quietly.
Yan nodded once.
Ren exhaled through his nose.
““My uncle says the merchants cannot survive if this continues.”
Yan glanced toward the courtyard wall “Come here.”
They stepped into the shade near the storehouse door.
Yan spoke quietly.
Ren listened.
At first his expression showed only concentration.
Then his brow tightened.
A moment later he looked up sharply.
“That’s…” Ren stopped himself.
Yan waited.
Ren glanced around the courtyard instinctively before lowering his voice “If this fails,” he said, “my uncle won’t just lose money.”
Yan did not answer.
Ren studied him for several breaths, after moments of silence, Ren nodded once “I’ll send word tonight.”
Yan inclined his head slightly.
Right at the moment, Footsteps entered the courtyard.
Tan Suzi entered the storehouse with the thin Manual.
“I should go.”
Ren immediately stepped aside immediately, and kept moving towards the exit while keeping his face to the side.
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Tan Suzi approached Yan as Ren passed by her.
“Was that your friend?”
"Yes" Yan replied.
Tan Suzi looked at Ren's back "He looked familiar"
"He is the boy from the waystation" Yan replied.
"Is something wrong?" Yan looked at her.
"No, Just he looked more familiar "Tan Suzi did not dwell on it.
The storehouse smelled of grain dust and wool. A lantern hanging from the central beam cast a steady circle of light across the ledger table.
"Because of you. People have been bothering me"
Tan Suzi stared at Yan and placed the manual down then opened it as Yan sat across from her.
Her brush moved slowly across the page.
A character formed beneath the lantern light.
Yan watched.
Tan Suzi explained the strokes in a calm voice.
She lifted her eyes and met Yan’s.
The moment lasted only a breath.
Yan’s expression remained unchanged with full concentration while Tan Suzi lowered her gaze again and continued explaining.
Outside, the courtyard slowly darkened. The lesson ended when the lantern burned low.
Tan Suzi closed the manual.
“I will be back again Tomorrow, And I haven't forgotten about what you have done" she said and left without another word.
The storehouse door closed quietly behind her.
Yan remained seated for several breaths.Then he stood.
Night had already settled across the ridge.
He walked to the livestock pens, and one by one, he led the cattle into the courtyard.
Fifteen in total.
Their hooves echoed softly against the stone as they gathered beneath the cracked training platform.
Then Yan returned to the storehouse.
The storehouse gate opened again.
Lin entered carrying a wooden tray with twelve glass vessels.
Each filled with thick green liquid as small bubbles rose continuously through the glass.
Lin placed the tray down carefully, her hands trembled slightly.
Yan looked at the glasses.
He lifted one and gulped it down.
Lin watched, the routine continued.