#shang qinghua needs more love and appreciation

[venshichan]

So I was bored, last night, and had an idea–what if I wrote some oneshots in Disney AU's, Scum Villain/SVSSS Edition? So here I am now, sharing this au that I made!

(If I ever get the motivation, I will make an actual collection of this AU in AO3, but for now, I'll leave it here.)

Story prompt: In which MoShang stars as the main characters of the Cinderella AU: Shang Qinghua as Cinderella and Mobei Jun as the Crown Prince, where everyone is human and mortal.

The Prince and the Ham–Airplane

(A Cinderella-Inspired MoShang AU)

Shang Qinghua had long since accepted his fate as the most overworked, underappreciated, and unwilling servant in the household of Prime Minister Shen. If he had known that getting adopted by a wealthy family after being orphaned young meant this, he might have chosen the streets instead.

At least the streets wouldn’t have come with his “brothers”, Shen Jiu and Shen Yuan! While there were probably more horrible things than said brothers, he'd really rather choose to be away from them than be ordered to slave around all day!

Ever since his dearest Mother died, this random noble–who turned out to be Prime Minister Shen Qingqiu–picked him up from the streets, asking if he wants to be his son, telling him the privileges he'd get to enjoy if he agrees.

Blinded by the tempting luxury and comforts that a beggar wouldn't be able to have access to, Shang Qinghua immediately agreed.

(Well, anyone would agree to such a thing, of course! It was understandable that he would fall for such an obvious scam! Being an author who got transmigrated in some weird Cinderella au of PIDW doesn't mean he'd immediately be able to support himself, yes, even if he did write stories again for a living! Paper was expensive, and so were writing materials! Even having them published was hard! He was barely scraping by with the funds that he got from a half assed novel that he sold!)

Shang Qinghua should have known that there was a catch–such a deal was too good to be true! And why did he fall for such an obvious trick?! He was fooled to work for the Shen family, where he toiled and laboured as the only servant in the big assed mansion! Of course he's upset!

Now, this would have been fine and all, really, he could smile through the pain and the suffering while keeping a pleasantly smiling outward appearance….but did he have to actually be related to the bastard Shen Qingqiu?! No, wait, technically, he's the one who's the bastard that his ‘father’ sired.

What was this messed up au?! Three Shens?! Shen Jiu and Shen Qingqiu are the one and the same in PIDW, but somehow, it was different here!

Stupid au. Stupid plot. Why the hell was he even given a second chance in life when it's all shitty?! It doesn't help that the man had went from a warm, tenderly smiling man who told him he was his father, to a cold, uncaring one with an unsettling gaze always trained towards him whenever he'd get a glimpes of his bastard of a father!

It was all a facade! The bastard was two faced! Horrible, horrible man!

….To be fair, Shen Jiu mostly ignored him even if his words can be sharp, and unless he needed tea, but Shen Yuan? That little menace loved to torment him. He had a real talent for making Shang Qinghua’s life miserable, mostly by stealing his work and presenting it as his own. He even had the gall to act like he was the poor, hardworking one.

Which was why, when the royal decree announced a grand ball for the Crown Prince’s betrothal selection, Shang Qinghua laughed so hard he nearly dropped the dishes.

(Again, he doesn't get why the Shen siblings keep seeking him out! Like, if they hated him so much for being the bastard that their ‘Father’ had sired, why do they keep dragging him everywhere and talking to him?! Couldn’t they just‐well, ignore his existence? That wasn't even hard! Not to mention, he has a lot of chores to do, and no time for distractions.

Hell, he even does Prime Minister Shen's paperwork when he DOESN’T even need to do it! Why was he even doing this?! It wasn’t his job! He already has to make sure they have their meals–mind you, he wasn’t even a cook–and clean their big assed, useless mansion, do the laundry, garden, sew, and all those thankless shit! Wasn’t he supposed to live in comfort and luxury? Then why, oh why, was he here and doing all this?! He was practically a fucking slave! He wants out! The only reason why he hasn't left, is because Prime Minister Shen promised to pay him his wages, and YET he had received NOTHING.)

“You? Attending a royal ball?” he wheezed, looking at Shen Yuan, who was vainly fanning himself “What are you gonna do, charm your way into the prince’s heart?”

“I don’t need to charm him,” Shen Yuan sniffed. “It’s practically a given that I’ll win.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m me.”

Shang Qinghua gagged.

Shen Jiu, snorting softly as he began flipping through a book, muttered, “You’re delusional.”

Shen Yuan let an indignant squawk.

_____________________

Shang Qinghua, of course, was NOT invited to the ball. He was expected to stay home and scrub the floors–already done–while his dear brothers attended in their finest robes.

But fate (or possibly some very determined 'elderly' matchmakers) had other plans.

Just as he was about to collapse into his sad little cot for the night, the back door of the estate swung open, revealing a group of unfamiliar old ladies—wait, no. Those were definitely Qi Qingqi and Liu Mingyan wearing grandma clothes!

Shang Qinghua quickly sat up, staring in disbelief.

What were they even doing here?!

“Who—? What—?”

“No time to explain,” the one in front said, dragging him out by the sleeve–obviously Qi Qingqi. “You’re going to the ball.”

“What? No! I don’t want to go to the ball! I'm tired! I want to rest! I just had a full day, and you guys are NOT about to ruin it!”

“Nonsense,” The disguised Liu Mingyan declared. “It’s your destiny.”

“My destiny is to not die of exhaustion before I’m thirty, thanks.”

He replied flatly, flopping back down his cot, and throwing his blanket over his head with a grumble.

But they ignored him; they yanked off his favourite blankie–"Hey! How dare you–rude!”–pushed him off the bed, before shoving him into the most beautiful, royal blue robe that felt more expensive than his entire existence and thrusting a pair of glass shoes into his hands.

Shang Qinghua paled as he looked at them, his hands trembling a little.

“Oh Heavens–this really is a Cinderella AU?! The fuck am I supposed to do?! And is this glass?!” He muttered in horror and anxiety.

The ‘old’ women ignored the first part of what he said: A-Hua had always been that way, saying such silly, and weird things.

“We don’t have any other shoes other than glass, A-Hua.”

“Why would I want to use glass shoes?! I'd break these before I even make it to the castle!” Shang Qinghua wailed. “I have normal ones!”

“A-Hua....no way in hell are you wearing those things you call shoes. Don't be silly! We don't approve of it!”

“I just wanted to stay at home,read my books, and write stories! No! Let me go! I don't wanna go to the ball! I just want to rest, dammit! The Shens will kill me if I go!”

The ladies did not dignify that with a response before hauling him into a carriage and sending him off to the palace.

_____________________

Prince Mobei Jun was bored.

The entire ballroom was filled with noblewomen (and some noblemen) desperately throwing themselves at him. And for what? His title? His wealth? His face?

Okay, fine, the face he could understand. He knew he was good looking, he wasn’t stupid–his mother kept telling him how good looking he was. But still.

He was just about to escape when someone stumbled–not even elegantly or gracefully–into the ballroom.

The entire hall turned silent for a few moments as all turned to watch the slightly –but artfully–disheveled, beautiful man stumbled inside, looking wildly out of place in the elegant ball with his jittery energy. He nearly faceplanted before catching himself on a passing noblewoman’s sleeve, who shrieked and flung him off.

‘Oh, what an adorable, pretty little thing….’

Mobei Jun stared.

Those were his signature colours. Blue and silver were his colour, everyone knew that, hence they would sometimes dress up in robes that were in his colours, just to catch his attention.

It never fit any of them, really.

And yet…here was this adorable creature, donning his colours,wearing the most beautiful robes that made him look unreal in an ethereal sense–and it just fits him well! As if…as if he was meant to wear his colours alone.

…As if he was meant to be Mobei Jun’s.

The thought made Mobei Jun shiver, his stare intensifying.

Shang Qinghua, still trying to figure out where exactly in the nine layers of hell he had ended up, looked up—and locked eyes with the prince.

“Oh,” he whimpered, shrinking into himself at the very tall, tall man. “Oh no.”

‘What an oddly adorable man….pretty….’ The prince couldn’t help but admire him as he found himself in front of the shorter man.

He ignored the gasps around him, his attention, fully focused on this fascinating man.

Mobei Jun, intrigued, strode forward. “Who are you?”

Shang Qinghua’s brain short-circuited. He could not–could not let Shen Yuan or Shen Jiu or worse–Shen Qingqiu, recognize him!

“I—” he blurted, “—am Airplane Shooting Towards the Sky.”

Shang Qinghua despaired–of course he was dumb enough to share his author name to the other! Dumb, dumb, dumb!

Mobei Jun frowned.

‘A strange name from an equally strange man. Why is it that long? Even nobles don't have such a long name. Even I don’t have a long name like that.’

“…Your name is Airplane?”

Shang Qinghua internally screamed. “Yes.”

Mobei Jun, for some reason, seemed even more interested in this odd man who seemed to remind him of his pet hamster in his childhood.

He was small, pretty, and adorable. Mobei Jun, for the first time in his life, found something he truly wanted. (That is, after all those years of being sad at the loss of his dearest Mother and his hamster. Those were his only dear ones, really.)

“Dance with me.” He all but demanded the nervous shorter man.

“What?! Me?! I can't dance!”

“Dance with me.”

“O-okay!”

Shang Qinghua didn’t have a single graceful bone in his body, but he wasn’t about to die in front of an entire royal court. So he let Mobei Jun pull him onto the dance floor, where he stepped on the prince’s foot exactly three times, wincing fearfully, as if expecting to be punished for it or scolded.

Mobei Jun didn’t let go.

This was bad. The prince was his type.

And because the prince was actually… kind of nice? Not to mention, kind and hot. And Shang Qinghua had never been the main character before, never been with a guy like this, never held hands like this.

He had never even been with a guy before, as he died a lonely, virgin man who never even got to experience dating someone, or even being loved or falling in love.

Instead, he wrote a story where his perfect man, his ideal man exists, which was in the story of PIDW– and in this weird Cinderalla AU, said man exists in it too!

Shang Qinghua could never believe his luck! And he gets to dance with him, even if he was horrible at it and even if he was a nervous ball of jittery mess.

But he knew, he could never be with this man. He was ugly, and he was just the hated bastard of the Shen family. He had no power–nothing to his name, nothing to offer other than his,say, intellect that paled in comparison with the Shens….there was no way the prince would look his way, so really, despite his pleasure at being able to get a closer look at this enchanting and beautiful man, it was an unreachable dream.

Just as he was pondering over this, he felt an intense gaze on him.

Then, across the ballroom, he saw Shen Jiu staring at him, eyes narrowing in suspicion, as was Shen Yuan–not in recognition yet, as they were likely trying to figure out who he is still.

“Shit.”

“What?��� Mobei Jun asked.

“I-I gotta go!”

“No.”

Mobei Jun tightened his grip on both the hand that he held, and his hand that rested on Airplane's waist as the other struggled to leave.

“I really must go! Sorry, not sorry, My King!”

And just like that, with a sudden burst of strength, Shang Qinghua bolted.

_____________________

Mobei Jun was irritated.

No one had ever run away from him before.

…Unless, well, you counted all those times that he chased people off his castle, nobles be damned–they were too annoying and all of them scheme too much.

He can practically smell their filthy plans from more than a mile away.

Let it be said that he was never the type of prince that women dreamed of. He was charming, but never friendly. He was polite, but never warm. He was always cold and politely stiff with everyone, and never trusted them.

Everyone is suspicious to him–unless they were Shen Jiu, the Prime Minister Shen's son–who was at least open about what he wants whenever he conducted a business with Mobei Jun, or whenever he wanted a deal made, even if he was sly and liked to scheme just to get what he wants.

(He was still under investigation, of course. Mobei Jun would be a fool to fully ignore a possible threat.)

The next morning, when his guards brought him a shoe they found on the steps, he barely spared it a glance before ordering them to search the entire kingdom.

They are to look for him, even if it takes a long time.

He wasn’t looking for a shoe’s owner.

He was looking for Airplane.

_____________________

Meanwhile, Shang Qinghua had just finished scrubbing the floor when the front doors slammed open.

A line of royal guards stepped in, led by none other than Crown Prince Mobei Jun himself.

Shang Qinghua choked:both from shock at seeing them and mild outrage at the fact that–

“I just cleaned the floors! Stop! Noo! Don't step in any further!”

He shrieked, but alas, he was ignored–and now his beautiful, newly cleaned floors, was now sullied by boot prints caked with dirt and mud. Shang Qinghua groaned, watching in despair as his hard work went to waste.

(It's been a month since he last saw the handsome prince–he was still infuriatingly good looking, it was unfair!)

Shen Jiu and Shen Yuan, perfectly dressed as always–they came down the second floor after hearing the commotion.

Shen Qingqiu, their bastard father, immediately stepped forward.

“Your Highness, the Crown Prince,” Shen Qingqiu said, smiling. “You’re looking for—”

Mobei Jun ignored him and walked right past him to get to a certain hamster, leaving him gobsmacked Prime Minister.

“Airplane.”

Shen Yuan felt his brows shot upwards at the name, as did Shen Jiu: both of them turned to look at Shang Qinghua.

Shang Qinghua, himself, swore his soul left his body.

“Ahahaha, never heard of him!” He nervously exclaimed, stepping back and away from the tall prince. His ‘father’ was quick to step in between them, from behind Shang Qinghua, smiling.

“As my son had said, there is no one matching the description. Perhaps you mistook the…pretty gentlemen that you met, for my son? It is understandable, my son has similar features as the gentleman from last night.”

Shang Qinghua sweated cold sweat as he felt Shen Yuan and Shen Jiu glaring at him, and he trembled in his shoes.

Mobei Jun raised an eyebrow. “You left your shoe.”

“That could be anyone’s shoe.”

Mobei Jun took one step forward, looming over him.

“Put it on.”

Shang Qinghua looked around for an escape. “Listen, do we have to—”

Mobei Jun bent down and, without a word, grabbed onto the current one that Shang Qinghua was wearing–who yelped in surprise at the action and the fact that the prince took it upon himself to do it–then threw the sorry excuse of a shoe over his shoulder, only to replace it with the glass one, and slid the shoe onto his foot.

The entire room went silent.

Shen Yuan gawked. Shen Jiu sighed and muttered, “Finally, some peace.”

While Shen Qingqiu made an outraged growl and some protests.

"Your Highness, that is impossible! He is not–he will not be–!"

"I decide what I will, or won't do. Who are you to order the Crown Prince around? Guards–seize the criminal."

"Your Highness?! What did I do?!" Shen Qingqiu wailed and protested.

"My dearest subjects, Shen Jiu and Shen Yuan have reported to me about your nefarious plans and lecherous motives towards your own son, Shang Qinghua. As well as the selling of your kingdom's national secrets to it's enemies–for that, you are to be executed tonight."

"Your Highness! It's all a lie! I was framed! Please!"

Mobei Jun ignored him as the now ex- Prime Minister was dragged kicking and screaming away from the Shen Manor.

Strangely enough, Shen Jiu had a glint of cold satisfaction in his eyes, and Shen Yuan looked relieved.

Mobei Jun straightened, turning to Shang Qinghua. “You’re coming with me.”

“Wait, wait, wait—”

But Mobei Jun had already picked him up, carrying him out of the mansion like a sack of rice.

Shang Qinghua, flailing, groaned. “This is not how it’s supposed to go!”

Mobei Jun hummed. “I disagree.”

“Put me down!”

“No.”

“Why are you even doing this?!”

Mobei Jun smirked. “I like you.”

Shang Qinghua stared at him.

Then, with all the dignity of a man who had just lost a battle he didn’t even know he was fighting, he groaned and let his head drop onto the prince’s shoulder.

“…Fine.”

Mobei Jun nodded, satisfied.

And just like that, they rode off into the sunset.

_____________________

Extra:

“You want me to what?”

Mobei Jun's eyebrows almost flew up to his hairline.

A snap of a fan against an open palm.

“Get rid of my Father. Clearly, he is suspicious; he is a slimy traitor, and must be apprehended.”

Shen Jiu calmly stated, walking around slowly in the meeting room.

“You would betray your Father? On what grounds? And pray tell, why would I willingly do such a thing?”

Mobei Jun, crossed his arms, leaning back against his plush chair as Shen Jiu circled back towards him.

“He has been sneaking around, leaking the secrets of the kingdom to its enemies. Surely, that should be enough,no? And if you wanted proof, then you have them resting before you on the table.”

“.....What is it that you seek to achieve by informing me of all these?”

“The deal will not be one-sided. You have been looking for a month, yet you still have not found your beloved mystery future consort. If you appoint me to be the Prime Minister by getting rid of my Father, I will get rid of all spies and enemies that you have– then I will tell you the identity of your beloved, as well as his location.”

Mobei Jun quickly stood up from his chair at that, slamming his palms on the table and sending papers flying. He glared at Shen Jiu, who evenly glared back at him, returning the challenge.

“Where.”

“Be at ease, Your Highness. I am not here to threaten you–”

“Stop dawdling and do not lie. Where is he?”

Snap!

"..."

Shen Jiu flicked his fan open with a loud snap, gazing at him with a calculating gaze, his sharp dark eyes searching him.

“....At the Shen Manor. Shang Qinghua...he is my half brother. Shen Yuan and I have worked hard for years to keep our lecherous Father's hands off of him, and any other slimy beings. If you plan to marry him, I demand that you will not hurt him. Shang Qinghua's mother had entrusted him to us, long before he met Father, and I will not betray her trust. A-Hua is…dense. He thinks we are bullying him, but we are, in fact, hiding him away from Father as much as we could. Father was…obsessed with A-Hua's mother, hence the reason he will act in the same way towards him. A-Yuan and I had to pretend that we're always bullying A-Hua, just to keep getting in Father's way. If….you plan to marry him, you must make sure my Father is executed before you wed A-Hua. He will attempt to ruin things if he is not executed.”

“....”

There was silence as Mobei Jun contemplated this. To be fair, he had thought that those rumours of the Shen Twins being terrible were true: he had never heard of Shang Qinghua, only that Prime Minister Shen Qingqiu had taken in a bastard that he had sired with a merchant's daughter after said daughter died, and did not pay attention to it anymore.

While it was normal for nobles to shun and bully any bastards that their fathers have, it was rumoured that the Shen Twins were even more cruel of their treatment towards the new addition to the family, so everyone somehow pitied the new sibling, even if he was a bastard.

…Now he knew, the Shen Twins were just being protective of their kin–even if said kin has only half of their blood–and were actually honourable. The two really were geniuses.

“...Very well. Your father will be arrested on the very same day I arrive at your doorstep, then executed in the evening.”

Shen Jiu grinned widely, fan lowered slightly.

“Excellent. A pleasure doing business with you, Your Highness, Crown Prince Mobei Jun~.”

Shen Jiu all but purred, pleased.

°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Should I do another version with the roles reverse? 🤔

[venshichan]

This is so delicious, I want more of this, no–I NEED someone to make this! I've seen SQH turn into TLJ's sister, older bro, parent or ancestor,but never as TLJ and I have to admit, it's a good idea! Please, someone MAKE this and tag me or something!

