#and binghe is such a fast learner

[wynntermelon]

Slow dance with you

[thesadisticsiren]

I don't think Shen Yuan is necessarily a bad cook. He's evidently a fast learner based on *waves hand at novel* so he could learn. But he doesn't. There are factors to consider:

1. Shen Yuan, from the modern day, can probably get by decently in a regular, modern kitchen. In the xianxia equivalent, however he would struggle, which is both a bad look for him as a secret transmigrator AND as a Peerless peaklord. He can't be seen experimenting in the kitchens! Thats OOC! For at minimum a few years, the Qingjing kitchens are puzzles for him.

2. He was rich. Rich enough to consider himself rich, and to idle about with no need to work if he doesn't want to. If he wanted to order in for basically every meal, his wallet sure wasn't stopping him. Doesn't necessarily mean he doesn't, but it's less incentive to get better than a beginner.

3. Binghe LOVES to cook for his shizun. It's how he shows his love, and he's GOOD at it. He made that man's corpse his favorite dish every day for 5 years so that when he woke up he could enjoy it. Why would Shen Qingqiu not allow binghe to cook to his hearts content?

But I could see him enjoying learning to cook! Especially if it's learning via watching Binghe. Especially if it's FOR Binghe.

Binghe cooks for those he loves. Can you imagine the look on his face if his Shizun and husband made him something? Just for him?

[nyerus]

Hi nyerus. I've seen people saying that Hua Cheng wasn't a virgin before getting married with Xie Lian and he has had practice partner or a lover because MXTX said that he has the best skill among Lou Binghe and Lan Wangji. What do you think about it? I'll be really glad if you answer this question with canon proofs(No pressure though).

Hi there Anon!

It's hard to say super definitively given that it's a topic that's specifically avoided in the novel. But I think based on what Hua Cheng himself says, through lines like "If I like something, then my heart will not have room for any other, and I'll always treasure it. A thousand times, a million times, no matter how many years, this will not change." (ch 126), that he would, 1000000000% without a doubt, never be intimate with someone else. However, intimacy is not strictly necessary for sex. You can have completely impersonal sex without really knowing/caring about the person, just for the sake of it or fun. So if someone wants to headcanon that Hua Cheng did this--especially for "practice"--then that's one thing.

Personally, I don't think he would have, simply because he just doesn't seem the type to. In chapter 40, he also refutes ever having been to the "red light district." While on the face of it, it doesn't seem like a big deal, it's relevant because Hua Cheng has a reputation of... well, not a playboy, per se, but definitely someone who fucks LOL. However, him refuting this reveals that he's not what people think of him, and therefore, isn't someone who casually has sex at all. I think Hua Cheng himself would feel like he was betraying Xie Lian in a way if he did bang someone else, even if he knew he wasn't. His devotion to Xie Lian is everything he is, so it doesn't quite... track that he'd play around with someone else--even if it was ultimately "in service" of Xie Lian. (When you put it like that, it feels a bit... lol.)

I think him being the best lover of the MXTX love interests is really a bit more simple. He had 800 years to research, to fantasize, to prepare--without needing to bang someone else, really. Combine that with the fact that he is very patient, would put Xie Lian's pleasure above his own, and would be incredibly attentive to his needs in bed--well, that in itself is like most of the work. He's also a fast learner. (The man learned a whole dead language on his on; I think he can find his way around sex pretty quick, especially given how eager he is to please.) As MXTX said, he is very romantic, as that's sort of his whole thing. He puts his whole heart into it. Xie Lian is also extremely willing and the two of them are fantastic partners in bed, so no doubt that helps with Hua Cheng's confidence, and thereby his skill.

Also if we take a moment to remember what genre we're reading--it's common for danmei couples to only ever be with each other. Especially in TGCF, which is a fairytale-like romance, it fits that they would be each other's firsts. And I think, on that note, Hua Cheng would VERY VERY MUCH want Xie Lian to be his first and only. Hua Cheng is indeed extremely sentimental, so it makes sense that he would want that to be very special for the both of them.

I hope I got my points across properly in this! It turned into a bit of ramble because I couldn't find the right words to say what I meant hahaha. Ty for sending in the ask!