Work Text:
Guzi sat numbly in the tent belonging to Lang Qianqiu. He didn’t care to listen to all the boring chatter of the adults. None of it made sense to him anyway. He’d wanted to go search for his dad, but they hadn’t gotten the time yet. Guzi was getting impatient. He wasn’t sure if that man, the one that snuffed out the fire, truly wanted to help him…
Guzi got up, looking outside. Most of the gods were gathered around a tent, clutching high stacks of papers and chattering to the woman inside. She looked tired, and Guzi wasn’t sure if a crowd hadn’t plagued her since she’d shown up. Lang Qianqiu himself was at her side talking to her. Guzi looked past them, into the distance where maple trees scattered leaves in the wind.
He was about to turn away when something caught his eye. There was a light in the distance, glowing a dim green.
Guzi stepped out immediately. His pace quickened when he realized the light was fading, and he broke into a sprint to chase it. Guzi finally caught up to the dim light, only a few feet away from it when he tripped and plummeted into the dirt. His knee scraped a rough rock jutting out of the ground, and he yelped in pain.
He shakily pushed himself up, startling slightly as he realized the small fragment of ghost fire had moved to float right in front of him. It lowered to his level, but didn’t speak. It didn’t do anything else.
Guzi reached out to touch the fire. Instead of his fingers burning, they were only slightly warm. He cradled the small fire in his hands. “...Dad?”
The fire didn’t speak. Not like it did when Lang Qianqiu had crushed it in his grasp. Guzi’s hands trembled as he held it ever so gently, and he tried to keep his breathing even. He was terrified the slightest misstep would put it out.
Cautiously, Guzi turned back around. The fire remained in his hold, never trying to leave or move again. He slowly walked back to the camp the adults had made, and eventually managed to get to his tent without anyone noticing the green fire tucked against his chest.
However, the man he was most reluctant to see immediately rushed to him when he walked into the tent.
“Where’d you go?! Don’t run off like that!”
Guzi stepped back, shaking slightly.
Lang Qianqiu’s expression shifted, and he lowered his voice. “It’s– It’s okay, just… Don’t run off, okay? I was worried you might get hurt or something.”
Guzi nodded. His hands still trembled, and he couldn’t meet Lang Qianqiu’s eyes.
“What’s in your hands?”
Guzi tightened his hold without thinking, then immediately panicked. He loosened his grip, making sure the ghost fire was still alive and safe. Dim green shone between his fingers.
Lang Qianqiu’s eyes widened. “Is that…?”
He knelt down, staring at the small fire. Guzi moved his hands away. “It’s nothing.”
“...I won’t hurt it,” Lang Qianqiu said.
“I don’t believe you.”
He sighed. “Okay, look. What if I get a special lantern, and you can put the ghost fire in there?”
“And you promise you won’t hurt it?”
“Guzi, I–”
“Promise! I won’t trust you unless you promise!”
“Okay, okay. I promise.”
Guzi analyzed his face for a moment, searching for a hint of deception in his eyes. But he looked sincere, and he sounded sincere too…
“Fine.”
Guzi held onto the fire all night, and in the morning Lang Qianqiu returned with a lantern in hand. It was shaped like a square, and the rims glimmered unusually. Lang Qianqiu knelt in front of Guzi once more, opening the side.
“Here,” he held out the lantern. Guzi gently placed the ghost fire inside, his hands feeling cold when he finally released it. Lang Qianqiu closed the side, then held it out to Guzi once more. “It will make you feel better to keep the lantern close, I’m sure. You can keep it.”
Guzi immediately took the lantern, holding the green light in his hands.
“...Thank you.”
Guzi hid behind a large boulder, shuddering in fear. The sound of swords clanging rang out from beyond, making his ears hurt. He wanted to cover them, but he refused to let go of the lantern cradled safely in his hands. He didn’t move, just as he was told.
Eventually there was a ghastly shriek, and Lang Qianqiu returned to Guzi. He held a piece of green fire in his hands, sparking and flaming wildly. It desperately writhed to escape his grasp, and he tightened his hold.
Guzi set down the lantern and darted to hold out his hands. “Let go!”
Lang Qianqiu released the fire into Guzi’s hands, and it still rose up like it was trying to intimidate or impress with its valiance, but didn’t try as hard to escape Guzi’s palm. He opened the lantern with his other hand and let the fire fall from his hand. It joined the other, flaming up with a brighter green before settling as one, ever slightly, larger fire.
Guzi smiled, hugging the lantern. “When do you think my dad will be back?”
Lang Qianqiu looked uncomfortable when Guzi looked up at him again. “I don’t know.”
Guzi didn’t let that get to him, though. They had already found a few pieces, so how difficult could it be to gather them all? Surely they would have all of them in no time!
Guzi followed Lang Qianqiu back to their camp of tents. Some of the other gods there gave him odd looks, some glared at that lantern in his hands, some seemed to pity him. Lang Qianqiu sighed as they reached the tent. Guzi sat near the entrance, talking about nonsense to the unresponsive lantern.
He looked up, seeing someone he hadn’t in at least a month. The man in white smiled, seemed just as serene as ever to those that glanced at him, but he seemed a little strained in his effort to maintain conversation with everyone. Someone asked him a question, and his smile faltered before returning to his face, even more strained. Guzi leaned out of the tent slightly to hear.
“Of course. I’m not worried.”
Guzi hesitantly stood as the person he was speaking to left. Guzi approached, his voice meek as he looked up at him. “Scrap Gege?”
Xie Lian looked down, blinking a few times before offering a sincere smile. “Guzi, nice to see you.”
Guzi nodded. “Did Scrap Gege go back to his Puqi Shrine?”
Xie Lian’s eyes dimmed. “Puqi Shrine fell a while ago. I’m living further down the mountain, that way,” Xie Lian pointed in a direction, and Guzi silently noted it in his mind.
“Where’s Red Gege?”
“...” Xie Lian didn’t speak for a few moments. “He… He’s away right now. He’ll be back soon, though.” Though the first part of his sentence wavered, the second half was entirely certain.
Guzi thought of mentioning the lantern, which he still held, but before he could decide against it Xie Lian brought it up. “Is that Qi– your dad?” He pointed at the lantern.
Guzi hugged it to his chest. He wasn’t scared of Scrap Gege, and he didn’t think he would take it from him, but… He hadn’t helped when Guzi had begged him to either. “Yes. Sword Gege is helping find all the pieces of my dad.”
“Ah…” Xie Lian glanced at the tent. “I hope you have luck, Guzi.”
“I hope so too.”
Xie Lian gave him a polite nod before continuing on his way to speak with other gods. Guzi looked around, searching for anything to do.
He saw a table of food on the edge of camp and walked over. The other gods there, who didn’t really need to eat, gave him space. Guzi set the lantern in an empty spot on the table and reached for a steamed bun. He bit into it as he picked up a small piece of meat he couldn’t identify. He held the bun in his mouth as he pulled the meat into a piece that was truly miniscule, then opened the lantern and fed it the tiniest piece. The fire engulfed the food instantly, growing brighter for just a moment before returning to its normal eerie, dim green.
Guzi chuckled. He fed it another small piece, and it repeated the action. Guzi hoped it would make his dad stronger…
Lang Qianqiu appeared beside him before Guzi had realized. “It doesn’t need to eat, you don’t have to worry about feeding it.”
