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Dan Heng is harboring a deep indescribable sadness.
Okay, it’s a strong word, so Dan Heng has been miserable for a while.
At first, Stelle thought it was because he hadn't visited Luofu for a while. But Dan Heng’s behavior changed 3 weeks after that.
Dan Heng is usually quiet, but now he barely talks. He stays inside his room longer than usual. The odd thing is he is also avoiding Luofu, specifically Jing Yuan.
“Did you two have a fight?”
“No… He’s a General. He should be busy. I don’t want to bother him.”
That’s a lie. Stelle knows this because Jing Yuan desperately wants to meet Dan Heng again. She saw how Jing Yuan was heartbroken when Dan Heng didn’t want to leave his room and refused to meet him, thus ending the General’s regular visit.
Yanqing wouldn’t stop complaining about Jing Yuan’s sour mood. Stelle’s Luofu friends messaged Stelle (she suspected it was a request from the General), asking how Dan Heng was doing.
March wants to pry further and ask if she and Stelle can help him. But all Dan Heng does is just shake his head, assuring them that everything is fine.
Another of Dan Heng’s changing behaviors is a new habit of carrying…something.
Dan Heng keeps bringing an item, slightly bigger than his fist, covered by a throw (sometimes a towel), and brings it everywhere most of the time, except during battle.
When Himeko asked what it was. He simply said it was a relic that he needed to study intensely. He didn’t let other Express members examine it because that item possibly contained radiation.
Stelle hopes Dan Heng isn’t possessed by a ring that whispers evil things and grants invisibility power or stuff like that.
The mysterious “relic” that Dan Heng carried can be anything and it’s up to everyone’s imagination. Himeko thinks it’s a cursed gemstone. Welt thinks it can be a totem. March thinks it’s ancient jewelry, a bracelet to be precise. Meanwhile, Stelle’s wild imagination has the wildest guess: maybe it is an egg,
Nah, that can’t be an egg. Maybe it’s a bomb.
And they will have the answer soon when the Astral Express is currently stopped at Herta’s space station. Himeko is having an important meeting with Herta. Stelle also has commissions in that space station but she finished those before Himeko.
While waiting for Himeko’s return Stelle is eating dinner with Dan Heng and March. Welt is on the other side of the parlor car, currently appreciating the outer space view. Dan Heng is still carrying that “relic” again.
Hang on, is it Stelle’s imagination, or Dan Heng’s relic is slowly getting bigger? The first time she saw it, it was slightly bigger than his fist, right? Why is it larger than a basketball now?
Out of nowhere, Dan Heng asked a strange question, almost in a whisper, “Would you two still want to be friends with me if I did something stupid and weird?”
“Dan Heng? The wisest among the three of us, doing something stupid? What kind of question is that?” March giggles.
Stelle squints. Unlike March who doesn’t take this seriously, this trailblazer keeps her composure. So she asks him. “Would you still be my friend knowing I kept digging trash and flirted with some of it?”
Dan Heng frowns and is unable to say anything.
“There’s your answer,” Stelle replies with a smirk.
On the corner, Stelle sees Welt walking closer to them. He probably senses Dan Heng’s sudden lack of confidence so the old man approaches. The senior Nameless probably wants to provide support.
March explains, “Dan Heng, you're a dragon in disguise. Your previous incarnation was a war criminal. You split the sea, defeated Lord Ravager Phantylia, and saved a nation. I think we’re way past that.”
Welt arrives in their space and asks, “What seemed to be the problem?”
Dan Heng seems tense when he hears Welt’s voice. He doesn’t face him but politely voices his concern, “I don’t think you will let me be Nameless if you find out what I did.”
“Now why would you say that? Did you get into trouble, Dan Heng?”
The archivist answers, “I think I might get into one…”
“Do tell us. We will listen and do our best to understand and solve your problem together.”
“Yeah, we’re your family now,” March said enthusiastically.
“I don’t think this mistake can be easily solved. but…” Dan Heng gulps.
Finally! Finally, Dan Heng reveals his mysterious ‘relic’. With a trembling hand, he uncovers the throw blanket cover to reveal…an egg.
It’s an egg.
It’s a goddamn egg. Now Stelle curses inside her head and she wishes the item Dan Heng has revealed is anything but that.
… Having it to be a bomb instead would’ve been better.
Because Welt and March are still speechless and processing this information, Stelle dares to ask a stupid question. “Dan Heng…please tell me you didn’t lay an egg.”
Stelle is hoping to be immediately scoffed at or reprimanded by Dan Heng. Telling her that this egg isn’t what her wild imagination thinks it is.
But Dan Heng doesn't say anything and goes absolutely still!
Stelle suspects that the egg came from Dan Heng because that egg looks A LOT like Xianzhou Vidyadhara’s eggs, aside from the color. Instead of a pink-purple hue, it was light green with gold trimming.
It is a beautiful-looking egg…but still! Back to the subject. Dan Heng had an egg! It’s his egg!!
“H-how did this happen?” March stammers.
