Xingyun Oneshots

37 - Xiangling's Guide to Romance!

Xiangling's eyes sparkled as she continued to add new, odd ingredients to the current dish she was concocting.

"This is sure to be my best dish yet!" She declared in a hushed whisper to Guoba as she stirred it.

"Mmm, I can't wait to-"

Interrupted by a knock at the entrance to the kitchen, she quickly turned around as Xingqiu lowered his fist from the doorway, with Chongyun in tow.

"Greetings, Xiangling. We were passing by with time on our hands, and we were wondering if you'd like to join us for lunch at Wangshu Inn." He offered.

"Oh! Sure, I'll come! I just need to finish this dish up quick, it has to cool down for a few hours anyways." She told him.

The two boys went to wait outside for a bit while Xiangling tidied up her supplies and set the dish aside so it could cool off.

"Alright! Are you ready to go great some tasty food Guoba?" She raised her hands to her hips, giving him a big smile.

He nodded excitedly and waddled outside, Xiangling following him out.

"Ready guys?" She asked the other two.

They got up from their place against the restaurant and the four of them were on their way to Wangshu Inn, chatting about anything that came to mind.

"So, what've you two been up to recently?" Xiangling asked.

"Well, Chongyun and I went to Wanwen Bookhouse a few days ago so he could prove a point." Xingqiu smirked, gazing at the other out of the corner of his eye while the other mumbled incoherently in discomfort.

"Oh?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Every time Xingqiu suggests I read to him, he always manages to pull out some embarrassing romance novel. So, I decided we should go and get him a book like that to read to me instead." Chongyun replied vehemently.

"And how did that go?" Xiangling asked cautiously.

"I had no trouble at all reading such a book. Though Chongyun's reaction was the highlight of the whole experience." Xingqiu smiled contently, struggling not to laugh.

"I don't know how you can keep a straight face while reading those things." Chongyun muttered, eyeing him suspiciously.

"Why were you two reading romance novels in the first place?" Xiangling inquired.

Xingqiu turned pink and set his eyes away from the other pairs. "Just, ah, trying something new."

"But there's a lot of other books we could read instead of romance novels." The exorcist accused.

"W-would you look at that, we're here!" Xingqiu said quickly, heading off to get them a table.

"What was that about?" Chongyun asked out loud.

"I'm not sure."

"Romance novels?" Xiangling thought. "Why would Xingqiu want him to read him those?"

She gasped.

"Unless they're..."

The three of them sat down at one of the tables in front of the Inn, putting in an order for their food when a waitress came by.

When it finally arrived, Xiangling and Xingqiu didn't hesitate to dig in while Chongyun sat patiently and waited for his to cool down.

"Did you want to try some of mine while you wait for yours to cool down, Yun? It's not hot or spicy, I swear." Xingqiu offered, crossing his fingers.