Preliminary

Mingyao barely registered the weight of the chopsticks in her hand. They moved from plate to bowl and back again, scooping up rice, tearing through tender pieces of meat, and dipping into fragrant sauces with an almost feral like hunger. She barely paused to breathe, her cheeks puffed with food, savoring each bite with delight.

She was starving.

Across from her, a quiet Chen Xiao leaned back, watching in fascination. Her sheer lack of restraint, the way she wielded her chopsticks like a warrior, the way her eyes fluttered shut in delight—it was oddly mesmerizing.

She paid no attention to her image and eagerly filled her face, savoring each bite of heavenly delight. She was a child enjoying the joy brought by food. Her lips glistened with oil, her cheeks puffing out as she relished every mouthful. She was wholly absorbed in the meal.

Chen Xiao couldn't help but wondered if Mingyao was being starved at Yin Lian Pavilion. Yet, he said nothing and simply watched her; he found the sight utterly endearing.

Chen Xiao leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. "Are you always this... enthusiastic when you eat?"

Mingyao barely spared him a glance as she picked apart a juicy drumstick. "I'm hungry."

He smirked. "I can see that."

She sank her teeth into the flesh, savoring the rich, melting flavors as she chewed. Swallowing with a satisfied sigh, she reached for more. 

Mingyao paused between her bites. "Master Chen, aren't you going to eat? You must be starving after all those rounds."

Chen Xiao smiled, tilting his head slightly. "No, I am quite satisfied, my lady. Watching you eat is enough to sate my hunger," he replied.

Mingyao's chewing slowed. She turned her head to face him. Her eyes met his; her mouth, glittery and greasy, and her cheeks, slightly flushed.

"You jest, Master Chen. How can you possibly feel full just by watching me eat? Please, dig in and enjoy the meal—it will be my treat."

He chuckled, shaking his head. "I simply cannot let a lady pay. Don't worry, Miss Shen; eat to your heart's content—I will pay for the meal."

Her forehead creased, the corners of her mouth dipping downward. With an exaggerated huff, she rolled her eyes and set her chopsticks down. Then, in one swift motion, she gulped her wine before locking eyes with him.

"My lady, are you satisfied?" he asked with a smile.

"No, I am not!" Mingyao huffed.

"Then why did you stop eating?"

She crossed her arms, her face scrunched. "I won't eat if you don't."

"But, my lady, I already said I was satisfied."

"No, you must think I can't afford the bill." She narrowed her eyes.

Chen Xiao let out a sigh, shaking his head. "That's not it at all."

"Then eat," she demanded, nudging a dish toward him. "How am I supposed to show you my skills if you're not properly fed?"

"But truly—"

Chen Xiao opened his mouth to protest, but she cut him off before he could get a word out.

"Stop being difficult and eat, Master Chen!"

"But—"

Mingyao lifted her chopsticks and pointed them at him, jabbing them in his direction like a tiny spear. "If you don't, then I won't either. Instead, I'll head back to Yin Lian. I'm sure someone there will be willing to help me practice these ridiculous gambling games."

Chen Xiao exhaled in defeat.

"Fine, if you insist, I'll eat. But on one condition—I'll be the one to pay for the meal."

Mingyao gasped, her eyes widening. "I knew it! You think I can't afford to pay!"

"No, not at all," he said quickly. "It just wouldn't feel right to let a lady pay."

She arched a brow. "And what exactly do you mean by that, Master Chen?"

He hesitated before offering a smile, a quite charming one. "I simply mean that being in the presence of such beauty is already a gift—I should at least contribute something in return."

A faint blush touched Mingyao's cheeks. "M-Master Chen... you have quite the way with words." She cleared her throat. "But I said this meal is my treat. Consider it repayment for teaching me how to gamble. With your help, I might actually stand a chance at tonight's games."

"Still, I refuse to let you pay—"

"Oh, for heaven's sake—" Mingyao threw up her hands.

A slow smirk curved across Chen Xiao's lips. "How about a contest, Lady Shen? Whoever eats the most plates wins. Loser pays."

She scoffed. "You can't be serious, Master Chen. That's just an excuse to pay for the meal. There's no way you can out-eat me."

His smirk growing. "Oh? You sound quite confident."

She leaned forward, eyes sparking. "With good reason—I have quite the appetite."

"And I have quite the stomach."

"Then let's put it to the test."

Chen Xiao picked up his chopsticks. "Prepare yourself, Lady Shen."

She grinned. "I was born ready, Master Chen."

The two began their competition.

Bowls clinked. Chopsticks flashed. Rice, drumsticks, pork, and fish vanished in rapid succession. Chen Xiao ate swiftly, elegant even in his greed, quickly pulling ahead. But Mingyao was only toying with him, her usual speed causing her chopsticks to slip as she feigned giving him a head start. The rich flavors only fueled her resolve, and when she truly began, she tore through her bowls with the tenacity of a warrior charging into battle.

"Losing steam already, Master Chen?" she teased between bites, a smug glint in her eyes.

He chuckled, shaking his head as he polished off another helping. "Not at all. Just wondering if you realize you're already behind."

Mingyao's chopsticks froze.

Her gaze flickered to his side of the table. He had eaten more. Her grip on her chopsticks tightened.

"No way."

"You're doing well, my lady, but I guess this competition—like all the games we have played today—will be another ultimate win for me. You're about to taste defeat once more," he teased.

A spark ignited in Mingyao's eyes.

Without hesitation, she matched his pace, then doubled it. Her determination burned brighter and brighter. Those words had hit Mingyao, jolting her into her usual sprint. She cleared her bowl and added even more food. Stuffing her mouth so fast her own chopsticks nearly slipped from her grasp.

Chen Xiao stared in amazement and admiration—it was quite cute how competitive she could get. He couldn't help but smile; he genuinely enjoyed the sight.

Then, a chill.

It cut through the warmth of the room, sharp and sudden, like a ghost's whisper. The sensation was eerily familiar, threading through the air just as it had when she first stepped into Qian Fu Hall.

Mingyao froze, the taste of sweet, braised pork still lingering on her tongue.

A woman had entered.

She moved with grace, her long, dark hair flowing like ink in water. Her green robes deep as the forest hugged her lean frame, swaying with each step.

Mingyao's breath hitched.

Those eyes. Shifting between green and blue with her every expression like the ocean under the shifting sun drew Mingyao in. There was something otherworldly, almost divine, about her features, yet every time Mingyao gazed at her, a deep sense of familiarity stirred within her.

"Master Chen," the woman said, her voice silky and smooth. "Are you and your lady friend done?"

Chen Xiao leaned back slightly. "We are. Thank you, Ruoyan, for the food and for offering the space for our little practice." He gestured vaguely to the plates. "Put it on my tab—I'll pay it back as usual."

Ruoyan's lips curled into something between a smile and a smirk. "It's no issue—we're friends, aren't we, Xiao Gege?"

Chen Xiao stiffened. Mingyao noticed Chen Xiao's fingers twitching slightly at the name. He hesitated for just a breath—too brief for most to catch.

"…It's been a while since you called me that," he said. "I thought you were angry with me."

"Not at all, Xiao Gege," Ruoyan murmured, her gaze flickered briefly to Mingyao before returning to him. "The table is ready. If you're done eating, we can go share our knowledge with Lady Shen."

Chen Xiao exhaled, rising to his feet. "Thank you, Ruoyan. I'll be right with you." He turned to Mingyao, extending a hand. "Lady Shen, let's go."

Mingyao hesitated for just a moment, eyes lingering on Ruoyan's, before slipping her hand into Chen Xiao's and standing.

Something about that woman unsettled her.