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"Ming-xiong!" Shi Qingxuan's smile grew wide as they ushered him closer. "There you are! Y'know, you've kept me waiting here for ages. I didn't know you were trying out the whole, 'fashionably late', thing. It suits you!"
"Hey, Qing." Ming Yi managed, watching them literally burst from excitement at those two words.
"Sooo, how's the birthday boy?" Shi Qingxuan gave Ming Yi a teasing nudge paired with their signature smile.
Ming Yi realized what he was called here for and sighed. "I told you I didn't want you to make a big deal out of it."
"Why not? It's your birthday! We should all celebrate another year of immortality and another year as a Heavenly Official!" They beamed. "Now let's head down. I made us some reservations at this cute little restaurant you're gonna absolutely adore." Shi Qingxuan tugged on his sleeve. "Let's go!"
"Reservations?" He raised a brow.
They waved off his concern. "I appeared in the restaurant owner's dreams and told him to leave that table open tonight." They left that as their answer and continue tugging him.
Ming Yi allowed himself to be pulled away and towards the plane of the worldly, if it meant that smile on Shi Qingxuan's face never left.
Suddenly, Shi Qingxuan stopped dragging Ming Yi. "Wait. We're not going like this." They gestured to the pair's male forms.
Ming Yi sighed, knowing it wouldn't be that easy to get away with it.
"Don't sigh at me." Shi Qingxuan huffed. "Ming-xiong likes it just as much as I do. You're just in denial."
They might be partly true about that, but Ming Yi was not going to admit it. Shi Qingxuan changed into their female form, Ming Yi quickly following.
The Wind Master produced a tube of lipstick and a mirror from their expansive sleeves. They begin to do their makeup, Ming Yi standing there and awkwardly watching.
Shi Qingxuan smacked their lips to distribute the lipstick. "You want some?" They ask.
Ming Yi shook her head but the makeup was being pushed into her hand nonetheless.
"Try it, you'll like it." They said without looking at her, too absorbed in fixing their eyelashes.
"I don't know how to use this thing." Ming Yi, frowned, looking at the tube of lipstick sitting in her hand.
Shi Qingxuan turned to her, stowing away her mirror. "Allow me." Their eyes lowered to Ming Yi's lips, and she all of a sudden felt very self-conscious.
"Hmm, let me try a darker shade. It'll match your robes better." They stuffed their hand back in their sleeve without shifting their gaze and produced a blackberry-tinted lipstick.
Slowly, their hand came up and applied the shade, Shi Qingxuan's eyes trained on Ming Yi's lips. They put back the lipstick, standing back with a pleased smile.
"How do you like it?"
Ming Yi opened and closed her mouth like a fish, trying to overcome her flustered state. "It's...nice." She spoke. "It feels a little weird."
"You'll get used to it. Now let's go!" Shi Qingxuan grabbed Ming Yi's wrist, continuing their commute down from heaven. "We'll definitely be late now!"
—:—|—:—
The pair entered a restaurant, invisible to all the mortals sitting in it. The night and the city were very alive. There seemed to be a festival of some sort, but for what Ming Yi was unaware.
Tasty smells wafted through the cozy restaurant. She took a seat across from Shi Qingxuan in an empty booth.
They patted the table. "See, they left a table for us!"
"Are you sure it's not just an empty table?" She said, but was interrupted by a man speaking.
"Yes, yes! I'm not lying to you. I was going to bed like any other day, and in my dreams—I kid you not—Shi Qingxuan appeared! She is exceedingly elegant and gorgeous!"
"What did she ask for?"
"She asked for me to leave a table empty and place my best dishes on it around this time, and any prayer I make shall be fulfilled!"
The group listening laughed at him. "Yeah right, old man. What official would ask for such a thing? You totally got scammed!" Another round of laughter.
The man frowned. "Well, you'll all see it when my restaurant grows bountiful and your mother breaks her hip. Hmph!" He turned on his heel and walked off.
