Chapter Text
A few hours after Hua Cheng had left, Xie Lian awoke. He Xuan turned his attention to the man who was now sitting up. He swung his head from side to side, as if panicked about where he was. He Xuan, however, continued to calmly sip his tea, even as Xie Lian's gaze met his.
"Where am I?" Xie Lian asked calmly.
"My house. Though, don't take too much note of where you are- by that, I mean, don't try to save information to leak to your little guild. I didn't want to be wrapped up in this any more than you did."
"Then why am I here with you?"
"Hua Cheng, the man who kidnapped you, is practically my superior in power and standing. Can't help but do what he says," He Xuan responded, keeping his eyes on the man that Crimson Rain had smuggled into his home.
Xie Lian sat up a little straighter, "You don't have to do what he says. You have a choice."
At that, He Xuan burst into hysterical laughter, "You really think I have a choice? Look, you know nothing about me or my situation. If I refused, I would be dead right now. I don't know why Crimson Rain decided to be so possessive of you, but he did, and now I guess you're my problem."
The man was silent for a moment, perhaps pondering how he could get out of this situation.
"You're as stuck here as I am stuck in my guild. Let's just try to get along until I can help get you out of here."
Xie Lian nodded slightly. "Deal."
Two days had passed, and just like Hua Cheng had said, he came to collect Xie Lian.
"It's about time. Although, I'm a little disappointed. The little prince and I have gotten quite close," He Xuan smiled tauntingly at Hua Cheng as he patted Xie Lian's shoulder.
"Step away from him," Hua Cheng growled, a small fire burning in his eye.
He Xuan smirked, proud of his successful agitation. "Yeah, yeah." He took a quick look at Xie Lian before going back to his couch.
Hua Cheng walked over to Xie Lian, kneeling before him. "I am... sorry. I never intended to take you anywhere initially."
"What did you plan to do then?"
"I planned to do my job."
"Which is..?"
Hua Cheng sighed, "My assignment was to kill you. But I decided not to."
Xie Lian's gaze flashed, seeming slightly triggered. "You decided not to? You have taken me away from my home because you decided it was better than killing me? If you changed your mind, why didn't you leave me there?" While his tone was calm, his gaze lit like a fire that could not be put out.
"No- I... would have gotten in trouble if I left you alive. I would probably have been stripped of my standing, perhaps eliminated. If lucky, I would be placed on probation. But I am not the only one who would have suffered; if I hadn't killed you, my guild would have just sent someone else to do it. I did not want that."
He still looked confused. "Why would you spare me?"
"Because I was enamoured with you when I saw you, and I just couldn't." Hua Cheng gently took Xie Lian's hands, which the man did not object to or pull away from. "I have never missed a target. Never failed an assignment, but for some reason I couldn't complete it this time."
Xie Lian tipped his chin up. "So what do you expect to do with me now?"
"I... do not know. But you will be coming with me to my home."
"I did not agree to such a thing."
Over on the couch, He Xuan was leaning forward, tea in hand, clearly listening to the whole situation like it was a soap opera. Hua Cheng decided to pay it no mind. "One day I will bring you back to your home; when my guild isn't on our trail. I will not tell you to trust me, but I will ask you to try to."
Xie Lian seemed to think to himself, as if weighing the pros and cons; what would benefit him about this? He nodded, perhaps finding an advantage for him in this mess that he was pulled into. "Fine. I will give it one year at most to resolve itself before I return to my guild. Whatever happens after is not my concern; whether they tear you all down or not. I would prefer no violence happen, but I also would not be able to stand in their way."
Hua Cheng nodded, standing up and helping Xie Lian to his feet. "He Xuan, I will need one of your cloaks."
He stood up, irritated. "Why do you always take things from me?" He grumbled, heading to his closet.
"Because you always take from me; it's right that I take things back," Hua Cheng called after him.
Xie Lian snorted slightly, laughter apparent on his face, no matter how stoic and elegant his expression was. Seeing such a sight made Crimson Rain Sought Flower smile, for how could there be a sight in the world as pleasing as this?