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It was no secret that the other peaks looked down on An Ding, perhaps that’s why Luo Binghe’s Shizun had sent him to An Ding for a few days in the height of winter. Shizun had said he was too busy to deal out his punishment properly so he had delegated him to work at An Ding for the passing weeks.
Binghe was expecting the disciples to treat him coldly, after all he was an outsider and from a peak that openly looked down on them. However he was received with nothing but kindness. They were patient with him, and made sure he was included in everything they did.
He couldn’t understand why being from An Ding was so shameful (at least according to his Shizun). They weren’t lazy like the rumours suggested nor were they mistreated by their Shizun. In fact Binghe hadn’t even seen his Shishu since arriving on An Ding a week ago.
Though he couldn’t deny that this was weird.
When he woke up this morning all of An Ding was decorated as if there were festivities approaching, only Binghe couldn’t think of any upcoming celebrations.
He had asked one of the older disciples, Ming Tao who had taken to instructing him, what all the decorations were about.
“Some celebration from Shizun’s home town,” Ming Tao shrugged. “He calls it ‘Christmas’ some winter celebration.”
There was no further explanation, and Luo Binghe guessed that there really wasn’t need for more. There was this sense of anticipation leading up to it though, you could clearly tell that even the head disciple was excited. It left Binghe feeling endlessly curious and excited too.
Finally the day of ‘Christmas’ came.
Binghe was surprised to find out that there was no work on ‘Christmas’. All the disciples slept well into the morning. In fact when Binghe woke up at the usual time, the disciples he shared a room with told him to go back to sleep. He did of course.
When all the disciples finally woke up for the day, the rest of the morning was spent in leisure. Breakfast was a slow and casual affair. No one seemed in a rush, so the morning was spent eating the foods served for breakfast slowly, and having calm conversations at a leisurely pace.
It was peaceful.
The rest of the day was spent much the same. No one had any work to do so everyone kind of just sat around talking, playing games and partaking in their hobbies. Binghe had found himself sitting in a circle with some of the An Ding disciples making flower crowns, it was fun.
When the sun was high in the sky, the head disciple, Mei Ling, came around ushering everyone into the main hall of the peak. Yu Lian, a young girl sitting next to him, squealed in excitement and grabbed his wrist and began dragging him to the hall.
It was beautiful.
In all his years he’s never seen a room decorated so beautifully. Colourful decorations littered every wall and white paper snowflakes hung from the ceiling. A decorated tree sat in the middle of the room, it was huge, way taller than anyone he’s ever seen. Unfamiliar music played softly across the room.
He was truly beginning to love ‘Christmas’.
Everyone was mingling, dancing, eating, and chatting. It looked really fun. For once, he was really liking his supposed punishment.
For now he had taken to sticking by the wall and watching everyone else have fun. He couldn’t help but feel like an intruder, this party wasn’t meant for him, it was meant for the disciples of An Ding. He was only here because he had displeased his Shizun after all.
“Luo Binghe right?”
He jumped at the unfamiliar voice, he hadn’t heard anyone approach. When he looked up at the voice he was met with the image of a breathtaking man. This must be his Shishu. He was smiling at him gently, waiting for his answer patiently.
He nodded his head.
“I’m sorry I haven’t come to welcome you to my peak before now, I’ve been quite busy. I trust Mei Ling has been taking care of you though?” His Shishu, Shang Qinghua, asked him apologetically.
He nodded his head again, “yes Shishu, this one has been well received.”
Shang Qinghua hummed approvingly, "I'm glad to hear that.”
He passed Binghe a cup filled with some unknown hot brown liquid with white dots in it, “here, you should try some, it’s good I promise.”
He stared at the cup for a moment before taking a cautious sip… heavens above it was amazing. A sense of awe lit up his face as the rich, warm taste hit his tongue. His enjoyment must show on his face because his Shishu chuckles softly.
“I’m glad you like it.” He took Binghe’s empty cup and placed it on one of the side tables. Huh, he hadn’t even realised he had finished it. He hopes he can have more later, maybe he could even learn to make it?
“It's a tradition on Christmas for children to receive gifts, unfortunately I wasn't too sure as to what you’d like so I hope this isn’t too disappointing.” He hands him a small simple box.
“Oh, this one can’t accept this Shishu. This one isn’t worthy of such grace.” He panics slightly, pushing the box back into Shang Qinghua’s hands and bowing his head respectfully.
“Nonsense,” Qinghua shook his head softly, placing the box firmly into his hands. “Everyone gets something on Christmas.”
Binghe accepts the box cautiously, “thanking Shishu.”
He opened the box slowly and was stunned to see a beautiful jade hairpin. He sucked in a sharp breath at the sight of it, turning to look at his Shishu as if confirming that this is truly his.
Shang Qinghua nodded his head encouragingly.
“This one is deeply grateful for this gift Shishu, thank you.” Luo Binghe bowed deeply.
“I am pleased you liked it then.”
“...Would…would Shishu help this one put it in?” He asks Qinghua cautiously, nervous that he may be overstepping his place.
“I would be happy too,” he smiled at Binghe, pleased.
Shang Qinghua took the jade hair pin out of Binghe’s hand gently, patiently guiding him to turn around. He gathered Binghe’s hair up with soft and gentle hands, styling his hair and securing it with the hair pin skillfully.
“Does that feel ok? Not too tight?” Qinghua asked gently once he was done.
“No, it feels fine, thanking Shishu deeply again.”
“I hope you enjoy the festivities, please feel free to enjoy everything that's available and not be afraid to come find me if there's any problems. Have fun.” His Shishu smiled at him gently once more before turning to leave.
“Shishu, wait!”
Shang Qinghua pauses, turning back around and tilting his head as he waits for Luo Binghe to speak.
“You said everyone gets a gift for ‘Christmas’ so uh here.” He thrusted the flower crown he had been making earlier in Shang Qinghua’s direction, looking away shyly.
“Oh,” Qinghua uttered, shocked. “Thank you,” he took the crown from Binghe’s hands gently. He stared at the crown in amazement before putting it on and flashing Binghe a blindingly bright smile at him. “Thank you, Luo Binghe.”
Heat rushed to his cheeks, “Shishu is most welcomed.”
“I hope you have a good time Binghe, I really am glad to be hosting you for Christmas.” He smiled at him, it seemed oddly sad but before he could think on it any more, he was gone.
He couldn’t understand why his Shizun hated his Shishu so much, he was so nice. Binghe doesn’t think he knows a person as kind as his Shishu, apart from his mother of course.
He hopes he gets to meet him again,
He looks across the room and watches as his Shishu interacts with his disciples, still wearing the flower crown he had given him.
He really loves ‘Christmas’.