#hua cheng would never say no so xie lian asking would not be a question at all

[heartinhyacinth]

Listen, I love the idea of Hua Cheng finally getting to propose to his beloved special someone after 800 long-awaited years (and correct his previous blunder haha), but hear me out…

After Hua Cheng’s year of absence, hualian reunite, spend some blissful days soaking up each other’s company at the small cottage Xie Lian built on mount taicang, then decide to take a trip to ghost city. They could use the dice, of course, but it’s such a nice autumn day and days as such have become dear to them.

They’re snugged up close in the step-litter when Xie Lian casually asks, “San Lang, wanna get married?” He wears his usual gentle smile—the one he would use as if he were asking if Hua Cheng was feeling hungry or if he’d like to take a stroll through the maple trees.

But there is also the unmissable twinkle of amusement that is present, which Hua Cheng uses to convince himself that Xie Lian is in a silly mood and surely this is just payback—Xie Lian will confirm it any second now. But it doesn’t come. Five seconds, ten, fifteen, and the confirmation does not come.

So Hua Cheng simply sits there, expression bordering between pure terror and pure ecstasy as he tries to dissect the situation for any sign of its true reality. With breathy giggles, Xie Lian finally has mercy on the poor ghost, “You don’t have to say yes, San Lang—I can take it.” Despite his words, it’s exceedingly obvious by the humor in his tone that they’re both aware heaven and earth would sooner turn to dust, and with that, Hua Cheng finally regains control of his brain. “It would…” he takes a deep breath, nearly a millennia of longing crowding his throat all at once, “It would be my greatest honor, your highness”. Xie Lian’s smile brightens and he takes Hua Cheng’s hands in his own, “good—because no more dying, okay?”

The idea of Hua Cheng’s heart and soul asking him to spend their existence together—of Xie Lian affirming that he chooses Hua Cheng and wants him as his beloved forever and always, wants to walk by his side till the end—it’s just…too much to handle. (Him saying yes to Hua Cheng’s proposal would also achieve this but you get the idea).

Bonus: Hua Cheng fully planned to ask him during that same trip but Xie Lian beat him to it

[mikaela-the-slut-expert]

Can you do more angst scenarios where male reader feels like they’re a third wheel and left out? I’m a sucker for angst despite how much it hurts 😭😭

Don't Leave

Hua Cheng x M!reader x Xie Lian

Sorry it took so long, forgive me 🧍

Will make more sense if you've read the book.

Hope you likeee

Ignore grammar mistakes

____________________________________

"Xie Lian, do you like San Lang?"

You had asked out of nowhere. Xie Lian glances at you for a moment and smiles. "I do"

"Very Much?" You press.

"I suppose" He smiles nervously

It was a random question. You and Xie Lian were in Puqi shrine, the morning after San Lang had left. After San Lang left Xie Lian a ring.

It made you feel strange. You love Xie Lian very much and you like San Lang too. However the ring suddenly made you feel lesser.

Recently you guys have had a third helper and San Lang has kind of taken your job. He protected both of you and was very helpful. Yet, you feel a certain itch because of it.

Because Xie Lian likes San Lang.

You feel selfish. You wouldn't have minded so much if Xie Lian had shown interest in both of you but he seems very caught up in San Lang right now. It feels like San Lang is threatening your spot.

It's always been your job to be by Xie Lian's side. You always have been. Always. You grew up together, you stayed with him after the fall of Xian Le, even afterwards when Xie Lian had done morally wrong things you stayed, even when he wanted you to leave with Feng Xin you stayed.

Xie Lian has always been your person. You've always been his person. Lately you've just been feeling left out. San Lang and Xie Lian had been perfectly fine at Banyue Pass by themselves. You had ignored your feelings of jealousy during that time, but after seeing the ring you can't help but feel it ten times worse.

You chalk it up as overthinking and shove the feelings of jealousy down your throat. You have no right to feel these things. Xie Lian shouldn't have to deal with them either. What right do you have to cling on him when he isn't yours? You guys aren't dating and Xie Lian has never expressed love for you.

You ignore it

♡

The feeling you hate so much comes back again. Xie Lian, you, the wind master, and Lan Qinqao all went to ghost city. There was supposed to be a purpose but you never cared. You only went because Xie Lian went. Obviously he would've been fine because guess who's been watching the whole time?

San Lang

San Lang has been here the whole time, he always is it seems. You had to stand there while San Lang and Xie Lian held hands and played dice. You watched as they smiled at each other and touched hands.

It shouldn't idk you so much but it does. The feeling crawls out of your stomach and claws at your throat until you feel yourself physically choking it down. You're being over dramatic. It's just a dice game.

You ignore the glances they send to each other. You don't see the glances they send to you.

♡

The feeling burns on your tongue and churns in your gut when the strange Waning Moon officer -whatever the hell he is- tells Xie Lian that he's invited to Paradise Manor.

Actually you hadn't minded it all. You had walked side by side with Xie Lian ready to see San Lang. You haven't got the chance to talk to him. You were excited, even.

Until the strange officer makes it clear only Xie Lian can come.

So you were just supposed to stay behind? Stand to the side? It upsets you more when Xie Lian only apologizes and says he'll be back to find you. He left you standing there.

You thought you and San Lang were on good terms so why would he not invite you as well?

You chalk it up as a misunderstanding and roam around ghost city. The wind master eventually finds you and the two of you sneak into Paradise Manor dressed as dancers.

Seeing San Lang and Xie Lian on the bed/ couch together helped nothing. It makes you feel worse. They left you out for what? To spend time alone? Being in Paradise Manor felt like hanging around in a place you obviously didn't belong in.

It's a misunderstanding. It's a misunderstanding. It's a misunderstanding. It's a misunderstanding.

You repeat it in your head like a mantra.

♡

Once the incident at Paradise Manor is over you and Xie Lian are finally side by side again. You and San Lang still haven't had the chance to talk. You're hurting but you're positive that you're overreacting. Honestly Xie Lian would never do that to you. You were going to talk about it with him but he was dragged away into court.

Then Xie Lian, basically gets out under house arrest into the Xian Le palace Jun Wu had made him. When you get there Mu Qing and Feng Xin are already there. If you close your eyes you could imagine it being like old times where all four of you are back at the palace running around.

It doesn't last long. A big group of butterflies fly at you all. They don't dare touch Xie Lian. Mu Qing doesn't give you the chance to find out how the butterflies would react to you because he pulls you behind his make shift shield. It seems they doubt your relationship with San Lang too.

When you see San Lang come out of the black pit behind the doors to grab Xie Lian you take your chance though. You aren't just going to stand there. You leave Mu Qing's side and run towards Xie Lian but the doors close on you. The doors close on you. San Lang and Xie Lian left you? Not possible.

You're standing there staring at the doors. You just couldn't believe that they left you to stand there like a fool. It doesn't feel like a misunderstanding, it doesn't feel like overreacting.

Even Mu Qing, who is usually snarky ass, feels bad. He grabs your shoulder gently trying to break you out of your stupor.

"Y/n you should sit this one out. Me and Feng Xin will find them"

"No I-" you blink up at him, lost. "I have to go find A-Lian. He was taken. . ." You point at the door.

Mu Qing's face scrunches. "Xie Lian wasn't taken, he ran off. It was his choice. It was also his choice to leave you y/n. Just let us deal with it."

Mu Qing's words cause him and Feng Xin to bicker but he isn't really lying.

"That isn't what happened, say it as it is! He was obviously taken. Right y/n?" Feng Xin looks at you for support but you can only stare at him like a fish out of water.

"He. . . Ran off"

While you're focused on the door you fail to remember the butterflies hadn't touched you. You fail to notice the die in your robe.

♡

You took Mu Qing's advice and decided to sit this one out. You had never actually been separated by Xie Lian's side before so you don't exactly know what to do while he's running around with San Lang.

You go back inside of XianLe palace and sit where Xie Lian had been sitting before. You have nothing to do besides stare at the table. When you move to sit down something falls out of your pocket though. The closer you look you see it's a die.

Huh, you hadn't noticed that in your robes before. Lucky you it landed on a six. You wish you had that much luck with Xie Lian and San Lang. You pick up the die and hold it in your hands. Your plan was to just play around with it some more but you're suddenly pulled back into a pit of darkness and someone is holding you.

When you look back at your attacker, you see the familiar face of San Lang- well Hua Cheng but he's always been San Lang to you and Xie Lian. "S-san Lang?!"

Your surroundings get clearer and you see Xie Lian too. Honestly you're so happy you could cry, but you don't. You don't know what to say at all because you don't know what's going on. You just allow yourself to be pulled along by San Lang.

Xie Lian and San Lang take a moment to explain what's going on. To explain everything actually. For a minute San Lang looks like he's going to break down and e-ming is making sad squealing sounds.

Turns out everything was a big misunderstanding. San Lang and Xie Lian hadn't meant to leave you out of anything. San Lang had just wanted to do everything for the two of you, he wasn't thinking that his actions seemed like he was taking your job. He had most definitely invited the both of you, and he was very irritated with his officer. San Lang hadn't meant to leave you when he took Xie Lian. That's why he gave you the die. Since Xie Lian rolled the die he was able to get him. He could only come back to grab you once you rolled the day.

It was just a lot of miscommunication, really. You don't realize your crying until Xie Lian is wiping your eyes with his sleeves. You were crying out of relief. You had genuinely thought Xie Lian and San Lang were leaving you out but they were never doing such a thing.

San Lang and Xie Lian are very close to you after that and apprehensive to leave your side at all.

