Han Liang began his fourth day. Another morning apart from Yuan Yu—but there was no time to dwell on it. Too much work still remained.
As soon as he woke, he washed his face.
The Second Commander quietly appeared at his side, as he always did.
Sometimes Han Liang genuinely wondered how the man managed it. One moment he wasn't there; the next, he was standing behind him like a shadow.
Even Han Liang, with his unusually sharp senses, rarely noticed the exact moment the man appeared.
While eating breakfast, the innkeeper approached carrying a small folded note.
"I brought this for you," he said. "Only for you."
Han Liang's expression changed immediately.
He took the note and unfolded it carefully.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
The message was short.
I will be there tomorrow morning.
He read it once.
Then again.
And once more.
Without wasting another moment, he turned toward the Second Commander.
"Gu Feng is coming tomorrow," he said. "I'll show him the shop... and the house. Today, everything must be ready."
The Second Commander nodded.
Outside, work continued at full speed.
Repairs on the roofs. Reinforced doors. Interior arrangements. Everything moved forward at once.
The cleaning woman returned with her daughters, and together they scrubbed every corner until the place shone.
They worked efficiently, chatting and laughing among themselves.
"The young master will have no trouble finding a wife," the woman said with a laugh.
Han Liang ignored the comment.
His attention remained fixed on the work.
He personally oversaw every detail—where the shelves would stand, how the tables should be arranged, and how the space would feel once everything was finished.
At the same time, he continued gathering information about the Jewel Sect.
It was far wealthier than he had first imagined.
Second only to the Tiger Sect.
And the Tiger Sect stood close to the emperor himself.
Han Liang's thoughts drifted.
Yuan Yu.
If he knew Yuan Yu better, the possibilities would be endless.
Trade.
Influence.
Opportunity.
Everything would expand.
The rumors he had heard about the great sects resurfaced in his mind.
Powerful families often strengthened their influence through marriage.
Large sects did the same.
A marriage alliance between the Tiger Sect and the Jewel Sect would be enough to shake half the region.
Could two men form a bond that carried the same weight?
In the end, he pushed the thought aside.
Time would answer.
The day passed in constant movement.
Repairs. Supplies. Negotiations.
By evening, progress had exceeded even his expectations.
The shop was nearly ready.
The house was taking shape as well.
Only a few tasks remained.
Tomorrow would be easier.
Or at least, it should have been.
That evening, Han Liang returned to the inn and sat quietly in his room.
Once again, he took out the note.
His gaze lingered on the familiar words.
I will be there tomorrow morning.
Tomorrow.
At last.
For four days, he had been waiting.
The note remained in his hand long after the candle had burned low.
Tomorrow, Gu Feng would come.