Chapter Text
It was just another delivery for Yip Gaming when he met her.
He was walking down Liyue Harbor carrying stage props for the Yun-Han Opera Troupe. Their latest performance was about the founding of Liyue and its co-rulers, Rex Lapis and Guizhong. Normally delivering packages wasn’t part of his responsibilities as a guard, but the merchants he was escorting were middle aged and he didn’t want them to strain themselves carrying such heavy packages. One should respect and aid their elders whenever they can!
Climbing up the stairs to Heyu Teahouse, Gaming noticed a crowd forming around the stage.
“Oh, is Master Liu Siu performing today?” Gaming wondered, trying to get a good angle to listen to. That’s odd, the crowd seemed much thicker than usual, is this a new story or something.
While Heyu Teahouse was popular for its unique stories of Liyue’s myths and histories and maintained a constant audience, there was a far greater feeling of anticipation and excitement. No offense to Master Liu Siu’s oratory skills, but he had a bad habit of telling unfinished stories in between performances.
Then, like a lever was flipped, the murmuring crowd began to quiet as a tense silence enveloped the stage.
Suddenly, Gaming began to hear music from various instruments. The plucking of erhu strings and the soft melodies of flutes began to fill the air.
“Wow,” thought Gaming, “Master Liu Siu’s really going all out this time!” Finally reaching a vantage point on a rooftop, Gaming had the perfect view of this new story.
His future musings immediately cut out once he heard the most beautiful voice he ever heard cut through the air. It was sharp, yet it never wavered as his eyes laid upon the origin of this melody.
Gaming’s eyes widened as he saw the epitome of grace enter the stage. Jet-black hair with purple highlights framed a delicately soft face. Her porcelain white makeup and bright red lipstick made her look like one of the beautiful princesses he heard of in old folktales. He had heard of this young lady before, the young director of the Yun-Han Opera Troupe, head of the Yun family, and most renowned figure in Liyue Harbor (besides the adepti, the Qixing, and the Geo Archon of course).
Yun Jin.
He admired her dedication to opera and how, despite being around the same age as him, she brings people to adore the virtues of opera. Gaming wished that he could do the same for Wushu dance, and somewhat envied her talent. He immediately regretted the thought, as he knows that she puts as much work into her music as the rest of her troupe (Stupid Gaming!)
Before he could berate himself further, his Shani companion Man Chai nuzzled against his head, drawing his attention back to Yun Jin’s performance.
He had only seen a few of her shows, yet each time they were nothing short of breathtaking. Her melodic voice was complemented by her simple yet elegant dance moves as she wove a tale of the Adepti during the archon war.
Yet Gaming couldn't pay attention. Too entranced was he in Yun Jin to even notice the content of the story. Her porcelain-like skin and rich, yet not overbearing makeup made her almost doll-like and he found himself forgetting why he came to Liyue Harbor in the first place.
---
Eventually, when the performance came to a close with thunderous applause and cheers from the audience, did Gaming remember his purpose for coming to Heyu Teahouse.
Grabbing the package of props, he slowly broke out of his stupor and made his way off the rooftop towards Yun Jin, who was speaking with a few members of the audience still remaining.
“Um… Miss Yun Jin!” Gaming blurted, cursing himself for his cracking voice.
Turning her head, Gaming took notice of how he only ever really saw Yun Jin from a distance. If she was pretty from afar, then she was downright mesmerizing up close, that he found his voice caught in his throat.
Yun Jin began to open her mouth, yet before a word to leave those bright red lips, a harsh voice interrupted them.
“Excuse me, what business do you have with Miss Yun Jin?”
A tall woman in a purple dress who Yun Jin was speaking with stood between them, a scowl on her face. She had an intense aura around her, and was coming at Gaming like she saw him as a threat to Yun Jin.
Gaming attempted to defuse her sour mood, “W-well… I came to deliver a package for-“
“All gifts are to be made to the Yun-Han Opera Troupe,” the haughty woman interrupted, “Miss Yun Jin gets lots of gifts from admirers and we cannot make any exceptions for her safety,” as she began ushering Yun Jin from the area.
‘Wait! I still have a delivery to make.’ Gaming might be a Wushu dancer first, but he was also a guard for the Sword and Strongbox Secure Transport Agency. He couldn’t afford to mess up a job or let his company down.
Yet before he could do anything, Man Chai came out barking, startling everyone.
“Man Chai?!” Gaming gasped, he had never acted out like this before. Before he could retrieve the suanni, Man Chai was already speeding towards Yun Jin.
“Gah what is that thing?” The woman in purple screeched, attempting to shield Yun Jin with her body. Yet Yun Jin was already gone, rushing towards the two woman.