Dan Heng grits his teeth, “My predecessor, Dan Feng, made a deal with the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus to fix Vidyadhara's declining population problem. The details are murky and Cloud Knights cannot figure out what it is. But I eventually find out it has something to do with the creation of me. He wants to create a new vessel capable of giving birth. I found out late that it was me all this time. Some of the disciples disguised as cloud knights had tampered with my growth when I was an egg.”
“So this egg is your baby? It’s alive??” March panics.
“Why now? What caused it?” Stelle chokes.
“I got reckless. It… it was fertilized.”
March asks, “Fertilized? Another person involved in this?”
“Dan Heng…” Welt slowly put his hand on Dan Heng’s shoulder to calm him down, “Who is the father?”
Dan Heng doesn’t answer.
But the rest of the crew doesn’t need it. They’ve already figured out who it is.
Before Dan Heng’s behavior changed, Jing Yuan was an avid visitor of Astral Express and didn’t attempt to hide that he was there specifically for Dan Heng.
The Express crew didn’t need to ask about their status. It’s obvious to them. From the way General’s hands often rested on Dan Heng’s waist, to the times they were often seen together. The General always offers his warmest smile to him. In return, Dan Heng gave his rare smile back at him. Those two were also perfectly synergized when battling enemies together.
There was one time Stelle noted Jing Yuan oddly spent way too long inside Dan Heng’s room.
Oh no.
Oh no…
Oh no no no no no.
“The NERVE of that man!” Welt growls, turns, and runs to seek the conductor.
“Mr. Yang, it's not like that!” Dan Heng shouts and tries to call back the old man.
Welt doesn’t listen to Dan Heng’s plea, he finds the rabbit and barks orders, “Pom-Pom, there’s an emergency!! Please send us to Xianzhou Luofu.”
“But we still need to wait for Himeko-”
“NOW!”
Poor innocent Pom-Pom who just got into the Parlor Car must face Welt’s anger. The conductor cowers and does as he is told.
March screams, “What’s going on?”
“Buckle up, we're going back to Luofu.” Stelle answers.
Dan Heng’s face pales when he hears what Stelle said. He runs to Welt, trying to reason with the old man. But Stelle thinks it’s too late for that. Welt is already beyond enraged.
Here’s what Stelle thinks will be going on: that egg will cause disputes between the Astral Express and the Xianzhou Luofu because Welt is going to demand child support from a certain Arbiter General.
Amidst this chaos: Pom pom frantically announces a sudden space jump. Welt’s loud argument with Dan Heng. March telling those men to settle down. There’s only one thing Stelle can do. She runs to Dan Heng’s room and seeks the Jade Abacus of Allying Oath.
Stelle’s body is thrown into the Passenger Cabin walls because trying to walk during the space jump is not a smart thing to do. Despite her dangerous stunt, she successfully reaches Dan Heng’s room. The Astral Express view changes to Luofu’s ship, they’ve arrived at their destination. It’s a sign that Stelle needs to reach the Jade Abacus quickly. Once inside Dan Heng’s room, Stelle spots the jade abacus on his desk and grabs it.
Then Welt and Dan Heng barge into the room.
“Stelle, hand me the jade abacus.” Welt extends his hand asking her to surrender it.
“No, you’re not going to talk to the General with that attitude you need to calm down first and you-” Stelle points to Dan Heng, “-have to face Jing Yuan right now before Mr. Yang does.”
Dan Heng’s eyes go wide. He then begs, “Stelle please don’t do this. I can’t… I can’t face him!“
When Stelle refuses to back down. Dan Heng covers his egg. He is about to back away and leave the room until March enters by the door. With one look at Stelle, March immediately understands and blocks Dan Heng’s escape path.
“March steps aside.”
“No!”
Before Dan Heng manages to escape, Stelle turns on the jade abacus and (hopefully) connects to Jing Yuan.
It is the first time the Astral crew has used that item. Since it’s only used for emergencies (to be honest this incident justifies the use of this). So they don’t expect Jing Yuan’s hologram to manifest near the Jade abacus.
“Ah, Stelle. What seems to be the problem?” Jing Yuan’s hologram greets the trailblazers.
“We need to talk right now. Please meet us at the gate, it’s urgent. It’s about Dan Heng.”
“Dan Heng?” Jing Yuan scans the room and sure enough he spots Dan Heng who looks at him like a deer in the headlights still holding the covered egg). “Are you all right?”
“Physically, he’s fine.” Stelle quickly adds, because Jing Yuan doesn’t notice Welt who is fuming beside him. The General is always too infatuated to notice anyone else besides Dan Heng. Stelle thanks the stars for March because she is holding Welt to calm him down.
Stelle urges the General, “Please come, it’s urgent.”
“I’ll be by the gate as soon as possible.” Jing Yuan nods at Stelle and his hologram flickers out.
After that Welt briskly walks out, followed by Dan Heng who keeps begging and reasoning with him. Now in that room, there’s only March and Stelle left. March is in a dilemma between catching up with the men of the crew or staying in the Express.
In rare moments March goes quiet and ponders, “Dan Heng seems upset… Are we doing the right thing?”