[dazaiandhislovelybandages]

hii~ i hope you’re having a good day/night! i was wondering if you could do Mu Qing from TGCF with the prompt #16. "Don't ever say that name again"? idk why but i can definitely see him being a petty and jealous significant other (gn reader if can please) thank youu <3

A Tiny Bit Of Jealousy {Mu Qing}

A/n: thank you for requesting and I hope you like the outcome. I just wanted to say that a) I am lowkey loving this coloured layout since the photo is for the tgcf manhua and b) I am still three books in tgcf so I am incredibly sorry if this isn't an indepth writing or if his character isn't fully accurate

Pairing: Mu Qing x gn!reader

Trigger warnings: jealousy

You never realised how and when you got in a relationship with Mu Qing and there had been times when you couldn't help but wonder and question the circumstances under which the relationship came to exist. Not in a bad way of course, never in a bad way. But when originally you thought Mu Qing was just not ready to open up to you yet, as the months and years passed by, you realised that he wasn't hiding anything from you.

It was on odd feeling, being with him. After meeting Xie Lian and Hua Cheng and witnessing some parts of their relationship you could say with great certainty that he wasn't as open with you as those two were with each other. He wasn't neglecting you but he wasn't all touchy either. He was just there and if you happened to want cuddles or kisses, you would have to ask.

On that note, he wasn't bad at picking up signs, especially when it came to you. He knew your reactions -he could predict them even-, your likes, your dislikes, your routine. He knew everything because you were open with him. And it went without saying that when it came to you, Mu Qing was an excellent listener. He could sit down and listen to you mumble about the latest gossip in the Heavenly Realm for hours. Did he care? No. But you were the one talking so he would listen to you even if his ears somehow disappear.

Naturally, he also knew every single one of your friends in the Heavenly Realm; and the ones you didn't like that much.

And god he was jealous.

He was jealous of a very few selected people but not in the toxic way. He would never try and get you away from them since he knew that their and your intentions were pure but he couldn't help but envy the fact that they could give you something he thought he couldn't: a good and fun time.

In his mind, Mu Qing thought he was boring you and perhaps that was the only thing he had never been honest with you about. He could never easily laugh, express his feelings without being asked and most of the time he was a little too focused on his work.

And then the day he begged and prayed not to come actually came. He saw you laughing with another god. Now, on the surface there was nothing wrong with it. He had seen you laugh at something another god or goddess had said a million times and it never bothered him.

But this god was Feng Xin.

"Hey!" Your melodic voice echoed around the room as you walked through the pink silk curtains. You didn't have to ask, it was as clear as day that there was something wrong with him. And you didn't have to ask what was wrong either since when the two of you started dating you made a silent agreement: Mu Qing would always tell you in his own time what was wrong.

"Hello." He responded gruffly.

"I just came to check in since I have to do some paperwork." You walked up to him and placed a soft kiss on his cheek; a kiss to which he didn't react. "Oh! Feng Xin-"

"Don't ever say that name again!"

His tone was harsh and angry but he didn't raise his voice. Him pulling away was enough to realise that most probably you had said something wrong.

"We'll talk later," was all you said and walked away.

Mu Qing sighed and sat back down at the soft pillow on the floor, closing his eyes. You hadn't done anything wrong, that small part of his brain that could think clearly said so. Laughing and talking with Feng Xin was okay. Not once had Mu Qing thought about controlling you and he would rather die than do it. But it felt like a betrayal of some kind. You knew about his bad relationship with Feng Xin so why on earth did you have to bring him up?

Though if he had to be completely honest with himself... it wasn't the fact that he and Feng Xin were practically enemies that made him angry. It was the fact that not once had he made you laugh like that. He wanted to hear that unique sound he had never heard before once again with all his heart but he didn't want it if he wasn't the one causing it. What good was a partner who didn't make you laugh with all your heart?

"I am sorry," he whispered. He had gathered the courage and later that day, at night to be precise, he had walked all the way to your palace just to apologise. You didn't deserve someone who was as petty as him and he knew it but he needed you.

"I know," you whispered back and took that one step, closing the distance between the two of you with a hug. "You always say things you don't mean when you're angry."

In an ideal world, he would have preferred it if you didn't comment on it. But you did and the truth hurt a little but he deserved it.

Gently, he wrapped his arms around you and placed a soft kiss on your temple. "Should I make up for it? What did that bastard want?"

"You know... I am pretty sure that if I tell you, you'll get angry again."

[jayktoralldaylong]

Who would ask the "Would you love me if I was a worm?" question (Mxtx partners version)

WangXian - Wei Wuxian - He's not insecure, he's just being annoying on purpose.

HuaLian - Hua Cheng - He is very insecure. 💀 The fact that he brought up the question at all is a huge step. Xie Lian will of course say yes and shower him with kisses.

BingQiu - Luo Binghe - He is both annoying and insecure. 💀

The Responses

Lan Wangji: That would never happen

Wei Wuxian: But if I was?

Lan Wangji: But you aren't.

Wei Wuxian: Yet if I was?

Lan Wangji: But you're not.

Wei Wuxian: If I WAAAAAASSSSSSS????

Lan Wangji: .........

Lan Wangji, blushing: Yes

.

Xie Lian: (Immediate doting on Hua Cheng and explains how he'll carry him around in his pockets and add some mud so he wouldn't dry out)

.

Shen Qingqiu, in disbelief: How on earth am I supposed to love a worm?!

Luo Binghe, tearing up: Shizun doesn't love me.

Shen Qingqiu, panicking: W-wait!

Inner SQQ: If he starts crying now he's not going to stop!

Shen Qingqiu, accepts defeat with a shaky smile: I will. I'll love you, even if you were a worm so don't cry okay?

Inner SQQ: Even if it's impractical. Isn't that animal abuse?

Luo Binghe: Yaaaay!

[one-flower-one-sword]

Sending virtual hugs! 🌸

I’m wondering about your thoughts on Xie Lian and how he views Hua Cheng and the Gambling Den.

He expressed to Hua Cheng his concerns about how dangerous it is, and let it go when he understood that he and Hua Cheng have differing views on the matter.

It makes me wonder how things would have unfolded if the man who gambled to have his competitors die or give his daughter’s life and marriage if he lost, had been able to complete his bet without interruption. Like how much is Hua Cheng involved in something like that?

Would that man simply have walked away with the luck he needed to get what he wanted? I can’t see Hua Cheng actively hunting down and killing those people.

But I can see him allowing the man the luck needed to make his desires come true - so not actively engaging but not interfering with the man’s terrible decisions - kind of like with how he dealt with He Xuan.

I’m not completely sold on that thought though…😅 your thoughts?

Thank you! 🌸

And thank you for your ask! I love talking about Ghost City :3

I've thought about similar things regarding the Gambler's Den, but ultimately, I think it's on purpose that we don't find out for sure and are left to wonder. Especially since, at this point in the story, both the reader and Xie Lian are still slowly uncovering who Hua Cheng is as a person.

When we look at this scene after everything is revealed, I think it's quite clear from the mockingly derisive way he talks to him that Hua Cheng did not like that guy, and I wonder if he would even have taken that second bet if Xie Lian and the others hadn't been there - he seems to have a pretty good understanding of Lang Qianqiu's character when be talks about him with Xie Lian later, so I can see him use that second bet as a lure to make Lang Qianqiu cause a commotion. Because then Hua Cheng gets to "discover" that Xie Lian and the others are there, which means he has a reason to invite Xie Lian to Paradise Manor, which is necessary to make that whole "have them rescue 'Ming Yi' so that He Xuan's cover isn't blown" plan work.

As an aside, though of course Hua Cheng is always happy when he gets to spend time with Xie Lian, I think he must have deeply hated deceiving him like this. It speaks to how much he values his arrangement with He Xuan and how vital the information He Xuan provides is to him - which is proven when right after this, the whole Fang Xin reveal happens. Without He Xuan monitoring what's happening in heaven and relaying the information to him, Hua Cheng wouldn't have known that Xie Lian got locked inside his palace and couldn't have come to rescue him.

Back to the topic at hand though. I think it's worth looking at the actual dialog when Xie Lian and Hua Cheng discuss the den because there's so much in there:

After some hesitation, Xie Lian spoke up again. "San Lang, it may be out of line for me, but I still have to say it. That Gambler's Den of yours is incredibly dangerous. Won't it blow up in your face one day?"

A place that allowed the betting of sons and daughters and people's lives, granting wishes for others' sudden deaths - it was dreadfully sinful. Never mind a little brawl; if one day the bets got out of hand, the Heavenly Realm wouldn't be able to stay on the sidelines.

Hua Cheng gave him a look.

"Your Highness, did you ask Lang Qianqiu why he had to jump into that mess?"

Xie Lian was slightly taken aback, not quite understanding the intent of the question.

Hua Cheng continued, "I bet he must have told you that if he didn't do it, no one else would."

He was amazingly on the mark, obviously having seen through Lang Qianqiu.

"That's indeed what he said." Xie Lian admitted.

"Then I'm the complete opposite," Hua Cheng said. "If I don't control a place like this, then someone else will. I'd rather that person be me."

Xie Lian knew when to back down, and he nodded. "I understand."

It seemed, although Hua Cheng was the sentimental sort, he also cared more about control and power than Xie Lian realized.