“I know. But Dad liked food,” Guzi mumbled, dropping in another piece. “Bad food, mostly, but still.”
Lang Qianqiu grimaced, and muttered “Disgusting,” under his breath. Guzi pretended not to hear. He honestly couldn’t deny that his dad’s eating habits were… well. Truthfully, disgusting. Guzi knew such things absolutely should not be eaten.
Guzi looked between Lang Qianqiu and the table of food. “Did you want to get something?”
“Hm? Oh, no. I just wanted to check on you.”
“Oh. Okay.”
A man walked over to Lang Qianqiu just then, bowing his head lightly in greeting. He had black hair, tied up in a bun. Lang Qianqiu smiled, leaning against the table as they leisurely spoke.
“How are the junior officials anyways? I swear I never see them around,” Lang Qianqiu asked.
“Ah… They’re having a tough time,” his friend replied. “None of their gods have time for them, so we’ve been sort of aimless. Just trying to help where we can, but half the time those of the upper court will get annoyed by it. Seems more helpful to just stay out of the way.”
“You’re never in my way,” Lang Qianqiu said with a smile.
Guzi was no longer interested in their conversation, and picked up the lantern with one hand and carried his steamed bun in the other as he walked back to their tent. He sat down inside, resuming talking to his Dad.
“Dad, when you come back you shouldn’t eat bad food like you did before.”
There was no response, of course.
Guzi sighed. “I miss you, Dad. Please come back soon.”
Guzi glanced at Xie Lian and Hua Cheng, who were doing their best to say goodbye and make their exit from the heavenly capital as soon as possible. Guzi laughed at the vastly different attempts. Xie Lian was patiently trying to politely say goodbye to everyone, that he’d be back soon, that nobody need worry so much anymore. Hua Cheng stood just behind him, glaring at every official that delayed their exit. That look alone was enough for a large portion of them to flee.
It seemed Hua Cheng finally tired of waiting after a few minutes. He stepped in front of Xie Lian, blocking off any further conversation. He gave a curt reason for needing to leave immediately, and the heavenly officials had no heart to try to speak to him directly. Hua Cheng and Xie Lian made their leave after, in a toss of dice and a flutter of silver butterflies.
Guzi looked up at Lang Qianqiu, who, similarly to him, had simply been watching the affair from a distance. He caught his gaze, and smiled. “Shall we head to the new Tai Hua Palace?”
Guzi nodded, and the two of them walked down the extravagant paths of the new Heavenly Capital. Guzi had been in awe when he and his dad marched around the old capital, and he felt that same feeling resurface alongside longing. Instead of marching around listening to his dad rave about how he was all powerful, how they were going to do whatever they wanted, and Guzi could have everything he wanted now, he was walking in silence with a green lantern beside a man that most certainly only took him along out of guilt.
Finally they reached a large, golden palace that Guzi would never have even dreamed of stepping foot in. It was the sort of place his dad would boast they’d have someday. Except his dad would have it with more green, he was sure.
Lang Qianqiu opened the exquisite doors, gesturing for Guzi to enter. It took a moment for his mind to catch up and put a stop to his wide-eyed wonder. He stepped inside, looking around the equally magnificent interior. There was a large altar, with a divine statue of the man beside him atop it.
That same man Lang Qianqiu spoke with at the camp walked into the room with a broom, startling slightly at their appearance before smiling. “Welcome home!”
“Xiao Mengyou, I didn’t know you were here already,” Lang Qianqiu said, walking to converse with him.
Guzi was no longer interested. He continued looking around, staring at the shimmering walls, shining floors, the oppressive hanging, golden lights shining down from the ceiling. Guzi took a few steps in the direction of a hallway, curious. Lang Qianqiu noticed he was about to walk off, and called out to him. “Hey wait, let me show you to your room first.”
“Okay,” Guzi said, standing still.
“You did spruce up a kids room for him, right?”
Xiao Mengyou nodded. “I even found some toys for him.”
“Good. Thank you, Xiao Mengyou.”
“Of course.”
Lang Qianqiu joined Guzi’s side once more, and led him down a wide hallway. Guzi glanced at various paintings lining the walls, wondering when or how he managed to keep them after his original palace was destroyed. A few seemed to feature a younger Lang Qianqiu and his parents, one with Lang Qianqiu and another younger man Guzi had never met. Further down the wall was a painting of younger Lang Qianqiu smiling beside a masked man, and he noticed Lang Qianqiu’s steps falter when they passed it.
Finally they reached an ornately decorated door, with many engravings of flowers in the gold. Lang Qianqiu opened it for Guzi, though he didn’t move for a moment.
This room, just like the rest, was extravagant. It glimmered and shone even when lights weren’t on. The single window brought in all the oppressive light one could need, yet there were unlit golden lights still hanging down from the center of the room’s ceiling. A large bed sat in the middle of the room, with deep blue blankets atop golden sheets, the pillows only a shade lighter than the blankets. There was a bedside table that held a lantern, emitting a soft orange glow. There were toys settled in the corner, a few budaoweng dolls and sewn plush animals. On the bed lay a new set of neatly folded clothes.
“Do you like it?”
Guzi was silent for only a moment, and he hoped it would come off as being awe-struck. “...Yes. Thank you, Lang Qianqiu-gege.”
“Well, I’ll let you settle in. I’ll come check on you again in a little bit, okay?”
“Okay.”
Lang Qianqiu left, his footsteps slowly fading in the hall. Guzi walked in, pushing the door closed with his back. He immediately walked over to the bedside table and set the lantern down on his new bed. He opened the lantern on the table, blowing out the flame before picking it up and setting it close to the window. Guzi picked up his dad’s lantern and set it on the table where the previous one had been.
“Much better,” Guzi mumbled.
He looked at the window again, his eyes squinting. Did the light in the heavenly capital ever dim?
Guzi walked over, pulling the deep blue curtains closed. They shielded a fair amount of light, but enough still filtered in for him to see perfectly well. Guzi was tired, and he sort of hoped to sleep… He sighed, giving up on that. He picked up the clothes, staring at them. His current clothes were dirtied and tattered, truly a sorry sight.
They were in the same style as his old clothes, but when he put them on he realized they were of significantly higher quality than anything he had ever worn. The inner part was a light blue, while the outer was a deep blue much like that of the blankets and curtains. The pants were a lot like the ones he’d previously wore, a gentle brown shade. Guzi noticed a new pair of shoes by the door as he moved to put his own there. They were much nicer, looked as if they shone, and were a deep earthy brown.
Guzi wasn’t used to getting so many things at once, especially of such quality. He moved to sit on the bed, which was astoundingly comfortable, and spoke gently to his dad.
“I don’t know what to think, Dad…” He kicked his feet. “All of this is really nice, but…”
But it didn’t feel like home. Guzi looked around the space again, and it felt empty. Hollow. Like a crucial piece was missing. Guzi returned his gaze to the lantern.
Then he giggled. “Maybe it needs more green.”
Guzi rambled about all sorts of things to his dad, laying in the comfy bed and relishing in such luxury. An hour later there was a soft knock at the door. Guzi sat up, awaiting the door opening. There was another knock.
“Guzi?”
Guzi blinked. “Come in?”
The door opened, and Lang Qianqiu stood in the doorway. He smiled at the young boy. “Do you like your new room?”