Stelle puts both her hands on March's shoulder to ground her to the reality of this situation, “It’s better than having Mr. Yang go one-on-one with Jing Yuan. You bring Mom back. I’ll handle Grandpa.”
She nods and thankfully understands Stelle’s odd choice of words. That’s enough for the trailblazer to gather her confidence and run after Welt.
The Astral Express lands at Luofu’s gate, specifically the Central Starskiff Haven. Welt goes out first out of the Express. He spots Jing Yuan and a few Cloud Knight guards on the dock. Welt Yang rarely engages in combat but when he does, he is powerful enough to create a mini black hole. And Welt doesn’t hesitate hurling a mini black hole at the General.
Thankfully Jing Yuan is a seasoned General for a reason. He parries Welt’s blow like a champ with his devastator glaive. The four Cloud Knights that are accompanying him quickly raise their weapon, slightly confused by the sudden hostility from their ally faction. Nevertheless, they are ready to defend their General.
When Stelle catches up to Welt, she sees several Luofu citizen bystanders on Central Starskiff Haven watching them curiously, wondering why someone dares to attack their Arbiter General. Fortunately, the bystanders are too far away and they can’t hear their arguments.
Jing Yuan yells, “What is the meaning of this?”
“What did you do to Dan Heng?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Mr. Yang stop this!” Dan Heng finally catches up with Welt and tries to talk with him but alas he is ignored by the senior Nameless again.
“General, I thought you were better than this. Explain why you used Dan Heng and left him behind.”
“Used him!?”
Blinded by his anger, Welt is about to send another attack but is immediately held down by Stelle who holds his arm, preventing him from using his Star of Eden cane.
Dan Heng should’ve been the one who stopped Welt if his hands weren't preoccupied with holding his covered egg.
Dan Heng tries to reason with Welt again, “I told you, it’s not like that Mr. Yang!”
Meanwhile, Stelle spots the Cloud Knights and shouts. “Boys sorry for the attack but there’s been a misunderstanding, please leave us. It’s about the General's private life. Trust me you don’t want to be here. It’s gonna be messy!”
Stelle recognized most of them, they had asked her favors during commissions, at least once. Because of that the Cloud Knights’ stance falters. They don’t want to leave their General but at the same time want to believe in the Trailblazer.
…Ah, the perks of being an errand girl.
Jing Yuan gives a dismissive hand wave gesture and the Cloud Knights finally leave the area. On their way out, the Cloud Knights also disperse the curious Luofu citizen crowd and then it’s just business as usual in the Central Starskiff Haven.
Now there’s only Jing Yuan facing the Nameless.
Jing Yuan says, “I’ll have you know that attacking a Xianzhou General is a serious crime, Mr. Yang. If it was not for your past deed I would’ve put you in jail.”
“My action is nothing compared with your negligence that put Dan Heng into this mess.”
“What mess!?”
“No, it’s my fault. I started it!” Dan Heng puts himself between Welt and Jing Yuan.
“I… I kissed him back then. I couldn’t help it. He was handsome and it kept going. I’m the one who asked for more. We should’ve stopped but it escalated and…” The more Dan Heng explains the redder his face becomes.
“We get it, Dan Heng.” Stelle stops him before he embarrasses himself, she and Welt don’t need to know details. To make matters worse Jing Yuan preens when he hears Dan Heng acknowledging his attractiveness.
What a simp… and it’s an awful time to do that…
Jing Yuan gently pushes Dan Heng aside to face Welt again and suddenly declares, “I love Dan Heng, Mr. Yang.”
Dan Heng freezes. Stelle suspects that they had been saying their love confession between whispers but never a firm and clear declaration.
Jing Yuan continues, “Perhaps I was too forward back then but I would never do anything beyond his consent. I had vowed to never let anything hurt him in Xianzhou within my power and I still stand by that!”
Dan Heng stares at Jing Yuan with awe-adoring eyes. It is at this moment that Stelle realizes that all this time Dan Heng wasn’t trying to avoid Jing Yuan. Maybe he’s been hiding the egg's existence from the General.
“Mr. Yang, I don’t think he knows anything about…that,” Stelle says, avoiding the egg subject. She may be the one who forces Dan Heng to face Jing Yuan but the egg reveal should’ve been his responsibility.
“About what? All I know is that there's an emergency about Dan Heng from you but I haven’t got the details yet.”
Jing Yuan’s question solidifies Stelle’s theory. Thus, Welt calms down and grimaces, “I believe there’s been a misunderstanding.”
Thankfully, a voice cuts in before things get awkward.
“Gentlemen!”
Finally, Himeko arrives! Welt’s tense shoulder goes slack, Stelle can let his arm go and relax now.
“Sorry for the intrusion but I was left behind when the Astral Express decided to have a quick route to Xianzhou Luofu.” Himeko looks at Welt and the senior Nameless looks down, feeling embarrassed.
She turns her attention back to the Luofu’s General and continues, “Thankfully I got here as soon as I could by borrowing one of Herta’s spaceships.” Himeko gracefully walks closer until she is in the middle of them.