Ming Yi turned back to Shi Qingxuan, who shrugged apologetically. "Small price to pay for free food."
When they offered no further explanation, Ming Yi sighed. "I guess our table is over there, then."
The table she was referring to was full of steaming hot pots and plates of food yet completely vacant. Rich cuts of meat and expensive produce were included in every dish and Ming Yi couldn't stop her mouth from watering.
The two get up and move to the new table.
"Do you think anyone will notice if the food goes missing?" Ming Yi asked.
"Pssh, no way. Everyone is way too busy eating their own food. Besides, it would prove that old guy right." They grinned.
That was enough of a reason for Ming Yi to begin digging in. She relished the perfectly cooked and seasoned food, no doubt from high skill and lots of dedication and practice. The flavours danced on her tongue and Ming Yi barely got a word out as she indulged in the fine delicacies the owner had provided for her.
"It seems I've picked a wonderful present." Shi Qingxuan smiled as they watched her, Ming Yi too engrossed to notice her.
Shi Qingxuan poked their chopsticks into several of the dishes, simply tasting and trying a few to allow Ming Yi the majority of them.
It was almost entertainment in itself to watch Ming Yi eat. It was like she was a bottomless hole that could never be filled. Her lipstick was completely lost from her lips, most likely ingested.
Shi Qingxuan beamed. "Is my Ming-xiong enjoying her meal?"
Ming Yi managed to offer a small nod of her head this time, cleaning out yet another bowl.
"I hate to interrupt you, but there's something I've always wanted to try." They grinned and got up from the booth.
Ming Yi paused in confusion, chopsticks in one hand and bowl in the other.
"Excuse me, everyone!" Shi Qingxuan called.
No one quieted down, obviously, as they were invisible to mortals, but the conversation was already fairly quiet so the job was done.
"Today, someone very special to me—my Ming-xiong—has turned another year older!" They paused to clap and cheer. "For years we have been best friends and you've always been by my side, no matter how much you 'claim to hate it'. You've supported me through everything, in my female and male form, even joining me eventually. I...I want you to know that I cherish you and everything you do for me and I admire you, truly. And I...I...," their cheery expression faltered for a moment and their brows furrowed in frustration, "...nevermind. It's not important. Anyways, happy birthday to my Ming-xiong, and here's to many more!"
They raised their cup in the air, laughing. "And the crowd goes wild!"
Ming Yi smiled, getting up from her seat to face Shi Qingxuan properly. "Thank you. For all of this."
"Least I can do for my best friend, right?" They smiled back. "That's not all though! There's plenty more we should do!"
Shi Qingxuan grabbed her hand and tugged her out of the restaurant. They almost broke into a sprint as they tugged her down the street.
"But I wasn't finished eating—,"
"There's so much food out here, jiejie! Look around!"
Ming Yi turned away from Shi Qingxuan and up at the sights surrounded the pair.
She looked up at the colourful lanterns and streamer strung along the houses. Stands lined the streets emitting warm smells and packed with street food. Shi Qingxuan probably knew what festival this was, but Ming Yi was too absorbed in the sight to care.
"Isn't it beautiful?" Shi Qingxuan finally stopped running, huffing and puffing. "I remember going to these as a kid. I miss it."
Ming Yi directed her gaze down towards the Wind Master, absentmindedly nodding at their words. She was captivated with their expression.
Stars seemed to sparkle in their eyes, mouth open in a constant smile. Their whisk was forgotten in their hand.
They turned to Ming Yi, stuffing a hand down their sleeve. They pulled out a tube of lipstick. "It got messed up when you were eating. May I?"
Ming Yi nodded. Shi Qingxuan grabbed her jaw, pulling her face down to their level. She could feel the pigment smearing along her lips. Ming Yi watched Shi Qingxuan's furrowed brows and the tongue poking out the side of their mouth as they perfected their application.
"All done." They released Ming Yi from their grip, stowing away the lipstick.
"Warn me before you grab me like that." She grumbled, dusting off her robes.
