The table went quiet.
Zhao Wei broke the silence gently."Wren.Worst case scenario—everything is destroyed.You have seeds, yes?"
"Yes."
"And you have business connections now.A distribution partner."He smiled slightly."And you have friends.Support.You wouldn't be starting from nothing like you did a month ago."
"That's right," Mei-Lin added."Last time you were alone, scared, and had no idea what you were doing.Now you're experienced, connected, and," she grinned, "—you have me!So you're basically unstoppable."
Despite everything, Wren smiled."Thank you."
"Also," Kenji said, "your dandelions are terrifying and I'm pretty sure they'd eat Lyra if given the chance.So you have that going for you."
"Kenji!"Zhao Lin's voice was sharp, but there was the tiniest hint of amusement in her eyes.
"Sorry.No violence at dinner.I forgot."
The mood lightened.Conversation shifted to safer topics, like town gossip, business prospects and Mei-Lin's bakery plans.
Wren found herself relaxing, drawn into the family's easy rhythm.Zhao Wei's quiet wisdom, Mei-Lin's bright enthusiasm, Kenji's irreverent humor, even Zhao Lin's exacting standards had a certain comfort to them.
And Jin, sitting across from her, occasionally met her eyes with that serious, steady gaze that made her heart flip.
After dinner, they moved to the sitting room.Zhao Lin served tea while Mei-Lin convinced everyone to play a card game.
"I'm lucky, remember?"she announced."So I'll probably win."
"That seems unfair," Kenji complained.
"Life's unfair.Deal the cards."
They played for an hour, laughing and being competitive.Mei-Lin did win, twice, much to everyone's exasperation.
As the evening wound down, Wren found herself on the terrace with Jin, looking out at the darkening sky.
"Thank you," she said quietly."For helping today.For bringing me here."
"It's my job."
"Is it?"She looked at him directly."Is that all this is?"
He was quiet for a long moment.The sounds of the house behind them—Mei-Lin's laughter, dishes being cleared, Zhao Wei's low voice.
"No," he said finally."It's not all it is."
Her heart stuttered.
"But with the rumors, with everything happening..."He met her eyes."I don't want to make things harder for you.Give people more to talk about."
"I don't care what people say."
"You should.Reputation matters here."His expression was conflicted."And I won't be the reason yours is damaged further."
"So what are you saying?"
"I'm saying..."He looked out at the town, jaw tight."I'm saying I'm trying to be patient and do the right thing.But it's getting harder."
The admission hung between them, fragile and honest.
