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"San Lang, what is your favorite color?" Xie Lian asked, an innocent curiosity in his voice as he looked at the fabrics at the vendor's stall. He ran his fingers over the nearby cotton, a simple pattern but well woven and soft. He kept his attention on the fabric to hide from Hua Cheng's look, which he could well imagine from the sound of his laugh.
"If gege has to ask, I may need to redecorate," he replied, leaning in to run his long fingers through the collection of fabrics as well.
Xie Lian flushed, his focus still on the table. "W,well! I didn't want to assume, that it was red I mean… but San Lang there are so many shades of red! Look," he finally turned to show his example, taking up a dark fold of silk in his hand. "This is still red, but it's a deeper tone, something like the curtains in the main hall of the Paradise Manor. But the shade you often wear is more bold, a cooler red I believe they say… or is it warmer?" He shook his head but finally managed to look up to Hua Cheng's face, as the ghost king's amused smirk had calmed to a more inquisitive smile, his head tilted. "I meant more, which shade do you prefer the most? I've seen you use about every sort of red there is out there."
Hua Cheng considered it for a long moment, looking down to touch the same crimson silk that Xie Lian had pointed out. "Just about any shade, I suppose. It all depends on the situation. The red that will compliment the rest of the colors present is usually the best one."
Xie Lian gave a small hum, still looking up at him, his expression calmed now that they were on topic. "Ahh, San Lang really does have refined tastes, knowing to consider such things. No wonder your outfits always look so fine."
Demurring at the praise, Hua Cheng smiled a bit more as he let the silk slide through his fingers. "But, I will be honest gege - it could be any color that would be my favorite. But red stands for happiness, and to surround myself in reds reminds me of how happy I am to be in your company."
Embarrassment assaulted Xie Lian's cheeks again as he tried to laugh it off. "San Lang you are really too much sometimes! Surely you liked red before my company - you were wearing it when we met!"
"Yes, of course I was," Hua Cheng replied, his tone coy. "It has also been my lucky color, and I was hoping to cross paths with my dear gege. Lo and behold, there you came along, and my luck was rewarded." As Xie Lian turned away to pat his cheeks, trying to tap down his blushing, Hua Cheng tilted his head again. "Why do you ask, anyways?"
"Nothing, no, nothing at all! I was, simply curious… I wanted to make sure you would like that silk, if I made some pillow covers for you. Your pillows are all so fine but your pale skin looks so nice against a dark red like that…" When Hua Cheng did not respond, Xie Lian finally turned, to see his beloved buying the entire bolt for a generous offer. Xie Lian hurried over to insist it was only a thought, but it was a thought that pleased them both too much to dissuade.