#krowluciddreams

Despite the meddling, your mom was just genuinely worried that you would be missing out your youth and excited to finally celebrate the Lunar New Year at the town's center, having missed previous year due to horrible seasonal allergies. The two moms share short back and forth with each other before inviting you and your mom in.

The house smelled beautifully of sandalwood, making it cozy against the biting cold weather. You can also smell the simmering broth of soup, assumed being boiled in the kitchen.

As you stood in the entryway clutching your paper bag, you then hear 'thud, thud, thud' of a knife against a chopping board at back of the house. You gave the bag to Lie's mom for her to inspect and approve of the dress, answering some questions she'd throw at you about the dress.

Lin Lie was right there, just a room away, his mind entirely filled with the upcoming Lion Dance Competition on Sunday as he chopped the veggies for the soup his mom neglected to invite you and your mom in.

To be honest, as much as he wanted to deny it, he desperately hoped the long hours spent practicing each routine would finally make you look his way instead of burying yourself in your books. For the longest time, he had wished for his mom to finally introduce you to him since the day he knew that your mom and his mom are close, he kept on hesitating as you and him barely talk outside of class. He was definitely over the moon when he overheard the conversation shared between your mom and his mom over the phone and can't seem to hear anything else but the fact that you'll be tagging along as well.

He caught the sound of your soft voice echoing into the hallway, a familiar sound from the front rows of his college classes, but he shook his head, convinced his ears were playing tricks on him. He stayed in the kitchen, he didn't look out. He didn't want to break his focus before the big day.

"Aya, child... no, no, no," Lin's mom sighed, shaking her head in disapproval. "You will freeze to death in this cheap dress. No warmth! Come, follow me. I have something to give you."

The three of you walked into Lin's mom closet room, Lie's mom was opening drawers, shifting garment bags and went back and forth for a gorgeous looking box. She dusted the box and opened it, it was a sleeveless vintage qipao in black, dragon patterns printed on it and only revealed when it caught the light. Framed by a regal gold printed around the dress, the qipao cross the chest with intricate work of knot serves as the 'button' of the dress. The qipao stopped just above your knees with a slit on the side. What made it more perfect was that it was lined with fur of an animal you could not figure, maybe it's faux, not that you could tell. It looks so expensive but also too.. figure fitting.

When you shyly stepped out the guest room wearing it, you looked into a mirror and froze. The qipao hugs your figure perfectly, it was pretty warm despite the available slit. Part of your leg is showing, and it all feels a little too intimate. You also tried on the additional piece of fur coat that matched the qipao, it covers the rest of your arm but still shows the front of the dress. For a long time, you aren't used to such clothing, and definitely not the ones that shows a little too much skin to your liking, but you could definitely get used to it, you looked like a royalty.

"Perfect." Lin's mom said proudly, dusting the dress and adjusting the fur collar. "You look just like your mom when she was your age.", Your mom chuckles, looking at you with awe. It did remind her of her younger years with Lie's mom. Also how good you will look standing beside Lin Lie in it. She gave you some time to change back and asked to stay for little chats.

You and your mom stayed for teas, the drinking kind and the other kind. You enjoyed listening to them talk, not so much about the neighbor's divorce or the fact that someone got pregnant after 'messing around', completely unaware that Lie had eventually retreated up the back staircase to his bedroom after finishing the soup up, completely missing your presence by the dining room. By the time you and your mother gathered your things to leave, the house was quiet again.

As you walked out and to the car, you notice your mom shivering hands. "You okay, mama?" She waved her hand, dismissing the question. "I am okay, let's get home now." You looked back at the quiet Lin house, the black dress tucked safely in your arms before getting in. Something tells you that your mom would miss another year of Lunar New Year again.

On the day..

February wind swept through the town’s central park, rustling the bright red lanterns strung between the bare, frozen trees and fences. Despite the lack of snow, the damp winter chill had everyone bundled up in thick wool, heavy cloaks, and traditional Chinese garments. It was the peak of the Lunar New Year celebrations, the town’s annual celebration involving Chinese food festival, and The Lion Dance Competition. You could smell citrus and incense in the air. You were looking forward to the competition in support of Peter Quill, someone you used to share history with, but now a close friend. You are not made aware that the 2 people Lion Dance would have Peter pairing up with Lie.

Lin Lie stood at the edge of the performance mat, chest heaving under his lion costume. His forehead was sweaty despite the cold, his hair messy. He and Peter Quill had just finished their routine. To your shock, Quill, despite dancing not being his forte, had actually been a phenomenal tail to Lie’s head in the performance. Peter brought a ridiculous high energy that balanced perfectly with Lie's footwork.