It's fascinating that it we look at what Xie Lian actually says and thinks here, what he mainly seems to be worried about is what would happen to Hua Cheng and his friendship with Hua Cheng should Jun Wu be given reason to actively start going against him. Which is also what Xie Lian worries about during this entire mission - what will happen if it turns out Hua Cheng is involved with a heavenly official's disappearance and heaven retaliates, what will happen if he's not involved and Xie Lian has destroyed their friendship by deceiving him. It doesn't matter to Xie Lian that Hua Cheng is a Ghost King and that they're technically on opposite sides - he's decided based on his own experiences and judgment that Hua Cheng is a good person and a good friend, and he's already at this point very protective of him. Especially since he's not unaware that the heavenly realm in general and Jun Wu in particular do not share his opinion on Hua Cheng, and the political implications thereof:

Jun Wu turned around. "Tell me, what kind of extraordinary character did you engage with when you descended this time?"

Xie Lian raised his hand. "My Lord, I swear I did nothing. Just, one day by chance, I encountered an interesting young man on the road, and we spent some time together. I didn't think much of it."

Ju Wu nodded. "Chance encounter, young man, Supreme Ghost King. Xianle, surely you are aware what the consequences would be if Ming Guang was to question you further and you confessed to this in front of the other officials? No one would believe you."

"Xianle knows," Xie Lian replied woefully. "So, I'm grateful for My Lord's timely intervention. My Lord, you're not actually going to interrogate me, are you? I wouldn't collude with the Ghost Realm. These are absurd concerns."

"Naturally, I know you would not intentionally collude with the Ghost Realm," Jun Wu said.

"I'm grateful for My Lord's trust," Xie Lian replied.

Xie Lian is definitely stretching the truth here with the "I didn't think much of it" part, given that by the end of his investigation in Banyue, he damn well knew that the "interesting young man" was Supreme Ghost King Hua Cheng, and then he kept spending time with him regardless. He's very careful about protecting their friendship by downplaying it and being vague, and further than that, he's very careful about protecting Hua Cheng. We've already seen this earlier when Pei Ming was interrogating him - Xie Lian even pretended not to know who that "red-clothed young man" was because he rightfully deduced that Pei Ming would try to use Hua Cheng as a scapegoat to get Xiao Pei off the hook. Then when Pei Ming does try to pin the whole thing on Hua Cheng, Xie Lian immediately speaks up in his defense:

"General Pei, let's keep things clear and separate. Let's not talk about whether the young man I traveled with was Hua Cheng or not. At the very least, even if he was indeed Hua Cheng, that has nothing to do with what General Pei Junior has done. A Supreme Ghost King might have the worst possible name on people's tongues, but not everything can be blamed on him."

I find it very telling that the reason Xie Lian is being so carefully vague is less so he himself won't get into trouble and more that he's very aware that if Hua Cheng gets wrongfully accused, no one will question it simply because of who and what Hua Cheng is. And it's that kind of injustice and prejudice that Xie Lian will always stand up against. At this point he still completely trusts Jun Wu, but when it comes to Hua Cheng, Xie Lian not only disagrees but actively disobeys, though he's careful about how much of that he shows in front of Jun Wu:

Jun Wu shook his head. "I should not comment on the friends you make, but I will say this: Be careful of Hua Cheng."

Hearing this, Xie Lian bowed his head slightly, keeping his eyes down and saying nothing. He should've responded with "Yes, My Lord," as he should have been able to say yes with ease by that point. Yet, for some reason, he really didn't want to say that particular "yes".

Hua Cheng likewise also understands his and Xie Lian's respective positions and is careful not to endanger Xie Lian. Like here, when he explains why he put up somewhat of an act of not knowing Xie Lian because there were other heavenly officials present:

"Since gege is here, why not come in? We haven't been apart for that long, so don't be a stranger to San Lang."

At his beckoning, Xie Lian let down the beaded curtain. "Earlier in the Gambler's Den, it was San Lang who pretended not to recognize me."

Hua Cheng approached and stopped at Xie Lian's side. "Lang Qianqiu was there too, so if I didn't put on an act, I'd be giving gege trouble."

Or here when he's content to be accused of having maliciously kidnapped Xie Lian if that means Xie Lian won't be suspected of resisting his arrest and made to look guilty:

Xie Lian finally understood. Shi Qingxuan could see that Hua Cheng had no ill intent, but on the surface, they had to pretend that Hua Cheng had only barged into the Heavens to collect his due. It would prevent gossip from those how might suggest that Xie Lian had maliciously and intentionally absconded. Hua Cheng understood Shi Qingxuan's intent and had played along. However, Xie Lian didn't want to go this route.

"All right, stop acting. He only came to the Heavens to save me. San Lang had good intentions, so why conceal them?"

Hua Cheng does this to protect Xie Lian, but Xie Lian likewise wants to protect him. This has ended up quite long-winded, but I wanted to look for more evidence of why I think that Xie Lian mainly brought up the Gambler's Den because he's worried that the bets could end up endangering Hua Cheng himself.

Hua Cheng sincerely thanks Xie Lian for his concern, but makes it clear that he doesn’t quite agree, and I think it's worth looking into why that is.

I've seen Hua Cheng be described as completely amoral by fans, but I don't think that's how the text actually portrays him. He certainly can be quite critical and cynical with his views on both humans and gods, but his reasoning for establishing and keeping the den isn't "I don't care what happens there" or "I want places like this to exist for my own gain". He is, at least from his perspective and based on his experiences, simply being grimly realistic about how if he forbids these kinds of bets, the people who want to conduct them will simply move underground and do their gambling in secret. So not only will these bets happen either way, someone else will eventually take control of such a place, and Hua Cheng doesn't trust that such a person wouldn't take advantage of it.

Hua Cheng isn't amoral, he just has his own perspective on morality and justice. He's also not passive and uncaring in the face of what he perceives as wrong and unjust, but he doesn't really talk about that openly unless prompted. Like here during the Black Water arc, when they discuss the scroll with (supposedly) the names of victims of the Reverend of Empty Words:

Xie Lian turned to Hua Cheng. "San Lang, you said it's full of outrageous mistakes. How so?"

Hua Cheng scooted over to him, they were now sitting much closer than before. Hua Cheng pointed at a few names. "These are wrong."

Xie Lian looked at the names closely; all of them were known to be lawless, malevolently evil tyrants. "How do you know?"

"Because I killed them," Hua Cheng said.

Hua Cheng deeply hates people who abuse the power they wield, to the point that he personally acts against them. I think this ties in well with his reasoning about the Gambler's Den. I don't think there's anything in the text that suggests Xie Lian is upset to realize that Hua Cheng cares more about power and control than he'd thought, just surprised - until he comes to Ghost City, Xie Lian has mostly been around the very laid-back "San Lang", and this is the first time he's encountered Hua Cheng in his own territory, where he's a Ghost King ruling over the largest settlement within the ghost realm.

Also Xie Lian doesn't know this yet, but given everything we later learn about Hua Cheng's past, I think it's quite obvious that Hua Cheng's preoccupation with the power and control he wields, as well as his contempt for those who abuse theirs, is rooted deeply in the trauma he's gone through. Control in particular is a huge thing for him for several reasons, one of the main ones being that as a child, he was repeatedly punished for things outside his control, and he internalized that pattern to the point where he now punishes himself for things outside his control, as is shown repeatedly when he decides he's failed Xie Lian in some way. But I'm going to go into more detail about this in my Hua Cheng + trauma responses meta.

Lastly, I think it's important to keep in mind that the text makes clear that even when Xie Lian and Hua Cheng disagree, rather than a point of conflict it's actually proof of how strong and healthy their relationship is. I've sometimes seen fans (not you) portray their relationship as Xie Lian being irritated with Hua Cheng's attitude towards others, having him either be somewhat grudgingly resigned to it or actively trying to change Hua Cheng's behavior. But when we actually look at the text, we realize that nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, the opposite is the case - Xie Lian is incredibly protective of him and repeatedly gets defensive when others judge and blame Hua Cheng. I'm gonna examine that in more detail in my hualian meta though, so for now, I hope this turned out a satisfying answer!

[askew-d]

Fanfics ideas, cause you love MXTX works . Your top 3 fav MDZS characters will be besties with who (in your opinions) if they were in other universe, with characters from TGCF & SVSSS? Hope my questions are not confusing.....

hi, anon! sorry i’m terrible late for this ask. hope you don’t mind :) i am not sure i can provide great fanfic ideas, but here’s my opinion about who’d be besties with who in the mxtx universes, and i added more than three or favorite characters, by the way:

1. wei wuxian would create a group of besties with xie lian, shen qingqiu and hua cheng (and get together really often with nie huaisang group of friends)

wait up! i mean, wei wuxian would get along with xie lian because of his obvious fair morality principals and they would eventually get along with shen qingqiu for their intimate experiences with their husbands. if shen qingqiu was frustrated with luo binghe, of course xie lian and wei wuxian would share advices. wei wuxian would love to hear xie lian's lifetimes of stories and xie lian would love to hear his in return. shen qingqiu would slowly warm up to them.

and now, why hua cheng? i personally do not see hua cheng warming up to a human other than wei wuxian. not only because wei wuxian is a demonic cultivator, but also because wei wuxian would always thoroughly respect xie lian and have him like a great friend because he also has been treated like shit by others and understands xie lian. i think hua cheng would appreciate that. shen qingqiu would not judge xie lian either, so i guess they would all be ok nicely hanging out.

and they would spend time with:

2. nie huaisang, shang qinghua, shi qingxuan and sha hualing

you cannot tell me that nie huaisang would not become friends with sha hualing. they are both capable of everything. nie huaisang would be a little scared of her at first? surely. but something would happen, perhaps a case in which only he could help her out, and they would end up turning into acquaintances bordering into friends. one hand helping the other (perhaps not always for the greater cause).

anyway, shang qinghua and shi qingxuan though? personally, i think they would hit it off right at the first sight. shang qinghua would help him with writing, even, and open a new word for nie huaisang.

