Chapter Text
Another quest in Wangshu Inn. The inn’s terrace reminded Lumine of the first time she met Xiao. His golden eyes would have been intimidating if he hadn’t sparked Lumine’s curiosity. Although she liked listening to people’s stories, she rarely was interested to that extent. When she saw Xiao for the first time, she was struck with his beauty. But there was something more about him that made her want to know more. To know everything about him. She wanted to understand the core of his being. Since then, she looked forward to every opportunity to meet him.
She went to the kitchen to take the quest. It was about delivering ingredients to the chef. When she was done, she thought she could try to make some almond tofu herself, so she bought necessary ingredients and asked the chef for some advice. She has mastered many dishes already and got complimented by Xiangling and other friends sometimes, so she didn’t doubt her cooking skills. This time, when Wangshu Inn’s chef said her almond tofu was perfect, she was more than happy.
She took the dish and went upstairs. The terrace was empty. She put the plate on the wooden railing and looked at the astonishing view. Well, she shouldn’t expect that he would appear like a cat the moment you have food for them…
‘You again?’ She heard behind her back and turned. Xiao was standing there with his arm crossed. He really came. His face looked serious, but she noticed his eyes jumping from her to the plate.
‘I was helping in the kitchen and I thought I could try making some…’ she handed him the plate. Xiao took a bite and looked at her. Was it good?
‘You always stick your nose everywhere you can, don’t you?’ She didn’t expect that coming.
‘Well, I’m the heroine of this game. Everyone asks me to pick flowers, deliver presents or messages,’ she replied and sighed, leaning on the railing.
‘Fixing stairs’ Xiao added.
‘Yeah’ she laughed. She did that a few days ago. ‘But it’s not bad. I get to know many people and their stories, explore every corner of this world. It’s fun.’
‘I see.’
Silence got long. Lumine tried to break it before it got too awkward.
‘I heard you helped a girl in Qingce Village.’ Xiao looked at her with a question in his eyes and a spoon in his mouth. Did her heart just jump? He looked so cute. ‘She told me you gave back her doll that was stolen by hilichurls,’ she added.
‘Oh, there was something like that.’
‘She said she’s going to make you smile when she meets you again.’ He huffed, but his face softened and Lumine almost saw a gentle smile in the corners of his lips. Almost.
‘Thank you for the meal.’
He put an empty plate down and disappeared in the wind.