“Ah!”
“Miss Yun Jin!”
Despite looking like the two would collide, Yun Jin managed to catch Man Chai in her hands. Once in her arms, the suanni immediately ceased its movement and began settling itself comfortably in her presence.
Gaming was mortified. Man Chai was normally a rambunctious buddy, yet here he was snuggling in the arms of Liyue’s biggest celebrity. This was supposed to be a simple job.
He was ready to kneel and let out a flood of apologies before laying eyes on Yun Jin’s face. He was expecting her to be upset at him for causing such disruption or at the very least for Man Chai dirtying her pristine clothes.
What he did not expect was for her to be softly laughing. It was short and soft, yet it was just as beautiful as her singing. Hearing it made Gaming feel warm and wished it would last longer.
Finally she faced him, “I believe this little one belongs to you,” as she cradled the cheeky Man Chai, who was sticking its tongue out.
Grrr… you were planning this from the start weren’t you?!
Despite wanting to scold the unruly suanni, Gaming was preoccupied trying not to make a bigger fool of himself in front of his idol. Well, not a bigger fool at any rate.
“Yes! I mean- no! I- I am deeply sorry for the inconvenience! Please allow me to pay for damages to your clothing and-“
“There’s no need for that,” she politely said. “You’re Gaming, yes?”
Gaming was speechless, “You know my name?” The Yun Jin knows who he is?!
“Of course. I saw your dance during the Lantern Rite. The use of xiao lanterns to make a tower was an ingenious idea. Your Wushu lion head was an amazing spectacle that drew my eyes no matter where you were. I couldn’t stop thinking of it since,” Yun Jin stated, her face placid and tone maintaining its polite tone. Yet in her eyes he saw her glowing with sincerity.
Yun Jin remembers him.
Yun Jin liked his dance.
Yun Jin likes Wushu.
He felt light-headed, his face warm and heart beating in his ears that he barely heard the woman in purple say, “Miss Yun Jin are you alright?!”
Keeping her tone even, Yun Jin said, “Everything is fine Yunning, there’s nothing to worry about.”
“But…” the woman in purple, apparently Yunning, started casting a suspicious glare towards a flinching Gaming.
“Oh! Are those the props we requested for our next performance?” Yun Jin prompted, pointing at the box in Gaming’s hands.
“Y-yes! I’m a guard from the Sword and Strongbox Secure Transport Agency. I was helping deliver this package to your troupe,” Gaming said, finally regaining his bearings.
“See Yunning,” Yun Jin turned towards her compatriot, “he’s no rabid fan, just someone doing his job.”
The aforementioned woman turned away in a huff, though Gaming thought he could hear her mutter, “Then he should have just said that at the start,” as the rest of the crowd vanished, leaving only him and Yun Jin.
Wait…
He’s alone with Yun Jin!!!
“I must offer my apologies for Yunning’s attitude towards you,” Yun Jin started, "She's overprotective, but as my manager she has my best interests at heart.”
“No, no it was my fault for not explaining myself earlier!” Gaming didn’t want her to put any blame on herself.
“Ah…”
He did it again. He’s making a fool of himself in front of Yun Jin. Why’s he acting so out of sorts today?
Thinking he’s messed up enough already, Gaming was prepared to leave, but he was stopped by Yun Jin shouting, “Wait!”
Wondering if she was going to scold him for his rudeness, but was completely blindsided by her next words.
“If you have the time,” Yun Jin started, suddenly gaining a bashful expression, “ I was wondering if you would like to have dinner with me some time.”
…
…….
………………..
Eh?
Did he hear that correctly? Was he just asked out by Yun Jin?
Did Yun Jin just ask him out on a date?!?!?!
“Ah, I misspoke. I meant that I wanted to discuss your Wushu techniques and if they can be incorporated into my opera. In return I’ll offer my advice on how you could spread the popularity of Wushu in Liyue. I think we could learn a lot from each other.” Yun Jin finished hurriedly.
Oh…
For the nth time today, Gaming felt like an idiot. Of course she was only asking him for business reasons. He shouldn’t have gotten his hopes up with such unreasonable, and frankly rude, expectations.
Yet, he could see the opportunity to improve Wushu’s reputation. A big name like Yun Jin lending her support to his cause could mean something big for him. He really did take some business acumen from his dad after all.
Plus at the very least, he could at least hang out with Yun Jin, who knows at the end of this they could even be friends! He could be happy with just that (You should be, what else do you want out of this, hm?)
With a smile Gaming gave his reply, “I look forward to it.”
In his head, Gaming only had one thought in his head,
Somebody pinch me!