3. jiang cheng would slowly start being friends with feng xin, mu qing and liu qingge (even if none of them will admit it)

jiang cheng? admiting he made friends with those angry idiots mu qing and feng xing who cannot stop fighting? admittng that he made friends with that weirdass liu qingge? and vice versa? no, they will never say it. but fairly enough, i think jiang cheng would end up getting drunk one day, they would all start complaining, being angry, hitting things over, discussing over those gays kissing at their feet all their time, and the next morning, they would just grow an inch closer.

they would still roll their eyes at one another every time they are in a social conference. they would still be tsunderes even if they just spent an afternoon hanging out gossiping back and forth. yet, i think they would grow closer, and in a life and death situation, they would fight together like reluctant sworn brothers.

4. lan wangji would befriend ling wen, mobei-jun and luo binghe

lan wangji and ling wen i think its clear that they would be nice friends, helping each other and having tea together. mobei-jun would just be there because, if shang qinghua must have his time to be with nie huaisang and other human friends, at least hanguang-jun is one human that he tolerates for the simple fact that he does not talk much. so that is enough for him. luo binghe would only become close to lan wangji because they would trade nice recipes for their husbands. and also, it would be nice if lan wangji also helped ling wen, binghe and mobei-jun out with understanding how human works. they would be so confused and would want explanations of human experiences from hanguang-jun (one time or another, i can swear that mobei and luo binghe would want to receive advice towards their sex life too).

5. lan xichen would grow fond of yue qingyuan and he xuan

lan xichen, my dear! for you, i think you would have a good friendship with yue qingyuan, only. with he xuan, i think its horrible to say that he xuan would seem to be a wise guy, so you would become close to him, you would have tea together, only for at the end you have another disappointment to discover that he isnt exactly who you think he is and another time you will be crumbling in sadness, so i will not say it. but there, i will leave you all with this angst side. or perhaps you would get along with shi qingxuan better because he sure been through this whole experience just like you, huh.

6. the juniors would be besties with shang qinghua, shi qingxuan, lan qianqiu, ning yingying and ming fan

do i need explanation for this one? hahah, they would all love to learn more from shang qinghua and laugh at his antics, follow around shi qingxuan just like ducklings, be impulsive with lan qianqiu, play around the town with ning yingying and judge others with the company of ming fang. perhaps beat some that threaten their superiors in the middle :) would love to check their shenanigans.

[illuminatedferret]

One-Word Ficlet Prompt #1: Alcohol

Word count: 641

Starting off uploading my "I'm stuck in a room with testing students for four hours with nothing but a journal and pen" series with my favorite so far:

“San Lang, can you get drunk?” Xie Lian asked one day. They were seated at the table enjoying a suspiciously blue dinner when, apropos of nothing, the thought occurred to him.

Hua Cheng, whose mouth was full, let a raised eyebrow be his first response. Then, after he swallowed, he asked, “what brought this on?”

“Nothing in particular,” Xie Lian replied. “It just occurred to me. I know weaker ghosts can get drunk- or something like it- but you...?”

Hua Cheng considered the question, taking a sip of water.

“I could,” he eventually said. “But, unless it was spiritually powerful alcohol, it would only affect me if I let it.”

“So you’ve never been drunk before?”

“Why would I want to be?”

Well, Xie Lian couldn’t argue with that. The one time he’d been drunk had been a disaster, after all.

“And gege?” Hua Cheng, whose thoughts were surely walking a similar path, prompted.

“Ah, you’ve seen what I’m like,” Xie Lian laughed, light and sheepish, more from habit than humor. “I never wanted to repeat that experience. Besides, my cultivation banned alcohol.”

Hua Cheng nodded thoughtfully, and Xie Lian took that as a sign this thread of conversation was over, taking a few more bites of his food. And yet, after a short while, Hua Cheng suddenly said:

“But you don’t follow that path anymore.”

His tone was mild, but Xie Lian knew his husband well. If he brought it up now, there was more to it than that.

“Yes,” he agreed, watching Hua Cheng closely. “But alcohol has never tempted me much, anyway. Not like-” he coughed, cutting himself off, but the damage was done- Hua Cheng was smirking at him, a dog on a scent.

“Like what, gege?”

Don’t speak so innocently when you know what I mean! Xie Lian cried internally. Out loud, he hurriedly said, “nevermind, nevermind that. Why were you asking, San Lang?”

“I didn’t ask anything,” Hua Cheng pointed out, which was true. But he didn’t try to hide that there had been a question unspoken, for then he said, “I was just wondering if gege would ever want to change that.”

“Change... If I wanted to get drunk?” Xie Lian echoed, surprised.

“Mn.”

“Why... why would I?” 

“It could be nice,” Hua Cheng offered.

“But I... I mean, San Lang, you saw what I was like last time... I don’t even remember most of it, but Feng Xin told me I caused a lot of trouble...”

“I would take care of you,” Hua Cheng promised simply, and like the lock of a door, everything clicked into place.

Ah.

So that’s it.

“Gege?” Hua Cheng asked, and Xie Lian realized some of his thoughts must have shown on his face.

“...” San Lang wants to take care of me? Xie Lian wasn’t shameless enough to say it. He knew he was right, though- oh yes, by now it was quite clear to anyone who paid attention (and many who didn’t) just how much the ghost king Crimson Rain Sought Flower got out of taking care of his husband.

Which apparently also extended to getting his husband intentionally drunk as some sort of do-over for the last time.

...Is this a sex thing? He wondered. But, in the end it didn’t matter. Nothing would happen unless he wanted it.

Which meant...

Xie Lian glanced away, trying to affect disinterest even though Hua Cheng could surely read the embarrassment right off of his face. “I’ll think about it,” he said quietly.

Hua Cheng smiled innocently, having heard all he truly wanted to hear. Xie Lian took another bite of food, resisting the urge to rub his forehead.

I really do spoil you... he thought. Yet, he couldn’t say he regretted it. There were much worse things he would do for Hua Cheng than getting drunk on purpose.

[mxtxfanatic]

Another pro-reader tip for mxtx novels: they are all stories with clear-cut good guys and bad guys and a strong moral message, BUT you have to actually read what the story has to say about characters without taking anything at face value, relying on genre tropes, or using identities and statuses as shorthand to your understanding of the moral system and themes of the story. So no, most characters in her stories are not morally gray (though some are, most can be definitively categorized as either morally good or bad, and ALL of her main characters are definitively morally good), and no she does not write morally gray plots where “morality is just subjective!” If anything, the term I think people are looking for is “morally neutral” (meaning that the thing is not assigned a morality in and of itself) in many cases.

An mxtx character is never designated as good or bad based off their backgrounds or class: Wei Wuxian, Jin Guangyao, Shen Jiu, and Mu Qing all grow up outside of the elite class, but Mu Qing (eventually) and Wei Wuxian are unquestionably good guys while Jin Guangyao and Shen Jiu are unquestionable villains. Shen Yuan, Lan Wangji, and Xie Lian all grow up within the gentry class but are all good guys while Jiang Cheng, Jun Wu, and The Old Palace Master are bad. Likewise, life circumstances or tools don’t determine morality. In mdzs, the sword path (which is the orthodox one) is used to commit genocide by the general cultivation world just as easily as Lan Wangji wields it to protect the forsaken commoners. Wei Wuxian’s ghost path was created to protect himself before being used to protect others, but Xue Yang and the Jin Clan pervert it to cause mass destruction for their own wishes. In tgcf, Xie Lian uses his god powers to attempt to help the Yong’an people while the other gods simply collect worshippers to increase their power and oppress lesser gods. Every character I’ve listed minus the Old Palace Master has experienced intense trauma that has informed their lives and colors their morality, but it does not define why they have chosen to take on certain moral stances.

(This is not to say that mxtx doesn’t have certain tropes she dislikes, as she clearly hates the “dedicate their whole existence completely to another person” trope. Su She, a villain dedicated to Jin Guangyao, dies. Zhuzhi-lang, a sympathetic antagonist dedicated to Tianlang-jun, dies. Hua Cheng, A WHOLE LOVE INTEREST dedicated to the literal main character, dies a whopping three (3) times before he learns his lesson.)

Mxtx does not condemn those who stray from orthodoxy. In fact, every story she’s (currently) written is about the dangers of entrenched and unquestioned hierarchy and status quo giving way to corruption every time. She wants you to question the dominant narrative of the benevolent group who descend from on high to “save the ignorant masses.” She wants you to question the idea that the only people with the right of choice are those at the top of the hierarchy. She wants you to question the idea that even the smallest decision of “powerless” people does not matter in “the grand scheme of things.” She wants you to actually think about the story conventions that you accept as infallible and question whether or not it would make for good shorthand by which to understand well-written characters and story arcs (and also, hopefully, how society is structured at large). So if you find yourself reading an mxtx novel and siding with the mob characters or lamenting how x character was locked into making certain choices “against their will” or being unable to reconcile how a recognized trope led to an unexpected conclusion because “that’s not how it’s supposed to go,” then it may do you some good to stop and ask yourself “was this idea supported by the narrative that I read in the book, or is this an idea I’ve come to entirely from my own preconceived notions of how I wanted the story to turn out based on how other, similar stories have panned out?”

[xueyuverse]

What if Xie Lian was a university professor and Hua Cheng was his prodigy student?

