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Every day was a rush in heavenly court, there was always a lot of work and heavenly officials had to work hard to fulfill their duties.
That day, Xie Lian was at the heavenly court, doing the work Ling Wen had given him, when she called him through the communication array.
"Your Highness."
"Ling Wen? Is there anything you need?"
"Come to my palace as soon as possible."
"Why? Did something happen??"
Ling Wen didn't answer.
A shiver ran down Xie Lian's spine. Something wasn't right, he could sense it.
He sighed, the only thing he could do was finish his work as fast as he could, and run to Ling Wen's palace.
When he arrived, he saw Ling Wen holding some documents. The Wind Master was also there.
"Ling Wen, I'm here!"
"Hi!" Qingxuan greeted their friend.
"Hello, Qingxuan!" Xie Lian said, smiling.
Ling Wen coughed to draw the attention of the two gods.
"Alright, now that you two are here, I'll be straightforward. Mount Tonglu is unstable, and the only way for it to get stable again is by removing the spiritual power from the ghosts temporarily."
Xie Lian's eyes widened and his face got pale.
"...How many spiritual power?"
"It depends on how unstable Mount Tonglu is. I must mention that this is not something that happens frequently, the last time it happened was centuries ago. But when it happens, it's usually needed a lot of spiritual power, a lot of ghosts disappeared due to losing all their spiritual power, last time, and it affects ghosts from all ranks equally."
Xie Lian was scared, the flashbacks of Hua Cheng turning into wraith butterflies in front of his eyes were running through his mind.
He immediately looked at his finger to check if the red string was still there, and thankfully it was. Xie Lian sighed, he was still very worried about his husband, since he had no way to know what was his state in that moment.
Qingxuan was also scared, they were worried about He Xuan, but they couldn't possibly compare themselves to Xie Lian, they had never seen the love of their life disappearing in front of their eyes.
"Ling Wen, you said it's temporary. How long does it take??"
"I can't be sure. This situation is very unpredictable, therefore, all we can do is wait until it's over."
Xie Lian couldn't stay there any longer, he had to see Hua Cheng, he had to be with him.
"Ling Wen I-"
"Yes, your highness, I know. That's why I called you two here, specifically. I know there are ghosts who are important to you. Naturally, I know you want to be by their side during this situation. You can go now."
Qingxuan sighed.
"Thank you so much for telling us about that, Ling Wen! And thank you for letting us go, you're so kind!"
"I'm just doing my work."
Qingxuan and Xie Lian hurried out of there and the two parted ways as Qingxuan went to see He Xuan and Xie Lian went to see Hua Cheng.
Xie Lian couldn't bear to be away from Hua Cheng for one more second, he needed to see him, the problem was, he didn't know where Hua Cheng was. He tried to use the communication array, but it wasn't working. It had worked with Ling Wen that morning, so the only explanation was that Hua Cheng was so weak that he wasn't even able to contact Xie Lian through the communication array.
'Please be ok, please be ok...' Xie Lian repeated constantly on his mind.
He didn't know where Hua Cheng could be in that moment, so he used the red string tied to his finger, which he kept looking at to make sure that his husband was fine, to track him.
It said Hua Cheng was in the Ghost City, so Xie Lian ran there as fast as he could.
He entered the Paradise Manor and called for him.
"San Lang!!-"
In that moment, he heard the sound of something falling to the floor, it came from one of the bedrooms. Xie Lian entered the room and found Hua Cheng on the floor, he had probably tried to get up as soon as he heard Xie Lian's voice but immediately fell, without strength.
"San Lang!..." Xie Lian helped his husband getting up and layed him down on the bed. "It's ok... I'm here, ok? You're going to be fine..."
Hua Cheng was trembling slightly and, thought Xie Lian knew it was because of the lack of spiritual power, he could also tell that Hua Cheng was scared.
"G-Gege... what's happening?- The ghost who b-brought me to this room to rest- he disappeared... why did he disappear? Why am I w-weak...? Is this happening with everyone??-"
Xie Lian realized that Hua Cheng had no idea of what was happening to the Mount Tonglu, since he wasn't even born the last time it had happened, but he calmed Hua Cheng down before explaining the situation, by hugging him and stroking his back gently.
