be good to me

by pennydaniels

Summary:

Shen Yuan has transmigrated into Shen Qingqiu which lands him in the perfect position to hug Luo Binghe's thighs and prevent the bad end.

Better yet it also means he can free Liu Qingge, the scum villain's long suffering omega, from what PIDW described as years of heinous abuse.

Chapter 1: i bet you've never drowned before

Summary:

Shen Yuan and Liu Qingge join together to form the "get the original goods back" team.

“Thanking Mu-shidi.” Shen Yuan kept his expression as smooth as he could. There was a fan on the side table that he was trying not to eye too desperately. Would it be weird for him to just grab it? Maybe, but he really wanted something to hide his face behind. 

 

Thankfully with a nod Mu Qingfang finally left and Shen Yuan all but sagged in relief against the uncomfortable xianxia pillows he was propped up against. 

 

Fuck me. He thought. I can’t believe I got away with that. 

 

Okay, so the first major transmigration hurdle of meeting a native had been successfully passed. Unfortunately this first interaction meant that Shen Yuan now knew who he was, which was honestly more horrific than he really had the mental headspace to examine. However, examine it he had to, for his own continued and future survival if nothing else. 

 

Shen Yuan pushed himself off the bed to standing with great effort and wobbled across the room on unfamiliar limbs to stare at his reflection in the frankly anachronistic (though who really expected anything from Airplane) mirror mounted on the wall. 

 

Ah fuck. There was no getting around it. He’d transmigrated into Shen Qingqiu. The fan art did not lie (though he was surprised he was as attractive as he’d been drawn to be considering he was evil. But then again this character was a hot evil person not an ugly one).

 

This was an unmitigated disaster! 

 

Shen Qingqiu was the infamous scum villain that abused the poor protagonist while he was still a child on Qing Jing Peak. He was also the lecherous slag alpha that Luo Binghe had watched abuse his mate over all those years as his student. Though Shen Qingqiu had only been a side character, the amount of time spent on him and his relationship (if it could even be called that) with Liu Qingge was enough to signal how important it all was to the protagonist. Very formative. In fact, it was through watching Liu Qingge’s mistreatment that Luo Binghe had vowed to never ill treat an omega once he presented as an alpha. Shen Qingqiu was the perfect blueprint of a shitty person and that was that. 

 

Later when Luo Binghe had become Emperor of the Demonic Realm he had challenged Shen Qingqiu for his crimes and once he had killed him he had taken Liu Qingge (a perfectly normal thing to do in this ABO style world) into his ever-expanding harem. Liu Qingge had then immediately killed himself, likely a result of the horrific abuse he had suffered for years and being all traumatised and stuff. It was all very tragic. Especially as it was implied that Liu Qingge was the reason Luo Binghe never tried to pursue a male omega again. Or it might just have been a weak excuse to keep everything heterosexual and vaguely queer-baity, Luo Binghe the bi-sexual icon he was very much not.

 

It was also the end of any kind of good writing in PIDW which Shen Yuan had bitterly raged at Airplane for. It had been dramatic and heart-wrenching and all the rest and everything afterwards had just devolved into sex with too many liquids involved. Ugh ABO. 

 

And now it was Shen Yuan’s life. He buried his face in his hands and resisted the urge to scream. He didn’t even have a system to tell him what to do! He’d just woken up with some bearded cultivation novel doctor type leaning over him and that was it. 

 

Okay but this was fine. This was totally fine. He didn’t have a system so he didn’t have to worry about following any rules, and in all lights he’d transmigrated into a pretty good position! Imagine if he’d had to become an omega (shudder) or a peasant or… or really anything other than a powerful alpha and Peak Lord. Shen Yuan had lucked out in that respect and really all he needed to do to avoid everything going to shit was to stop abusing Liu Qingge and Luo Binghe. Luo Binghe most importantly but Liu Qingge too! The man had only been a side character with even less time spent on him than Shen Qingqiu but by all rights he was described as the stoic and long-suffering beauty type. Very honourable which was why he’d never tried to weasel out of being mated to Shen Qingqiu. Their backstory wasn’t entirely clear since Luo Binghe didn’t know it, but the general framing was that Shen Qingqiu had opportunistically locked Liu Qingge down as his mate when they were still disciples and had reaped the benefits from it ever since. 

 

Shen Yuan just had to be not awful and it’ll be a huge positive change he’s sure. 

 

He takes a deep breath then and gives himself an encouraging look in the mirror. He can do this! Besides, this ABO setting is one where omegas are only really bed warmers and baby makers which is obviously horrific but good in the sense that if he starts acting differently Liu Qingge won’t be able to question him. He’s also pretty sure that while Liu Qingge does live in the bamboo house Luo Binghe had observed that he spent almost all his time locked in his room which means that Shen Yuan doesn’t have to worry about bumping into him immediately and can psyche himself up first.  

 

Shen Yuan turns to venture out of the bedroom. The door slides open easily and leads out into a well-decorated sitting room. The bamboo house is just as nice as it had always been described in PIDW, Shen Yuan can be glad that he’d also lucked into somewhere nice to live. 

 

“Hey.” The sudden sound of a voice had Shen Yuan whipping around, heart hammering, to be confronted by the frowning visage of what is definitely the most beautiful person he’d ever seen. “What did Mu Qingfang say?”

 

This must be Liu Qingge. He’s just as delicately gorgeous as Shen Yuan expected him to be. Like holy fuck Liu Qingge is pretty enough to be a top rated model. If this guy walked down the street back in Shen Yuan’s world he would be relentlessly mobbed by idol agencies and model scouts.

 

He’s also… a lot more… confident looking than expected. He’s standing with his arms crossed giving Shen Yuan an entirely too appraising look. Isn’t he supposed to be all beaten down? Not that Shen Yuan would prefer if he was just… okay he needs to actually say something and stop staring. 

 

“Why are you out here?” Is what Shen Yuan ends up blurting out, in what he hopes is a suitably cold and serious alpha like tone. Fucking hell he can even smell Liu Qingge. He smells good. Warm and comforting and like something Shen Yuan’s new body recognises intimately. He’s entirely unprepared for the rush of good feeling that floods his brain at the smell of Liu Qingge. It’s like getting a head massage or watching an ASMR video while drinking a nice up of tea all at once. 

 

He hadn’t felt this way when faced by Mu Qingfang! Is this the true power of ABO smell and pheromone bullshit?? Wow. 

 

Liu Qingge’s frown deepens and he doesn’t answer. Instead he comes closer. He’s actually infinitely more threatening than Shen Yuan expected, especially in the way that he moves.

 

Shen Yuan backs up a step. 

 

Liu Qingge freezes. He’s taking in every twitch of Shen Yuan’s body and out of what seems to be nowhere he starts quoting poetry. 

 

“白 毛 浮 绿 水。”

 

The children’s poem by Luo Binwang???

 

For one, why the hell is Airplane ripping off Tang dynasty poets and what significance do they have in the setting? No one else in PIDW had ever started reciting real life historical poetry or reference real life fiction so this is just very out of the blue. Furthermore, doesn't this all seem a little weird for this moment? Is this an omega thing? Quoting poetry randomly? It certainly wasn’t a character trait of Liu Qingge’s that Luo Binghe had ever noticed. Is this like a romantic thing? It’s not a romantic poem but poetry in general can be considered romantic, right??

 

“Very nice.” Shen Yuan tries. Thankfully it doesn’t come out sounding like a question which was definitely a danger, but it certainly doesn’t sound very confident. 

 

Liu Qingge’s eyes narrow. 

 

The next moment Shen Yuan is pressed up against the wall with a sword to his throat. 

 

Oh fuck. 

 

He hadn’t even seen, let alone sensed, Liu Qingge move. This was bad. Very bad. Weren’t omegas not allowed to have swords?? What was Liu Qingge doing not locked in his room brandishing a sword against his alpha?! This was genre-bending! He was in PIDW wasn’t he?

 

“Who are you?” Liu Qingge kept him pinned with an arm across his chest and the look in his eyes spoke to some infinitely dangerous emotions. 

 

Shen Yuan swallowed thickly and did his best not to start shaking. He’d never been threatened before! Sue him! 

 

Best thing to do would be to stay silent right? Right?? 

 

Shen Yuan stayed silent. 

 

“Who are you?” Liu Qingge simply repeated, very steadily and with a clear undercurrent of danger. 

 

Shen Yuan stared at Liu Qingge and Liu Qingge stared back. 

 

The sword pressed even more firmly against Shen Yuan’s throat. It hadn’t broken skin but he could feel it when he swallowed. 

 

Okay looks like the jig is up considerably faster than Shen Yuan could ever have expected. In most transmigration novels the transmigrator doesn’t get exposed immediately or even at all. This is a bit of a fail. 

 

Also Shen Yuan was about to get his throat slit if he didn’t come up with a really great lie or just come clean. 

 

Well, there wasn’t a system so there wasn’t a clear need for secrecy and to be brutally honest with the status of omegas in this world likely no one would believe Liu Qingge if he told them Shen Yuan wasn’t Shen Qingqiu, that was even if he could go find someone to tell which shouldn’t be the case. 

 

Though judging by the threatening people with a sword thing it seemed that PIDW may have had a bit of unreliable narration. 

 

“I didn’t transmigrate here by my own desire.” 

 

Shen Yuan finally decided it was best to go with honesty. It seemed as though people’s IQs in this world weren’t as low as the novel had made it seem and if it had taken one sentence for Liu Qingge to figure Shen Yuan out when by all accounts he and Shen Qingqiu didn’t like each other, it may become very problematic if he met anyone who was actually close to Shen Qingqiu. From reading PIDW it didn’t seem that any existed but it was becoming rapidly clear how much PIDW left out! 

