Mixed Robes [FengQing]

Dinner

Mu Qing had prepared the dough earlier. 

Now, he was kneading and kneading the dough like his life depended on it. The broth was gently boiling, and he had flour dusted on his cheeks and eyelashes. 

"Get a pot and boil water in it," Mu Qing told Feng Xin. Feng Xin nodded and did as he said. Mu Qing continued to pull and press the dough. Soon, he had dozens of noodles ready to be boiled. He dusted them off a little and set them in the boiling water that Feng Xin prepared. Waiting for a little bit, he clapped his hands together, flour puffing off from the contact. Feng Xin walked over and lightly brushed Mu Qing's cheek to get rid of the flour on it. Mu Qing gave a gentle smile and held Feng Xin's hand in place.

"Hey, if you leave my hand like this, your face is still going to be dusty," Feng Xin said. Mu Qing just let go and presented his face to Feng Xin to wipe. Feng Xin grabbed a spare handkerchief and gently wiped Mu Qing's face. When he was done, he lightly patted Mu Qing's cheek. Mu Qing turned back and fished out the ready noodles in the boiling water. He placed the noodles into four individual large bowls, hot and steaming. He boiled the broth a little longer until it turned into a nice shade of light red and put out the fire underneath. Soon, a gentle knock came from the door.

"Mu Qing? Feng Xin? Can we come in?" Someone asked. Of course, it was Xie Lian. 

"Go ahead. The door's unlocked," Feng Xin said nonchalantly. Xie Lian came in with Hua Cheng right behind him in his San Lang form. 

"Thanks for letting us come for dinner!" Xie Lian said, sitting down at the table. Feng Xin lightly grinned and nodded.

"It's nothing. You guys are always welcome if you ask," Feng Xin replied. Mu Qing turned around, some flour still stuck to his robes. 

"Hey, go change. There's still some flour stuck to you," Feng Xin said, patting Mu Qing's chest. Mu Qing scoffed and nodded, disappearing behind a changing screen. Hua Cheng plopped down in a chair right next to him and poured some tea for himself. 

"Gege, have some tea," Hua Cheng said, pouring Xie Lian a cup. Xie Lian smiled and accepted the cup.

"Thanks, San Lang," Xie Lian replied, lightly sipping. Feng Xin sat down across from them and poured cups for himself and Mu Qing. Mu Qing then came out from the changing screen, all fresh and non-flour-covered. Mu Qing went straight to the simmering pot on the stove and ladled out the steaming broth into the bowls with the noodles. He brought out a cutting board and chopped green onion and sliced cooked beef. He gently arranged them into the bowls to make them look a little fancy. Two by two, he brought the bowls to the table, serving the men. He passed around chopsticks and beckoned them to eat. 

"Thanks for cooking, Mu Qing! It looks delicious," Xie Lian said, picking up some noodles with his chopsticks. Mu Qing nodded.

"It's no problem. I experimented with several foods to see what would taste good, and A-Xin tried all of them for me. Some turned out good, and some... left him bedridden for the day. He has good taste. If he didn't, why would he still be married to me?" Mu Qing replied. That last line was muttered, but loud enough for everyone to hear. Feng Xin raised his eyebrows but didn't object. He slurped his noodles, focusing on his food. Xie Lian ate his noodles, smiling.

"It is good. San Lang, how is it?" Xie Lian asked. Hua Cheng tried his food with a straight face.

"It's so-so." Hua Cheng replied. He continued to eat, trying to avoid getting chided by Xie Lian because he wouldn't eat it. The sun slowly set outside, casting an ambient image through the forest. Usually, at this time, Feng Xin and Mu Qing would walk outside together, admiring the colors of nature. Sometimes, after a heated argument, they would walk out like this together in silence, and then the tension would recede a little. Then, things would be like they always were before.