gling，s　protective　presence　beside　her，　a　constant　reminder　that　they　were　in　this　together.

The　rest　of　the　evening　passed　in　a　blur.　Sukie　exchanged　pleasantries　with　the　guests，　her　mind　only　half　on　the　conversations.　She　could　feel　Xie　Tianxie，s　eyes　on　her，　his　presence　a　constant，　unsettling　reminder　of　the　danger　they　faced.

As　the　banquet　drew　to　a　close，　Han　Fengling　guided　her　to　a　quieter　corner　of　the　garden.　＂We　need　to　talk，＂　he　said　softly.

She　nodded，　her　heart　pounding.　＂I　know.＂

He　took　a　deep　breath，　his　eyes　filled　with　determination.　＂Sukie，　I　can，t　pretend　that　our　feelings　don，t　exist.　But　we　have　to　be　careful.　Xie　Tianxie　is　watching　us，　and　he，s　not　the　only　one.　We　need　to　find　a　way　to　protect　ourselves　and　our　family.＂

She　looked　up　at　him，　her　eyes　filled　with　tears.　＂What　do　we　do?＂

He　pulled　her　into　another　embrace，　his　voice　gentle　but　firm.　＂We　stay　strong.　We　stay　together.　And　we　fight　for　what　we　believe　in.＂