#hua cheng’s love for XL is just 😭😭😭😭😭😭

[mossymage]

The Heart Starts Singing

“Hua Cheng’s instrument sang, sang as a freezing gale would sing off the face of a frozen lake: sharp and clean like a knife, tenacious in the way that only nature could be. He wielded the violin and bow as though they were extensions of his pale hands—��

***

If you haven’t been reading along to @mild-pepper-spray ‘s fic “The Heart Starts Singing” YOU NEED TO FIX THIS!!

She just posted the masterpiece which was the final chapter, and it was so incredibly moving!

If you like Hualian modern AUs that wind music, grief, and falling in love together, I really can’t recommend this fic enough! Also— Hua Cheng playing the violin… obviously an enticing enough concept to inspire this entire drawing hahaha.

[accio-victuuri]

if you don’t know how to go on living, then live for me. 🦋

[rhiangalaxy]

Ah yes a normal youth who is totally not the Ghost King Crimson Rain <3 (ft. a bonus under the cut)

[ID: A TGCF Drawing. Hua Cheng, in his San Lang form, looks towards the viewer, holding a broom in both hands. He smiles whilst saying "Gege!" He is dressed in primarily red robes with butterfly motifs. End ID]

[ID: A TGCF Doodle. All characters drawn in chibi style. Xie Lian stands in the middle of Fu Yao and Nan Feng, with a large smile and his eyes closed. He says "San Lang!" with sparkles around the name and his hands clasped together. To the right is Fu Yao looking towards the viewer with a questioning disgusted/concerned look. To the left is Nan Feng who is looking towards the viewer, presumably San Lang, with a concerned/angry look. End ID]

[apenapaperandadoofus]

IM CRYING I was rereading this part and I had totally forgotten just how much HC tries his best in the second flashback, im finding out just how many things I’d forgotten that he did in lil fire ball form (in my defense I finished the whole series in three days after the day before finishing SVSS so I had NOT slept lmao)

It makes so much sense why he later makes it one of his goals to be extremely powerful, imagine the trauma he must’ve gotten from this!

And the fact at this point he was like 15/17 and he was a ghost flame, a GHOST FLAME!! Trying to HIT BWX for hurting XL!!! Oh my god my child no 😭😭😭 HC makes me cry and raise my standards for love once again

[straykats]

been laughing about this for the last idk how long

[mikaela-the-slut-expert]

Can you do a one shot where male reader feels like hc and xl don’t really need him and starts distancing himself from them. He thinks they are perfect for each other and that he is a nuisance ruining the relationship between them. He takes comfort to a friend who has liked the male reader for a really long time. Hc and xl see this and get jealous. Wondering if the reader doesn’t like them anymore and feels sad. Seeing the reader looking happy in the comfort of someone else.

Creating Space

Hua Cheng x M!reader x Xie Lian

Ugh I love angst so much. It hurts so good 😭

Ignore grammar mistakes

Slight OOC

____________________________________

Some people may say being in the presence of the two strongest and revered people creates a lot of pressure. It's never been a problem for you. You've always enjoyed being in the presence of your two lovers. Xie Lian, a powerful and elegant martial god. While His Cheng is a powerful and suave ghost.

You love them very much.

But you lied, it is kind of pressuring. There's nothing wrong with your lovers of course! It's just that they're so strong and popular on their own. You aren't a very powerful god and you aren't a very powerful ghost. People don't know you. Most times your name is "That's the crown prince's lover, or that's crimson rain's lover"

You could live with this, it's not like you had a desire to be seen by the world. People just tend to forget about you. A lot of people don't like you exist so most of the time they accidentally exclude you from your own relationship. It just seems like an impossible place to reach. What could you do to seem important as well?

Xie Lian and Hua Cheng say you do plenty of important things by loving and taking care of them but it doesn't feel like that. You don't really do anything for them either. Neither of them needs protecting. They can protect themselves and each other just fine, and they go out of their way to protect you too.

Xie Lian is kind and keeps you and Hua Cheng calm. Assuring the both of you, and making sure everyone feels loved. The level headed of the three of you. Hua Cheng is very protective, and goes out his way to do things out of devotion or love. You can't do anything to compete.

Your relationship doesn't go as deep with them either. Hua Cheng and Xie Lian are just so wrapped up in each other it doesn't seem like there's room for three. They're already perfect by themselves and it doesn't look like they need you at all. You don't have a clue on why they even love you.

You've tried to make yourself more outgoing in the relationship? Trying to help them on missions or, help them with daily activities. You've tried taking over household chores like cleaning or cooking and yet it seems fruitless.

They always tell you that it isn't necessary. Someone else will take care of it. Hua Cheng has other people clean the manor, and Xie Lian would gladly cook by himself. They obviously don't need your help in missions, you'd probably just get in the way more than help.

You don't have a very outgoing presence in bed either. Very often Hua Cheng and Xie Lian do everything for you. Sometimes you try to give them pleasure instead. It doesn't matter if it's something little or big, your lovers shake their heads and say that it's a silly thought. You don't need to do anything they'll do it for you. Your lovers give you pleasure, they give each other pleasure. You want to give them pleasure too though.

These thoughts have been at the back of your mind for a while. That Xie Lian and Hua Cheng don't need you. These thoughts make you a little more clingy, a little more desperate. They haven't changed how they act towards you though. You just don't want to feel useless.

🦊🪷

"A-Lian please, let me tag along. All three of us can go on the mission together. Like uh, like a date or something!" You follow Xie Lian around the kitchen, trying to persuade him into changing his mind. It isn't working, it never does.

"A-n, me and San Lang can do it. We won't be long, promise. Just stay here" Xie Lian smiles at you and kisses your head. But you don't want to take this for an answer. You want to help! With something. Anything! It feels awful to just sit around while your lovers do every little thing for you.