I have seen Shen Yaun as a number of NPCs - Ming Fan, Gongyi Xiao, Zhuzhi Lang. But I haven't really seen Sheng Qinghua as anyone other than SQH in Different Situations™. So I present to you:

Airplane as Tianlang Jun

Now tumblr, you might be asking: how? why? really?

Yes. I say let Daddy Airplane be the most daddy and also the most chaotic and most powerful and most likely to just fuck off and start again under a new penname -- as soon as he gets out from under this fucking mountain!!

Imagine dying and waking up trapped under a fucking mountain with only your deathly loyal soft snake nephew for comfort and a bright ass screen in your face saying "FIX THE PLOT BUT THIS SYSTEM WONT TELL YOU HOW (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･"

Depending on when he transmigrates in and how fast it takes for him to come up with a way for good snake son to help him escape there are so many timeline possibilities.

Does he fuck off on his own until the plot sneaks back up on him?

Does he seek out Luo Binghe to give him a cinderella arc vs a whump-revenge arc?

Does best most favorite boy MOBEI JUN become AIRPLANE'S right hand?? An emperor and his pretty knight??

These are the transmigration possibilities Airplane wanted lbh. Instead he got the baby route. Rough.

[bloopitynoot]

Reading SVSSS: Chapter 4

For those who don't know, I am reading SVSSS for the first time and sharing my thoughts!

If you have not read it, there will be spoilers! Consider this a warning.

Also- if you want to follow along, I am aiming to post updates daily. You can find all the posts in the tag bloopitynoot reads SVSSS. You can also check out the intro post for context on my read.

aaaaaaand i'm back for another chapter! Again at my desk with my reading buddy (Charlie) tea for this chapter is a soy matcha latte.

So, I thought the conference was a few days from when Shen Qingqiu/Shen Yuan was in the cave, but im assuming it's annual? Since he was in the caves for a year? p191

Ah JK. the top of the next page - the conference is every 4 years 192

I'm actually so stoked for this demon blood reveal. I want to know how its spun in this "version" of the story p 193

I love how confused shen yuan is, he's still over here thinking he's the villain when he has so clearly been upgraded to Love Interest/Damsel in Distress. IDK what to tell you pp193-194

Okay so now luo binghe is 17. Question though- do we ever actually get an age for Shen Qingqiu? p195

This kid is still here simping. Actually at this point I dont even know who is the simp. Luo Binghe is openly heart eyes and Qin Qingqiu isn't even aware of his own feelings but the way he describes future luo binghe is too much LOL. It is a trainwreck to read. p195

Binghe: *all flirt* Shen Qingqiu: shit. fuck. ah. I need to not fuck this plot point p196

LOL at Shen Qingqiu taking the carriage "I'm frail and indisposed" x3 twink energy p200

not the snacks too LOL p200

oh no! Luo Binghe thinking that Shen Qingqiu has any feelings at all for Liu Mingyan p201

But also then trying to make Shen Qingqiu jealous. Oh boy.

Let's take a second to appreciate how clear and concise the point system is for the conference. like this was well thought out- I love it. It's also giving a bit of hunger games spectator energy p205

This guy (Shen Yuan) already knows the outcome, and yet he's going to gamble (AND GAMBLE BIG) anyways p 208

I cannot with this group following Luo Binghe "my feet hurt :(" p215

why the foot fetish material 💀 217

RIP to the OG timeline's harem- the have been felled to the Demon Realm's Nu Yuan Chen p218

omg this is a massacre p220

awww at liu qingge not letting Shen Qingqiu join the fray. I feel like these two probably have a shit ton of fics pairing them p223

THE HEAD SPIDER WHAT pp226-227

Shen Qingqiu's entrance though!!!!!!!! p227

Shen Qingqiu is even getting the flower poison plot (points for my love interest/damsel in distress plotline) "Stop. Do not pass go. The girl you're supposed to pick the flower for, Qin Wanyue, is right next to us, watching- and you want to deflower it in her presence, and for a big, strong man to boot? Leave your wife some dignity, all right?!" p231

oooo now we get details on who the spy is. Enter Shang Qinghua p233

Shang Qinghhua deserves an Oscar for this performance 236

And more damsel shen qingqiu 242

the miscommunications! oh gosh why is this scene so painful. They're talking about two different things. pp247-248

Oh no. Shen Qingqiu/Shen Yuan is not okay :( p257

oh no oh no oh no -> heartbreak points?!?!?!? this is so sad p259

OMG WAIT WHAT AN END TO THIS CHAPTER. THE AUTHOR IS HERE TOO???????????? WHAT THE HECK!!!

RE: Who the spy is- A SPY WITHIN A SPY?

Thats all for today!

The twist really twisted me at the end there. AH. I can't wait to read more. Will they work together? will they be mortal enemies??? Will this be the author attempting to usurp Shen Yuan????? I DONT KNOW????

[symphonyofsilence]

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

Nie Huaisang would have been a big fan of Liu Mingiyan and Liu Mingyian would have appreciated NHS's collection of... educational books so she could write more exciting and diverse Smuts. Shang Qinghua would have found his way in and NHS & he would definitely get along very well. Shi Qingxuan & NHS would get along like a house on fire. (Though SQX would not get a word of what was said among NHS, LMY, & SQH he would enjoy the vibes & be happy to be there) And WWX naturally would belong to this group and bring JC with him. I don't know, maybe SQX, much like how happy he was to find a Ming-Xiong, and mess with General Nanyang would have been happy to meet Jiang Cheng, whether Jiang-Xiong felt the same or not? Or maybe not? Like... he apparently hadn't tried to make friends with Fengqing so maybe he wouldn't try to make friends with JC either (even if he did I think it wouldn't have been an especially deep relationship between them. It would be more like NHS's and JC's) WWX, SQX, and SQH would drag in LWJ, HX, & Mobei-Jun with them. Those three would absolutely say nothing and make no friends. Mobei-Jun (despite WWX and SQX's many attempts) and LWJ (despite SQX's many attempts) would stare in a dead inside way and He Xuan would eat. (Shen Qingqiu would have loved to join them but Liu Mingiyan would turn strangely quiet against NHS's questions when SQQ was around, so...)

I'd love to see Xue Yang, Qi Rong, and Sha Hualing interact! I believe They would get along very well. I'd love to see them take care of Guzi together, too! (Guzi would end up taking care of them.)

(Then Sha Hualing and Xuan Ji would inevitably cross paths and have a nice girl in-bathroom talk wherein Sha Hualing would try to knock some sense into Xuan Ji and tell her to know your worth, girl and it would result in Xuan Ji going you know what?! Maybe you're right maybe I SHOULD let go. To which Sha Hualing would answer WHAT?! NO WAY! KICK HIS A$$!!)

One lotus root pork soup from Jiang Yanli would work wonders for Shen Jiu (who needs an older sister). And I think JYL, since she apparently likes to surround herself with tsunderes would be fond of him, too. Shen Jiu might have crossed paths with fellow street rat A-Qing. The hissing cats would bond and form the deepest, and strongest frenemy relationship and stick together. Then Shen Jiu would inevitably end up meeting Xiao Xingchen. This group would fix him. Before breaking him even worse because of the whole...you know,... Yi City Arc. Then he'd be adopted by Yushi Huang or Baoshan Senren. Maybe Yushi Huang could promote A-Qing to godhood. their combination with Pei Su, Ban Yue, and Pei Ming could have been interesting.

Teenage Mu Qing-gege would also probably know A-Qing, Shen Jiu, and Yue Qinguuan. and occasionally give them food and keep an eye on them. This combo-minus YQY- might have also occasionally bitched about others with each other. (So the god adopting Shen Jiu and promoting A-Qing to godhood could be MQ, too)

Jiang Yanli would flourish if she could join Yushi Huang and have a peaceful positive maternal figure who cherished her talents and calm demeanor. JYL, Ban Yue, and Pei Xu would have helped each other. she would also enjoy interacting with SQX, and Xie Lian. and SQX would like her very much. She might have also had a soft spot for Mu Qing and looked out for him and what he didn't say.

Wei Wuxian and Hua Cheng would get into passive-aggressive rivalry in talent, sass, fashion, batshit theories and ideals, and sass. they would greatly enjoy their rivalry though. Maybe through Hua Cheng, WWX would meet He Xuan, too, and enjoy annoying him. He might form a very forced, very one-sided friendship with He Xuan, Which after a while of WWX imposing himself on him, HX might or might not come to miss in WWX's absence.

Ling Wen and Jin Guangyao would have a pleasant talk over tea about how incompetent everyone else is and how they have to do everything around here. Then slowly, they'd be joined by Yin Yu, Zhuzhi-lang, and Shang Qinghua. And then This talk would then turn into a union.

Wen Qing and Mu Qing would meet each other while healing others and they'd start to be mean judgemental bitches together. They have kind hearts. They save everyone's lives, but they also shoot death glares at everyone & bitch about everyone while doing it.

Wen Qing might have also befriended Ling Wen. She might have been recruited by Qi Qinqi.

Lan Xichen, Yue Qingyuan, Yushi Huang, and Xie Lian could drink tea together and have a pleasant conversation without an actual word that would lead to any personal knowledge about them being exchanged. Though any two combinations of this group could have a vague and not very revealing but definitely insightful conversation with each other.

I know Liu Qingge, Jiang Cheng, and Mu Qing are a popular combo of hissing cats. But these 3 could stay together in one room for centuries and do not utter a word to each other or make any other attempt at human connection. Xie Lian though, a certified bitch- specialist might want to befriend Jiang Cheng, Shen Jiu, and Liu Qingge.

Literally anyone could befriend Shen Qingqiu (Shen Yuan, obviously) . Especially the cloud recesses trio, especially Jiang Cheng. Jin Zixuan would have benefitted greatly from befriending SQQ. (Or maybe not. Who knows.)

Xie Lian and Xiao Xingchen would have a very pleasant short chat. A-qing and Xue Yang would also love the other Daozhang. This would result in A-Qing wanting to protect the Daozhang from mean strangers and Xue Yang wanting to torment Daozhang as a sign of his gratitude for his exemplary manners towards Xue Yang. Luckily XL wouldn't stick around this long.

The Juniors would look up to Liu Qingge and would love to be his disciples. (Especially JL who feels life LQG kinda has a similar attitude to his Jiujiu and reminds him of his jiujiu) they would get into- hopefully- friendly rivalries with Shen Qingqiu's disciples, especially Ning Yingying and Ming Fan. In time those two would join the Junior group as well.

Jin Ling would follow Feng Xin around because AN ARCHERY GOD! And since the juniors stick together, so would the three others. And since Fengqing are always together, the two southern gods would acquire a band of ducklings.

Qi Qingqi would immediately recruit Mianmian. Pei Ming would try to hit on Qi Qingqi and immediately realize his mistake. They'd eventually befriend each other and Qi Qingqi would gain a place among The Three Tumors. That would lead to Qi Qingqi meeting Ban Yue and recruiting her, too.

After Ling Wen recruited Jin Guangyao as a god to help her do paperwork, JGY would find a solid place for himself in The Three Tumors, too.

(Mostly SVSSS/TGCF interactions:

Tianlang-Jun, with his interest in polyamorous dramas, would follow 3Zun dramas intensely. Pei Ming would get curious about what he's observing like a soap opera and join him in watching that trashfire. they'd have a great time eating popcorn and doing commentaries together, and then Tianlang-Jun would pull an uno-reverse on Pei Ming by giving him advice on how to court Yushi Huang.

Jian Lan has big maternal instincts, and Luo Binghe is above all, a baby. So Jian Lan would become LBH's new ghost mama and Shen Qingqiu would get along splendidly with his new ghost mother-in-law.)

[greenflamedwriter]

Kiss her not ME! PART ONE

[Shen Yuan | Gongyi Xiao. Safe for work/ Mentions of sleeping around but no actual written smut. ] So SY transmigrates as Gongyi Xiao, and in trying to save himself from his cedric diggory fate ends up not only gaining the attention of the protagonist himself he also accidently has a harem unaware that each man he meets he gains their loyalty! Snakes follow him, a rogue cultivator in the woods who he always night hunts with and even has fun, he gained the scum villains attention with both of their appreciation over fans and then the little rat Shang Qinghua.

Given that Luo Binghe also has a harem along with love trysts with Mobei-Jun. It seems as if everyones sleeping together but Gongyi Xiao is oblivious to the whole thing. He's just trying to survive and wait until his plant mushroom body is ripe!

Gongyi Xiao had a simple small story, a footnote who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time admist Luo Binghe's Blackening.

Gongyi Xiao is handsome, talented and a head disciple promised to the little palace mistress. A rival to the protagonist but thats not all, his humilating defeat dignity in tatters before he dies off screen. Not only is his death pathetic, oh no before the events leading up to that Gongyi Xiao would be cuckholed forced to watch his ex fiance drape herself over Binghe and have his manhood figurativly crushed like all stallion novels forced to watch Luo Binghe take whatever maiden he likes while the men have to watch in jealous rage.

Gongyi Xiao originally challenged Luo Binghe and mysteriously died after on a night hunt, with his title of head disciple taken, losing the respect of not only the Palace mistress but the Old palace master as well his death was seen as a good riddance.

From a respected shining diamond of the Huan hua palace now tossed into the trash as he was reduced to fools gold. Gongyi Xiao was a cannon fodder rival with a doomed ending....

....

So when Shen Yuan woke up in the body of Gongyi Xiao one year after the immortal alliance he realised he only had less than four years to prepare for Luo Binghes arrival. And He'd be damned if he ends up following in the orginal goods footsteps!

Hell no!

Leave me alone, Mistress!

Get the f*ck away from ME, you two face diciples who will stab this one in the back as soon as someone better and more handsome comes along!

And what the hell is up with the palace master!? Why does he give Gongyi Xiao a bad vibe? He tried to reason it away but his gut instinct was making him feel off balanced.

Gongyi Xiao began to distance himself, training harder to become stronger.

Once Luo Binghe gets here and snatches away the title of Head Disciple Gongyi Xiao will leave. And to survive in the world of PIDW he needs to be stronger. Cannon fodders always die but if he becomes a rouge cultivator along with the knowledge of PIDW he could potentially survive anything if he stays out of Binghes way!

By using the resources and training harder, most disciples shrugged and thought that Gongyi Xiao was taking his duties too seriously. Meanwhile Xiao Gongzhu is getting increasingly infuriated that her fiance is withdrawing and it gets worse when Gongyi Xiao reveals that he has second thoughts on the marriage that he doesnt feel good enough or worthy enough.

Instead of making her bad off, it made her think he was having doubts, she took his hands and spoke that he was worthy and once he's the new palace master they will marry and run the sect together!

This was NOT going the way he wanted.

So he ended up conceiving and spoke "The man who is strong enough to claim title to being the Palace Master of Huan hua sect will be worthy of being Xiao Gongzhu's husband." When saying this he was thinking of Binghe, while the mistress felt placated.

Thankfully that agreement will be void when Binghe arrives Gongyi Xiao hummed to himself.

His plan to run away was only one of many plans, his back-up plan was to hopefully get stronger and maybe endear himself to Binghe. If he was useful and not a dead weight soldier he could maybe be someone trusted to be Binghes confident, like Mobei-Jun who is his right hand man, Gongyi Xiao can be his left! He could help at Huan hua while Mobei-Jun deals with his demon palace.

But if that doesnt work his back-up back-up plan is a plant body he planted immedietly, it was growing well and was easy to maintain the irregation system he set up by applying a tailsman he didnt have to be there with the body to infuse it with Qi steadly!

Then there was his correspondence with the other sects, in honesty he only wanted blackmail from Shen Qingqiu. If he delieved that guy on a silver platter he might have the golden ticket to freedom!

But instead he found troubling letters about Tianglang-jun, he found himself researching and when he found that history strangely blank he began to ask questions.

If all the sects were called to lock up this demon, then where were the evidence or signs of Tianglang-Jun preparing to fight?

The old Palace master blew the whistle but why? What reason made him do it? He then had a letter giving the details of Luo Binghes mother Su Xiyan and that Luo Binghe looked so much like her at the Immortal alliance conference.

Gongyi Xiao bit his lip, it was...strange. How she died was he assisting the demons- but then how was Luo Binghe born and...where did she go?

The worst part he was starting to get strange letters from Sects trying to...poach him from Huan hua. They said his talents were wasted and he would do more good in the other sects, even Yue Qingyuan wrote a letter asking to meet up with the future head disciple to see if he were looking for any positions.

This was strange...and an OBVIOUS DEATH FLAG!

Gongyi groaned hiding all the letters and wondering if he should just burn them- then again, running away to a different Sect he could potentially save one by allying with Luo Binghe.

Running away seemed better, but with no safety nets. If he went to a sect that had stability it would be an even more crushing defeat.

He'd had to wait until Luo Binghe arrived.

Worse part he was still empty handed, other than him lotering around brothels nothing. Cang Qiong Mountain was quiet about Liu Qingges death and it would be stupid to throw around accusations.

As Gongyi Xiao was practicing sword forms, ignoring the diciples watching him. The boys sneering and the girls giggling, Gongyi Xiao almost fumbled when a dangerous thought almost shattered his concentration.

He only reached out to the two sects on information from Shen Qingqiu, close friends he made from the alliance who would never tell a soul...

So two out of the four sects...who told Cang Qiong mountain- and was Yue Qingyuans letter really a strange invitation- when in reality it was a threat.

If he could [and it wouldn't be OC] he would smash his skull against a wall not only does he have Binghe to contend with he may as well have told Cang Qiong mountain to look out for him too!

As he worked tirelessly getting stronger, going on night hunts, sharpening his knoloedge he lost track of time.

He never really knew when Luo Binghe would arrive.

Or the night.

So on this on perticular night, avoiding the mistress, and the Master who seemed to be watching him even more carefully Gongyi Xiao practically leapt to his feet when the wards around the Huan hua Palace was activated and volunteered to investiage!

He needed out of this palace- and its not like anything bad can happen to him yet, he needed to meet Binghe and get cuckholed- so he was safe till then!

So as Gongyi Xiao went into the forest at night using a [orb thingy I forgot the name leave me alone or please tell me and I'll change this to the xianxias equivilant of a torch >,<]

He felt the demonic presence before he saw it, drawing his sword and extinguishing his light, Gongyi Xiao came across a clearing in the woods where the moon breached the space with its light. Like a spotlight on the stage, Gongyi Xiao gaped to see a man slumped against a tree, shadowed in dark robes and the red could be his clothes also or blood.

Gongyi Xiao almost dropped his sword, Luo Binghe!?

It had to be him- what other handsome demon would appear this close to Huan hua Palace!?

[boy if only he knew about Tianglang-jun]

Gongyi Xiao took a step forward then stiffened as the demonic presence vanished, like your ears popped and there was a sudden silence.

It felt more foreboding...

"Hello? Excuse me, young master?" He spoke softly, as if he was approaching a wounded animal instead and also- what the hell?