“March called me, she told me everything. I understand Dan Heng has undergone drastic changes in the past weeks. I think between us, the only one who doesn’t know what happened to him is just Jing Yuan. Isn’t that right, General?”
“I’m not sure what’s going on after my last visit to the Express…” Jing Yuan looks at Dan Heng for a while and then goes back to Himeko, “He refused to meet me. He didn’t answer my messages. I thought he wanted more space so I tried to respect his wish.”
“There you have it, Mr. Yang.”
Welt nods, and he fully ceases his fight stance. He’s not that observant of Dan Heng’s refusal to meet Jing Yuan, thinking it shouldn’t be his business. However, the potential that Dan Heng could’ve been used was crossing the line. With a lack of information, it became the root of this dispute. The senior Nameless is now far calmer than the time he arrived at the Luofu’s gate.
Himeko turns to the archivist, “Dan Heng, I know the truth can be frightening but Jing Yuan deserves to know. How about we continue this conversation in the Astral Express with tea and coffee?” Then she turns her head to Jing Yuan, “Tell us your favorite snacks and we’ll provide them for you. Think of it as an apology, General.”
First, Himeko turns back to the Astral Express followed by Welt. And then there’s only Stelle and the strained lovers left. Stelle doesn’t want to pry on their conversation but she stays behind to make sure Dan Heng doesn’t accidentally reveal the egg too soon.
“It’s been a while.” Jing Yuan smiles wryly as he greets Dan Heng. Even after the archivist ghosted him for months, the General loved him like a lovestruck fool.
Jing Yuan extends his hand and tries to put it on Dan Heng’s shoulder, offering comfort, but the archivist recoils from the touch.
Ah, a shame, Stelle hates seeing Jing Yuan’s crestfallen expression but can’t fault Dan Heng’s in this situation. He can’t risk the General discovering the egg too early when they touch each other.
“Based on Mr. Yang’s reaction and months of you avoiding me. It seems I have done something wrong to you.”
But Dan Heng can only look down and hold the egg closer.
“It’s not like that…things just got complicated.”
“I see.” Jing Yuan sighs, “Forgive me for not knowing this. I’ll do my best to redeem my actions. But please tell me, does it have to do with…that time?”
Dan Heng nods slowly.
“Ah… Perhaps I misread you back then, I’m sorry. If you’re regretting it and want to break up with me-”
“NO!”
Dan Heng suddenly grabs Jing Yuan’s wrist with his left hand while his right hand still holds his covered egg.
He shakes his head, his teal eyes glistening, “No, please… let me explain. Please…. I’ll tell you everything and clear things up.”
That is if you still accepted me. Those words are left unsaid.
“All right.” Jing Yuan gives a rueful smile. “I will be on my way.” He is about to enter the Express before he stops and turns back to them, “And Dan Heng…”
“Yes?”
“I meant what I said and I still do…”
Still love you.
Jing Yuan doesn’t wait for Dan Heng to reply, he walks away to Astral Express. Dan Heng is currency speechless and longingly looks at the General who walks further. Stelle then coaxes him to follow. Ever the leader, Jing Yuan walks first leading Stelle and Dan Heng to the Parlor Car.
But as soon as they arrive in the passenger cabin, Dan Heng halts again.
Himeko and Welt have prepared tea and coffee. March is also there to help. Jing Yuan has taken a seat. They are ready for Dan Heng’s news. But the archivist can’t move, frozen in place. His eyes go wide and his breath quickens. He holds the covered egg tightly again.
Stelle quickly makes excuses.
“Sorry everyone, Dan Heng needs a moment.”
Bless the Aeons, Himeko nods and says, “Take all the time you need to prepare.”
Dan Heng let Stelle lead him to the corner of the room, to a place where hopefully no one hears their discussion. Seeing Dan Heng’s lack of response, Stelle realized the severity of her actions. She’s been frustrated with the chaos, annoyed with Welt’s reaction, and doing what she can to speed up the solution. She hasn’t considered Dan Heng’s inner turmoil.
Dan Heng has been struggling to reveal his secret to his Astral Express family for months and all of a sudden he is forced to reveal the truth to the father of the egg. Dan Heng could’ve easily thrown the egg away and buried this secret forever, but he kept it all this time, risking his affiliation with the Astral Express family and his blossoming relationship with Jing Yuan.
He must've been so frightened.
Stelle starts softly, “I’m sorry for forcing you to meet Jing Yuan. He didn’t know about the egg, did he?”
“No, he didn’t.” Finally, Dan Heng admits and then looks at the trailblazer regretfully, “I’m sorry for putting you in this situation too, Stelle.”
Stelle shrugs, “If I’m being honest this isn’t troubling to me because I care. We probably went extreme but we all worried about you. Me, Himeko, Mr. Yang, March, and Jing Yuan too. You know, Jing Yuan looked like a kicked puppy the last time he visited the Express.”
That was the first time Dan Heng refused to meet Jing Yuan. He stayed inside his room for the rest of the day. That must have been the time Dan Heng had the egg and started keeping it a secret.
