"You can take me to dinner," Ju Li stated.

Xiao Yu's eyes widened, jaw slack. After nearly three months of resistance, it was a shock to see her cave into his request. But, of course, he would not know that this was merely a means to appease a pregnant mother and the growing financial concern that many in the market were beginning to share.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Really?"

"Yes. Do not make me regret my choice," Ju Li warned, pointed a sugar powdered finger at him.

"I won't," Xiao Yu insisted, grinning once more, "When can would be most convenient for you?"

"Tonight."

"Tonight! I shall surprise you with something good!"

And with those words, he pranced off with his cakes. She must have really made his day, considering the way he had looked before. A few days had passed since she had last seen him, haggard and tired. She wondered if he had indeed been ill, but failed to see how someone so insufferably happy could take to sickness. Scoffing, she leaned back against the wall of the stall.

This was only to appease her mother, and to possibly take care of her family. It was evident that Xiao Yu had taken a liking to her, but she could not reciprocate those feelings. She could scarcely say she had ever been in love; the concept of what love was could only be limited to family and friends. Perhaps this "love" that Xiao Li had convinced their parents was merely that of a friend, and they would be getting worked up for nothing.

A stagnant battle of possibilities waged on in the back of Ju Li's mind as she served customers. To tell Xiao Yu of her situation, or to not. To inquire about what it was that he felt, or not. The answers never found themselves in her mind, not even as Xiao Yu appeared to take her to dinner.

Their stroll was the same as their first had been: a speculative silence where both parties examined the other. Whatever inquisition Xiao Yu may have had was bottled away. Ju Li's own questions barely left the reaches of her mind. They dare not venture past her teeth, to become tangible things with which to spoil the mood.

A pang of guilt dropped upon her, sinking into the depths of her mind like a rock in an ocean. This, in its conception of whatever it was, was wrong. She was using this man who may have truly held fondness for her, all because of money. All because of her family. She focused on her family; for then, it didn't seem so wrong a deed, to seduce her admirer further and wile away his money.

It was a small surprise to see him leading her towards a small alcove of willow trees. She glanced quickly at him through her lashes, intrigued, but said nothing. A small voice in her head warned her of danger, but she wanted to think the best of her friend. Or, rather, her suitor. Surely, he had no intentions of doing her harm in the way that she might imagine.

As they approached the clearing, Xiao Yu held up a hand, stopping Ju Li in her tracks. He trotted on ahead of her, tossing a request for her to wait for him over his shoulder as he went. Puzzled, she could do only what he asked of her. A few minutes passed before he returned, hand outstretched for her to take.

The most contact they had had was the slight brush of hands, but now they had palms pressed together and fingers intertwined. Perhaps it was this increase in intimacy, or perhaps it was the mystery shrouding their dinner, but Ju Li could not help the fleeting thought of how nice this was. There was a nonchalance to this ordeal that varied to drastically from the bustle and frantic nature of her days that she wished to stay in.

Xiao Yu shielded her eyes for just a moment before removing his hand. What her gaze fell upon was the scattering of soft blue clusters of flowers and a bountiful dinner of roast duck coated in what looked like a sauce made with chives and yams, sliced apricots drizzled with honey, and thick, creamy soups. Set to the side were steamed buns and jellies, a dessert to lay waste to after dinner had been finished.

Ju Li's mouth watered at the sight of the food, the aroma filling her nose as she drew closer. Her thoughts of what it would all taste like when she sank her teeth in or drank them down were lost at the sound of a chuckle. She turned a previously hungry gaze upon Xiao Yu, who could not be bothered to stifle his laughter.

"What's so funny," she inquired. She didn't think she'd done something amusing.

"Your stomach is quite talkative," he managed to get out through his insistent schoolboy giggles.

Ju Li's cheeks heated, a light dusting of red touching her cheeks. He was making fun of her hunger. So what if she was hungry? She had not eaten since lunch, and even that had been a measly meal. It was no surprise it did not sustain her.

"Is this how you treat all the women you ask to dinner," she huffed, plopping down among the flowers.

She had never seen such things. Or maybe she had, and had not been paying attention. Each individual flower was small, but in a cluster of others just like it. They formed bunches that resembled broccoli but were far more beautiful.

Turning her attention back to the food, reminded once more of it by the enticing scent of the feast, she glanced up at Xiao Yu. He regarded her quietly, having taken his own seat opposite her. The pensive furrow of his brows was unusual, and she found herself fidgeting under his gaze.