When the ghost king calmed down, Xie Lian explained the situation, careful not to scare him more.
Hua Cheng widened his eyes and started getting nervous again as he heard that the ghosts would disappear forever, and Xie Lian immediately comforted him.
"It's ok honey, It's ok..."
"...I can't protect my city... G-Gege I can't p-protect them... they're s-suffering-"
All of the ghosts that lived in the Ghost City trusted Hua Cheng with all of their souls and were eternally thankful to him for giving them a place they could call home. What would they think of Hua Cheng if he didn't protect them during that situation?? Would they blame him??
Xie Lian seemed to read Hua Cheng's mind.
"San Lang, it's not your fault... You can't do anything and they know that, they don't blame you for it." Xie Lian kissed Hua Cheng tenderly in the forehead. "You should rest."
"..."
"I'll see if I can do something to soften the situation, but you have to promise you will try to rest, okay love?"
Xie Lian knew how much Hua Cheng loved his city, he was the one who had built it, so naturally he felt responsible for protecting his people, he was their king, after all.
"...Really?"
"Of course! Also... that means you will also have less chances of uh... disappearing..." Xie Lian looked down as those words left his mouth.
Only in that moment did Hua Cheng realize how stressed Xie Lian was. He was so scared of losing Hua Cheng again, he was so scared of being alone again... yet he was keeping all of those things to himself.
"Y-You're worried about that?..."
"Of course I am... If you died again... I wouldn't be able to take it- I wouldn't be able to live another day without you, my San Lang..." Xie Lian took a deep breath, he didn't want to cry in front of Hua Cheng.
"Gege..." Hua Cheng held his husband's face gently with his trembling hands and tried to smile reassuringly. "I'm not going anywhere..."
Of course, that was something that even Hua Cheng couldn't be sure of, but he was doing his best to calm Xie Lian down.
The god smiled tenderly. "I'm going to do everything I can to take care of you."
"This San Lang is very happy to have Gege taking care of him, thank you very much..."
They kissed softly, Xie Lian even tried to give some of his spiritual power to Hua Cheng, but the ghost kind was unable to receive it.
"Hm... San Lang I'm going to contact Ling Wen to see if she has more information about this situation, ok? Try to rest."
"Ok Gege..."
Xie Lian gave Hua Cheng one last kiss before leaving the bedroom.
He entered the communication array and contacted Ling Wen.
"Ling Wen? I'd like to know if you perhaps have more information about what's happening to the Mount Tonglu?"
Ling Wen answered quickly.
"Greetings, Your Highness, what would you like to know, concretely?"
"Uh... Do you know if there is any way for the ghosts to save up the spiritual power they have left?."
"There is. I actually talked to the Lord Rain Master a few moments ago, she told me that she had come up with a medicine that helps the ghosts to save up their energy. She already tested it and it works. You must talk to her if you need it."
"Thank you very much, Ling Wen!"
Xie Lian left that communication array and contacted Yushi Huang.
"Uh... Hi? Lord Rain Master?"
The goddess answered after a few seconds "Hello, Your Highness."
"I am so sorry for troubling you, but I need your help."
"It is alright, what can I do for you, Your Highness?"
"Well... I just contacted Ling Wen and she said that the only way for the ghosts to save up their energy is by drinking the medicine you brew. I'd like to ask if you can give me some... for everyone in the ghost city-?"
"Of course, Your Highness. I actually made it thinking about the future situations, so I've made enough, you can come to my place to get it."
Xie Lian sighed in relief.
"Thank you, thank you so much, Lord Rain Master!"
She laughed sweetly and said "There is no need to thank me, Your Highness"
Xie Lian left the communication array and entered the room to talk to Hua Cheng
"San Lang?"
Hua Cheng opened his eye and looked at Xie Lian
"Gege?"
"I have to leave for a while."
Hua Cheng frowned "Why?"
"It is possible to save up spiritual power by drinking the medicine Lord Rain Master made, but I need to meet with her to get it."
"Oh... This San Lang understands..."
Xie Lian smiled dearly "Dont make any efforts while I'm gone, ok?"
"Ok, gege"
Xie Lian kissed Hua Cheng's forehead and left to meet the Lord Rain Master.
