In Heaven Official's Blessing/Tian Guan Ci Fu/TGCF, Hua Cheng and Xie Lian have one of the most beautifully complex-and long-enduring-relations in modern danmei literature.
Hua Cheng, or San Lang, is the most dedicated lover to Xie Lian, the ex-crown prince of Xianle. His love toward Xie Lian was formed when he was a little boy, 800 years before the main story. Such impressions of Xie Lian's compassion and benevolence fully molded his life course, encouraging him to rise through hardship and eventually become such a powerful ghost king.
This is a relationship of staunchest loyalty yet with the most patience and profound understanding. Hua Cheng was the only one for Xie Lian, who had been betrayed numerous times and witnessed the downfall of his kingdom, never to give up belief in him. For every crucible of suffering and failures he went through, Hua Cheng saw in Xie Lian the most noble and worthy being. It is this unquestioning belief in Xie Lian that makes this bond special. Yet Hua Cheng never pressures or expects anything from him, always acting as a quiet, watchful protector.
In the case of Xie Lian, his initial relationship with Hua Cheng is out of curiosity and a bit of skepticism since Hua Cheng is a ghost king. With time spent together, Xie Lian grows to see depth in Hua Cheng's affection and loyalty and learns to trust him.
What touches is that Xie Lian loves Hua Cheng- not only his power but him as a person, which he realizes how much he had gone through.
The story portrays their bond as being greater than that of a single romance. Their love is not merely along the lines of love but a deeper soul connection built on trust, sacrifice, and mutual respect. Each character is resilient to the others; they have lived through lifetimes of hardship and find comfort in one another. There is something almost ethereal in the manner of their finding peace and acceptance from each other's presence.
Another thing that one could point out is how TGCF represents their relationship with a slow burn: every look, every word and the least gesture carries emotional weight; therefore, when they share moments, it feels very private and substantial with no need for sterilized speeches. That gradual build-up makes the eventual realization of love even more powerful, like a long-anticipated organic culmination of all they had to go through.
All in all, the relation between Hua Cheng and Xie Lian-generally speaking-is the relation of silent strength, emotional depth, trust, and unwavering support; thus, it is really heartwarming to observe.
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