(Fu Xuan x Reader) Trouble With Divination

Part 11: As Friends!

(Fu Xuan POV)

With the office behind me, I leaned against the wood balcony, my eyes glazed over my commission, staring at the Matrix of Prescience. It felt like it had been ages since I've seen its beautiful mechanisms, and today, it seemed to shine even more, likely the handiwork of the maintainer.

Things have largely returned to normal since my... episode.

"Good morning, Diviner Fu!"

A fine morning indeed; the dawn meets me well.

"Ah. Haha..."

I missed the puzzled looks on the apprentices' faces as they struggle to comprehend my superior lexis. They walked passed me, trying not to show their lack of understanding. No matter. I turn my gaze back to watch the machinations of my employees as they go about their dutie-

"Fu---!!!"

My monologue was interrupted by a screeching sound quickly approaching my rear. I turn around quickly, intercepting it before it could make impact, her arms spread trying to hug me, but ultimately being held back by mine.

Diviner Qingque, is there perhaps some major incident you need my immediate attention for? 

"Well I just had some free time, and you just happened to be on break, so I was wondering if you'd y'know... Celestial Jade and tea?"

Diviner Qingque, it seems as though to me, you are indirectly asking for more work? 

A look of pale horror and regret quickly flushed over Qingque's face, being shocked to the point of taking a single step back in retreat. A smirk of victory planted itself on my face.

I jest. It so happens I have a matter requiring your consultation. 

Her face returned in relief as a sigh escaped her mouth. Qingque handled all the work that had piled up during my cold, and for that, I hold a great gratitude. But that wasn't the only thing I was grateful for...

We had taken our seat at the café table and ordered ourselves some sweet and milky teas, not to my preference, but Qingque seems to love them.

Qingque, I... haven't been able to make any progress.

The mood turned serious, a heavy air looming between us as I reported.

"Have you been able to talk to him normally?"

Y- Yes but... I really want to ask him out on a date~!

That is correct. Qingque has been helping me with advice on courting the maintainer, and as a result, we've gotten closer.

"...And what's stopping you?"

I- It's really embarrassing! I mean, I told myself I'd take things slow, right? It's only been a couple of days, i- isn't it a bit too soon? But I mean like, I just really want to go on a date with him!

I can feel my face flush with heat and warmth, almost burning. My fingers trembled at the thought. 

I've been talking to him more often between work, texting and stuff. I know more about him now but like, I don't know if I should be trying to take things a little further...?

Qingque's eyebrows furrowed as she stared down at the table, eyes deep in thought, almost forming a glare.

"What if... You just hung out as friends?"

My head tilted involuntarily, trying to understand what Qingque meant.

"I mean, there's no reason you need to frame things as a date. You can just ask him to hang out normally and find some excuse for it to be just the two of you or something. There's no reason for it to be a date date, y'know?"

My eyes widened at the realization, a cold drop of sweat freeing itself from the bottom of my chin. She was right! 

My heart began beating so quickly at the thought, the sheer anticipation daring to burst out of my chest! Just the two of us, just me and the maintainer! As friends!

Q- Qingque... You're a genius! I will call you master from now on!

"Now now, don't be hasty. Even if you don't call it a date, you still want it to feel like one, you need to charm him with your womanly charms! Unfortunately for you however, I got a sneak-peak at your clothes when I was at your place and let me tell you- they are not date material." 

W- Well I only ever bought clothes to go meet with the higher ranking Xianzhou officials. I- I've never been out with a guy before...

"Do not worry! We wear the same size, I can lend you some of the clothes I wear out to dates."

Y- You go out on dates!? 

"Of course! I have a life outside of work y'know."

Her words stung so painfully, I felt my eyes prick with a couple tears... ;~;

"Anyways, come over after work, we'll try out a few thing, see what works and what doesn't. The maintainer strikes me as the sort of guy who likes the prim and proper, but also cute and a little juvenile, so I'm thinking braids, and maybe glasses? Oh, how about a bow! ..."

She kept going on and on, and to be honest, I didn't understand half of it. But she was earnestly helping me. I couldn't help but smile at her rambling face. 

...That is, until she dragged me to her house, and treated me like her dress-up doll for a solid 4 hours. We made good progress though, and now I have an outfit picked out.

Next up on the agenda of the Get-Maintainer-To-Love-Me plan:

Oh gosh... I have to ask him out on a date! ///