The admiration would be mutual and so intense that only an unsuspecting and inattentive newbie would not notice it at first glance. There would be flirtations that for anyone would be so intense that it would be inevitable to think that they were no longer a couple, except for them, because in their loser minds the attraction is impossible to be mutual, when the impossible thing for anyone is for them not to be a couple.

That's why it ended up being normal for people to ask Xie Lian about Hua Cheng, and none of the questions were about his performance, but rather personal ones like "what about Hua Cheng? Is he okay? How are things between you guys? You guys are cute together 😊" and Xie Lian, with a red face because he might not know what's going on but he feels, would say "ah... okay? He seemed happy today and is still as smart as ever." It was a vague answer, but it was the kind of answer Xie Lian would always give about Hua Cheng, so people just thought that this was the kind of thing he would usually say.

As for Hua Cheng’s impeccable performance in Xie Lian’s classes, this phenomenon was always… interesting to watch. He would spend the entire class just following Guoshi Xie with his eyes, sometimes asking questions, he never took any notes, instead he chose to leave his cell phone recording the audio of the class (something he didn't do in any of the other classes), which made the other students wonder if Hua Cheng didn't hear his boyfriend's (or husband's, no one knew what their relationship status was) voice enough when they were alone.

They never got to know about this whole Mandela effect, not even when, after Xie Lian finally asked Hua Cheng out for dinner, they started going out and dating, because for everyone their relationship was already old news.

[dancing--in--therain]

Very soft hualian fluff

Basically hua cheng getting pampered by his gege

Xie lian had just returned from dealing with a very pesky ghost. Shrugging off his soiled clothes he quickly quickly jumped in the bathtb to rinse off the the blood and grime off his body.

Just as he settled, he heard the familiar voice of his beloved calling him. "Gege? Are you back?"

"In here san lang." Xie lian replied. The bathroom door opened. In walked hua cheng, who seemed to be in a human disguise at the time. Xie lian didnt care. His beloved was his beloved, regardless of his form. "Welcome home san lang." Xie lian greeted warmly, extending his hand towards him.

Hua cheng walked over and kissed xie lian's extended hand softly. Xie lian smiled, a tender smile that only made an appearance during such soft and achingly domestic days. Hua cheng loved that smile. Xie lian withdrew his hand from hua cheng's hold and placed it against his cheek, caressing it softly.

"Join me?" Xie lian asked softly not wanting to break the tender atmosphere surrounding them.

"Hmm i will. But first, would gege allow this lowly one to wash his hair?"

Xie lian frowned a little. He flicked his forehead lightly. "San lang you're not lowly. You're my love, the reason for my happiness. I wont let anyone badmouth my beloved, not even you." Xie lian's eyes looked so earnest, so full of love that hua cheng could not take it.

Hua cheng's heart skipped a beat. Blush trailed from the base of his neck till the tips of his ears.

"Gege.." he whined.

Xie lian giggled. "To answer your question, yes you can."

Xie lian settled in the tub while hua cheng carefully and reverently washed his hair. Hua cheng fingers massaging xie his head felt so good. He could feel all his stress melting off him and he sighed softly. Hua cheng placed a small kiss on xie lian's forehead, pleased at his reaction.

After washing and carefully rinsing off his hair, hua cheng stripped off his clothes abd joined xie lian in the bathtub, as promised.

Xie lian settled against him dropping small kisses over his bare neck and chest. Then he kissed him, oh so gently that hua cheng could not take it. His breath caught, and he could do nothing but stay pliant and obedient to his god. Hua cheng wanted nothing more than to stay in this moment, to freeze time and stay right here. Then xie lian moved to get up. Hua cheng's arms around him instinctively tightened.

Xie lian laughed softly. He kissed hua cheng's forehead and whispered, "let me return the favour, beloved."

Hua cheng wanted to protest, but he couldn’t say anything. He was putty in the hands of his god, unable to do or say anything.

His perfect, gorgeous dianxia. Xie lian took a cup and gently poured water over hua cheng's hair. Then his hands made their way to his hair, massaging. And hua cheng's could've died here under the gentle care of his beloved, his god, his everything. He wouldve called thus heaven, but he had seen heaven and it was filled with nothing but stupid useless gods.

"Gege...." he sighed, eyes shut, "you spoil this believer too much."

Xie lian smiled, mirth and playfulness in his eyes. "Oh? On the contrary i think i dont spoil you enough." Then his expression turned more tender. "You deserve this and so much more san lang. I love you so so much and i plan on spending the rest of eternity spoiling you to my hearts content."

Hua cheng made a chocked sort of noise at that, turing red again. The water, which felt pleasantly warm earlier, now felt scorching.

Xie lian rinsed off hua cheng's hair, gently working out the knots. Hua cheng had never felt so calm and at peace before. After xie lian was done, he kissed hua cheng sweetly on his cheek and whispered,"let's go to bed now, hmm?"

Hua cheng could not agree more.

[neithoftheveil]

Hello...if you don't mind me asking, can I ask your top 5 (or top 3) favorite characters, each from MDZS, TGCF, and SVSSS? And why you loved them all? Also, your top 5 (or top 3) favorite moments from each novel? Sorry if you've answered this question before....Thanks....

Top characters for TGCF:

1. Mu Qing

-We might as well be the same person (kidding! …or am I?) Haha—I know what it’s like to have a criminal family, to grow up poor, to be relied upon to support your parents. We’re both hyper-independent. Victim complex. A dash of arrogance. Schadenfreude. You name it. He’s a complicated bug—not always a good person—very human. He’s my darling.

2. Xie Lian

-I love dynamic characters—characters who contradict themselves—characters who undergo immense change. Xie Lian is highly intelligent, but his blind spots can be huge. I also love his hyperfixations and goblin rants. And in general, he’s just pitiable (like when all the gods ignore him in the communication array). I want to wrap him in a blanket, but I also love watching him be a badass. He contains multitudes.

3. Hua Cheng

-Who doesn’t love his devotion? I love the parts of himself he hides away, too: his self-worth issues and his insecurities about his appearance. Something I love about MXTX overall: 99% of MXTX characters can be read as on the asexual spectrum. The books, extras excluded, are pretty devoid of sexual content. Characters aren’t described through a sexual lens. There isn’t a bunch of sleeping around. Having sex is never really on anyone’s mind. Idk—Hua Cheng is just one of the biggest examples of that? He’s the boss of a whole city, the scourge of the heavens, and also a massive virgin—and that doesn’t diminish his worth in any way. He’s not a weirdo for it, you know? People not having sex doesn’t make them a spectacle.

Bonus: Quan Yizhen

-Autism buddy. Enough said.

Top moments for TGCF:

1. 100 swords scene

-I’m just obsessed with it. It never fails to have an emotional impact on me, no matter how often I read it.

2. Confession in Cave of 10,000 Gods

-It’s so sweet. Hua Cheng’s fear. The vulnerability. How Xie Lian doesn’t say I love you or give a speech. He just hugs him. These two are great at communication, of being on the same general wavelength. They match each other’s freak. Also—I don’t imagine either of them have had a hug in eight centuries.

3. You said you would never leave me

-I don’t cry over television very often, and I can count the number of times I’ve cried over a book or piece of fanfiction on one hand. This scene, though. The whole speech. Tears. As soon as Xie Lian said, Won’t you stay? Weeping. Xie Lian doesn’t have a lot of moments that he lets himself be desperate—that he bears this raw side of himself. To literally be begging—to admit how much he wants companionship, how much he loves Hua Cheng. Ugh. Makes me cry every time I reread it.

Top characters for MDZS:

1. Jin Guangyao

-He’s similar to Mu Qing. Disadvantaged background. Pragmatic. Calculating. The ends justify the means. I liked him the moment I saw him. He’s a very tragic character overall.

2. Xue Yang

-He’s a gremlin. Objectively terrible. But I really love the way he self-sabotages. He would rather destroy what he wants than admit he wants it. He’d rather be hated than be vulnerable. I get that.

3. Wei Wuxian

-Similar reasoning to Xie Lian. Smart, tragic, overall a good person everyone gossips about and turns into a bad person. He’s also just very bouncy. Very fun. I love his energy, the way he interacts with kids, how he can be very serious and unserious and sometimes he mixes those two things (like quoting a Wen to a Wen to defend others in the cave). He’s a goofball, but he’s very deep and feels things deeply.

Top moments for MDZS:

1. Jiang Cheng crying after Lotus Pier is attacked

-This moment in the donghua specifically makes me sob like a child. I love when scenes hurt my feelings. They usually end up being my favorite.

2. Wei Wuxian jumping from the tree and being caught

-Just terribly, terribly sweet. I love the moments before and after too. It’s so soft. It makes my heart happy.

3. The confession

-Laughed my ass off.

Top characters for SVSSS:

I have only read SVSSS once and it was over a year ago. It’s a very funny series, but it’s not my favorite, so I don’t have any moments that stick out in my brain.

1. Zhuzhi-lang

-I just wanted to hug him like, all the time.

2. Liu Qingge

-He’s a dope with two brain cells. One is reserved for fighting. The other is for having a painful crush on Shen Qingqiu. I love him. He’s straightforward. Not always in a good way, either. He’s interesting.

3. Shen Jiu

-I love the bad apples, okay? Shen Jiu is… He doesn’t care if people think he’s a bad person, and he is a bad person in many respects. In general, I have a soft spot for characters with a complication relationship with vulnerability. Shen Jiu is a sore loser and a perfectionist—he’s scared and angry and jealous and possessive. He’s just so prickly. He’s fascinating. I don’t know. I want to crack his head open like a walnut and see how his brain works.

