"I'm sorry I didn't have time to prepare a nicer place for us to talk," Andini said.She bowed her head humbly. Her voice was soft, yet it carried the calm composure of someone accustomed to dealing with important people.Under the golden-yellow glow of the lights, her features looked remarkably delicate. Nothing about her seemed excessive or artificial. The faint smile on her lips was just enough to make the room feel a little warmer.Susi quickly shook her head."No, no. This place is more than wonderful," she replied.Jaka, sitting next to his mother, nodded in agreement.To him, this private room at the Dewaya Restaurant was far from ordinary. Dark, highly polished wood panels lined the walls. The faint scent of warm tea mingled with the rich aroma of expensive food, lingering faintly in the air.Outside, the chatter of the other patrons was muffled, effectively blocked out by the thick door and the heavy fabric drapes hanging at the edges of the room.Several teacups sat neatly

"I only found out about this when I was fifteen," Andini said.Her voice was softer than before, but every word rang clear. She was no longer speaking like a business owner pitching a partnership. Right now, she sounded like someone peeling back a layer of her life she rarely showed anyone else."It turns out there are powerful individuals in this world who can manifest miracles."Jaka held his breath.Susi didn't move an inch.Andini continued, "In some places, they're called cultivators. Others call them martial artists, warriors, or something else entirely, depending on their environment and traditions."The word cultivator hung in the air.To most people, the term might sound like a fairy tale, a martial arts legend, or an impossible story straight out of an old novel. But to Jaka, the word felt far too close and real.Because he himself had become one."My father," Andini said, "is a cultivator."Jaka gave her his undivided attention."He's pretty incredible," Andini continued.

To break the awkward tension hardening in the air, Jaka shifted his gaze to Dina. "Ahem! Where's Dad?" he asked, trying to make his voice sound as normal as possible."He's still out in the orchard," Dina replied, pointing out the window with her thumb. "Looks like he won't be back until this evening."Jaka gave a slow nod, his mind racing to plan their next move. He turned to Andini, who was still looking down with a blank stare. "Got it. How about we head straight there?" he offered.Andini looked up, the flush in her cheeks having mostly faded. She gave a single, soft nod, almost entirely wordless."I'm coming too!" Dina suddenly shot her right hand into the air, taking a step forward to join them."No, you aren't," Susi cut in quickly. Her voice wasn't loud, but it held absolute authority. "You need to help me cook.""Ehhh..." Dina took a deep breath, gearing up to launch a barrage of protests. But the moment her eyes met Susi's, a flat, unyielding glare that brooked no argument,

The aroma of sautéed garlic and the lingering steam from the fluffy rice still hung in the air of the cramped dining room. Yellow incandescent light spilled from the ceiling, illuminating ceramic plates that had been wiped completely clean.Andini gently set her spoon down on her plate. She picked up a napkin and wiped the corners of her mouth with effortless elegance. Looking up, she met the eyes of the middle-aged woman across the table, who was busy gathering the empty serving bowls."Your cooking is absolutely delicious," Andini praised. Her voice trembled slightly, carrying a raw sincerity she rarely showed the outside world. "Honestly, it tastes far better than anything my personal five-star chef makes at home."Susi froze at the compliment. She wiped her palms on the faded checkered apron tied around her waist. The lines of exhaustion etched into the corners of her eyes softened instantly."Ara ara~" Susi laughed softly. A faint pink flush crept up her cheekbones, betraying the

Seeing Jaka's flustered reaction outside her car window, the embarrassment that had burned Andini's cheeks slowly faded. A sense of amusement took its place, warming her chest. The corners of her lips curled up slowly, painting a relieved smile that felt far more natural than before."See you again," Andini said, breaking the heavy silence. "I'll call you as soon as the test results are out."Jaka stopped rubbing the back of his head and gave a slow nod. "Alright. I'll be waiting."Andini pressed the ignition button. The European car's smooth engine purred to life with a low hum, sending a steady vibration down to the pavement below. Just as she reached for the gear shift, she remembered something."Oh, right. I'll send over a new phone tomorrow morning so it's easier for us to stay in touch." Andini looked back at Jaka through the window frame. "I'll get one for Dina, too. Make sure she accepts it."Jaka frowned, taking a half-step closer. "You don't need to go through all that troub