Dan Heng sighs, still looking down in shame, “I guess I messed up, didn’t I?”
“Hey, you’ve spent your childhood in prison, we understand you would have trouble in communication. Hell, I’m no better, after my birth I dug up trash. We are all learning here. Are you afraid Jing Yuan will react badly about the egg?”
Dan Heng is silent for a moment and then admits, “After I escaped from the shackling prison, the only life I knew was to run away. When I joined the Astral Himeko said I could get off anytime I wanted. My essential items are ready to carry. I was ready to bear any responsibilities if the Express kicked me out.”
“Dan Heng…” Stelle whispers.
“- and Jing Yuan doesn’t deserve all of this. He’s been so kind to me and I don’t want to trouble him. The fact that this egg has a relation with the Abundance, will jeopardize his reputation, or worse, his life! I pushed him away. I thought he would forget about me after I ghosted him for months but…”
“Well, you also didn’t want to break up with him.”
“I…” Dan Heng's eyes go wide and then he looks away from Stelle, feeling too ashamed.
And Stelle knows this, she knew how much Dan Heng loved the General long before she went to the Xianzhou Luofu for the first time.
Not long after her existence, several times Stelle saw Dan Heng collecting things consisting of lion memorabilia or yellow and gold items and several magazines or picture books of Xianzhou ships.
Stelle didn't understand his reason until she met Jing Yuan.
Dan Heng misses his homeland but most of all he misses this man.
“Hey, look at me.”
Dan Heng does as she is told, although hesitantly.
“I may be a few months old and as clueless as you in terms of socializing but that man-” Stelle points at Jing Yuan who is still patiently sitting down and waiting. “From my Luofu data collection tells me that he sacrificed a lot and has already almost ruined his reputation, all in the name of fighting for your freedom… Does that sound like someone who will give you up just because of this?”
Then Stelle puts both of her hands on Dan Heng’s shoulder, “And even if Jing Yuan doesn’t accept you. You still had us. You don’t have to run away this time.”
For the first time, Dan Heng gives a hesitant smile, “I appreciate that, Stelle.”
Dan Heng closes his eyes and breathes in and out slowly. He nuzzles the tip of the egg and then opens his teal eyes.
“Okay, I’m ready.”
“I’ll be right behind you.”
Dan Heng gave a wry smile, “I didn’t expect you to be a good listener in this, Stelle.”
Stelle shrugs, “Yeah, I had a lot of practice in Penacony.”
Dan Heng frowns, “What happens in Pena-”
“-we don’t talk about Penacony.”
“...okay.”
“We better get back to them” Stelle points to the Astral Express crew and Jing Yuan with her thumb.
They both approach the rest of the Nameless and Jing Yuan. The General stands up and faces Dan Heng, he’s ready to give his whole attention to him.
“Before I begin I want to say sorry to everyone for troubling you. And Jing Yuan…” he turns his attention to the General, “I’m sorry for keeping you in the dark and ghosting without proper explanation. Something happened during that time we…did that. I’ve been struggling to tell this for months and there are no right words to reveal this.”
Jing Yuan nods and is still patiently waiting for Dan Heng to continue.
“I think… it’s better if I showed it instead.”
Dan Heng closes his eyes to concentrate and summons Cloudhymn magic. This caused droplets of water to appear and float around him. Slowly his hair goes longer and his translucent horns manifest, his attire also changes to his original form.
The egg in his hands floats up slowly while the throw towel cover drops down to the ground, fully revealing its lustrous green and gold trimming color. The magic causes the egg to shine brightly, revealing its inside.
Ah…they all can see a fetus inside.
Stelle admits that this is a better way to reveal the egg compared to last time. This is less of a cruel joke and more of a gentle reveal. That egg looks divine. It steals everyone's attention, causing everyone in the parlor car to look it up in awe.
Dan Heng slowly stops his magic and the egg dims, floating gently back to his arms. He still retains his Vidyadhara's form and nervously looks at Jing Yuan.
“So this is the reason, Jing Yuan…”
Jing Yuan is…perhaps astonished is a better word to describe his current state. His golden pupils are blown wide, fully locked on the egg.
Because of the lack of reaction, anxiety builds up inside Dan Heng. He whispers, calling the General again. “Jing Yuan?”
Please say something.
“Forgive me.” Jing Yuan shakes his head, and wakes up from his train of thought, “This… is it mine?”
Dan Heng nods slowly. Stelle forces herself not to scoff. Of course, it’s Jing Yuan’s, it’s not like Dan Heng had dated anyone else but him.
Jing Yuan then asks hesitantly, “May I hold it?”
Dan Heng hands over the egg and Jing Yuan carefully cradles it. The archivist needs two hands to hold the egg but Jing Yuan can hold it with just one arm. His other hand touches the egg’s surface. He can feel the baby’s beating heart beneath the shell.
The General’s expression melts into tenderness as he looks at the egg like it’s the most precious thing in this universe. Jing Yuan whispers, “Oh… oh .”
Then he looks back at Dan Heng, “Is this the reason why you have been avoiding me? To hide this egg from me?”
