"Your mother?"
"Oh, she's here somewhere, watching Jin like a hawk.She has someone picked out for him."Mei-Lin rolled her eyes."Poor Lian.She's perfectly nice but boring as rice porridge.Jin can't stand her."
Before Wren could process that, an announcer called out: "All right, everyone!Time for the partner games!If you want to play, put your name in the basket!"
People surged forward.Mei-Lin grabbed a wooden token, scribbled her name, and tossed it in.Then she grabbed another and handed it to Wren."Come on!"
Wren wrote her name and added it to the basket.
The announcer spun the wheel.It clicked around and around before landing on:Trust Walk—Blindfolded Navigation
"Ooh, good one!"Mei-Lin bounced on her toes.
The announcer drew two tokens."First pair: Mei-Lin Zhao and...Wren!"
"Yes!"Mei-Lin grabbed Wren's hand."I told you we'd get paired!"
They stepped forward while the crowd cheered.Wren caught sight of Jin at the edge, watching.And beside him, an older woman with sharp eyes and an expression that could cut glass.His mother, probably.
The game was straightforward: one person blindfolded, the other giving directions to navigate an obstacle course.They'd be timed against other pairs.
"Do you want to be blindfolded or give directions?"Mei-Lin asked.
"Directions," Wren said immediately.She was better at problem-solving than trusting.
"Perfect.I'm good at following instructions.Usually."Mei-Lin grinned.
They won their round easily, since Mei-Lin was quick and trusted Wren's directions without hesitation.The crowd applauded, and someone called out: "That's the pun girl!From the magic farm!"
Another voice: "She brought those elephant ear pastries!They're amazing!"
"Pun girl?"Wren asked as they stepped aside for the next pair.
"That's what people are calling you," Mei-Lin said cheerfully."Better than 'cursed farm girl,' right?Now you're the pun farm girl with the magic plants.It didn’t hurt that you brought fun things to the festival.It’s hard to think someone is cursed when they feed you tasty treats.It’s good public relations."
The wheel spun again.Three—Legged Race
More pairs were drawn.Then:Lantern Riddles
"Chen Lian and...Viktor Andersen."
Wren watched as a pretty young woman in an elegant pink dress stepped forward.She was lovely, with delicate features, perfect posture, clearly well-bred.This was the woman Jin's mother wanted him to marry.
And her partner was Viktor.
Viktor caught Wren's eye across the crowd and smiled.Then he said something to Lian that made her blush and laugh.
"He's so smooth," Mei-Lin muttered."Makes my skin crawl."
"You don't like him?"
She made a face."He's charming and successful and everyone loves him.But he collects people like my father collects trade goods, only if they're useful."Mei-Lin watched him solve riddles with Lian, both of them laughing."Lyra spent two years thinking she was special.Then you showed up with land and suddenly she's disposable."
"I didn't ask for any of this."
"I know.That's why I like you."Mei-Lin squeezed her arm."You're genuine.Half these people are performing all the time."
The games continued.The wheel landed onBalance Challenge—partners had to carry water buckets across narrow beams without spilling.