 

Liu Qingge didn’t let up with the sword. “Transmigrate?” He sounded out the term like it was unfamiliar.

 

“It’s something people write about where I’m from.” Shen Yuan tried to explain without going into the fact that PIDW was technically a web novel and Liu Qingge was a character and all of that, “If you die you can get reborn into someone’s body in a different world.”

 

“What happens to the person who was originally in the body?” Liu Qingge asked. His jaw was very tense. 

 

“It’s not very clear.” Shen Yuan hedged. 

 

Liu Qingge pressed the sword impossibly closer. 

 

“I mean… sometimes they’re dead but not always? Usually the writing doesn’t tend to go into the original goods and mostly focuses on the new person in the body. Sometimes they transmigrate somewhere else, that can definitely happen.”

 

Liu Qingge seemed to absorb that easily, “So Shen Jiu is alive?”

 

Shen Yuan’s lack of familiarity with that name must have registered on his face because Liu Qingge’s lips pressed together hard, “Shen Qingqiu.” He said carefully, “You think he’s still alive.”

 

“Maybe?” Shen Yuan really didn’t know. This had never been part of the PIDW storyline and without a system he knew about as much as Liu Qingge did. “Mu Qingfang said that it was a qi-deviation. He might have left this body and gone somewhere else if I’m now in it.”

 

Liu Qingge nodded and finally stepped back and stopped threatening Shen Yuan quite so judiciously. He then turned, apropos of nothing, and marched off towards a chest in the corner of the room. It looked decorative and Liu Qingge had no trouble opening it with a key he produced from inside his robes. His movements were sure and confident as he removed a piece of paper from the chest and what looked to be a stamp. He stamped the paper, folded it up and tucked it into his sleeve before closing the chest and relocking it.

 

Then with no warnings he turned to leave out the front door. 

 

Shen Yuan felt very lost, “Where are you going?”

 

Liu Qingge gave him a look like he was particularly stupid, “To go find Shen Jiu.”

 

“Oh.” Shen Yuan found that a rather baffling course of action for someone who had presumably been abused horribly by that person. Maybe it was something like Stockholm Syndrome? Couldn’t it be the case that abuse victims could grow attached and dependent on their abusers? He’d definitely read more than a few novels where the female lead was weirdly attached to the male lead after terrible treatment. 

 

“How long are you going to be gone?” He settled on asking. He really had no idea what he was meant to do in this situation, especially as he had revealed how little he knew while Liu Qingge conversely looked so confident.

 

“As long as it takes.” Liu Qingge said and then he was gone. 

 

Shen Yuan was left in the bamboo house feeling rather uncertain as to whether or not this was even PIDW at all. 

 

*

 

Settling into life as the Qing Jing Peak Lord all in all thankfully wasn’t too difficult. Shen Yuan had read a lot of cultivation novels and thankfully PIDW wasn’t one of the ones with a clearly defined and overly complex power system. He was an Immortal Cultivator and that was that. 

 

Plus being Shen Qingqiu really was the best position he could have gotten. He was at the top of the heap and while there was a lot of admin work to get through it was fairly easy to figure out and no one could really question him when he fucked up either. He got pretty good at delegating tasks to the Hall Masters and senior disciples and no one was regarding him with suspicion so full marks for that. 

 

All in all the first month passed okay. The fact that Liu Qingge had disappeared was a little… concerning but it definitely made things easier for Shen Yuan. On reflection it seemed silly to think that he would ever have been able to imitate Shen Qingqiu well enough to fool Liu Qingge who was essentially married to the man. When Liu Qingge came back he’d apologise for trying and offer that they start out on better footing. After all, he wanted to help Liu Qingge and this world was definitely one where omegas needed all the help they could get.

 

The second month was even smoother. Shen Yuan was definitely getting the hang of this. If you weren’t the protagonist, PIDW was pretty peaceful. The bullying against Luo Binghe had been stopped and he’d given Ming Fan a stern word to look out for him instead of pushing him around. While Ming Fan looked rather confused and unconvinced he was ultimately a pretty obedient child and now Luo Binghe was looking better than ever so Shen Yuan counted that as a win. First major item ticked off the to do list. 

 

The threat of Luo Binghe’s dramatic retribution definitely lurked in the back of his mind but the child was such a sweet sheep now! Shen Yuan had some (maybe foolish) optimism that he could really turn this around. After all, wasn’t that the plot of every transmigration novel? Changing the plot to make it better? Shen Qingqiu was scum and should probably die but Shen Yuan was now in his place and would do his best to mitigate the years of abuse and general assholery that came before.  

 

The start of the third month was also peaceful, except that it brought a little heightened worry about where Liu Qingge might have gotten to. Shen Qingqiu had checked the room where he lived in the bamboo house for clues and had found nothing useful. He didn’t  even know what the paper Liu Qingge had stamped and taken with him was and he wasn’t able to find a key so that was a bust. 

 

It all came to a head about halfway through month three when a letter gets delivered to Shen Yuan that basically says something to the effect of “I have your omega. Come and get him”. Honestly Shen Yuan is not embarrassed to say that he freaks the fuck out. He’s pretty sure this is a ransom note so he grabs as much money and as many valuables as he can and descends the mountain to the meeting place at the time the letter demanded. 

 

It turns out to be a room in a fairly nice inn. 

 

Shen Yuan walks in with a hand on the hilt of the sword he had only just started to learn how to use properly. 

 

“Peak Lord Shen.” A rather skeezy looking man opens the door and ushers him inside. A beta from the smell. “This master found your omega wandering near Cheng Jing city. You shouldn’t let his leash get so long.”

 

Liu Qingge is standing by the window looking like he would rather be somewhere else but that he also couldn’t care less. He doesn’t look pleased to have been picked up like a lost child in a shopping mall but the primary expression on his face seems to read “I’m over this and all of you can go eat dirt”. 

 

“I had permission.” He says, voice clipped. 

 

“Ah yes, Peak Lord Shen, would you look at this.” The man’s voice is very sneery as he hands a piece of paper to him. 

 

Oh, this is the piece of paper Shen Yuan saw Liu Qingge take out of the chest and stamp. He scans it quickly and finds it to be exactly that, a permission slip that says Liu Qingge has Shen Qingqiu, his alpha’s, permission to travel around on his own. God. Okay, Shen Yuan is being forcibly reminded why he reamed out Airplane’s stupid half-hearted ABO gender analysis. Also, this is real and stamped and all that so why is Liu Qingge essentially getting kidnapped off the street?

 

Shen Yuan summons his coldest expression, not that he hadn’t already been using the original good’s perfected poker face before this, “You had the benefit of seeing this which this master has stamped with his own seal and still took the liberty to kidnap his mate.” The hand on the hilt of his sword shifts and the temperature in the room feels as though it drops several degrees. 

 

Liu Qingge is staring at him and Shen Yuan tries to give him a look to indicate that he shouldn’t worry. 

 

It seems he’s successful since Liu Qingge stands up and walks over to stand by Shen Qingqiu’s side. 

 

The man has started to stutter but Shen Yuan cuts him off. 

 

“This master does not appreciate his word being taken for meaningless.” He glares at the man, “Leave and you should hope we do not meet again.”

 

The man leaves. He looks rather pale. 

 

Shen Yuan lets out a deep breath. His heart is rabbiting dramatically. Thank the gods he’d been religiously applying and reapplying the original good’s stock of scent dampeners. Wow okay. He just did that. And he got away with it. Pat on the back. 

 

“I haven’t found him.” Liu Qingge finds it necessary to say out of nowhere. 

 

Now that Shen Yuan is looking at him he really doesn’t look good. He’s pale and thinner than he had looked before and his eyes are a little red-rimmed. 

 

Shen Yuan feels very awkward but reaches forward and tries to give Liu Qingge’s a comforting pat on the shoulder before remembering that it’s a little taboo to be touching people in this ABO world and quickly pulling his hand back. 

 

“You’re still here so he’s not back.” Liu Qingge’s voice is steady but sounds thick.

 

Shen Yuan is really trying to fight how much he wants to give Liu Qingge a hug. He can’t even smell him, likely because of blockers, but he looks so sad! Like the saddest animal compilation you’ve ever seen but wrapped into one delicately beautiful man. 

 

“Let’s go back to Qing Jing.” He suggests, “You need some rest.”

 

Liu Qingge doesn’t look convinced but returns to Cang Qiong with Shen Yuan. The journey back is entirely silent. 

 

It’s a silence that becomes rather awkward when they enter the bamboo house, thankfully not having run into anyone on the way, and Liu Qingge immediately goes to his room and closes the door. 

 

Shen Qingqiu lingers around feeling very awkward. 

 

Eventually he fetches some food and knocks on Liu Qingge’s door. Dogblooded abuse plots aside this is very much the equivalent of Liu Qingge being widowed and his ex-husband’s body being occupied by someone else which is… very weird now that Shen Yuan has spelled it out that way. 

 

“I’ve brought you some food.” Shen Yuan says. “If you want it.”

 

There’s no sound for a little bit and then suddenly the door opens. Liu Qingge has changed into different clothing and looks a little neater but no less unhappy. 

 

“Hi.” Shen Yuan mentally slaps himself for that lacklustre greeting, “Food?”

 

“Let’s talk.” Liu Qingge says in response, leaving his room and leading the way over to the low table.

