Yan gathered the group at breakfast and laid Wuchen’s appointment beside Qiao’s measurements. The tea steamed between them. He had read the contract again, including the redactions and appeal terms, and had not found a reason to change his mind.
“The Registry offer could give us access,” he said. “But the one-year seal would keep the archive evidence from workers and postpone the field decision. I’m declining the appointment and taking authenticated copies on the road.”
Gu looked at the measurements. “I still want Registry resources for the local pilot.”
“So do I. We can ask them to review the field results without giving them the originals.”
Qinghe asked what they would do if the Registry denied the maintenance map. Yan answered that they would use Qiao’s measurements and inspect the road with the engineer before touching the furnace.
“I won’t pretend a copied plan is enough.”
Bai opened his route book. “We can hire a local guide and keep money for the return trip. I’m not spending every coin just because the pass is open.”
Ning arrived with the clinic’s first specialist schedule. She had written the two appointments in different colors and left a third space open for an urgent case. Mei would train the records assistant with a sample file, not a patient’s name.