He found her putting the medicine in a big pot.
When she finished, Xie Lian helped her putting the big recipient on Yushi Huang's wagon. The two gods sat on the wagon and the rain goddess drove it to the ghost city.
On the way, she noticed that Xie Lian would look at the red string constantly to make sure Hua Cheng was still with him.
She smiled and said "Don't worry, Your Highness, he will be fine."
"Eh... Thank you for helping me-"
"I already told you, there is no need to thank me. I can tell how important this is to you."
"I feel the need to thank you. It must be annoying that I only contact you when I need help, I apologize for that..."
"Do not worry about that, it's always a pleasure to help."
"..."
"Really, I do not get bothered when people ask me for help, I like to help."
"You're too kind, Lord Rain Master."
Yushi Huang just smiled.
It didn't take long for them to reach the ghost city.
They transported the big recipient to the paradise manor and then the goddess said goodbye and left.
Xie Lian filled a cup with medicine and went to Hua Cheng's room.
"San Lang, I'm back, how are you feeling?"
The ghost king was wrapped in several blankets and his hair was all messed up. Xie Lian would have found it cute if it wasn't for his pained expression.
"San Lang...? My love, tell me, what are you feeling?
"G-Gege... my h-head hurts... everything is spinning..." Hua Cheng said, with difficulty.
"I have your medicine... but you'll have to get up to drink it, do you think you can do it? I'll help you..."
"...ok"
With Xie Lian's help, Hua Cheng was able to get up, but felt dizzy and grabbed his own head tightly.
Xie Lian stroked Hua Cheng's head carefully. He tried not to get nervous but it wasn't easy, seeing the ghost suffering like that hurt his heart.
"Y-You'll feel better after drinking this... You don't have to drink it all if you can't, ok?"
Hua Cheng drank the medicine slowly, he felt better after drinking it, he still felt weak, but didn't seem to be loosing spiritual power anymore. He had also stopped shaking.
"How do you feel now?" Xie Lian asked after a while.
"I feel better, thanks to gege... Thank you." Hua Cheng smiled.
Xie Lian sighed in relief. "I'm so glad it worked... now I must go give it to everyone in town, I'll be back after that, ok?"
"Thank you, Gege..."
Of course, Xie Lian could not go without kissing his precious Hua Cheng, he kissed his cheek and smiled, before actually leaving the room.
It took him a while to give the medicine to everyone. While he was doing it, he wondered, how were the other calamities reacting to that situation? Did Qingxuan need help? He decided he would contact them later.
He also remembered little Guzi and Qi Rong. Guzi was just a child, surely he was scared, not knowing how to help Qi Rong. Xie Lian knew Guzi couldn't use the communication array, since he was only a mortal, so he decided he would visit him and Qi Rong to see how they were doing.
Although he didn't want to, that led him to think about Jun Wu. The last time Mount Tonglu had removed spiritual power from the ghosts had been centuries ago. Although Jun Wu was already born at that time, he was still human and hadn't been affected, so he also didn't know what to do. But of course, Xie Lian wasn't worried about him, he was worried about Mei Nianqing. He knew how Jun Wu was important to him, he knew how Mei Nianqing worked hard to take care of him, and he knew Mei Nianqing wouldn't be able to take it if he lost Jun Wu. Thus, Xie Lian decided to contact him too.
When he finally finished what he was doing, he contacted Qingxuan:
"Qingxuan? How is Black Water doing?"
They answered immediately "H-He's not fine- I don't know what to do-"
When Qingxuan arrived at Black Water's Lair, they had found him kneeling on the floor, grabbing his head. They had helped him sitting on the bed, since he wouldn't be able to do it alone. Then, they tried to make Black Water eat something, since he loved to eat, even if he didn't have to, and Qingxuan was hoping he would feel better after it. The last thing they were expecting the ghost to do was to refuse the food, only saying they could not eat.
After that, Qingxuan had helped He Xuan laying down on the bed and sat down next to him.
They started stroking his hair gently and noticed that it seemed to make him feel safe, so they kept doing it until Xie Lian contact them.
"Please, help me, what should I do to help He-Xiong??"