 

Well that’s certainly not a bad idea. Shen Yuan is glad Liu Qingge broke the ice and suggested it. 

 

He sits down opposite Liu Qingge and places the dishes in front of him, “You should eat.” He suggests, feeling rather discomfited by how much weight Liu Qingge has lost. “I didn’t know what you liked so I got you a variety.”

 

Liu Qingge picks up the chopsticks and begins to eat, not seeming to have any particular preferences. He eats slowly. When he’s done he puts the chopsticks back down. 

 

“I won’t share your rut and I won’t allow you to share my heat.” Is the first substantive thing he says.

 

Shen Yuan just about chokes on air, “That’s fine.” He agrees quickly, “I wouldn’t expect you to.” 

 

After all, the body is the same but he’s an entirely different person. Anyone would call that cheating. Besides, Liu Qingge is beautiful but they don’t know each other. Expecting sex from the other regardless of what body Shen Yuan is currently in would be beyond scummy. 

 

“I also don’t expect us to scent mark each other.”

 

“Also fine.” Shen Yuan easily acquiesces. It’s not like he really understands this whole ABO thing properly anyway. Being an alpha on suppressants is pretty much like being a regular guy only that everyone tends to give you a respectful berth. Though that could also be because Shen Yuan is now a Peak Lord and pretty important. 

 

“While you have taken Shen Jiu’s body you’re not him.” Liu Qingge says rather bluntly. Honestly Shen Yuan admires him for not beating around the bush. 

 

“Makes sense.” He agrees. 

 

There’s another moment of far too much eye contact before Liu Qingge seems to decide Shen Yuan has taken his point to heart. 

 

“Do you want tea?” Liu Qingge asks, really out of the blue to be honest. 

 

“Sure.” Shen Yuan wonders if this is going to be him poisoned but no, that doesn’t make sense. While this Liu Qingge is definitely a lot less wilting and bruised than PIDW had painted him out to be, he's still recognisable the same person so hopefully honour code included. Plus if he wants to get the original goods back presumably he wants the original body too. 

 

Liu Qingge reappears in the room holding a tray with all the instruments necessary for a good old fashioned tea ceremony. He then kneels back down at his place at the table and starts brewing. It’s pretty impressive in all honesty. Shen Yuan has already spent some time marvelling over the cultivation in this world but in all honesty he’s also been quietly taken by the old fashioned skills that everyone seems to be so proficient in. No next day delivery here! People cook entirely from scratch and weave cloth and brew tea with a proper pot and tea pet and all that. 

 

Liu Qingge’s tea pet is in the shape of a snake which is pretty cute. Does Liu Qingge like snakes? That’s a fun fact for his wiki page. 

 

Soon the tea is brewed and Liu Qingge passes him a cup. 

 

“Thank you.” Shen Yuan takes an appreciative sip. 

 

He doesn’t feel anything at first but then after his second sip a slight tingling sensation spreads across his body from his mouth down his throat and beyond. Honestly it could be explained away by the heat of the tea or the minty aftertaste but Shen Yuan recognises it for what it really is (or rather what he hopes it is) which is a low level truth serum used on wife number 69. It’s mild and not harmful in any long term way and Airplane had very charmingly described the feeling it produced as “swallowing a mouthful of chewed mint leaves”. What a hack. 

 

Liu Qingge eyes him carefully. Shen Yuan in response tries to make his face look as open and non-threatening as possible. It makes complete sense for Liu Qingge to truth serum him, in fact Shen Yuan would even recommend it! Besides, it’s not as though this is one of the really evil ones that makes the drinker convulse to death if they try to lie. 

 

“You didn’t take over his body by choice.” Less a question and more of a statement to be honest. “You’re not possessing it and you’re not a demon. You said you came from a different world. One without secondary genders.”

 

“Did I tell you that?” Shen Yuan doesn’t remember saying that his world was normal and non-ABO. 

 

“It’s obvious.” Liu Qingge crosses his arms, “So?”

 

“Yeah, my world doesn’t have any of this kind of stuff. Everyone’s like… a beta I guess you would say.”

 

Liu Qingge breezes past that pretty quickly, “You didn’t choose to come here but do you know what sent you here?”

 

“Honestly no, I just closed my eyes at home and woke up with Mu Qingfang leaning over me. Usually with transmigration you have to die for it to happen so I guess I must be dead.” Shen Yuan is also not examining that at all. He’s staying far away from those considerations. 

 

Liu Qingge seems to be the master of breezing past things because he just bulldozes right over that,  “You know a lot about this world.”

 

“Excuse me?” 

 

Liu Qingge! What’s the point in drugging me with a truth serum if you’re not asking me questions! Stop stating things and start picking my brain! 

 

“When we met you weren’t surprised to see me. You knew who I was. Same with Mu Qingfang. You know Cang Qiong Sect.” Liu Qingge’s gaze is very penetrating. 

 

Goddamn this guy is observant as hell. It’s super cool but also freaking Shen Yuan out a little. How do transmigrators usually deal with things?! 

 

“Your world is pretty famous in mine.” Shen Yuan tries to explain. 

 

“It's been written about?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

Liu Qingge looks at him carefully, “You said you don’t know where Shen Jiu’s soul has gone but you know about “transmigrating”. Tell me everything I need to know to get him back.”

 

Shen Yuan isn’t sure what he can say, and again these aren’t really truth serum activating questions. 

 

He settles for satisfying his own curiosity a little. “I’m… surprised you want to get him back so badly. From what I understand it wasn’t a… pleasant relationship for you.”

 

Liu Qingge is stone faced, “Tell me about transmigration.” He insists, entirely side-skirting Shen Yuan’s question. 

 

“I really don’t know that much.” Shen Yuan admits, “It’s a pretty unusual situation for me too. Sometimes with transmigration you have a system that tells you what you’re in the world to do and how to act but I don’t have one so that means I’m just trying to act like Shen Qingqiu and not get found out and exorcised.”

 

Liu Qingge absorbs that, “There’s no purpose to you being here?”

 

“There doesn’t seem to be. Usually transmigrators come in and change the way that things end up going, preferably for the better.”

 

Liu Qingge is frowning deeply, “So something bad is going to happen in the future.”

 

You killing yourself. Is not what Shen Yuan says. 

 

The truth serum is also pretty weak so he manages to avoid blurting out the whole sorry ending to the Liu Qingge-PIDW tragedy. 

 

He settles for a neutral, “That’s usually the way it goes.”

 

Liu Qingge doesn’t fidget which is actually a weird thing to notice about someone but it’s true. He’s intimidatingly still while Shen Yuan is valiantly resisting the urge to tap his fingers or something equally as image ruining. 

 

“What happens when the soul that’s left the body transmigrates somewhere else?”

 

Shen Yuan wracked his brain. It’s not the most common novel trope and he doesn’t have a wide repertoire of examples to pick from. Usually what happened to the original goods is reserved for the extras if at all.

 

“Usually they’ve transmigrated somewhere else, just like I have. So they wake up in a new world and all that.” Shen Yuan thinks, “Sometimes they’ve transmigrated into someone else in the same world.”

 

Liu Qingge finally looks interested, “Does that happen often?”

 

“I can only think of one example.”

 

“But it does happen.” Liu Qingge presses.

 

“Yes.”

 

Liu Qingge finally seems to relax. 

 

Shen Yuan waits for another question/statement but nothing comes so he goes back to trying not to fidget and drinking his drugged tea. Despite the truth serum it’s actually quite nice. 

 

“This is nice tea.” He attempts to praise. 

 

Liu Qingge grunts in a fairly non-committal way. 

 

“With the permission slip and that guy…” Shen Yuan edges around the topic before deciding to just ask, “Why did you even go with him?”

 

Liu Qingge snorts, “I was careless.” Is all he says.

 

“Careless?”

 

“If it was just him I would have killed him but he wasn’t alone and I was poisoned.”

 

“You were what?!”

 

“I healed.” Liu Qingge doesn’t look as though poisoning is something that bothers him in the slightest. Also…

 

“So a bunch of people cornered you when you were poisoned?”

 

Liu Qingge looks a little embarrassed now, “I shouldn’t have let them see me at all.”

 

“Uh… you don’t have to blame yourself.” It doesn’t come out sounding very confident but Shen Yuan really isn’t sure what approach to take. 

 

“You took the right approach.” Liu Qingge suddenly affirms, “If you conceded it would have made you look weak.”

 

“You had a whole stamped permission slip and they still basically kidnapped you! Of course I wasn’t going to agree with that guy!”

 

“Anyone has the right to apprehend an unaccompanied omega.” Liu Qingge doesn’t seem all that bothered. 

 

“Even with permission?”

 

“There’s no way to prove the permission is genuine. That’s what they would say.” Liu Qingge still doesn’t seem bothered. 

 

“Okay.” Shen Yuan decides he feels able to ask a question of his own. If only because Liu Qingge seems quite… open? Is that the right way to put it? He’s answering all his questions at least. “Are you going to tell anyone that I’m not the real Shen Qingqiu?”

 

Liu Qingge eyes him before shaking his head, “None of them could help get him back so no.”

 

Damn. How untrusting. And decisive. 

 

“I will if I have to.” Liu Qingge then adds. 

 

“In what situation will you have to?”

 

“If anyone tries to force us to be intimate.”

 

“Who would do that?!”

 

Liu Qingge just shrugs. 

 

“Right.” Shen Yuan files away every detail of this bonkers conversation for later examination, “So as long as we work with each other to get back Shen Qingqiu you won’t reveal me as a fake.”

