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The snow had been falling for hours. Each snowflake drifted and spun before settling on rooftops, trees and the soft ground.
Xie Lian knelt in the garden courtyard, mitten less hands pale but nimble, carefully patting together lumps of snow. He shaped them with the same patience he might offer to a child’s toy while humming softly to himself. His cheeks flushed pink from the chill. A smile lingered faintly on his lips. It had been centuries since he last sat in the snow to build something so simple.
Later, a finished tiny snowman sat proudly..a crooked stick for an arm, a pebble for an eye and a bent leaf pressed clumsily into place for a smile. It was humble, unimpressive..yet Xie Lian gazed at it with quiet satisfaction.
“..Not bad” he said softly, brushing stray flakes from his hair. “San Lang would surely laugh at me for this…” The thought made him chuckle.
When he looked up, Hua Cheng was nowhere to be found. Xie Lian stood and brushing snow from his knees. The courtyard was still...save for the sound of snow drifting down. Just as he began to wonder where Hua Cheng had gone, a voice cut through the air.
“Gege.”
Xie Lian turned instantly, his heart lifting without his permission. Hua Cheng’s tall figure emerged from the snow frosted path, every step deliberate, his black boots sinking into the powder with ease.
“San Lang” Xie Lian greeted with relief..warmth softening his tone. “Where have you been? You suddenly disappeared.”
Hua Cheng smirked as his lips curving into that familiar teasing smile. “I had something to prepare for Gege. And now… I want to show you.”
“Oh?” Xie Lian tilted his head, curiosity sparking in his clear eyes. “What is it?”
“You’ll see” Hua Cheng replied, stepping closer. The snow crunched softly underfoot. With a playful bow, he extended a hand. “Come with me.”
Xie Lian blinked at the sudden gesture. His heart gave a small jump. He hesitated only briefly before placing his hand in Hua Cheng’s gloved one. The warmth that seeped through made him exhale softly in comfort.
Hua Cheng’s grip was firm yet careful and protective as always. He led Xie Lian across the courtyard, past the smaller snow laden pines, further into the garden where the snow was undisturbed. The walk was silent except for the occasional flutter of snowflakes brushing against their faces.
At last, Hua Cheng stopped in an open clearing. He stepped aside and with a flourish of his arm, revealed what he had created.
Xie Lian froze. His breath caught.
Towering before him, glistening under the pale winter sun, was a massive sculpture of ice and snow..an entire structure, painstakingly carved. It wasn’t just any shape.. it was him.
A grand likeness of Xie Lian as the Crown Prince of Xianle stood tall, as high as the nearest tree. Snow had been crafted into flowing robes, details of his crown intricately etched. Every fold of cloth frozen in breathtaking precision. His serene expression, captured perfectly and gazed proudly into the sky. The statue seemed alive, dignified and beautiful beyond words.
Xie Lian’s eyes widened, lips parting as he tried to speak..but no words came. His chest constricted with awe and disbelief. “San Lang… this…” His voice trembled. “You..built this?”
Hua Cheng leaned back slightly and crossing his arms with smug satisfaction. “Of course. Who else would it be for, if not for Gege?”
Xie Lian stared..unable to tear his gaze away. “But..this is enormous. The details… It must have taken hours. How…?”
“Mn.” Hua Cheng’s smirk deepened. “Time doesn’t matter when it comes to you.”
Xie Lian’s heart lurched. His ears grew warm despite the cold around them. He turned sharply, half embarrassed. “San Lang, you… you shouldn’t waste so much effort just for me.”
“Waste?” Hua Cheng chuckled. He stepped closer, his voice dipping into that familiar flirty murmur. “Gege, how could I ever consider anything done for you a waste?”
The snow seemed to fall slower at that moment..as if pausing for them. Xie Lian’s breath came out in a puff of white. He looked up again at the enormous statue, his expression softening into something unreadable..something tender. “…You even remembered how I look...” he whispered, his voice unsteady. “It’s… exactly how it was.”
“Of course.” Hua Cheng’s gaze softened. “Every detail of you.. whether in the past or now..is engraved in my heart. Even if the heavens and the earth forget… I won’t.”
Those words struck Xie Lian deeply. He felt the sting of tears at the corners of his eyes and quickly blinking them away. He chuckled lightly, trying to mask the flood of emotion rising in him. “San Lang… you really…” He shook his head. “Sometimes, you say the most dangerous things without even realizing it.”
Hua Cheng arched a brow, a mischievous spark in his single eye. “Dangerous? Gege, I think you’re mistaken. I’m very aware.”
That earned a startled laugh from Xie Lian, who covered his mouth with his hand. “You- San Lang!”
“En?” Hua Cheng tilted his head, feigning innocence though his grin betrayed him.
“You’re incorrigible.” Xie Lian muttered, cheeks flushed red.. not from the cold this time.
“Only for my precious prince~” Hua Cheng replied smoothly. He stepped closer, lowering his voice so it brushed against Xie Lian’s ear like a whisper of fire in the snow. “Always only for you...”
Xie Lian’s heart hammered. He tried to look away but Hua Cheng’s presence was overwhelming..pulling him in like gravity. After a long pause, Xie Lian finally said softly. “San Lang… thank you.”
Hua Cheng’s teasing expression gentled, his smirk melting into something far more genuine. He raised a hand and brushing a few stray snowflakes from Xie Lian’s hair with careful reverence. “There’s no need to thank me, Gege” he murmured. “For you, I’d build statues as tall as mountains.
Xie Lian looked at him...truly looked. The snow building loomed behind Hua Cheng like a silent testament to his devotion and suddenly, the small snowman he’d made earlier seemed so laughably insignificant in comparison.
Quietly, Xie Lian reached for Hua Cheng’s hand again and his own cold fingers curling into that warm yet steady grip. “…Then, for now, this is enough.” he whispered.
Hua Cheng’s eye softened. His thumb brushing over Xie Lian’s knuckles.