Xie Lian spoke in a calm and sweet way, trying to calm Qingxuan down.
"Qingxuan, don't worry. I know how to help him. Lord Rain Master made a medicine that helps the ghosts saving up their spiritual power."
"R-Really?? Does it really work?"
"Yes, it does. San Lang drank it and he's feeling better now. You can come to the ghost city to get some medicine, Lord Rain Master gave me enough for everyone."
Xie Lian heard Qingxuan sighing in relief.
"Xie Lian, you are a life saver! Thank you so much, I'll be there in a while!!"
Qingxuan left the communication array and turned to He Xuan.
"He-Xiong, I have to leave for a while to get some medicine for you! It'll make you feel better, I promise!" Qingxuan kissed He Xuan on the forehead and left.
Meanwhile, Xie Lian contacted Mei Nianqing.
"Guoshi?"
"...Your Highness?"
"Eh... It's me."
That situation was a bit awkward, as the two didn't talk since Xie Lian had defeated Jun Wu.
"Is there anything you need?-"
"Uh... actually I wanted to ask- how is he?"
Xie Lian refused to say Jun Wu's name out loud, but he didn't really have to, both him and Mei Nianqing knew who he was talking about.
Mei Nianqing was confused, was Xie Lian really asking that?
Xie Lian seemed to guess what he was thinking, and quickly explained what his intention was.
"Don't get me wrong, I am not worried about him. But I care about you, and I know how much you care about him, so I intend to help you, Guoshi."
Xie Lian was truly a blessing to the heavens, he always wanted to make sure the people he cared about were happy, even though that meant that he had to help the person he hated the most.
"Oh. Well, His Highness is losing spiritual power quickly... I honestly don't know what to do."
"I know how to help. Lord Rain Master made a medicine that helps the ghosts saving up their energy. I can give you some, but you'll have to come meet me in the ghost city."
"...Are you sure about that, Your Highness?"
"I am."
"Alright. I will be there in a while."
They left the communication array and Mei Nianqing turned to Jun Wu, who was resting with his head on his lap. He stroked his hair gently.
"Your Highness"
The ghost opened his eyes and looked at him.
"A-Qing..."
Mei Nianqing smiled lightly, he loved it when Jun Wu called him like that. He had thought about treating Jun Wu less formally, but he just couldn't, he had spent several years serving Jun Wu when he still was a prince, in the kingdom of Wuyong, leaving the formalities just felt wrong to him.
"I have to leave for a few minutes."
"Why?"
"There is a medicine that will make you feel better, I am going to get some."
"...Who told you that? Who made it...?" Jun Wu asked, suspiciously.
"The Lord Rain master made it. As for the person who talked to me... it was His Highness the Crown Prince."
Jun Wu frowned "He must be tricking A-Qing... h-he would never help me."
"I know... he actually did it for me."
"Oh... I see. But A-Qing can't leave... I'm so comfortable right n-now."
"I have to go. I want you to get better, Your Highness."
"...Alright, but don't take too long..."
"I won't."
Mei Nianqing got out of the bed slowly and helped Jun Wu placing his head on the pillow carefully. Then, he rushed to the Ghost City.
He and Qingxuan arrived at Ghost City almost at the same time.
Xie Lian had already prepared two small pots with medicine.
Qingxuan hugged Xie Lian tightly as soon as they saw him.
"Thank you for helping He-Xiong..."
"Of course, don't worry, he will be fine." He gave one of the small pots to Qingxuan and they left.
Xie Lian and Mei Nianqing only greeted each other with a nod.
"Thank you, Your Highness" said Mei Nianqing, as the god gave him the other pot.
Xie Lian gave him a little smile. "Stay safe, Guoshi."
The older man left after that and Xie Lian went back to Hua Cheng's room. He still had one more thing to do, but he thought it was better to warn Hua Cheng.
The ghost king was resting, but as soon as he felt Xie Lian's presence, he opened his eye.
"Can Gege stay here with me now?" He asked as Xie Lian sat on the bed.
"San Lang... I still have to go somewhere, I'm sorry."
"Oh... Alright. Where do you have to go?"
"I don't want you to get mad at me... but I'm going to see the Green Ghost."