The Palace mistress- or when of the Huan hua sisters should be here! Where was a little sister to patch up the protagonists wounds and give him that tender care and warmth especially after his ordeal from the abyss.

Expecting danger, Binghe would be flighty.

Gongyi Xiao put away his sword and approached slowly raising his hands up.

"Are you injured? Do you need help?"

Since he was not a maiden, he was almost afraid Luo Binghe may be mad or have a possible Qi Deviation if he would attack Gongyi it seemed likely.

The other shifted, red eyes peeking out through black hair, Gongyi rested on one knee but approached no further.

"Luo Binghe-Shixiong?" He asked in shock, or pretend shock. Which of course had the other perk, finally taking in the golden disciple before him and the forest he was in. A huge contrast to the abyss.

"You..." his voice sounded rough from disuse Luo binghe swallowed "You know this one?"

Oh thank goodness a maiden wasn't here, she would've been distracted by such a tenous voice.

"Yes, uh- This one is Gongyi Xiao, Disciple of Huan Hua Palace. Both of us participated at the immortal alliance conference five years ago."

He gave him time to digest that as he saw the others face change going through a range of emotions before settling on nuetral.

He had no idea who the perfomance was for, there was no anger or ill intent there. Luo Binghe only looked lost, then slumped like his strings were cut. Anyone would be moved.

Gongyi had to give him an oscar.

Luo Binghe grunted, clutching his chest and Gongyi Xiao almost panicked then remembered no sudden moves.

Gongyi activated his emergency flare, "Don't worry, The Huan hua palace master should come for help soon," He spoke urgently as he hovered but stayed in Binghes line of sight.

"Can this one check Luo Binghes meridians?"

Luo Binghe nodded eyes shutting tight, Gongyi Xiao took his wrist and felt the termulous qi and went into another panic.

If Luo Binghe was exposed as a demon here, the Huan hua would shoot first ask questions later! Goddammit maybe a maiden DID stumble upon Luo Binghe and triggered a qi deviation that would then lead into some dub-con papapa!?

But dual cultivation wasn't on the cards since there were no little sisters around!

Gongyi Xiao began to push his own Qi against the others, hoping that he could help clear Binghes meridians the best he could.

In time he felt the other relax, his meridians beggining to soothe and Gongyi Xiao gave sigh of relief.

And just like that the cavalry appeared taking Luo Binghe into the Huan hua Palace. The beggining of Luo Binghes arc and the end to Gongyi Xiaos peace.

________________________________________________

Y'know what? Gongyi Xiao would get upset, but he was too busy marveling at the story parralells! Airplane was really holding out on him!

Of course Luo Binghe was introduced, all domineering and a force to be reckoned with. What would you expect from the protagonist? Gongyi Xiao found himself buckling under the pressure of extra duties, he struggled while Luo Binghe flourished and after a spar for the whole Huan hua palace to see along with Gongyi Xiaos humiliating defeat. Luo Binghe found himself as the new head disciple easily.

And Gongyi Xiao was ridiculed, beaten by the other Huan hua disciples who probably felt pent up about their own inadequicies and felt it justified to take it out on Gongyi. Then if that weren't enough, he found his position being pushed down further into the dirt.

Chores only younger and outer disciples were then delegated to him. He found himself in the kitchens working with the staff, doing laundry, and other menial work. Most forgot who he was and spoke to him with no respect before 'remembering'

Which is all fine and dandy, if Gongyi Xiao wasn't already doing it. Even the staff he worked with had to look at him bemused. Gongyi Xiao once he transmigrated knew he was going to get booted out. And if he was going to be a rogue cultivator he would have to learn how to cook and do meanial chores.

Although, laundry was on his to-do list. That was the one thing he kept putting off.

He was tired, battered and bruised from the rough housing of his martial siblings, his hands ached from chopping wood, heavy lifting of moving parcels and packages that the Huan Hua needed for some dumb reason as well as helping out in the kitchen.

His first excuse to weasel his way in was if he was going to be the Palace Master he needed to know the inns and outs, after seeing how hard working he was gained the respect of many. Which now they had to grimace realisng that their dreams of a more accomidating Palace Master went up in smoke with the arrival of Binghe.

Still, even with how quick the Palace mistress and master were Gongyi Xiao had to wrap and take care of his injuries himself.

And when he decieded to tackle laundry, even grimacing at the dirty clothes of Huan hua he had to bemoan why they used white and yellow- why not follow Binghes example and wear all black?

Of course when his hands touched the water along with the powder used to clean their clothes Gongyi Xiao immidietly yelped feeling as if he poured salt into tiny wounds in his hands. The heavy labour previously along with this made him grimace in pain, now that he was expecting it though he tried again to get through the first batch of clothes as quickly as possible.

He felt the hair rise on the back of his neck and turned to find a shadow in the doorway.

"You make it so easy," Luo Binghe spoke, his eyes devoid and looking down on Gongyi Xiao, both literally and figurtively. "To let others step all over you."

Gongyi Xiao couldn't help but press his lips together, you'd think for someone who was in this position himself Luo Binghe would be more sympathetic?

But alas, Luo Binghe saw himself in Gongyi Xiao, even the way he brightened with a smile.

"This one is afraid to misunderstand Luo Binghes meaning, this one wanted to help the burden we place on our staff and has learned so many things." He smiled, but inside he really wanted Luo Binghe to grow bored and walk away.

Instead Luo Binghe glanced at his hands, that were red and trembling slightly from the unused labour. A sneer graced his handsome features as he turned in a clear dismissal.

"Pathetic."

...Gongyi Xiao had no idea what he was expecting, to see his favourite protagonist and to be dismissed like that, he hadn't even done anything- but of course he was a man a rival to Luo Binghe!

And yet...it still hurt.

Looking back on the past couple weeks building up to this, Gongyi Xiao stood straighter in his formation with the other disciples as they were doing drills together.

Of course!

Being bullied, facing grueling labour it was a parralell to Luo Binghes white lotus arc! And what next- Luo Binghe found himself falling to the same pattern as Shen Qingqiu that abuse leads to abuse?

Gongyi Xiao thought this was far fetched and yet, everything was leading up to it. He found himself cornered by Luo Binghe along with his followers.

"The Palace Mistress was looking for you, Shidi." Luo Binghe spoke, and Gongyi Xiao tensed, no way! She had no interest when he started to distance himself years prior why now?

"Thats cruel to ignore a buetiful lady, Shidi. No respect at all." He saw the others perk up and came to the conclusion.

Was the Palace Mistress like Ning Yingying? An excuse to beat up the sad underdog character?

And Luo Binghe found himself playing the same role as Ming Fan.

Maybe he thought it was normal, watching how the golden robe disciples would beat up on of their own, like hyenas respecting the strong and eating the weak.

Inside, Gongyi Xiao was miserable, running away and staying alert whenever Binghe or even his followers would find him and trying his hardest to keep busy with more work to avoid them. And when that failed he went to the library to cram as many books as he could soon he'll lose access to this sect and their knowledge might as well bulk up!

But it all came to a head, when Gongyi Xiao requested more missions. The more field work he can do alone, the easier he can get away from this sect!

Which of course, the Old Palace Master denied, claiming some cock and bullshit story about his daughter needing a body guard.

Look- if Gongyi Xiao witnessed Binghe and the mistress messing around he's dead! Game over! With only local missions in the town near the sect, Gongyi Xiao felt depressed. Faking his death seemed to be the only option at this point.

"There you are!"

kill me. He thought before plastering a smile on his face.

palace mistress comes in, asks why hes avoding her- says he's not. She asks if hes upset about the position, he says he's relieved. That truthfully, he's never saw himself as a palace master. That he really wanted to work on his beastiary, he shows her some pages and tells her that thanks to Binghe he has all this free time and wants more missions to study these beasts but the old palace master said no because she needs bodyguarding.

She asks why

"Luo Binghe- he's the new head disciple and you seem to like him. He can take care of you."

"Thats not- but you promised! Why does it feel as if your giving up!"

"This one said the man who was stronger and more worthy to be Palace master should marry Xiao Gongzhu." He spoke softly "This one never thought it would be him. You like him too, wouldn't it be easier if I wasnt in the way?"

She didn't look happy, if anything she looked more annoyed.

"You've always wanted to run away. Now your using Luo Binghe as an excuse."

huh?

"You've never spoken to me for years you've avoided all of our martial siblings they kept saying you thought you were better than them. That you think your so good because you train and study. But I knew that wasn't true. Now that Luo Binghe is here you have more free time and yet I see even less of you! Do you hate Huan Hua that badly, you look down on us don't you!" She yelled close to tears, Gongyi Xiao flinched he had no clue where this was coming from.

But the truth was...he did look down on Huan hua, how could he not? In the books he always thought the sect was useless using their money to pay for talent and even then it meant nothing when they couldn't back it up.

If Huan hua weren't rich they would be the laughing stock of the sects! And Gongyi Xiao wanted to do better, he had a small hope that if he was good enough he could be a soldier for Luo Binghe like Mobei Jun he could be secure and safe and do whatever the heck he wanted. But it was scary if he was too competent Luo Binghe may kill him.

"This one became Head Disciple because there was no one better." He spoke placing his hands on his knees "But with Luo Binghe here, this one knows when he's beat, working hard means nothing compared to pure talent and Luo Binghe is someone this disciple trusts to be the new head of the Huan Hua Palance." He glanced at the mistress pressing her lips together.

"My whole plan was to take over as that was my duty but this one never wanted it. If anyone better came along this one would gladly step aside...this one figured Huan Hua was still my home even if that were the case."

"It IS your home Gongyi! You dont have to- to, pull away from us!"

He gave her a dry look "How can this one not feel unwanted with the way the other Martial siblings treat this one? You have also spent more time with Luo-Shixiong than this one so this disciple thought it'd better to give you space," He looked away with a grin "Give Luo-Shixiong the talk once he proposes."

"Now see here Gongy- wait propose?"

"Has he not proposed yet? tsk, this Shixiong of mine." Gongyi Xiao leered at the Mistress and she slapped his arm.

"Gongyi!"

He laughed and felt something inside his chest unravel as she laughed too.

"Your not going to leave?" Gongyi glanced at her in surprise "No- not unless you want me to go."

She nodded placing her head on his shoulder and Gongyi Xiao tensed then forced himself to relax.

"Gongyi Xiao never this one that way, has he?" She asked and Gongyi pressed his lips together.

"This one is sorry."

"Don't be, you can't force peoples feelings. We're childhood friends young love never usually works out."

For Luo Binghe it does, he thought then banished it from his mind after. "You need to show those martial siblings whose boss, just because Luo Binghe beat you doesn't mean you let everyone walk all over you. Show them you were head disciple for a reason." He shook his head "That'll just make them worse."

"Your a Huan hua disciple, you need to stick up for yourself."

"This one will...try."

______________________________________________________

Luo Binghe and Gongyi Xiao talk and Binghe still looks down on him before helping him with the luandry and calling Gongyi privaleged for taking such things for granted and probably had a taste of what working class go through and has the nerve to be upset? With others less fortunate and then acts happy to abandon all respobsibilites?

Gongyi feels ashamed, not just as himself but as Shen Yuan.

But working side by side with Luo Binghe both of their hands plunging into hot water, Gongyi Xiao spoke "This is why this one started doing this. I'm aware of how lucky this one is and wanted to help around the Huan Hua Palace whenever I could. And if this one went on more missions would have to learn how to be independent." He glanced at Luo Binghe and smiled "Binghe is so good at this, I wonder if there is anything he can't do."

Binghe was quiet for a moment so Gongyi Xiao went back to work wringing out the fabric to place in the basket to then put on the line, sure he could use drying tailsmans but he noticed a difference after a while as if some water pockets were still being stored in the fabric, long story short. Gongyi still felt damp.

So he cursed airplane as he pushed another fabric into the vat.

"This ones mother was a washerwomen." Binghe spoke softly and Gongyi Xiao stopped eyes looking up to Binghe in surprise.

Binghe noticed and scowled "Are you looking down on me?"

huh?

"What no!" Gongyi Xiao spoke in shock "I was- this one is just surprised that Luo-Shixiong feels comfortable enough to tell me." Gongyi Xiao couldn't surpress his smile. The fact that Luo Binghe actually told someone who wasn't a wife! That is a big deal- that is something Binghe would hold to his chest. Gongyi Xiao looked down feeling pleased that Binghe trusted him to tell him. If Gongyi was doing right maybe they could be friends.

He looked up and spoke "Theres nothing shameful about ones past, this one never understood why others would look down on people who did honest labour." He hummed, in the cultivation world and his own it was something he never understood.

But there was something he wanted Binghe to know, as a reader, something even his wives and closest allies never told him. Something even Ning Yingying never spoke about. And Gongyi knew he should keep his mouth shut. But he felt as if Luo Binghe should know.

"This one may not know much about people what their thoughts and feelings are, but I have a strong feeling...that..." Gongyi Xiao looked up at Luo Binghe who glanced at him, his expression nuetral as he kept working but glanced at him in this moment then paused at the look on Gongyi Xiaos face.

"Luo-Shixiong, this one knows your mother would be proud of you."

Binghe's eyes widened just a little and that raw emotion immedietly made Gongyi Xiao uncomfortable as he looked down scrubbing faster, why didn't he say that when he was going to put the clothes on the line he would've made a cool exit. ugh!

Now he made it awkward.

The only sounds of both of them washing the clothes he felt Luo Binghe stop and walk around him to place the cloth into the basket.

Gongyi Xiao cleared his throat "Thank you Shixiong, this shidi will take the rest from here."

As he moved to take the basket he heard Luo Binghe speak.

"What made you decide to do this? To lower yourself with the help?" He asked and Gongyi blinked as he looked up at him.

"Well, at first when this one was Head Disciple and had the responsibility of being the new Palace Master thought it made sense to know the ins and outs of the entire palace and how everything worked. And with some free time thought it was fair to help. We should all do our part to make Huan Hua Palace the best it can be." Gongyi grimaced as he glanced away.

"This one is aware of the rumours and our reputation and how the other sects look down on us that we buy our talent. This one wanted to change that," He glanced up at Luo Binghe and shrugged "And when rare talent presents itself this one thinks it best to know when to step aside."

"You have no issue with this one being the new head disciple?" Gongyi Xiao nodded hoping Luo Binghe would believe him. "Honestly shixiong? This one would rather go on night hunts and study beasts and other demons, as a head disciple this one barely had any time and had to compromise and put Huan Hua first. Now with all this free time this one can study and hone this craft to my herts content!" Honestly protagonist this one will gladly give all Huan Hua resposibilty to you!

"A bit hard with no missions?" Luo Binghe asked and Gongyi Xiao grimaced "Yes, this one thought they would be glad to be rid of me."

"You noticed that? This one thought you were oblivious." Luo Binghe dried his hands on some cloth and Gongyi Xiao had to frown.

Did He think he was stupid? Who was he? Ning Yingying!?

"It was hard not to notice, this one just pretended he couldn't see."

The harsh light returned to Luo Binghes eyes, he almost looked angry and Gongyi Xiao's grip tightened on the basket, did he say something wrong? "Why don't you fight back?"

"There doesnt seem to be a point, its understandable they probably feel bad about their own cultivation and want to take that frustration out on others. Its not something I can fault them for." He saw the jealousy, the envy and saw that when Luo Binghe bested Gongyi Xioa he saw their faces lighting up with hope.

"This one blames himself, by trying so hard with training and studying I allientated the others acted like I was too good for them. They probably leave me alone when they realise this one is human just like the rest of them."

"What if thats not what their thinking? They just want to hurt you and you make it so easy."

Luo Binghe said that before, saying he made it so easy.

Gongyi Xiao readjusted the basket on his hip and shrugged "They'll probably grow bored soon, thats if I can finally be allowed to go back on night hunts, do you know why the Old Palace Master wont let me go?"

Luo Binghe stared at him then looked away, "This one knows nothing."

Bullshit.

"This one will...make a request to the Old Palace Master and see if this will be straightened out." Gongyi blinked what-

"Wait, no Shixiong theres no need really- this one wouldn't want to waste your time!"

"Nonsense Shidi," Luo Binghe spoke a grin stretching his lips and Gongyi Xiao shivered as Luo Binghe made his way towards the door.

"This one is the Head Disciple of Huan hua, any complaints should be handled by me personally."

Luo Binghe left and Gongyi Xiao wondered if maybe he made this so much worse.

Strange after that he was then allowed free leave to join night hunts. Gongyi Xiao was so excited he had to find the Palace mistress to tell her- he had to tell someone and never realised she was the only friend he had. Which was terrible as she was soon to be Binghes wife!

He found the two and stopped running as he saw that both Luo Binghe and the mistress were alone together- shit. Was this the scene.

"Gongyi-Shidi?" Luo Binghe asked and Gongyi had to bow "Shixiong, Palace mistress. This one has to thank both of you."

Luo Binghe had a great poker face, but the amusement on the mistress face was all real.

"Oh for what?"

Gongyi Xiao looked up and pulled a face at her cheeky look. "The night hunts, this one has no clue which one asked the Palace Master but this one is grateful!"

"Here that Xiao Gongzhu? He's grateful."

"Hmm, maybe he should do something for us in return?"

Now Gongyi Xiao tensed shit what was it- he knew if the character Gongyi Xiao saw both Luo Binghe dual cultivating together it would trigger his death! Hopefully its a stupid favour and nothing so weird as that! But cuckholding and voyourism is a thing in PIDW.

"Gongy Xiao will have no choice but to join our wedding."

huh what!?

"Huh? Why waste a favour on that! this one wanted to come anyway! that is if this one was welcome!"

"Of course your welcome! You have to stand by my side! Your the closest to a brother this one has!" Gongyi Xiao eyes pricked.

He felt awful, to avoid the Palace mistress he thought she was a brat but now felt a kinship he glanced at Luo Binghe and had to swallow the lump in his throat.

"Luo-Shixiong doesn't mind."

"Xiao Gongzhu wouldn't have the wedding unless Gongyi Xiao was there."

Gongyi had to bow again "Congragulations to you both!" He spoke a wide grin on his face.

So far so good....

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Before Luo Binghe changed and began to warm up to Gongyi Xiao, during his conistent torment and bullying there was something he was looking forward too. As the sect was remaining quiet about Luo Binghe being head disciple and it was still Gongyi as the acting head, meant that during certain events Gongyi was able to reveal his ugly mug to the world!

A festival was being produced in their town that the sect was living with. And of course all of the Huan Hua disciples can GO!

They were given an allowance and were able to have a night of fun! Like cinderella going to a ball Gongyi Xiao was looking forward to it. There was going to be fireworks and food and a break from all of his work and-

He bumped into Luo Binghe as he rounded a corner and saw the instant hatred flash across the others face before it was hidden with a polite smile.

"Careful, Shidi." Even the way he spoke scared him. Gongyi Xiao accidently uttered "I prefered your other face." Being glared at was less scary than this polite smile!

"Hm?"

"Apologies, Shixiong." Gongyi Xiao bowed "This one was just excited for the festival."