You huff softly, watching your lovers get ready without you. "A-Lang you don't agree do you? Please tell A-Lian to let me tag along. I'll make sure not to get in the way!" You try persuading your ghost lover instead, gripping onto his arm to make him look at you.

You already feel humiliated. Begging like a child to join your lovers in something even though you're a grown man. San Lang shakes his head, " Getting in the way isn't our concern baobei. Gege is right we'll take care of it and be back home soon." He kisses your cheek.

You're left in Paradise Manor alone while your lovers leave off somewhere. You should be happy, you feel selfish actually. Anyone would be happy that their lovers do everything for them. Anyone would be happy to be taken care of all the time for the rest of their lives. You just can't...

Soooo you decide instead of sitting at home why not just follow your lovers out! It's not like you would be harming anything, maybe they'd even be delighted to see you. It's a better idea than sitting here doing nothing.

That's exactly what you do, you follow your lovers. With quite a bit of distance and making sure to be careful. You eventually find them, of course not in a good situation. They're busy fighting off wrathful ghosts and you make sure to stay far back. You don't want them to get hurt or anything so you'll just wait over here until they're finished.

That doesn't go well either. One of the ghosts notices you. It strays from the fight without notice from Xie Lian or Hua Cheng. Instead it comes for you, it's not like you're weak! You yelp from the surprise attack from the ghost, but otherwise you easily slay it down. All you were left with was a few deep scratches on your face. Whoo, It nearly got your eye!

You're feeling pretty proud of yourself until a pair of hands are gripping your face, and you notice Hua Cheng looking over your wounds. Even though you have some deep scratches you're smiling anyways. You just killed a ghost! A wrathful one at that!

Before you can exclaim your celebrations Xie Lian is dabbing medicine on your wounds with a furrowed brow. "What are you doing here y/n! We told you to stay home!"

Your smile falls, as your lovers both frown at you. You don't understand you did great! It was only a wound, everyone gets wounds sometimes! "I-I wanted to help" the word mumble from your lips, and Xie Lian finishes dressing your wound.

"How did that fair for you? We were doing just fine without you y/n, but now you're hurt" Xie Lian exclaims, flushed by nervousness and frustration. He had only wanted to keep you safe. He didn't mean to say it like that. It was a slip of the tongue. He hadn't meant it in hostility but you take it as such anyways.

"You two do seem just fine without me" you purse your lips, and back up. You're just upset, obviously Xie Lian would never mean such a thing but right now you can't help but take it as such. You've been suffering with these thoughts for weeks!

You quickly use what powers you do have to make a quick pathway and teleport away. Running away? Classic move but it feels better than sitting in front of your lovers disappointed faces. You just need time to get your feelings together so you decide to visit a friend's place.

You and Mu Qing know each other pretty well and you're great friends! Even though Mu Qing won't admit that. He's actually loved you for a while but you love Xie Lian and Hua Cheng and Mu Qing would never break up your happiness. He's been working on moving on so of course you can still come over and complain to him.

This time you just lie in his arms for a while. You spent some time just getting your thoughts together and stop crying. Then you tell Mu Qing what happened. He calls Hua Cheng stupid and says Xie Lian is oblivious with an eye roll. Mu Qing is actually good at advice and comforting you.

On the other end your lovers are very upset with themselves. Hua Cheng wanted to immediately come find you but Xie Lian told him it was better to give you space. They know you inside and out and Xie Lian knows you need time to get your emotions in order.

After a few hours Hua Cheng decides time is up though and breaks into the heavens again. Just because. Does it count as breaking in if Xie Lian let him in? Nah. They know where you are, unfortunately. They know you're with Mu Qing. Hua Cheng doesn't like that one bit. He's very capable of jumping to the conclusion that Mu Qing is trying to manipulate you while you're vulnerable but Xie Lian assures him otherwise.

Xie Lian makes Hua Cheng wait outside of Mu Qing's palace. Things would only blow off the hinges if Hua Cheng and Mu Qing fought. Xie Lian goes in by himself. He eventually finds you, not like it was hard. He isn't too happy to find you in Mu Qing's arms. Happy and comfortable. He hasn't seen a smile like that on your face in a long time.

Xie Lian ignores the lingering prickles of jealousy and walks into Mu Qing's room without invitation or notice. "A-n t's getting late, let's go home? Please?" He's relieved when you take his hand. Honestly it's nerve-racking. He hadn't meant to say such a harsh thing and then you went to someone else who is obviously much more capable at making you happier than they are.

Xie Lian and you join up with Hua Cheng again. You spend most of the journey back staring at the ground. You're ashamed, you feel like you overreacted. You were being dumb. Maybe they're angry at you and yet all three of you still hold hands. And yet when you get back to Paradise Manor, you all get ready for bed. And yet Xie Lian helps you disrobe and Hua Cheng checks your wounds before you lie down. And yet all three of you end up in the same bed, entangled in each other's limbs. Just like every night.

You all talk about it, words mumbling quietly in the dark room. It's a long conversation of "I'm sorry" and "I love you". You want to talk about your feelings more. Xie Lian and Hua Cheng want to make sure you don't feel left out or they're being distinct. The night ends with kisses and cuddles.

So maybe nothing was really ever wrong, and it would all turn out just fine. Because they've always loved you and you always loved them. Something like this isn't a big enough obstacle to take you away from them.