Guzi hesitated before answering. “Yes.”
Lang Qianqiu noticed this time, however. “Are you sure? If there’s something you want changed I can have it done.”
Guzi looked away, then mumbled, “Maybe it could be more green?”
He was sure his dad would have been proud.
One of Lang Qianqiu’s eyes twitched. “You don’t want it to look like somewhere Qi Rong would dwell, do you?” The way he asked made Guzi shrink in on himself. He hadn’t meant to make him mad. He instinctively moved closer to the lantern, ready to protect it should the need arise.
Lang Qianqiu’s anger immediately dissipated at the sight. “I’m sorry.” He paused, bowing his head to stare at the floor. Then he sighed. “Is that what you want?”
“Kind of… I miss being with my dad.”
“...Okay. I’ll work something out.”
…The next few days went by fairly uneventfully. Lang Qianqiu would bring Guzi meals, sometimes they’d eat together, sometimes with Xiao Mengyou, sometimes Guzi would eat in his room while talking to the lantern. Xiao Mengyou and Guzi talked more and more as they now shared a palace, and Xiao Mengyou often indulged Guzi in playing games. Maybe hide and seek, maybe tag with Lang Qianqiu, and today Xiao Mengyou was teaching Guzi a card game.
Guzi sat in front of him, staring at the paper Xiao Mengyou had made with the card combinations and listening as he explained the rules. Xiao Mengyou dealt out the cards, and Guzi stared at the ones in his hand. He set a card face-up into the waste pile, and the turn went to Xiao Mengyou. He drew a card from the face-down draw pile, then discarded an ace card. Guzi glanced at the paper with the combinations before hesitantly picking up the ace card and setting down three aces of different suits.
“Did I do it right?”
“Yeah,” Xiao Mengyou said. “You’re winning already!”
Guzi smiled, sitting back with his remaining cards as he picked one to discard. He set down a two of hearts, and the turn went to Xiao Mengyou. They played this game for a long while, Guzi not even realizing how much time they were passing before Lang Qianqiu returned. Guzi jumped as the door opened and an annoyed voice rang out.
“Xiao Mengyou, please go get Gu–” The voice cut off, and Lang Qianqiu looked down at the pair playing cards on the floor in front of the large altar near the entrance.
Guzi’s eyes focused on Lang Qianqiu’s hand, which was uncarefully holding something glowing. Guzi jumped up, dropping his cards on the floor without another thought as he picked up his lantern and ran up to Lang Qianqiu. He opened the lantern and held it up to him.
Lang Qianqiu tossed the flame in with a sigh, and it bounced against the side of the lantern before it was engulfed in the rest of the flames of the lantern.
“Thank you, thank you!” Guzi exclaimed, hugging the lantern to his chest.
“You’re welcome, Guzi-er.” Lang Qianqiu ruffled the boy’s hair, and he didn’t object. “Were you two playing cards?”
“Mhm,” Xiao Mengyou said, neatly placing the cards of his hand in a pile face-down. “Though the game may be over, considering Guzi’s cards are all over the floor.”
Guzi sheepishly apologized, though Xiao Mengyou waved it off with a laugh. “I get it, you’re excited.”
Lang Qianqiu pulled something out of his pocket, staring at it for a moment before reaching a conclusion. “It’s probably time for Guzi to get some sleep anyways.”
Guzi turned to him, a little confused. He was always a little unsure of when he was actually supposed to go to bed now that he lived somewhere the sun never set. He bounced between feeling like he was perpetually energetic or exhausted throughout the days.
“His room should be done too,” Xiao Mengyou said. Guzi refocused on him, his confusion heightening and mingling with concern. Xiao Mengyou chuckled. “Don’t worry, I think you’ll like it.”
Guzi anxiously followed Lang Qianqiu to his room. The gold door was the same, but when Lang Qianqiu opened it Guzi was stunned.
Inside the room, the floors were a darker gray stone and littered with various soft looking rugs. The walls were a gentle pastel green, and the new dark green curtain that covered the window seemed to entirely block out the eternal, bright light of the capital. The hanging lights were still gold, but the ends were lit with dim green fire instead of the previous oranges and yellows. The blankets on the bed were a dark green like the curtains, and the pillows an illustrious gold.
“...So,” Lang Qianqiu coughed. “Thoughts?”
“I love it!” Guzi ran into the room, holding up the lantern so it could get a full view. “Look, Dad, look! Isn’t it great?!”
Maybe he was imagining it… But Guzi swore that the flame danced in excitement as he laughed.
Lang Qianqiu walked side by side with Guzi, their footsteps echoing on the stone beneath their feet. Guzi held up the lantern, letting the dim green illuminate their path alongside Lang Qianqiu’s palm torch. They had walked past many empty cells, and seen a couple ghosts with green candles atop their heads scurry away from them. Lang Qianqiu hadn’t given chase since they were hardly worth tracking down. He was sure they could barely cause any harm.
The two of them walked into a large, open room. In front of them was a pathway, on both sides of the path were pools of water. There were bones littering the one on the right, and Guzi tried not to think about it too much. There were stairs leading up to the largest expanse of stone floor, though there were broken boulders scattered across it alongside various craters. More steps led up to a comfortable looking chair, though there was a line of broken steps trailing downward into a larger crater at the bottom.
Lang Qianqiu glanced to the side of the room, at a large pot that was slashed open on one side. The contents long since spilled over into the water below, leaving the pot with only the remnants of a reddish liquid. Lang Qianqiu sighed.
Guzi felt… conflicted. He knew this was his dad’s old place, but it was also the place he’d been so very scared, the place he thought was going to die. That very slashed pot he was supposed to be boiled in. His father, his… original father, had shown the infrequent, incredibly rare care and tried to protect him here. That was the very last time Guzi had spoken to his father.
***
Everyone had been distracted, talking over some sort of brutal massacre in the past. Guzi couldn’t follow it at all, nor did he wish to. So he’d shakily risen to his feet from where he’d been hiding, and cautiously escaped the room. He ran down the halls until he was grabbed by a ghost and thrown in a cell with other humans that had been desperately trying to escape. He searched through the faces, but he hadn’t seen his father among them.
He’d begun to cry, and only a couple of the other people in the cell tried to comfort him. Eventually, Scrap Gege and Red Gege had freed them all, and everyone had rushed out and forgotten about him. When he exited, none of their saviors were around, so he couldn’t ask for his help in finding his dad. He began to wander by himself, feeling utterly lost as he called out his dad’s name.
He jumped as he saw a bright flash of green whisk by, and hesitated before following it around the corner. A man was sitting there coughing, then laughing, then coughing again, but Guzi recognized him instantly. He ran up to him with a shout of “Dad!”
His dad turned around, and Guzi dropped to sit beside him. “Are you okay?!” He tugged at his sleeves, almost regretting it when he recalled how much his father hated it. But his dad only laughed, pulling the boy into a crushing hug. Guzi hadn’t expected that, and went still.
“You’re my cheap son, yes?!”
“Um… Yes? Dad, are you okay? You haven’t– You haven’t forgotten me, have you?!”
“Of course not!” He stood, holding the boy in his arms. “But– Remind Dad of your name, my cheap son!”
“Dad! You know my name!”
“Ah, but do you know your name?!”
“I… What?! My name is Guzi! You know that!”
