Hua Cheng woke up next to Xie Lian in the morning. He remembered the past events and sat up slowly, getting up out of bed.
He walked out of the room after changing and went to Shen Qingqiu's room. He knocked on the door and waited, soon enough the door opened to Shen Qingqiu.
"Hua-xiong, do you need anything?" Shen Qingqiu asked.
"Is Luo-xiong alright?" Hua Cheng asked, "I got a bit worried last night, so was Gege."
"He just let the sword control him again, it's fine though," Shen Qingqiu said.
"Alright, do you mind if I see his sword? I happen to be well informed in weapons and how they work," Hua Cheng said.
"Sure," Shen Qingqiu opened the door wider and let Hua Cheng walk inside.
Hua Cheng saw the sword on the table and raised an eyebrow, "That sword is powerful, no doubt."
"It is," Shen Qingqiu sighed, "I'm afraid he might not be able to control it anymore."
"He might if he keeps it near him, have you tried taking it away from him for a while?" Hua Cheng asked.
"Yes, but he won't leave it because he 'needs it to protect me' and stuff."
"Shizun...?" A soft voice echoed around the room. The two men turned to Luo Binghe who was sitting up, "What...what happened?"
"You let your sword take control," Hua Cheng said, "and we may have to take it away soon."
"What? No, I have to protect Shizun," Luo Binghe protested.
"I'm sure he can take care of himself, besides you can fight without your sword. Sure it gives you an advantage but you can use something else like an instrument or a fan," Hua Cheng said.
"I don't know how to," Luo Binghe said.
"Then learn from someone," Hua Cheng said, "I'll see you both at class." He left the room without another word.
After class Wei Wuxian offered them all for some tea, including a few more friends like Jiang Cheng and Nie Huaisang and a few others. They all went to Wei Ying's room and started chatting and drinking tea, or so they thought.
"You're a heavenly official?" One of the friends asked.
Xie Lian nodded, his eyes a bit dazed, "Yes."
"And your the god of what?"
"I collect scraps," Xie Lian replied.
The man scoffed, "That's why your shoes raggedy."
"That's why your mama dead," Xie Lian smiled sweetly. "Dead as hell, what shoes does she got on?" (Author-xiong is sorry!)
The man's eyes widened, "How-how did you know she was dead?"
"Oh nothing," Xie Lian waved a hand, "now get out."
"Y-yes!" The man rushed out leaving Xie Lian to laugh.
"Gege?" Hua Cheng asked.
"Yes?" Xie Lian asked, turning to the man with kind eyes.
"Are you...drunk?"
"Yeah about that," Wei Ying said, "I may or may not have lied to you. It wasn't tea but alcohol."
"Fuck," Shen Qingqiu turned to Luo Binghe who was leaning his head on his shoulder, "Binghe...Binghe wake up."
The man opened his eyes slowly, "Shizun, what is it?"
"Drink this," Shen Qingqiu handed him a cup of water.
"Okay," Luo Binghe drank the water and laid down again.
Shen Qingqiu gave another cup of water to Xie Lian, "Drink it."
Xie Lian giggled, "Okay." He took the water and drank it slowly, before putting the cup down.
They all waited and soon Xie Lian was sober, "Gege," Hua Cheng said, "how do you feel?"
Xie Lina smiled, "I'm fine, don't worry about me."
Hua Cheng realized he was sober and nodded, "Alright." They all glared at Wei Ying who smiled sheepishly.
"Sorry, I wanted to drink secretly," Wei Ying rubbed the back of his neck.
"Well now we know what happens when Xie-xiong gets drunk," Shen Qingqiu sighed. He looked down at Luo Binghe who was waking up.
"Shizun, what happened?"
"Someone tricked you into drinking alcohol," Shen Qingqiu said, glaring daggers into Wei Ying.
"Who?" Luo Binghe mumbled.
"Don't worry about it, just rest," Shen Qingqiu pet the man's head gently.
"Okay," Luo Binghe nodded and fell asleep again.
"Gege, how do you feel?" Hua Cheng asked the man.
"I'm fine, just a bit dizzy," Xie Lian smiled, "I'll be fine."
"Are you sure? We can go back to our rooms," Hua Cheng offered.
"No it's fine, I want to stay here and get to know them better," Xie Lian turned to Jiang Cheng who was there as well. "So what's your name?"
"Jiang Cheng," the man replied, "I'm Wei Wuxian's brother."
"Ah ok, no wonder you two get along well," Xie Lian commented. "I'm Xie Lian, Crown Prince of XianLe, and this is my husband San Lang, also known as Hua Cheng or Crimson Rain Sought Flower."
Jiang Cheng nodded at Hua Cheng who glared at him, "Nice to meet you."
"Likewise," Hua Cheng growled.
"San Lang!" Xie Lian exclaimed, "Be nice!"
Hua Cheng nodded, "Alright, Gege. Jiang-xiong, it's nice to meet you too."
"I'm Nie," another man said, "Nie Huaisang."
"Nice to meet you," Xie Lian said.
"Now that we all know each other, who wants to go to the Cool Pond?" Wei Ying asked, "I want to investigate what happened there last time."
"I'll go," Shen Qingqiu said, turned to Luo Binghe, "do you want to come?"
The man nodded in response, "I go wherever Shizun goes."
"Alright, let's go then!"
