Chapter Text
The last thing Beidou expected when her date had texted her I'm outside was a sleek, black Rolls Royce with the door being opened for an obviously very wealthy woman. First to emerge were her polished black louboutins, followed by a pair of long, lean legs. The woman, Ningguang, she recalled, stepped onto the curb in a stunning white and gold dress that complimented her silver-white hair perfectly. Her hair was in an ornate half-up-half-down style, the top being pinned up with a wooden hair stick. Her face was perfect marble sculpted into the even expression of a powerful woman.
In her budget suit, bought about 3 years ago, Beidou suddenly felt underdressed despite it being one of the nicest things she owned. She smiled awkwardly and gave the woman a small wave as what appeared to be her chauffeur stepped to the side.
"I take it you're Beidou?" Ningguang greeted. Oh God. Not only was this woman stunning, but her resonant voice felt like silk as it delicately weaved through the air.
"That would be me. Ningguang, I assume?" Beidou replied with a nervous lilt to her voice. When the woman's face remained stoic, she laughed nervously and rubbed the back of her neck with the hand not currently in her pants pocket.
"Let's be off then, we will make it to our reservation on time if we leave now," Ningguang prompted. "Please show Miss Xi in the back," she instructed the chauffeur. The man promptly gave a quick nod and began walking to the driver's side.
He opened the door to the backseat and bowed his head as he gestured her inside. Beidou stepped in carefully to avoid so much as leaving a fingerprint on the car. Really, she'd never even seen a car this expensive in real life.
Ningguang sat beside her, behind the passenger seat. She sat poised with her legs together and her hands folded in her lap. Suddenly self-conscious of her improper posture, Beidou tried her best to look somewhat composed.
Which, truthfully, was difficult giving that she was so out of her depth.
Tonight had been set up by a mutual friend of theirs, Lumine. Being a semi-famous, globe-trotting internet star, she knew a lot of people. This Beidou knew. But when Lumine had said "You two would be perfect for each other" she couldn't have imagined the woman she would be set up with was so clearly wealthy and powerful.
The chauffeur climbed in the driver's seat and started up the car with the press of a button. The engine hummed to life rather than sputtering and roaring like Beidou's own car.
She watched out the window as they left her apartment building which, in comparison, looked run-down and dingy. She supposed that it was.
The silence suffocating her, Beidou looked over at Ningguang and felt the need to start a conversation.
"You look gorgeous," Beidou complimented. Ningguang turned her head and gave a small smile.
"You are quite handsome yourself," she returned. Beidou felt a blush rise on her cheeks. She just really hoped it wouldn't be as obvious on her tanner complexion.
"Thank you," she almost whispered. "So, where are we headed?" She asked, mustering up strength to put in her voice.
"Liuli Pavillion. It's a favorite of mine." Ningguang answered. Beidou's eyes widened. Though, at this point, she really shouldn't be surprised.
Liuli Pavillion was a 5-star restaurant in the heart of Liyue Harbor. The whole city was teeming with life and bustling with activity, but Liuli Pavillion was by far the most high-class dining available. So much so that Beidou had never been. She was pretty sure the fanciest restaurant she'd been to was the Wanmin Restaurant, which honestly paled in comparison to the grandeur of the Liuli Pavilion.
Where her nerves had been building, they suddenly skyrocketed. This beautiful, commanding woman would realize she did not belong in her world upon setting one foot inside their destination. Oh Archons , she thought.
The car slowed to a stop by the sidewalk in front of the restaurant. Its large windows and grand architecture only served to make Beidou more aware of her inexperience in this situation. The chauffeur stepped out of the car and opened Beidou's door. She stepped out with an awkward smile.
The man then circled around the car to Ningguang's door. Beidou followed cluelessly behind.
When the other woman stepped out, Beidou was once again struck by the utter beauty and elegance of Ningguang. Her fair complexion glowed in the yellow lighting of downtown. The sparkles in the gold of her dress shimmered in a way that was somehow not obnoxious, but mesmerizing.
She turned and met Beidou's eyes before instructing, "Follow me."
Beidou vaguely registered their chauffeur getting back in the car and pulling away but was far too focused on the way Ningguang seemed to command the attention of everyone as they parted to let her through. When she arrived at a podium beside the entrance, the hostess bowed her head swiftly.
"Welcome back, Miss Tianquan. Your table is ready for you," the woman said as she gathered 2 menus and began to lead them to a table. Beidou was amazed at the sight. The hostess at the fanciest restaurant in the city knew her date by name. Not only that, but she had a reserved, usual table? Fucking rich people shit.
As they approached a table by some very large and ornate windows, the 2 chairs set up for it were pulled out for them. Ningguang sat first, elegantly settling into the seat and scooching her chair forward just a tad.
Beidou followed suit, albeit much less gracefully.
"Your preference in wine tonight Ms. Tianquan?" A server asked from beside the table. They'd arrived so swiftly and quietly that Beidou was completely unaware they were there.
"My usual Cabernet, thank you," Ningguang replied without a moment's hesitation. "Is that alright with you or would you like a white?"
Beidou had only ever had shifty wine from the even shittier grocery store a few blocks from her apartment (with the exception of stolen bottles from her parents in high school). Truthfully, she was sure literally anything here would be the best thing she's tasted in her life.
"The Cabernet's great," she answered, trying her best to sound distinguished.
The server bowed curtly and took his leave to retrieve the wine. Ningguang set an elbow in the table and propped her head up in the back of her hand. She peered at Beidou with an appraising gaze.
"So, Beidou," Ningguang paused for a moment, gaging how the name felt on her tongue. "Tell me about yourself."