“I was afraid-” Dan Heng doesn’t finish his sentence because suddenly Jing Yuan lunges and kisses him hard.
“Oh, darling! I’m sorry for putting you in this situation.” Now Jing Yuan embraces the archivist, moving their egg on the side making sure not to be crushed in the middle.
“But Dan Feng made a deal to-”
Jing Yuan clearly doesn’t care as he keeps peppering Dan Heng with more kisses, from his mouth, forehead, cheeks, and mouth again (it’s too fast and Stelle can’t keep up).
Dan Heng struggles to speak but he also feels helpless being showered with affection. He slowly melts in Jing Yuan’s arms. The archivist is surrendering but he tries to speak, “I’m not sure what…this egg will become…”
Well, Stelle thinks it will become a baby. But Dan Heng is right, is it going to be a Vidyadhara? Half-human and Vidyadhara? Cross marriage is common in the Xianzhou alliance but this is the first time a Vidyadhara laid an egg.
Anyway, the stupid lovesick General is so blinded with love that he hasn’t listened to Dan Heng’s worry.
“It’s okay, it’s okay.” This time Jing Yuan guides Dan Heng’s head so their forehead touches.
Dan Heng pushes Jing Yuan and speaks firmly, “Jing Yuan, listen to me. My ability to give birth has to do with Dan Feng making a deal with the Sanctus Medicus. If everyone finds out you would be accused of making acquaintances with the Abundance. This egg’s existence can be against all of Xianzhou's principles.”
“But you didn’t know Dan Feng’s plan before, right?”
“No… not until I researched it after I had the egg.”
“Then Dan Feng’s plan is not yours. You and the baby are blameless. I’ll think of something. Whatever happens, I will not give you up…the both of you,” Jing Yuan says as he raises the egg to Dan Heng’s view.
Dan Heng finally gets closer and rests his forehead on Jing Yuan’s shoulder. He has given up any resistance, “I don’t deserve you. I’ve ghosted you for months and you…still want to be with me?”
“You’re always in my mind because you're a wonderful one, Dan Heng. Truly brilliant.” The General puts his free hand to caress Dan Heng’s cheek, his thumb carrying it and the archivist looks at the General with starry eyes.
Himeko coughs again purposely breaking away their moment, “Now that it’s settled. I will make one thing clear, Dan Heng. We will not kick you out because of this incident. You will still be part of us and we can accept the baby as part of our member. But I have to be honest, bringing an infant would be dangerous especially if our mission is to contain Stellarons.”
“I can take care of the baby and Dan Heng can remain with the Astral Express!”
Himeko cuts off the conversation, “Hold your horses, General. I think this should still be Dan Heng’s decision.”
“Oh yes, yes. I agree.” Jing Yuan is bashful for his eagerness.
Dan Heng nods as he holds the General’s hand, “Glad to hear that, Himeko. I need some time to think about this decision. But first I need to discuss things further with Jing Yuan.”
“When you have a final answer let us know” Himeko turns her head to the eldest Nameless in the room, ”Welt, do you have something to say?”
Welt sighs, “Jing Yuan, I apologize for reacting with irrationality and attacking you. It’s just… I can’t bear the possibility that you used and left Dan Heng.”
“Well, I was barely hurt and I was offended by that accusation. I would never hurt him.”
“Right. So if there’s anything I can do to redeem this-”
“-give me the blessing to marry Dan Heng and all is forgiven.”
When Welt freezes Jing Yuan laughs.
“I jest… sorry. Despite your poor judgment, I admire that you would fight a Xianzhou general for him. I’m glad that you have found the right family, Dan Heng.” The General gives a proud smile to his beloved and then his head turns to Welt again, “So don’t worry. I wouldn’t press charges against you for the attack, Mr. Yang.”
Himeko thanks Jing Yuan and then turns her attention back to Dan Heng again, “How about you Dan Heng? Do you have something to say?”
Dan Heng gives a content smile, “Thank you to Himeko, Mr. Yang, March, and Stelle for everything. I’m glad that all of you are sticking up for me even though I put you all into this trouble.”
Welt replies, “We care for you, Dan Heng. Like Himeko said, you will always be the Astral Express Nameless member to us.”
Dan Heng nods and then looks at Jing Yuan, “How about we discuss it in my room?”
Jing Yuan nods enthusiastically. He is currently carrying the egg with one arm while his other hand holds Dan Heng’s hand. He’s far more cheerful and his gaze is more tender than the time the Nameless met him at the gate, happy to have his lover back again.
“Make sure you wear protection this time, General.” Stelle comments, earning awkward coughs from Welt and Himeko. While March yelps (and thankfully Pom-Pom is not around).
“Stelle!!” Dan Heng gasps and his face goes red.
Jing Yuan just laughs, he guides Dan Heng to the cabin room and winks, “I will make sure of it.”
After the lovers retreat to the passenger's cabin the whole Astral Express crew sinks back to the seats in Parlor Car. Even Himeko who is usually graceful, leans so much to the chair.
“...glad that’s over.” March groans. Stelle, who is beside her, can only nod.
