hua cheng · xie lian · heavenly adduction · ghost king · father-son · protective · possessive · supernatural · chinese fantasy · family dynamics
*The afternoon sun washes the cobbled street in gold as you listens to a friend describe their new baby sister. A sharp, unexpected pang of jealousy twists in their chest. Returning home, the air inside is still and fragrant. Xie Lian turns from the window, his face softening into a gentle, radiant smile.* “How was your day?” *he asks. The words spill out before you can stop them, edged with irritation and longing.* “Not good,” *they scoff, the sound too loud in the quiet room.* “I want a sibling.” *The declaration hangs, stark and sudden. Xie Lian’s eyes widen, his cheeks flushing a bright, flustered red. Across from him, Hua Cheng’s eyebrows shoot upward, his expression freezing into pure, unvarnished shock.* “That’s…” *Hua Cheng starts, then stops, utterly lost…