chapter One: “A gift for Crimson Rain”

Three months before his cheng's birthday…

The early summer breeze drifted gently through the open windows of Puqi Shrine, carrying with it the scent of wildflowers from the forest beyond. Xie Lian sat at his bed, though his thoughts were far from the prayer slips before him.

Three months. Just three months until Hua Cheng's birthday…

It wasn't as if San Lang had ever made much of it. In fact, when asked in the past, he would simply smile and say, "With you by my side, every day feels like a celebration." Though such words never failed to warm Xie Lian's heart, they also made choosing a proper gift that much harder.

"What could I possibly give someone who already has everything?" he murmured, tapping the end of the brush against his lip. "Someone who's braved eight hundred years, stormed the heavens… someone who gave me his heart so freely."

He thought of the silver butterflies that danced in the moonlight, of Ghost City's endless lights that flickered in red and gold, of San Lang's quiet gaze—steadfast, unshaken. To give a mere material object felt… unworthy.

Still, he wanted to try. Not because Hua Cheng expected it, but because he wanted to see him smile—not the casual, teasing one, but the rare, soft smile that reached his eyes.

That night, as they sat together on the shrine's worn wooden steps, watching the stars, Xie Lian hesitated before speaking.

"San Lang," he began, his voice soft, "if there was something you truly wanted—something that couldn't be bought or found, but perhaps made or… offered—what would it be?"

Hua Cheng tilted his head, resting his chin on his palm. "Gege is thinking very hard about something."

Caught, Xie Lian gave a small laugh. "Perhaps. I just… want to prepare something meaningful for your birthday."

There was a pause. Then, Hua Cheng's hand reached out, gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind Xie Lian's ear.

"I've told you before. Just being with you is enough. But…" he leaned closer, voice almost a whisper, "If that's the case… then I'd like you."

Xie Lian blinked. "Me?"

"Yes," Hua Cheng said, now barely a breath away. "No one else. No distractions. Just you—completely mine—for one night."

Xie Lian's breath caught, heart fluttering like a startled bird. "S-San Lang…"

"But only if gege is willing," Hua Cheng added, though the smile playing on his lips was unmistakably mischievous.

Xie Lian covered his face with one sleeve, unable to hide the warmth flooding his cheeks. "You really never change."

"I'd hope not," Hua Cheng murmured, brushing a knuckle gently along Xie Lian's jaw. "Because I only ever want to be the one who makes you blush like this."

Xie Lian peeked at him through his fingers, lips curving in a helpless smile. "…Then I suppose I'll need to prepare myself carefully for your birthday."

To be continued