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If Xie Lian thought it would be yet another peaceful and lazy day at Puqi Shrine, he couldn’t have been more wrong.
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.
.
It had already been two months of his pregnancy—two months of learning how to take proper care of his body. In the past, apart from the days when he was still a crown prince, Xie Lian hadn’t cared about such matters at all; it didn’t matter what he ate, it didn’t matter if he got hurt or fell—because over the past eight hundred years, Xie Lian had simply gotten used to feeling pain.
But this, of course, had slowly begun to change with Hua Cheng by his side, not only because worrying the man never sat well with Xie Lian, but also because his husband always treated him like a prince—making him feel like a carefree youth again. Especially after they got married. And now, with someone literally growing inside his body—his and Hua Cheng’s little flower—Xie Lian couldn’t not care. If he wanted their baby to be strong and healthy, he had to stay healthy himself.
Therefore, Xie Lian and Hua Cheng made some important changes in their lives; well, getting plenty of rest aside, Xie Lian’s diet was what needed improvement the most. They knew his cooking was quite… unconventional. And even though Hua Cheng always praised his skills, Xie Lian himself had to admit that his food often lost important nutrients and vitamins due to overcooking or burning—and since both Xie Lian and the baby needed good food…
Hua Cheng had decided that for the time of Xie Lian’s pregnancy, he would be responsible for their meals. Not that Xie Lian would ever complain, because everything his husband prepared was always delicious—so much so that Xie Lian was willing to sacrifice the joy of cooking that it always brought him just to be able to eat these mouthwatering and divine meals every day.
However, even though Xie Lian wasn’t in charge of cooking anymore, that didn’t mean he had to just stand there and watch his husband cook (even if the view always was more than pleasing to the eye). Since Xie Lian’s hands were more than capable, and he didn’t feel tired at all, he thought he might as well help him out a bit, for example, by cutting vegetables.
That was how he ended up with a knife in his hand, sticking his tongue out as he focused on washing and carefully chopping the vegetables for tonight’s dinner—chicken soup!
Humming to himself, Xie Lian let his mind wander a bit, but he was still careful not to accidentally cut his finger, because if Hua Cheng were to witness that, he wouldn’t let Xie Lian hold the knife for the rest of eternity…
…well, if only Hua Cheng would come home anytime soon. Before Xie Lian knew it, his mood had dropped and his lips wobbled a little. His husband was outside, looking for the fattest chicken the farmers in the village had so that the soup they were going to make could provide Xie Lian and their baby with enough nutrients. And Hua Cheng wasn’t there long enough for Xie Lian to start missing him dearly, really! Yet…
Sniffling a little, and definitely not from chopping an onion, Xie Lian shook his head. A small smile played at the corners of his lips as he muttered under his breath, “Ah, I’m so silly… mood swings really exist, don’t they…”
“...”
“I really want to see San Lang soon… Maybe next time I will go with him, hm…”
“...”
“...”
“My sweet, little flower…” Xie Lian chanted under his breath to distract himself from the longing, already used to singing whatever came to mind to make the baby in his belly happy. “My sweet, little flower… Grow strong just like your baba…”
Twenty minutes after Hua Cheng had left, Xie Lian had all the ingredients ready to put into the pot. Thinking there was nothing left to do but wait for Hua Cheng, Xie Lian decided he might as well busy himself with sweeping the floor; it felt like ages since he last held a broom, always having Hua Cheng do everything for him.
Happy to help, Xie Lian was just about to grab the broom leaning against the wall when suddenly the door creaked open, followed by the sound of footsteps. However, as soon as he noticed that it wasn’t his beloved flower, but two familiar silhouettes, Xie Lian couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment that settled in his heart. The smile on his face didn’t falter, though—he hadn’t seen them in months, at least!
“Feng Xin, Mu Qing!” Xie Lian greeted the two men and immediately caught up with them at the door. “What brought you here?”
Crossing his arms over his chest, Mu Qing glanced around the shrine before saying anything. “Are you really asking us that?” he asked with a hint of irony in his voice, a scowl tugging at the corners of his lips.
Feng Xin narrowed his eyes at Mu Qing, but when his eyes moved towards Xie Lian, his expression softened. “Dianxia, long time no see. How have you been?”
Hearing the question, Xie Lian subconsciously touched his belly, his little baby bump hidden beneath two layers of taoist robes. Right, they still don’t know, Xie Lian thought with a smile, now smaller than before. Naturally, he wanted to share the news as soon as he found out that he and Hua Cheng would become parents, but he couldn’t find the right moment to do so, because a thing or another always came up, making it impossible to contact his old friends–
Or maybe he was just making excuses, afraid of their reaction.