 

“No.” 

 

Shen Yuan isn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth so he doesn’t press that point. He can help Liu Qingge. He can be so helpful. 

 

“So we’re going to act like I’m the real one until then.”

 

“Yes.” Liu Qingge sounds very certain.

 

“That works out just fine for me.” Shen Yuan feels rather wrung out by this conversation, “Though I’m not sure how good a job I’m doing of keeping up the facade.”

 

“You’re doing okay.” 

 

“Thanks. How do you know?” 

 

“I came back to Qing Jing to watch you after I left.”

 

Shen Yuan blinks at him and some pieces begin to slot together, “Did you check if I was possessed then and all the rest of it?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“How long were you watching me for?”

 

“A month.”

 

“Huh. Okay.” Wow Liu Qingge is seriously impressive, someone Shen Yuan desperately needs to get and keep on his side in all honesty. “You know… it’s really unusual that transmigration gets noticed at all. I’ve never read of a case where someone’s been found out so quickly.”

 

Liu Qingge frowns, “What kind of person doesn’t notice?”

 

That’s a good point. Shen Yuan decides to skirt around it. 

 

“It’s a little too far-fetched for most people to think of. My world doesn’t have cultivation at all.”

 

Liu Qingge finally looks surprised. “Everyone is mortal?”

 

“As far as I know.” 

 

That seems to have caught Liu Qingge’s attention, “Does everyone know as much about cultivation as you do?”

 

Shen Yuan bets that less than 1% of the PIDW readers were there for cultivation. In fact even less than that, around 0.1% or none. 

 

“You can read about it if you’re interested.” He hedges, “But I doubt there are that many people who know a great deal.”

 

Liu Qingge seems to consider that answer and find it acceptable. 

 

“You don’t hold Xiu Ya like he does.” 

 

PIDW really skimmed over the specifics of how Shen Qingqiu held his sword so Shen Yuan has really been making it up as he goes in that respect. 

 

“Is it very noticeable?”

 

“No.”

 

They lapse into a long and slightly awkward silence. 

 

Shen Yuan thinks deeply to himself. How would they even go about getting the original goods back? How would that work?

 

“There are definitely lots of artefacts and so on in this world that can call a soul back to a dead body,” He ventures, “Or locate a person or bind people together and so on.”

 

Liu Qingge leans forward, “Make a list. I’ll check them.”

 

“Sure, is there… anything else you need from me? Like better permission papers or something?” 

 

Liu Qingge shook his head, “I should have killed him but it was too conspicuous. Forget all that.” 

 

How ruthless, Liu-juju.

 

“So you usually just go out on your own whenever you want?”

 

Liu Qingge nods. 

 

“You know,” Shen Yuan tries to think of an appropriate way to word this and comes up blank so he just says it straight out, “I thought omegas were really restricted in this world.”

 

“They are.”

 

“But you’ve got a sword and you’re going out and all that…” Shen Yuan trails off, hoping Liu Qingge will fill in the blanks. When he doesn’t Shen Yuan continues, “You’re not really acting like the omega stereotype I was expecting.”

 

Liu Qingge’s poker face is incredible or maybe he’s just really stoic, “I’m acting as my alpha allows.”

 

Shen Yuan blinks as his brain catches up to the fact that this behaviour was all sanctioned by Shen Qingqiu who the novel labelled as an abusive dickbag that kept Liu Qingge chained in his room. 

 

“I wasn’t expecting that.” 

 

Liu Qingge snorts humourlessly and stands, “Make the list. I’m going to meditate.”

 

“Sure.” Shen Yuan feels off centre by this conversation. He can’t tell if Liu Qingge hates him and is plotting his murder or if he’s decided he’s alright. Or maybe he’s just going to milk Shen Yuan for all the information he’s worth and then kill him once he’s done. 

 

Once his door has closed behind him Shen Yuan puts his head in his hands. Maybe he should be more concerned with sucking up to Liu Qingge not Luo Binghe. After all, Luo Binghe is still a lovely sweet sheep who has forgiven his past abuse so fast it makes Shen Yuan’s head spin a little, whereas Liu Qingge has proved himself to be a stoic badass capable of both violence and successful surveillance. And Shen Yuan has stolen his lover’s (?) body. Great. 

 

With another deep calming breath Shen Yuan reaches for the ink stone to begin to make his list. 

 

It’s then that he notices that Liu Qingge’s cup of tea had also been drained. 

 

*

 

“Here.” Liu Qingge handed Shen Yuan the (frankly very) ugly amulet. 

 

“Great, many thanks to Liu-shidi.” 

 

Liu Qingge didn’t protest the change in address which was positive. Shen Yuan had been really struggling with what to call this guy! Qingge was way too intimate for this xianxia ABO setting (for all that Liu Qingge wasn’t a petty guy in that sense. The whole revelation that Shen Yuan was from a different and vastly strange world was enough to mitigate a whole host of sins, even ones that Shen Yuan didn’t necessarily think should be mitigated). Liu-gongzi was too formal. Liu Qingge was what he had settled on for a while but it just felt weird to be calling the guy he lived with by his full name all the time. 

 

So Liu-shidi it was and it kind of made sense! Plus it did a really good job of distinguishing Shen Yuan from Shen Qingqiu who clearly very much did not call Liu Qingge that ever. Apparently being unable to do his hair properly and having different preferred robes also helped because Liu Qingge seemed to be getting more relaxed with having Shen Yuan around and had stopped staring at him like he may wake up one day and become Shen Qingqiu again. Honestly, Shen Yuan was even starting to feel a little guilty about transmigrating. It obviously wasn’t his fault and Liu Qingge didn’t blame him but it was rubbing him the wrong way to watch Liu Qingge mournfully stare at Shen Qingqiu’s favourite fans like he was a widow with her husband having died in war. 

 

Shen Yuan did his best to not use Shen Qingqiu’s favourite stuff just to be respectful but it was hard when Liu Qingge’s reactions to everything vaguely emotional were the same. Was that Shen Qingqiu’s favourite guan or did Shen Yuan have congee in his hair? Liu-shidi stop looking so intense!

 

“Pass me the mirror.” 

 

Shen Yuan was handed it before he’d even finished speaking as Liu Qingge sat down beside him and practically leaned all the way over to stare at both the amulet and the mirror like they might spontaneously burst into flames. 

 

The mirror was just as ugly as the amulet and Liu-shidi had had to fight a school of mermaids for it which he’d done with enviable ease, returning to shore where Shen Yuan had been anxiously waiting looking drenched in an artful way rather than half-drowned like a man was supposed to after wrestling under water for half a shichen. 

 

“Okay, so we need to crack the amulet over the mirror.” Here Shen Yuan hit a snag because while that’s what PIDW said (word for word) it hadn’t gone into how the amulet was cracked. Crack it like an egg? But the amulet was basically one large gemstone covered in inscriptions. 

 

Liu Qingge was glaring at the amulet but to be honest he glared at everything. It would have been a character flaw if he didn’t still look so good while doing it. 

 

“Can I?” He held out his hand. 

 

“Sure.” Shen Yuan handed it over, “The amulet needs to be cracked open so the essence can land on the mirror.”

 

Liu Qingge’s lips pursed but he nodded seriously. Then with that (terrifying but also very cool) cultivator strength he crushed the amulet in his hand. The gem stone shattered prettily and some… incorporeal looking goo dripped off Liu Qingge’s hand to land on the mirror. 

 

“Huh, guess it really is like an egg.” Shen Yuan couldn’t help reaching out a finger to poke at the goo. It felt like nothing was there despite looking unsettlingly slimy. 

 

“Is this right?” Liu Qingge asked.

 

“It should be.” Shen Yuan glanced at the mirror which was still displaying a convincing reflection of the room. “But it won’t do anything until we activate it.” With the mirror’s surface covered in the phantom gunk he picked it up carefully and handed it to Liu Qingge who took it in his non-gemstone coated hand. “Think really hard about the person you want to find, the more personal or emotional the thoughts the better.”

 

Liu Qingge nodded and stared hard at the mirror. Shen Yuan had no idea what he was thinking about since his face stayed stoic through the (hopefully) intense and positive thoughts he was having about Shen Qingqiu. 

 

The mirror’s surface rippled, the goo moving like water. 

 

“Oh.” Shen Yuan leaned closer, “Holy crap.”

 

Liu Qigge’s eyes were wide. 

 

The scene in the mirror depicted the inside of the bamboo house but not a reflection. It was playing a scene like a mini-tablet. There was Liu Qingge wearing his usual robes and Shen Qingqiu, but not Shen Yuan. The real Shen Qingqiu. There was no sound coming from the mirror although the two people’s mouths were moving so like watching a video on mute. 

 

Liu Qingge and Shen Qingqiu were sitting on the bed in Liu Qingge’s room. Well, the nest is what it should be called. It was an omega’s nest and this was the first time Shen Yuan had seen it since he had snooped through Liu Qingge’s room looking for clues when the other man had first left all those months ago. Shen Qingqiu was sitting cross-legged looking far more comfortable than Liu Qingge who had his arms crossed and a scowl on his face. 

 

Shen Qingqiu said something, waving a hand dismissively and Liu Qingge snapped something back, face turning pink. 

 

Shen Qingqiu smirked and grabbed Liu Qingge’s ponytail, tugging on his hair. 

 

Liu Qingge went even pinker and snapped something else. 

