The village had a more distinctive feel than it did last night, Zhao Hui notes. Maybe it was because he was with different people, or maybe because he didn't have the task to stalk anyone anymore. Even if he did, he would probably get found out in under 30 seconds, being caught so promptly by Min Guiying opened his eyes to how much of a bad stalker he would make. Zhao Hui lets out a deep sigh, smacking his forehead for being so stupid and actually thinking that he could STALK someone as high-class as Min Guiying. It should have been no surprise that he was caught in a matter of seconds, Min Guiying was one of the strongest cultivators in the realm!
Zhao Hui shakes his head in disappointment and focuses back into the real world, looking around eagerly at all the shopping stalls. The group of three, Liu Jia, Zhao Hui, and Min Guiying, had finally arrived at the market, which was located approximately 5 miles far away from the palace. Although they could have technically "flown" to the market, Zhao Hui had insisted on walking there in order to score more time to chat with Liu Jia along the path. Making their way through the shopping stalls, the constant sound of villagers advertising their products saturated the ears of the group, making them feel energetic and excited. Market trips were always the best, Min Guiying loved accompanying his parents or brother to the market and going through the food stalls. That's why he went last night, however, things took an unexpected turn… but surprisingly, not for the worst.
Min Guiying shakes his head to get rid of the thought that Zhao Hui was a good person and good addition to his life so far.
It had seemed to be that Min Guiying was the leader of the group, he walked quickly and quietly ahead, following the path to where the food items were sold. His attention, however, remained behind him as he eavesdropped on the conversation Liu Jia and Zhao Hui were talking loudly about. A face of disgust and disappointment lingers on Min Guiyings face as he scowls, looking around at the people's attention their noise was getting. Gossiping about Min Guiying behind his back (literally), Liu Jia and Zhao Hui can barely keep up with the pace.
"Okay, now you HAVE to hear about the first time I met Min Guiying! Trust me, it's really a story worth hearing!" Liu Jia talks excitedly, grinning from ear to ear, "The day he came to our palace, he seemed like such a gentleman from the very beginning! He was polite and respectful to my parents, he helped one of the servants pick up the clothes he dropped, and even the way he ate was so elegant!" Liu Jia coos, giggling lightly, "But it was as soon as my parents left us alone in our garden did everything get funny! We were talking normally at first, but then I started to get a bit flirty, you know, cause he's my future husband, and I started touching his arm, then leaned in to kiss him but guess what he did? He ran. RAN. LIKE THE FUCKING WIND! And then this little whore told me that we shouldn't do anything that will badmouth our clan! Like how does me kissing him do bad for our clan?! We're literally going to get married!" Liu Jia ends passive-aggressively and laughing loudly, finding it hard to catch her breath.
"He RAN?! And then came back to say THAT?!" Zhao Hui says laughing along. True he read about it in the book, but actually hearing that after meeting Min Guiying is a whole new experience. It ended up shining a clown light upon Min Guiying and now there was no way that Zhao Hui would ever take him seriously.
"Exactly! I don't know why he did that either!"
"Liu Jia, Zhao Hui, lower your volume, people are looking our way, do you wish for them to complain to the Min clan?" Min Guiying turns around violently, a stern scowl plastered on his lips.
"Who cares about them? They should be minding their own business anyway, why are they eavesdropping on us?" Zhao Hui looks wildly at Min Guiying in confusion.
"Liu Jia, you can go get the vegetables you needed to buy. Zhao Hui, help me find the things for Wonton soup." The look doesn't leave Min Guiying's face and Zhao Hui rolls his eyes at it.
"Well, it seems I have to go! I'll see you when we go back to the palace!" Liu Jia waves Zhao Hui goodbye excitedly, smiling widely at how funny Min Guiying looked when he got mad.
"Bye Shijie!" Zhao Hui waves back with the same excitement and watches Liu Jia walk away ahead of them, her hair slightly swaying side to side, "Anyways, what got you so mad? It's honestly nothing to worry about cause if someone even dared to THINK about bad-mouthing you or your clan, I'll kick their ass! Got it pumpkin?" Zhao Hui says this sweetly and lovingly, which causes Min Guiying to sputter in surprise at how much audacity he bottled.
"Don't call me pumpkin!" He replies angrily, but he looked so funny Zhao Hui just HAD to continue teasing him.
"Okay, I gotchu, I'll call you honey!"
"Stop it! That sounds so- so- UGH!" Min Guiying flares his nostrils savagely and begins walking away.
"WAIT!" Zhao Hui yells loudly, forcing Min Guiying to turn around in surprise.
"I got the perfect name, I'll call you sugar~" Zhao Hui winks smoothly, sticking out his tongue in a teasing manner.
"Yep, you're clearly not to be trusted." Min Guiying walks back and smacks Zhao Hui's head roughly, wiping his hand on his Hanfu after.
"Okay, okay, I'm sorry! Ouch! That shit hurt like HELL and I have a high pain tolerance!" Zhao Hui laughs regardless of the pain pounding on the back of his head.
"Oops, my hand slipped." Min Guiying plays innocent, shrugging at the injured Zhao Hui on the floor, smiling widely.