Xie Lian cleared his throat, laughing sheepishly. “Ah, I couldn’t have been feeling better, really…”
“Yeah,” Mu Qing sneered. “After Hua Cheng returned, you haven’t shown up in Heavens even once. Bet you were busy celebrating, huh?”
“Stop acting like an asshole!” Feng Xin hissed and slapped Mu Qing’s arm. “Didn’t you just beg him to be friends with you again?!”
Mu Qing rolled his eyes and refrained from another remark.
“Ah, well… yes. Why don’t you both sit down and have some tea with me?” Xie Lian asked with a smile and gestured at the table with one hand, while still touching his stomach with the other. Hopefully the tea would be the first step to breaking the ice and chatting like in the good, old days.
Feng Xin nodded, clearly grateful for the change of topic. He walked over to Xie Lian, touching him briefly on the shoulder before sitting comfortably at the table. As Feng Xin leaned back in his chair, his lips parted slightly as he noticed the painting of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince on the wall above the table; he was clearly astonished at the craftsmanship and passion someone had put into it.
Mu Qing, on the other hand, stood still, eyeing Xie Lian suspiciously.
Xie Lian scratched his nape. “Something’s wrong, Mu Qing?”
“...”
Xie Lian tilted his head, confused.
“I don’t want to assume anything, even in Crimson Rain’s absence—who knows when he will suddenly show up, ready to punch me in the face for even thinking he’s treating you badly.” Mu Qing crossed his arms again and frowned. “But why are you clutching your stomach so much? Are you unwell?”
Whether Mu Qing was actually worried or not, Xie Lian couldn’t give it too much thought as he suddenly froze, unable to utter a single sound. He didn’t even realize he was touching his belly—was it some kind of maternal instinct?
“...”
It seemed like the perfect opportunity to share the news with them, but on the other hand, wouldn’t it be taken the wrong way—that Xie Lian had decided to tell them only because Mu Qing noticed something off about him?
But if he kept it a secret any longer, nothing good would happen…
Xie Lian made up his mind.
Letting out a deep breath he had no idea he was holding, Xie Lian shook his head and smiled softly. “I feel well. Mostly. Ah, no, but honestly, mornings are quite a hassle, haha…”
“...”
“...”
The two generals watched him in silence. Feng Xin looked a bit dumbfounded, while Mu Qing observed him with a raised eyebrow. Then, as if realization suddenly came over him, Mu Qing closed the distance between himself and Xie Lian before the latter had a chance to notice it. He grabbed his wrist, looking at Xie Lian intensely. After a moment, his eyes widened. “No way… Are you serious?!”
Xie Lian scratched the bridge of his nose and a soft, awkward chuckle escaped his lips. “Ahaha… you know… San Lang and I are married, so…ah, isn’t that the natural thing to happen when two people love each other?”
“So you just—! Oh my goddess,” Mu Qing groaned, helplessly rubbing his face with both hands.
“Wait, wait, wait,” Feng Xin stood up and walked over to them, a complicated expression spreading across his face as his eyes flickered between his two friends. “I don’t think I understand…”
“What is there to understand!” Mu Qing exclaimed, pointing at Xie Lian’s stomach. “He’s carrying the child of Crimson Rain!”
Feng Xin opened his mouth to speak, but no sound came out. Instead, he stared at Xie Lian with his mouth open, disbelief written all over his face, expressing more than a hundred words.
“Ahem,” Xie Lian cleared his throat, embarrassed, rubbing his belly with his other hand. But he, just like Feng Xin, was at a loss for words, so just smiled awkwardly.
Then:
“I’m going to be… an uncle?” Feng Xin whispered, his face filled with joy.
“Why the hell would you?!” Mu Qing exclaimed again, angry. “You are not even related to Xie Lian!”
A blush spread across Feng Xin’s cheeks. “It doesn’t matter! We are his friends, so why can’t the baby call me uncle?!”
Mu Qing rubbed his face in exasperation again. “Is that really what bothers you the most? And not like, for example, the fact that there will be a copy of Hua Cheng, the menace of Heavens, walking around?!”
This was what Xie Lian had feared the most.
“Mu Qing,” Xie Lian narrowed his eyes, his tone firm. “I kindly ask you not to speak like that about my husband or my child.”
“Yeah, Mu Qing, shut up,” Feng Xin said, placing a reassuring hand on Xie Lian’s shoulder. “I don’t know how it’s even possible for him to have a child, but it doesn’t matter. He’s pregnant, and you shouldn’t say things that might anger him, because something might happen to his child, you know?” Feng Xin then sighed. “I know you don’t like Hua Cheng, but he’s someone Xie Lian chose. And we, as his friends, should be there for him and support him during this time, yeah?”