[ivoryratdoggerythethird]

can the heavens be an actual character in tgcf because holy shit it's gotta be in love with xie lian too 😭😭 i'm talking e-ming style

like "darling of the heavens" is RIGHT what the fuck did he even ascend for the third time??

spoilers ahead! but i love how for everyone else it's like suitably dramatic and fitting and like, obviously no one was really ready to ascend but it felt like a good time like the music swelled and the lighting dimmed and then boom here's your eternal reward noble hero

like yushi huang? striking and tragic but strangely beautiful end, a selfless sacrifice that touches hearts and had her gently lifted by the heavens to honor her unmatched bravery and grace. pei ming? a decorated general, living the fast life, wars won single-handedly and with the loyal aid of the shining blade he went on to shatter with his own hands.

even shi qingxuan, despite everything - the playful and graceful, haughtily noble action of a beautiful young lord, acknowledged but the heavens.

xie lian? the first one was pretty dramatic i'll admit, but in hindsight that was just xie lian being xie lian and his "body in abyss, heart in paradise"

like in reality my boy was just on his live laugh love journey his teacher sent him on EXPLICITLY tho avoid this exact scenario and xl went and casually ended up at the exact bridge where that exact ghost was and thought it'd be a simple normal-ghost job. it was not. his epic words doomed the rest of the narrative, what a fucking mess, mnq must have been tearing his hair out and crying blood

like even hua cheng went up with a bang and dropped back down like a girlboss but my man xie lian's second one was him in the throes of depression and trauma, and the third one was.

what was it even? how did he even do it, he was literally just collecting trash, my guy is such a babey and good boy the heavens just keep pulling him back up like "awww shucks, forget the war crimes, look at that little face!!!!"

like no wonder junwu never got over him this bitch kept popping up into his face every other tuesday by doing nothing

[user-needs-new-hyperfixation]

TGCF Season 2 Episode 4 thoughts:

Hua Cheng and Xie Lian are so endearing with their flirty little games. Somehow they encompass both the easy comfort of an old friendship and the butterfly-flustering of a new crush and I love it. (Also lmao at Lang Ying just...there while they flirt.)

Wind Master is so tall and buff and I just love how Gender he continues to be? He looks so good. Also she is the kinda girl to immediately get rid of her bra upon entering the house, relatable king.

ALASKAN BULL WORM

"your San Lang"

OKAY SO I HAVE NEVER BEEN MUCH OF A BEEFLEAF SHIPPER BUT I MIGHT BE NOW. I was NOT expecting Buff Shi Qingxuan dressed like a dancing girl carrying pouty bottom pillow princess Ming Yi. I've always interpreted Ming Yi as having broody top energy like Lan Wangji. For some reason that little bit where he's sulkily turning his heaad back and forth while Shi Qingxuan teases him just completely rewrote how I interpret the whole damn ship lmao

No lap fall. 😭 So so sad. 😭 But there's blood on Xie Lian's sleeve in the preview so we're still getting Eming accidentally hitting XL and crying about it and HC and XL being all apologetic to each other, hopefully.

[bbreadloveclub]

🧧天官赐福，百无禁忌🐉🎐🎋

坦白说，第一次看的时候，真没注意细节。我还是边做别的事情，边看这部戏的。明明知道自己的中文程度不怎么样，我还是不专心地看个不用现代中文说的动画。真服了自己。

At first, I really thought that this anime really did not deserve the hype it got, but I guess I was just completely unaware of what was going on in the anime at all. After watching it the second time, I was in awe of 1.) The graphics 2.) The beauty of the ending. I really love the relationship build up in the whole of season 1. Season 2 was literally Hua Cheng trying to grab Xie Lian’s attention 24/7. like gege here, gege there, gege let me help you, gege eat this … i love them so much!!

things that got me (╯°□°）╯

The fact that Xie Lian literally said the same phrase as the one he said to San Lang (the one that goes something along the lines of 如果不知为谁而活，那就为我活下去吧) 800 years later, without knowing that the guy he is talking to right now is the same person he saved 800 years ago, still gets me screamingg.

when Xie Lian jumps into the hole to save San Lang, and the concern in his face

hc giving xl the whole armoury😭😭😭

AHHHHHHHHH ANY XL x HC INTERACTION WILL ALWAYS SEND ME GIGGLING AND KICKING MY FEET.

📃fanart column!!🤎📔

creds: @crimson-chains @hxllo-hui @seagreenlaurin @zeldacw @sonialiao @yingfernart

[absolutesilly]

Another fun question to answer when you’re in the mood, what trope does FengQing fit in? A lot of people like to say rival to lovers but the thing is… these two can’t stand each other 😭 I feel like the fandom keeps forgetting these two seriously don’t like each other before the XL and MQ reconciliation (YES I SAID MQ AND XL ONLY, I just don’t think the f-f-friends part is directed to fx lol) For example, you know matchablossom from sk8infinity, those two bicker a lot but they’re genuinely best friends since young. Fengqing is nothing like that of the sort ☠️☠️☠️

fx has stated he doesn’t like mq because he’s a moody overthinker and looks down on him lol. And mq doesn’t like fx because he feels attacked by him all the time and his unwavering blind loyalty to royals. Anyways, they’ve said awful mean things to each other throughout the story and to see the fandom go “OMG HES SO MEAN TO HIM! Why would you ship them????!” “THEY HATE EACH OTHER”

like…. Duh? That’s the appeal 🙄 hear me out, hence why I believe they’re “almost” the perfect example of enemies to lovers lol.

hi hi!!! this is SUCH a good question!! these two are a bit hard to place! i’ve often called them rivals to lovers, but they definitely have more animosity than your usual rivals to lovers ship! (especially matchablossom, who as you mentioned are best friends despite their bickering… i think any similarities between the two ships are mostly aesthetic lmao, they’re verrrrrry different when it comes down to it)

there’s definitely a rivalry between them—as we see with the competition between them and their followers every year in the lantern battle—but most normal rivals can meet in public without trying to physically attack each other lmao. i think many people are too quick to gloss over the fact that they REALLY do have a LOT of genuine bad blood for most of their history! they’re not just in competition with each other, they hate each other!

i think that my own hesitancy to call them outright enemies to lovers is the fact that in spite of all this animosity, they are generally fighting on the same side of things! working under prince xie lian, serving as the two gods of the south, and joining forces to try to protect xl after his third ascension—they’re ALWAYS forced to team up! i generally associate true “enemies to lovers” with being on opposite sides of some big conflict.

