Chapter 1: The Flower Show.
Xiao Chen had been looking forward to the flower show for weeks. Despite his usual aversion to large crowds and social events, he had always found peace and solace among the natural beauty of flowers. Flower shows didn't really draw in much of a crowd apart from those in the field, so he readied his mind and came for this one. He had carefully planned his route through the aisles, determined to see every display and soak in every scent.
As he made his way through the maze of booths, his eyes darted back and forth, taking in the vibrant colors and sweet fragrances around him. There were roses in every shade imaginable, lilies that seemed to glow with their own inner light, and exotic blooms with names even he couldn't pronounce.
But it was the booth in the far corner that truly caught his eye. It was a small, unassuming display, with no fancy decorations or attention-grabbing signs. Yet something about it drew him in, like a magnet pulling at him.
As he approached the booth, he saw that it was filled with stunning paintings of flowers, each one more beautiful than the last. The brushstrokes were so delicate and precise that the petals seemed to sway gently in a soft imaginative breeze, and the colors were so vivid that he could almost smell their sweet fragrance.
And in the corner of the booth sat a tall man with dark hair and bent over an easel. He was dressed simply in a white shirt and black slacks, but he exuded an air of confidence and elegance that immediately caught Xiao Chen's attention.
The man seemed to hear him as he turned around and their eyes met, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. Xiao Chen felt his heart skip a beat. He tried to look away, feeling a the rush of shyness and nervousness that always seemed to accompany him. But something about the man's presence held his attention, like a beacon of warmth and light in the midst of the bustling crowd.
The man smiled at him and waved him over, and Xiao Chen found himself drawn towards him like a moth to a flame. His legs felt like they were made of lead, but he forced himself to take a step forward, and then another, until he was in the booth.
"Hello there," the man greeted him warmly, his voice like a gentle breeze. "I'm Yan Feng. Would you like to see some of my work?"
Xiao Chen nodded, still feeling a bit tongue-tied.
"May I have the pleasure of knowing your name?"
"Xiao Chen." A whisper that could just be caught in the quiet booth came through.
After introductions, Yan Feng showed him his paintings, explaining each one they came to, and as Xiao Chen looked at each one, he felt like he was being transported to a different world. The flowers seemed to come alive on the canvas, their petals unfurling in a riot of colors and shapes.
Yan Feng brought up his love of flowers trying to bring Xiao Chen into the conversation as he talked about each painting. Xiao Chen mostly responded mostly with short word answers but Yan Feng seemed to have a way of putting him at ease, of making him feel like he could be himself without fear of judgement or rejection.
"Do you have a favorite flower?" Yan Feng asked.
Xiao Chen thought for a moment before answering softly, "I like peonies." Truly, he liked all flowers, but peonies a little bit more.
"Ah yes, peonies. They are beautiful," Yan Feng agreed, smiling. "They really do match your aura. A beautiful flower for a beautiful person."
As they chatted, Xiao Chen started to relax and feel more comfortable around Yan Feng. There was something about him that made him feel safe and understood, like they shared a secret bond that no one else could ever comprehend.
A fleeting thought passed Xiao CHen's mind about why there weren't no one had passed by, but it was nothing more than that, fleeting.
Before he knew it, the flower show was over, and it was time to say goodbye. Yan Feng asked for his number, and Xiao Chen shyly gave it to him, feeling a sudden rush of excitement and anticipation. As he walked away, he couldn't help but wonder what the future might hold for him, he knew that he couldn't wait to find out. But he also knew he shouldn't look forward to it too much."
'Bashfullness, Good fortune'
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