The seventh floor at the end of night shift: jade counters, dim talisman lamps, mortal lanes emptying, and Lu Yan trapped at her assigned counter with receipts.

The last mortal couriers pass Lu Yan’s counter and warn her not to linger too obviously.

Lu Yan checks her forbidden private notes about the deposit that tasted like her own future, then hides them again.

Lu Yan seals the last official receipt while the pawnshop’s closing procedures activate around her.

A soft footstep interrupts the empty hall. The green-hooded customer returns carrying a fresh lifespan seal.

The green-hooded customer makes a courteous request that the rules make dangerous to refuse.

Lu Yan tries to delay, but the customer uses the pawnshop’s own rules against her.

Lu Yan performs the required acceptance steps, each one narrowing her choices.

Lu Yan sets the deposit on the Heaven-Balance Scale, beginning the official weighing.

Lu Yan prepares for the mortal taste verification that identifies lineage and purity.

Lu Yan tastes the seal and recognizes Lu Miao’s living lifespan.

Lu Yan pushes for information, but the customer hides behind paperwork.

Lu Yan reaches for the counter bell that can summon a senior clerk and pause the weighing.