in addition to working together, it’s clear that they don’t view each other as their “greatest enemy”—ie. they easily join forces when they believe there is a bigger or more pressing threat. hua cheng is the greatest example of this; it’s clear their distaste for him far outweighs their dislike for each other.

a lot of this may come down to my own personal definition of “enemy.” but i think what really makes me pause is the fact that it’s obvious neither of them has ever actually wanted the other one dead! whether they’d like to admit it or not, they cannot live without each other. we repeatedly see them save (or at least try to save) each other from danger, and in spite of all the hatred between them, they ran the south together for 800 years without either one ever genuinely trying to get rid of the other. (contrast this with yin yu and quan yizhen, who were tasked with running the west together… that didn’t work out!)

rivals to lovers doesn’t feel quite like an apt description to me, but neither does enemies to lovers. the more i think about it, the more i want to make up a category of my own, which is:

coworkers (derogatory) to lovers!

the enmity that can exist between two coworkers is something that is so sacred. sometimes you work with people who you really fucking hate! but my god. you work with them anyway, because you have to. and sometimes you accidentally work REALLY well together, in spite of everything. and sometimes, you get a new, even worse coworker that makes you realize the coworker you thought you hated actually isn’t so bad. maybe you like them. maybe you even love them.

[c-h-e-r-r-i-e-s]

WHAT THE FUCK?!?!

How come no one told me Heaven officials blessing was this intense 🫠 I’m violently sobbing!!! They’re in love you guys and they’re in that cave and Xie Lian just confessed. I’m fucking sick over them. They’re so beautiful and perfect and meant for each other and actually insane and

Oh my god Hua Cheng is so special to Xie Lian since he’s from his actual kingdom and had so many run ins with each other. They’re so beautiful and absolutely fucking creepy. I want this level of devotion.

Bro “don’t you want to know what I think?”

“Not really”

800 years of pining and this man said nah bestie let me live in delusion for a little bit longer. Instead XL made this man’s dreams come true. Just imagine how full his heart is 😭 oh my god it’s literally suffocating how much they’re in love.

Oh im never gonna recover

[pichirobi]

I'm dropping by to say that I am so in love with your xie lian and hua cheng designs! I'm fairly certain I originally followed you for your yuri on ice art, but I've fallen a bit back into mxtx's world recently and I've been obsessed with seeing one version of hualian that doesn't necessarily adhere to the book's standard of beauty. I've been showing your art to my partner and been unable to prevent myself from talking to her about the designs and why I like them. they're just so cool. I think once upon a time, mxtx said that xl and hc work so well together because they are both eccentric in one way to the extreme, and to me somehow that is especially conveyed in your versions of them. anyway! thank you for your art! *: ･ﾟ

yuri on ice is my absolute biggest comfort show so i am alwaysss happy to take fan art requests 🫶 but i can't get enough of hualian either haha!!! i'm so grateful you like their designs because i have so much fun drawing them! 🥺🥺

i have complete respect for the source material and at the same time don't find it very interesting to draw all of tgcf's characters with the same body types and skin tones 😅 i feel like the donghua has a similar issue where the protagonists are largely drawn pale and thin. personally i think it's a missed opportunity to tell a visual story with character design; although xie lian is canonically pale and dainty, i wanted to see what kind of visual cues give off certain traits! for example, i draw xl with eyebags for what i think are obvious reasons LOL.

it warms my heart so much that you share my art with your partner 😭💗 thank you for the ask!!!

[hualianisms]

hello ^^

3, 7, 19 and 23 for the writers ask meme!

hope you're having a great day!!

hi! thank you for the ask and you're so sweet, i hope you have a great day(technically night) too!

3. Do you write fics from start or finish, or jump around?

definitely jump around, i have adhd 😭 having to write everything exactly in order can often give me a bad writer's block,, what about you, which do you do? :0

7. Which part of writing do you struggle with most?

answered this before in a previous writing ask game! basically i want to say "everything" but if i had to pick one then plot 😭

19. Who is the easiest/hardest character for you to write about? Why?

hardest: of the top of my head - li lianhua (mlc) bc he's so complex and wears personas/facades, kim dokja (orv) bc he's so complex and layered (and more reasons but if i say any more its major spoilers for those who havent finished the webnovel) 😭😭, qi yan from jwqs also bc qi yan is very complex and layered

easiest: feng xin (bc he's just so fun to write!! my fav himbo who has some of the funniest lines!! i love writing endless swearing and humour in his pov 😭), han sooyoung from orv (im not sure why maybe bc she's an aries queen and in some ways she's so straightforward and unadulterated and i love her brash anger), and ive not had a chance to write fang duobing's pov yet but i feel like he'd be easy for me to write bc i love writing enfps, writing them comes very easily to me<3

23. If you had to remix one of your own fics, which would it be and how would you remix it?

im not sure what exactly defines "remix" but if this counts, i want to rewrite my hualian fake dating au AKSJDBSHD i want to set in older than college age, outside of the college setting, and fix some of the messiness and make the scenes and timelines more cohesive 😭😭 (but that's more just editing than remixing aksjdb)

also, if i ever get the time to, id definitely want to do a remix(?) or other version of my fic of hua cheng's pov of canon scenes, bc with the new scenes and changes to the revised i want to update my fic too. with the new scenes but also with different hua cheng intentions bc the revised implies that hua cheng had intended to court xl from the start and i would like to change my interpretation in my already written fic too ksksndb

i also think it would be fun to remix any of my fenglian fics with different ways for the fenglian friend breakup or fenglian reconciliation to go bc there's really so many ways!

