Birthday Party
––––––––
THE ZHAO FAMILY HOME was warm and welcoming, with lanterns lit in the evening dusk and the sound of laughter spilling from the open windows.
Wren stood at the door, clutching her gift, a package containing a nightgown, chemise, and matching stockings, all in a soft lavender that she thought would suit Mei-Lin.
She was trying not to be nervous. This was Jin's home.
His family, and especially his mother, who already disapproved of her, were inside. It was a little intimidating.
"Stop fidgeting," Sara whispered beside her. They'd met at the shop so they could arrive together. "You look beautiful. The gift is perfect, and Mei-Lin specifically invited you."
Before Wren could respond, the door opened.
Mei-Lin beamed at them. "You're here! Come in, come in!"
The interior was lovely, with comfortable furniture, good quality but not ostentatious. Warm woods, soft lighting, the smell of good food were the first impressions. A home that had risen from lower to middle class and was proud of it.
Several people were already there. Kenji was standing near the fireplace with Jin, Sara's uncle, the cheese merchant and her husband, and Mei-Lin's parents.
Zhao Wei, Jin's father, approached immediately with a welcoming smile. "You must be Wren! I've heard a great deal about you. Please, come in."
He was kind-faced, with the comfortable confidence of a successful merchant. Nothing like the calculating intensity of Viktor or the stern authority of Jin.
"Thank you for having me," Wren said.
"Of course! Any friend of Mei-Lin's is welcome here." He led them toward a refreshment table. "My daughter speaks very highly of you."
Zhao Lin, Jin's mother, was across the room in conversation with another guest, but Wren felt her gaze like a physical weight, assessing...judging.
"Ignore her," Mei-Lin whispered, appearing at Wren's elbow. "She's in 'hostess mode.' Can't be too rude with guests watching."
"Happy birthday," Wren said, offering the wrapped package. "But maybe... open this later? With just the ladies?"
Mei-Lin's eyes lit up with understanding. "Silk items?"
"Yes."
"Oh, Mother's going to hate that she can't criticize them." Mei-Lin grinned wickedly. "Perfect. Come on, let me introduce you to everyone properly."
The next hour passed in pleasant conversation. Zhao Wei asked intelligent questions about her farming methods and seemed genuinely impressed by the pun plant concept. The cheese merchant's husband wanted to know if she could grow anything dairy-related beyond the milkweed.
"I haven't tried yet, but there might be something," Wren admitted. "I'm still discovering new seeds."
Kenji regaled them with the story of the dogwood disaster, making everyone laugh. "Ten minutes of non-stop barking! The guards thought someone was being murdered!"
"It was horrible," Wren said, laughing despite herself. "I had to uproot it immediately."
"Not all experiments work," Zhao Wei said philosophically. "That's the nature of innovation. The key is learning from failures."
Across the room, Jin was watching her. Not obviously, since he was ostensibly in conversation with another guest, but she could feel his attention. When their eyes met, he gave her that almost-smile. The one that made her heart flip.
Zhao Lin appeared at Wren's elbow with impeccable timing. "Miss Wren. How... festive of you to join us."
"Thank you for having me, Mrs. Zhao."
"Mei-Lin insisted." The words were polite but the tone made it clear whose idea this had actually been. "I understand you've been in town just over two weeks now?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Quite an achievement, surviving so long on that property. Most don't last even one week." Zhao Lin's smile didn't reach her eyes. "Of course, two weeks is still... early."
"Mother," Jin said, appearing beside them with perfect timing. "Wren's been doing remarkably well. Her trade relationships are solid, her property is thriving, and she's integrated into the community faster than most newcomers."
"Yes, I've noticed how quickly she's made... connections." Zhao Lin's gaze flicked between them. "Very efficient." The barb was subtle but clear.
Before the conversation could get more uncomfortable, Mei-Lin clapped her hands. "All right ladies! Time for gifts!" She directed the ladies to follow her to a smaller sitting room. "Girl time!" she announced, motioning for the men to stay in the main room.
Wren found herself in a cozy space with Mei-Lin, Sara, the cheese merchant, and reluctantly, Zhao Lin.
Mei-Lin opened gifts enthusiastically. Sara had brought beautiful hair combs. The cheese merchant gave her a cookbook with family recipes.
Then Mei-Lin opened Wren's package. The silk spilled out, catching the lamplight. Lavender nightgown with delicate embroidery, matching chemise, stockings so fine they were almost translucent.
The room went silent.
"Oh," Mei-Lin breathed, holding up the nightgown. "Wren, this is exquisite."
"From your silk trees?" the cheese merchant asked, touching the fabric reverently. "I've heard about these but never seen them up close."
"Yes. I thought the color would suit you."
"It's perfect." Mei-Lin hugged her impulsively. "This is the best gift. Thank you!"
Even Zhao Lin couldn't hide her reaction. She reached out to touch the fabric, and Wren saw the moment she registered the quality. "This is... very fine," she said slowly. "Madame Lin's work?"
"The tree grows them complete," Wren explained. "No sewing needed. The magic creates the whole garment."
"Remarkable." Zhao Lin's tone was grudging but genuine. "I can see why Madame Lin is so eager for your supply. This quality..." She trailed off, clearly struggling between disapproval of Wren and appreciation for exceptional silk.
"Mother's been trying to commission Madame Lin for months," Mei-Lin said, eyes dancing with mischief. "But there's a waiting list now.”
Zhao Lin's lips pressed into a thin line, but couldn’t resist the silk’s allure. "Perhaps," she said carefully, "we could discuss a private commission. For family use, of course. I would pay a fair market rate."
Wren blinked. Was Jin's mother actually asking to do business with her? "I... yes, of course. I'd be happy to."
"Excellent." Zhao Lin stood, smoothing her skirts. "We can discuss details another time. Mei-Lin, dear, we should serve the cake soon."
She left, and the other women let out collective breaths.
"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.