"...Why?"
"Well... Guzi is a child, he must be scared, not knowing what to do. I'm going to give him some medicine for Qi Rong."
Hua Cheng was slightly upset, Xie Lian knew he did not want him to help Qi Rong, but the ghost respected his Gege a lot.
"I understand why Gege has to do it, I respect your decision."
"Thank you San Lang... I'll be back soon and then I can stay with you."
"Ok, Gege." Hua Cheng smiled, he just wanted Xie Lian to lay down on the bed with him so they could hug, and that was almost happening.
Xie Lian smiled back and kissed his husband before leaving the room.
He prepared one little pot of medicine for Qi Rong and left the ghost city.
It didn't take long for him to reach the green ghost's lair. He started searching for Qi Rong and Guzi, but there was no sign of them.
He saw a little house not far from him and decided to search there.
Since the door was closed , he knocked on it.
"Who is it...?" a shaky voice asked, after a while.
It was Guzi. Xie Lian could tell he was crying by hearing his voice, so he spoke in a warm tone of voice to try to calm him down.
"Guzi? It's Xie- uh... Scrap Gege." Xie Lian knew that he wasn't going to recognize him if he said his name, so he chose to use the nickname Guzi had given him. "Can you open the door, please?"
Guzi did as he asked.
Xie Lian looked at him, his eyes were red and swollen from crying and he was slightly trembling.
"S-Scrap Gege... h-help my dad... p-please..." he sobbed.
"Come here, dear boy..." Xie Lian said as he kneeled.
He hugged Guzi as he comforted him. "It's ok. He's going to be fine."
"D-Dad got a bit transparent... what going on...?"
Xie Lian frowned. Transparent? None of the ghosts he had helped were transparent. Was Qi Rong so weak that he was starting to disappear??
"Guzi, take me to him quickly, I promise I will explain everything to you later, ok?"
"O-Ok..."
Guzi took Xie Lian's hand and guided him to where Qi Rong was.
The green ghost was lying on a bed, shaking. Guzi went to him and stroked his head carefully, as if he was trying to soften the pain.
"D-Dad... Scrap Gege is h-here to help you..."
Qi Rong frowned "Huh...?"
"I have a medicine that will help you... do you think you can sit so I can give it to you?"
"Haha... d-do you think I need h-help?"
"Yes."
"Fuck you."
"You're so kind." Xie Lian said sarcastically, as he picked up the small medicine pot.
"Why are you d-doing this?" Qi Rong asked, dryly.
"...I do not dislike you to the point where I'd leave you suffering, like you are now, and do nothing to help. Come on, I'll help you sitting up."
"...I did not ask for help."
"Guzi is worried about you. He was scared because he didn't know how to help. You should think twice before you decide to disappear, this child really cares about you, and I know you know that."
Those words seemed to awaken something in Qi Rong. His eyes got slightly widened for a while. Then, he looked at his son, who was still there with a concerned look in his eyes.
Qi Rong patted his head "Guzi... I'm not going anywhere...ok?"
"W-Will you let Scrap Gege give you the m-medicine...?" The little boy asked, while holding back tears, as he held Qi Rong's hand carefully.
"..." Qi Rong didn't want to admit that he needed Xie Lian's help, but he knew there wasn't any other way for him to get better. "Fine."
Xie Lian had a little smile on his lips, he was glad to see how Qi Rong's behavior towards Guzi had changed since the last time he had seen them.
He helped his cousin sitting on the bed and gave him the medicine as he explained the situation of Mount Tonglu. Then, he turned to Guzi and gave him the little pot of medicine.
"Take this, if he feels bad again, give it to him, ok?"
"Alright, thank you, Scrap Gege!" Guzi smiled as he grabbed the pot with one hand. The other hand was still holding Qi Rong's and the child didn't intend to let go.
"I have to go now, San Lang is waiting for me."
Qi Rong said nothing, but obviously, Xie Lian knew he would start complaining about Hua Cheng if he had the energy to do so.
Xie Lian left without saying anything else, he wanted to get to ghost city as soon as possible.
Meanwhile Guzi had climbed onto the bed and snuggled up to Qi Rong in a way that they were both comfortable. The green ghost was looking at the ceiling thoughtfully, he was actually feeling better after taking the medicine.
