The more Jin Guangyao talks, the more tired Nie Huaisang feels. He endures the ongoing tirade of accusations, letting them roll off his shoulders. Some were fair and warranted but most of them were the other man deflecting blame onto others and leeching sympathy wherever he could again. If the weather had been nicer, Huaisang might have taken his chances and headed back toward down regardless of the dark. However, it's cold and this is the only shelter he's seen outside the village and the wharf. For better or worse, he's better off staying here until sunrise.

"Fine, whatever. Let's go inside. Did you say something about a stove? There seems to be plenty of firewood to last until morning."

He gets up off the rocker and heads toward the door of the shack.

"The village isn't far. Neither of us will starve if we have to wait to eat tomorrow. The innkeeper seems generous."