[mieanme]

Merman x Siren au

Hualian - (part VII)

First part: PART I

Previous part: PART VI

I'M SO SORRY, I FORGOT YESTERDAY WAS A SUNDAY. I AM LIVING IN A MATRIX. I WILL UPDATE THE LINKS TO THE PREVIOUS PARTS TOMORROW TT~TT ANYWAYS, ENJOY, IT'S THE LONGEST PART I THINK

***

"You stay, Xie Lian. I want to have a word with you."

The merman's smile quickly changes into a grin as he stills in one place, turning around yet again to face Jun Wu. On the way he makes eye contact with Mu Qing and Feng Xin, who seem to be waiting for him, so he just waves at them to let them know they're gonna talk later.

The older merman closes his eyes for a moment and smiles softly, waiting for the last tail to disappear through the exit. When his eyelids lift up again, they're in the hall all alone.

"So you ignored my order and actually went to the siren's territory, am I right?"

Jun Wu's tone doesn't hold any anger, but Xie Lian still lowers himself and bows his head, feeling guilty.

"You're right, Emperor. This one is sorry for the disobedience," he clicks sheepishly. "This one will take any punishment for this one's actions."

"I should punish you for going against my will, but how can I do so when you come back with the medicine? You're truly something else," the Emperor chuckles at the end, making Xie Lian curious enough to lift his gaze and look at the other merman.

Jun Wu leaves his seat to swim up to Xie Lian.

"Come with me. I want to ask you a few questions in the upper caves."

Xie Lian nods and follows the Emperor to the said place.

Upper caves are located right above the city hall, however, no one has direct access to them. They are a place where Jun Wu would invite his guests or handle the most important matters. The roof of the caves has numerous, small holes in it, making the light coming down into the caves clash and create a beautiful, shimmering glow. The bigger holes on the sides reveal a magnificent view on the whole capital and further waters in the pod's territory. Truly a great place to hold a conversation.

The Emperor reaches out to one of the pretty cabinets hidden between the carefully selected and planted algae which are growing inside the chambers. Before Xie Lian can process it, he gets offered a serving of fresh, big shrimp. It must have been a meal Jun Wu prepared for himself prior with the rations everyone gets to pick at the canteen, but he didn't get to consume it because of the prolonged discussion in the city hall.

Xie Lian politely declines, even though they're both probably hungry, and then immediately regrets it, because Jun Wu chooses to not eat as well in this turn of events.

"Tell me then, how did you get the algae? Was it really from the trench in the siren's territory?" Jun Wu asks, swimming up to the biggest hole, that is serving as a window, to look at the capital getting ready to rest for the night. "Did you manage to get away without interfering with the siren itself?"

"It is indeed from that trench. I reached it without much trouble, but that's also where I met the siren and... it's only because of him that I managed to gather the algae," Xie Lian says, feeling Jun Wu's eyes on him. "He told me I wouldn't be able to reach deep enough to pick the algae and with how the medic Elder reacted I'm starting to consider the siren might have been right. I believe that such information should be given out to everyone before departing to even look for the right place to pick the algae from, Emperor."

"The Elder's reaction was a bit off in my opinion as well. Thank you for your intel. I will discuss this matter with him personally too," Jun Wu replies, seeming a little troubled again. Soon enough he continues. "However, you shouldn't trust Hua Cheng so easily. He's a cruel creature. I have no idea what his intention is in helping us, but we cannot let our guard down."

"... Hua Cheng?"

Xie Lian is a little dumbfounded. He has never heard of that name before.

"The siren. I suppose he didn't introduce himself to you?"

"He did, but... That's not the name he used. I also wasn't aware the Emperor knows so much about the siren. Has the Emperor met him before? Could it be we're talking about different ones?" Xie Lian shoots some of the questions that have gathered in his mind.

He really doesn't expect Jun Wu to be knowledgeable about the siren. Before Xie Lian met the siren personally, he didn't even know what gender they were. However, the Emperor even recalls a name - but it's not the 'San Lang' the siren told Xie Lian to use.

"I didn't meet him personally, but I knew someone who did. It wasn't a pleasant memory of theirs," the Emperor explains, looking into the distance with some kind of contemplation. "As for if it might be a different siren - very unlikely. Sirens give up their territory only after they die or are unable to protect it anymore. Hua Cheng is younger than me, or so I am concerned, and sirens usually live longer than merpeople. He's impossibly strong, capable, fast and cruel, so I highly doubt he could have been defeated and replaced by another one of his kin. Moreover, red scaling is very unique in both sirens and mermen. If that's the colour of the one's tail, we are talking about the same monster."

Xie Lian nods, thinking about the bloody red scales that scared him to the bone at first sight. They are talking about the same creature indeed, so now he wonders why San Lang chose a different name to introduce himself to Xie Lian.

"However, there's no need to worry, Emperor!" The younger merman assures. "This one asked the siren to hold only this one accountable for this act of generosity of his, since this one went there without the Emperor's permission. He agreed to not demand requital from the pod and to wait for me to repay him somehow. This one will think of a way to do so!"

Jun Wu chuckles and rests his hand on Xie Lian's head. He pats gently, like if he wanted to praise a kid for good behaviour.

"Very well. I am leaving this matter in your hands then, Xie Lian." The older merman says, looking at Xie Lian with some unspeakable softness. "However, I am asking you to be careful. Hua Cheng acted kindly, but we cannot be sure of his next move. I am fond of you and cannot imagine you getting hurt."

"Of course, Emperor. I will stay safe!"

After bidding the farewells, Xie Lian leaves the upper caves, not wanting to neglect Jun Wu from eating his well deserved meal. He's quite hungry himself, so he plans on heading to the canteen to grab the leftover fresh fish from today's hunting.

He doesn't get to swim on his own for long until he feels someone grabbing his tail just above the base of his fin to stop him in one place. Before he can turn around, he already hears two familiar clicking tones.

"Don't tug at his tail like that! Don't you know how sensitive his scales are? You have no grace!"

"Stop treating him like a princess, I barely even wrapped my hand around him. If you're so worried about him, why don't you become his personal guard?"

"What are you even doing here? I thought you had duty on the west side of the capital. Were you waiting for him under the city hall or what? Creep!"

"Look at you, the pot calling the kettle black! Weren't you supposed to patrol the outskirts?"

Xie Lian turns around and, as of habit, swims in between Feng Xin and Mu Qing so that they can only throw insults at each other but not fists.

"I'm glad you both waited for me! Can you stop arguing for just a moment so that I can tell you how my trip went?" Xie Lian says, hoping this works for at least a while before they're at their usual selves again.

The answer he gets is two synchronized "humpfs", but then he indeed gets to talk about his encounter with the siren without much disturbance. Despite trusting his friends, he paves over the siren's name and how gently he touched Xie Lian. It feels almost illegal to happen, because even at the slightest thought of San Lang's fingers, Xie Lian's cheeks heat up.

He also doesn't tell his friends about the part where he's supposed to think of a way to repay the siren for his kindness. He can already see the yelling from them coming and never ending if he ever mentions that.

"So it's a male? Aren't they the most vicious?" Feng Xin recalls some of the facts he knows about sirens. "The fact that he let you go just like that is highly suspicious. What if he gave you some poisonous algae instead of the actual medicine?"

"You've heard the medic Elder, he said it's the right one," Mu Qing chimes in. "On the other hand, he was acting strange when it turned out Xie Lian brought the algae. The siren really could have told the truth - that mermen aren't able to reach the algae. That's even more suspicious than the siren's behaviour itself. Why would they not tell us?"

"You get me, Mu Qing," Xie Lian sighs with a tired smile. "But I don't have enough energy to think about it anymore today. I swear, I will pass out the moment I reach my home."

"Do you have anything to eat? I will go grab the leftovers and bring you some," Mu Qing says and, without waiting for Xie Lian's response (there's no need to wait, Mu Qing is more than certain Xie Lian hasn't eaten since he left the pod's territory), he swims away, leaving the two others mers alone.

Feng Xin looks Xie Lian up and down, as if he wanted to make sure he's actually alright.

"Let's go," he clicks after a while, grabbing Xie Lian's arm and gently pulling him in direction of their homes. "I will swim with you to your cave. You look exhausted, it's better I keep my eye on you."

"Thanks," is all that Xie Lian responds with, but it's coming from the depths of his heart.

He really appreciates how his friends care for him.

It takes maybe about another hour for Xie Lian to be left alone at his home, having the food delivered and hair brushed by his two mer friends. It of course doesn't stop them from bickering, but they seem a little less annoyed with each other this late in the evening. They immediately split after they leave Xie Lian's cave, and it might be for the better - the farther from each other they are, the less likely it is for them to fight.

Xie Lian lies down in the place designed especially for resting, with polished stone and dead plants changed regularly to provide a little softness. He falls asleep almost the second he finally stops moving.

That night he dreams of beautiful, red scales glimmering in the darkness.

***

Hi, hi! The case is slowly resolving! I also finally got the last 4 books, I'm at book 6 right now and LORD, GOOD LORD, I AM OBSESSED. As always: Please, let me know your thoughts ^•^ We might see Hua Cheng again in the next chapter so stay tuned!!

Next Part: PART VIII

[mikaela-the-slut-expert]

Tea Shop

Xie Lian x M!reader x Hua Cheng

Y'all I've been thinking for ages how to make a two person scene a three person scene. What am I supposed to do, make two brides??? So if you have any ideas come bless me with them. 🫵🙃

Previous part: God of Song's second ascension

_____________________________________________

After you guide Xie Lian carefully out of the heavens so that he doesn't kill himself by accident . It takes a day to get to a tea shop. It could've taken longer, like three days but you saved yourselves sometimes. Since you can actually have spiritual prowess. The only reason it wasn't any quicker is because Xie Lian demanded you to not overwork yourself and use too much mana.