"Thank you, cousin crown prince..." He thought, but of course he would never let anyone know about his thoughts.
A few moments later, Xie Lian had arrived at the ghost city. He rushed to the paradise manor.
"San Lang, I'm back!" He exclaimed as he entered Hua Cheng's bedroom.
The ghost king smiled when he saw his dear husband.
Xie Lian sat on the bed and stroked his cheek gently.
"How are you feeling now?"
"Better, now that Gege is here with me."
"Do you need something?"
"No, thank you"
"Alright..."Xie Lian said as he sighed, he was tired.
"Gege should also rest." Hua Cheng said, noticing his tiredness. "Why don't you lay down with me and try to sleep?"
"Ah..." Xie Lian didn't if he should lay down with Hua Cheng, what if he hurt him?
Hua Cheng's smiled vanished when he saw Xie Lian's reaction.
"...What's wrong? You need to leave again?-"
Xie Lian's eyes widened. Hua Cheng's pained expression made him feel guilty for leaving him alone.
"No! No, I don't! I'm here to stay, San Lang... I'm so sorry I made you wait for me for so long... I'm going to stay with you now ok? I'm going to take care of my San Lang! I was just scared that you'd feel uncomfortable if I laid down with you and-..."
"I'm never uncomfortable when gege's with me, I just want you to be here with me, I want to... hug you." Hua Cheng said, trying to hide his flushed cheeks.
"Oh..." The god smiled, also blushing. "I am sorry for not understanding what you were feeling, San Lang... I also want to hug you..."
He laid down next to the ghost, who immediately hugged him tightly, not wanting to let go.
Hua Cheng buried his head in Xie Lian's neck "thank you for being with me, I love you so much, gege..." he muttered.
"I love you too, sweetheart..." Xie Lian whispered back and then kissed Hua Cheng's forehead.
Xie Lian started stroking Hua Cheng's back, and not long after, the ghost fell asleep in his arms.
Xie Lian tried to sleep, like Hua Cheng had told him to do, but he couldn't, he was always thinking about him. What if his condition worsened while he was sleeping? What if he needed something?? Xie Lian had to stay alert so he could help him.
He looked at his husband and smiled. He was snuggled up to Xie Lian like a kitten and his serene expression indicated he was fine in that moment.
The days passed, it had been four days since that incident started and Xie Lian had stayed with Hua Cheng for almost all the time. The only reason Xie Lian left the room was to check on the other ghosts and give them medicine, if necessary. He took very good care of everyone, as he had promised, but he still hadn't slept. Of course Hua Cheng didn't know that, and Xie Lian wasn't going to let him know, he didn't want to disturb him.
Xie Lian was lost in his thoughts when he felt Hua Cheng moving next to him.
"G-Gege..."
Xie Lian looked at him and got worried as soon as he saw him grabbing his own head. He already knew what he had to do, everyday was like that, every time Hua Cheng felt bad, Xie Lian would give him the medicine.
He sat on the bed and grabbed the little cup of medicine he had prepared for Hua Cheng.
"San Lang, dear, can you sit?"
Hua Cheng nodded slowly and sat on the bed with Xie Lian's help. The god gave him the medicine and helped him laying down again.
He hugged the ghost carefully and kissed the top of his head.
"I h-hate this..." Hua Cheng said, as he hid his face in Xie Lian's chest.
"I know..." Xie Lian said, stroking Hua Cheng's hair, he knew it helped him feeling better.
Slowly, Hua Cheng's body relaxed and he fell asleep.
A whole week had passed. Xie Lian was having trouble fighting sleep, he knew he had to sleep, he knew he wouldn't be able to keep his eyes open much longer.
Gods don't need to sleep, that's what everyone says, but when you're alone for 800 years, you spend most of the time sleeping, since you have nothing better to do.
Xie Lian was used to sleeping, so a few days without doing so were enough to weaken him.
He looked at Hua Cheng, he seemed fine that day, he was sleeping more peacefully than he had slept in the last days.
Xie Lian felt his eyes closing, he really tried to keep them open, but he couldn't help it.
He fell asleep and woke up a few hours later.