“Riiight! Hah! I knew that!”
Guzi was being held as his dad began marching in a direction, like he knew this place inside and out. He paused midstep, then turned around and went another direction in a hurry.
“Dad? Do you know where you’re go–”
“Shh! Shut up,” his dad said, putting a hand over his mouth.
Eventually the two of them had run out of the dark and eerie place, and Guzi’s dad had said they needed to go somewhere specific. Guzi hadn’t understood, not at all, and he questioned his dad along the way. Yet he received no conclusive answers, and eventually they ended up at a well.
And– Well, everything that happened there had spiraled them to their stay with Scrap Gege, where Guzi truly realized his father was no longer with him.
***
Guzi snapped back to the present when a group of ghosts with candles atop their heads ran into the room shouting. They came in through the entrance to the left of the comfy seating area, down the steps and pointing up at the ceiling. Guzi followed where they were pointing, his eyes widening as he pulled at Lang Qianqiu’s sleeve.
“There!” He exclaimed, pointing to the same place as the ghosts.
“I see it,” Lang Qianqiu said.
He stared up at the little green fire, which was floating near the high ceiling. Guzi watched as a larger ghost picked up a small one, practically bundling him into a ball and throwing him as hard as he could at the little fire. The ghost fire simply dodged to the left, and the small ghost crashed into the ceiling with an awful crack of stone and bone. The ghost fire bobbed up and down, shining brighter, almost like it was laughing.
Guzi charged forward before Lang Qianqiu could stop him, shouting out as loud as he could, “DAD!”
The ghosts turned to look at the little boy, narrowing their eyes at him. “Who dares step foot in here?!”
“Especially a little kid?!”
“Who the hell are you?!”
“DAD!” Guzi screamed again, trying to catch the ghost fire’s attention. He held up the lantern, trying to coax it to come closer.
“That’s not your fucking dad, kid!”
“Get the hell out of here!”
“We’re trying to put our master back together!”
A ghost approached, and Lang Qianqiu swiftly joined Guzi’s side. “Back up,” he said, brandishing his sword. The ghost paled, even more so than he already was, and followed Lang Qianqiu’s demand instantly.
“Dad, please!” Guzi cried.
The ghost fire dimmed in brightness, and moved slightly further away, before moving back. Then it dimmed more, before moving slowly downward. Once it was close enough, Lang Qianqiu jumped up, catching the ghost fire in his hands and bringing it down with him. It flamed wildly for just a moment before Lang Qianqiu let it go in front of Guzi.
“Dad…” Guzi opened the lantern and held it up for him. “Here.”
The flame bobbed up and down for a moment, seeming unsure. Lang Qianqiu looked like he was about to grab it when it cautiously approached the open side of the lantern, then dipped inside to join the rest of the flames. Guzi breathed a sigh of relief as he shut the door.
Lang Qianqiu turned back to the ghosts. “Did you say you’ve been collecting these too?”
The ghosts nervously looked between each other…
Guzi paraded around with the lantern, which glowed so brightly now that he had trouble using it as a night light anymore. He’d had to move it from the bedside table to the floor, since it kept him from sleeping. Of course, he moved it back to the bedside table when he was awake and spoke to it.
“Aren’t you excited, Dad?” Guzi asked the lantern. “I think we’re close! You’re glowing so brightly!” He waved to Xiao Mengyou as they passed each other in the hallway, lowering the lantern briefly. “I bet you’ll be back soon!”
“And I’ll have a spectacular return!” The flames exclaimed suddenly.
Guzi stumbled, immediately falling to the floor and beaming. “Yes!” It wasn’t the first time the flames had spoken to him… And Guzi was ecstatic every time it happened. Tears welled up in his eyes. “You will! And this cheap son will finally have his dad back!”
“HAH! Indeed, and we will escape this awful palace!”
“Yeah!” Guzi agreed. “Though– The palace isn’t so bad.”
“BAH! WRONG!”
Guzi giggled despite himself. Lang Qianqiu truly was a kind person, he had learned over his stay. But– He still couldn’t deny he would rather be with his dad.
“Once I’m out of here we’ll–” The voice cut off, crackling around the edges like it had been burnt to a crisp. Guzi’s heart dropped, just as it did every time.
“Dad? We’ll what? Dad!” He shook the lantern slightly, despite his better judgement. The flames indignantly flared up before settling once the lantern was no longer being jerked around in desperation. Guzi pressed his forehead against it. “Dad… I miss you.”
***
Thus, Guzi had been more determined than ever to find the last pieces of his dad. Lang Qianqiu was fairly sure there could only be a couple left at most. Especially with all the gathered pieces other ghosts had managed to collect for them, they’d had a little bit of an easier time this year than the last two.
Guzi had managed to talk Lang Qianqiu into visiting Scrap Gege. Lang Qianqiu had brought Guzi to a humble house on Mount Taicang, knocking several times to no response. He cautiously opened the door, peering inside since there were no signs of life. Lang Qianqiu closed the door with a sigh.
“Makes sense, last I knew they had said they weren’t going to stay there much longer. Ah, let’s go check Puqi Shrine.”
The two of them stopped by the popular restaurant next. Guzi’s mouth watered at the lovely smell inside, and he gave Lang Qianqiu pleading eyes as he said he was hungry. Lang Qianqiu laughed, sitting down alongside the boy for a meal.
Guzi ate his food as Lang Qianqiu stopped one of the ghosts working. “Excuse me, do you know where Xie Lian or Crimson Rain Sought Flower might be?”
“His highness and Chengzhu are probably at Paradise Manor!” The ghost said. “They usually are. They do like to grace Puqi Shrine with their presence quite often, though! They were here just a few days ago!”
Lang Qianqiu sighed but still tried to smile. “Darn. We were hoping to see them.”
“Hah,” the ghost laughed. “Well you’ll have to go to Ghost City now!”
“Right…”
And so, Lang Qianqiu and Guzi traveled to Ghost City next. Lang Qianqiu instructed Guzi to hold his hand the entire time, so they wouldn’t lose each other. And to not talk to anyone. Or look too hard at anyone. Or listen to the awful things ghosts might be saying.
Guzi stopped paying attention about halfway into the don’t’s. He tried to take in as much as possible as they walked the streets of Ghost City. It was really pretty, with lanterns hanging everywhere, such odd smells, the bustle of constant chatter. It was quite crowded, however. Guzi bumped into various people that glared at him, and he shrank back to Lang Qianqiu. He couldn’t see as much in the thicker crowds because he was so small.
At one point, he bumped into a ghost and the lantern nearly slipped from his hold. Guzi let go of Lang Qianqiu’s hand in a hurry, steadying his grip on the lantern with a shaky breath. Lang Qianqiu stopped immediately, then sighed. Suddenly Guzi was lifted into the air, and held in Lang Qianqiu’s arms instead, the lantern carefully cradled so it wouldn’t jostle too much.
Guzi could see a little better now, and looked at the various stalls displaying foods or trinkets or potions. Lang Qianqiu pushed through the crowd until Guzi could see a large manor, decorated ornately. A man moved to step in front of Lang Qianqiu suddenly. He wore a white mask, and his hair was in a loose, low braid that hung off the front of his shoulder.
“...Tai Hua?”
“Ah–” Lang Qianqiu stepped back. “Yes. I’m here to see Xie Lian.”