"Listen here Young Master Min, I need you to lift me up otherwise you won't get the right ingredients for Wonton soup and will end up feeding your family something that they wish was poison so that they could die at that moment. So unless you want me to kill your tastebuds and traumatize you from soup, I suggest you help me up." Zhao Hui smiles as he says every threatening word.
"Wow, even threatening me? You must not treasure your life, Zhao Hui."
"You are seriously underestimating me, Young Master Min."
Chuckling, Min Guiying reaches out a hand and helps Zhao Hui off the ground, grabbing his waist to steady him as his body jerks forward from disbalance. Both men freeze as they look up into each other's eyes, Min Guiying realized that they were so close that he could see his own reflection in Zhao Hui's chestnut brown eyes. His breaths got sharper as panic set up in his head, not knowing whether to let go or to let this moment be. Zhao Hui, on the other hand, stared deeply into Min Guiyings cognac eyes, licking his lips unconsciously as his eyes traveled down to Min Guiying's lips that were the color of punch. He leans further in, closer and closer, until time seems to freeze and suddenly-
"WHAT THE FLIPPITY FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!"
"P-Penelo-whore? NOW you come here?!" Zhao Hui looks around for the origin of the sound, talking saltily. He was SO close to kissing Min Guying and that little bitch ruined his chances.
"Sigh, what do you think you are doing getting handsy with the main character?"
"B-But look!" Zhao Hui whines, pointing at Min Guiyings lips, "They're so kissable, I could swell them and mark them if only-"
"Puh-lease, you're sounding like a predator right now, that's no excuse to get handsy! He's. The. Main. CHARACTER!"
"Fine, I won't get handsy… for now." Zhao Hui pouts, rolling his eyes.
"I can't believe that my eyes had to witness such an intimate scene, UGH, I gotta get my bleach bath ready now, I hope Shannon didn't use it all, she witnessed some DEEP shit yesterday where Cole and- oh nevermind! That's not why I'm here, I came here to tell you that the big event you witnessed, for now, was meeting Liu Jia. In about one day, another big event will take place, however, this one is more serious."
"But like, I'm more worried about what this Shannon character witnessed Cole do-"
"SHUT UP!"
"Sorry, SORRY! I won't kiss Min Guiying, okay?"
"That's right, I better see his lips completely normal or I will personally send the author here to smack you!"
"WHAT?! Nevermind! I wanna meet the author! I'm gonna kiss him right now! I-"
"-will shut the FUCK up! Seriously, out of ALL the people to be sent here, I got stuck with the WORST!"
"That sounds like a "you" problem honey. Fine, I'll listen to you, GRANDMA." Zhao Hui rolls his eyes, scoffing.
"At least you won't talk anymore."
Time suddenly seems to unfreeze and Zhao Hui quickly steps back, looking around with his eyes widened at how nobody had seemed to notice that he was talking to voice coming out of nowhere. Min Guiying has the same look in his eyes, a second ago, Zhao Hui- he- was he going to kiss him? Min Guiying violently shakes his head, shocked at the thoughts running through his head. And even more shocked at how he didn't move away when he knew what Zhao Hui was planning to do. But if that's what Zhao Hui wanted to do, why didn't he continue?
WHY DO YOU EVEN CARE?! Min Guying attacks himself in his thoughts, ejecting more unanswered questions he had about his feelings. You still need to find out who he works for, he might still be trying to kidnap or kill you… or maybe… he's not here to hurt you? But you've never trusted someone this early before! Okay, how about innocent until proven guilty? I'll trust him a bit and see what his intentions are for now...
"Well, that got a bit awkward, huh? Thanks for helping me up by the way." Zhao Hui shines a smile in Min Guiying's direction which causes Min Guiying to falter. He really had a beautiful smile.
"Your welcome." He rolls his eyes smiling softly at the artwork in front of him.
"Wow, your smile is really beautiful Young Master Min!"
"Oh! Uh- thank you!" Min Guiying answers, shocked at the sudden compliment, "Your smile is also beautiful."
Both men smile brightly at each other and continue their walk to the stalls. Zhao Hui looks around analytically, attempting to remember the recipe to Wonton Soup. He struggles to come up with the recipe off the top of his head, and this was when he wished he had his phone on him. In a matter of seconds, he could've pulled up the recipe, but here he is, attempting to remember the ingredients of the simple spicy Wonton soup in Red Oil. He makes a frustrated noise and curses at the author for being so merciless and taking away his beloved phone. Well, at least he remembered one ingredient, Sichuan peppercorn. Or if Min Guiying didn't want it to be spicy he could look for a substitute for it.
"Do you want the soup to be spicy or mild?" Zhao Hui asks Min Guiying, standing in front of a stall with spices.
"Huh? Oh, I don't really care, but I guess spicy cause I like it spicy." Min Guiying replies.
"Okay, I'll be back in a second." Zhao Hui heads over to the stall owner and asks for Sichuan peppercorn as well as white pepper powder.
"That'll be 15 yuan." The shopkeeper says politely, smiling radiantly as she hands Zhao Hui the bag of spices.
