Betting on a shooting star

Chapter 1

A mysterious and haunted world opened before him. Everything was filled with crimson and gold bright lights that made the atmosphere look almost magical. Chatter and laughter filled the air as people were passing by. Xie Lian was in the ghost realm, all because he was investigating a heaven official that went missing some years ago. Everything was all right, until he realised that Shi Quigxuan and the group of female ghosts had disappeared without any trace. He was all on his own, again. Without anyone by his side, the Ghost City could easily make him disappear as well, make everyone who knew him forget about his existence, but Xie Lian continued walking down the narrowed street, as he chose not to panic. As he kept on walking he came upon a rowdy crowd and he stopped in front of a red and gigantic building. It was the Gambler's Den.

"Sir, are you here to play?" asked a masked man.
"Sorry, but I don't have any money on me. I think I'll pass." said Xie Lian.
"In the Ghost City money doesn't have any value. Those who play here don't really use money to gamble, for example, earlier, some man placed a bet on his child! Hahahaha!"
'That is so messed up' thought Xie Lian as he sighed 'People here really are a different breed'.
"Sir, why don't you come with me?"

The Crown Prince didn't have anything else to do, since Shi Quigxuan was somewhere lost, so he agreed on going with the man. Inside the Gambler's Den, people were laughing like crazy, but somewhere in the crowd he could hear someone placing bets.

"I bet on my arm!" screamed the man.

People started laughing and mocking the one in front of them. "You really are a crazy old man" screamed one of them.

"No need for that. Your life is already worthless here" said another voice.

Hearing that, Xie Lian's heart skipped a beat. That was Hua Cheng's voice. He was sure of it, though it was slightly deeper than he remembered. After all, he was in his original form. The yought was seated behind a curtain behind the long table where people were gambling.
Suddenly the masked man that was talking to Xie Lian earlier said:

"You are very lucky today, Sir!"
"How so?"
"Our lord is here to play! He was in a good mood, so he decided to pass by and join us!"

All he could was watch the captivating red silhouette behind the curtain as ideas flooded his mind, but suddenly he realised that the man who placed the bet earlier was someone he knew. It was the Heaven Official that went missing. What was he doing here gambling when other people thought he was in danger? 'What the hell' sighted Xie Lian.

Hua Cheng wasn't the type to be fooled so he did  everything in his power to uncover the man's secret identity. The game went on until the man lost and ended up being tied up to the ceiling as a punishment.

"This is what you deserve" smirked the Ghost King. "I'll let you guys play with it! Whoever's lucky and wins big can take it home to roast!"

The cheers that erupted within the hall were endless. The prince didn't like to see other people suffer and be made fun of. Before he could step in, someone stopped him.

"What are you doing?"

It was Shi Quigxuan.

'Thank god he is ok' "Lord Wind Master, how's your luck?"
"Sometimes good, sometimes bad, why?"
"Well I've never been lucky. Maybe I can change up the rules. Make them bet for the lowest number instead of the highest. Whenever I roll, I get snake eyes."
"That could work. Want to try?"
"That's what I'm planning."

Xie Lian gathered up all his courage and went straight to the gamblers table.

"Let's switch up the rules for a bit and see who can roll the smallest number!"

The crowd agreed and Xie Lian took his chances. 'Please let it be small. Small... Small...' The dice were rolled and they were two sixes!

"It seems that not even a change of rules could change my luck..."
"Better luck next time I guess..."
"Ha...."
"Everyone! Can I have your attention?" Said a lady. "The lord has an announcement to make!"

Hearing that, the crowd fell silent.

"The lord is in a good mood today and wants to play a round with everyone! Anyone is free to bet against him. Whoever wins gets to take home the thing above."
"Haaa..." sighed Xie Lian and announced "Then let me try and win!"
"Please come forth, Young Master!"

He grabbed the gambling cup and gave it a few shakes before stopping. He didn't know if he was doing this correctly or not. Before he could start shaking the dice again, someone stopped him.

"Is something the matter?" Asked Xie Lian.
"The lord said your shaking posture isn't quite right." Replied the croupier.
"Is there really a correct way of doing this? Was all my bad luck before due to my bad posture?"
"The lord has invited you to go up, as he's willing to teach you."
'What?!'

The croupier showed him the way towards the curtain.

"Please go ahead."

Behind the silk there was the red silhouette he'd been wanting to see. Hua Cheng sat on his throne looking perfect as always, although his appearance was slightly different. He seemed older and his face was more defined, eyes were saparking as usual, but it was actually just one eye, as his right one was covered. The youth watched him as he approached, a big smirk forming on his face. They stared at each other for a few moments before Hua Cheng broke the silence.

"Would you like to bet on the highest or the lowest?"

His voice was like music to Xie Lian's ears, slightly deeper, but pleasant. Coming back to his senses he answered.

"Highest."
"Fine. Then I'll go first."

Hua Cheng put his hand on the gambling cup from Xie Lian's hand and guided him to shake lightly before lifting the lid. The dice showed a six and a five.

"Gege, why don't you try it yourself? You just need to shake it as I've shown you."

The prince tried to copy the movements, gave the cup some shakes, but Hua Cheng put his hand on his, stopping him. "Not like this... You're still doing it wrong."

His voice was gentle and patient as he explained. The youth held Xie Lian's hand and whispered
"Like this", but he wasn't focused on the other's words, but on his hands. His skin was white as snow, with slender and cold fingers, yet his touch was comforting.

"Are you paying attention, gege?"
"...yeah?"

He was sure that Hua Cheng saw through the lie, but he decided to tag along.

"Then why don't we give it a real try now? You are here to rescue your friend, so you no longer need to bet on him, but if you lose, I'll need to get something in return."
'What could he possibly want from me? I only have one thing on me and that's a half eaten bun.'
"Hmmm... Let's see... If you lose, then your body is mine for tonight."
'What?!'