They nodded. "Let's go find something to eat."
Ming Yi had no objections and followed them along the street. "And just how do you expect to pay?"
They looked up at her. "I don't!" Shi Qingxuan reached over and grabbed two skewers of bing tanghulu. They handed one to Ming Yi, who accepted it.
"I don't think I need to tell you that stealing is bad." Ming Yi pulled a haw off the skewer, chewing with a frown.
"Don't be like that, Ming-xiong!" Shi Qingxuan threw their arms around her. They pulled back. "I'll make it up to you." They wiggled their brows.
"Huh? What do you mean?" Ming Yi halted her chewing and blushed. A glance to her side confirmed Shi Qingxuan looking up at her expectantly.
"Merits, of course! How many do you want?" Shi Qingxuan grinned. "What were you thinking of?"
Ming Yi looked in the opposite direction and flushed deeper. She directed her attention to the tanghulu in her hand.
The Wind Master gasped. "Ming-xiong!" They exclaimed followed by a teasing shove of her shoulder. "I didn't know you were so dirty-minded."
"You're the one who phrased it like that." Ming Yi mumbled.
"Whatever you say." They waved off her rebuttal. "Besides, it isn't even really stealing." Shi Qingxuan said while chewing on a candied haw. "This is your festival after all."
"...my festival?" She looked over at them, confused.
Shi Qingxuan smiled. "Yes, your festival. It is your birthday after all. Did you think I would just bring you to a random festival?" They gestured widely to the street. "All these people are celebrating this special day with you."
"That's great." Ming Yi nodded, directing her attention back to the last pieces of tanghulu.
Shi Qingxuan's smile faltered. "Was that not great enough of a gesture?"
She looked up. "No, it is. It's great. Thank you, again."
They both stopped walking. Ming Yi looked down into Shi Qingxuan's sparkling eyes.
"I feel like I'm not saying thank you enough, honestly. This whole night has been spectacular. Thank you for all that you do for me." She bravely placed a hand on their shoulder.
"That means a lot, jiejie." They smiled. "To be honest, doing this was a lot of work. I had to make reservations, find entertainment. There aren't many of these festivals, and I wanted one near a restaurant. So much work. Ling Wen got very annoyed with me." They sighed.
She leaned down and pressed her lips to their forehead. "Thank you for the trouble, then." She pulled back, suddenly breaking out into laughter.
"What? What is it?" Shi Qingxuan asked, eyes wide.
"You have a lipstick mark on your forehead." She smiled. "Here, let me wipe it."
Ming Yi reached out to clean the mark, but Shi Qingxuan grabbed her wrist to stop her. They leaned up and kissed Ming Yi's forehead.
"There, now we're matching." They grinned.
Ming Yi looked down at Shi Qingxuan, the pair falling silent.
Suddenly, Shi Qingxuan was pressed against a street food cart, the stall rocking slightly with the force. A couple mortals yelped in a surprise.
"What happened to lying low?" Shi Qingxuan teased.
Ming Yi smiled. "Change of plans."
Her lips were on theirs. It was wonderful. The bustle of people around them and the sounds of sizzling food and stall owners calling their prices. The lanterns swung above them along with the streamers that fluttered in the cool summer wind. The black night sky shone above them.
Shi Qingxuan's lips tasted slightly of sugar. That sickly sweet taste made Ming Yi's knees go weak. Her hands came up to hold their waist. They were so close that their chests were almost pressing together.
Shi Qingxuan's hands settled just under Ming Yi's shoulders and were squished between the pair. They smelt like a fresh breeze. That scent always hung on them no matter where they were. Ming Yi loved it. She loved getting close and catching it on their skin.
Ming Yi pulled away, looking down at Shi Qingxuan. Their eyes were hazy and lips coated in a sheen of saliva.
"Now this is the best birthday present I could ask for." She grinned.
Shi Qingxuan looked away, blushing. "Since when did you get so smooth?"
"Just now."
They paused. "...happy birthday."
"Thank you, Qing."