He had cared for Arai, but probably not in the way that his sister might think. He'd never been in love with her; not in the way that he'd loved Bai Yue. The two of them shared a bond of understanding. Together they had learned to trust, and to share companionship again. Unfortunately, Arai's life was taken from her by the people who should have loved and supported her the most. And then they'd tried to take Lily as well. Wei Jian had not been able to save Arai's life, but he made sure to save her daughter. Jiao Li was right, the tiny child had seen traumatic, horrible things. That was why he'd sworn the child a life oath. Never again would she come to harm as long as he lived.
Jian knew he would have to explain the circumstances in greater detail later, but right now he gave himself this single moment to be content. His happiness was about to be short lived.
The sound of a door opening rooms away stirred the attention of all the adults present. Wei Jian caught the barely noticeable look of panic on Jiao Li's face as her eyes snapped up to stare into the kitchen. As the younger dragon turned, he saw Qing glance nervously at his sibling, and then at Lucky, before he ran out of the room. It was only seconds later than Bai Yue's voice rose in confusion. Wei Jian's heart began to hammer in his breast, his mind whirling with all of the possible outcomes of his fateful reunion. Lily must have sensed the tenseness radiating off of the adults because she asked for Lucky to let her down from her spot sitting on the counter. She immediately ran to Wei Jian, who lifted her into his arms as Qing returned following, and distracting, his own elder sister.