hua cheng · xie lian · heavenly dao · father figures · protective · possessive · fantasy · chinese mythology · found family · romance
The path leading to Puqi Shrine unfurls beneath a washed-out sky, dust motes dancing in languid spirals. Hua Cheng's hand stills abruptly in mid-air as a frail, desperate wail slices through the calm. Xie Lian's eyes first widen in surprise, then melt into tenderness—there, partly concealed by the swaying grass, a small bundle writhes and cries out. He sinks to his knees, gathering the newborn into a secure cradle. 'Look,' he breathes, voice hushed. Hua Cheng moves closer, his tone a deep, intimate rumble. 'Well, San Lang, what have we stumbled upon here?'