"You are smart," he stated.

"Yes," she replied, although it sounded much more like a question.

"I was wondering what you had to say about the taxes."

"Which ones?"

"The newer ones; the ones being placed on the merchants."

"Ah, those. They are quite restrictive."

"How so?"

"It takes money to buy supplies to sell, and even more still to pay for the transport. Whatever money is left is usually to go to the merchant, but much of it has gone to the taxes."

"I see."

"Additionally, this raises the prices of all items sold and thus the peasants are left with having to spend more money on what they need to survive."

"They say there is unrest brewing to the east, with Hanguo."

"Why would there not be? We have been attacking them for decades. I would understand there being bad blood between us."

Ju Li paused to dip a portion of the roast duck that she had torn off into the soup. The sweet tang of the glaze mixed with the crunch of the lettuce well, and the soup clung to the meat as another coat of spices. A hum of delight left her as she repeated the action several more times, fingers sticky and slick with glaze and grease.

"Is it that good," Xiao Yu questioned, nodding towards the food when she looked up at him.

She hadn't realized how badly she must have appeared, gobbling up all the food in front of her with no refinement. Finishing what was left in her mouth, she nodded slowly. His smile was brilliant, white teeth glittering almost as much as his jewels.

"I am glad. I will have this prepared again next time."

"Next time? You believe there to be another time?"

"Will there not?"

"How am I to know?"

She silenced all further prompts of conversation by stuffing her face once more, ladling water into a cup for herself and Xiao Yu. Another few moments passed in silence before conversation began again, taking a different turn from politics and dinners.

"What are you," she asked quietly, finally speaking the words that had troubled her since the first day they'd met.

"What do you mean," he asked back, sitting up slightly.

"I mean, are you the son of a wealthy man?"

"Yes."

"Do you work?"

"No."

"Did you inherit it all?"

"Yes."

"Why do you have such free time? Do you have no duties to attend to?"

"I do have duties to attend to."

"And you neglect them?"

"They are simply less favorable than coming to see you."

Her eyes narrowed and her lips pursed. She was unsatisfied with these answers; they gave little to no clues as to who Xiao Yu was. She returned to her portion of the meal, sipping her water slowly. Silence once more, and then she began her interrogation a second time.

"How do you know so much about politics?"

"How do you? A lady should not concern herself with such business."

"Such business is important to my livelihood."

"Ah, yes, it would be."

"So how do you know?"

"Know what?"

"About Hanguo."

"Ah, I like to learn about all affairs within the country."

"The whole of China? That is much to concern yourself with."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, I would think so."

"If you say."

They continued another round of silence, finishing off the decadent first course before moving on to the dessert. Ju Li pressed her finger into her steamed buns, filling them with the jellies. The first time she had done so, Xiao Yu let out a sound akin to choking. She'd looked up sharply, concerned, only to find him burying his face in his sleeves. Deciding not to ask, she'd bitten into the bun. It was just as delicious as she'd thought it would be.

They passed jokes back and forth, seriousness forgotten. Ju Li caught him simply staring at her as she ate or laughed, but thought nothing of it. If she thought too hard about his feeling for her, he would make her decision that much worse.

As their meal concluded, Ju Li noted that the sun had long since set. It would mean a journey back home in the dark. This was not a novelty to her, as the winter months often saw to it that the sun would be home before her. She sighed, content with this closing of her day. It meant that she had something to report to her mother.

Looking up to inquire upon excusing herself, her gaze landed on a return of Xiao Yu's pensive expression. This time, however, he did not turn it upon her, but off to some distant spot. He seemed so lost in thought, she feared shaking it from him would dismantle whatever ship he had built in his mind. Giving it a moment longer, she cleared her throat to gain his attention.

Turning his sights to her, he perked up slightly. A smile touched his lips and a chuckle lay just behind his teeth before she beat him to it to speak.

"I must be returning home," she stated, "I have rather enjoyed myself."

"Is that so? Please: allow me to see you home," he replied.

"No, no; I can get home myself. Thank you for this."

"Just be ready to be amazed next time."

She scowled then, and he laughed in reply. Snorting, she got to her feet and began to walk away.

"I might not be back for a while," he called.

"Good riddance," she responded.

// alright, so, I'll be adding in all the tones tomorrow because right now I'm tired and I've got a few things left to do for the evening. let me know if I totally messed something up, please. votes and comments are appreciated. cheers, rem.