"Man, we killed it!" Peter gasped, leaning heavily against the massive, colorful lion head resting on a bench. He adjusted his sleeveless Tang Suit top he's wearing, shaking out his hair. "If we don't get first place, the judges are rigged."

"Don't celebrate yet, Quill. We still have to wait for the scores," Lie said, though a small smile tugged at his lips. He also was confident of their performance. He wiped his face with a towel, his eyes instinctively scanning the crowd for his mother.

He spotted her near the edge of where everybody crowded, laughing and chatting with someone. Lie walked over, pulling his heavy winter cloak over his shoulders to keep his muscles from freezing in the damp air.

"Ma," Lie called out, stepping closer. "Did you see the-" The words caught in his throat.

His mother wasn't alone. She was holding the hands of a person who completely stole the breath right out of his lungs. You.

You were wearing the black qipao. The silhouette was hugging your figure in a way that made him completely short circuited. You’d mentioned before that you were nervous about wearing something so fitted to Lie’s mom, but standing there, flushed from the cold and smiling warmly, you looked absolutely breathtaking.

Lie stood frozen, his eyes wide, completely mesmerized. He didn't even notice his own mother waving a hand in front of his face.

"Lie? Earth to Lin Lie," his mother teased. "Look who came to support you! And look how beautiful they look in the dress I picked out!" Before Lie could assemble a coherent sentence, a heavy, familiar arm slapped down over your shoulder.

"Whoa, look at you!" Peter Quill’s loud, energetic voice cut through the air. He leaned in incredibly close to you, his face inches from yours as he inspected the crafts done on the dress. "Is this the dress you told me about? You look fantastic! Black is definitely your color. I haven't seen you so formal in a while."

Lie’s stomach dropped into a cold, heavy knot.

He watched, suddenly feeling very small, as you laughed and playfully shoved Peter’s shoulder. There was an effortless, deeply rooted familiarity in the way Peter barged into your space, and the way you didn't even blink at his sudden physical affection. Lie’s mind began to race, a sharp, green-eyed monster rearing its head in his chest.

'Since when were they this close? How do they even know each other?'

Lie had admired you from a distance for months. You were a great person to be around, despite only talking maybe a few times. Someone he secretly pined over while pretending to just be the reliable 'friend'. But seeing Peter being so close to you made Lie feel a sudden painful pang of jealousy. He felt a wave of sadness wash over him. Of course someone like Quill would catch your eye.

What Lie didn't know, since Peter was actively keeping it to himself to avoid making things awkward, was that you and Peter were actually exes. It hadn't worked out romantically, but you had remained close friends. To Lie, though, it looked like there was already something between you and Peter.

"Alright, kids, the judges are calling the winners!" Lie's mom clapped her hands, completely oblivious to her son’s internal conflict. "I’m going to run ahead to the New Year market with my friends to talk." She pointed to her friend, who is waiting for her at the back.

She looked up at her son and say “好啦，Lie, 帮我照顾好她啊.” She said as she tap your shoulder a few times “Ma-“ Lie manage to say before his mom vanished into the crowd just as the announcer’s voice boomed over the loudspeakers. You waved goodbye to his mom. He sighed and you watched him retreated back to the side stage with Peter for winner announcement.

Hǎo la, Lie, bāng wǒ zhàogù hǎo tā a. ; Alright, Lie, help me take care of her okay?

...

And it’s no surprise that the first place goes to the two handsome men that did their routine perfectly. Lin Lie and Peter Quill.

The crowd applauded, half of them were actually the spectators of the dance and another half were simply charmed by how they look the second the lion costume came off. You clap your hands happily, looking at Peter who threw his arms up in the air and Lie who forced a smile, his competitive pride fighting through the fog of his sudden heartbreak.

A brief speech are given before the event ends and the two men walked to you. You immediately stepped up to him, your eyes shining. "I knew you guys would win. I was gonna say earlier that you were incredible, Lie.”

"Thanks," he said softly, his voice a little raspy. He offered you a genuine, if not slightly sad. His eyes trailing down to the fur trim of your dress. "You… you look really nice, by the way. The dress suits you."

Peter overheard him, one brow raised in suspicion before he stood beside Lie.

A red flush crept up your cheeks, and you offered him a shy smile. "Thanks. Your mom insisted." Lie frowned in question. “So that was you that gave my mom a visit a week ago for this dress?” If he had known sooner that day... Actually, who was he kidding? He wanted to impress you, not see the nervous version of him. But weren't you and Peter...? He looked at Peter who was just beside him, internally conflicted again.