Several Ghost City residents turned at the mention of the name. “Hey! Say Granduncle’s name with respect!”
“Yeah! His elderliness is deserving of a title!”
“To simply address his highness by name is much too familiar!”
“Only Chengzhu can do that!”
“And not even he does!”
Lang Qianqiu sighed in annoyance. “I’m sorry, who are you?” He asked the man in front of him.
The Ghost City residents answered first. “That’s the Waning Moon Officer!”
“Hua Chengzhu’s assistant!”
“Honestly! Who the hell are you?!”
“You don’t think it’s some heavenly official, do ya?!”
One of the ghosts smacked the other. “Ya idiot! His highness is a heavenly official!”
“What are ya, stupid?!” Another chimed in.
“I can take you to him,” the Waning Moon Officer said. “Follow me.”
Lang Qianqiu muttered a thanks, then followed as the man began walking towards Paradise Manor. They walked along a path that had no more residents, then the officer held open the door for the two of them. Guzi stared at the interior of the manor in awe, much like the first time he entered Lang Qianqiu’s palace.
“Scrap Gege really lives here?”
The Waning Moon Officer paused, lightly laughing. “It’s true. The mighty scrap collector his highness lives here.”
“Should Scrap Gege be called his highness?” Guzi asked reluctantly. He’d never been corrected on it before…
“Oh, I’m sure he doesn’t mind you calling him that,” the Waning Moon Officer said. “I’ll go find his highness for you two.”
He left the room, and Lang Qianqiu set Guzi down. He wandered a little before Lang Qianqiu told him to stay close. “I don’t entirely trust this place. This is a ghost king’s home, Guzi.”
“...Red Gege?”
Lang Qianqiu sighed. “Yes, that one. But he isn’t who you remember. At least, I doubt it.”
Guzi patiently waited with Lang Qianqiu until three people walked into the room. Xie Lian was wearing robes similar to Hua Cheng’s, though certainly not the same Guzi immediately noticed the uncharacteristic red. The Waning Moon Officer lightly bowed his head to Xie Lian and Hua Cheng before taking his leave. Xie Lian walked over, hand in hand with Hua Cheng.
“Lang Qianqiu…” He said cautiously. “It’s nice to see you. And you, Guzi,” he added with a smile, waving at the boy.
Guzi excitedly waved back.
“What brings you here?”
“Guzi thought that you might know where one of the last pieces of Qi Rong’s soul might be hiding.”
“Ah,” Xie Lian’s smile faltered, and his eyes darted to the lantern in Guzi’s hands. “I see.”
“If you don’t we’ll simply leave,” Lang Qianqiu added.
Hua Cheng didn’t seem to like Lang Qianqiu, Guzi noted. He was staring at him with a look Guzi couldn’t quite place, but could tell it wasn’t a fond one. His face instantly changed when Xie Lian started talking again, however, and a smile found its way to his face once more.
“I’m not sure…” He seemed to think for a moment.
“Please,” Guzi cut in. “If you have any ideas, please tell us, Scrap Gege!”
Xie Lian’s eyes shimmered with fondness, and he chuckled before returning to his solemn expression. “I might. But…” He glanced anxiously at Hua Cheng. “If it was there, well, it’d be a pain and he might not be… But–” he paused, then sighed. “But it would certainly be like him. To be somewhere like that.”
“Where?” Guzi asked impatiently. “If you have an idea, tell us where! We’ll go and check!”
Xie Lian shook his head. “If you were to check, I’d have to go with you. For one, you’d need me to show you how to get in. Two,” he paused, glancing at Lang Qianqiu before settling his gaze on the floor. “I would need to make sure nothing was harmed there.”
“Please,” Guzi said again. “Please take us, then!”
“I…” Xie Lian squeezed Hua Cheng’s hand and closed his eyes. He sighed. “Okay. As long as you promise to follow what I say.”
“Promise! Guzi and Lang Qianqiu-gege promise!”
***
Xie Lian faltered in his steps, pausing at a well. Guzi looked around, scanning the area for any sign of green fire. Yet there was none. Xie Lian lightly settled his hands on the stone of the old well, taking in a deep breath.
Hua Cheng settled a hand on his back. “Gege, we don’t have to go if you don’t wish.”
“No, it’s alright.” Xie Lian straightened, looking down into the well. “Lang Qianqiu, can you pick up Guzi?”
Lang Qianqiu nodded, picking up the boy as he was told. Xie Lian motioned for him to come over, then lightly grabbed Lang Qianqiu’s sleeve, and motioned for the group to jump in. Hua Cheng let the three of them go first, and Guzi yelped as they fell into darkness.
“Hold your breath, Guzi!” Xie Lian said as they fell, and Guzi immediately did so.
The next thing he knew they were plunged into cold water, soaking through their clothes and hair and settling sharply into their bones. Yet in the next moment they emerged, and were completely dry once again. Xie Lian’s feet touched the ground lightly, as though he had never been falling. Lang Qianqiu’s landing was only a little rougher, and Guzi clutched the lantern.
Guzi’s eyes popped open suddenly, wide eyed he checked the lantern. If they’d fallen into water, then that might mean the fire had been snuffed out! Thankfully though, the flames inside were still glowing a bright green and illuminating the darkness around them. Xie Lian waited a moment, and Hua Cheng dropped into the space beside him just as gracefully. Xie Lian reached for his hand, and the two of them led Guzi and Lang Qianqiu forward.
Xie Lian lightly brushed his fingers against the walls, and they lit up like stars in the sky. Guzi stared in awe, his steps only faltering for a moment before he quickened his pace to catch up.
After walking for a couple minutes they reached the entrance to a larger room where Xie Lian paused. Guzi couldn’t read the expression on his face. Hua Cheng stepped a little closer and squeezed his hand, whispering a gentle, “Gege?”
Xie Lian shook his head, seeming to snap back into the present. “Sorry.”
“Gege has nothing to apologize for.”
Xie Lian smiled at Hua Cheng, then looked back at Guzi and Lang Qianqiu with hesitance. “Listen, you cannot, under any circumstances, touch anything in this room, alright? Touch nothing.”
Guzi nodded, as did Lang Qianqiu. Once they stepped in, Guzi finally recognized this place. He backstepped, colliding with Lang Qianqiu who had also frozen upon entering and realizing what the room was. His eyes were wide as Xie Lian cautiously approached the two coffins in the center. A chair sat between them, with a scarecrow of sorts wearing fancy clothing kept in perfect condition. A sword sat in its lifeless hands.
Xie Lian paused, lightly clasping his hands together and bowing his head to speak in a whisper barely audible. “Mother, Father…” He greeted, then reached out to one of the coffins with shaky hands. “Forgive me.”
He tentatively opened the lid, pushing it open just enough for a sliver of green light to poke out. Guzi cautiously stepped forward, but didn’t dare rush in to swoop up the flame as he usually would. He had witnessed how upset Xie Lian had been when these coffins were disturbed by his dad, and could only imagine what sorts of things must be going through his mind.
“Of course,” Xie Lian said shakily. “You always were cunning, I must give you that.”
He dipped his shaking hand into the coffin, pulling out a large piece of ghost fire, larger than any Guzi had collected thus far. It crackled in Xie Lian’s grip, trying to wriggle away. Yet Xie Lian’s grasp remained gentle and inescapable. Xie Lian moved the coffin lid closed with his other hand, giving it a loving pat.