 

Whatever he said made Shen Qingqiun scowl and then he was wrapping Liu Qingge’s hair around his fist and tugging harder in a way that wrenched Liu Qingge’s head back. In response Liu Qingge bared his teeth and Shen Qingqiu’s eyes narrowed in turn. Shen Qingqiu was speaking continuously, not pausing for breath, while Liu Qingge remained quiet and close-mouthed. 

 

Finally Shen Qingqiu let go of Liu Qingge’s hair and turned to stand at which point Liu Qingge all but threw himself to the side to grab the other’s arm. He said something and Shen Qingqiu just shook him off. 

 

Shen Qingqiu pointed to the nest before taking off his outer robe and throwing it at Liu Qingge. 

 

Liu Qingge clutched the fabric and looked down instead of at Shen Qingqiu. His hands were twisting the fabric and it was the first time Shen Yuan had ever seen him fidget, strangely enough. 

 

Shen Qingqiu stood there watching him, silent, before the man ran a hand down his face and sat back down next to Liu Qingge on the nest. Liu Qingge’s shoulders were hunched but when Shen Qingqiu reached out and ran a hand down his back he relaxed all at once leading to Shen Qingqiu being able to pull him fully into his arms. 

 

Shen Yuan shot a furtive glance at Liu Qingge who was watching the whole thing with very little expression. This all seemed like it was very… personal. And though Shen Yuan was inhabiting Shen Qingqiu’s body this felt uncomfortably voyeuristic. However Liu Qingge didn’t seem upset with him watching and this might give them important clues so he turned his eyes back to the mirror. 

 

Shen Qingqiu was now running fingers through Liu Qingge’s hair, speaking all the while as Liu Qingge’s eyes drifted closed. It continued like that until it seemed Liu Qingge had fallen asleep. Shen Qingqiu extricated himself at that point, getting up and walking towards the door though he looked back for a long while, not speaking or doing anything apart from staring at Liu Qingge sleeping. 

 

He then left Liu Qingge’s room and closed the door behind him though he didn’t lock it. 

 

Once in the main room Shen Qingqiu headed towards the low table and the stack of papers that were there, settling in to work. 

 

Shen Yuan had to admit he was a little confused. He didn’t quite understand what relevant information the (stupidly named) Mirror of Eternal Truth was showing them here. In PIDW Luo Binghe had used the mirror in conjunction with the Amulet of Intertwined Souls to find wife number 103’s soul which had been forcibly ejected from her body in a harem plot by her evil stepmother since of course Luo Binghe had married and fucked both of them. 

 

The two objects worked in tandem to allow someone who had a strong connection to that soul to locate the soul wherever it may be. Though Shen Yuan was now beginning to understand that while that was the way Luo Binghe had understood it, that didn’t automatically make it the complete truth. Luo Binghe was a bit of an unreliable narrator at times! 

 

He expected that the mirror would either show them where Shen Qingqiu’s soul was in the PIDW world (like it did for wife 103) or it wouldn’t show them anything in which case it would mean that Shen Qingqiu’s soul wasn’t in this world anymore. That would lead to Shen Yuan being able to cross off around half of the ideas for getting Shen Qingqiu back since they wouldn’t work if Shen Qingqiu’s soul wasn’t somewhere they could find it. 

 

In the mirror Shen Qingqiu was reading, looking cold and vaguely angry the way Shen Yuan was beginning to understand was his default, before he put down the papers altogether and rested his head in his hands. He raised his head to look towards Liu Qingge’s door for a long while before seeming to shake himself and stand. Once standing he made his way to the front door and left the bamboo house. 

 

At this point Liu Qingge seemed to harden completely, practically rigid with tension. 

 

Shen Yuan (in response) stared at the mirror with increasing focus. 

 

Shen Qingqiu left the bamboo house and walked through the grove until he reached the quiet pool. He then sat down at its edge and looked as though he was meditating. 

 

Suddenly he collapsed. 

 

The next moment Liu Qingge came running into the scene, spotting Shen Qingqiu with magnetic focus and going to his knees by his side. He grabbed his hands and started what looked to be a qi transfer. Shen Qingqiu’s eyes were open and his mouth moved sluggishly like he was saying something. 

 

Liu Qingge said something back and Shen Qingqiu’s fingers formed a weak seal that seemed enough to summon Xiu Ya. Liu Qingge grabbed Shen Qingqiu’s own sword, pulled the prone man onto it and that’s when the mirror’s surface went back to being reflective. 

 

It was a bit of whiplash. 

 

Holy shit that had been intense. He gave Liu Qingge another look but the man looked unmoved as usual though he didn’t seem liable to speak any time soon. 

 

Shen Yuan cleared his throat a little, “I think when the mirror stopped was when Shen Qingqiu’s soul left this world.”

 

“That was when he fell unconscious.” Liu Qingge confirmed. 

 

“Did you take him to Qian Cao then?”

 

“No. When he fell unconscious I took him back to the bamboo house and called for Mu Qingfang to come.” 

 

“It wouldn’t have made a difference if you took him to Qian Cao or not at that point.” Shen Yuan points out in a way he hopes is vaguely comforting, “His soul was already gone from this world.”

 

Liu Qingge looks away from the mirror that he had still been staring at, “I couldn’t have taken him once he was unconscious.”

 

Shen Yuan’s confusion must have shown because Liu Qingge generously elaborated. 

 

He’d been getting better at doing that since it became clear just how little Shen Yuan understood about everything and how lost he was all of the time. While he had read all of PIDW with intense focus, the ABO elements were usually used to facilitate sex rather than delving deep into world-building and etiquette. 

 

There was also the important fact Shen Yuan was starting to understand, which was that with Luo Binghe who was first a penniless abandoned orphan with no socialisation who obviously didn’t know the ABO rules of society (done for almost comedic effect when he entered Cang Qiong) and then the strongest alpha and undisputed Emperor of the realms, the normal rules didn’t apply. 

 

Shen Qingqiu was strong, and so was Liu Qingge. In fact Liu Qingge was probably the strongest person Shen Yuan had met so far but clearly his being an omega had definitive consequences for his behaviour which Shen Yuan thought were bullshit. Of course he was trying to keep in mind that he was an outsider coming in and judging this way of living, like those modern people that judged historical people’s actions as evil when they were just conforming to the moral standards of the time. Not that torture and execution and stuff were ever really okay. Just more okay. 

 

Anyways, the point was that Liu Qingge didn’t seem super righteously indignant at his lot in life so Shen Yuan was trying to take a step back and just let the world be without bringing his non-ABO sentiments into it. Especially as he was still a little freaked out by the whole knotting-self-lubricating-heats element of it all. Like what the fuck. 

 

“If he was still conscious he would have taken himself to Qian Cao.” Liu Qingge explained in his clipped way.

 

“I don’t think he could stand on his own.” Shen Yuan’s confusion hadn’t abated.

 

Liu Qingge shook his head, “I can’t take him on Xiu Ya. He looks too weak. But if he was still conscious he would be taking himself and bringing me.”

 

“Even if you’re the one technically using his sword?” Shen Yuan’s scepticism must be very obvious in his tone. 

 

Liu Qingge shrugs. 

 

Shen Yuan decides to breeze past the weird and terrible implications as he’s become very good at lest he start uselessly tearing into Airplane’s world building. “We need to focus more on what that scene was telling us. You were there living it, any clues?”

 

Liu Qingge has gone back to staring at the still mirror. “He had a qi deviation. Then you woke up in his body.” 

 

“That seems to be what happened.” Shen Yuan is going for gentle. He thinks it’s working by the way Liu Qingge doesn’t protest.  

 

“He had the qi deviation because of what we saw.” Liu Qingge now looks desperately sad. Or at least as sad as someone so dignified can look. 

 

Shen Yuan really doesn’t want to get into that. From what he saw Shen Qingqiu and Liu Qingge’s relationship doesn’t seem to be all grievous abuse but it certainly also doesn’t seem to be complete sunshine and rainbows either. Maybe it’s the lack of dialogue but that whole scene had felt squicky to watch. 

 

“You guys seemed to have… patched things up by the end.” Shen Yuan tries to sound optimistic. 

 

It’s likely his lack of relationship experience but he really doesn’t know what to make of the sequence they just watched squared with what he knows of the Liu Qingge-Shen Qingqiu relationship in PIDW. 

 

Liushen had been a pretty popular ship, Shen Yuan had personally just never been interested in the shipping part of the fandom and stayed well clear though he still got a bit of content just through osmosis alone. From what he remembers people had gotten really into the dub-con ABO elements of it all with Liu Qingge being super bullied and Shen Qingqiu being super evil. The reality is very much not that which is a huge relief since Shen Yuan is now realising that he actually doesn’t know what he would do with a beaten down Liu Qingge who acted like the guidance stated a proper PIDW omega should. For one he would be a lot lonelier. 

 

Liu Qingge seems to consider what he’s said and then nods with certainty. “Yes.”

 

Phew. Okay no self-blame here. Not that Liu Qingge seems to be a self-blaming and guilty person to begin with.

 

“What next?” Liu Qingge immediately launches into their next step. Really an action orientated person. Shen Yuan is (as usual) impressed by how well he rallies. 

 

“Well, I was thinking that if we couldn’t find Shen Qingqiu’s soul in this world and from the mirror it looks like it’s not here anymore, that Madam Meiyin might be able to help. She’s a succubus and a master of love magic. I heard that she can tell anyone’s love fortune, if she says you’ll have 300 wives you won’t have 301.”

 

Liu Qingge looked… not pleased, “A demon?”

 

“She could help.”