"A festival?"

"Yes, the people down town put it up every year and we get to go down and celebrate- wait...Hadn't the Palace Mistress told you?" Gongyi Xiao paused his ramblings as he asked, shouldn't both she and Binghe go together?

Luo Binghe shook his head "This one wasn't invited." Gongyi Xiao gaped "Invited- of course you're coming! Its for all the Huan hua disciples! Luo-Shixiong is a Huan disciple, so this Shidi will see you there- oh we have to go to the Old Palace Master first he gives us an allowence to spend while we're down there." Gongyi Xiao spoke and saw Luo Binghe smile become a little bit more real as he realised he could go to.

Maybe Luo Binghe needs to feed his inner child more.

"You should ask the Palace Mistress to go with you, there light lanterns near the end and release them into the sky and make a wish." Gongyi Xiao spoke, almost reaching out to lightly nudge Luo Binghe then aborted it half way when Luo Binghes eyes tracked it.

Gongyi Xiao laughed nervously "Ah- ha well, see you at the festival, Luo Shixiong." He gave a farewell and ran away feeling red eyes watching him leave.

Of course Gongyi Xiao may have been a bit biased with his...allowance. He was in the crowd already splitting of from his group of disciples, he wanted food and souvineers and yet his pocket change was just that, pocket change! He sneaked a glance and saw that both his Shidi's and Shixiong had triple the amount he had.

No fair!

He lit a candle for himself and counted, okay so he had enough to buy two maybe three things with some food and that was it. He'll just have to be happy with Window shopping!

As Gongyi Xiao walked down the stalls, watching the crowd go by he brightened at the smell of one of the stalls and saw the steam rising from the food. He was salviating. making up his mind he bought a meat bun and some tanghulu and was about to walk away until he passed a dark corner of the allyway. He glanced down and gave eye contact to twin pairs of eyes and immedietly froze.

Two children in rags and covered in much stood there eyeing his food with a hungry gaze.

Gongyi Xiao bit his lip, his own hunger vanished he could practice inedia for crying out loud!

Gongyi Xiao approached and saw one of the children tense up, fight or flight instincts kicking in.

"It's okay, here, I accidently bought too much earlier and find myself stuffed full- can you help me take these from my hands?" He passed the bun to the boy, he realised once he got closer on one leg and then passed the Stick of sticku fruit to the girl.

He patted one on the head "There we go, where's your parents?"

"Don't have any, they make us beg for money and if we dont bring any back they'll beat us up." Gongyi Xiao bit his lip. IF he was still head disciple he could've taken these kids in to the sect where the Palace Master used to wave away anything Gongyi did, as long as he was his prized gifted disciple he could ask any favour.

Gongyi Xiao never realised he would lose that.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out his allowence seeing the boys eyes widen.

"Here you go, its not much." The girl teared up "Thank you gege."

Gongyi Xiao may have been conned but at this point he didn't care. "Watch out in these dark corners, there are weird people here. You should leave in case someone comes." Both nodded the boy grinned with a gap in his teeth and Gongyi heart melted as he gave them one final pat and and stood to walk away.

It felt awful to leave them, but he doubted the Palace Master would accept them not with the way the other martial siblings make comments about the working class.

Gongyi Xiao kept going through the festival gazing at the stalls and things they have to offer, he almost stumbled when two Huan hua disciples ran past with paper kites in their hand he found himself smiling. At least they were having fun.

He trailed to a stop outside the stall with fans.

He remembered using a fan at home when it got uncomfortably hot, he himself saw other people in the Huan Hua court using fans both men and women and honestly he wanted one. He was so sick of smiling all the time.

His hand reached out and picked up a golden fan, the wood was black and had a black lotus in the middle. It was so pretty.

"Does the young master like this fan?" The other asked and Gongyi smiled reaching into his pocket for his purse then paused- he gave it away earlier.

The stall owner saw the look on the others face and his own fell into an annoyed look. "How much for these fans?" A voice asked beside him and Gongyi almost moved out the way to place the fan back down as he couldn't afford it. He looked up and almost fell back in shock.

"Peak Lord Shen!" He gasped then bowed with the fan as he rememberd himself, "This disciple greets Shen-Gongzhu!"

He saw the other look down on him a sneer on his face. And Gongyi wanted to kick himself goddammit, what the hell was Luo Binghes scum shizun doing here?

The other hummed and Gongyi realising that was a dissmisal or at least he sure hoped it was! Placed the golden fan down lest he accidently walked away with it.

"How much for this fan?" Shen Qingqiu asked picking up the golden one that Gongyi Xiao was wanting. Gongyi was rooted to the spot wondering why Shen Qingqiu would buy such a guady [well Gongyi was guessing he always came to those yearly Sect meetings the palace master and Shen Qingqiu always made it known how much he hated yellow!]

And here he was buying the most trashiest [in his words] fan!

Gongyi Xiao really liked that fan he figured he could probably come back and beg the allowence from the Palace Mistress if he had to.

Shen Qingqiu opened it up with a flare then twirled it in a certain way that had Gongyi watched in fascination.

"Does the young Disciple know the fan language?" Shen Qingqiu asked then held out his green fan that had a turqoise tassle attatched. Gongyi blinked as he realised he was supposed to take it.

"N-no Peak Lord Shen." He spoke bowing as he took the fan. He could feel the eyes of Shen Qingqiu look straight through him and wanted to squirm in place.

"Any interest?" Gongyi Xioa nodded "Yes, this one found a manual and thought it was fascinating to speak to others without speaking." Shen Qingqiu was quickly fanning his face with one half covering his face before slowing down. It must be hot for him, his peak was high in the mountains with bamboo after all.

"Oh? So what do you know so far?" Gongyi Xiao blinked "Oh um, just two uh," using the fan he Shen Qingqiu gave him he demonstrated keeping it closed it placed it on the left and right cheek.

"Hmm and does this disciple know what that means?"

"The left cheek with the closed fan means no and the right side means yes."

"Very good."

It was weird hearing praise from Shen Qingqiu, Gongyi Xiao has had no experience with others praise especially since he excluded hiself from them so of course this life like his old life he was a recluse a neet. And an exceptionally thin face.

He opened his fan and covered half his face with it "Thanking Shen-Gongzhu." He spoke hiding half his face with it.

"Oh? Does Young Master Gongyi know the name of this one?" He asked and Gongyi Xiao immidietly moved his fan away from his face "No- did this one say something rude? This one apologises!"

And Shen Qingqiu laughed, but feeling as if he was insulted Gongyi Xiao's face twitched.

Shen Qingqiu closed his fan "If you want, this master is willing to teach you how to use the fans personally."

Now he almost dropped the fan but remembering it was the peak lords tightened his hold. "This- this one is sorry?"

Shen Qingqiu tilted his head up as his eyes gazed down "You heard this Master. You should come to Cang Qiong sect, leave Huan Hua and be my disciple."

...huh?

Gongyi Xiao mouth fell open "W-why would Peak Lord Shen want this one?"

"This master has been digging around," He spoke as he began to walk forward and Gongyi stumbled to follow "Some concerning letters arriving at the other Sects, makes this one curious."

Fuck- fuck, fuck!

"And this Master has done some digging." He stopped at a stall and of food that Gongyi Xiao wanted for himself and watched how Shen Qingqiu bought a stick of tanghulu.

What he stole his golden fan and now he's going to eat in front of Gongyi what a scumbag.

Until the stick was passed into his hands, Gongyi Xiao blinked surprised as Shen Qingqiu began walking and he followed in step.

"It seems as if your sect isn't treating this disciple well, if Huan hua abuses its disciples Cang Qiong qill gladly take you away from it."

Gongyi Xiao almost laughed, Shen Qingqiu had to be joking, right?

He saw Gongyi Xiaos face and sneered "You wear your heart on your sleeve. Thats a nasty habit." Gongyi Xiao schooled his expression.

"How does Peak Lord Shen know this one is being abused?"

Gongyi Xiao couldn't help it, some amusement slipped through.

"This Master noticed your hands, they're calloused and cut in certain skin. Repetitive stress not something created from a sword and too small a wound from a beast or demon. The wounds seem old as well, it can be healed in less than a week but yours still linger because the wounds aren't weeks old, they are new." Gongyi almost looked at his hands but refrained from doing so, he instead bit into a piece of sugared fruit to keep silent.

"Why would the Head Disciple be doing menial labour and be left alone? Why would he have no money to spare for the festival in his hometown?" Shen Qingqiu asked and Gongyi Xiao swallowed.

"This humble one likes working with the staff of Huan Hua palace and thinks its fair to help when this one can, and t-this one is terrible with money and spent it all at the start on food- really this is a foolish disciple too stupid for Qing Jing Peak." He said.

He did wonder why Shen Qingqiu cared or maybe was trying to find evidence of abuse, since Shen Qingqiu was a scum villain maybe he would make a fuss from projecting his own crimes to another sect!

Or maybe he did want Gongyi Xiao as a disciple maybe he was missing his punching bag Luo Binghe and wanted to replace him as soon as possible!

Heck no- he was not moving from the frying pan into the fire- literally! Cang Qiong burns to the ground even miserable beaten bloody and blue and even crying himself to sleep he is much safer in the Palace sleeping under the dragon than moving into its line of sight!

"Really? Giving all of your money away to street beggers is quite foolish." Shen Qingqiu nodded and Gongyi Xiao stopped walking.

"You saw that?" Was Shen Qingqiu watching him?

Shen Qingqiu turned around with a smirk. "This Master makes it his buisness to know everything." He stepped towards Gongyi Xiao towering over him and the other almost fell backward into a stall.

"After all of those...intriguing letters this one thought you would jump at a chance to finally ask this Master yourself about those rumours." Gongyi Xiao gulped.

It was true Gongyi Xiao was sending letters out, about Shen Qingqiu and finding dirt on him. Gongyi Xiao was foolish enough to think if he had paper evidence he could hand gift wrap him to Luo Binghe and save his own neck!

Now he had both the Scum Villain and the protagonists attention! The opposite of what he wanted!

"Master Shen wasn't the only one this disciple was investigating," Gongyi Xiao spoke standing straighter his hand gripping the green bamboo fan tightly in his hand.

"The Huan Hua palace speiciises in arrays but also is known for Justice. As a-" [Former] "Head Disciple, this one wanted to look at the history of the sects and found some inconsistencies."

Shen Qingqiu tilted his head like a snake waiting to strike.

"Most people in the sects prefer to let sleeping dogs lie, if you stick your nose in other peoples buisness they'll make an enemy out of you. Even your history of being a honourable cultivator will be ignored if you make the world your enemy."

Was this a threat?

Gongyi Xiao's eyes narrowed "The Cultivation world needs to know the truth, of men in power who hurt those weaker than themselves and get away with it."

Shen Qingqiu still looked amused the golden fan lowering down to tilt Gongyi Xiaos chin. "Does this list also include the Old Palace Master?"

Gongyi Xiao couldn't very well say it, but yes. A diary in fact of all of the Palace Masters misdeeds all hidden safely under a wooden floorboard in one of the rooms of the Huan Hua Palace.

Gongyi couldn't express but a slow tilt of his head downwards as he kept eye contact had Shen Qingqiu break out into a grin.

Well in his own way it was small for others but Gongyi Xiao found himself staring.

The fact that the Scum Villain was smiling at him made him realise his survival rate has probably dropped considerably.

"Very well then, this Master will contact the old Palace Master about a disciple conference, this Master will personally teach you fan language and would like to foster relations between the Sects of Huan hua and Cang Qiong" Shen Qingqiu closed his fan placing the tip to touch his ear on his right "This Master awaits your response."

And he disapeared into the crowd and Gongyi Xiao found himself holding his fan.

He glanced down at it eyes furrowed. Was this...a bad omen?

He pressed his lips together starting to feel the slow claws of panic gripping his chest, anxiety wasn't something new, he was starting to have nightmares of the Huan Hua disciples kicking him out of the palace, weirdly from a cliff?

Or times when the Palace mistress was chasing him in the maze of the water prison calling him pathetic and criticizing his man hood that was a weird one. Or the same dreams of being killed forgotten and alone, and other times Luo Binghe was in it. Of course he would dream of him but the stuff he spoke about didn't make sense.

Gongyi Xiao would always ask him if he found the secret entrance of the library. Which of course there was none in the Huan Hua Palace so if Binghe was using his dream magic and found that Gongyi Xiao was talking a loud of crap? well- jeez no wonder the other was angry.

Still he couldn't exactly toss this fan into a river, if Shen Qingqiu learned he 'lost' his fan he might actually whip and beat him up. Disciple from another sect be damned!

But then again...he pursed his lips spreading the fan wide. If he was trusted by Shen Qingqiu...wouldn't that give Luo Binghe an opening. He remembered reading in the chapters that it took a lot of time and precision to invite Cang Qiong to Huan hua that wasn't the yearly Sect meeting. And he couldn't let Shen Qingqiu know he was alive yet, but this could be helpful to him!

"See this one told you!" He looked up to see Luo Binghe with the Palace mistress clinging to his arm along with a few Huan Hua disciples crowding around them.

One pointed a finger "See he has his fan! Gongyi Xiao was making plans to leave for another sect!"

Gongyi Xiaos eyes widened "What? Thats not true!"

Luo Binghe was already watching Gongyi Xiao, and he knew fan language and felt himself growing angry when he saw his Shizun acting so familiar with Gongyi Xiao.

The way Gongyi Xiaos used his Shizuns fan to say 'this one is willing.'

Luo Binghe almost spat blood at the sight, watching his Shizun flirt shamelessly and Gongyi Xiao seemed to be taking it too well!

The demon lord no longer felt that he had to worry about his wives with Gongyi Xiao as his interest obviously laid elsewhere! He could see the panic on the others face slowly turn to irritation.

"This one has no intention of leaving Huan Hua," He spoke then shoke his head "Only death will release this one from his duties as a disciple of Huan Hua Palace. Shen-Gonzhu only offered to teach this one fan language- none of you know it!" At this the others were quiet as it was true, none knew or even wanted to learn fan language.

The Palace mistress perked up "Fan language? Whats that?" Gongyi Xiao brightened "A secret language to communicate to others without speaking." She immedietly shook Luo Binghes arm.

"This one also wants to learn! Binghe-Shiziong do you know fan language?"

"This one does not."

Gongyi Xiao closed the fan clasping it in both hands as he looked up at Luo Binghe "This one wanted to learn from Shen-Senior. to [word for alliances and making stronger bonds] As a member of the Huan hua palace wishes to make strong ties with other Sects thats what the letters originally were from." Gongyi Xiao bowed to the group "This one never cleared up the misunderstanding, this disciple never wished to leave Huan Hua only wanted to create stronger connections. As a head disciple thought it was imperative to make allies." He stood up to look Luo Binghe in the eye then the others.

One of the disciples sneered "Bullshit, you've been caught red handed - literally! You're carrying Shen Qingqius favour and want to be a disciple of the Cang Qiong Sect!"

Gongyi shook his head horror on his face "If this one wanted to leave for another sect this one had plenty of years to do so."

Luo Binghe spoke "Enough, it's clear Gongyi Xiao had no intention of leaving. There's no need to bully him."

The Palace mistress humped "Luo-Shixiong is right, this is a festival! We should be having fun!" She tugged Binghes arm "Come on Shixiong, the lanterns are this way." Gongyi watched as a small mistress pulled the giant of a shixiong who tumbled after her and felt his own face split into a smile. Luo Binghe should be having fun. He hoped Shen Qingqiu didn't ruin it for him.

________

Gongyi Xiao lost his fan.

And of course the Old Palace master wanted to send Gongyi Xiao to the conference swap, he pulled Gongyi Xiao aside to remind him to report back anything suspicious of the peak lord.

Uh yeah he would report Gongyi Xiaos dead body if he didn't find this fan! He left it right at his desk to be safe!

If he turned up to the Cang Qiong peak without it he was beyond dead!

Upset, even after turning his room inside out had nothing to show for it. He went to bed hopefully to sleep it off and wake up with a clear head and can think of something else until then. Of course his dreams were filled with anxiety too, he dreamed he was in his room pulling everything apart, even destroying the floorboards he had a habit on hiding things in there.

"Lost something, Shidi?" A voice asked he turned to see Luo Binghe and blinked "Ah Shixiong, the sun is going down." He gestured at his window where the sunlight flickered before vanishing.

Another stress induced dream, he was looking for his fan and couldn't find it. The only reason he even wanted to go to Shen Qingqiu was to create an opening for Luo Binghe. Without it theres no point- but if he makes Shen Qingqiu have more reason to hate Huan Hua would make it harder to get him here for the trial.

"This one can't find Peak Lord Shens fan, its missing and this one has to find it!" Luo Binghe crouched down beside him tilting his head.

"Why is that?"

"Without the fan theres no point going, the whole reason this one is even doing this is for Luo-Shixiong."

"...Why are you doing this for this lord?" Luo Binghe asked after a while and Gongyi Xiao glanced up at him.

"Luo-Shixiong was hurt by Shen Qingqiu, there were rumours of his abuse and the fact that Binghe is here instead of returning to Cang Qiong means something awful happened." He went back to looking around in a mad scramble.

"This one will do anything to help Luo-Shixiong even help find him an opening to bring Shen Qingqiu to justice!" Gongyi Xiao bit his lip trying to find something but found nothing.

"Luo-Shixiong has done nothing to support his Shidi, why would you waste your time with scum like that?"

Gongyi Xiao glared "Don't say that! Luo Binghe is a good disciple and had done nothing wrong! Its obvious that he has rotten luck and the world has been too cruel to him."

Now he was annoyed at this dream and that he lost the fan. He slumped against the wall pouting, might as well feel sorry for himself who was going to see it.

"This one is going to have to cancel, this one only wanted to support Binghe as a martial brother should."

Luo Binghe stood up and moved around the room, Gongyi Xiao watched. The more he watched the more he suddenly had a sinking feeling.

Most of his dreams have been strange and different, but the more this dream wore on the more Gongyi Xiao was aware this was a dream. He subtly glanced at his hands and counted, it was something he tried for fun when he remembered he was dreaming and found the more he counted the more fingers would appear.

Here they stayed consistent, Gongyi Xiao tensed. This was Luo Binghe- his dream malipulation.

"Shidi." The other spoke and Gongyi gave him his entire attention and saw how Binghe went towards his dresser and placed his hand in his disciple robe pocket and pulled out the fan.

"You must have put it in here at the festival and forgot."

Gongyi Xiao blinked "Oh- oh! That could've happened! Thank you Luo-Shixiong."

If he woke up is that where it'll be? Gongyi Xiao had no clue...

When Gongyi awoke the next morning he felt pure panic- if Luo Binghe was in his dreams he was screwed he can't even remember half of his dreams what if he said something stupid!?

He looked at his robe and felt trepidition. He walked over in his under robes and checked the pockets.

Nothing. No Fan.

Gongyi Xiao relaxed. So the dream was a fluke, thank god for that. Even so he had to be careful just in case. It wont help his anxiety being wary of both his dreams and the waking world.