“I apologize for disturbing you, Mother. It won’t happen again.” He turned back to Guzi, bringing the flame with him. “Here. I believe this might be your last piece, yes? That little ghost fire seems nearly complete.”
Guzi nodded, opening the little door for Xie Lian. “Thank you,” he said, and added as much gratitude and sincerity as he possibly could into the words.
“Of course. Losing a parent… It’s not easy,” Xie Lian breathed. “If I can save you that pain, then I should, shouldn’t I?”
Lang Qianqiu crossed his arms, but remained silent. He glanced at the coffins, then at Xie Lian. His expression softened.
“Everyone, please be careful as you exit, this tomb has been through quite enough.”
They did as they were told, and soon Xie Lian was helping Guzi and Lang Qianqiu to exit. Once they were out, Guzi checked the lantern again, just to be sure no water had gotten in. Still, it was fine, even glowing brighter than it ever had before.
Lang Qianqiu turned to Xie Lian, who was watching the well, awaiting Hua Cheng to join them. He cleared his throat, then spoke softly. “Thank you, for letting us come with you.”
“No need,” Xie Lian said quietly. Hua Cheng jumped out of the well, landing softly on the grass in front of them. Xie Lian’s smile returned, and he held out his hand for Hua Cheng to happily take. He turned back to the two of them. “Please, by the way, don’t come back to this well? You won’t be able to get in either way, unless…” His eyes found the lantern in Guzi’s hands, and he sighed. “Unless Qi Rong is with you. Guzi, discourage your dad from coming here, okay?”
“Of course.” Guzi briefly gave Xie Lian his attention before he rattled the lantern gently. “Dad?”
“Ugh! Stop that!” The lantern exclaimed.
Both Xie Lian and Lang Qianqiu’s eyes widened. Guzi beamed, excitedly laughing. “Dad! Are you okay?”
“You have me in a lantern! What do you think?!”
“Do you want out?”
“Eugh,” the flames moved, almost like they were stretching. “Give me a minute.”
Guzi sat on the grass, gently putting the lantern down in front of him. “Are you actually back? You’re not going to disappear again, are you? Do we have all the pieces?”
“Ugh! Hush,” the lantern exclaimed again. “What are you even talking about?”
“When you talked to me? While we were gathering the pieces of your ghost fire?”
“What? I never did that!”
“Yes you did! Then you’d always disappear in a few minutes!”
“Mmmm, no.”
Guzi huffed. “Yes!”
“Nope!”
“Yes!”
“I don’t recall!” Guzi and Xie Lian sighed at the same time. The fire paused, then pressed against the side of the lantern, like it was looking past Guzi at the rest of the group. “UGH! My cheap son, why are you with all these awful people?!”
Guzi nervously glanced behind him, hoping none of them would be too offended. Xie Lian only smiled, a tired look on his face. Hua Cheng looked as expressionless as ever. Only Lang Qianqiu seemed more annoyed than usual.
“Dad… They helped find the last piece of your ghost fire! And Lang Qianqiu-gege helped gather the rest of them with me!”
“Hmph! How long have you been with these dogfuckers?!”
“Qi Rong!” Xie Lian exclaimed, and Lang Qianqiu looked even more offended.
“Dad!” Guzi said, bringing the lantern a little closer. “...Can’t you try to be a little polite?”
“NO!” Qi Rong huffed, his flames surging and filling the entire lantern. “Have these awful no-goods infected my cheap son?! Consider this ancestor shocked you still carry around this lantern!”
“No! This cheap son still wishes to have his dad back! I’ve been trying to get you back for three years!”
Qi Rong went silent, the flames crackling and becoming small once more. “Three?” Guzi nodded. “My cheap son is eight?”
Guzi nodded with a laugh. “Yeah! A whole eight years old!”
“How ancient!”
Guzi laughed, then leaned forward to hug the lantern. “I missed you, Dad!”
“...”
Guzi sniffled, feeling tears begin to sting his eyes. “I’m so glad you’re back.”
“This ancestor is glad he’s back too! My cheap son is very talented, to be able to collect all the ghost fire in such a short amount of time!”
Xie Lian chuckled behind them, leaning into Hua Cheng. Lang Qianqiu didn’t seem to share the sentiment. “Guzi, we should head back to the heavenly capital.”
“Huh?” Guzi blinked up at him. “Oh. Right.” He stood, picking up the lantern.
“Ack, careful!”
“Sorry!”
“Never before has this ancestor been stuffed in a lantern! Ugh! Only weak, stupid ghosts get put in lanterns! If I hadn’t been dispersed I would surely have broken free already!”
Guzi just barely caught Hua Cheng looking annoyed, for a brief flash of a moment before his expression was back to usual. Xie Lian spoke up, “I’m sure many strong ghosts have been put in lanterns before.”
“SHUT UP! Take me away from this dogfucker, my cheap son!”
Lang Qianqiu leaned down, smacking the lantern. “Stop that!”
“ACK! GUZI! PROTECT YOUR DAD!” Qi Rong yelled, though his voice still wasn’t that loud, being trapped in the lantern. “DON’T LET SUCH DISRESPECT GO UNNOTICED!”
“Sorry!” Guzi moved the lantern away from Lang Qianqiu’s reach, holding it close to his chest. “Please don’t hit my dad!”
Lang Qianqiu sighed. “I can’t believe I have to bring that thing into my palace…” He muttered.
Still, it wasn’t as though he was about to tell Guzi he couldn’t bring his dad, who he’d spent years putting the pieces of back together, to their home. So with a reluctant sigh, he accepted an annoying voice echoing in his hallways was about to be the new normal he’d adjust to.
Guzi set down the lantern on the stone floor, hesitating for a moment. “You’re sure you’ll be okay?”
“Yes! Release me!”
“Okay,” Guzi said, clicking open the lantern. The fire darted out, bouncing around the room.
“AH! FREEDOM!”
Guzi laughed, feeling his worry dissipate when his dad was perfectly fine. He moved to inspect the room, Guzi watching him all the while. He moved to sit on his comfortable bed while he awaited his dad to finish assessing.
“Not bad! I thought this room would look like the rest of this hideous palace!”
Guzi giggled, “I asked it to be more green. I thought you’d like it.”
“HAH! You would be correct!” The fire settled in front of Guzi, floating above the bed. “This room is of acceptable quality.”
Guzi was quiet for a moment as he stared at the ghost fire. “...Dad?”
“What?”
“Will you be a ghost fire forever?”
“PSH! Of course not!” The fire floated off the bed, then grew brighter and brighter, the flames extending to be as tall as a child before they split apart and scattered across the room, hitting the walls harshly. “UGH!” Many small, squeaking voices rang out across the room.
“Dad!” Guzi sprang to his feet. “Are you okay?!”
“OF COURSE! I’M FINE!” Guzi could make out the embarrassed indignation in his dad’s voice. He’d come to recognize it the first time they’d been in the heavenly capital, and his dad had been knocked around by heavenly officials or brushed off like he was a minor nuisance.
Guzi wanted to help the pieces come back together, but he thought his dad might take offense at him thinking he needed the help. The pieces slowly began to slink towards one another on their own, engulfing one another into the previous ghost fire.
“I simply don’t feel like reforming yet.”