 

He still didn’t look pleased but persisted which was really the core of who Liu Qingge was, “How? You said she can tell who you’re going to marry. Shen Qingqiu and I are already mated.”

 

“Yes, but she has scrying abilities.” This had been alluded to in PIDW. Airplane only really brought Madam Meiyin out for particularly juicy wife acquisitions and she was definitely a fan favourite with all the headcanons attached. “She has been said to be able to see beyond our world to find your true match in others.” 

 

As seen in wife 263’s case. She and Luo Binghe had gotten along immediately, palpable sexual tension and all that, but oh no she had a curse on her which meant if they ever touched Luo Binghe would drop dead! Lots of pining and masturbating in front of each other led to her sacrificing herself to save Luo Binghe in a scene that became a quick fan-art favourite. Luo Binghe had taken the body to Madam Meiyin and she had looked beyond their world to an alternate universe to find the same wife but without the curse. Luo Binghe had used Xin Mo, popped across the boundary between worlds, nabbed the wife and quickly married her. Lots of people had found it romantic but Shen Yuan had always thought it was fucking weird. 

 

It wasn’t the same woman! She had never met nor masturbated in front of nor sacrificed herself for Luo Binghe! The original woman was dead! 

 

To his pleasant surprise for once he wasn’t alone in his outrage, quite a lot of people in the fandom had rallied alongside him about it being weirdly kidnapping-esque and while Airplane never had the grace to acknowledge that, dimension hopping was never used in PIDW for romantic purposes ever again, likely as a result. 

 

The point was that if Shen Qingqiu’s soul was in an alternate world there was a possibility that Madam Meiyin may be able to shed some insight. 

 

Liu Qingge nodded, looking more convinced, “Then let’s go.”

 

“Wait wait Liu-shidi! Don’t be too hasty!” Shen Yuan felt more than a little exasperated, “Let’s get some rest and some food. I also need to sort things out with the peak before I leave and there’s a Peak Lord’s meeting in a few days that I shouldn’t miss.”

 

Liu Qingge wrinkled his nose. It was actually a pretty cute expression he made to indicate distaste, “Those meetings aren’t important.”

 

Shen Yuan unfortunately had to concede. The meetings aren’t even attended by everyone and are mostly admin related. He had gone to the first feeling excited about being able to check out the PIDW Peak Lord cast in the flesh and while it was definitely cool to see whoever showed up it was also a bit of a letdown. Of the people that could be bothered to turn come, no one really interacted with him. 

 

Yue Qingyuan judiciously avoided looking at him, speaking to him, or breathing in his direction. Shen Yuan would take it for disdain but the man looked too neutral and yet somehow saddened by his presence for even that. 

 

Shang Qinghua just scurried around him looking generally harried and nothing else. 

 

And that was it. Those were the only two Peak Lords who had been to all of the four meetings Shen Qingqiu had attended so far. The other rotation of Peak Lords who never showed up to consecutive meetings seemed equally as bored. 

 

“Fine. You’re right.” Shen Yuan held his ground, “But I still think we need some rest and food and planning. We can leave the day after tomorrow. We don’t even know how long it’ll take to track down Madam Meiyin, we need to be prepared for anything.”

 

Liu Qingge accepted it though of course he didn’t seem happy. 

 

“Fine. Not a day later.” And then the ever predictable Liu-shidi was getting up and going to his room. 

 

Shen Yuan rubbed at his temples which were aching slightly. He would never say he was ungrateful for the chance to live a whole new (impressive and cool) life but goddamn he hadn’t expected this much emotional turmoil. What person transmigrated and then had to spend all their time trying to get the original goods back??

 

At least it wasn’t as though it was uninteresting. It gave purpose and structure to his transmigrated life at least, and he got to do and see cool stuff in the process. Plus it was helping Liu Qingge and Shen Yuan couldn’t possibly imagine not helping Liu Qingge. 

 

He sometimes wondered (in a horror movie way) what would have happened if someone else had transmigrated into Shen Qingqiu. Someone who acted more like him and was harder for Liu Qingge to figure out. Or someone who wouldn’t admit it and would just insist on being Shen Qingqiu. Shen Yuan didn’t like thinking about that because it was frankly disturbing. 

 

He looked over at Liu Qingge’s closed door with the lock on the outside that Shen Qingqiu hadn’t used and had to suppress a little shudder. 

 

Yeah. Not thinking about that. 

 

*

 

“This seems to be the right cave.” Shen Yuan peers at it as though a sign saying “Succubi live here!” will reveal itself. Unfortunately no such smoking gun appears. 

 

Liu Qingge, however, seems certain. “I can smell them.” 

 

Shen Yuan nods, having gotten used to Liu Qingge actually knowing how to use his ABO senses while Shen Yuan layered himself in blockers and religiously took suppressants. Funnily enough that was something Liu Qingge had revealed he and the original goods had in common. 

 

“Wonderful.” Shen Yuan snapped open his fan as a shield against the slight trepidation he was feeling. 

 

Shockingly enough Liu Qingge took the initiative to put a steady hand on his arm, “I won’t let anything happen to you.” He said with so much gravitas Shen Yuan almost felt lightheaded. 

 

Damn. 

 

“Then I’ll put myself in Liu-shidi’s care.” Shen Yuan took a deep scentless breath, “Okay let’s go.”

 

They entered the cave. 

 

*

 

Shen Yuan would have thought that riding a sword for half a day while transporting an in-heat omega after fleeing a succubus’ lair would be a struggle. It definitely wasn’t great but that could be attributed to his own worry and internal conflict rather than any practical difficulty. Liu Qingge was still and almost meditative as Shen Yuan kept a hold of him. Honestly thank all the lucky stars that Shen Yuan had ended up in PIDW with Liu Qingge by his side, he genuinely doesn’t know what he would do if it was anyone else. 

 

How had it all gone so wrong so quickly? 

 

Ah yes, Liu Qingge had tried to cut Madam Meiyin’s head off. 

 

Madam Meiyin smiles, opening her mouth likely to say something but before she can get a word out Liu Qingge’s sword is in his hand and he’s attempting murder.  

 

“Liu-shidi!” Shen Yuan yells, “Stop!”

 

“Ungrateful wretch!” Madam Meiyin dodges back only barely, robes fluttering under the press of Liu Qingge’s blade.

 

He moves to strike again but before he can she’s tossed a handful of powder in his face and run off. 

 

Liu Qingge rears back, scrabbling at the powder as it lands on his skin. 

 

“Crap, Liu-shidi you okay?” Shen Yuan’s hands flutter around him as he tries to use his fan to wave the rest of the powder away, “What is that?”

 

“I-” Liu Qingge doesn’t finish the sentence before he’s gasping and screwing his eyes shut. “Heat.” He gasps. 

 

“What? Heat what do you- oh fuck.” Shen Yuan grabs Liu Qingge’s arm, “Do you mean you’re in heat right now?”

 

“Aphrodisiac.” Liu Qingge gasps.

 

“What do you need?” Shen Yuan runs through his mental rolodex of how PIDW dealt with heats without Luo Binghe’s dick being involved. 

 

“Take me home.” Liu Qingge gets out through gritted teeth. 

 

So here Shen Yuan was, carting an out-of-commision Liu Qingge back to Cang Qiong. 

 

Will Liu Qingge need medical attention? Heats are extended sex sessions but they don’t kill omegas even if they don’t have an alpha attending to them. Shen Yuan just needs to get Liu Qingge back to his nest and that should be fine, right? 

 

“Liu-shidi,” He addresses his companion, “You don’t need to speak, just tap me or something. Does this feel like a normal heat? Nothing extra or weird?”

 

Liu Qingge opened his eyes. They were glazed over and he managed a nod. 

 

“Good.” Shen Yuan focused on guiding Xiu Ya, “You can close your eyes again, just rest.”

 

Liu-shidi seemed to agree that was a good idea because he went back to being a statue. 

 

Riding a sword was really cool of course, but a little monotonous to be honest. Shen Yuan used the time to consider what they had learnt from Madam Meiyin, most of which was a little confusing and contradictory. 

 

Madam Meiyin was frowning intensely at Liu Qingge’s hand. Shen Yuan had never read a scene in PIDW where the woman hadn’t seemed to have a thousand times more information than everyone else. She was the type of “smirking in the background as everything unfurled to her expectations” character. A wise old woman, only she looked like a k-pop idol on comeback. 

 

“What is it?” Liu Qingge was sensing her unease and it was clearly freaking him out despite his ever stoic exterior.

 

“Liu Qingge’s mate is sitting next to him.” Madam Meiyin said very slowly, “But not.”

 

It was Shen Yuan’s turn to get into it, “Does it say where his mate is if he’s not here?”

 

Madam Meiyin frowned. “He’s here.” She said with certainty looking at Shen Yuan, “You are Lord Shen Qingqiu of Qing Jing Peak. You are his mate.”

 

“Then why did you say my mate isn’t here?” Liu Qingge pressed, not taking his hand back. 

 

Madam Meiyin had a furrow between her brows, “You are his mate.” She now sounded certain. 

 

“What about a red string of fate or something like that?” Shen Yuan threw out, “Where does his red string of fate lead?” 

 

Madam Meiyin was starting to look more confident, “Peak Lord Shen need not worry about his mate’s affection.” Her voice had become all smooth and placating. Liu Qingge’s nose wrinkled and Shen Yuan bet she was practically dripping in scent.

 

“That’s not-” Shen Yuan began before cutting himself off in consternation. Transmigration or revealing he actually wasn’t Shen Qingqiu was not on the cards so what could he say? 