And the worse of it? he was supposed to travel to Cang Qiong mountain without Shen Qingqius fan. He may as well chisel his gravestone now.

As Gongyi Xiao was at the entrance of Huan hua about to mount his sword he heard the Palace mistress yell for his name. He turned to see both the Palace Mistress and Luo Binghe accompany her as they came towards him.

"Gongyi Xiao! We found your fan!"

Gongyi Xiao almost stumbled over on air, as Luo Binghe held out the fan with his fan "You should be more careful with this, Shidi."

Gongyi Xiao took it and noticed how warm the handle was, he looked up at Binghe with a grateful look.

"Luo-Shixiong! Thank you very much!" He bowed, now he doesn't have to worry anymore! And he can be helpful to Binghe!

Luo Binghe spoke "The Palace Master told this one that you are to report to this disciple about all meetings and correspondance with peak lord Shen." Gongyi Xiao blinked, oh- oh!

Gongyi Xiao perked up "This one will report to Luo-Shixiong upon his return!" Luo Binghe was his handler and with this good news.

He could prove his loyalty to Luo Binghe! And avoid his terrible ending!

"Go- you don't want to keep Peak Lord Shen waiting."

The little princess gasped "Wait- Gongyi, be careful! This one heard rumours of Shen Qingqius leacherous reputation! You should be careful and tell us if he does anything!"

Neither noticed Luo Binghes gaze darkening, especially when Gongyi Xiao laughed.

"Please Shiemei," He mounted his sword looking self assured "Shen Qingqiu only likes women, so this one is perfectly safe!"

Now both Luo Binghe and Xiao Gongzhu blinked as they watched Gongyi Xiao sped away on his sword.

"Binghe," The palace mistress spoke suddenly getting a bad feeling.

"If anything happened to Gongyi Xiao- if Shen Qingqiu tried anything with him." Luo Binghe cupped her face his own eyes matching her vitriol to protect their martial sibling.

"This one promises, any harm to Gongyi Xiao this one will repay tenfold." She relaxed in his grip then tensed again biting her lip.

"B-but Gongyi Xiao never tells anyone his troubles what if he pretends nothings wrong to not disrupt sect relations?"

"It wont come to that, this one will take care of Gongyi Xiao and make him feel safe enough to tell him any of his burdens."

Luo Binghe had originally written of Gongyi Xiao, but the martial sibling appeared like a fairy, spirting him away to the Huan hua and tried to help Binghe where he could, Binghe was distracted with organising his marriages with the Qin siblings and his marriage to the palace mistress and establishing his place here he forgot about the ex-head disciple.

Now he found this shidi of his, interesting and strangely loyal from what his dreams told Binghe. He felt as if he shared the Palace mistresses fire to protect Gongyi who strangely wormed his way to Luo Binghes affections. Now seeing the man fly away towards his Scum Villain he couldn't help but feel as if he was too late to stop him. If Luo Binghe planned this right he could gain Gongyi Xiao's loyalty and both could stage a cou to get rid of the Palace Master.

Until this meeting, Luo Binghe would just have to bide his time.

__________________________________________________

A/N:

Okay I called Shen 'Gongzhu' at one part thats a mistake- I forgot what the name for senior/daoist priest was called the thing disciples call and older cultivator who is NOT their shizun and the name began with a G and I forgot what it was- I'll fix it later. Also this is TOOOO long so I'm going to have to split it into parts and post my writings here- I dont think of my story ideas as linear I just write 'scenes' tiny chapters in random parts then once I create it try to write the filler/timeline after. So if this is flip flopping back and forth sorry-

I thought it would be a cool parralell that Luo Binghe who was a white lotus then blackened then see's Gongyi Xiao and comes to the horrible realisation that Shen Qingqiu was right. He saw right through Binghe and saw that something was wrong with him. Binghe see's himself in the way Gongyi is bullied and ostricised by his group and finds sick delight from it. But when he see's how Gongyi takes the abuse there are no dark looks, no mutterings he always takes the abuse with a smile and it burns Luo Binghe. Why doesn't he fight back? So he keeps poking wanting to see Gongyi Xiao prove to him that its a front, he's only acting nice but deep down he's scum like the Huan hua disciples, like his Shizun like everyone. But when Gongyi Xiao keeps proving him wrong makes Luo Binghe realise he's acting just like his Shizun. Nothing more than a beast.

Part two: Here

[mycatwantstoeatpins]

Fic rec: drenched in an endless ecstasy by sixthmoon (seventhstar)

Word count: 11,177

Summary:

Once Qinghua was asleep, Mobei-jun restrained him. He had considered Immortal Binding Cable, but decided against it. It would make Qinghua uncomfortable to have his cultivation suppressed, and Mobei-jun didn’t expect him to make more than the traditional token attempts to escape. Instead he wound soft velvet rope around his bare wrists and ankles. Then he fastened the collar around Qinghua’s throat—fur-lined, sapphire-studded—and chained it to the wall. There was enough chain for Qinghua to wander the room. Mobei-jun hoped Qinghua would appreciate his leniency.

My favourite part: Too hard to choose, so here's a quote.

It had taken Shang Qinghua a while to put together all these oddities, because half the time he spent with Mobei-jun they were just having sweaty, voracious, bed-breaking sex. (The furniture on An Ding had not been made to withstand the strain. Thankfully Shang Qinghua could sign his own requisition requests, because how the fuck would he have explained that.) But now that he’d noticed them, there was only one conclusion. Mobei-jun didn’t need him as a spy anymore. And that meant his days were numbered. That was step one in the Shang Qinghua getting knocked off plotline!

Tags below the cut.

Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics, Omega Shàng Qīnghuá, Alpha Mòběi-jūn, POV Alternating, Kidnapping, Marriage, Cultural Differences, Idiots in Love, Light Bondage, Omegas With Vaginas/Clits, Cunnilingus, Face-Sitting, prehensile tongue mbj once again, pussy slapping, Impact Play, shang "commitment issues" qinghua strikes again, rip mu qingfang tbh, Happy Ending

[toomanytakennamesagh]

Ohhh random gush post cuz I can’t seem to focus on my essay after reading the latest chapter which filled me with SO MUCH DELIGHT. I just gotta let these words out cuz they’ve been festering in my brain for a bit.

SVSSS and Moshang fans are probably familiar with this name, but for anybody who doesn’t know (cuz ley’s be honest I don’t have a lot of followers and this is probably gonna get buried under a bunch of other Tumblr posts), Tossawary is a pretty active SVSSS author. I love them so much. Like, they post on Tumblr pretty regularly, draws art, AND writes amazing fics. I feel like the SVSSS fandom struck a goldmine with them.*

More under the cut cuz this got a bit long? And there may be some spoilers to their fics. 

The thing I love the most is how they always seem to complete their fics? And this gives me SUCH a sense of security? Because I HATE feeling the pain of seeing a discontinued WIP so much, but with their stories I get to enjoy the joy/agony of waiting for new chapter updates without having to worry about whether or not it will actually finish.

(And this is no hate to authors who DO have unfinished WIPs, okay. Even if they’re unfinished, I’m honestly glad it was put out in the world for readers to enjoy. Please don’t see this post as a bash, because you’re great too.)

They also write one of my most favorite versions of Shang Qinghua and Mobei-jun? (And Moshang in general.) Like, they perfectly capture the mess and hilarity of the ship, the REALLY BAD miscommunications and weird history together. They write meta posts and fic ideas about Mobei-jun’s family history and thought process, and how he would come to fall for a weird guy like Shang Qinghua. 

BUT THAT’S NOT ALL! Because they also create lovely OC’s (Luo Jiahui and Peng Hongpeng, I’m staring directly at you). Like, they add to the stories perfectly, they’re properly fleshed out, and their relationships with Shang Qinghua are wonderful. 

The relationships--romantic or platonic--in general are great. THEY GOT ME TO LIKE A SHIP I WASN’T ORIGINALLY EVEN INTO (cough shang qinghua x yue qingyuan). They gave me a lovely familial dynamic between Shang Qinghua and Luo Binghe!** THEY LET LBH’S MOM SURVIVE, AND HAD SVSSS!LBH MEET HER!***  

And as someone who’s a sucker for worldbuilding, Tossawary fleshes out the history and setting of the SVSSS/PIDW world beautifully. I have a thing about reading the day-to-day tasks and stories of life on Cang Qiong Mountain, and how the world works outside of that. Like, yes please, tell me more about what the Peak Lords talk about in their meetings. I actually do really want to know about the kind of requests/documents/dealings Shang Qinghua has to deal with.

Anyways some of my favorite fics:

Nothing to Me, Nothing to You-- A SVSSS and MDZS fusion featuring Cloud Recesses Shang Qinghua and Yue Qingyuan, and Wen!Mobei-jun. It features a lovely friendship between YQY and SQH, and Moshang slowly getting closer and acting like dumb teens. 

Stepping Up- Currently on chapter three, and inspired me to write this post in the first place. IT’S AN DING LBH GETTING (kinda) ADOPTED BY SQH! AND DISAPPROVING OF MBJ! Just watching his protective mode go on sqh is a delight, they deserve to be in cahoots. THEY DESERVE TO BOTH BE CARED FOR. 

the ability to remain sober and gracious- I’m a qijiu simp okay. Even if this fic isn’t romantic, I still love how the argument turned out. And how that argument even started hehe. 

Catch a Falling Star- It’s a Stardust/SVSSS fusion. SY is the star, and he’s going on a road trip with lqg and lbh. Need I say more? 

love to the ones i’ve never met- This fic’s synopsis BROKE MY BRAIN FOR A BIT. I WENT FERAL WHEN LJH AND SVSSS!LBH MET! WHEN LBH GOT TO SEE THE PINTWILF UNIVERSE! I’VE WANTED THIS SO FOR MUCH. HE DESERVES TO HAVE A FAMILY AND GET MOTHERED AGAIN. 

Anyways if you haven’t read their fics please do. Tossawary if you ever read this post just know your hard work is appreciated and very much loved. 

*Also not to say I don’t appreciate other svsss/moshang authors, because I DO. The fandom is full of amazing talented people, and I delight in all their creations. 

**I have very strong VERY SPECIFIC FEELINGS about LBH having close platonic relationships. That boy needs friends and family, he’s suffered enough in canon!  

***It was everything I ever wanted

[chaoticgoodlawyerwrites]

Siren Song Ch 18 preview!

Hey folks! Here's the preview for the next chapter of sea lesbians that's been getting me through this mental and emotional rough patch!

---

“I hope we don’t disappoint, then,” she said blandly before turning away. She climbed into the carriage and waited for Shang Qinghua to join her. In the woman’s own belongings lay two sets of robes, both too long for either of them to wear without tripping.

Shen Yuan didn’t care about much else besides going to the woman that would soon be adorned in those clothes. 

“Oh, you won’t,” Shang Qinghua reassured her. “Though you will certainly be a once in a lifetime show and surprise many. Ah, I wish My King was able to see it.”

That had Shen Yuan pausing and asking, rather belatedly, “Have you been able to contact him at all?”

“Hm? Oh, yes. I speak to him using a bit of ice cold seawater every night. While he can travel using whirlpools he creates, I know he wouldn’t want to be so far south. Not to mention I’m not sure if he can go on land.”

Shen Yuan frowned and leaned forward. “Why don’t you ask him if it’s possible? I would love to meet him and thank him directly for letting me steal so much of your attention from him.”

“Let me ask— Ah, Junshang. She… Ehem. Junshang says that my wife is welcome as long as we find our own grotto to reunite in. Now it just depends on if My King would like to travel all this way just to see me a day in advance. Whirlpools take time to set up and all.”

“Sure,” Shen Yuan said, like this wasn’t a completely new concept to her. “You should contact him before we leave to drop me at the sea, to give him more time.”

“Alright. Thanks!” Shang Qinghua hadn’t been in a bad mood previously, but her spirits were lifted nonetheless as they continued traveling to the docks. 

When they arrived at Qing Jing Inn, however, the receptionist who initially welcomed them those weeks ago stopped them quickly. “Luo-Furen, Madam Shang, this servant needs to report an attempted break-in to your quarters!”

Shang Qinghua immediately tensed and straightened her spine. “What happened? Are they still here?”

The young woman shook her head. “No, Madam. We value our customers’ privacy and turned away the strange man. We once more kicked him out when we discovered him attempting to pick the lock to your rooms. While we understand that Madams’ stay is ending after tonight, we appreciate your patronage and have arranged for a guard detail to survey the surrounding area and the hallway to ensure that no intruders bother you again.”

“Do you have the name of the assailant? A motive?”

The young woman bowed her head and said, “He was a disguised mercenary of sorts, Madam Shang, who is known as Wu Yanzi. He was certainly hired, but fled before we were able to gain any additional information.”

Shen Yuan touched Shang Qinghua’s elbow and asked, “He just wanted access to the rooms? He didn’t ask for either of us specifically?”

“Correct, Luo-furen.” 

“Alright. Thank you for your precautions. We will go up now.”

Shang Qinghua turned to look at her with confusion but followed along as the receptionist bowed them away. Shen Yuan nodded to the guard at the far end of the hallway away from their door and pulled her friend in after her. 

“Notice anything off about the room?” Shen Yuan asked quietly.

“...no.” Shang Qinghua said with a sigh. “The receptionist wasn’t lying, but I don’t like it. And neither does Junshang.”

Right. How could she forget her super protective wife riding along?

[tossawary]

I need to know more about “SVSSS - Baby Brother Liu Qingge” bc I love tiny and very deadly baby LQG

I have a 3k-ish Shang Qinghua POV that was supposed to be the introduction to this fic concept! So... ah... baby Liu Qingge does not appear in this, but you can see the setup for how an 8yo-ish Liu Qingge was supposed to be introduced. My hope is that this will someday become a "Shang Qinghua and Shen Jiu go on a mission with Baby Brother Liu Qingge" one shot.

-cut-

Shang Qinghua didn't really have the words to describe what it was like having Proud Immortal Demon Way's characters finally come into his second life.

He didn't have the words to describe a lot of his transmigration experience, honestly! His words had described a lot of this world already, haha, hadn't they? Sometimes a person just had to put up with it and keep going.

And then excuse himself later to go scream into a pillow! Many times!

At first, life was just him in a body that didn't fit and strange memories that slipped between his fingers like sand. His memories of a past life had settled eventually, the System finally came fully online, and his relationship with his second family was fully fucked forever. That was fine, though! That was fine! With some unsolicited prodding from his System, he left to go seek his fortune soon enough and he never had to talk to his character's birth parents or siblings again.

But Airplane Shooting Towards The Sky had never said much of anything about Shang Qinghua’s family or home village, besides saying that the man had dreamed of more than his mediocre origins, so everything had been unfamiliar and original and real. Getting to Cang Qiong Mountain Sect, which he had described in great detail, was a real headfuck. There were no words for the experience of recognizing things that he’d written in another life.

He saw the glistening rainbow bridge and the intimidating sect entrance and the majestic meeting hall on Qiong Ding, and he nearly screamed. He definitely squawked. His vision got really fuzzy for a minute there and he had to sit down on the ground before he fell over. What the fuck?! What the fuck?! He’d made a world! The System had really made a world out of his web-novel! He was really stuck in Proud Immortal Demon Way!

There were upsides and downsides to joining Cang Qiong Mountain Sect. Downsides included: the hard training, the harder workload, the dangerous missions, the disrespect towards An Ding Peak, and being surrounded by arrogant and foolish teenagers looking to look down on someone. It was really something else to look some of them in the eye and think, "Bro, I don’t know your name, but you kind of owe your existence to me. Could you stop being such a fucking asshole about leaving your chores for me to do?! Respect your father!"

Upsides included: actually becoming a cultivator (pretty cool, even though the work of cultivation sucked more often than not), better living accommodations and food, and actually getting to see some of the cooler places, plants, monsters, and magic that were a part of his world. Sure, carting a monster corpse brought in by Bai Zhan Peak to Xi Jiao Peak for butchering was smelly and heavy and altogether miserable, but seeing an impossible animal was still kind of incredible. If this unwilling Shang Qinghua could stop being pushed around and stepped on long enough to appreciate the upsides, he’d really appreciate it!

It was interesting and infuriating to log the differences between what he’d imagined, what he’d written, and what the System had created. What sort of author described every single object in every single room? Who had time for that? Who wanted to read that? The System had filled in all the living details of An Ding Peak - the Leisure Houses, the training grounds, the storehouses, the warehouses, the kitchens, the lesson halls, the leisure gardens, the farming fields, the livestock fields, the stables, the cart lot, the water supply, the sewage systems, and so on - so that people could actually live here. Airplane Shooting Towards The Sky as an author had done many things worthy of complaint and criticism, but wasting his readers’ time with sewage systems was not one of them!

The System had also filled in all the little details and decorations - the paintings on the walls of sect history, the detailing on the rooftops supposedly offering protections from dream demons, the chipped and faded paint of old storehouses that disciples would be tasked with replacing, the statues in the fields to scare off scavengers, the carvings on the doors meant to reduce resentful energy, the childish etchings of bored students the surface of the lesson hall desks, the old bench where the An Ding Peak Lord liked to sit and eat flatcakes - so that it really seemed like people had built this place and maintained it and added to it for generations.

Shang Qinghua had his quibbles here and there. Sometimes the System had made choices that he objected to! He would have done it differently if it had asked him, the author, to contribute. He really felt as though the System should have asked him to clarify the plot holes and the gaps in detail, instead of choosing precedence randomly or building off random implications taken way too literally.

Sometimes he found out that the System had built things out of throwaway lines that Shang Qinghua himself had completely forgotten about. It turned out that Ku Xing Peak made a lot of purification tools and containment vessels because Airplane had offhandedly mentioned that this was their specialty, and now Shang Qinghua had to cart around delicate ceramics to be sold to city merchants or other cultivation sects. He never would have dared to write that if he’d known that it would one day in another life be his job to do things like take inventory and chase down signatures for successful deliveries.

Places, items, and creatures were one thing, but logging the differences between the people he met and the characters he’d created was something else. At first it was okay, because he was surrounded by nameless An Ding Peak nobodies - his fellow disciples, their teachers, the hardworking managers and merchants, even the peak lord - none of them had ever mattered in Proud Immortal Demon Way. If Airplane had been the one to name any of them, he didn’t recognize the names or remember them.

Then he met Yue Qingyuan.

Wow, it was a worse headfuck than first arriving at Cang Qiong Mountain Sect, when Shang Qinghua finally realized that this was the young version of one of his actual characters. It took him a minute. As a lowly outer disciple, Shang Qinghua hadn’t received “Qinghua” as a name yet (his name was Houhua, not that anyone ever used it) and the future Yue Qingyuan was still called Yue Qi.

Shang Qinghua was fourteen at the time. Yue Qingyuan must have been around the same age, so he didn’t strike the tall and handsome figure of the sect leader Airplane had described. The boy was broad, but actually a little short. He had freckles. He had acne.