The first thing he did was looking at Hua Cheng to see how he was doing, but his heart skipped a beat and his eyes widened when he looked to the side and Hua Cheng wasn't there.
"S...San Lang-"
He got up so fast that he felt dizzy for a while, but he didn't care.
Where was Hua Cheng? Xie Lian had only slept for a couple of hours, had that been enough for something to happen? Had Hua Cheng disappeared...?
Xie Lian started shaking, he stopped feeling his legs and leaned against the wall. He couldn't stand up for much longer, so he fell to the floor.
It was impossible for him to control his irregular breaths. He tried to call for Hua Cheng, but the words didn't leave his mouth, he couldn't talk.
Tears started falling from his eyes, was that really happening? Had he lost his beloved husband... forever?
It was his fault, he thought. It was his fault for falling asleep. It was his fault for being weak. It was all his fault.
Xie Lian started pulling his hair as he cried harder and harder. He didn't want to believe that was happening.
In that moment, someone entered the room, but Xie Lian didn't notice, he couldn't think about anything else.
The person went to Xie Lian as soon as they saw him crying on the floor.
Only when they talked could Xie Lian identify who they were.
"Gege! What happened?- Talk to me, please-"
That voice... Xie Lian immediately looked up, to see his husband's worried face. He wasn't dreaming, wasn't he? Hua Cheng was really there, wasn't he?
"Y-You... You're he-here..." He sobbed.
Only after those words leaving Xie Lian's mouth did Hua Cheng understand what was wrong. Xie Lian though he had disappeared forever, he thought he was alone again.
"Ah... this San Lang understands now. I'm sorry that I scared you, gege..." Hua Cheng opened his arms "I'm here!"
Xie Lian didn't lose one more second. He hugged his husband so tightly that if he was a human he would have a broken rib by now.
"Y-You're here..." he repeated.
"Hm. I'm here, I'm sorry for leaving without warning."
"I-It doesn't matter... you're here... you're ok..."
"Gege, did you even look at the red string when you woke up?"
Oh.
Only then Xie Lian realized that he had completely forgotten to do that, he was so scared that he had let his emotions take over the situation.
He looked at his finger. The red string was really there.
"I'm s-sorry... I didn't think about that..."
"It is alright gege, don't worry about that" Hua Cheng said, comforting him. "Let's get out of the floor gege, it's a bit dirty."
Hua Cheng carried Xie Lian to the bed.
"San Lang... are you really ok...?"
"I am, everyone's ok now." He answered with a smile.
Xie Lian smiled back. "Thanks to the heavens..."
"No." Hua Cheng disagreed "Thanks to you gege. You did everything."
"I didn't really, the Lord Rain Master was the one who saved all of you."
"But you brought us the medicine, you took care of all of us. I am eternally grateful to you, gege, and so is all the ghost city."
Xie Lian smiled, embarrassed. "I'm glad I could help."
"Gege, you should rest now. You need to sleep."
Xie Lian got even more embarrassed with those words. Had Hua Cheng noticed it?
"I'm sor-" Hua Cheng interrupted him with a kiss.
"Don't worry Gege, I understand."
Xie Lian smiled.
"Oh, right gege. I left because I went to get something for you." Hua Cheng remembers.
"Oh- What is it?"
"Wait a moment."
Hua Cheng left the room and came back really quickly.
"Here!" he said, giving Xie Lian a big basket. "Open it, gege!"
Xie Lian did as he said. His eyes widened. The basket was full of steamed buns!
"Is- Is this for me?"
"Of course!"
"But- Why?"
"I wanted to thank you for everything you did."
Xie Lian had a big smile on his lips. "You didn't have to, but thank you very much, my San Lang!"
Hua Cheng smiled back, he loved it when his gege was happy.
"But gege will rest first, then he can eat as many steamed buns as he wants."
"Alright. Will San Lang stay with me?"
"Of course I will." He said as he laid down next to Xie Lian.
"I love you so much, my San Lang." He said as he hugged Hua Cheng.
"I also love gege a lot." He said as he kissed the top of Xie Lian's head.
Xie Lian fell asleep in Hua Cheng's arms, promising to himself that he would always be with him from that moment on.