Chapter Text
The side alley was dingy, with broken crates on the side and walls filled with grime. Only the lights from the main street illuminated it. Some beggar children were eating what little food they managed to scrounge for the day on the side while huddling to try and make themselves look smaller.
This was the only place the little young master of Baling Ouyang could take a break in after getting out of the hustle and bustle of the traffic of people doing business in the market due to the Mid-Autumn Festival.
His clothing that was obviously of fine make gathered attention in this place where he obviously did not belong. Now, even the children were eyeing the mooncake in his hand with interest. Legs tired from walking, he couldn’t help but sit on a nearby crate after letting out a sigh.
He was lost.
He was lost and on the verge of crying.
“A-die… you better come find me…” His lips wobbled as his eyes reddened.
Soon after, he saw the children run away suspiciously. He looked at the direction they came from, and he saw several men who wore presentable robes he typically saw of people who received him and his father when they went out. Their eyes took in his appearance and they were pleased.
They must be good men.
"Hey little kid, you lost?” One drew close to him, meeting his eye level.
Ouyang Zizhen felt relief. "Mn! Have you seen A-Die?”
“Yes, yes, why don’t you come with us?" The man gripped his shoulder with one hand in an attempt to comfort him.
Suddenly, there was tension in the air.
Ouyang Zizhen only saw the man scramble away from him in terror.
"Hey, trying to kidnap someone?” He heard a cold voice behind him.
He then saw a smiling woman appear out of thin air.
Ouyang Zizhen only heard a yelp as his eyes were covered. He didn’t know what was happening due to the sensory deprivation, causing his fear to heighten.
“That’s right! Try it again here in Yiling and who knows what ghost will come after you!" The voice behind him spoke against the retreating men.
When he turned around, he met a tall man wearing black robes. His eyes that were glowing red just came back to being silver
All the stress Ouyang Zizhen has been through the day caught up to him.
"Wuu… WUUUU” He could only cry in front of the man.
"Hey! I didn’t even do anything to you.” The man spoke to him, but Ouyang Zizhen couldn’t care less.
"WAAAAAAAAA A-dieee!!!” He cried even louder.
Before he knew it, he was being carried. The man placed Ouyang Zizhen on the nook of his arm. “Aiyaaaah stop crying. What’s your name?”
The man then lightly rocked Ouyang Zizhen in his hold, calming the child a bit further. Through hiccups, he answered. "Ouyang Zizhen… I want to go home with dad…”
“Ah. That cowardly old geezer! Then you’re from Baling and you’re here to see the festival?" The man exclaimed in surprise. Ouyang Zizhen felt displeased with the slight against his father.
"What do you mean cowardly!? My dad said he can even beat Wen Ruohan! I bet you’ll lose to him. Who even are you?" Ouyang Zizhen huffed as he pinched the man’s cheek.
“Ow! ow! ow! You little! Well, I’m the local child eater. Remember why those men were running from me? I’m quite strong if I say so myself.” Ouyang Zizhen saw the man’s eyes turn red once more.
Once the man saw him on the verge of crying again however, the glow immediately disappeared. “But, since there is a festival, I’ll be forgiving. You can call me Xian-gege."
Ouyang Zizhen continued to sniffle. His eyes full of distrust were directed towards Xian-gege.
“I’m not delicious… Here…” The last half eaten mooncake on his hand was offered to Xian-gege. “Eat this instead…”
No response.
.
.
.
Xian-gege only laughed loudly at Ouyang Zizhen’s expense.
“Alright alright. I promise, no child eating tonight. But whenever we meet you have to buy me food so I don’t eat children okay?" He patted Ouyang Zizhen's head.
Still with reluctance, Ouyang Zizhen nodded.
“Let’s look for your dad while enjoying the festival then." Xian-gege did not go back to the main street with him. Instead, he jumped to a nearby roof. "You better appreciate the great favor of me escorting you.”
Looking from above, the sight of the lights and the lanterns being flown into the air was gorgeous. The sounds of people down below chatting among each other brought pleasant ambiance.
As they traversed the whole town from the roof, Ouyang Zizhen enjoyed the night air wafting through his face. Occasionally, Xian-gege asks him about something which he answers to the best of his ability.
Before long, Xian-gege dropped down an alley once more. They then went to the main street.
As soon as they approached the light, he finally saw the silhouette of his father frantically scanning everywhere.
“There you go, young Zizhen." Xian-gege urged him to go to his father.
Still, even if Xian-gege was some common thug or something, Ouyang Zizhen knew kindness. “Hey! Xian-gege… thank you."
He brought out his pouch of coins and gave them to Xian-gege. “My dad says to pay kindness given to me. Here! This is my whole allowance for the week. I don’t have anything except money right now…”
Xian-gege didn’t respond for a moment.
He eventually smiled at Ouyang Zizhen. "Well who am I to deny little Ouyang’s righteousness? Go on, I’d have to hide from your dad ‘cause I’ll lose to him.” He put his hand on his forehead as he faked falling on his own before once again urging Ouyang Zizhen to go.
“You bet you will! If you apologize, I will make dad give you more money! Wait here!" Ouyang Zizhen ran to his dad.
Upon seeing him, his dad immediately blew up in anger before quickly asking him with concern about his well-being.
"I’m fine A-Die! There’s this guy, Xian-gege!” He looked back, Xian-gege was gone. That coward!
His father listened to him describe the man that saved him. Ouyang Zizhen saw a group of men shouting about talismans on a nearby stall. "Oh! He dressed in black and red like them!”
Suddenly his dad’s demeanor changed. He huffed in disdain. “Then your money was enough of a payment to such a heretic. Remember Zizhen, those fanatics of the Yiling Patriarch are no good.”
His dad was speaking in that usual tone of, ‘this conversation is done’ and so he didn’t give another reply and only nodded.
It lingered in his mind how Xian-gege didn’t seem so bad.