𝙃𝙪𝙖 𝘾𝙝𝙚𝙣𝙜 𝙭 𝙓𝙞𝙚 𝙇𝙞𝙖𝙣 𝙊𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙩 (𝙃𝙪𝙖𝙇𝙞𝙖𝙣)

𝒄𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈

Narrator:

In a warmly Puqi Shrine, the faint sounds of sizzling fill the air as Hua Cheng stands behind Xie Lian, close enough to brush his arm occasionally as he observes Xie Lian's cooking with an affectionate..yet amused, expression. Xie Lian is focused intently on the pan in front of him, brows furrowed as he stirs a questionable-looking sauce.

Hua Cheng suppresses a smile. "Gege," he says softly, "I think it's burning."

Xie Lian snaps back to reality and gasps. "Oh no!" He frantically stirs, then grabs a spoon and tastes it, only to scrunch up his face at the bitter taste. "Maybe... I added too much salt? Or was it sugar? I can never tell..."

Hua Cheng gently takes the spoon from him. "Here, let me try." He tastes a small bit and does his best to keep a straight face, though his eye twitches slightly. "Mmm... it's unique."

Xie Lian narrows his eyes suspiciously. "You don't have to lie, San Lang."

"Who's lying? I'm just saying it's... different," Hua Cheng replies, unable to hide his smirk anymore. He reaches for a pot of rice. "How about we work on something simpler together?"

Xie Lian sighs in relief. "Thank goodness. Rice is a lot less intimidating."

Hua Cheng chuckles and stands beside him. "Alright, we'll do it together. First, measure the rice." He hands Xie Lian a small cup.

Xie Lian carefully scoops the rice, his hand trembling slightly in concentration. "Like this?"

"Yes, perfect. Just make sure it's even..." Hua Cheng guides his hand, gently pressing down the excess rice with his fingers. Xie Lian's heart skips a beat at the small touch and his face warms, but he tries not to let it show.

Next, they rinse the rice and Xie Lian swirls it in the pot. "How many times should I rinse it?"

Hua Cheng's eye sparkles. "Three times. But Gege, you don't have to be so precise. You're doing just fine."

Xie Lian smiles bashfully. "I'm just trying not to ruin the rice..."

Hua Cheng laughs softly, his voice low. "No matter how it turns out, if you make it, I'll eat it happily."

Xie Lian huffs, still skeptical. "You really don't have to be so polite, San Lang."

"I'm not polite. I'm honest." Hua Cheng looks him directly in the eyes, his gaze unwavering and full of warmth.

Xie Lian's heart pounds, and he looks down, trying to hide his smile. "You say that now..."

The rice finally starts cooking, and Hua Cheng watches Xie Lian as he prepares a vegetable dish. Xie Lian focuses hard, chopping the carrots in determined but uneven chunks, and Hua Cheng gently catches his hand just as the knife teeters dangerously close to his fingers.

"Careful, Gege." Hua Cheng murmurs, guiding his hand with a careful firmness.

Xie Lian looks up at him, flustered. "Ah! Sorry. I just get... distracted."

Hua Cheng's gaze softens. "Nothing to apologize for. Here, how about I help?" He slides beside Xie Lian and starts chopping the vegetables in quick, fluid motions. "This way...we won't lose any fingers tonight."

Xie Lian chuckles. "That's probably for the best."

Together, they finish preparing the dish, and finally, the food is ready. As they sit at the small kitchen table, Xie Lian watches nervously as Hua Cheng takes a bite of his vegetable stir-fry..clearly bracing for Hua Cheng's reaction.

Hua Cheng takes a slow and deliberate bite, his face betraying nothing.

"So?" Xie Lian asks anxiously. "Is it... edible?"

Hua Cheng's expression softens as he chews. "It's... delicious," he says with a wide, almost mischievous smile.

Xie Lian doesn't buy it for a second. "San Lang, it's okay if you hate it. I know it's too salty, and the rice is probably overcooked, and-"

Hua Cheng shakes his head, swallowing another spoonful with a completely straight face. "No, really. It's perfect."

Xie Lian laughs, finally accepting the reality. "Alright, alright. Thank you for trying to be kind. But next time... maybe you should do the cooking."

Hua Cheng shrugs, his smile widening. "If it means I get to eat with you, I don't mind how it tastes."

Xie Lian's heart flutters, and he looks down, hiding his flushed cheeks. "You really don't know how to stop being charming, do you?"

Hua Cheng chuckles, leaning forward slightly. "Only for you, Gege."

As they finish their meal, Xie Lian realizes that for all his terrible cooking skills, he feels content. Hua Cheng's gaze is steady, sincere and full of warmth..and he realizes he wouldn't trade these simple and chaotic moments for anything else.

After they're done, Xie Lian offers to clean up but Hua Cheng stops him. "No, let me.." he insists.

Xie Lian watches him fondly. "I'll help then."

They stand side by side at the sink..washing and drying dishes in peaceful companionship. And though Xie Lian is no culinary expert, there's a quiet joy in sharing this everyday moment with Hua Cheng..a joy in simply being together where words fall away and only the warmth of their presence remains.