(i know the ask said one but i can never pick just 1 of anything HAKSJDHD)

thank you for the ask and i hope you have a wonderful night <3

(send questions from the behind the scenes of fic writing ask game)

[hualianff]

Baking Boyfriends

Modern AU with neighbors HuaLian, HC who just moved into his new personal apartment for when he stays in Shanghai. The one and only neighbor who gives him a warm welcome rings his doorbell with a plate full of mismatched cookies.

HC thought it was a joke at first. After all, if XL already knew him as Hua Cheng, then he should also know that HC is a renowned baker acknowledged on a global scale. Except, there seems to be nothing but genuine warmth behind XL’s eyes as he holds his cookies out for HC to take.

“I’m a bit new to baking, so I apologize in advance if the cookies aren’t to your liking,” XL sheepishly says. “But I welcome you here nonetheless, and hope you enjoy it here.”

HC stares at the other man in mild disbelief. Xie Lian tilts his head, smile fading the slightest. And oh no, HC can’t have that-

HC accepts the plate of cookies with a hum. 

“Thank you, I really appreciate it..?”

“Xie Lian,” XL says while pointing to himself, his vibrant smile with crinkled eyes on full display. HC nods. He repeats the gesture, returning an intrigued grin.

“San Lang.”

***

HC may travel for different meetings and events, gone for a week or two, and every time he comes back, XL is ready with baked goods to welcome him back!

It’s months of exchanging baked treats 🥺 and small talk 🥺 and pining 🥺

With each time XL brings over more pastries, HC continues falling for him so hard. HC likes XL’s baked goods, not that he’s biased or anything…

While HC enjoys giving XL baking tips that work wonders, he loves spending time with XL even more. 🥺

XL: “San Lang, I made sure to get my batter in the fridge as soon as I finished mixing. And you were right! The mixture had a better consistency! Thank you!!!”

HC: “go little rockstar”

It’s not difficult for XL to discern that HC is quite well educated in baking. One day when HC gives XL a personal demonstration on how to most effectively caramelize sugar, XL brings up, “San Lang knows so much about this! How come you never told me?”

While effortlessly stirring around the finished caramel, HC shrugs. “Meh, I know a little more than Gege, that’s all. When I share all I know, Gege will be as good as me.”

HC looks over to witness the stars light up in XL’s eyes. His heart beats a little quicker.

***

HC is one of those bakers who rarely eats what he bakes. But now he has even more reason to bake because XL will happily eat all of the treats. 🥺

XL: “nom nom it looks like San Lang is fattening me up for Christmas nom nom”

XL bringing the baked goods to work. Aka Organic chemistry professor, Xie Lian. He had initially started baking because it’s really similar to being in a lab. Heck, baking IS chemistry! XL is a nerd.

Once, when HX enters HC’s apartment, he spots some colorful muffins on HC’s counter. It’s XL’s new muffin recipe he’s trying out.

HX: “Wait, what are those?”

HC: “Unavailable.”

HX: “bitch”

***

HuaLian eventually baking together 😭😭😭

HC 😳 kneading 😳 dough 😳

(We love a king who can knead dough cause we know that king can knead ass)

XL pausing measuring the dry ingredients: 🥵

XL: “San Lang’s technique is…really impressive”

HC, thinking that sounds funny but otherwise nonchalant: “It just takes a lot of practice, Gege.”

XL: “How experienced of you…”

XL thinks it’s 100x hotter because HC is clearly in his element and gets a lil’ bossy, kinda makes XL want to call HC “gege” instead-

XL gasping as HC cracks two eggs, one in each hand. XL, scooting forward to place his chin on HC’s shoulder: “please teach me”

XL unintentionally becomes HC’s first and last true pupil. 

XL is also a notably messy baker. HuaLian baking in HC’s kitchen…

XL’s hand slipping as a cup of flour flies out: “whoops”

HC: “Gege, let me clean-“

XL, trying to scrape the fallen flour back into the cup: [focused]

HC: “-it up-“

XL: “aha success!”

***

DURING MONTH THREE, HC INVITES XL OVER FOR DINNER BECAUSE “Since Gege always bakes for me, it’s only fitting that I repay him with a nice home-cooked meal.”

HC: “Gege, I remember you saying you missed the bao zi you used to make with your mother. So I made some from scratch: these have pork, those ones have chicken. There’s steamed vegetables, rice, and soup too. I hope gege enjoys his meal.”

XL: [flabbergasted]

HC placing food onto XL’s plate, serving XL himself-

XL: “Oh my gosh, San Lang, this must have taken you such a long time. I can’t thank you enough.”

HC: “Gege doesn’t need to thank me. Just eat.” 😌

XL: [melting on the inside]

While making languid conversation between bites, the topic of dating comes up. Really, XL didn’t have any motives behind the question: “Does San Lang have anyone special in his life?”

HC raises an eyebrow, he finishes chewing before swallowing thoughtfully. XL wills himself not to stare at the way HC’s adams apple bobs with the movement.  

“By special, Gege means…?”

XL shifts in his seat. Isn’t it obvious what he’s asking?

“As in…a girlfriend?” XL quickly rushes out. HC’s face remains passive. XL hastily tacks on, “O-or a boyfriend?”

HC places his chopsticks to the side. He takes a long gulp from his glass of wine before questioning, “Oh, is Gege offering?”

“Not if San Lang already has someone- ahhh, why are you teasing me? I was only asking because, well, surely someone as talented and- and charming as you would have…an important person,” XL speaks without thinking. He gestures to the full-course meal only half-finished between them. “All of this, it’s…I’m really flattered, is all. That you went so far to make this dinner- everything is delicious.” 

Uh oh, XL has lost his mind.

“Gege,” HC says in that smooth voice of his. He visually leans forward, placing one elbow on the table and reaching out for XL to meet him halfway. Tentatively, XL reaches out his right hand, which is gently grasped by HC’s larger one. 

HC’s face softens as he says, “I cooked everything tonight because I wanted to, because you deserve it. With gege’s intrinsic skill at baking anything and everything, would the same logic not suggest he has a special someone as well?”

