Huaisang beams happily at the sight of Jiang Cheng's smile. His friend's smiles have always been so rare, and Huaisang feels triumphant about having earned one. "I'm glad you're pleased. The artisan was so skilled. They worked with a variety of stones."
As they settle down to eat, Huaisang chatters pleasantly about the artisans he met that morning. Lotus Pier has always attracted artists, and Huaisang loves art, so he's happy to praise them and to talk about some of the art pieces he picked up as gifts, filling more space in their conversation.
"Will you still be able to go out on the lake with me after lunch? I'm looking forward to it very much."
"Yes, it's been a while since I've been out on the lake." He would go out with his sister all the time but he hadn't done it since her death. He missed her too much to go out there by himself.
But it would be different going out there with his friend. No chance to dwell on those past memories. "I have been looking forward to it as well," he admitted with a slight smile. He had always loved the lake.
"I'm glad!" Huaisang's smile is bright and happy, excited to be able to spend time with his friend.
Once lunch is finished, he rises, hooking his arm through Jiang Cheng's and hugging close against his side. He beams up at Jiang Cheng, feeling much lighter and more cheerful than he has in months. Perhaps years. "I'm enjoying our courtship so far, Jiang-xiong. You're doing well. I'm proud of you."
"You have been a patient teacher." Perhaps this meant that he would be able to find a wife sooner rather than later. He still wasn't used to being so close to someone physically but he couldn't resist when Huaisang smiled like that for some reason.
"We should go out on the lake before it gets too late in the afternoon," he mentioned after a pause. "Being out there at night can be tricky."
Huaisang nods agreement, eager to go out on the lake and ready to trust Jiang Cheng's judgement entirely on such things. "Let's go, I'm excited."
He tugs at Jiang Cheng's arm to get him going, even though he has no idea which way they're heading in order to get to the boat house. "And if it gets too warm and you need to shed a layer or two, I shall enjoy that very much, as well."
Grinning playfully, he purses his lips to try and contain his mirth a little. It's a riskier flirtation than the ones he'd tried earlier, but Huaisang can't help being playful when he's happy.
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As they settle down to eat, Huaisang chatters pleasantly about the artisans he met that morning. Lotus Pier has always attracted artists, and Huaisang loves art, so he's happy to praise them and to talk about some of the art pieces he picked up as gifts, filling more space in their conversation.
"Will you still be able to go out on the lake with me after lunch? I'm looking forward to it very much."
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But it would be different going out there with his friend. No chance to dwell on those past memories. "I have been looking forward to it as well," he admitted with a slight smile. He had always loved the lake.
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Once lunch is finished, he rises, hooking his arm through Jiang Cheng's and hugging close against his side. He beams up at Jiang Cheng, feeling much lighter and more cheerful than he has in months. Perhaps years. "I'm enjoying our courtship so far, Jiang-xiong. You're doing well. I'm proud of you."
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"We should go out on the lake before it gets too late in the afternoon," he mentioned after a pause. "Being out there at night can be tricky."
no subject
He tugs at Jiang Cheng's arm to get him going, even though he has no idea which way they're heading in order to get to the boat house. "And if it gets too warm and you need to shed a layer or two, I shall enjoy that very much, as well."
Grinning playfully, he purses his lips to try and contain his mirth a little. It's a riskier flirtation than the ones he'd tried earlier, but Huaisang can't help being playful when he's happy.