[Genshin Impact] Water, Ice, and Everything Nice

Hugs Beneath the Moonlight

"It's ready!" Chongyun heard Xiangling calling out excitedly from the kitchen. Dread threatened to engulf his entirety once again, and his feet were almost involuntarily stepping away from Wanmin restaurant, ready to run at a moment's notice.

Xiangling walked towards their table carrying a tray covered in a cloche made of woven dried leaves and twigs. The cloche prevented them from seeing what was inside, but it did nothing to stop the wafts of unbelievable scents and aromas emanating from it.

Chongyun could feel his mouth getting wetter by the second, his head already forgetting the warnings it had given previously with regards to Xiangling's cooking. He felt Xingqiu's hands on his and he blushed.

"This is it!" Xingqiu said. "We're finally going to taste gourmet cooking from the Xiangling."

Chongyun wasn't sure why he blushed and why he was feeling hot when he was yet to taste Xiangling's dish that's surely full of Jueyun chillies. And for some reason, it wasn't the usual scary heat that creeps from his bosom down to his fingers and toes, the kind that leaves him panicked and without memory of what he does next. No! What he felt now was a different kind of heat – warm and gentle and it's making him feel giddy. Almost the kind of lightness in the head whenever he drinks from the stash of bottles of dandelion wine from Monstadt.

"Xiangling's Shing-A-Ling!" Xiangling announced as she revealed a masterpiece.

Chongyun could see thread-like strands of translucent noodles, twisting and curling all the way to the sides of the plate. He traced them to the center where a miniature dragon's head was sculpted out of what looked like blue ice, sitting majestically atop more of the noodles interspersed with flecks of green and violet. And there were pieces of charred meat – thinly sliced and glistening with a distinct amber glow.

"Ooooohhhhh," Xingqiu could not contain his excitement. Chongyun thought that the other boy looked ready to devour the entire plate by himself. Which was why he was shocked when Xingqiu ladled spoonfuls of the noodles onto his plate, all the while smiling from ear to ear, eyes glistening just like when he's immersed in one of his kung-fu novels.

"Don't worry, Chongyun." Xiangling said. "I made this dish with you in mind. It will not trigger your affliction."

Xiangqiu's smile got wider. "See, it's safe to eat this. Come on, let's dig in!"

Although still hesitant, Chongyun took his chopsticks and helped himself to Xiangling's Shing-A-Ling dish. As soon as the decadent sauce hit his mouth, his whole body threatened to explode in searing waves of heat. Strong heat beat through his body, from his tongue to all his extremities, pulsating like a gong being stroke in a dancing rhythm.

And when it felt like his body couldn't take the heat and the spices any longer, waves of cool and frosty mint would shower him from head to toe.

"Great, isn't it?" Xiangling asked. "I used mint flowers and incorporated the slime condensate of cryo slimes into the sauce. That way, the heat of the jueyun chillies would be countered and you would be able to enjoy the food!"

Chongyun took another bite and his body was subjected to the same delightful torture of alternating heat and cold, amazing flavors of meat and herbs dancing on his tongue.

"This is amazing, Chef Xiangling!" Xingqiu said, albeit with difficulty as his mouth was full to the brim with the noodles.

"Aren't you the heir to Feiyun Commerce Guild? Where are your manners when eating?" Xiangling joked, teasing the blue-haired boy about the Liyuen custom of not talking when one's mouth was full.

"But this is so good I can't stop!"

Xiangling chuckled heartily. "I am glad you enjoyed it."

"What's this meat?"

"You've noticed its distinct umami, haven't you? This is a boar frozen by one of the cryo regisvines found in Bishui Plains."

"Wow! And you fought the elemental regisvine by yourself?"

"Uh huh," Xiangling beamed proudly. "I'd do anything to get my hands on the best of the best ingredients!"

"Amazing!"

The two lads continued to eat the noodle dish until there was none left. Xiangling brought them second servings which they devoured just as fast. And then it was time for them to go home.

"Thank you, Chef Xiangling. We owe you big time for such wonderful gastronomical feast!"

Chongyun nodded in agreement to his friend. "Thank you," he managed to say. "For letting me taste the unique flavors of jueyun chillies."

Xiangling beamed. "I'll make sure you get to taste more of my dishes next time!"

And the two boys found themselves walking across the still busy streets of Liyue. The moon was already high up in the sky, offering a gentle silvery light on them. The lanterns were also lit, lighting up the cobbled and wooden pathways in the harbor.

"What a wonderful day!" exclaimed Xingqiu. "I'm glad we did all this."

Chongyun's cheeks became red again and he was at a loss as to what to say back to his friend. One side of him felt guilty thinking about forming the Victims of Xingqiu Alliance. The other side of him just wanted to hug his friend for always staying by his side, despite his affliction and the issues it brings.

"Mint flowers and condensate from cryo slimes," Xingqiu mused. "I'm starting to think that there may be other options to cure your congenital positivity!"

And before he could stop himself, Chongyun was hugging Xingqiu. To his embarrassment, Xingqiu hugged him back. And he wasn't sure if it was okay for a young boy like him to feel that fond of his friend, but he was sure that whatever he's feeling now felt right.

Somehow, it felt right to be there – stomachs full from a wonderful meal, hands and arms tangled up in a tight hug. And congenital positivity or not, Chongyun felt like his emotions could just about banish all the evil spirits in the world.