Having listened to Feng Xin’s speech, both Xie Lian and Mu Qing were left speechless. Xie Lian felt tears welling up in his eyes as his pregnancy made him easily moved, while Mu Qing looked away, clearly embarrassed by this outburst.
They would have stood in silence for much longer if it weren’t for the sudden appearance of a fourth person.
As soon as Hua Cheng’s butterfly flew past the two heavenly officials and landed on top of Xie Lian’s head, Feng Xin and Mu Qing visibly tensed, holding their breath.
Only Xie Lian seemed relaxed, smiling brightly at the sight of his husband’s butterfly.
“San Lang! Welcome home!” he exclaimed joyfully and walked up to Hua Cheng, standing on his tiptoes as if to kiss him, but hesitated at the last moment upon remembering that they weren’t alone. “You’ve been gone for so long, ah…”
“My sincerest apologies, dianxia,” Hua Cheng replied smoothly and leaned down to kiss Xie Lian’s forehead. He then placed his hands on Xie Lian’s belly, caressing him softly. “I brought chicken for soup, but I didn’t expect we would have… guests over.”
Feeling Hua Cheng’s piercing gaze, Feng Xin was the first to come back to reality. “Yeah, we just came by… to check on him. Congrats, by the way,” he mumbled, then elbowed Mu Qing in the side when he remained silent.
“Yeah, congrats,” Mu Qing muttered and moved to leave the shrine first, leaving Feng Xin behind.
“This guy will never change,” Feng Xin sighed and looked at Xie Lian with a soft smile on his face. “Xie Lian, don’t think too much about his words. You know he’s difficult to deal with… but he’s happy for you. And I bet he will want to be called uncle too,” he admitted, patting Xie Lian’s shoulder, but pulled his hand back as soon as Hua Cheng narrowed his eyes at him. “Anyway… he was angry because you didn’t share the news the next second you found out about it. But he’s happy. I promise you. And we would love to help you any way we can. Just let us know, alright? You are our friend. Best friend, even. Not just our heavenly colleague.”
Xie Lian rubbed his eyes, feeling tears gathering there again, and smiled brightly. “Alright. Thank you for everything, Feng Xin. And I will contact you soon, I promise.”
“Remember to rest and eat a lot, yeah?” Feng Xin said and waved his hand without looking back as he walked out of the shrine, leaving Xie Lian and Hua Cheng alone.
A glint of concern flashed in Hua Cheng’s eye before he clenched his hand at his side, trying to suppress his anger. “Did Mu Qing say anything?”
Xie Lian shook his head. “Don’t worry about it, San Lang. Feng Xin was right; Mu Qing was just angry because I didn’t tell them sooner. It’s my fault.”
Hua Cheng touched Xie Lian’s cheek and gently stroked his face, whispering, “Never your fault, beloved. You didn’t have to tell them—you have no obligation to explain anything to them,” he said, and then kissed his lips softly.
Feeling it was better to leave this matter behind, Xie Lian changed the topic. “So… Did San Lang buy us chicken?”
“I did. The fattest one Old Li could find.”
“Great! Because, ahem, our baby is demanding food…”
“En, I figured,” Hua Cheng chucked softly and leaned over to kiss the baby bump, causing Xie Lian’s heart to skip a beat. “I brought you, I mean, the baby,” he winked, “your favorite steamed buns to satisfy their hunger before the main dish.”
Xie Lian swallowed, his eyes lighting up at the mention of his favorite buns. “My… favourite? With pork–?”
“En,” Hua Cheng chuckled again at Xie Lian’s eagerness. He then took his hand and led him to the table, coaxing him to sit down. Handing him the buns, Hua Cheng said with a fond smile, “Rest, my love, and watch your husband cook.”
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Later that day, after soup was eaten and the dishes washed, the two returned to Paradise Manor to have a rest. As soon as Xie Lian comfortably lay down on the spacious bed and his head touched the fluffy pillow, he couldn’t help but let out a long yawn and snuggle closer to his husband’s body.
With his back pressed against Hua Cheng’s chest and his eyes closed, Xie Lian listened to his husband’s deep voice as he sang a lullaby to him and their baby. Hua Cheng’s pleasant voice made it difficult for Xie Lian to stay awake for long, so just before slumber completely took over his mind, he couldn’t help but think…
…how happy he was to have such a wonderful husband, and how lucky their child was to have such a wonderful father.