The only things they hadn't replaced were the propulsion core and the iron pot in the kitchen.
Footsteps came from the back of the shop. Elonore walked over carrying a thick ledger, her silver hair casually tied behind her head, a few loose strands stuck to her temple. She sat on the stool beside Su Li and opened the ledger.
"This month's income was forty-seven copper coins. Expenses were sixty-two copper coins."
"Lost money again?"
"You always count food expenses as material costs." Elonore tapped a line with her finger. "This—'Category II corrosion-resistant metal raw materials.'"
Su Li leaned over for a look. "That's an iron spatula."
"An iron spatula is kitchenware, not a material."
"It's made of iron. Iron is a material."
Elonore closed the ledger and looked at him.
Su Li rubbed his nose. "Fine. I'll record them separately next time."
A burst of children's laughter drifted over from the docks.
The propulsion core sat on the buoyancy frame at the stern of the patched boat, its dark-gold casing reflecting a warm gleam beneath the sun. New dark-gold patterns had grown within its cracks, branching like tree limbs. Its power had recovered to twenty percent—enough for steady sailing along the near coast.
Five or six island children lay sprawled along the edge of the dock, pointing at the core below.
"They're touching it again." Su Li stood up.
"I installed an isolation cover." Elonore flipped to the last page of the ledger and pointed to a line. "And this."
Su Li looked over.
"'One copper coin per touch'?"
"I've collected seventeen already."
Su Li stared at her. "When did you put up that sign?"
"Three days ago." Elonore closed the ledger, her expression as calm as if she were commenting on the pleasant weather. "The children like