spirit || modern au chongtao fanfic

Chapter 4

Hu Tao decided that in this dire situation with a boy that may potentially have a crush on her, she would unleash her full pranking power.

"Heya, Qiu! Yunnie!" Hu Tao smiled, waving to both boys.

Chongyun kept silent, avoiding eye contact. Xingqiu was the one who responded.

"Getting dinner at Wanmin?"

Hu Tao nodded. "You bet! Say, wanna grab dinner together? You can bring Yunnie along as well!"

Chongyun winced. "I-I'm good-"

"Ol' Chongers over here would love to eat with us. It sounds good to me," Xingqiu replied.

Chongyun sighed. He finally made eye contact with Hu Tao only to see the mischievous grin on her face.

"God, she's so... ado--annoying! Annoying. How bothersome..." Chongyun looked away again, shutting his eyes. "Gather yourself, Chongyun... don't let her take over your thoughts... or you may break into your pure-yang state..."

"Hello? Earth to Chongie?" Hu Tao was extremely close to Chongyun's face. He could feel her warm breath.

"Gah!" Chongyun flinched backward. "Don't you know anything about personal space?"

"Well, it's your turn to order what you want," the girl responded.

Chongyun relaxed. "Oh."

As Chongyun ordered, Hu Tao giggled to herself. "His face was bright red... how cute."

After all three of the Vision bearers ordered their food, they went to sit at a table to eat. Chongyun quite disliked the fact there were only four chairs at each table. That meant he either had to sit next to Hu Tao or across from her, both options being less than optimal.

"Does this table look good?" Xingqiu asked.

Chongyun crossed his arms. "The table seems a bit small for the three of us..."

"We can always switch tables," Hu Tao said with a smile.

"That won't be necessary," Chongyun said firmly. "I can sit at another table."

And the boy did. He ate his food in silence, eavesdropping on Hu Tao and Xingqiu's conversations.

"So, how's school been lately?" Xingqiu asked curiously.

"Ehh, it's so boring! I can't fool around at all in school premises." Hu Tao made a 'humph' sort of sound.

"How about you, Xingqiu? How's school been for you?"

Xingqiu thought for a moment before responding. "Same as always, and it's really tiring having to stay all formal during class hours."

As the two chattered and ate, Chongyun sat alone. "Whatever," he thought to himself. "Better than being close to her..." But despite what he told himself, he only felt like a third wheel.

"What if Xingqiu is interested in her? What if they start dating?" Chongyun was unsettled by this. "No, no, Chongyun... why would you care anyway? She's just some annoying girl."

Xingqiu noticed Chongyun staring at Hu Tao, the cryo user's furrowed eyebrows indicating he was distressed.

Xingqiu only chuckled to himself, turning back to the girl, who had her mouth full of Jueyun Chili Fried Rice.

Seeing the pyro user enjoying her food, Xingqiu couldn't help but feel...

He smiled. "I see..." Looking back at Chongyun and his thoughtful gaze towards Hu Tao, he sighed wistfully and continued eating his food.

Xingqiu was wise, friendly, and could be charming if he tried. But he couldn't take this away from his best friend.

Glancing once again at Hu Tao, he felt an ache in his heart. "This isn't my love story. I know it's not..."

Soon enough, all three teenagers had finished their food and had to go back to their homes.

"See you guys soon!" Hu Tao waved goodbye to the two boys.

Xingqiu waved back. "Cya later, Tao!"

"Cya." Chongyun tentatively lifted his hand.

Hu Tao and the boys part ways, Hu Tao walking back with a bounce in her step and both boys walking home conflicted.

(A/N: hope you guys like this drama-filled chapter lol tell me what you think)