"Thank you," Zhao Wei said mildly, and Jin saw his father's mouth twitch slightly.
The rest of dinner passed with safer topics—his father's latest shipment, Mei-Lin's plans to expand her baking hobby into a small business, town gossip that didn't involve cursed farms or plant magic.
But Jin's mind kept drifting back to Wren standing by her new wash drum, asking thoughtful questions about his ability, genuinely curious instead of wary.
And the way she'd looked at him when he'd told her to call him Jin.
His mother wanted him to marry boring, suitable Lian.
Viktor Andersen wanted Wren's land and probably Wren herself.
And Jin...
Jin wasn't sure what he wanted yet, but he was working on it.
The Day Before the Festival
––––––––
WREN HAD BARELY TIEDher horse outside Mei's General Store when Sara appeared, practically bouncing with excitement.
"Wren!Perfect timing.You're coming to the Lantern Festival tomorrow night, right?"
"I...hadn't heard about it?"
"Oh, it's amazing!Once a year, the whole town celebrates the summer peak.Lanterns everywhere, food, games, music."Sara grabbed her arm."You have to come.Everyone will be there."
"I don't know if—"
"Please?I barely know anyone my age in town.It would be so much more fun with you there."They’d become friends over the past few weeks, and Sara was bubbling with the chance to get out and party.A transplant herself, she hadn’t had much time to spend with other young ladies, since she spent long hours at the shop.
Wren hesitated.The festival sounded wonderful, but..."It's at night, isn't it?I can't travel back in the dark."
"Stay with me!I have a room above my shop.It's small but clean, and honestly I'd love the company."Sara's enthusiasm was infectious."Say yes.Please say yes."
"Alright," Wren found herself smiling."Yes."