XL can’t stop the bubbling laughter of disbelief that escapes his lips. 

“Me?” XL points to himself with his other hand, shaking his head. “No, of course not, haha! I doubt anyone would entertain the prospect of involving themselves with silly old me, baked goods or not.”

Something troubled flits across HC’s face, but it disappears not even a second later, replaced by a serenely composed expression. 

“No one would interest themselves in me either. We make quite a pair, don’t you think?” HC says, lips twitching upwards. He’s looking directly at XL, food forgotten on the table. It feels like the room is caving in on XL, pinned under such an intensive gaze. HC’s left eye gleams brighter than his right. It accentuates the flicker of scarlet dancing around his pupil.

XL clears his throat, vaguely aware that their hands are still intertwined. 

“We do indeed.”

*“The Feels” by Twice starts playing*

HC: “Anyways, let’s make this dinner a regular occurrence. Fridays work well for you, no?”

XL: 🥺🥺

***

XL’s friends definitely notice how chipper he’s been lately…

Who breaks it to XL that his neighbor is Hua Cheng, international super baker, all along? Let MQ be the insensitive fucker.

XL: “Yeah, my neighbor’s name is actually Hua Cheng, but I call him San Lang” 😇

FX: [loading]

MQ: “that absolute fucker”

XL: ??

FX: [still loading] “Hua … Cheng-“

MQ: “Xie Lian, Hua Cheng is arguably one of the most highly regarded bakers in the world. What do you mean he’s the neighbor you’ve been telling us about for the past half year?”

XL: “what”

FX: “oh shit, Hua Cheng-!”

MQ: “He’s been lying to you this WHOLE TIME-“

XL: “he must’ve had a reason!”

MQ: “FENGXIN CALL THE POLICE”

FX: “CALL IT YOURSELF DOUCHE”

XL: “NO ONE IS CALLING THE POLICE”

XL: “wait, if San Lang is a professional baker…”

FX: 

MQ:

XL: “AHHH IVE BEEN GIFTING HIM MY MEDIOCRE BAKED GOODS FOR THE PAST SIX MONTHS”

XL: “tell me what I should do next so I don’t further HUMILIATE myself in front of San Lang”

MQ: “just stop talking to him”

XL: “no!”

FX: “purposefully bake terrible pastries and give them to him, see how he reacts-“

XL: “NO!”

Later…

SQX: “KISS HIM!”

XL: “N- I mean, m-maybe”

***

Cookies

One of XL’s baking mistakes

Noooo because XL will knock upon HC’s door and speak in pout saying “I tried out this new set of cookie cutters but the lighthouse one-“ XL nervously looks to the side. “-didn’t turn out quite right.” :(

HC: “what does Gege mean?”

XL: “I mean the shape is…hmm, well, wonky.”

HC, crossing his arms in thought: “well, the cookie part must still be good, right? Perhaps I can take a look and guess what they are?”

XL: …

XL: “u-uh, after I get done with classes, San Lang is more than welcome to come over and … assess.”

HC upon first seeing the cookies XL reveals: “what the fuc”

HC, thinking: “is gege sending some messed up innuendos to seduce me with terrible cookies? … cause it’s working”

HC thinking: “has Gege seen my noods?”

HC, who has seen more atrocious cookies in his life but can’t help but burst out laughing. Cackling!

XL: “S-San Lang, don’t laugh- it’ll disturb my cookies’ energy!” 😣

HC, after catching his breath, unaware of XL’s intrigued eyes because he’s never seen HC laugh so freely before: “Gege, these cookies are most definitely salvageable, practically perfect besides…”

XL: “grrr”

HC, reaching over to squeeze XL’s shoulder: “come on, let’s decorate them. Do you have supplies?”

XL, perking up: “yes I do!” 🥰

All kinds of sprinkles, chocolate and caramel sauce, marshmallows, gummy bears-

HC, in his head: “gummy bears on cookies?? innovative”

HC quickly (and skillfully) whips up multi-colored icing, placing them into homemade pipes. He also brings over his fancy-designed metal tips.

XL, forgetting all about the unfortunately shaped cookies: [happy]

HuaLian have a blast decorating! XL goes for intricate designs with swirls and dollops while HC attempts to create a simplistic gourmet cookie.

At least, as gourmet as dick-shaped cookies can be. 

But when they’ve finished adding icing and toppings to every single cookie, XL catches HC off guard—once again—by shoving a whole cookie into his mouth, cheeks bulging out to accommodate the cookie-

“San Lang was right,” XL mumbles, licking the tips of his fingers. “The cookies taste yummy!”

HC: [soulless] “y-yeah”

***

Maybe YSH is a friend of HC’s in the career field and gave him the NUDGE to do something with XL for New Year’s 🥰

HC invites XL out to one of the big festivals happening during New Year’s eve! There’s various dance and singing performances to see, lots of fresh food from local restaurants, and engaging activities including banner paintings!

For the banners, XL writes in perfect calligraphy while HC’s looks like a child’s handwriting 😭 HC ends up drawing an impressive dragon after writing doesn’t go too well because it's the year of the dragon! They go ice skating too. Both of them are fumbling a bit but they skate side-by-side to stay upright. 🥺

And because HuaLian are old, they head back home around 10 at night. But neither of them wants the night to be over yet! 

They’re in the middle of a conversation about their college experiences. (XL recently found out about HC’s reputation as a baker) When they reach XL’s door, HC shuffles around as XL smiles softly.

“Well, this is me”, XL says slowly, tilting his head to the door. However, he doesn’t make a move to fetch his key from his pocket, nor does HC give him time to, really.

“Uh, if Gege is interested in some wine, he is more than welcome to…come over to my place,” HC suggests, tongue sitting heavy in his mouth. He holds his breath as XL’s eyes widen slightly, processing HC’s offer. 

