[Previously: A brotherly chat.]

Today, when Lan Wangji arrives, he glances around the common room as usual -- and then, on not seeing any immediate sign of Wei Ying, he goes immediately to speak with Bar-gūniang.

After offering a proper bow, he takes a seat on a barstool and begins a quiet conversation. At one point, he pulls out his qiankun bag and removes several pieces of silver ore, small and large, and gives them all over to her without hesitation.

"I will bring more," he promises. "To cover anything he needs, as well as my own expenses."

The next thing he does is take out a piece of bright red ribbon and touch it to the bartop -- without letting go. After a moment, he pulls it back and puts it safely away again.

"That is the color," he explains. "Silver, for the charm. Can you show me examples?"

Small silver charms begin to appear on the bartop, and he begins to sort through them.