As murmurs drifted through the air outside Hua Cheng’s sliding doors, he overheard two of his attendants gossiping.
"Have you heard? Apparently, Xie Lian Dianxia walks around barefoot in Paradise Manor," one said.
"Yes, I've actually seen it quite a few times," the other murmured.
Hua Cheng, startled by this discovery, continued to eavesdrop like a curious child. He had never seen Xie Lian walk barefoot before, and this new revelation left him intrigued. His gaze lowered to the wooden floor beneath him, and his mind wandered to the thought of Xie Lian getting splinters, which could hurt his feet.
Without hesitation, Hua Cheng summoned several of his workers and gave them an immediate order: to carpet the entire manor with soft flooring so Xie Lian could walk around wherever he pleased without worry. Naturally, he did all of this without telling Xie Lian.
The workers quickly gathered and used their mana to complete the task, ensuring everything was furnished to perfection. Hua Cheng kept a close eye on the process and decided to test it out himself before Xie Lian returned from his village inspection. He slipped off his boots and placed his feet on the newly carpeted floors, feeling the plush texture beneath him.
"Ah, this is great. Gege won’t get hurt… maybe I could get used to this too," Hua Cheng thought with a smile, secretly amused by the idea of Xie Lian’s surprise and happiness.
Soon after, Xie Lian’s voice echoed through the manor. "San Lang, I'm home," he called as he entered through the golden doors, his eyes widening in surprise at the sight of the carpeted floors.
"What happened here?" he mused aloud, still wearing his shoes as he walked down the hallway, only to be greeted by Hua Cheng, standing barefoot. Xie Lian’s expression showed a mixture of confusion and surprise, as he never thought he'd see the Ghost King like this.
"Gege, let me help you take off your shoes," Hua Cheng said as he knelt down, gently lifting Xie Lian’s ankle to remove his shoes. "Here, just walk as you like," he added with a smile.
Xie Lian looked at Hua Cheng, still perplexed. "What’s going on?" he asked.
"The floor is much softer now," Hua Cheng explained, his eyes filled with affection. "It’ll be gentle on your feet. I heard you enjoy walking barefoot around the manor, and this will keep you safe, Dianxia."
A warm smile spread across Xie Lian's face, his heart full to the brim. "Thank you, Hua Cheng," he whispered shyly, leaning in to place a gentle kiss on Hua Cheng’s lips.
The touch sent a shiver down Hua Cheng’s spine, his desire stirring as their eyes locked. Without another word, he lifted Xie Lian into his arms like a bride and carried him to the bedroom. He gently laid Xie Lian down on the soft, white bed, noticing Xie Lian’s gaze wandering over the newly carpeted floors in the room as well.
Lying beside him, Hua Cheng asked softly, "How did the village inspection go, Gege? How are the villagers doing?"
Xie Lian turned to Hua Cheng and began recounting his stories, his voice filled with excitement. Hua Cheng, meanwhile, could only lay there, captivated by Xie Lian’s adorable expressions, his soft giggles, and the joy radiating from his voice. Xie Lian continued talking, and although Hua Cheng only understood part of what was being said, he nodded along at the right moments. He didn’t care much about the details—what mattered was that Xie Lian was happy and enjoying himself.
When Xie Lian finally finished speaking, without having been interrupted once, Hua Cheng gently placed a hand behind his head, stroking his hair tenderly. "Today must have been exhausting for you," he said softly, his voice full of concern for Xie Lian’s well-being.
Xie Lian giggled, his cheeks flushing slightly. "Hehe, but I still want to spend more time with you. I’ve been so busy, and even just talking to you like this makes me incredibly happy. What about you?" he asked, his face growing redder as he spoke about how much he cherished their time together.
Hua Cheng’s heart fluttered at Xie Lian’s words. He gazed lovingly at his partner, who, in his eyes, was more beautiful than any flower in the world.
With a soft smile, Hua Cheng pressed two of his fingers together to form the shape of a heart, and from this gesture, several white-silver butterflies appeared. One gracefully landed on Xie Lian’s nose while the others fluttered around him. "I’m always happy when I’m with you. I love you, Xie Lian," Hua Cheng said, his voice filled with warmth.
Xie Lian blinked in surprise at the butterfly resting on his nose. "So pretty…" he whispered. But when Hua Cheng’s words sank in, a deep blush spread across his face, and he quickly buried his head into Hua Cheng’s chest to hide his embarrassment. The butterfly tentatively vanished.
Hua Cheng gently embraced Xie Lian and leaned down so their faces were leveled. Pressing his forehead against Xie Lian's, he admired his lover's shy, blushing expression. Xie Lian was beyond embarrassed and could fell his heart pounding so loudly it echoed in his ears, as though he were submerged underwater.
"Lian... Lian..." Xie Lian's eyes widened as he heard Hua Cheng softly calling his name between the beats of his racing heart. He looked up at Hua Cheng, his face flushed with heat. Hua Cheng kissed Xie Lian's forehead three times, then met his gaze again.
"Lian, you're so shy. It's adorable," Hua Cheng murmured, gently caressing Xie Lian's face with one hand.
"Don't tease me..." Xie Lian whispered, his embarrassment evident. Hua Cheng exhaled deeply and, without warning, flipped onto Xie Lian, pinning him softly beneath him.
"Gege, can we...?" Hua Cheng breathed, his voice catching in his throat as he struggled to ask for permission. His eyes glowed red, his body heating up with desire like a wolf in rut. "Lian... can I hold you?" he asked, his voice thick with longing.
Xie Lian, captivated by Hua Cheng's intense red eyes, nodded slightly. "Mhm... you can, Hua," he agreed, his body responding instinctively to Hua Cheng's presence.
"I love you," Hua Cheng kissed Xie Lian's ear before he buried his face in his lover's neck. His warm breath sending shivers down Xie Lian's spine. Slowly, Hua Cheng began to move, following the unspoken rhythm between them.
"I love you too, Hua Cheng," Xie Lian uttered affectationately before they gave in to their sweet, shared love.
(You can imagine what happens next ❤️)
Thanks for reading!
