Dinner

                                    

                                          
Note: You knoww Im trying to have some ups and downs in the story but like hmmhhmmhmhmhmmh.
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Along the way to the store, Hua Cheng brought up some small talks, occasionally joking around rewarding him with Xie Lian's giggles. 
Hua Cheng couldn't seem to get enough of him. The more he accompanied him, the more he fell for him. 
His rosey cheeks, his smiling eyes, his charm was inexplicable. No wonder, Hua Cheng occasionally saw teenagers peeking at him. 
Hua Cheng's heart felt light and comfortable due to Xie Lian's presence. He gave off a warm aura which made people melt in his presence. 
Before long, they reached the store. The two men found a seat inside and settled down. Xie Lian ordered the food, seemingly familiar to this place.
"Do you come here often gege?" 
"Yeah, the duck here is really good. You won't regret coming here." Xie Lian praised the store. 
Just then, the server walked over and placed their plates down. 
"Ah Lian, long time no see eh. Whose this handsome man?" The server questioned. 
The server had a feminine face, his eyes slightly sharp, his lips plumpy. If he was a female in diguise, no one would really be surprised. 
"Qing Xuan! Long time no see. This is Hua Cheng, we recently met." Xie Lian cheerfully replied.
Hua Cheng smiled and nodded. Qing Xuan was definitely a handsome fellow. Him and Xie Lian chatted for while, laughing as they chattered about. 
Before, the old boss shouted angrily at him to go back to work. Qing Xuan reluctantly left the table and went back to work. 
"You and him must be really close." Hua Cheng commented.
Xie Lian nodded his head as he inserted a mouthful of rice into his mouth. Xie Lian couldn't help but exclaim happily. His cheeks were filled up, looking like a hamster. 
Hua Cheng stared deeply at Xie Lian, trying to calm his raging heart by gripping his fingers till his nails were ingrained. 
"How did you guys meet?" Hua Cheng wanted to get the conversation going.
Xie Lian hastened his chewing before replying, "I met him when I first moved here 2 years ago. I was a little lost but he was nice enough to come help me." Xie Lian said vaguely. 
"Well, how bout you? Why did you move here? I just realised I never asked." Xie Lian shot a question. 
"Hmm, the locations good, I suppose." 
"For a flower shop?" Xie Lian couldn't help but comment. 
Hua Cheng chuckled, "Yep, I do quite like flowers. How about you, why did you open a tattoo store? You don't really look like someone who would do tattoos, gege." 
Hua Cheng asked politely, he wanted to get to know him better using this opportunity. 
Xie Lian thought for a while before replying, "Hmm, I think it first interested me when I saw a man getting a tattoo."
Hua Cheng lifted one of his eyebrow curiously, "hoo, why?" 
"I asked the man why he was getting a tattoo. I don't really remember what he said but he wanted to get one to symbolise a checkpoint in his life, an event for himself to remember." 
Xie Lian's eyes sparkled, giving off a vibrant aura like one of a teenager. 
"I guess I wanted to be someone to help people who wish to mark a significant event in their life, or help them represent a story of their life but overtimes I've also grown to love doing tattoos of various designs." 
Xie Lian continued eating once he finished speaking.
Hua Cheng was kinda dazed after that. He never thought one's eyes could be so mesmerising to look at as it glittered like the stars in the skies, relighting the entire place. 
They continued to eat, chatting and getting to know each other better. The atmosphere was warm and friendly, they were totally in their own world.
"Gege, shall I walk you back?" 
"Ah no, it's fine Hua Cheng, I can go back by myself." 
Hua Cheng couldn't really push anymore as he shrugged it off. They said goodbye to each other as they parted ways. 
The wind blew Hua Cheng's hair, he panted as he ran back home. His heart had never once been steady throughout dinner, he almost wanted to explode. He clenched his chest, his face flushed. 
He continued to run back, his mind replaying the scenes over and over again. His mind replaying his voice over and over again like a broken radio.
Maybe Hua Cheng is already broken.