"Did your mother just willingly agree to buy from Wren?"Sara asked.
"She did."Mei-Lin was grinning."Quality wins every time.Mother can't resist genuinely good products, even if she disapproves of the source."
"Is that good or bad?"Wren asked.
"Good.Means she's considering you as a person instead of just 'that cursed farm girl.'"Mei-Lin folded the silk carefully."Give her time.She'll come around.Especially once Jin makes his intentions clear."
"What intentions?"
"Oh, please.You know exactly what intentions."
Back in the main room, they served birthday cake, a beautiful creation from the local bakery.Wren found herself next to Jin as they ate.
"Thank you for coming," he said quietly."I know my mother isn't...easy."
"She's protective of her family.I understand."
"She'll warm up to you."He paused."My father already likes you.And Mei-Lin is half in love with you already."
"Mei-Lin is wonderful."
"She is.And she has good instincts about people."He looked at Wren directly."She says you're going to be around for a long time."
"She mentioned her gift.Luck, probability sensing."
"And she's rarely wrong."His expression was serious."So if she says you're staying...you're staying."
The way he said it made it sound less like a prediction and more like a promise.
Before Wren could respond, Kenji called Jin over for something, and the moment passed, but as the party wound down and goodbyes were said, Wren felt something shift.She'd been welcomed into Jin's home.His father approved.His sister adored her.Even his mother had grudgingly acknowledged her value.
She was becoming part of his life...and finding she enjoyed it.
Viktors Visit
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