The way she'd said it made this "date" feel more like an interview. Should she be listing her strengths and weaknesses?
"Um well… I'm an MMA instructor at the gym near city center. You know, the really big one," Ningguang nodded in acknowledgment, "And I go to school at Sal Terrae College for sports medicine."
"And I assume the degree in sports medicine is to continue a career in MMA or sports training of some kind?" Ningguang implored. Beidou nodded.
"Yeah, I've always been a hobbyist but I love to coach and teach. With the degree I could go full time at the gym or even get a job at a real ring," Beidou explained.
"Big dreams and the will and work to see them through. I find that admirable," Ningguang commented, her tone even and observatory. The words and her tone seemed not to match, but Beidou was gathering that Ningguag just spoke like that.
"Why thank you, I guess," Beidou replied, her cheeks darkening with something like a fluster. Ningguag laughed at that. A small, delicate laugh which perfectly matched her countenance.
"You're cute. I admire that as well," she added. Beidou groaned and hid behind her hands for a moment before collecting herself again.
"Anyway, that's where I met Lumine. She was scoping out classes in the area and we hit it off. So, what do you do?" Beidou deflected. Ningguang hummed at the change in subject but replied nonetheless.
"I am an investor of sorts. My work mainly consists of drawing up contracts, making executive decisions about company business, and meeting with fellow businesspeople to give advice," she explained.
A lot fancier than "I teach punching", Beidou thought.
"I met Lumine as a friend of a colleague. I find it amusing how she finds herself in so many different worlds. She's a fighter, but she's also an excellent negotiator and quite even-keeled."
"Yeah, persuasive too. I've never been on a blind date before," Beidou chucked. Ningguang looked confused. She lifted her head from her hand and folded both her hands in her lap.
The server returned with their wine, pouring it into two waiting glasses. He then set the bottle down.
"I'll be back in just a minute for your orders," he said as he backed away. Ningguang simply waved her hand to dismiss him.
"A blind date? I was under the impression that you were told my angle," Ningguang replied. Now Beidou was confused.
"Lumine had said she'd set me up with a friend of hers who wanted some company, told me she got me a date with someone she knew," Beidou explained.
Ningguang shook her head and laughed a bit.
"Now that's Lumine, always so cunning. I believe she has an agenda of her own here," Ningguang paused and sighed. "I suppose I shall enlighten you then. I had initially been in search of someone to keep me company, with some financial incentive."
"What, like a sugar baby?" Beidou exclaimed, careful to keep her voice to a respectable level for the setting.
"Why? Does the prospect entice you?" Ninguang asked, her voice dipping to a sensual level. Beidou's flush returned with a roaring vengeance at her tone.
"No I- I mean- I didn't mean-"
Beidou is cut off by a laugh. The ease of it catches her off guard.
"My original intention was to provide for someone financially provided they spend time with me and attend functions as my plus one. However, I would not be opposed to a little sugar ." Ningguang clarified. "I mean, you are a very attractive woman."
The way Ningguang leaned forward as she drawled exposed the elegant slope of her porcelain neck. A stray strand of hair escaped her neat bangs and fell to frame her high cheekbone. Beidou's fingers twitched at the urge to brush the stand back behind her ear.
It was at this very moment, unfortunately, that their server returned for their orders. Beidou hadn't even glanced at the menu. Shit.
"What can I get for you ladies?" The server asked in a polite tone, clicking his pen and opening a notepad.
"We'll be having the Yunnan Hotpot. Wagyu beef, for the meat please," Ningguang answered without missing a beat.
Though it was sort of demeaning not to order for herself, Beidou found Ningguang's tendency to take charge incredibly intriguing. And hot. Mostly hot.
The server bowed once again and retreated beyond their table.
"I hope you don't mind, it's one of my favorites and I noticed you hadn't had much chance to look at the menu," Ningguang apologized. Beidou was taken aback a bit. Her quick response was actually quite thoughtful.
"Yeah, it sounds good. I don't mind," Beidou replied, a small smile settling on her lips.
"Anyway, we can discuss the nature of our relationship at a later point. Now, I would like to continue talking with you. I'd like to get to know you, Beidou," Ningguang professed.
And so the night went, hours spent at their small table as the sun dropped below the horizon and the gentle light of the moon began to glint off the high points of Ninggiang's face. They talked, mostly about Beidou. Every time she'd ask Ningguang about something, she'd answer succinctly and shift the question back on her.
Beidou didn't mind much though, she had plenty of stories to tell and Ningguang's noises of acknowledgment and occasional chuckles made all her talking worthwhile.
As the night wound down after Beidou's second glass of wine and the food had slowly vanished, Beidou once again found herself outside of her apartment. The door to the Rolls Royce was opened by the chauffeur and she stepped out into the street. Ningguang did not follow her this time.
Beidou rounded the other side of the car, stepping onto the sidewalk. Ningguang rolled her window down and fished something out of her gold clutch.
"Think my offer over, and give me a call to let me know what you decide," Ningguang instructed as she handed a small rectangle of cardstock to the woman. Beidou took it from her slim fingers, making sure to brush their hands as she did. She was sure Ningguang noticed, if the small quirk at the corner of her mouth said anything.
"Goodnight, Beidou," she purred, looking her in the eye with the most enrapturing gaze.
"Goodnight," Beidou returned as the tinted window rolled back up, concealing the beautiful woman once more. She watched as the sleek black car pulled away, following the vehicle until it blended in with the passing traffic.
As much as she hated to admit it, she'd already made her decision.
I can't believe I'm doing this.