“That makes sense!” Guzi said, letting his dad believe that Guzi believed his lie. Of course it was a silly one, and he probably knew Guzi was just letting him save face. But it was a bit of an unspoken agreement for them to do so.
“If that fucker Lang Qianqiu hadn’t snuffed out my ghost fire I would be fine,” his dad muttered. “Soon I’ll take my revenge on that little shit!”
Guzi’s smile faltered. He hesitated, but ultimately decided to speak up. “You can’t!” He exclaimed, and almost immediately regretted it when the silence permeated his ears. He continued on before his dad could get mad. “Lang Qianqiu-gege has been good to me! He let me stay in his nice palace, he gave me a nice room exactly like what I asked for, he kept me safe and helped me find all the pieces of your ghost fire! You can’t hurt him, okay?”
“My cheap son dares defend such trash?!”
“Dad! Please,” he pleaded, giving his best puppy-dog eyes. “You can’t! I like Lang Qianqiu-gege, even if he’s done something awful. Hasn’t Dad done awful things too? Haven’t you both gotten even?”
“...”
“Pleeeease? Please don’t hurt Lang Qianqiu-gege?”
“UGH! FINE.”
“Yay!” Guzi bounced up and down on his toes, his heart rate finally soothing. “Thank you for listening to this cheap son.”
“You’re lucky this ancestor is gracious!”
At that moment there was a knock at the door, and Guzi responded with “Come in!” on instinct.
Lang Qianqiu stepped inside, eyeing the fire suspiciously. “You should put that thing back in its lantern.”
“My dad is not a ‘thing’,” Guzi said, frowning.
Lang Qianqiu ignored that. “Well, it’s bed time, Guzi.”
“Oh, okay.” Guzi picked up the lantern and set it on his bedside table, the little door left open.
“You dare tell MY son when he should go to bed?!”
Lang Qianqiu ignored the fire, walking over to stand by Guzi’s bed. Guzi sat atop his bed, calling to his dad, “You can sleep in your lantern if you want! Or wherever, just try not to be too bright, okay?”
“I’ll be as bright as I want!” Qi Rong flamed brighter, illuminating the entire room in green.
Guzi laughed, and before Lang Qianqiu could speak, said, “Okay, okay, that’s fine too!” Lang Qianqiu sighed. Guzi crawled under the covers, settling into the comforting bed. “Goodnight, Dad, I love you.”
“...”
Lang Qianqiu fixed the blankets, giving Guzi’s head a pat. “Goodnight, Guzi-er. Sleep well.”
“Goodnight, Lang Qianqiu-gege.”
Lang Qianqiu glared at the ghost fire on his way out, shutting the door softly as he waved his hand to put out the lights above Guzi’s head. Guzi shut his eyes for only a moment before green was bright behind his eyelids. He opened his eyes, finding his dad’s ghost fire sitting beside him.
“Dad’s not really mad I’m going to bed, right?”
“No.”
“Oh okay.” Guzi was a little taken aback, he had expected his dad to lie and be more dramatic. “Goodnight,” he repeated.
The fire dimmed until it was only a gentle green, barely illuminating a fourth of the bed. Guzi relaxed, closing his eyes and slowly drifting off.
“...Goodnight.”
Guzi faintly smiled, then truly fell into a sleep more peaceful than he’d had in ages.
***
The next morning, Guzi chased his dad through the hallways, the both of them laughing. Qi Rong turned a corner, and Guzi followed but crashed into another person Qi Rong had avoided by being too high up. Guzi fell backwards, rubbing his head.
“S-Sorry!” Guzi exclaimed. He had never run into someone so impolitely while he’d stayed at Lang Qianqiu’s palace. “Sorry!”
“Ah–” Xiao Mengyou held out a hand for Guzi. “It’s alright! Are you okay?”
“Who is this?” Qi Rong asked Guzi, settling closer to his level.
“Oh, this is Xiao Mengyou-gege, he lives in the palace.”
“Huh?” Qi Rong’s ghost fire seemed to turn to stare at the man that helped Guzi to his feet again. “What are you, a junior official?”
“Um, yeah. I was appointed by his highness the crown prince Tai Hua.”
Qi Rong snickered. “I didn’t think junior officials usually lived with their gods!”
“Oh. Um…” Xiao Mengyou fidgeted with his hands. “I…”
Qi Rong laughed, but Guzi didn’t understand why. “Do they usually not? I’ve never met another– Um… junior official?”
“No they don’t! Maybe they–”
Xiao Mengyou coughed. “His highness is simply gracious enough to allow me to stay with him. I take care of most of the palace chores in return. It’s much like how I stayed at the palace in Yong’an.”
“Oh I remember that place,” Qi Rong said with another snicker. Xiao Mengyou tensed, his expression falling.
“Um…” Guzi knew his dad had done something very, very bad to Lang Qianqiu when he wasn’t a god. And evidently Xiao Mengyou knew of it too, and might have been involved… Guzi wasn’t sure of the details, nor did he exactly want to know. “Sorry, Xiao Mengyou!” He said hurriedly, grabbing the ghost fire and running down the hallway.
“HEY!” Qi Rong exclaimed. “LET GO OF ME!”
Guzi let go once they were decently far away, panting. “Sorry, but I was afraid you’d upset Xiao Mengyou-gege.”
“And so what if I did?!”
“Dad…” Guzi frowned. “Xiao Mengyou-gege is nice. I don’t want him to be upset.”
“Those Yong’an idiots deserve to suffer!”
“Dad!” Guzi cried. “Stop!” Guzi had managed to gather that Yong’an was the place Xiao Mengyou and Lang Qianqiu came from, and knew it no longer existed. They both got such wistful looks when they talked about their old homes, and Guzi tried not to bring it up much lest he make them sad again. “Why do you hate them so much?”
“...” Qi Rong had gone quiet again.
“I just don’t get it, have they ever even done anything to you? Before Lang Qianqiu snuffed you out, I mean.”
“Of course they did! You oblivious child! You know nothing of what happened to Xianle!”
“Xian… Xianle?” Guzi thought, maybe, maybe he’d heard the name before. But he couldn’t place when or where. “What happened?”
“Yong’an destroyed Xianle, you–” Qi Rong cut himself off. “...Child.”
Guzi was still a little confused, but he started to piece things together. “Was Xianle important to you…?”
“Of course it was! Ugh.” Qi Rong’s flames flared up, oppressively bright and overbearing. “This ancestor is of Xianle blood, Guzi!”
Guzi blinked at the use of his name. Then blinked at learning something like that. “Does that mean Scrap Gege is too?”
“Of course! He was the Crown Prince of Xianle,” Qi Rong said, and Guzi could just barely detect a hint of wistfulness between the overwhelming resentment his words carried.
“But– Scrap Gege doesn’t seem to hate them?”
“Not anymore! Stupid fucking righteous fucker he is–” Qi Rong’s flames burned even brighter. “He should!”
“Well–” Guzi wrung his hands. “All of that was a really long time ago, wasn’t it?”
“...”
“So… Maybe we should try to put it past us. I mean– Obviously you don’t have to forgive them or forget about it, but maybe we can just exist around them without fighting…? If both Xianle and Yong’an are long since gone, then there’s nothing to really fight over anymore except feelings. No matter what you both do, it’s not going to fix it.”
“...”