“Yeah, I was wondering where you were. My mom wanted to meet you. Unfortunately, she missed yet another year of this celebration. She’s not feeling too well. But your mom was so nice to me.” You said as one hand is at your other elbow. Peter slots his elbow on Lie’s shoulder, slightly leaning to him. He chimes in. “Well, now that you’re here. Why don’t we grab something to eat? I’m starving and your winning star today needs sustenance.”

You rolled your eyes as you chuckle, replying in a snarky remark. You missed completely the way Lie’s face change.

...

With the trophy secured, the three of you walked out of the middle of the space of where everyone gathered and into the food aisles of the park's market. Steam rose in thick quickly appears in your vision from dozens of outdoor stalls, you can smell the varying foods in the air.

The three of you stopped, more like Peter dragged the two of you by a traditional dumpling stall, telling how he crave the dumplings he had here last year. It was an outdoor setup with heavy plastic tarp blocking the biting winter wind. As you sat down, you couldn't help but notice a group of older women and other ladies sneak glances and head nods from the other tables.

It wasn't hard to see why. You were sitting between two incredibly attractive men. On one side was Peter, leaning back with his exposed, toned and muscly arms, and on the other was Lin Lie, his sharp jawline and dark eyes making him look like someone straight out of vogue magazine.

Peter, entirely used to attention, just winked at them and ordered five portions of dumplings, mixing all the flavours available. “It’s on me today.” He said, giving you a smirk that he knew you’d roll your eyes to.

You and Peter talked to each other so casually, while Lie stayed silent as he held his tongue and watched. He didn't realize the way the emotions he kept were so readable by his own best friend, Peter.

“You.. good, Lie?” Peter noticed the way his friend mood changed, he’s concerned that his, usually social friend isn’t talking. Before he could reply, the cashier came in with the wooden steamer.

As the piping hot dumplings arrived, warming the chilly air around the table, the silence settled. Lie stared at his chopsticks, his knuckles white. The jealousy had been simmering inside him for the last twenty minutes, and his bluntness finally won out. He couldn't keep it in anymore. Curiosity killed the cat be damned.

He looked up, his dark eyes locking onto Peter, then shifting to you. "Alright, I have to ask," Lie said, his tone dropping into that serious tone Peter recognized when he argued with him one time. "What exactly is the deal with you two? How do you know each other so well?"

Peter paused, a dumpling halfway to his mouth. He looked at Lie’s intensely serious face, then looked at you, a slow, realizing smirk spreading across his lips. Peter chuckled, shaking his head.

"Ah. I get it now." He put his dumpling down.

"Get what?" Lie frowned, getting defensive. "Relax, Lie. Y/N.." Peter laughed, raising his hands in surrender. He bumped your shoulder playfully. "Tell him before he uses one of his moves he learned in martial art. It does hurt, by the way."

You let out a soft chuckle, but, you’re a little confused at the context Peter was trying to give out. You stuff yourself a dumpling after you blow it and reply. “Tell him what exactly?”

Peter raised one of his eyebrow. “About us.”

Oh. Your expression softening completely, you munched down the dumpling before clearing your throat. "Uhm, well.“ You look up to anticipated Lie. Still confused as why he wanted to know. You wanted to guess, but there’s no way, right? You took a deep breath and sigh.

“Peter and I.. We used to date. A year back. We’ve known each other for a while but the relationship didn't work out at all, and now we’re basically just like siblings who annoy each other."

Lie blinked. The knot in his stomach instantly disappear, replaced by a rush of relief. "Wait. Really?" He looks at the both of you, eyes gleaming with hope.

"Really, man," Peter chimed in, stuffing the whole dumpling into his mouth. "I’m now strictly the wingman here. Besides, did you see the way you were looking at her in that dress? Pretty sure your eyes were glowing, and not because of of the weather." He said muffled and bluntly.

You froze and blinked, and you quickly hid your smile behind your cup of hot tea. You had no idea the guy who sat 3 rows behind you in your classes secretly likes you. You thought a guy like him would rather look at other more attractive girls.

Lin Lie, for the first time all day, looked entirely caught off guard. A blush crept up his neck and up his cheeks, so unlike him with his tough, confident demeanor. He cleared his throat loudly, looking away to hide his massive, uncontainable grin.

"I just… You know, you look so nice in it, 绝了," Lie muttered, though he couldn't help but look back at you, his eyes warm and hopeful.

jué le ; so stunning

"I'm glad you came today."

"Me too," you replied softly, slowly dropping down the tea cup, holding his gaze as the winter wind howled outside the tent, completely forgotten.

——

“Hey, hey, guys. I know I just matched you two. But c’mon, I’m pretty sure I’m still right here.” Peter chimed.