 

“Besides,” Madam Meiyin continued as though he hadn’t spoken, gesturing dramatically, “A red string of fate is a delicate thing. It can easily be snapped or torn. We all have the power to create our own fates.”

 

Considering there were living in a novel imagined by fucking Airplane Shooting Through the Sky Shen Yuan was hard pressed to agree. 

 

“Just tell us if I have a red string of fate and where it leads.” Snapped Liu Qingge. 

 

Madam Meiyin shot him a withering look at his outburst. Shen Yuan shifted closer to Liu Qingge as if he could really protect him or as if Liu Qingge even needed it. He was currently glaring back with equal fervour. 

 

“If Lord Shen’s omega is so desperate to know,” That was a sneer. She was sneering. Shen Yuan felt some righteous indignation on Liu Qingge’s behalf. “He does not have a red string of fate.” 

 

Liu Qingge’s lips pressed together in a thin line. 

 

“No red string of fate.” She repeated, “Everything you have is just that. The man next to you is your alpha. You never could have had different.”

 

Shen Yuan felt like this was meant to be insulting in some way but Liu Qingge didn’t seem insulted. 

 

“Not before.” He looked like he was losing his patience, “Right now.”

 

Madam Meiyin frowned, “Excuse me?”

 

“I don’t care if I had a red string of fate before. I want to know if I have one now.”

 

There was a pause as Madam Meiyin seemed to try and absorb that. Shen Yuan had to admit that in the context of everything this all sounded very weird. 

 

“Red strings of fate aren’t real.” Is what she finally answered, “They’re a myth. Like true mates and love at first sight. A fairytale spun to soften the lack of control you have over your life.”

Thinking about it, Shen Yuan really felt that that was a depressing and cynical sentiment which didn’t even make sense in the PIDW context. How many wives had Luo Binghe connected with through love at first sight or red strings of fate and all of that? Maybe Liu Qingge and Shen Qingqiu weren’t destined to be, but that didn’t mean that red strings of fate didn’t exist. Plus with the way Liu Qingge was he could certainly forcibly tie his red string around the original goods if he was so inclined. Liu-shidi was determined that way.

 

“Does Liu Qingge have any other connections apart from myself.” Shen Yuan asked, trying to keep this conversation on track, “Deep connections who may not be in our world.”

 

“Not in our world? What could Peak Lord Shen mean?”

 

“There are other worlds.” Shen Yuan said with confidence, hoping that he wasn’t pre-empting some canon revelations. 

 

Madam Meiyin stared at him. “Immortal Master Shen is not what this one was expecting.”

 

That’s because I’m not him! And stop looking at me like I’m crazy!

 

All in all when it came to the “other worlds” conversation, that really didn’t go anywhere productive. Madam Meiyin mostly seemed confused though she did concede that on first sight of Liu Qingge’s palm she felt that there was something unusual going on. 

 

“I need more information Immortal Master, and your words aren’t clear.” Madam Meiyin addressed this entirely to Shen Yuan, ignoring Liu Qingge in a way that was getting pretty old even if it was polite in ABO society. 

 

“Look again.” Shen Yuan had requested, “You said yourself that Liu Qingge’s mate is not here.”

 

Madam Meiyin had looked between the two of them fairly suspiciously but then did indeed take Liu Qingge’s hand again and look over his palm once more. 

 

“The mating bond is intact.” Madam Meiyin dropped his hand, “Shen Qingqiu is your alpha. But he is not your bond mate.” She looked confused to be saying it and honestly Shen Yuan understood that it would have solved a lot of problems if they had told her the transmigration stuff from the start but that information was really need to know. 

 

“Then where’s my bond mate?” Liu Qingge looked frustrated enough to start clawing at the walls. 

 

“Here.” Madam Meiyin was also beginning to look frustrated which Shen Yuan understood. For her it must be like being told to do a connect the dots where all the numbers were out of order. 

 

“What if his bond mate was in another world?” 

 

Madam Meiyin looked at Shen Yuan like he had grown three more heads, “Peak Lord Shen must be aware that he is Liu Qingge’s bond mate.”

 

“Yes of course.” This just all needed to be dumbed down before it became too confusing, “But you just said that this master is Liu Qingge’s alpha, not his bond mate.”

 

“They’re the same thing.” Madam Meiyin was back to frustration. 

 

“Imagine that they weren’t. Mating bonds affect both the body and the soul, can one have an alpha and a bond mate at the same time?” Shen Yuan felt like he was on a roll and Liu Qingge perked up at his words. 

 

Madam Meiyin stared at him. “Perhaps.” She allowed, “But that would… how would that come about that the soul and body become separated?”

 

“This master is only speculating.” Shen Yuan tried to throw in some flattery, “Madam Meiyin’s expertise in the arts of love are well known and regarded, does she have any ideas as to how to track a soul bond?”

 

Madam Meiyin looked at him for a long silent moment before she burst into peals of laughter. 

 

“You- Peak Lord Shen!” She laughed breathlessly, “The Immortal Master is as ruthless an alpha as everyone claims! Shen Qingqiu is in all ways the man his reputation paints him to be! So jealous of his omega’s affections, so possessive and single minded he would chase theories and rumours to ensure there could never be anyone else in his mate’s heart, not even a whisper of possibility!”

 

That’s… okay Shen Yuan can see why she would think that but it’s pretty off base. Logical though. 

 

Before he can even formulate a response both Shen Yuan and Madam Meiyin’s attentions are drawn to Liu Qingge who is snarling. 

 

“Have some respect!” 

 

And then the attempted murder had occurred. 

 

So, judging by what she had said Liu Qingge’s bond with Shen Qingqiu is intact which means the other’s soul is somewhere out there. So all in all not a complete waste of time. 

 

“We’re here.” Shen Yuan roused Liu Qingge once they’d reached Qing Jing and hustled him into the bamboo house as quickly as he could. 

 

Just as he was shutting the door he heard someone call for him. 

 

“Shizun.”

 

Oh balls. What now? 

 

Shen Yuan did his best to hip check Liu Qingge inside as he turned with as smooth an expression as he could for Luo Binghe. 

 

“Does Binghe need anything?”

 

Luo Binghe’s eyes are flicking between Shen Qingqiu and the half closed door beyond which the currently in-heat Liu Qingge is. 

 

“This disciple thought that Shizun might like some snacks.”

 

“Thank you, but not now.” Shen Yuan tries to give him as gentle a let down as possible while also getting him out of here. Honestly can’t Luo Binghe smell the mood?

 

“This disciple-”

 

“Luo Binghe should return to his duties. Tell the other disciples that this master is not to be disturbed.” Shen Yuan really didn’t have the time for niceties anymore. Before waiting for Luo Binghe to reply he slipped through the bamboo house door and slid it shut, almost sighing in relief. 

 

Almost immediately Liu Qingge tried to punch him in the face. 

 

“Liu-shidi!” Shen Yuan dodged back, “What was that for?” Yes he was dillydallying a little but he had gotten rid of Luo Binghe as fast as he could, why was he being ruthlessly attacked?

 

Liu Qingge didn’t answer, he just tried to grab him. It was a little sloppier than Liu-shidi’s usual clean movements which was obvious by the way Shen Yuan was not being beaten to a pulp. 

 

“What are you doing?!” Shen Yuan dodged once more before Liu Qingge managed to get ahold of him and send them both to the ground in a pile of unruly limbs. “Liu Qingge!”

 

“Fight me.” Liu Qingge’s eyes were bright. It felt completely incongruous with the situation. He was looking at Shen Yuan like he was… well Shen Yuan was going to take a wild guess and say that was the expression an in-heat Liu Qingge would make when faced with the original goods.

 

Shen Yuan’s stomach made an uncomfortable swoop. “Liu-shidi it’s me, Shen Yuan.”

 

Liu Qingge frowned, “What- I-” He leaned in, nose to Shen Yuan’s throat.

 

Shen Yuan struggled against Liu Qingge’s limbs, “Liu-shidi! Get yourself together! I’m not Shen Qingqiu!” Shen Yuan really couldn’t even begin to describe the many emotions he was currently feeling and he wasn’t even going to try. It was weird and uncomfortable and very much not what transmigration was supposed to be! 

 

Liu Qingge pulled back, frowning hard though his eyes were a little glazed over. He seemed as though he wasn’t going to hit or sniff Shen Yuan again so that was a plus. 

 

“Liu-shidi?” Shen Yuan tried to keep his expression as calm as possible and held up his hands as if to emphasise his unwillingness for more violence. 

 

Liu Qingge sat up so now Shen Yuan was the only one sprawled on the floor. His movements were jerky and unco-ordinated as he got to his feet, Shen Yuan scrambling up next to him. 

 

“Don’t disturb me.” Then he had all but fled back to his room and shut the door behind him. 

 

Shen Yuan swallowed, feeling quite… alone suddenly for some reason. Though he was sure it didn’t hold a candle to how poor Liu Qingge was feeling. 

 

Shen Yuan made his way to his bedroom and dug around in what he had labelled as Shen Qingqiu’s Drug Drawer for some more suppressant pills. He swallowed two quickly and also took out some herbs to brew into a tea for good measure. He was going to need it if he was sharing the bamboo house with Liu Qingge while the other was in heat. 

 

On most days the very faint whiffs Shen Yuan got from Liu Qingge when his own suppressants were wearing off were enough to engender some warm and fuzzy feelings in him so he didn’t want to imagine how this body would react to Liu Qingge in heat. His senses would surely recognise him. How many heats had Liu Qingge and this body Shen Yuan was currently occupying already shared? Presumably many. 