But he also had a warm smile that seemed to go all the way to his eyes when he offered to give Shang Qinghua directions to the right office on Qiong Ding. He had a steady hand when he helped Shang Qinghua up, after the An Ding disciple had suddenly tripped over nothing upon being introduced. Yue Qingyuan - Yue Qi - walked him to the right office and did his best to make small talk, friendly and kind even though Shang Qinghua was having difficulty stringing more than a few words together in his shock.

Even then, it was obvious that the boy was developing the calm surety and the social charm that would make him a greatly admired sect leader someday! It was all Shang Qinghua could do not to blurt out: “Holy shit, you’re REAL?!” Which would be closely followed by: “Hey, is Shen Qingqiu really real too?!” And then maybe closely followed by: “FUCK!!!”

As the years went by, Shang Qinghua met more of Proud Immortal Demon Way’s characters, and it was weird every time. None of them were exactly like he was expecting. He kept expecting… well… he kept expecting them to look like the fanart, like flawless character models, more or less. Instead, he kept getting… people.

Wei Qingwei, head disciple of the sword-focused Wan Jian Peak, was also shorter than he was expecting, kind of stout, with a wide face and a wider smile. Airplane Shooting Towards The Sky had apparently had the man crack a few jokes upon his rare appearances in the web-novel, usually during tense situations, as he was reminded by the System upon thinking to himself: “Why is this guy LIKE THIS?!” So, because of just a few lines, the real Wei Qingwei had a relentless sense of humor and loved telling jokes.

Upon their first meeting, when Shang Qinghua was fifteen and had been sent over to help renovate some Wan Jian dormitories, fifteen-year-old Wei Qingwei had pretended to fumble a sword and, using a packet of dye and a sleight of hand, made it look like he’d accidentally cut off his own hand at the wrist. Of course Shang Qinghua had screamed and panicked! Anyone would panic! But Wei Qingwei had laughed at him and said, “Got you! Shang-Shidi, the sword wasn’t even unsheathed!” Asshole!

Qi Qingqi, the head disciple of Xian Shu Peak, was much taller than he was expecting. Apparently Airplane had once described a group of some of the peak lords by saying something like: “Each one of them was like a giant to young Luo Binghe.” That group had included Qi Qingqi. The System apparently had taken that to mean that Qi Qingqi was of a height with the likes of Yue Qingyuan and Shen Qingqiu. Shang Qinghua discovered this adaptational choice when he was almost sixteen, when this giraffe-like girl came to An Ding Peak to complain about an order someone along the pipeline had dropped completely, and he accidentally found himself (still waiting on a really good growth spurt) eye-level with Qi Qingqi’s chest.

Airplane had apparently once said in Proud Immortal Demon Way that Qian Cao Peak Lord Mu Qingfang appeared a little older than his colleagues, by which he’d probably meant that the man was just tired or something, but this head disciple Mu Qingfang appeared to have ten years on all the other head disciples. Which was good! Shang Qinghua approved of their future head healer not being a teenager and having more training!

On the bad side of things, Airplane had also once said in Proud Immortal Demon Way that the Zui Xian Peak Lord Zhang Qingyan liked his drink too much. This was the peak specializing in alcohol, so it had seemed to make sense! It was supposed to be funny, if anything! Well, at sixteen, Shang Qinghua found out that the System had focused too much on the “too much” part of that statement and now the head disciple of Zui Xian Peak was pretty clearly a budding alcoholic. (Sometimes a cultivator’s constitution and ability to “cure” themselves just… made a person drink more. A lot more.) Which was… not good.

At seventeen, Shang Qinghua met Mobei-Jun.

He didn’t know where to get started with Mobei-Jun.

Somehow he’d… forgotten that Mobei-Jun had been originally based on Airplane’s idea of “the perfect man” and not the super pretty, muscular but slim-waisted protagonist type? The real Mobei-Jun was… tall… and big… and thick. Mobei-Jun’s intimidating features were… more striking than pretty. The first time Shang Qinghua had come back to his Leisure House and found this spoiled brat of an ice demon napping shirtless on his bed, and gotten an eyeful of all that heavy muscle and chest hair, he’d nearly knocked himself out on the doorframe trying to turn away before he had a heart attack.

Mobei-Jun really was going to be the death of him, holy shit.

Especially because this ice demon really was a spoiled brat! Airplane had described this character as being arrogant and apathetic, so now Shang Qinghua had to deal with a Mobei-Jun who took long baths and then carelessly dripped water all over the floor and all over fresh sheets! Who ate all of Shang Qinghua’s cooking and ungratefully only demanded more food, sprawled over furniture not really fit for someone of his size, and then watched Shang Qinghua like a fat tiger! Ahhh, this demon really was lucky he was handsome!

Mobei-Jun was also kind of violent, and mean, which was… well, it sucked.

Back to the sect that Shang Qinghua was now actively betraying, however, as far as he could see, there was still one future peak lord missing.

It wasn’t Shen Qingqiu, who Shang Qinghua had thought would be the last one to show up. Shen Qingqiu had shown up and had been advancing through the ranks of Qing Jing Peak before Shang Qinghua had even met Mobei-Jun, which meant that Yue Qingyuan had finally stopped looking like someone had torn out his soul. (Shang Qinghua had been forced to grit his teeth every time that someone mentioned how privileged that Yue Qingyuan was to have been granted that year of secluded cultivation in the Lingxi Caves at such a young age.)

No, of all the peak lords, it was Liu Qingge who Shang Qinghua had yet to meet.

After meeting Mobei-Jun and becoming an inner disciple, the System had given Shang Qinghua three years to make it to head disciple, probably because the deadline for a new generation of peak lords to ascend was fast approaching. He was working hard to achieve that! Not only did he have to sabotage the current favorite, but he had to make sure all his own training, missions, work, and research were as close to flawless as he could get it! All while keeping an intruding ice demon happy! He wasn’t totally sure that he was going to make it at this rate, even though he’d been here for years.

So it was a little concerning that Liu Qingge hadn't shown up yet. There was so much left to do. A world-state that had yet to be established. Liu Qingge had work to do here!

Liu Qingge and Shen Qingqiu still had to develop a hatred for each other as disciples that would extend to everyone believing that Shen Qingqiu had murdered Liu Qingge as peak lords, after all. Granted, all Liu Qingge really had to do was beat everyone else on Bai Zhan Peak up to obtain the position, and it wasn’t exactly hard to get Shen Qingqiu to develop a lifelong grudge, but the guy was still cutting it pretty close.

It was possible that Liu Qingge was already on Bai Zhan Peak and making good progress, but that he was just so solitary and focused on searching out the next big battle that Shang Qinghua had just never had the opportunity to meet him. Shang Qinghua did his best to avoid Bai Zhan Peak most of the time, honestly! He was curious about where Liu Qingge was, about what the man looked like, but he didn’t let himself sweat at not seeing the future war god, when he already had so many things to sweat about. The System had taken care of bringing in everyone else, so Shang Qinghua was sure that Liu Qingge would follow sooner or later.

Shang Qinghua’s first sign that something was wrong was that, on the day that Liu Qingge finally announced his existence by beating up everyone on Bai Zhan Peak, everyone was saying things like, “I can’t believe some kid managed to topple all of Bai Zhan like that!”

He… may or may not have ignored this sign.

To be fair to this poor writer-turned-disciple, though, he’d been up all night finishing some paperwork catastrophe the An Ding Peak Lord had thrown at him to fix, as some kind of “test” of his logistics skills. Upon hearing the latest gossip, Shang Qinghua thought, “Oh, finally?” And then his overtired brain collapsed from the effort of thinking two words together in a sentence, and all he could manage from there was to feel the intense need to go to bed at a maximum, static-y volume. No words. No more thinky thoughts. Just the need for speedy sleep.

He stumbled through the rest of his day and then passed out for 18 hours straight. In hindsight, this would have been the time when the gossip was at its hottest. He missed all of it.

When he woke up, everyone was still dealing with the aftermath of what had happened on Bai Zhan Peak, but the conversation had shifted more towards replacing Qian Cao Peak’s depleted supplies and the repairs to Bai Zhan’s training grounds. Liu Qingge was the name on everyone’s lips, still, but everyone knew the basic information now. Now, everyone was just exclaiming over and over again how unbelievably young (and pretty) he was to have bested every other disciple on the sect battle-focused peak. This didn't seem too strange.

The System probably would have based the War God's appearance on his sister, Liu Mingyan, a strong contender for the most beautiful woman in all of Proud Immortal Demon Way. Liu Qingge apparently being a very pretty boy fell neatly into line with all the other character design surprises that Shang Qinghua had gotten smacked with so far.

If Airplane had known that he'd be transmigrating into his novel, maybe there would have been even more handsome men! And everyone would have lived happily ever after and nothing bad would have happened ever, probably, but also there might be more sexy guys too.

-

TBC

[delicioussshame]

Please donate to my campaign. My goal is to get friends for Shen Yuan.

Shen Yuan almost jumps out of his skin when he hears a knock on the door. No one had ever visited Luo Binghe since he came to stay here, and he had gotten the impression that it wasn’t that Luo Binghe had sent his usual visitors away for his guest’s sake. He does believe that his favorite student had been dreadfully lonely, these past few years.

How somehow as endearing as Luo Binghe ended up alone and friendless, Shen Yuan cannot fathom.  

Still, if someone is knocking on the door, the doorman must have let them in? It must be important then. Shen Yuan cannot imagine nobodies are allowed anywhere within this complex.

He thinks about texting Luo Binghe to ask, but what if he disturbs him? He must be busy, away at his important job while Shen Yuan does nothing but lazing around. And Luo Binghe did imply that he wouldn’t be ashamed of Shen Yuan’s presence no matter what, so… let’s test that, shall we?

Shen Yuan opens the door.

Shang Qinghua’s frazzled expression faces him.

Shen Yuan almost closes the door in his former colleague’s face.

“Wait, what, Shen Yuan?! Woah, I had no idea you went back to your parents, I thought you said that bridge had burned. Anyway, would love to catch up, but I’m on the clock and at the wrong place, sorry, gotta go or my boss is gonna kill me, bye!”

Shen Yuan stops Shang Qinghua by the shoulder to stop him from leaving. “If you were looking for Luo Binghe, not that I have any idea why you would be, you’re not at the wrong place.”

“Really? Why? How? Is there a story here? Cause it sure seems like there’s a story here. Tell me the story! But later, I have to deliver this?” He waves a boring manilla envelope like it’s supposed to make sense.

“Who still sends letters?”

Shang Qinghua shrugs. “My boss.”

“You’re a mail carrier now? Nice upgrade.”

“Well, I do what I have to do, I don’t live with the country’s most eligible bachelor. Seriously Bro, what happened here? Isn’t he a bit young for you?”

Shen Yuan is sure his blush is terribly incriminating, but he can’t help it.

“Wow. You have to tell me now.”

Shang Qinghua is acting terribly familiar for a guy Shen Yuan hasn’t seen since graduation. “Why should I?”

But Shang Qinghua has already let himself in, unceremoniously dropping the envelope on the nearest table and taking everything in with wide eyes before he lets himself fall on Luo Binghe’s designer couch without a care in the world. “C’mon. Fess up.”

“How about you? Why are you even here? For all I know you’re a thief trying to rob the place.”

Shang Qinghua snorts. “Not exactly my speed.” He shrugs. “Teaching didn’t pay the bills, got an administrative assistant job instead and somehow ended up working for one of Luo Binghe’s associates, hence the private delivery service. How about you? When I saw you earlier, I was sure you were retired and profiting off that sweet family money, but was I wrong? Or is this those Shen connections at work?”

Shen Yuan frowns. Why did he even tell this guy about his family again?

Oh yes, because he had been young, stupid and drunk: the university experience. “No. Luo Binghe is a former student of mine. I’m visiting.”

Shang Qinghua gives him the world’s judgiest look. “Visiting.”

Shen Yuan nods, face still as a lake. “Visiting.”

“While Luo Binghe isn’t there.”

Shen Yuan nods again. “It’s a long visit. I’m staying here right now.”

“At your former student’s house. Look, I’m just gonna say it: sleeping with your student is bad. Don’t do it! That way lies lawsuits!”

“Former student! And it’s not like that!” Technically correct. They haven’t slept together, not in the way Shang Qinghua implies they did. “He’s just lonely and a bit deluded. It’ll pass.”

Probably.

No, not even Shen Yuan believes it at this point. One can only be kissed so often before one has to face reality: Luo Binghe certainly thinks he cares about Shen Yuan more than a student should care about any teacher.

Shen Yuan just isn’t sure what he should do about it.

“If it’s not like that, which, Bro, you’re not making a good case for, you’re staying with him because…?”

“I’m on vacation?” Shen Yuan lies back on the cool leather. “It’s a nice place for it, and cheap.”

“And your “former student” was eager to host you. You, his high school teacher? Because from what my boss told me, Luo Binghe isn’t exactly famous for his openness. I’m half-certain Mobei-Jun sent me here as punishment. He wanted someone else to chew me up this time.”

Shen Yuan snorts. “Still very competent, I see.”

“Well, at least I was teaching my students, not offering “extra credits” if they stayed after class. And since when are you into men, anyway? You always acted like you didn’t notice when men hit on you.”

“Men never hit on me.”

It’s Shang Qinghua’s turn to laugh. “Glad to see that didn’t change. Luo Binghe must be something, to have managed to get through you. What did he tell you, that he wanted to bend you over the nearest desk? Anything less and you’d have been blind to it.”

For fuck’s sake can Shang Qinghua stop saying shit that embarrasses the hell out of Shen Yuan? It’d be very appreciated.

“Oh shit, he totally did! Go him! Did it work? Tell me it worked!”

“No! Can’t you shut up for once in your meaningless life!”

“Not gonna happen. I need to know more. He made a move, and you’re living with him now? His charisma must be something else. At that speed, when’s the wedding? No, wait, how long has this been going on? We haven’t seen each other in forever, you might have been “visiting” for three years as far as I know.”

This is torture. “Didn’t you say you had somewhere to be?”

Shang Qinghua waves his attempt at deflection away. “Forget it, this is way more interesting. Even Mobei-Jun will want in on this. Sooooo?”

Shen Yuan sighs. “I’ve only been here a few weeks. As I said, it’s just a vacation. I’ll leave once the school year starts again.”

“Why can’t you stay here anyway? That dear student of yours must want to keep you, right? Unless you’re really being bankrolled by your parents, this is way nicer than anything you could possibly afford.”

“No matter what he says, I’m not becoming Luo Binghe’s trophy wife.”

Shang Qinghua’s eyes widen. “Ooh, your student wanna be your daddy? He’s paying you to keep you around, is that it? Oh, that has to be it. Explains the weird evasiveness thing you’ve got going on. Never knew you had it in you. I’m impressed, really. Much better gig than my own. I wish my boss would pay me to lounge around on his expensive furniture. I’d be great at that. Plus, you know, it’s not like it’d be a hardship. Mobei-Jun is scorching. I’d be his arm candy any day. Maybe he’d be less likely to murder me that way.”

Shen Yuan longs desperately to return to the web novel he so cruelly abandoned to let his worst nightmare in. “I’d give you my job, but honestly Binghe deserves better.” Better than Shen Yuan, too. “At least you’re into men. Makes things easier.”

Shang Qinghua’s face falls. “Are you telling me you’re not into him? Like, at all? Why are you even here then? The money can’t be that good. Return to your parents and get them to arrange a marriage to a rich heiress. Same result, plus you’re attracted to your partner. Better?”

Shen Yuan flinches in horror. “No! Not better! My parents AND some spoiled brat who only cares about my name? Fuck no. Binghe is infinitely better than that!”

Shang Qinghua laughs. “So you do like him! Good for you! Go get him, tiger!”

“No! Well, yes I do, Binghe is very likable, but not like that!”

“Oh my god can you hear the shit that comes out of your mouth? Look, you obviously trust him enough to agree to be his live-in boy toy, and okay, I haven’t seen you in forever, but whatever you’re doing is visibly agreeing with you. What were you doing anyway? It’s not like Luo Binghe is here most of the day.”

Shen Yuan shrugs. “Catching up on my reading, mostly.”

Shang Qinghua chokes. “Fuck you. He’s paying you to read? While I’m still trying to get pay to write? I hate you with every single atom of my being.”

“Wait, you’re still writing? Please tell me you’ve upgraded genre, at least.”

“Well…”

“Oh god show me now so I can change your mind before you waste even more of your life on this trash,” says Shen Yuan like he hadn’t caved and spent Luo Binghe’s hard-earned money on extras for novels he hates.

___________________

Luo Binghe is caught completely off guard by the loud voices echoing in his home. Even with Laoshi here, silence is what usually he’s greeted with.

Today, Shen Yuan’s voice is alight with what sounds like righteous anger. He can’t quite place the second one.

Luo Binghe follows the call like a sailor freed from his bonds.

He finds Shen-laoshi half-draped over his chair, Mobei-Jun’s lackey sitting at the desk Luo Binghe had bought for his teacher alone, both of them apparently enraptured with an argument about… bad literature?

Luo Binghe wishes he could be pleased with the sight of Shen-laoshi being this animated, but he can’t. He’s not the one who caused it. This little, insignificant man did, to the point that neither of them noticed his approach.

Luo Binghe taps Shen Yuan’s shoulder. “Laoshi.”

Both of them turn toward him, but only Shen-laoshi gets Luo Binghe’s tongue down his throat.

He is very pleased with the outraged look on his teacher’s face. “Binghe! Not in front of the guest!”

The interloper jumps out of Laoshi’s chair. “Guest? What guest? There is no guest, no one here’s. In fact, I should have left hours ago, oh god Mobei-Jun is going to kill me. Shen Yuan, please give Luo Binghe the envelope, sorry for bothering you both, talk to you later, gotta go byyyye!”

Luo Binghe watches the little man flee in terror with satisfaction. Good riddance.

Let’s see him try to contest Luo Binghe’s claim now. “How does Laoshi know Mobei-Jun’s personal assistant?”

“We studied together in college.”

Luo Binghe pouts. How could an old friend of Shen-laoshi find him here? “Were you two close?”

Shen Yuan shrugs. “Not especially. Why do you ask?”

That can’t be true. They were so at ease around each other. It can take Luo Binghe hours to get Shen-laoshi this relaxed.

He stays silent.

Shen Yuan stares at him. “Binghe.”

“…Yes?”

“I realise this is going to sound ridiculous, and for that I’m sorry, but are you.., jealous? Of Shang Qinghua?”

Luo Binghe might be pouting harder. “No. Why would I be jealous of one of Shen-laoshi’s friends he never told me about.”

A (very cute) smile appears shows up on Shen Yuan’s face. “You. Luo Binghe. Are jealous of Shang Qinghua.”

He dares to laugh! It’s not funny!

This time, Luo Binghe is definitely pouting harder.

“Binghe. Binghe. You’re you. Shang Qinghua is… Shang Qinghua. What do you have to be jealous about? He’s just Shang Qinghua! Come back to your senses!”

