Qinghe returned the channel plans to their cabinet while Du checked the inventory number. The archive seal on the doorframe had a crack through its lower edge. Guard Ren appeared at the stair and stopped when he saw the group.
“Who opened the project file?” he asked.
“An authorized visit,” Du said, showing the token. “The plan is back in the cabinet.”
Ren looked at the broken seal. “Someone has touched it.”
Yan stepped away from the cabinet. “We didn’t open the seal. It was cracked when we came down.”
“I can’t know that,” Ren said. “I have to report the damage.”
“Then report what you saw,” Gu replied. “The documents are still here.”
Ren searched the nearby shelves while Du watched. He checked the cabinet shelf, the table, and the floor beneath the stair. Then he asked Gu to step back so he could compare the plan count with the signed access sheet. Gu cooperated without complaint. The cabinet contained every page listed. He found no missing pages. Gu showed the signed access sheet listing the channel plans among the approved materials. Ren checked the cabinet count against Du’s inventory.
