Work Text:
🌾🍊Yushi Huang Friday, 11:21 am
do you want to go to the mall tomorrow? a new bookstore just opened :>
📜Ling Wen Friday, 11:23 am
Ok. What time?
🌾🍊Yushi Huang Friday, 11:23 am
hmmm maybe around 3 pm? i can pick you up
📜Ling Wen Friday, 11:25 am
Sounds good. I’ve got to go now, paperwork is calling.
🌾🍊Yushi Huang Friday, 11:26 am
awww ok :(
✦✦✦
Ling Wen’s phone pinged, a cheery and high tone compared to her mood. Jun Wu had been piling more and more work on her recently.
🌾🍊Yushi Huang Saturday, 3:06 pm
i’m here!!
Ling Wen sent a text in return.
📜Ling Wen Saturday, 3:06 pm
I’m coming down, be there in a minute.
She clicked the off button and shoved her phone in her pocket. Grabbing her purse and throwing her shoes on, she checked her appearance in the mirror once more.
Long, black hair carefully styled into an intricate half-bun and a navy blue shirt tucked into black jeans. Casual enough for a date, but formal enough for Ling Wen’s taste. She preferred to look her best at all times.
Locking the door of her apartment, she walked down the winding stairs until she arrived at the street. She was quickly greeted by the sight of Yushi Huang’s smile through the rolled-down window of her car. Streaks of dirt were splattered across the bottom and onto the wheels, as expected.
You ready? Yushi Huang signed when Ling Wen climbed into the car. Ling Wen nodded without a word.
The two settled into silence. It was peaceful, something Ling Wen wished for more often. She let the stress of work flow over her like a river, replacing the stinging, salty water with pleasant fresh water.
She stared at her girlfriend. Yushi Huang was wearing a light green dress, a far cry from the typical jeans a t-shirt she typically wore. Around her neck dangled a thing gold chain, which only drew Ling Wen’s gaze to the scar that encircled Yushi Huang’s neck like a choker.
Ling Wen didn’t know all the details as to how Yushi Huang ended up with the scar. She knew there had been a scandal all over the news, involving one of her best friends — Pei Ming — and a failed suicide attempt. But Yushi Huang didn’t talk about it much. Well, Yushi Huang didn’t talk at all, period. Whatever incident caused the healed slit over her throat damaged her vocal cords and subsequently, her ability to talk.
But that didn’t matter. Ling Wen didn’t feel any need to talk an excessive amount, she didn’t weigh her relationship's value on how much Yushi Huang spoke. To simply sit with the woman she loved, to know that she was loved back, was enough.
✦✦✦
The two walked into the large bookshop. The shop was empty, at least as far as Ling Wen could see. Bookshelves crowded every inch of space, with just enough left over to walk between. Large signs hung from the ceiling to point buyers towards different genres.
“Where do you want to go first?” Ling Wen turned towards Yushi Huang. Yushi Huang scanned the signs.
Can I see if they carry my favorite series here? The next book came out! She signed.
A rare smile spread across Ling Wen’s face. “Of course.”
Ling Wen suspected she knew which book Yushi Huang was talking about. Yushi Huang had sent many texts at odd hours ranting about it, usually along the lines of “why don’t they realize they love each other?? it’s so obvious!!”
Yushi Huang kept glancing up at the signs until they reached a rather large section labeled Romance. She clearly knew how to navigate, even if Ling Wen was staring blindly at each of the books. Most of them depicted a flowery cover with a title she’d never seen before.
Yushi Huang stopped. In front of them stood a wall of books with brown, rusty, looking covers.
“What’s this?” Ling Wen asked.
It’s a historical romance! But it's already the third book and they just realized they love each other. Yushi Huang picked up another. This is the fourth book. It’s both the final battle and the big romantic conclusion! She struggled to move her hands with a book tucked under one arm.
And the best part is, it’s historically accurate! The author clearly knew what they were doing…
Ling Wen’s eyes grew soft as she watched her girlfriend. It was always nice to see her so passionate about what she loved.
Oh! Please, will you read it? I have no other friends who like to read, let alone this. She gestured towards her book.
“Hm. I mean-” Ling Wen paused, reluctant. She didn’t enjoy romance very much, Sci-Fi and action were more up her alley.
You don’t have to if you don’t want to! Yushi Huang rushed. I don’t mind, I know you don’t enjoy the mushy stuff.
“No, no! I’d be happy to read it, but,” Ling Wen scanned the signs, just to make sure, “If I read this, will you read something of my choice?”
Sure!
Yushi Huang grabbed another book off the shelf – presumably the first – and handed it to Ling Wen.
Weaving through the bookshelves, Ling Wen led Yushi Huang towards the Sci-Fi section. Praying they carried her favorite author’s books, she scanned the shelves.
“Here it is,” Ling Wen plucked it off the shelf. Checking once more to make sure it was the right one, she showed it off. “It’s set in the future, with a heavy focus on technology advancements and the horror of humanity depending on AI.”
Yushi Huang shifted as Ling Wen described the book. Its cover was dark, with jagged blue lines running across the cover.
“Yes, I know you don’t like much tech and fighting, but there is a romantic subplot and it’s not too bad?” Ling Wen offered. Yushi Huang sighed, and took the book.
While Yushi Huang paid for her book, Ling Wen started to skin through her own. Sure, she usually didn’t like romance stories that much, but since her girlfriend liked it so much, she should try.
✦✦✦
🌾🍊Yushi Huang Tuesday, 7:06 pm
omg !! i love the way the elders are so frustrated at the kids !!
🌾🍊Yushi Huang Tuesday, 7:06 pm
its so cute, but so sad.
🌾🍊Yushi Huang Tuesday, 7:07 pm
they should teach their grandma how to use a computer :>
📜Ling Wen Tuesday, 7:12 pm
Yeah, I won’t spoil it, but it’s a pretty fun detail.
🌾🍊Yushi Huang Tuesday, 7:13 pm
:0 oh no.
🌾🍊Yushi Huang Tuesday, 7:13 pm
how’re you enjoying the book ?
📜Ling Wen Tuesday, 7:14 pm
Its…surprising good. It's pretty obvious who she’s going to fall for though.
🌾🍊Yushi Huang Tuesday, 7:16 pm
really?? i didnt think so
🌾🍊Yushi Huang Tuesday, 7:16 pm
wait who do u think she’s going to fall for
📜Ling Wen Tuesday, 7:17 pm
Oh. Now I feel like I’m going to be wrong.
🌾🍊Yushi Huang Tuesday, 7:17 pm
😭