Lu Qi Zhen took the document.
"May I ask you a question?" She looked at Hesta somewhat nervously. "Why... are you helping us? If this gets exposed and the Baron holds us accountable—"
"I'm not helping all of you. I'm helping you," Hesta corrected her.
"Huh?"
"When Chloe escaped last time, if you hadn't promptly kept Tulan informed, I wouldn't have had such a complete grasp of the situation." Hesta's voice carried a smile. "You did very well before, so I trust you'll do just as well going forward. Besides, there's Jahadorei. It would be good for you to take her into the city more often... After tonight's show, will you be staying there, or?"
"We'll stay in the city for one night," Lu Qi Zhen quickly replied. "We'll come back first thing tomorrow morning. We won't be gone long."
"No need to rush. Have Chloe take you around the nearby market. Ende and Zoe would probably be interested too," Hesta said. "Just be back at the farm before noon tomorrow. If anything comes up, call back anytime—do you have my number?"
Lu Qi Zhen did not answer immediately. She looked at Hesta. "...I only have the landline number for your study."
Hesta pulled a business card from her pocket. "My cell number is on it."
A brief silence fell over the room. Lu Qi Zhen looked up to find both Silei and Hesta watching her. Their gazes were easy and warm, and Lu Qi Zhen was suddenly touched.
Hesta interlaced her fingers and looked up at her. "Is there anything else?"
"...No. Thank you."
"Have fun!" Silei added.
"Thank you!"
Lu Qi Zhen walked to the door and naturally looked back as she closed it. She heard Silei seem to tease Hesta about something, making Hesta laugh several times