Welt fixes his glasses before he speaks, “Sorry for troubling you all and I went too protective of Dan Heng. I had a son, so…”
“We understand, Mr. Yang. But I think the only one you should apologize to is Pom-Pom for yelling at them.” March reminds him.
“Well, speaking of Pom-Pom…maybe that’s them.” Stelle points out that the entrance door opens.
As Stelle predicts. Pom-Pom arrives at the parlor car, their hand is full because holding a tray of snacks.
Welt stands up and greets the conductor, “Ah Pom-Pom, I apologize for yelling at you early on.”
The rabbit nods, “Apologies accepted, Mr. Yang. Oh, by the way, we have another visitor from Xianzhou Luofu!”
Apparently, they are all too tired to notice a young Xianzhou native running in the Parlor Car after Pom-Pom.
Yanqing immediately asks as soon as he arrives at where the nameless gathered, “The Cloud Knights reported to me that there’s an attack on the General?”
Welt sighs as he raises his hand to catch Yanqing’s attention, “That’s on me, Yanqing. It was a mistake, my anger blinded me. It was just a misunderstanding.”
“A misunderstanding? About what?” the young lieutenant frowns.
“Here’s the gist of it. They-” Stelle points to Himeko and Welt, “Are going to be grandma and grandad… or great-granddad. While we-” This time she points to March and herself, “-are going to be aunts.”
“I… don’t follow.”
“You-,” Stelle finally points at the lieutenant, “-are going to be a big brother.”
“WHAT??”
The first time Jing Yuan received the new house as a newly appointed General was a lonely one. He lost his most cherished friends from the high cloud quintet, Baiheng and Yingxing were gone, his Shifu escaped, and Dan Feng was in prison.
That gifted house was large but it was too quiet and he was alone in it.
But slowly the house was filled. At first, it was occupied by Yanqing and Mimi. A few decades later, Bailu’s visits became so frequent. Then lastly, Dan Heng had returned to him.
And now…
“Yup, the egg is alive, alright.” Bailu presses her ear to the egg, “It seems in good health too.”
Yanqing is on the other side of the egg and presses his ear too.
The young lieutenant asks, “Usually the egg hatches when the Vidyadhara is a toddler. Will this hatch as a baby or a toddler?”
“It’s the first Vidyadhara egg that’s not come from reincarnation. I don’t have any clue.”
They’re all lounging in Jing Yuan’s house. Jing Yuan casually sits down on the wooden floor with Dan Heng at his side. Both of the adults have their backs leaning against Mimi’s sleeping form. They both watch the children curiously observing the egg.
For the first time, Jing Yuan feels…fully happy. He has his beloved in his arms, his pet and the children. All he wants and everything he needs are in this room.
The egg is now almost as tall as Bailu, it is stationed in the middle of the room with a custom-sized bed. Jing Yuan is a bit overboard preparing things for the egg because he is excited to be a father again.
“Will it be a boy or a girl?”
“Can’t tell, maybe we need a few months to find out?” Bailu then takes her head away from the egg and asks the General, “Why? Do you have any preference?”
Jing Yuan shrugs, “Not really, I just want to prepare names for the baby.”
Yanqing's head turns quickly in Dan Heng’s direction, “He’s terrible at giving names, don’t let him do it Dan Heng!”
The general laughs, “Fine by me, he can name the baby.”
Bailu and Yanqing continue to fuss about the egg. Bailu rambles about Vidyadhara's biology while Yanqing makes plans to train once the baby is old enough to hold a weapon.
Dan Heng talks slowly so only Jin Yuan can hear, “I wish I could take the baby to Astral Express, but Himeko is right, we’ll be constantly dealing with Stellaron. It will be dangerous for the baby. Xianzhou Luofu will be the safest place and I believe it will be safe in your hand.”
“Thank you for trusting me.” Jing Yuan kisses Dan Heng’s forehead, “I promise I will do everything in my power to keep our child safe.”
Jing Yuan continues, “Aside from Bailu and Yanqing, there are very few cloud knights and servants who know of the egg’s existence. Once it’s hatched I will make the child’s fake identity as a Vidyadhara from other Xianzhou ships. I have made arrangements with every Generals and all High Elders to make this possible. The child’s fake origin story will depend on the child’s physic and cloudhym magic type.”
Yanqing hears their conversation and joins in, “Well, the baby’s magic most likely be Luofu’s cloudhym…or it has no Vidyadhara magic like the General.”
“But, it reacted well to my Cloudhym magic.” Dan Heng adds.
“Still, we don’t know the extent of the baby’s power. Is it water-related like Dan Heng’s? Maybe it has healing magic like the previous Luofu’s High Elder? Who knows?” Bailu explains, “One of the parents is a Vidyadhara and the other is the long-life Xianzhou native. The baby’s physics has endless possibilities. For example, if it had the General’s white fluffy hair we can pretend the baby came from Xianzhou Fanghu.”
“I…kinda wished the baby had Jing Yuan’s eyes.” Dan Heng looks at Jing Yuan.
