Chapter Text
“Ah; it’s been so long since the last time we came out like this together.” Hua Cheng said as he and Xie Lian walked through the streets of a town called Yiling.
It was a big and beautiful city and they could almost find anything they wanted.
Xie Lian had to come here to help a prayer and since they had nothing to do afterwards; he suggested they go visit the town and Hua Cheng had gladly agreed.
“San Lang; we just did this a week ago.” Xie Lian said as a chuckle escaped his lips.
“So? It’s been too loooong. I like going out with Gege.” Hua Cheng said and Xie Lian couldn’t help but blush a bit; making a victorious smirk appear on the other’s lips.
He just couldn’t help it when Hua Cheng does something like this even though it’s been a couple ten years since they’ve married! MARRIED!
“Let’s go rest in an inn for now and visit the town tomorrow. I’m so tired.” Xie lian said with those cute puppy eyes Hua Cheng loved so much and the man chuckled as he nodded.
“Of course you are. That was a crazy ass ghost to deal with.”
Xie Lian sighed. “True.” He said as they made their way towards an inn.
“This looks fine. Not too crowded either. We can just go here...San Lang?” He turned around noticing that Hua Cheng wasn’t following.
“Gege; there’s some weird noises coming from one of the butterflies. You go, I’ll be right back.”
“Huh? What? San Lang what do you mean? I’m coming with you.”
“No it’s fine. You’re tired and this doesn’t seem like anything serious. You just go and get a room. I’ll be back in less than an hour.”
“But...”
“It’s really fine. I think it’s one of the ghosts from the ghost city. I’ll just go see what they’re doing here. Nothing to worry about.”
“From the ghost city? That’s weird.”
“It is.”
Cue Lian was still worried but he knew his husband wouldn’t lie to him. They’ve been through hell together. If there was actually something wrong; Xie Lian knew he’d be the first one his husband would talk to. “You sure you don’t want me to come?”
“Yeah, it’s fine.” Hua Cheng said grinning, assuring the other that it was really fine and so Xie Lian didn’t press the matter any further and just nodded hesitatingly.
He trusted the man and knew he would tell him if there was something wrong.
“Okay. Be careful.” He said and Hua Cheng nodded as he turned around; walking to the other direction.
He walked through the streets, following the sounds coming from the butterfly.
He had no idea who they belonged to but they sounded like terrified screams of a child. He usually wouldn’t bother but these sounds were just making chills run down his spine. That’s why he didn’t want Xie Lian to come with him. He had to find out what was going on first.
Just why were they screaming like this? Like a ghost was ripping them apart.
He kept walking for another good 10 minutes and finally reached a wide Street, crowded with people who were selling everything.
But in some corner he saw a man holding down a child by his hair while the child begged and screamed at him to let him go. That’s where the sound was coming from and it seems that the reason Hua Cheng couldn’t see anything through the butterfly was because it was stuck in the child’s messy hair.
The child looked completely terrified and tears were streaming down his face.
He was also surrounded by dogs which were barking nonstop and there was bite marks visible on the kids hands and legs and his clothes were ripped at most parts, blood visible on most spots.
And no one bothered to see what was going on.
Or maybe they knew but just didn’t care.
“Just stop moving already brat. Do you have any idea how much money I can make from selling you?” The man said and the moment those words left his mouth Hua Cheng felt his blood boil as he walked there.
The dogs suddenly stopped barking and ran away whimpering when thay sensed him; making the man to suddenly look up outraged to see what has made his dogs run; only to come face to face with a man dressed in red; staring down at him with blood red eyes. Truly a terrifying scene.
“Let that child go.” Hua Cheng said and the man did let go but only to grab Hua Cheng’s collar.
Hua Cheng looked down at the kid as he fell on the ground whimpering before looking back at the man.
“And who do you think you are to tell me that? I do whatever I want with my belongings.” The man yelled; spitting at his face.
“And since when a human is a belonging?!”
“look buddy, if you want things to end peacefully, you better let go before I tell my men beat you to death. understood?” He said as seven to eight people approached from behind; only to make a devilish smirk to appear on Hua Cheng’s lips as he looked at them; his eyes suddenly glowing red and making all those men to get thrown away.
“Wha...” the man holding his collar whispered startled; his hands starting to shake before looking back at Hua Cheng with wide eyes and just seeing the look on the ghost king’s face almost made him piss his pants.
“You were saying?” Hua Cheng whispered; making chills run down his spine.
“I...I...” he couldn’t finish as Hua Cheng grabbed his neck before tossing him aside; making him to hit the wall hard before falling on the ground and coughing blood; probably breaking a few bones. But he just stood up and ran away with his tail between his legs; caring more about his life than anything else.
Only then did Hua Cheng kneeled on the ground slowly; approaching the shaking child on the who’s tears were still streaming down his face.
The child pulled away from him and tried to stand up and run away only to cry out in pain and fall back down immediately; almost hitting his head to the ground if Hua Cheng hadn’t caught him.
“No, no I’m sorry. Please...please don’t hurt me...don’t...don’t sell me. Please . P-please.” The kid sobbed as he shut his eyes and covered his head with his hands, afraid and Hua Cheng felt his heart clenching at his words.
How old was this kid anyway? He didn’t look older than ten; yet he’s been through something like this.
Not that it was anything new to him though. He himself was even younger when he had been through things worst than this. Even diedat the end.