Xie Lian has always looked simple enough with plain, white robes. You on the other hand have to take on an 'avatar' you don't need anyone noticing you either. So you also dawn white robes, but of course a veil stays on.

You and Xie Lian sit at a table in the corner of the tea shop and you sit across from him. The two of you look over the scroll Ling Wen has given you... it isn't very helpful, but that's alright.

Both yours and Xie Lian's attention is captured by a silver butterfly. It flies across both of you and out the window. When you turn your head your heart almost drops out of your throat. Xie Lian is surprised as well to see two men sitting by you. One sat by you and the other sat by Xie Lian. There's only so much room on these benches after all.

You grimace at their presence. It's not hard to read the spiritual energy from them, they're obvious officials. You glare at them, Xie Lian is much kinder, "Oh uh who are you guys..?"

"Fu Yao" the one by you replies.

"Nan Feng" the one by Xie Lian replies.

You've never side eyed someone so hard in your endless years of life. At the 'Fu Yao' person beside you.

Ling Wen transmits a message to the two of you that they're volunteer officials. You huff inwardly. There's no way anyone from the upper court would offer their deputies from the middle court to help them.

That's because they aren't from the middle court though.

"Well I thank you for your help" Xie Lian says, quickly accepting their new guests.

"Which highnesses sent you?" You ask with narrowed eyes. You know they aren't deputies. Who are you to stress Xie Lian out more though, he already looks horrified when the officials answer his question.

"The palace of Nan Yang"

"The palace of Xuan Zhen"

"..."

Your glare only grows sharper. You've no clue why Mu Qing out of all people would want to help. You also have no idea why he would sit next to you of all people.

"Oh did your generals send you?" Xie Lian asks with a mouthful of tea.

"They didn't know we were coming" they answered in unison.

Xie Lian ponders for a moment, but you're quick to make the two squirm. Just because you can.

"Two officials from the lower court shouldn't go off without permission no? The trouble surely isn't worth it." Your eyes crinkle, as you smile at the two.

Lower court used to be what's now called the middle court. It was changed when whiny officials started complaining it made them seem trivial compared to officials in the upper court. To them an apparent mark to their honor. To you a pathetic attempt to seem important.

"..."

"..."

Your smile widens under your veil when they don't answer. What are they going to say? Their lack of words don't stop Fu Yao from glaring at you or from making Nan Feng squirm in his spot.

Xie Lian ever so kindly saves them, "Well do you know who we are?"

"You're his royal highness the crown prince and he's general /n"

"You're the justice of the mortal realm, the center of the world"

Mu Qing does not regard you at all and rolls his eyes when he answers.

Xie Lian chokes on his tea, "Did he just roll his eyes?"

" He did, tell him to scram" you and Nan Feng say together.

"Any official who was available was welcome to help so who are you to tell me to scram?" Fu Yao sneered. Again his words are only pointed at Nan Feng, not you.

"Ah well more help is better than none right?" Xie Lian smiles.

You sigh and all four of you go over the scroll together.

**********************************************************

Eventually it begins to get dark and all of you will need to find a place to sleep. Long ago, Xie Lian and you would sleep in the streets or on the ground. You put a stop to that. After becoming a powerful enough ghost and god you entreated yourself to your own palace. Not in the heavens though, you chose for it to be in the ghost realm. This was a while before Crimson Rain took over ghost city

Your palace just happened to be in close proximity to it and eventually ghosts started inhabiting themselves. Now all three realms call your palace, "The city of the lost". It's rarely talked about because well it's "lost" not many people find it, your city also doesn't cause trouble. It's just kinda there.

That is where you would usually go though but now you have two more officials with you and you'll be damned if you bring Mu Qing into your city.

"Why don't we find a temple of Nan Yang? I'm sure there's one around." You say, standing next to Xie Lian.

The four of you do eventually find one, it's a little run down but it's good enough. Your attention is dragged away when you notice a girl praying. A girl praying in a temple of Nan Yang? Makes you want to give your heart out.

You can't resist your temptations when Xie Lian asks why the temple has so many women worshippers. It's unusual for a martial god's temple after all. While Nan Feng feels the need to block the question, Fu Yao indulges it.

"I know what you want to ask, you want to ask why there's so many female worshippers right?"

You hold the urge to cackle, and lean in close to Xie Lian's ear. You happily ignore the two officials's glares. You whisper to him, "Xie Lian many women worship Nan Yang's temple so in the future their man will have... Good assets" you giggle into his ear.

For a martial god it isn't normal for many women to pray in their temples. Xie Lian was an exception because he was more of a ' feminine god ' depicted with lotus flowers. You were an exception because of femininity and because you're the God of song. The arts, like dance, drawing, and song were more partaken by women than men. Most martial gods don't have femininity, so rare for women's prayers.

You stay close to Xie Lian's side as Fu Yao judges the poor girl to pieces, calling her ugly. Xie Lian sighs, "You can't talk about girls like that Fu Yao" but you can tell Xie Lian is thinking the same thing. You snicker placing a hand on your hip.

Xie Lian notices a slash in the girl's dress, he tries to offer her his outer robe so that she can cover herself but of course she freaks out. She moves to slap Xie Lian but why would you just stand there? You grab her wrist and throw her to the side. 'throw' is an overstatement it was truly a nudge.

Once Xie Lian tells her she has a slash in her dress she finally accepts his robe and then runs out of the Temple.

Now Xie Lian's undressed. Bandages over his chest, and neck can be seen now. Nan Feng and Fu Yao stare in quiet shock. You on the other stare in admiration. Xie Lian is undeniably beautiful. You chuckle softly and remove your outer robe, unlike Xie Lian you have an under robe on. You move it over Xie Lian's shoulders.

"Should've let her run out with the slash in her dress. It's just like you to give the clothes off your back, A-Lian" you hum softly. Xie Lian smiles in thanks and puts on your robe.

He does look very pretty especially in your clothes.

**********************************************************

The next day all four of you go back to the tea shop. You aren't paying attention to the conversation about Mount Yunjin. You'd much rather pay attention to Wèizhī. The two birds hop around on the table and chirp away.

You decided to bring them today, simply because they bring you peace of mind. Of course they aren't only birds they're much more than that. Anyone would know if they're close to you, and they've seen the earring hiding behind your long hair.

Right now they're birds though and you'd much rather chirp away with the Magpies then pretend to chat with the officials next to you.

It isn't until loud drums and a gathered crowd outside has all four of you going outside to check it out. A line of men outside carrying a sedan is what the crowd is gathered for. As for the last inside the sedan... She looks like her neck has been snapped. It proves so when a fake head rolls to yours and Xie Lian's feet.

"Ew" you sneer and quickly kick it away. You assume whatever these mortals are doing is connected with the Ghost Groom. You stand to the side however as Wèizhī perches on your shoulders.

"If I was a ghost groom I'd kill the entire group for sending such an ugly thing to me" Fu Yao comments in disgust and rolls his eyes

"Fu Yao you aren't talking like an immortal should." Xie Lian said. "And can you fix that eye-rolling habit of yours? Why don't you set a small target for yourself first and only roll five days or something like that?"

" Set it fifty times a day and it still won't be enough!" Nan Feng yells

"Leave Fu Yao alone, if he rolls them hard enough maybe they'll fall out on their own." You add, with a snicker.

You're interrupted by yelling, one of the men in the group yelling about how it's useless and that they should just charge into Mount Yunjin and dragging an ugly freak out. They all hoot in agreement.

"Ugly Freak? Shopkeeper what are they talking about?" Xie Lian asks

The tea master explains, "The ghost groom has such an ugly appearance that no woman loves it, so he wears bandages around his face. That is why he kidnaps brides."

"Just because his face is wrapped in bandages doesn't mean it's ugly. There's a possibility it's so beautiful that it doesn't want others to see it, so he covers it up" Fu Yao says.

When Fu Yao quickly glances at you, you ignore. This isn't about you and you know that Fu Yao is truly a prick. No need to make something out of nothing.

Your group's attention is caught when the same girl from yesterday begging them not to go do anything dangerous and a man bitching at her because she refused to join them.

You don't care about anyone's affairs unless it has something to do with Xie Lian. You perk in attention when the man pushes the girl roughly, Xie Lian ever so kindly catches her.

Xie Lian uses Rou'ye to smack down the man and then just as quickly hides back in Xie Lian's sleeve. You snicker softly at the slumped man in the dirt. The man is not happy though, he's having none of it. He brandishes his sword and yells that Xie Lian is using wicked magic.

Nan Feng uses his palm to snap a wooden pillar of the tea shop and the group of men run in fear. You side eye Nan Feng. You have mixed opinions on him, but even after so long... "You're still just a brute dummy. You're paying for that" you smile behind the veil and return to Xie Lian's side.

The four of you eventually head back to the temple. With newly acquired information from Ling Wen, you now know that you're going to need a fake bride. However you can't use any mortals since it's a wrath level ghost.

"Well if we can't use women we'll have to use men" said Fu Yao.

"What man is going to want to dress up as a bride?" Nan Feng sighs.

The two suddenly have the same idea and look over to you and Xie Lian.

"???"

"No." You glare.

**********************************************************

Nighttime, the temple of Nan Yang.

