Shi Qingxuan's Dragrace

31. Shi Qingxuan's Dragrace, the talk of The Three Realms

Three months after Shi Qingxuan's Dragrace, Xie Lian went to the Heavenly Court, and all the officials were still talking about the festival. Same on Puqi Village, and at the Royal Capital, where Xie Lian went to get some good quality writing materials for Hua Cheng.

After being a few days away, he returned to Ghost City, making his way to the market to meet Hua Cheng. All the ghosts around kept greeting him cheerfully,

"GRAND UNCL-DAOZHANG XIE! WELCOME BACK MY LORD!"

"WE'RE HONOURED COME COME COME HEHEHE!" and other such random chaotic greetings. He smiled and bowed graciously, his acknowledgements making the ghosts even more excited.

Seeing him, Hua Cheng smiled and hugged him tightly, kissing him and saying, "Gege. I missed you madly." And kissed him again, and again, and again. Xie Lian kissed him back, laughing happily.

The ghosts around cheered and clapped noisily as if they were seeing a theatre play.

Hua Cheng shouted the usual "Scram!", and they hurriedly went away to carry on their businesses.

Xie Lian said, "I missed you too San Lang." He caressed Hua Cheng's face and said, "Let's spend a few days together if you're not too busy?"

Hua Cheng said, "Never too busy for Gege."

Xie Lian smiled, "Look what I brought you from the Royal Capital. Writing materials!"

Hua Cheng made an unreadable face. He thought of something else to do for the next few days than practicing calligraphy.

Xie Lian laughed again, "Don't be like that. Look, I also brought drawing materials."

"Oh? Really?", Hua Cheng seemed to cheer up, then embraced Xie Lian tighter, pulling him closer, saying, "Does it mean Gege is going to model for me again?" Then he smiled wickedly, "In the nude?"

"San Lang!" Xie Lian said, blushing.

Hua Cheng made an extremely fake innocent face. "What Gege? It's just art."

He laughed at Xie Lian's embarrassment, then grabbed his hand to make their way back to The Qiandeng Temple. They walked leisurely, chatting happily.

"I can't believe San Lang. In the Heavenly Court, Puqi Village, Royal Capital, Ghost City, the talk of town is always Shi Qingxuan's Dragrace!"

Hua Cheng said, "Good, people will be keen to see REAL drag shows, that's more business for Ghost City." He smiled smugly, noting mentally that he still had to see about that drag pass.

Xie Lian added, "And I must say you're still the nightmare of The Heavens after turning Pei Ming into a daruma doll." He smiled lightly, shaking his head. Hua Cheng smiled again and kissed him on the cheek.

Xie Lian carried on, "I'm truly in awe of the Lord Wind Master, he's indeed such an entrepreneur. His festival was a ground-breaking world changing event, promoting tolerance, diversity and inclusion in all The Three Realms."

Then he added with conviction, "Seriously. He might even just ascend to The Heavens after that."

Hua Cheng laughed heartily. "Gege, Shi Qingxuan became so lawless after loosing his divine powers, being a heaven official doesn't suit him anymore. If he ascends, he might just jump back down."

That would be truly ironic; Shi Qingxuan, after ascending through dubious and devious ways, finally ascending by his own skills and merits, just to jump back down. But Hua Cheng was probably right; him and Shi Qingxuan, quite unlikely, were kindred souls after all.

Xie Lian laughed too, shaking his head. He was happy for how things turned out for Shi Qingxuan, only wishing wholeheartedly never having to wear heels again. Still holding Hua Cheng's hand, he let himself be led inside The Qiandeng Temple.

This fic ended up a bit long but I had so much fun writing it! 😀 

This lowly writer is truly happy with all the votes and comments, and even translations of this fic into Russian and Ukrainian by . (the Ukrainian even has a cover art with the flag's colours).

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