He shook his head as he helped the child sit slowly; his hand supporting his back. But the impact still made the child to cry out in pain and shut his eyes.
“D-did I hurt you?”
“No; no you didn’t do anything. I’m sorry. I’m s-so sorry it was my fault. Please...I-I’m sorry...”
“Hey; hey; shhh it’s alright. You didn’t do anything wrong. I promise I won’t hurt you okay?” Hua Cheng said in a soft voice; trying to calm the panicking child.
The child’s eyes widened at the words like they were unknown to him. “Y-you won’t?”
“No, I promise. Are you...in pain?” Hua Cheng asked and the child hesitated for a moment before he nodded slowly.
“Where?”
“M.. my chest.” He said in a low pitched tone; not looking at Hua Cheng’s eyes.
“Can you let me see?” He asked as he slowly moved his hand towards the kid’s ragged clothes to pull them up and the child just sat still; not daring to move. Like Hua Cheng would hurt him if he did.
“Shit; these look bad.” Hua Cheng whispered with wide eyes when he saw all the purple and bleeding bruises on his chest and abdomen. He probably had multiple broken ribs.
“Am...am I going to die?” The child asked; his trembling voice making Hua Cheng to look up in his big tearful eyes and he couldn’t help but think that they were beautiful. Grey with rays of light purple.
But despite being so beautiful...they still looked so...hollow and lifeless.
“No; no of course not. You just need a little rest and some food and medicine. You’ll be alright.” He assured him gently and with a smile but to his surprise that brought even more tears to the kid’s eyes.
“Then I’m going to die.”
“Huh?”
“I don’t have food nor money. And I can’t rest because the... the dogs are always chasing me. And...people.” He whimpered, looking away before continuing.
“That’s not too bad though...Maybe I’ll see my mom and dad again.” He continued and his voice was filled with too much sadness that for a moment; Hua Cheng doubted if he was really just a child. He had just...wished to die...
Now why was that so familiar to Hua Cheng?!
He took a shuddering breath before lifting the kid’s head gently. “Where are...your parents?”
“I...I don’t know. They...they left me when I was little.” The second those words escaped the child’s mouth; he started sobbing as big tears rolled down his eyes and without thinking Hua Cheng just pulled the kid into his embrace; surprising both himself and the child.
But after seeing that the impact actually seemed to calm down the kid; he smiled as he pulled him closer; careful not to cause him more pain but the child didn’t seem to care at all as he cried even louder; wrapping his arms around Hua Cheng and clenching his fists around his red robes and sobbing into them.
“Shhhh...it’s okay; it’s alright. You’re not going to die or anything. I’ll get you food and a place to rest and you’ll be just fine.” He whispered rubbing the child’s back and making him to look up surprised.
He couldn’t believe his ears. “W..what?”
“I told you. Maybe we can find you some warmer cloths too; hm?”
“R...really?”
“It’s actually...winter? Wait...you...aren’t you cold?!” He suddenly asked realizing how cold it actually was. How the fuck hadn’t this kid frozen to death already?
“A...a little.”
It was obviously more than a little. “Okay then; let’s go.” He said quickly; going to pick up the kid; only for him to pull away.
“Y...you’re not going to do something to me though; Right? You’re not...fooling me?”
“No...no I swear, I promise.” Hua Cheng could completely see how hesitant the child was still and he didn’t want to cause him fear by pulling and taking him away. Then...something came to his mind.
He snapped his fingers; making the kid to look at him startled. “Hey; what if I show you something magical?”
“Magical?”
“Aham.” He said to the child’s puzzled look before he reached his hand towards his hair and pulled out the silver glowing butterfly that was still stuck there; then holding it in front of the kid’s stunned face.
“Woah!” he said in awe as he stared at the butterfly with wide shining eyes; slowly bringing up his hand to touch it but seemed to be hesitating. So Hua Cheng just put the butterfly on his tiny fingers; making him to chuckle and actually smile for the first time; the sound warming Hua Cheng’s heart. He just had such beautiful laugh. And a beautiful smile. A smile Hua Cheng wanted to protect.
“Where did this come from? Was it living in my hair?” The child asked startled; making Hua Cheng to chuckle amusedly.
“No silly. That’s my magical butterfly.”
“Yours? It’s so pretty!” He said smiling as he looked back at the thing on his finger, slowly touching it’s wing.
“Thanks. You can keep it if you want.”
The child looked like he had just received the best gift in the word as he stared at the butterfly before looking up at Hua Cheng with sparkling eyes. “Are you an angel?” He asked in awe and Hua Cheng almost chocked before he started roaring in laughter at the words. It was literally the exact opposite.
“No; no for god’s sake!”
“Yes You are!”
“No I’m not...”
“YES! You are! Because I say so!”
Hua Cheng couldn’t help but laugh at the cute pout in the Child’s face as he ruffled his hair. This kid was just too cute. “Okay okay; whatever you say. So... are you coming with me?” He asked gently and this time the kid actually nodded quickly as he wrapped his free hand around Hua Cheng’s neck again and the man picked him up in his arms.
“So; what’s your name? I’m Hua Cheng but you can just call me San Lang. Whatever you like.”
“Then...Hua Gege!”
Hua Cheng almost choked for the second time that day but the kid continued; not noticing the startled look on the older’s face. “Wei Ying. My name’s Wei Ying.”