A Feast for Two: Zhongli and Xiao

Lingering Echoes

The final echoes of laughter and chatter faded out the door, signaling the end of another bustling day at the Wangshu Inn. Xiangling and I began the ritual of closing up. The aroma of dishes lingered in the air, a testament to the day's culinary triumphs. I started moving through the restaurant wiping down tables and neatly arranging chairs. Lanterns cast a warm glow, creating a cozy ambiance that contrasted with the earlier lively festivities. The Lantern Rite Festival was only a day away.

"I'm so tired," I sighed wiping the sweat from my face.

"Aren't we all, Jia?" Xiangling laughed as she balanced multiple plates in one hand. As we continued our closing routine a soft chime announced the arrival of a late customer, the door gently creaked open, revealing a black silhouette entering the restaurant. A tired-looking stranger, perhaps a passerby drawn in by the warm glow, shuffled in. Xiangling and I exchanged glances, ready to extend a courteous welcome.

"Hey there," the person mumbled, looking around the almost-empty establishment. "Hope it's not too late. Just wanted a quiet place to grab a bite."

Xiangling smiled warmly, gesturing towards an available table.

"Not at all! Take a seat, and we'll fix you up with something good!"

Despite the polite exchange, a sense of annoyance began to settle within me. The exhaustion from a long day had caught up, and I found myself yearning to head home. Xiangling turned around and shot me an apologetic glance.

"Why don't you go home for now?" Xiangling said putting her hand on my shoulder, "You worked hard today, rest a little!" she giggled.

"I'll take you up on that," I said, grateful for Xiangling's understanding. With a weary smile, I made my way upstairs to the balcony, seeking a moment of solace in the cool night air. It always offered me a brief escape from the bustling restaurant.

As soon as I took a few steps out onto the balcony an uneasy feeling washed over me. I quickly looked around thinking someone might be up here. "Usually nobody's up here at this hour," I thought to myself "It's probably nothing." Ignoring the feeling, I looked out onto the horizon leaning against the railing, I took a deep breath, letting the gentle Liyue breeze soothe my tired nerves. The distant hum of the city and the soft glow of streetlights created a tranquil backdrop, providing a much-needed break from the day's chaos.

"This feels nice," I murmured even if it was for only a few minutes, I felt at peace like I had no care in the world. The soft breeze, the sound of the rustling leaves, and the shimmering moon shining down on my face lulled me into a state of pure calmness. A sudden feeling of tiredness washed over me. I yawned trying to keep my eyes open when I heard another yawn coming from behind me. My head snapped around, and that uneasy feeling quickly took over my whole body shaking me out of my fatigued state.

"Who's there!" I gasped as my breathing quickened. My question was met with nothing but the sound chirping of some birds. I felt a shiver run down my spine as the uneasy atmosphere only grew stronger. I couldn't shake off the feeling that someone was watching me, even though I could see that no one was around. I hastily retreated into the restaurant with my heart racing.

"I thought you went home?" Xiangling asked,

"I'm about to," I replied walking past her to grab my bag from behind the counter.

"I'll get going now!" I yelled already half down the stairs.

As I reached for the front door, a sudden resistance made me pause. Confused, I pulled harder, only to find a stranger on the other side, attempting to open it simultaneously.

"Uh, sorry about that," I mumbled, taken aback by the unexpected encounter.

A young man with a slender figure draped in an intricate, dark blue and white ensemble reflecting a touch of elegance and mystery just stared at me. He pushed his dark green hair back, framing a face that carried an air of intensity.

"Are you guys closed?" he said crossing his arms, still staring directly into my eyes

"Yeah, we are," I replied, my voice slightly faltering as I nervously shifted my gaze to the ground. I could feel a subtle tension in the air, and my hands fidgeted with the strap of my duffle bag. There was an unspoken discomfort as I tried to avoid direct eye contact. He narrowed his eyes, almost as if he didn't believe me. He stepped closer to me pushing me against the cold brick wall.

"Will you take any late customers?" he said cocking his head, his presence imposing and demanding an answer. The dim light overhead cast shadows that played across his features, adding an extra layer of intensity to the moment. I hesitated, my nerves evident, before finally managing to mumble,

"Sorry, but we really are closing for the night." A charged atmosphere enveloped us, thick with an unspoken tension that lingered between each word. His gaze, dark and penetrating, held onto mine with a magnetic pull that hinted at something beyond the surface. It was as if the air itself had become charged with a palpable energy, drawing us into a moment that transcended the ordinary late-night exchange.

He leaned in ever so slightly, a subtle shift that closed the gap between us. The shadows played coyly across his features, emphasizing the intensity of the encounter. The silence between us felt like a taut string, ready to snap with the weight of unspoken desires.

He studied my face and for a fleeting moment, the air crackled with a charged intimacy. With a lingering gaze, he sighed, a mix of frustration and acceptance, before finally stepping back, breaking the spell.

As he walked away, my heart raced, the echoes of the charged encounter still resonating in the quiet night. I took a deep breath, attempting to steady the nervous flutter in my chest. The cool night air provided a calm feeling as I started to walk home.

The street was dimly lit, and the soft glow of distant city lights ambiance. Each step felt heavy, caught between the weight of the lingering tension and the sense of liberation as I left the encounter behind.

The unanswered questions and unspoken desires echoed in my mind, leaving me intrigued and apprehensive. I walked home with a mix of nerves and curiosity, replaying the encounter in my mind. The electricity of that fleeting connection still lingered, leaving me with a sense of unresolved anticipation as I disappeared into the quiet night.