"Thank you, and here you go!" Zhao Hui happily hands the woman one black rock and one jade colored rock. He skips back to Min Guiying, handing him the bag, "Hold on to this for me, I'll go to the other stalls and buy things."
"Wait. Here, take this money," And before Zhao Hui could protest, Min Guiying continues speaking, "It's only because I forced you to come along with me and buy the ingredients."
"Gee, thanks, I didn't expect you to be this nice to me!" Zhao Hui cautiously takes the money pouch out of Min Guiying's hand, scared of it being a joke, and runs off to another stall with vegetables.
Hey, when we go back to the palace, I could try kissing him. I mean, Penelope can't see me, can she? Plus, we seem to be getting along so well! Zhao Hui ponders this idea eagerly, till a voice speaks back in his head.
"I knew I couldn't trust you." Penelope sighs exasperatedly.
ZH: WOAH, you can read my mind?
P: Yes I can, I am the system for this book, NOTHING can be hidden from me.
ZH: Cool! But, you know I was joking, right?
P: For the sake of my mental health being preserved, I'm not even going to argue with you.
ZH: I second that.
The entire time that they were in the market, Min Guiying watched happily as Zhao Hui ran from stall to stall, looking at the toys, food, and occasionally buying the ingredients that they needed. He had never met someone so childish, and he had never had so much fun with someone. Together, the two men ran around the market, even ending up buying some toys, and playing with the local children in a game of battle. Min Guiying had never felt as much freedom as he did in that moment, he had completely forgotten about upholding his clan's name, he had only felt the surge of excitement run over him as Zhao Hui chased him around.
When they arrive at the palace, Min Guiying still has a hint of playfulness left from the market, and a smile lays on his lips that can't be erased. Laughing, Min Guiying leads Zhao Hui to the kitchen, where they put down the groceries on the counters and ready the stove by shoving coal inside. Zhao Hui grabs a knife, taking out the vegetables which they washed from the nearby stream, and dicing them slowly and carefully on the stone counter. Min Guiying loiters around, watching Zhao Hui cut, which begins to bother Zhao Hui. Especially as the only thing Min Guiying was doing was watching the boiling water in the pot.
"Hey Min Guiying, help me cut the vegetables, you were the one who said you were going to make the soup, but here I am doing everything!" Zhao Hui calls out a little annoyed but slaps his hands over his mouth after he realizes what he just said.
"Oh? Are you going to start calling me that Zhao Hui? Where's the respect?" Min Guiying turns around from the stove and slowly walks towards Zhao Hui. Zhao Hui's knees begin quaking beneath him, his breath hitching.
Damn it, that's it. I'm dying today! i'M ToO GorGEOus tO dIE! Zhao Hui panics, his heart racing at every step Min Guiying takes in his direction. If I die in this world, am I going to actually die? Like, I'll never see my parents again? Oddly I've been asking that question way too often I have GOT to ask Pene-
"I asked you a question. Answer me." Min Guiying says in a deep voice, making We Zhixin even more flustered and he closes his eyes. Min Guiying corners Zhao Hui at the counter, his hands on both sides of Zhao Hui, preventing him from escaping.
"I-I m-meant to s-say Y-y-Young Master Min…" Zhao Hui squeaks, keeping his eyes squeezed shut.
"PFFFFT! You should see your face!" Min Guiying laughs, releasing Zhao Hui from the corner and bending over in laughter.
"Am I gonna die?" Zhao Hui squeaks again, his eyes still shut tight.
"You're so straightforward." Min Guiying's laughs turn into a light chuckle.
"No really, am I gonna die?"
"No."
"Thank goodness…" Zhao Hui exhales and opens his eyes, glaring at Min Guiying, "Right, now will you help me with the soup?"
"I guess, if you teach me."
Zhao Hui smiles at Min Guiying's and begins to teach him how to make Wonton soup. Together, they cut all the vegetables and begin putting them in the boiling pot. Zhao Hui helps to wash all the dishes and materials they used as Min Guiying's helps to take out the soup and put it into a fancy pot. Zhao Hui finds the bowls and puts everything on a tray.
"What time is it?" Zhao Hui asks Min Guiying, who is busy putting away the knives.
"I think it's about dinner time if that's what you're asking."
"Dang, we just wasted a day making soup…"
"I don't say we wasted a day. You did teach me how to make Wonton soup, plus, I had fun with you."
"You-You had FUN with me?!" Zhao Hui says wide-eyed. Min Guiying giggles lightly.
"Yes, yes I did have fun with you."
"Well, they DO call me 'The dude that makes others have fun' for a reason." Zhao Hui flips his hair boasting.
"Well, they need to find a shorter nickname for that. How about 'annoying bitch', does that sound good?"
"My ego!" Zhao Hui gasps dramatically, putting his hand over his mouth and chest, acting offended. "Wait, did you just curse Mi-Young Master Min?" Zhao Hui quickly corrects himself before he could be fired this time.
"Maybe." Min Guiying holds a small smile on his face as he grabs the pot of soup and walks out of the kitchen.