Well, that does cheer Luo Binghe right up. “Shen-laoshi likes me better!”

Shen Yuan rolls his eyes. “Of course I do.”

Luo Binghe’s chest remains warm for the rest of the day.

[captainkirkk]

I am delighted that you've gotten into SVSSS and will probably be sending a very long list of recs soon, but if there's one fic in this fandom you should read I think it's "pride is not the word I'm looking for" by Tossawary. It's a pre-canon canon divergence fic where SQH saves LBH's adoptive mom gets adopted into the family. There's lots of exploring the existential crisis of being a writer living in the world you wrote, and reading through the filter of SQH's inner narrative is hilarious. 1/2

There’s also lots of worldbuilding at the ‘mundane’/everyday level (my favorite bit is how sex-pollen-cure farming is a respected livelihood) which makes sense considering SQH’s job. I just really love the mix of hilarious and heartwarming and mom-un-fridging and real-feeling people & places, and you just really should read it. It updates most Wednesdays, & the author has a tumblr where they post schedule updates (and cool animated System icons, too), and I just need more people to read it. 2/2

The longer I’m in this fandom, the more I appreciate Shang Qinghua as a character. What a good character.

Thanks for the rec! And I would totally be open to receiving more if you’re up for it

[fatalism-and-villainy]

☕️ talk to me about your svsss thoughts?

Oh man, SVSSS. I will say it’s probably my least favourite of the MXTX canon, but it is extremely fun. Honestly, the aspect of it that had the biggest impact on me was all the parodic commentary on webnovel fandom and its forum dramas. Like that first Airplane chapter with the long comment thread on PIDW just had me cackling from the accuracy of it (especially the whole “if you don’t like it then WHY DON’T YOU WRITE YOUR OWN, let’s see if you could do it better” “I don’t need to be able to do it to know it sucks” exchange, like wow, you broke every argument in the comments down to its bare essentials). All the snarky (self-)deprecating commentary in the narration on tropes and genre expectations and the constructed nature of fiction were delightful. (Have I ever mentioned that I have a deep and abiding affection for MXTX as a personality? Because I really do.) 

I also love the fact that so much of it is a commentary on certain fandom attitudes - like Shen Yuan is very much the kind of entitled fan who harasses creators (the fact that Shang Qinghua has nightmares about Shen Yuan yelling at him about his writing is funny, but also uhhh... telling), but there’s also a lot of pushback against simplistic moral impulses on the part of fandom. The subplot about Shen Jiu’s backstory (which Shang Qinghua omitted because readers wanted him to be a straightforward villain) is VERY much a statement about how circumstances influence behaviour (and fandom’s reluctance to contend with that, imo). Same with how Shen Qingqiu’s perception of Luo Binghe is handled - he’s so fixated on the future of Luo Binghe’s character arc (although for understandable self-preservation reasons) that he doesn’t realize how much he’s altered Luo Binghe’s character by treating him better, and that character isn’t deterministic and set in stone. As I’ve mentioned, I love the fact that the effect of his presence on Luo Binghe is very much in the usual MXTX vein of “the presence of absence of attention and care make a drastic difference in someone’s character,” except in this case there’s an added layer of “and sometimes it will cause their gay awakening.”

Also, the whole setup in which this extremely straight hypermasculine genre would be better and deeper if it were gay? MASSIVE POWER MOVE. Especially with the presence of that girl in the aforementioned PIDW forum shyly being like “uhm I wrote some SQQ/LBH slash if anyone wants to read?” This book is truly a vindication for slash fangirls and villain lovers everywhere. 

I also loved both the leads. Shen Qingqiu is delightful as a nerdy, extremely online personality who unwittingly ends up as a curmudgeonly but beloved mentor to a bunch of teenagers. The way the disciples at Qing Jing Peak grow attached to him with him barely being aware of it was one of my favourite parts and I really wish there had been more focus on it! The scene with both Ning Yingying AND Ming Fan crying after he’s come back to life is extremely sweet. Luo Binghe is also very very good... putting on a tough and cool persona when he’s actually a massive emotional mess who’s desperate for affection and validation. (He’s SO eager to please during his disciple days. “Do you like my cooking? Do you? Do you??? Please let me do this for you every day pls pls pls.”) And he gets jerked around so much! You have to feel for him!  

That said, while I do love the two main characters, the central romance doesn’t really land for me. I really do like Luo Binghe’s adolescent crush on Shen Qingqiu, and him having his gay awakening through the first authority figure to ever be nice to him. And I also like the “omg so cool!!” response to Luo Binghe-the-character that Shen Yuan has that could totally be sublimated gay feelings (@coldwind-shiningstars raised the possibility that he had a crush on Luo Binghe while he was reading the book, which I could see). But the way they actually come together in-story.... there’s a lot of Shen Qingqiu capitulating to what Luo Binghe wants and appeasing him (including in the novel’s climax!) without much regard for what he himself wants and is comfortable with, and it’s uncomfy for me. You can convince him that he has worth and that you’re not going to abandon him while also setting boundaries with him, you know? 

And Shen Qingqiu’s internalized homophobia runs so deep that after awhile his freak-out responses stop being funny and just start being sad. Wei Wuxian’s closetedness in MDZS is at least expressed through him taking genuine joy in plausible deniability flirting with Lan Wangji. Shen Qingqiu on the other hand is just grossed out by Luo Binghe’s feelings for him so much of the time. The extras suggest that he is genuinely attracted to and attached to him, but is just suuuuper repressed, but that being the case, I just come away feeling as if he’s not remotely ready for a relationship at all until he’s worked himself out more. And I kind of want Luo Binghe to just try dating other people.... given the amount of women who were swooning over him, there’s got to be a bunch of potential boyfriends in this world for him as well. He could even have more than one at once (like, he was the protagonist of a harem novel! why’s he gotta become monogamous just because he’s gay now? XD)

So yeah, I loved the main characters but didn’t love the love story. And the setting and plot felt pretty empty for me - I had trouble getting attached to any of the characters or potential side pairings. The one exception to this is Shang Qinghua/Mobei-jun, which is delightful for its “scary demon falls for the first person to ever tell him off” feature, but wasn’t integrated into the story well enough for me to feel strong emotions about it - it’s relegated to extras, and that it feels at a thematic remove from the rest of the story. That is to say, obviously Shang Qinghua being gay and not being able to express that in his writing choices is thematically central to the story (which makes the relegated-to-extras backstory for him unfortunate), but the specifics of his relationship to Mobei-jun don’t feel to me to parallel or offer commentary on the central relationship. Though it’s entirely possible that I’ve missed something there and just haven’t read the right meta yet. 

So, overall - it has a lot of individual aspects that I really like, it’s very funny in a lot of places, and I really appreciate what it’s doing thematically and with its meta aspects, but as a whole, it’s not entirely satisfying to me. 

[bloopitynoot]

Reading SVSSS: Chapter 9

For those who don't know, I am reading SVSSS for the first time and sharing my thoughts!

If you have not read it, there will be spoilers! Consider this a warning.

Also- if you want to follow along, I am aiming to post updates daily. You can find all the posts in the tag bloopitynoot reads SVSSS. You can also check out the intro post for context on my read.

I feel so weird sitting here in the morning reading this, this has been my night-time routine for 8 chapters!

In all honesty the fic I was reading this morning just wasn't it/my brain kept coming back to my boy Shen Qingqiu, so here I am 8am on a Sunday heading into the Borderlands.

My teas are for evening- so this morning, hazelnut coffee!

ah, okay, intro to this chapter. I have been wondering how the afterlife works in this series. I hope we find out more than "the border of human and demons realms" p167

JK lol this is a physical place and not an afterlife p168

oh gosh, this is quite a mess! (Re: the political upheaval within the Cang Qiong Mountain sect as well as vs others) I kind of want to know what the side quest Shang Qinghua went on in the demon realm. p169

Oh baby Luo Binghe keeping Shen Qingqiu's corpse :( p169

okay but he also took Mo Qingfang with him so maybe they were trying to figure out a way to bring Shen Qngqiu back? p170

I would have loved to be privy to the Tea that Lu Liu was about to spill about his theories of Luo Binghe and Shen Qingqiu ahaha but instead we got a knock on the door interrupting p171

who is this newcomer??? Wait who's the second one?? The anticipation!! pp172-173

wait. "what year is it?" New character or??? p174

I fucking cant. Yes it is Shen Qinqgiu. but also the dramatic flair is too much RE: "faking your death is overdone, I must therefore actually die :)" p174

omg SQQ had a backup body made from the mushrooms! This is so wild. This was definitely Shang Qinghua's side quest for sure. p175

omg I can't stop laughing. What is with MXTX killing the leads and then twinkifying their new bodies. p176

it's been FIVE YEARS?!?!?!?!? p177. Oh damn, bless that he has an abundance of spiritual energy now!

He really told them his name was peerless cucumber- oh my. p178. Can we talk about how they then immediately stated he was a bottom with the Peerless "chrysanthemum, crown, flower.."p178

The hypocrite lol "It is wrong for you to profit from their misfortune" after he literally stole all the clothes on his back and a fancy fan for fun (and cultivating, but let's be real mostly fun). p180

why does everything just come back to SQQ just fantasizing about Luo Binghe's dick? We went from SQQ ranting about demon naming conventions to what he would call Luo Binghe's actual dick LOL p181

HEAVENLY PILLAR-JUN - pls end me XD stooop. p182

Meanwhile we have these demons sweating because they think this man is incredibly powerful and very unstable as SQQ laughs maniacally then slaps himself. p182 I really don't think they are wrong TBH.

oh no! I need to now what Liu Mingyan has been doing in the badlands! p184

but also SQQ assuming that Liu Mingyan is Luo BInghe's wife.

OOOOOO Sha Hualing is back! p185 I like love her as a villain, but hate her as a character. She's in a weird place for me, but I appreciate her LOL

Who the heck is this youth? p186

Jesus christ. the fact that in this moment SQQ hates Sha Hualing's nails- not because there is a kid about to get slice and diced, but because in the novel she uses them to tear up Luo BInghe's back when they fuck. I cannot with this man *face palm* p187

okay we have a name for this young master- Yang Yixuan, and this little baby is Liu Qingge's disciple! p188

learning about how Luo Binghe's cultivation works with his need to basically dual cultivate to level himself out has me officially believing that the system basically allowed SQQ to build the ideal body for Luo Binghe. he definitely has the excess spiritual power LOL p190

This interaction with Sha Hualing and Liu Mingyan tho...I really love Liu Mingyan! Wait- oh no! Not her clawing her face!!! p194

okay she did not get her face clawed

Well, my theory about SQQ building the perfect bod has more merit with the nuns now out of the picture. p197

Holy shit. he actually is strong enough to break through immortal binding cables!! p199

NOW he notices the script change LOL p201 "Shen Qingqiu had certainly never planned to fill in the gap they left behind himself. He had that old feeling of having accidentally picked up the wrong script- it made him vaguely suspicious that the scam of a System was still around"

Dang! he broke the net too! p201

and we have a small appearance by Luo Binghe!!!

Yay! I am so excited i've missed the system, glad it's back. even though it seems kind of broken lol p203

Well "peerless xiangsheng" and "senior peerless" are certainly better than peerless cucumber LOL p205

oh my. Well I mean, he's not entirely wrong is he? Re: Lu Liu's epic tale of the tragic one-sided love between Luo Binghe and Shen Qingqiu. (and this is the Tea I wanted at the beginning of the chapter, I am so happy about it). pp206-207

oh my sweet summer child "Those details aren't the slightest bit reliable, okay? 'The Truth' your sister! Even if I had no girl to fondle for twenty years, no matter how wretched I became, I wouldn't get so desperate that I'd get gay with a guy! Let alone get gay with the male lead!" p212

This Chapter LOL

This was definitely a needed pick up after we had that wretched death. But now I am so curious! I need to know how this turns into their weird but epic love story. When do these two collide??? What happens next???? (do not answer any of these questions LOL no spoilers, but I am very excited to read on).

[princeofvelvet]

Thank you for answering my ask....If you don't mind me asking again, who are your favorite MXTX characters (top 5 from each novel)? And why? I'm sorry if you've answered this question before.

I love these sorts of questions! I've answered my top 5 MXTX characters, but not a top 5 from each novel, this should be fun! It took me all day to answer because deciding on just five was hard!

SVSSS

Has to be Luo Binghe. I didn't think I was going to love him this much but i love the contrast of his hot serious demon lord persona and his house husband persona! I love how sticky he is and yet how independent. And of course I love how horny he is for SQQ! He had the deck stacked against him from the start, as the kind of character who'd often be the person in the love triangle who ends up alone or with a pity prize lover (based on his personality), but he ends up with a husband who loves him lots! 10/10

Shen Qingqiu. I love his internal screaming. He's hilarious, but also kind! And he's elegant (yes that might be because he's in someone else's body but still!) and he loves to look cool in front of others! He also takes no shit from LBH, as the one person who can scold him and live! I love him, also 10/10

Gongyi Xiao. You know what happened with him. I explicitly thought "aww, he's so good! I love him, I hope nothing bad happens to him." He was just a sweet boy, doing his best! I would have looved for him to see bingqiu endgame

Shang Qinghua. There's something so great about an author trapped in their own novel. About an author who has decided to write what'll make money even though he'd like to write other stories. About someone who doesnt need to prove himself to anyone because he knows his worth. I havent read all the airplane extras but this is how I choose to see him based on the novel.

Zhuzhi-Lang. Ah! I love a loyal, tragic snake demon boy. Not so fun fact though, it didn't click to me that he'd died until over a year later when my friend mentioned it, and I cried for a full day. In my mind he's alive and well and BQ visits him and TLJ often.

MDZS

Lan Wangji. My man! I fell in love with him from the start. He's serious and seriously crushing on WWX. He has good morals but he'll follow his beloved to the ends of the earth and out the margins of the law! He's learned to trust WWX and that resolve is ironclad. Also, man of few words!

Xiao Xingchen. He's so gentle and so tragic, there's nothing I want more than to give him a happy life.

Wei Wuxian. Precious! Powerful! Funny! Motherly! He's got it all and then some. Super smart and yes cocky and evil sometimes but what's life without a little spice. Also how much he loves his husband?? Get you a man like this please

Jin Guangyao. He grew on me! I just love every version of him. You wanna make him redeemable? You wanna make him even more unhinged and murderous? You wanna make him a misunderstood baby? yesyesyes give me all of it!

A Qing. I adore her. And it didnt hit me how much i adore her until I was talking to a friend about her and I realized hey wait I minute I really love this girl!! She's brave and spunky and perfect for lewding.

TGCF (this was the one i had the hardest time with because it keeps fluctuating depending on time of day and air humidity. So i cheated)

Shi Wudu. The husband! He's the one that never fluctuates on this list. Always at the top. Same thing as GYX, I remember thinkng "AW, he's such a good brother, I love him so much! Hope... nothing bad happens to him..". And what's not to love about a guy who'd move heaven and earth for their little brother. Very sexy of him to exist.

Hua Cheng. I hate him but I love him. He's hot and he sucks and I love being mean to him but also sometimes giving him rewards. I also love his Hong Hong er and Wu Ming versions a lot!! They all must be lewded

Bai Wuxiang. I think it was very sexy of him to play with xl so much. I looove having him do mean things to XL and HC...

I feel like id be remiss not to give xian le trio their own spot here. I couldnt put one above or below the other. And it's all due to book 4. Their relationship in book 4 is exquisite

Pei Ming & Xuan Ji. idk, PM makes me laugh and I also like being mean to him a bit but also getting him laid, i think he'd appreciate it and XJ, honestly I didnt love her this much until i watched the donghua, but she's lovely! There's so much fun to be had with her and im letting her be next to PM on my list, I also think she'd appreciate that

[elara-moon]

Title: Happy Together (chapter five: BingQiu Week Day Five)

Author: Elara_Moon

Rating: T

Warnings: None

Summary: Hogwarts AU (AKA 2.6k words and seven years of Luo Binghe being absolutely smitten)

AO3 Link

When Luo Binghe was eleven, during his first year at Hogwarts, he met Shen Yuan for the first time. Later, he would look back and call it love at first sight. Shen Yuan would call it ‘an undying puppy crush’.

Luo Binghe was a Slytherin, and he and the other first year Slytherins were very, very lost. The castle was massive and full of confusing, intricate halls and pathways, and the group of eleven year olds had made the mistake of letting Ming Fan navigate. Not that Luo Binghe would blame him to his face… but it was definitely Ming Fan’s fault.

They were supposed to be in the dungeons, since that was where the Slytherin common room was. By Luo Binghe’s estimate, they were instead in one of the towers. There were many towers in the castle, however, so that knowledge didn’t help much.

“Hey! You!”

Luo Binghe turned at the voice. The speaker was an older-year student, though Luo Binghe wasn’t sure of what year, and he was wearing a scarf colored in Gryffindor red and gold. He narrowed dark eyes at them.

“You’re the Slytherin first years, right?” he said suspiciously. “What are you doing here?”

“U-uh, we’re lost,” Ming Fan said. “...Where are we?”

The Gryffindor didn’t look impressed. “You’re outside the Gryffindor dorms,” he said. “Across the castle from the Slytherin dorms.”

As Luo Binghe thought, they were very lost.

Another boy stepped up from behind the unhappy Gryffindor. This one seemed to be about the same age, but he was wearing a Ravenclaw blue and bronze scarf. His bookbag was all but overflowing, the top book peeking out enough that Luo Binghe could make out the title (it was in Latin). The newcomer was even currently holding a book, though judging by the cover, it was a novel and not a textbook.

“Qingge, are you bullying the baby snakes again?” the Ravenclaw asked, tone more curious than anything.

Luo Binghe blinked. Baby snakes?

It was hard to tell who was more insulted: the first years who’d been called baby snakes, or the Gryffindor (Qingge?), who’d been called a bully.

“I am not,” the Gryffindor huffed. He shook his head. “They’re lost. You deal with them.”

With that, he circled around them and strode away.

“Okay, bye,” the Ravenclaw called after him. Then he turned to Luo Binghe’s group. “Wow, you all must really be lost if you’re up here, huh?” He tried to put his book into his bookbag, seemed to realize that it was already full, and then simply shoved the book up his sleeve.

Luo Binghe stared. The uniform robes had pretty baggy sleeves, but not enough for an entire book to sit in one without being visible. And yet, the book was indeed gone.

“I’m Shen Yuan,” the Ravenclaw was saying. “I’m a fourth year. That guy earlier was Liu Qingge, he’s a fourth year too, but even worse, he’s an athlete.”

“I’m Luo Binghe,” he said, stepping forward. “Sorry to bother you, but could you give us directions to the dungeons?”

Shen Yuan smiled. “I can do better, even,” he said. He reached into his sleeve (not the same one the book had disappeared into) and pulled out a folded piece of paper, which he handed to Luo Binghe.

Luo Binghe unfolded it to discover a map of Hogwarts. It looked fairly basic, only the main halls and corridors.

“A map?”

Shen Yuan nodded. “It’s not super fancy or anything, but it updates to show the moving staircases and whenever a corridor decides to move,” he said.