“Please please please say yes,” HC hopes internally.

Luckily, XL doesn’t hesitate to nod his head, his long hair falling over his shoulder. HC returns a warm smile, leading XL to his room further down the hallway with a pep in his step.

HC has XL sit on his maroon plush couch, E’Ming claiming XL’s lap like the spoiled cat she is. Or the “wild beast,” as HC puts it. But if by the way she meows the loudest to get HC’s attention, climbing him like a tree if needed, it’s clear she trusts him the most. But when HC is away, XL is the one who takes care of her.

XL outwardly coos at E’Ming as HC brings over two glasses and a bottle of wine. E’Ming perks up with a small “mrrrp?” stretching up to snuff HC’s hand, then darting off toward the kitchen where her food bowl is filled with new treats.

“Are you comfortable, Gege? Hungry?” HC asks as he effortlessly pours each glass half-full. XL shakes his head, turning his body to face HC.

“Just a little cold,” XL replies. HC hums as he caps the wine bottle again.

“Let’s warm you up then,” HC says, going to light his fireplace.

HC walking back after lighting the fire to see XL has already downed his glass of wine. HC goes to pour XL some more when a hand holds his wrist, stopping him. 

“I-I should be good for now, thank you though,” XL says, a light pink dusting his cheeks. HC raises an eyebrow as he goes to take a seat next to the professor, taking a small sip from his own glass.

“Whatever Gege says,” HC murmurs. “Now, enough about me. What are gege’s resolutions for next year, hmm?”

They talk for a few hours or so, the conversation ebbing and flowing naturally. Both of them had stopped drinking after their first glass. The distance between them has dwindled to thighs touching thighs and a shoulder bumping into shoulder. Each time XL spoke, looking directly up to HC through his long lashes, HC couldn’t help but look away, the alcohol apparently not enough liquid courage to ask XL the question that could completely change their friendship. 

Thus, when fireworks go off in the distance, signaling the strike of midnight, XL looks down at his lap, slumping a little.

“I should,, probably head back. I wouldn’t want to overstay my welcome,” XL says quietly.

“Oh? I don’t mind at all,” HC says immediately. XL stares at him for a long minute, scanning every area of HC’s face, as if looking for something. “Is…something on my face?”

XL’s eyebrows furrow, but this is promptly replaced by a sheepish expression. “San Lang’s face is fine as it is. And- I think, it would be best that I go home anyway, lest I cause you trouble.”

HC chuckles at that. “As if Gege could cause me any trouble that’s not worth going through, hmm.”

XL’s eyes crinkle as he smiles one of those smiles that HC thinks about so often. HC’s fingers fumble with the cuffs of his shirt, mildly embarrassed by the words that just left his mouth.

HC abruptly gathers up the glasses. 

“Well, I’ll quickly put these in the sink and then walk you out.” 

As he swiftly walks to the kitchen, HC misses the way XL gazes hopefully at his back.

When XL sees that HC goes right from the kitchen to the entryway, XL’s heart plummets for a split second, but he pushes that down as he stands up and reaches for his coat on the couch arm.

“San Lang, thank you for such a lovely evening. I don’t know how to thank you e-enough,” XL says, stepping toward the taller man. HC looks down at XL with unconcealed tenderness in his eyes. 

“It was my pleasure, Gege. Thank you for saying yes.”

Before HC can blink, two arms wrap around his neck, and he’s pulled into a tight hug. XL squeezes snugly, HC presses him close in return.

“Thank you,” XL whispers once again. Their hug lasts around five more seconds before they pull back. HC doesn’t say anything, too tongue-tied with XL in his arms.

With a small wave and a bow of his head, XL slips out of HC’s apartment, out of sight with a deafening click.

A screechy meow echos from the kitchen. HC turns his head to find E’Ming perched on the counter like a statue, a seemingly disappointed look in her eyes.

“Don’t look at me like that, brat,” HC scolds. “And you know you’re not allowed on the counter. Down. Now.”

E’Ming meows once more, picking her paw before landing on the tiled floor, tail held high as she walks off, most likely towards the bedroom where she’ll claim a spot on HC’s pillow.

HC doesn’t know why he does it. It’s probably because there’s an itch inside telling him something was wrong, or at least something was missing.

But still, HC doesn’t exactly know why he’s calling HX, especially when after HC explains everything, he’s called a “massive idiot” along with a few other colorful names before being hung up on.

“What the fuck?” HC mutters to himself. 

A few seconds later, a text message notification appears.

“Bitch ass coward.”

“Fuck it,” HC spits out, shoving his phone in his pants pocket. Without a second thought, HC rushes out of his apartment, his feet taking him to the front of a certain professor’s door. HC knocks three times.

A minute later, the doorway opens to reveal XL clad in his pajamas—a thin night shirt and boxers—and his hair tied back in a low ponytail.

A confused but calm expression forms on XL’s face.

“San Lang?”

HC takes one step forward, placing his hands on XL’s shoulders as he towers over XL.

“Gege,” HC murmurs in a raspy voice, his tone deathly serious. XL’s lips slightly part as a large palm cups the nape of his neck.

“Please push me away if you don’t want this.”

When HC crashes their mouths together, XL flat-out moans against his lips. XL pulls at the collar of HC’s shirt to hold him even closer, prompting HC to snarl as he turns around to crowd XL against his now closed front door.

“Tell me you don’t want this-“ HC breathes brokenly as he slots a leg between XL’s legs. 

“No,” XL growls as he hooks a leg around HC’s hip. After all, the taller man is supporting most of their weight, XL can feel HC’s muscles straining through the fabric of his clothes. “I’ve waited long enough.”

“I want everything you have to give,” XL continues shakily. One of HC’s hands skims up his abdomen, thumbing at XL’s chest through his nightshirt. XL whimpers as HC’s slim fingers insistent toy with his right nipple. “So give it to me.”