“Oh? But your eyes are also beautiful.” Jing Yuan looks back at his beloved and starts nuzzling.
Bailu complained, “Ugh, they’re flirting again!”
“Focus, both of you!” Yanqing snaps his fingers to break their tender moment, “This is important! So about General’s plan, once the baby is registered from other ships than Luofu we’ll create the full fake backstory of how the baby tragically lost its ‘parents’....”
Jing Yuan nods, “I will pretend to adopt the child. Once the child is old enough to travel, we can visit you. But the child’s relationship with you should remain a secret in public and the truth should be kept between us. I’m sorry for this, I hope you’ll understand.”
“It’s okay. You’ve done your best to protect us.”
Jing Yuan looks at him earnestly, “Your ability to give birth should remain a secret. If this news reaches the Preceptors, who knows what they will do to you? If they will go as far as treating you as a broodmare… I can not allow it.”
It’s one thing to be forced to have more children but if Dan Heng is forced to procreate with anyone else aside from Jing Yuan… Dan Heng shivers and hides the dark possibility deep inside his head. He doesn’t want to think about it anymore. He buries his head in Jing Yuan’s shoulder, his lover, his sanctuary.
Jing Yuan uses this moment to whisper his confession “And about Dan Feng’s involvement. I did discover at that time during sedition, that I was gravely injured. He made a deal with Disciples of Sanctus Medicus in exchange for a potent medicine to speed up my recovery. In the end, everything that transpires is my fault. I’m sorry.”
Dan Heng turns his head away, “I didn’t regret the time we did it. I didn’t even regret the baby. It’s just…”
“-too soon?”
Dan Heng nods, “I don’t know if I will be a good parent. I don’t know how to be one.”
“It’s not something you can learn with books and I’ll admit that it’ll be challenging.” Jing Yuan takes Dan Heng’s hand and gently holds it, “But I promise you that I will help you every step of the way.”
Jing Yuan always promises and delivers. He’s always been committed. Now, speaking of commitment…
“Do you mean it? When you ask Mr. Yang for his blessing? Do you want to marry me?”
The General suddenly goes bashful, “Ah pay no mind about it, we have pressing matters, especially the egg-”
Jing Yuan stops talking when Dan Heng presses his lips to his and kisses him…
After a few seconds Dan Heng pulls away, “Mr. Yang said if that happens he’ll leave that decision up to me. And I would say yes…but not now. After I got things settled with the Astral Express. I hope it’s okay.”
Jing Yuan is still in a daze until his gaze softens, “Of course, I will wait for you. I always do. Because you’re worth it.”
A few months later.
“We’re not selling Dan Heng…” Stelle says as she eyes suspiciously on Jing Yuan’s many lavish gifts. The gifts are scattered on the parlor car floor. There are too many to count, too many to fit into one cabin room.
Dan Heng thinks he has enough headaches dealing with Stelle’s behavior. Still, he tries to explain to her patiently, “According to Xianzhou traditions, if a man wants to marry his love, he will offer gifts to his lover’s family to prove that he is wealthy enough to support their economy.”
“He’s a general why does he need to prove himself that he’s wealthy?”
March interjects, “That’s why it’s called tradition, silly.”
Stelle rubs her chin, “Then if that’s the case, can I have more?”
“Certainly-”
Before Jing Yuan has the chance to answer Dan Heng cuts in, “Absolutely not. Stelle had more than enough gifts.”
Himeko laughs, “Agreed, perhaps the General should focus his wealth on their future? Like the wedding preparation and the baby’s care?”
With the mention of the baby, March quickly points, “Oh look, look! I think Eepy’s awake!”
Stelle coos, “Aaaaw, does Eepy wake up because she doesn’t want to miss her parent’s engagement party?”
Dan Heng protests, “She has a name…”
‘Eepy’ blinks slowly and yawns. She earns her nickname after they discover that she sleeps most of the time… A blessing to most parents, but Dan Heng is slightly worried that she oversleeps sometimes.
At first glance she looks exactly like Dan Heng, having dark hair and has red strand, but her hair is as thick and fluffy as Jing Yuan’s mane and has inner white highlights. Her small gold horns and gold tail are surprising features that not many can guess.
She is snugly fit in the baby’s carrier strapped to Jing Yuan’s chest. Since the father often carries Starfall Reverie, she weighs like nothing to him. But the child's favorite position is behind Jing Yuan’s back where she is safely covered by her father’s white long hair and instinctively uses it as a blanket. (Jing Yuan prides himself on having a hair that provides warmth and cover for his daughter.)
The baby looks at Dan Heng curiously with her wide eyes as he prepares steamed puffergoat milk. Upon closer look, the baby has green eyes for outer rings and inner gold irises. On other occasions, those eyes can glow brightly sometimes.
A year ago Dan Heng thought he would be alone with this child, traveling the outer space away from Astral Express and Xianzhou Luofu. But here they are surrounded by his family and the baby is carried by his fiance.
Dan Heng looks up and meets Jing Yuan’s face who is warmly smiling back at him.
Yes, he thinks he will be fine… they all will be fine.