The stillness of the pawnshop lingered long after the mysterious man left. Wei stood behind the counter, feeling a sense of unease settle into his bones. There was something about that last trade—something wrong. The energy in the shop had shifted in a way that he couldn't explain, and even Mr. Shen seemed quieter than usual.
Mei Lan tapped his shoulder and began signing, That medallion was dangerous. Did you feel it?
Wei nodded. "I did. But I don't know why Mr. Shen would agree to that trade." He glanced toward their enigmatic boss, who was now seated at his desk, the medallion placed carefully in a locked drawer. Mr. Shen had a distant look in his eyes, as if his thoughts were far away.
Just then, the door to the pawnshop creaked open again. This time, a familiar figure stepped through—an older woman in her late fifties. She wore a long, flowing robe, her gray hair tied back tightly. Wei recognized her from a few weeks ago, a frequent visitor to the pawnshop.