“So– So… why be mad all the time? Isn’t it tiring? Don’t you just want to be happy instead?” Guzi looked at the floor. His dad hadn’t responded, and the ghost fire had dimmed back to normal. “Or at least… Can’t you try for me? I know I’m only a cheap son, but maybe… maybe you could try?”
There was silence for a few more moments. “My cheap son has certainly gotten braver.”
Guzi looked up. “I’m so–”
“No need! My cheap son is taking after his dad! Says whatever he wants!”
Guzi blinked, then smiled. He knew that was his dad’s way of agreeing, and he was grateful. Guzi smiled. Feeling accomplished, he asked with a laugh, “Can we go back to playing now?”
“Hah! Try and catch me, cheap son!” The fire darted off down the hallway, and Guzi chased after him again.
***
Guzi lay in his bed, sound asleep.
He’d been chasing his dad around, trying to mediate between his dad and Lang Qianqiu, and trying to still play games with Xiao Mengyou and Lang Qianqiu despite his dad’s complaints. It’d been a tiring couple of weeks, though he wouldn’t have ever traded them. He wasn’t sure he’d ever been so happy. Though he still wished his dad could reform into his normal self, he was still content to have his ghost fire with him.
Guzi was shaken awake suddenly, his distant dreams of playing cards stolen from him. Hands were gently shaking his shoulders, and when he opened his eyes he was startled fully awake.
A man stood over him, smiling. There was green glowing around him, so Guzi could make out his features. His face reminded Guzi of Scrap Gege, oddly enough… He had messy brown hair tied into a long braid hanging over his shoulder and touching the blankets. He wore green robes, with a fur trim around his neck.
“Wake up!” Guzi blinked, sitting up slightly. Suddenly it clicked who he was looking at. This was the same person from that lair. The same person that had possessed his father.
This was his dad!
“Dad?!” He exclaimed, reaching for his arms.
“It is!” He laughed, picking up Guzi and holding him in his arms. “Well?! What do you think of your dad’s true form?!”
Guzi giggled. “It’s great, Dad!”
He didn’t mind that he no longer looked like his old father. He knew it wasn’t really him anyhow. What did it matter, if he looked like his father, or a bundle of green flames, or this ghost?
Guzi sniffled, hugging his dad. “You’re back! You’re really back…”
“This ancestor has finally restored his full power!” Qi Rong exclaimed, but Guzi just then noticed he was keeping his voice softer than usual. “So– My son, we shall finally escape this place!”
Guzi was speechless for a moment. “Oh! But– What about Lang Qianqiu-gege? And Xiao Mengyou-gege?”
“Who cares?”
“...But…” Guzi struggled for a moment, before settling on the truth. “I’ll miss them.”
“Ugh, my own son?!”
“I’m sorry, Dad…”
Qi Rong shifted on his feet, seeming to think as he looked away. “I’ll figure it out. I cannot have my son in despair, it’d be a pain in the ass to deal with.”
“Maybe I can visit?”
Qi Rong groaned. “UGH! You know what? Live with your dad for a bit and if you still want that– Then fine! You can visit these idiots if you wish!”
Guzi smiled. “Okay! Thank you, Dad.”
Qi Rong huffed. “I think you’d be better off without! Once you stay with me you’ll realize that!”
Guzi nodded, even though he didn’t agree. “Can Dad put me down for a minute? So this cheap son can write a letter?”
“Bah, fine.”
Guzi was grateful both Lang Qianqiu and Xiao Mengyou were out at the moment. They’d told Guzi they’d be back before dinner the next day, and that there were a couple meals left for him in their kitchen. That meant Qi Rong and Guzi would have an easy escape. Guzi was sure his dad had thought of that.
Qi Rong set Guzi down, and he opened the drawer in his bedside table to pull out a piece of paper, a brush, and an ink pot. Lang Qianqiu had taught Guzi to write, well, write anything more than just his name. Guzi delicately dipped the brush into the ink, putting his thoughts onto the page.
To Lang Qianqiu-gege and Xiao Mengyou-gege
Thank you for letting me stay in your buti beuti beautiful palace. I have enjoyed staying here with you! Thank you Xiao Mengyou for teaching me so many fun card games! Thank you Lang Qianqiu for helping me bring back my dad. I think you are both really really cool! But now my dad is back to normal, and he says we’re going to go home. I hope you will forgive me for leaving so suddenly. Please don’t be mad. I really am thankful for everything. I will miss you both so so so much. And I promise, pretty promise, that I will visit again! Or maybe you can visit? Either way, someday I hope we can play card games together again! Or hide and seek! Or maybe someday Lang Qianqiu-gege can teach me swords like he said he would?
Don’t forget about me, okay?
From Guzi, the cheap son so very grateful for your help.
“Let me see,” Qi Rong said as Guzi set down the brush. Guzi stepped aside. He felt nervous as Qi Rong picked up the brush.
“Wait, what are you going to write?”
“I’m fixing a mistake,” Qi Rong said vaguely, and crossed out a word and wrote a different one beneath. The handwriting was jarringly different between the two, one messy and one carrying the faintest trace of professional calligraphy in its neat and practiced motion.
Guzi stared at the paper once Qi Rong set down the brush and walked towards the door. He’d altered one word at the bottom. Now it said:
From Guzi, the treasured son so very grateful for your help.
Guzi looked at his dad, who held out a hand. “Well? Let’s get going before anyone comes back.”
Guzi’s eyes sparkled, and he tried not to let tears fall over as he ran into his dad, hugging him. Qi Rong stumbled back slightly, evidently surprised. He crouched down, hoisted Guzi up into his arms, and opened the door to leave.
Tears fell down Guzi’s face, he couldn’t help it. He clung to his dad’s shoulders, muffling his crying in his robes. Qi Rong patted his back, looking down the hallways. He chose to go in the direction that was further from Lang Qianqiu’s room and the hallway of paintings, trying to silently calm Guzi as they walked. The attempted comfort only made Guzi sob more, and he mumbled an apology for getting tears on his clothes. Qi Rong only scoffed.
Guzi had never been called treasured. He expected things like pathetic, cheap, weak… A child that was too far behind, a child that was too small, too fragile, too useless. He had expected love once, when his mother was alive. But it’d been a long time since he’d hoped for something like that. All he wanted was someone that tolerated him. That wanted him around, even if he wasn’t worth it. Even if it was only out of guilt.
For someone to treasure him? It was something he could never have asked for. Something he was almost sure he didn’t deserve. His father had never treated him like he was something worth keeping around. He’d always acted like he begrudgingly kept him because he was the last piece of his mother, the last little shard he felt like he had an obligation to. Guzi had long since accepted that.
Treasured…
“I love you, Dad.” Guzi’s voice was weak between his sobs, trembling with emotions he hadn’t realized had been bubbling up until they had finally boiled over.
Qi Rong stopped at the large entrance to the palace. He settled a hand on Guzi’s back, feeling the little boy sob and tremble in his arms. He was quiet. Guzi didn’t expect a response, he never did. He expected his dad to open the door without a word, and they’d go back to how they were before Lang Qianqiu had taken Guzi in, before his dad’s ghost fire had been snuffed out. Guzi would carry that one word with him, and accept that it was the only time he would hear such a thing said about him.
Qi Rong’s voice startled him when it broke the silence.
“I love you too.”