You watch as Xie Lian walks from the back in a brides dress, hair down and flowing. You sigh into your hand. It doesn't look like a bride at all

Nan Feng has a more extreme reaction, "Fuck!" He just can't stand to see Xie Lian in a brides dress, it's awful.

Fu Yao scans Xie Lian with a complicated look.

"Do you have something you wish to say?" He asked

Fu Yao nodded "if someone sent a woman like this to me..."

"you'd kill the whole town was it?" You snicker.

"No I'd kill the woman." Fu Yao replied frigidly.

Xie Lian smiles, "Then thank goodness I'm not the woman."

You hum, "A-Lian let me help you, obviously these two have and never will see a bride in their lives" you smile, "not unless it's each other..." You mutter the last part out.

"Excuse me..." The four of them look at the voice. It's the girl from earlier. She has a white robe in her hand and stands with trepidation. "I've washed these clothes to return them to you and thank you so much for yesterday and today"

You see Xie Lian smiles in response but suddenly remembers his attire.

"Are you... if you want I can help?" She asks, no longer shy.

"No miss you misunderstand this isn't a hobby of mine" Xie Lian laughs nervously.

You on the other hand are happy with this development. "Yes! Come help us."

And so that began Xie Lian's makeover. The girl has a sewing kit on her and helps Xie Lian fit into his dress. You do Xie Lian's hair - you do it all the time anyways - and together the two of you do Xie Lian's makeup. After you're finished with him, he looks like a proper bride and a damn good one too. If you weren't a ghost there would be a blush on your cheeks.

__________________________________________________

Guys. If anyone has actually read all of these parts I need y'all to tell me if Y/n is making sense. 😭 Like do we understand the background and his character? Do we understand the b i r d s?

Time gap between here and first glance

First Glance

[lovelive-animequeen1029]

You looked before you frowned, Something was off. You knew it. Never over the last 16 years have you felt such unease. "I wonder if they know about me?" you question yourself out loud not noticing your lover behind you." is something wrong sweetie" You look up only to see his honey-colored orbs covered with worry. despite breaking up the two of you still took care of each other, promising one another you would come to the place where the moon shone the brightest. Yu Jun Mountain, happy memories as well as bad ones.” do you wish to dance away the worries with me” he held out his hand. You took it. His touch felt like it would be the last you would feel it.’ well if all is

going to fall, I might as well enjoy my last ounce of freedom.” you thought as you forced a smile. The two of you danced, spin after spin, jump after jump. leap after leap, and when (e/hn) pulled you ever so close to his face, you rested your hands on his chest clutching them. Your lips were ever so lonely but when you felt his you felt complete as if you found the other piece of a puzzle. You were first to break the kiss gazing at him. ‘There's something I want to say to you” You hesitantly say. He grabs your hand and places it on this cheek before saying” Say whatever you wish but remember I love you” You smile ever so sadly” I’m yours you know and you’re mine Y/n…ahh” A bandage pulls him from the rooftop you too were on and throws him on the ground. As you try jumping to him a hand on your waist stops you.” so the rumors are true” you start trembling in his grasp” Hua cheng please let me go”. He tightens his hold on you.” oh how cute love asking me to let you go after all you did” you gasp you open your mouth to insult him but before you could a scream of agony rang filling in the silent night. you stop.. Tears falling “ let him go, please... Hua Cheng let him go ” He smiled as he warpes your tears ” Oh no we can’t he had you for so, so long and then he called you his quite the thief he..” Hua Cheng looked at you in disbelief..his hand on his cheek. you lept before he could stop you.  When you landed you saw Xie Lian standing above your ex-lover body, who was losing too much blood. you ran and kneeled beside him holding his passing body in your hands. He looked at you with dead eyes”’ p..please..ugh..kee.p m..y ring..i’ lo..ve you..” and with one more cough he passed eyes open his body turning into ashing? you cry, trying to grab hold of the ash, but a huge gust of wind blows them away.” why..why did you do that you..you monsters.” The two just stood there watching you cry until Hua Cheng had enough of it “ Stop wasting your tears it’s annoying” his sharp commanding voice made you fear what would happen to you. You sniffed looking at the ruby-cloured ring..at least you have it. Xie Lian who was still standing came to you and said” Look love we’re sorry but you know we have no choice but to keep you from him” he patted your head. “ how..how did you find me” you felt his hand take a strand of your silver hair before he smiled ”you still have your silver hair love” you shiver and then you start crying. what in heaven did you do wrong,. Lost in your thoughts you overlooked the fact that Xie Lian was carrying you. It was when you felt a needle in your arm and two faces looking at eyes filled with intense love “Rest love we’ll talk later” A tear dropped before your ever-bright eyes turned dull and closed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@fhjfjg68 hey I hope u liked it and it was the way you wanted.🥀

[marizch]

just have been here imagining a tgcf band au...

in my mind the main point would be the rock band "ghost city", with hua cheng as its lead singer, composer and guitarist; he xuan as bassist; and yin yu as manager and drummer. of course it was hua cheng's idea to start it and the other two were dragged by him. btw, yin yu might be overworked as usual, handling the bureaucratic and financial situations that involve the band, while he xuan also works as an actor (from where he knows shi qingxuan), but he lost a bet to hua cheng and now have to play with them.

on the other hand we have xie lian. he also used to be part of the music industry, maybe playing classical instruments in the same group as mu qing and feng xin. but after a lot of things went down, they’ve decided to quit it and follow their own paths, maintaining little contact. I can imagine him working in a flower shop now, but still enjoying music very passionately, looking for new bands and stuff, which leads him to being a fan of the upcoming success group, “ghost city”. he's also a longtime friend with shi qingxuan, who's an actress. one day she invites him to go to a show of that band he likes, because her work-colleague, who happens to be a member of it, gave her two tickets, and xie lian gladly accepts.

now thinking about the connection between xie lian and hua cheng. in his best days as a musician, xie lian could have founded a project to bring musical education to children and teenagers in need. that’s how he met hua cheng, a shy teenager wearing an eyepatch, who was very interested in his lessons and showed great potential, gaining his teacher's affection. 

xie lian had many students, as well as volunteers helping with the project, so it would be hard for him to recognise someone after all these years, especially when the person in question has changed so much. however, hua cheng never forgot the man who got him into music, gave him his first guitar and has been his inspiration since then. so it's a big surprise to him when,  after a show, xie lian and shi qingxuan meet the band in the back stages due to he xuan’s invitation.

xie lian also gets very surprised when the enchanting leader of the band shows to recognize him from his years as a classical musician, something that hasn't happened in quite a while, demonstrating also great knowledge about music in general. he doesn’t say anything about their past, but they get along well together since the beginning, to a point in which hua cheng insists that xie lian should open an exception for them and help them produce their next album. although being honored by the idea, the former musician asks for some time to think about it, they exchange numbers and decide to keep in touch no matter the decision. anyway, after some reluctance due to past traumas, shi qingxuan excitedly encourages him, and he decides to accept the offer. so he starts working with them almost daily, while keeping working in the flower shop half shift.

(another detail i think might be funny is that qi rong also auditioned to be part of “ghost city” at some point, but was rejected. since then, he has been working as a metal singer, and he consideres himself a rival to the band, although they never really cared about his attacks - and his music isn't even that good.)

[ardenrabbit]

Heyyy! Just wanted to say I adore your fics! They literally keep me going some days and I've reread so many chapters so many times.

Was wondering if you could give us a hint like a teaser of what's coming up or about when the next chapter is up?

Please don't take this as a demand or anything I don't wanna pressure you, you and your happiness and health come first!

It could be in a year from now and I'll still wait for it <3 ILY TY FOR DOIN GODS WORK <3

Aaaah thank you so much!!! 💜🥺💜 I'm so happy you're enjoying them and that I can add something to your day! Tbh writing keeps me going too 💕

I'm clawing my way out of some writer's block and still rereading some stuff to get context and clarification on some things, but progress is being made! I can never guarantee when I'm going to update but I hope to get something posted within the next couple weeks. I promise I look forward to updating as much as you do 😭 Having multiple projects is helping keep me invested in them too lol, it keeps things fresh c:

Thank you for asking in such a kind way! I sincerely enjoy the engagement! Lemme see what I can share uhhhh...

ALaSR: Next chapter is gonna be Hua Cheng POV! Their POVs are gonna be alternating every chapter for the remainder of the fic. This recovery isn't Xie Lian's alone 💕 We're also gonna get some Mean Hua Cheng coming up and I'm very excited lol. Honestly I think alasr!XL hasn't really had exposure to the fact that, yeah, HC is a calamity and uses his power how he wants and also doesn't like everyone that XL likes. I crave conflict and I finally get to write itttttt 💖💖💖

TWoF: This whole fic is gonna be solely HC POV. Next chapter is gonna pose a lot more questions than answers, cause it's only chapter 3, but it'll give a lot more context about the life that this au's HC is living. (Honestly, I'm enjoying that this HC has such a chip on his shoulder lol, speculating on how his personality and worldview would be if he hadn't met Xie Lian early on.) This fic is...not gonna have the kind of fluff alasr has lol. But it will end happy!!

I also have an MDZS fic that I posted one chapter of and then dropped on hiatus 😬 Really wanting to get back to that one soon but the amount of research I realized I'd need to do to write it in a way that satisfies me is sort of paralyzing 😅 I either have to do yet more reading or lower my writing standards, so, I'm reading lmao. But TGCF is as long as it is, so it's taking a while to finish rereading it, and THEN I can read this collection of material on the entire history of China I've gathered. Sadly, despite best efforts, I'm an extremely slow reader 😣

Thank you so much for the ask! I'm excited to keep working on these! 💜