The next evening, Wei and Mei found themselves back at the pawnshop, the events of the previous night weighing heavily on them. As the shop filled with its familiar aura, Wei took a deep breath, letting the scent of old wood, incense, and mystery ground him. It felt surreal to be back in the quiet of the shop after the intense confrontation with the Shadow Sect.
Mei moved to her usual spot, organizing some items, her gaze lingering on each one as if seeing them for the first time. Though they had survived, the previous night's events had left her more guarded, her movements precise and quiet.
As Wei rearranged some items on a shelf, the door creaked open, announcing the arrival of a new customer. A slender woman stepped inside, her demeanor calm but with an underlying tension that Wei's trained eyes didn't miss. She was draped in a silk cloak, her face partially hidden by a hood, and her hands were wrapped in cloth, hiding any identifying marks.
