"I look… a bit older." Jian whispered, eyes still on his reflection.
Behind him, Xing Yu gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. "In Gia, we… Farians mature faster. By fifteen, we're considered adults."
Jian turned slightly, then gave a soft scoff. "So what does that make me? An adult?" He looked over his shoulder at Xing Yu with a crooked grin. "Does that mean I can drink now?"
For a split second, Xing Yu's neutral expression faltered. It was subtle—the twitch of an eyebrow, a small intake of breath. He clearly hadn't expected humor from Jian so soon. Still, he gathered himself and replied with calm, "We don't really… drink the same way humans do. Alcohol from grapes isn't cultivated on Gia—grapes don't even grow on our planet. But we ferment a fruit called saranith during moon festivals. It has a mild intoxicating effect."
Jian's eyebrows rose, intrigued. "Saranith," he repeated. "That sounds fancy."
Xing Yu's mouth curved faintly—not quite a smile, but close.