HC presses one final kiss to XL’s bruised lips with enough force to thump the back of XL’s head—padded by HC’s other hand—against the door. HC stares down at the way XL’s cheeks are significantly more flushed than they were when XL had drank the wine.

The taller man exhales sharply through his nose as he trails a series of kisses down the side of XL’s neck. XL is very sensitive, HC notices. Having his neck and chest showered with affection causes XL to instinctually buck forward in search of friction.

HC’s hands find XL’s hips to firmly pin them back to the door. XL cries out in protest. He opens his eyes but doesn’t see HC, only feels HC’s breath as it ghosts against the shell of his ear.

“Be patient.”

***

And then cut to a year later, where HC is a judge on a baking show. And he tastes this selection of cookies for the round. At the end of the round, the placing results for the round are revealed. Likewise, the judges are to reveal their personal favorite flavors.

No one really expects the words “oatmeal but without raisins” to come out of HC’s mouth, and yet, no one is too surprised either. It’s a classic for some, that’s for sure.

When HC is asked why oatmeal is his favorite flavor, he thinks back to the first plate of cookies his boyfriend offered him on move-in day.

“They remind me of home.”

***

(Random thots with @no-one-says-hi)

[zestys-world]

Soooooo... Elaborate on the minions should follow HC thing?

Hehehe!! So glad you asked! The minions would adore Hua Cheng and he wouldn't let the opportunity go to waste. Now imagine: TGCF is already pretty bizzare at times. Add in the minions. Boom! Chaos.

They're tasked with finding Xie Lian and they make really bad posters. I'm imagining after the bridegroom debacle, a few minions are sent to keep tabs on him secretly (💀 they get found out immediately and invited to dinner by XL). Hua Cheng keeps trying to act suave but the minions keep innocently killing his vibe.

Also would the world learn to fear the minions? Absolutely. I bet some poor minion is tasked with chasing qi rong and just weakening his sanity even more. Yin Yu has a few under his command. He Xuan hates them (he's a liar).

Xie Lian finds them charming (the only one who does and will admit it willingly.) He's heard the stories about them but thinks they're just cute little guys. I like to imagine they can handle his cooking. Or maybe one or two can but the rest die on sight.

I like to think he meets them after he becomes a ghost king and they basically raise him. That's why his handwriting and manners suck. He's Gru.

I can probably come up with more but I'm gonna stop here rn. Don't wanna make this post too long 😭😭 (eyes rhe tgcf transmigration post). Hope this was to your liking! Ask any questions or say anything you'd like! I love discussions. ❤

[everybodylovesyuu]

why MXTX is my new most favourite author

So recently, I started watching The Untamed and then decided midway through that I want that bl so I tried to switch to the novel and that... was a whole fcking mess where now I have no clue what's canon and what's not cause I ended up finishing it by half watching through The Untamed, half through the manhua and half through the novel...

And then I decided to try Scum Villain (SVSSS) and then Heaven Official's Blessing (TGCF) as well because I enjoyed both MDZS and SVSSS. And 3 books later, I'm now writing a post just to express my love for MXTX's wonderful amazing writing. And just to scream into the void of all the reasons why I love her works.

1. Premises

Starting off, her ideas are just very unique and I absolutely love how hooking each of them are!! The world building, the plotting and the settings are insane in practically all of her novels and I'm just in awe of how consistently she keeps coming up with something fresh and interesting that will grab the interest of everyone who stumbles across it.

2. Genres

As somebody who likes to write myself, I consider comedy as the hardest genre to write. Followed by sexual/erotic scenes. And action too! MXTX somehow manages to do all of them so well and I just feel a lot of admiration for her as a writer for all the fun and the heartbreak that she puts into her stories.

3. Romance

MXTX's romance is just *chef's kiss*. There's no other word for it, it's just mind blowingly good. It never gets to the point of being "cheesy" or "cringey" or too forced. It always sounds natural, feels good and feels deep. There is a pattern to how she writes her main characters but I love it. I love that pattern. It's always the other MC (LBG, LWJ, HC) that falls first and falls deep while we see the story from the point of view of someone who falls without even knowing it (SY, WWX, XL). What that leaves behind is the constant thrum of anticipation, of knowing what their actions mean while the main MC is being dumb and frustrating lol. Her dialogues and scenes between them are always just 😵‍💫 [Eg. wangxian's first kiss?? hua cheng's 3000 lanterns??] There is so much love through actions and acts of service and it translates so well into what they have. She writes romance that is meant for the centuries.

4. Characters

MXTX's characters are just. so. good??? Like I'm not even talking about the main characters, it's always the side characters. Like she just has a way of writing such rounded fleshed-out characters with their own stories and own behaviours and own reasonings and you can't help but love them. Really, even the antagonists have so much in them that you can't help but feel for them, even if you hate what they have done. I love how her characterization for each of them is so distinct and clear and their conversations are always so so natural and real and I feel so in awe of the situations she builds up around them. Their problems are always something that can never be blamed onto a single person– they are deep and multi-faceted just like real life. The choices made by the characters are always right in their own terms and you can't even hate them for those choices because you understand the reasoning. That is how real life is and MXTX captures it so so well.

5. Side Stories

Also, what's with her side stories being so fcking angsty 😭 Like beefleaf (Shi Qingxuan and He Xuan) and Banyue in TGCF, XXC/SXC/Xue Yang in MDZS, Shen Jiu and Yue Qingyuan in SVSSS??? She does NOT hold back on the side characters and gives them so much depth that you just start caring for each and every one of them. You see them in a thousand different lights from their own monsters to the smiles they have on now. She writes her side characters like they are real people too and I absolutely love that. So much. That automatically made her one of my favourite authors ever.

Anyway, thank you for coming to my long rant for why I love MXTX and her writing so much lmao. I don't think anyone is interested but I had to get it out of my system. She's fcking amazing.