He leaned over the map, into Luo Binghe’s personal space without seeming to notice. He smelled like parchment and sugar.

“I didn’t label it, but look, here’s the Slytherin common room.” Shen Yuan pointed. Then he leaned away. “I made them to give out to the Ravenclaw firsties, but I only have this one left, so you’ll have to share.”

Luo Binghe shook his head hurriedly. “That’s fine! Thank you so much,” he said earnestly.

His fellow first years echoed him with varying levels of enthusiasm. Ming Fan tried to take the map, but Luo Binghe held onto it with a death grip.

“Ah, no problem,” Shen Yuan said. “Anyway, good luck.”

He nodded to them once, then walked off, retrieving the book from his sleeve as he went.

“Thank you!” Luo Binghe said again, calling it after him.

And after that, Luo Binghe spent his entire Hogwarts years pining.

---

In Luo Binghe’s third year, Shen Yuan became the teacher’s assistant for Defense class. Hogwarts being how it was, there was a ton of gossip about it. Apparently the current professor was planning to retire as soon as Shen Yuan graduated, and the Headmaster had already agreed to let Shen Yuan have the position. It was very impressive if the rumors were true, which was probably why the entire castle knew about it within a week.

It wouldn’t really have much bearing on Luo Binghe aside from his… interest in Shen Yuan, except that Shen Yuan started offering tutoring for Defense class. Luo Binghe didn’t really need the help; his grades were all good, including in Defense.

Still, it wasn’t a bad way to spend an hour every Saturday, watching Shen Yuan explain Defense theory, having his attention on him for even a few minutes when Luo Binghe had a question to ask. It was even better when he got onto the topic of magical creatures, because his entire being lit up. Luo Binghe ended up asking a lot of questions, and maybe a lot of them had to do with defense from magical creatures.

Luo Binghe’s defense grade went from good to near perfect, and that was a good thing, right?

Even with the hopeless pining in his first three years, especially third year, it wasn’t until Luo Binghe’s fourth year that he actually realized that he had a crush on Shen Yuan.

It wasn’t a huge revelation, really. Luo Binghe thought, oh, that explains a lot, and moved on. Knowing that he would maybe rather date Shen Yuan than be friends with him didn’t change one very important thing: Shen Yuan was out of his league. Shen Yuan was a seventh year and already in position to become a professor as soon as he graduated.

Luo Binghe was just a fourth year. He had no way to even approach Shen Yuan aside from the tutoring. They weren’t at the same social level.

Three years seemed like a yawning chasm between them, and Luo Binghe wasn’t brave enough to try to cross it.

As the rumors had believed, Shen Yuan really did become the Defense professor the year after he graduated from Hogwarts, NEWT requirements in hand and already working on a mastery. He was a good teacher, too, far better than their previous teacher.

It didn’t help Luo Binghe’s crush at all.

If he’d thought that it was painful staring longingly across the table in the Great Hall to where Shen Yuan sat at the Ravenclaw table, it was downright agonizing to sit in class with him regularly, several times a week, listening to Shen Yuan explain the latest thing. Luo Binghe was really going to die.

He approached Shen Yuan for extra help, citing his OWLs as an excuse.

“Your grades are already near perfect, Binghe. I’m sure you’ll do very well,” Shen Yuan said, and Luo Binghe almost spontaneously combusted.

But he didn’t dare bring up his crush.

Luo Binghe knew he wasn’t subtle. Half of the student body knew about his crush on Professor Shen. But then, half of the student body also had crushes on Professor Shen, so it wasn’t like Luo Binghe was unique there.

And yet, Shen Yuan didn’t seem to notice in the slightest. Perhaps he was being kind, trying to let down the hordes of crushing teenagers gently by refusing to acknowledge their feelings. If that was true, Luo Binghe was grateful. He wasn’t sure he could handle the mortification of Shen Yuan pointing it out and turning him down.

Luo Binghe wasn’t giving up, though.

He was pretty sure Shen Yuan did like him, if not the way he wanted. Shen Yuan’s favoritism was not well-hidden. So, it was only a matter of time. Luo Binghe would make his advances… eventually.

For some time, he planned to do it once he was seventeen, and therefore legally an adult. But then, during a Hogsmeade weekend (Luo Binghe was not following Shen Yuan; he had simply also gone to the same place), he heard Shen Yuan talking to one of his former yearmates, Shang Qinghua. Luo Binghe had no idea what they were talking about, exactly, but he did know that it somehow resulted in Shen Yuan saying, in a loud, scandalized voice,

“I would never date a student!”

Luo Binghe wilted a little bit, but that was fine. His resolve was steady. He just had to wait until he was no longer a student.

And so, the day of his graduation from Hogwarts, Luo Binghe approached Shen Yuan, determined, but a pit of nerves burning in his stomach.

Shen Yuan noticed him approaching, and turned to smile at him. “Congratulations, Binghe,” he said, lifting a hand to pat Luo Binghe on the shoulder.

Luo Binghe was tall, now, almost as tall as Shen Yuan, and so it would be awkward for Shen Yuan to pat him on the head as he used to when Luo Binghe was smaller. Even understanding that, Luo Binghe couldn’t help but miss it.

“Thank you, Professor Shen,” Luo Binghe said.

“You don’t have to call me that anymore,” Shen Yuan pointed out. “I’m not your teacher anymore.”

Luo Binghe smiled. That was flirting, right? Shen Yuan was saying that one purpose, right? Luo Binghe stepped closer to Shen Yuan, too close for casual conversation, but not so close as to be improper. They were in public, after all. Shen Yuan didn’t react to the new proximity.

“That’s true… Yuan,” Luo Binghe said in a low voice.

Shen Yuan blushed, just slightly. Luo Binghe had to force down a smirk. But Shen Yuan just smiled again, politely, and nodded.

“You’ve been a good student. I’m sure you’ll go on to do great things, Binghe,” Shen Yuan said.

Many possible innuendos came to Luo Binghe’s mind. He carefully avoided those; he had no proof, but based on what he knew of Shen Yuan, he doubted he would appreciate an innuendo. So, how to redirect the conversation without being crude or perverted?

“Thank you very much,” Luo Binghe said. Then, as Shen Yuan nodded again and prepared to walk off, having congratulated Luo Binghe like every other graduating student, Luo Binghe’s entire brain decided to abandon him. “Actually, I had something to ask you!”

He reached out to grab Shen Yuan’s wrist. Shen Yuan blinked down at Luo Binghe’s hand, but he didn’t seem upset.

“Okay…?”

“Go on a date with me,” Luo Binghe blurted out, then cursed himself and his panicky tendencies. What kind of Slytherin was he? Cunning, who? It was all because of Shen Yuan; his presence made Luo Binghe’s thought process dive out the nearest window.

Shen Yuan’s eyes went wide. His arm jerked in Luo Binghe’s hold. For a second, he just stared, and that second was too long for Luo Binghe and his currently off-line brain.

“I’m not a student anymore,” he said. “So it wouldn’t be unethical.” He bit his tongue before his mouth could add something embarrassing like, I’ve had a crush on you for seven years.

“You -- I -- What?” Shen Yuan said, gaze flickering everywhere except Luo Binghe’s face. He cleared his throat and tugged at his wrist.

Luo Binghe let go reluctantly. Fear -- the worry that Shen Yuan would reject him, just walk away now and ignore him -- rose up suffocatingly in his throat.

Finally, Shen Yuan took a breath and said carefully, “You want to… go on a date? With me?”

More than anything, Luo Binghe thought.

“Very much,” he actually said out loud, nodding firmly.

“Oh,” Shen Yuan said, so quiet it was hardly anything more than exhaled air. He folded his hands together, then lifted then to hide the lower half of his face behind his sleeves. After a moment of staring intently at the floor to the side, very emphatically not looking at Luo Binghe, he said, “Well, I suppose… That would be okay…?”

It wasn’t the most eager agreement, but Luo Binghe’s heart soared. He barely restrained himself from tackling Shen Yuan in an excited hug.

“Great!” Luo Binghe said, possibly the happiest he’d ever been in his life, ever.

He didn’t know what kind of face he was making, but whatever it was, when Shen Yuan finally managed to look at him again, his lips curved up in a small, genuine smile, not the usual polite one.

---

“Thank you for the date, Professor,” Luo Binghe purred, holding one of Shen Yuan’s hands.

They were standing in front of the small house Shen Yuan stayed in when Hogwarts was out for the summer, Luo Binghe having acquired permission to walk Shen Yuan home.

Shen Yuan turned red. “Don’t call me that like that!” he said, whacking Luo Binghe on the arm.

“What, professor?” Luo Binghe said innocently. “It’s your title, isn’t it? What’s wrong with that?”

Spluttering, Shen Yuan failed to come up with an explanation.

---

When Luo Binghe was twenty four years old, after a relatively short but immensely successful time as a politician, he ran for Minister of Magic. His sole competitor, the incumbent Minister, was not pleased, but he was an unpleasant person anyway. Even Shen Yuan, who rarely expressed an unfavorable opinion of anyone (though Luo Binghe knew he wasn’t nearly so charitable or tolerant as he pretended to be), had admitted that he disliked the Minister.

The results were soon to be announced. Luo Binghe, Shen Yuan, and Luo Binghe’s campaign staff, namely Mobei Jun and Shang Qinghua, were all together in Luo Binghe’s offices, waiting for the results to be announced over the Wizarding Radio.

They should really figure out how to get more advanced technology to work with magic, Luo Binghe thought idly. It would be nice to have smartphones. Or even TVs.

Finally, the radio crackled.

“All right, folks,” said the radio announcer. “The ballots have been counted, and the results are in. The new Minister of Magic will be…”

There was an overly long dramatic pause. Luo Binghe refrained from rolling his eyes, but caught out of the corner of his eye as Shen Yuan rolled his.

“The challenger, Luo Binghe!” the announcer shouted.

Luo Binghe’s campaign staff burst into cheers and applause, nearly drowning out the announcer’s next words. He allowed himself a smile.

“For the first time in nearly two decades, the incumbent Minister has been overthrown!” the announcer continued, very obviously giving away his own political position.

Shen Yuan reached over and took Luo Binghe’s hand. When Luo Binghe looked over at him, he was smiling. Luo Binghe grinned back, and Shen Yuan leaned in close, secure in the knowledge that the rest of the people in the room were celebrating too hard to pay attention to them. Mobei Jun and Shang Qinghua were already making out.

“Congratulations on your win… Minister,” Shen Yuan whispered into Luo Binghe’s ear.

Oh. Oh. Luo Binghe kind of understood Shen Yuan’s reaction to him calling him ‘professor’, now. Unlike Shen Yuan, however, Luo Binghe wasn’t the bashful type. As Shen Yuan drew away, blushing furiously, Luo Binghe caught his wrist and pulled him back in to kiss him.

He might have a hard time taking it seriously whenever anybody else called him ‘minister’, but Luo Binghe thought he could get behind the way Shen Yuan said it.

[hamliet]

Procrastination = ([TGCF + Scum Villain] + [MBTI + Enneagram])

Brought to you by procrastination on an actual meta and a crack fanfic I wanna write. and a semi-functioning brain after a Week TM personally and professionally. 

I covered MDZS’s character personality types for the MBTI here and for the Enneagram here, and so now I really wanted to do both of these for the characters from Scum Villain’s Self-Saving System and TGCF. Except the thing is I have only read through 114 of TGCF (bless the translators) and there are still about 15 chapters left of Scum Villain, so because I feel like in an MXTX novel anything can happen to change my view of the characters and what they truly want (which is vital to the Enneagram), I’m only going to go with Enneagram for the main characters, but MBTI for everyone.��

For the MBT introI: The Myers-Briggs Personality type is older than the Enneagram, and consists of sixteen types based on four different pairs of personality traits: Introversion vs. Extroversion; Sensing vs. Intuition, Feeling vs. Thinking, and Perceiving vs. Judging. To be clear, none of these categories are black and white–for example, all Feelers are capable of using logic, and Thinkers have feelings and care about people–but it’s a cool way of understanding personalities.

For the Ennagream intro: The Enneagram classifies people based on their motivations and their fears into nine basic “types,” and each type also comes with a “wing” to an adjacent type (in other words, someone who is Type 1 can have a 2 wing or a 9 wing, etc.) Each type also has “arrows” meant to depict that as they grow, they grow in the direction of another type, and as they grow more stressed, they disintegrate towards yet another type. There are also “levels” of health within each type (Basic descriptions are taken from the Enneagram Institute.) 

Scum Villain

Shen QingQiu (Shen Yuan)-->INTJ, “The Architect” 

With a natural thirst for knowledge that shows itself early in life, Architects are often given the title of “bookworm” as children... Architects enjoy sharing what they know as well, confident in their mastery of their chosen subjects, but they prefer to design and execute a brilliant plan within their field rather than share opinions on “uninteresting” distractions like gossip... Architects are simultaneously the most starry-eyed idealists and the bitterest of cynics, a seemingly impossible conflict. But this is because Architect personalities tend to believe that with effort, intelligence and consideration, nothing is impossible, while at the same time they believe that people are too lazy, short-sighted or self-serving to actually achieve those fantastic results.

This sounds an awful lot like how SQQ judges everyone in the story. 

For the Enneagram, I’d say he’s a Type 5, “The Investigator.”

Basic Fear: Being useless, helpless, or incapable

Basic Desire: To be capable and competent

Key Motivations: Want to possess knowledge, to understand the environment, to have everything figured out as a way of defending the self from threats from the environment.

Specifically I’d say he’s a 5 with a 6 wing, “The Problem Solver.” A 6′s core desire is for safety and support. 

Luo BingHe-->ESFJ “The Consul”

Consuls love to be of service, enjoying any role that allows them to participate in a meaningful way, so long as they know that they are valued and appreciated. This is especially apparent at home, and Consuls make loyal and devoted partners and parents. Consul personalities respect hierarchy, and do their best to position themselves with some authority, at home and at work, which allows them to keep things clear, stable and organized for everyone.

For the Ennagream, I’d say he’s a Type 3, “The Achiever.” 

Basic Fear: Of being worthless

Basic Desire: To feel valuable and worthwhile

Key Motivations: Want to be affirmed, to distinguish themselves from others, to have attention, to be admired, and to impress others.

I think he’s also more likely a 3w4, “The Professional.” A 4 is motivated to find themselves and their significance in the world, and can be... moody.

Liu QingGe-->ISTJ “The Logistician”

Logistician personalities are no-nonsense, and when they’ve made a decision, they will relay the facts necessary to achieve their goal, expecting others to grasp the situation immediately and take action. Logisticians have little tolerance for indecisiveness, but lose patience even more quickly if their chosen course is challenged with impractical theories.

Ning YingYing-->ENFP, The Campaigner 

The Campaigner personality is a true free spirit. They are often the life of the party, but unlike types in the Explorer Role group, Campaigners are less interested in the sheer excitement and pleasure of the moment than they are in enjoying the social and emotional connections they make with others. 

Ming Fan-->ESTJ, “The Executive” 

they expect their reliability and work ethic to be reciprocated – people with this personality type meet their promises, and if partners or subordinates jeopardize them through incompetence or laziness, or worse still, dishonesty, they do not hesitate to show their wrath. 

Shang QingHua-->ISFP, “The Adventurer” 

Hilariously this is the same type I think Nie HuaiSang is, and I think Shang is pretty likely an HuaiSang prototype. 

Adventurers live in a colorful, sensual world, inspired by connections with people and ideas. These personalities take joy in reinterpreting these connections, reinventing and experimenting with both themselves and new perspectives.

Zu ZhiLang-->ISFJ, “The Defender”

The challenge for Defenders is ensuring that what they do is noticed. They have a tendency to underplay their accomplishments, and while their kindness is often respected, more cynical and selfish people are likely to take advantage of Defenders’ dedication and humbleness by pushing work onto them and then taking the credit. Defenders need to know when to say no and stand up for themselves if they are to maintain their confidence and enthusiasm.

While the story isn’t finished translation-wise, I feel like Snake Boy is likely an Enneagram 6, “The Loyalist,” but we shall see. 

TGCF/Heaven Official’s Blessing

Xie Lian–>INFJ, “The Advocate”

it is most important for Advocates to remember to take care of themselves. The passion of their convictions is perfectly capable of carrying them past their breaking point and if their zeal gets out of hand, they can find themselves exhausted, unhealthy and stressed...

To Advocates, the world is a place full of inequity – but it doesn’t have to be.

For the Enneagram, he is a 2, “The Helper.”  

Basic Fear: Of being unwanted, unworthy of being loved

Basic Desire: To feel loved

Key Motivations: Want to be loved, to express their feelings for others, to be needed and appreciated, to get others to respond to them, to vindicate their claims about themselves.

He’s likely a 2w3, “The Host.” 

Hua Cheng–>ISFJ, “The Defender.” 

Though sensitive, Defenders have excellent analytical abilities; though reserved, they have well-developed people skills and robust social relationships; and though they are generally a conservative type, Defenders are often receptive to change and new ideas. As with so many things, people with the Defender personality type are more than the sum of their parts, and it is the way they use these strengths that defines who they are.

For the Enneagram, I think he’s an 8, “The Challenger,” and specifically an 8w9, “The Bear.” 

Basic Fear: Of being harmed or controlled by others

Basic Desire: To protect themselves (to be in control of their own life and destiny)

Key Motivations: Want to be self-reliant, to prove their strength and resist weakness, to be important in their world, to dominate the environment, and to stay in control of their situation.

A 9′s basic fear is of loss and separation, and their internal desires is for peace of mind.

Shi Qing Xuan–> ENFP, “The Campaigner.”

My fave baby. 

they are perfectly capable of switching from a passionate, driven idealist in the workplace to that imaginative and enthusiastic free spirit on the dance floor, often with a suddenness that can surprise even their closest friends. Being in the mix also gives them a chance to connect emotionally with others, giving them cherished insight into what motivates their friends and colleagues. They believe that everyone should take the time to recognize and express their feelings, and their empathy and sociability make that a natural conversation topic.

Qi Rong–>ESFP, “The Entertainer” 

Entertainers love the spotlight, and all the world’s a stage... they love putting on a show for their friends too, chatting with a unique and earthy wit, soaking up attention and making every outing feel a bit like a party. Utterly social, Entertainers enjoy the simplest things, and there’s no greater joy for them than just having fun with a good group of friends.

Mu Qing–>ISTJ, “The Logistician”

people with the Logistician personality type often prefer to work alone, or at least have their authority clearly established by hierarchy, where they can set and achieve their goals without debate or worry over other’s reliability.

Logisticians have sharp, fact-based minds, and prefer autonomy and self-sufficiency to reliance on someone or something. Dependency on others is often seen by Logisticians as a weakness, and their passion for duty, dependability and impeccable personal integrity forbid falling into such a trap.

Fen Xing–>ESFJ, “The Consul” 

Consuls love to be of service, enjoying any role that allows them to participate in a meaningful way, so long as they know that they are valued and appreciated.