Hualian AU ~ 6. The Battle of the Lanterns/The Fetus Spirit

Part 1 ~ The Battle of the Lanterns

It was the end of the year, and just before Christmas break The Heavens hosted a party celebrating the term's achievements; everyone was expected to dress up and look their best. There was also The Battle of The Lanterns, a contest-like game followed closely by everybody who was anybody.

It consisted of all Palaces posting projects online, be them apps, films or music, and the one with more likes wins. "It's only a game", some said. Only it was really about projects being developed and funded according to this game's results, and whoever came on top would surely win big.

Having posted a music project to earn merits and look good for the mentor teachers, Xie Lian decided to attend the event, even though he didn't have evening clothes. He compromised with a button-down shirt and grey trousers, but kept his trainers as a statement piece.

He walked in, pretending not to notice people talking about him. After helping the police to get a confession from Qi Rong, the stories about Xie Lian got even more mixed up. He was either an undercover agent or a rival gang leader, or – his favourite one – Hua Cheng was the gang leader, but fell in love with Xie Lian and decided to change sides and help the police.

The Heavens' foyer looked truly heavenly with golden lighting and big screens all over showing night skies and moonrises. The university logos were projected everywhere; everyone was dressed fabulously, and moving around at ease, like they had rehearsed for such an evening.

Drinks were served on proper glasses too – they expected the do to be this classy. Naturally the students would get drunk after, then drag themselves to bed, or maybe to someone else's bed, just to regret it the day after, nursing their hangovers. Such is the nature of uni students.

Xie Lian got a glass of white wine, and walked around. He saw familiar faces: Ling Wen, on a navy evening dress, wearing her rimless glasses, but with more striking makeup. Mu Qing on a tuxedo, looking fashionably grumpy and sipping whisky. Feng Xin surrounded by the elderly trustees, barricading himself from the girls around eyeing him up.

He saw Shi Qingxuan waving at him frantically. He wore a white tuxedo impeccably, as if out of some James Bond film – only drinking white wine too, not a martini! He was with Ming Yi, dressed in a black suit and black shirt, stuffing himself of canapés from the buffet. Xie Lian smiled and approached them.

"Xie Lian! I heard you're now more famous than ever, with talk of you even belonging to the MI5". They clinked their glasses. He continued, "You might win The Battle of The Lanterns then..." and winked.

Xie Lian burst out laughing, "That'd be... a miracle from whoever deity rules the digital realm!"

His digital presence was next to none. He had an Instagram account from when he was backpacking, so his mum wouldn't fret, and a Twitter account – with one follower, Hua Cheng. For him to upload a project and promote it online through social media, forget it.

"You should have posted it under The Palace of Nan Yang", Feng Xin said, approaching them.

"Then his merits would go to your palace?", Mu Qing, who was also nearby, butted in.

"The merits of his project would go to him of course", Feng Xin replied, frowning, "What do you take me for? I'm sure you Xuan Zhen Palace also publishes other people's projects, not only yours."

Mu Qing was about to answer, when Pei Ming and Ling Wen arrived, arm-in-arm.

"Gentlemen, gentlemen. Let me tell you from experience: all you need is no one throwing your palace's name in the mud", he said, looking at Xie Lian.

"If Ming Guang Palace maintained high standards of ethics and conduct, its name would be high in the clouds!", Shi Qingxuan replied, pointing at Pei Ming with his glass.