 

Shen Yuan reached for the small clamshell container on his bedside that contained a gel that could be smeared inside the nose and dampen all scents. It made one a little scent blind which was technically a stupid thing to do, in an ABO world it was like wearing a blindfold willingly. Thankfully being Shen Qingqiu Shen Yuan didn’t have to worry about lacking a sense, he was well-established enough to not have to worry about reading people’s scents and besides, he had Liu Qingge to help him with that. Omegas weren’t forbidden from using suppressants but it was a huge faux pas that was normally reserved for exceptional circumstances. Liu Qingge never used them and Shen Yuan didn’t think he wanted to either, he seemed perfectly content to take full advantage of all his senses. 

 

Nose smeared and alpha-nature fully suppressed Shen Yuan wandered back into the main room, glancing at Liu Qingge’s door as he did. Liu Qingge said he didn’t want to be disturbed but surely he would need food? But no, Liu-shidi was such an exceptional cultivator he could survive on inedia almost indefinitely. It was better to just not bother him. 

 

With that resolution in mind Shen Yuan left the bamboo house to check the wards at the perimeter. He poked at one of the talismans carved into the very wood of the dwelling and mused that the original goods really was a paranoid bastard. Cang Qiong was already heavily warded and that didn’t include the insane number of protections on Qing Jing itself. He really didn’t need to do all this to make his house safe. 

 

The only reason Luo Binghe even managed to raze Cang Qiong was of course because he was the protagonist and it was narratively destined, but also because he’d been a disciple on Qing Jing all those years and knew intimately how to defeat its defences. A cheat sheet indeed. 

 

Shen Yuan finished his rough perimeter of Qing Jing sometime after the sun had already set. It was late and he really wanted to go back to the bamboo house and curl up in his not all that comfortable xianxia bed but he also didn’t want to intrude on Liu Qingge’s space. If Shen Yuan hadn’t transmigrated Liu Qingge would presumably be in his comfortable nest being tended to right about now. Shen Yuan wasn’t sure just how nurturing the original goods was, but judging by how much Liu-shidi seemed to like him he really couldn’t be all bad. 

 

“Shizun?”

 

Shen Yuan didn’t jump in shock though it was a miracle he didn’t. He loved his protagonist okay, Luo Binghe was great, but what was with this child appearing at the most random intervals? Shouldn’t he be asleep in the disciples dorms right about now? Why would he… oh no. 

 

“Are you still being bullied?” Shen Yuan asked Luo Binghe sharply. 

 

Luo Binghe blinked, “Shizun-”

 

“If it’s really so bad just let Shizun know, this master will find some way to deal with it.”

 

Luo Binghe shook his head emphatically, “Shizun need not worry about this disciple!”

 

“Then why isn’t Luo Binghe asleep right now? He should be in the disciple’s dorms.”

 

Luo Binghe bit his lip and didn’t answer. “Shizun, can this lowly disciple ask a question?”

 

“Binghe is not lowly.” Shen Yuan corrected, “And of course Binghe may ask this master whatever he wishes.”

 

“This one is presumptuous, but he wanted to ask how long Shizun and Liu-shiniang have been mated?” Luo Binghe was looking up at him through his lashes and seemed very shy all of a sudden. 

 

Ah how cute! The protagonist’s future marital aspirations were already beginning to rear their head and he was coming to his old teacher to ask for advice! Not advice Shen Yuan was qualified to give but still. 

 

In fact… Shen Yuan didn’t actually know the answer to that question. He knows it was during the couple’s disciple days but PIDW never did have a clear timeline so he can’t say a number of years with any confidence. 

 

“Since our time as disciples.” Shen Yuan whips his fan out, hoping that’s a good enough answer to satisfy the protagonist. 

 

Luo Binghe just nods, “This one hopes Shizun will forgive him in saying that is a long time.”

 

No forgiveness necessary! “This master agrees with Luo Binghe, it’s certainly a long time.” 

 

Now as much as Shen Yuan enjoys spending time with Luo Binghe, and he really does, he needs to put a pin in this conversation before it veers into the dangerous territory of more questions he’s incapable of answering. To be honest he’s sure the original goods would have beaten Luo Binghe half to death for even approaching him like this which is so unfair! Luo Binghe is just looking up to him for advice!

 

“This master recommends Luo Binghe go to bed and get some sleep.” Shen Yuan says as firmly as he can. 

 

Luo Binghe doesn’t look super into the idea but he nods and with a last goodbye he’s gone. 

 

Shen Yuan watches him go and then returns in the direction of the bamboo house. He has the sudden strange thought that Luo Binghe will one day, look at Liu Qingge and want to mate him. Though hopefully if Shen Yuan is nice to him he won’t be murdered in the pursuit of that.

 

In PIDW Luo Binghe had killed Shen Qingqiu in revenge for the abuse he experienced and the abyssal murder attempt, but it was also to free Liu Qingge and take him for himself. The two characters never really interacted apart from Luo Binghe watching Liu Qingge from afar but that was apparently enough which Shen Yuan can understand, Liu Qingge is devastatingly beautiful. 

 

The first (and really only) substantive time Luo Binghe interacted with Liu Qigge was very early on in his time on Qing Jing Peak. He had been sent to deliver something to the bamboo house and had knocked on the door only for it to be opened by Liu Qingge, Shen Qingqiu mysterious and much gossiped about mate, who Luo Binghe had only heard of but never seen before.

 

Liu Qingge had taken the letters Luo Binghe was delivering and thinking back, Shen Yuan doesn’t think Liu-shidi had even said anything in that scene. They certainly hadn’t had any kind of conversation. 

The real drama happened before Luo Binghe could leave and Shen Qingqiu had returned back. The Peak Lord had been  immediately furious at Luo Binghe for being at his house interacting with Liu Qingge. Shen Qingqiu had then sent Luo Binghe away quickly but the boy had lingered out of sight and got to listen to the first part of Shen Qingqiu viciously berating Liu Qingge for opening the door for who knows who and so on. 

 

Shen Qingqiu had been established as a piece of shit at that moment, but Shen Yuan suddenly wonders what Liu Qingge thought. He’s so determined to get the original goods back, he could tell within seconds that Shen Yuan wasn’t Shen Qingqiu, he seems exasperated by the rules he has to conform to but not… truly upset. So what did he think? Was he upset or did he just huff in his usual way and not think about it so deeply? 

 

By this point Shen Yuan has made it back and the bamboo house is silent and dark when he opens the door. Liu Qingge is presumably still in his room. Hopefully he’s feeling okay. Heats differ in length for the omega (and are entirely dependent on Airplane’s plot-based whims) but there’s no need to make Liu Qingge suffer unnecessarily. 

 

He sleeps very uneasily that night. 

 

The next day is more of the same. Waiting around trying to focus on his duties as Peak Lord while not staring at Liu Qingge’s closed door too much. He manages to get a good bulk of substantive work done and finds that by dinner time it seems that a day of inactivity has done a lot of good. Everything’s been so go go go in the past few months of helping Liu Qingge search for the original goods. It’s been fun but some down time is also good. Healthy balance of life and all that. 

 

The morning of the next day finds Shen Yuan sleepily drinking some suppressant laced tea with breakfast while wondering if he can get Ming Fan to finish the budget reports. His head disciple doesn’t have a head for numbers but honestly neither does Shen Yuan. He’s in the middle of these important contemplations when Liu Qingge’s door opens. 

 

“Liu-shidi!” Shen Yuan finds sudden relief and maybe even joy infuse him, “You’re done?”

 

“Mm.” Liu Qingge makes a noise of assent. 

 

“Come sit.” Shen Yuan fusses, “And eat, here have my congee.”

 

Liu Qingge doesn’t argue and uncharacteristically obediently he sits at the space Shen Yuan had gestured to and takes the congee. Shen Yuan immediately pours him some warm water and pushes it into his hands. 

 

“How are you feeling?” He asks, with genuine concern. 

 

“Fine.” Liu Qingge rolls his neck and his bones make a little click

 

“That’s good.” Shen Yuan gets a very intense urge to make sure Liu Qingge eats more. “Wait here.” He then leaves the house to flag down a disciple to fetch more food.

 

When he returns Liu Qingge has finished with the congee and is sipping the water. 

 

“I’ve sent for more food. You should eat more.” Shen Yuan wants to pat Liu Qingge on the head but isn’t quite sure if that would be welcome so resists. “You’re really feeling okay?”

 

“Fine.” Is it just Shen Yuan or is he detecting some fondness in Liu-shidi’s tone?

 

“This is all very foreign for me.” Shen Yuan explains though he knows it’s not really necessary. “Many thanks to Liu-shidi for his patience.”

 

Liu Qingge just shrugs, “How are you?” He asks in return. 

 

“Nothing of note to report.” Shen Yuan starts, “Although, we do need to discuss the visit to Madam Meiyin.”

 

“Mm, Shen Jiu isn’t dead.” Is Liu Qingge’s takeaway, “She said as much.”

 

“Did you really have to try and kill her?”

 

“She was being disrespectful.” Liu Qingge looked a little mutinous.

 

Shen Yuan thinks it was an overreaction that led to Liu Qingge being aphrodisiaced into an early heat but there’s no use crying about spilt milk. 

 

“What’s next?” Liu Qingge asks.

 

“Give me some time to think about it.” Shen Yuan rubbed at his temples, “Aiya Liu-shidi you’re really testing me you know, this isn’t even my original world.”

 

“Impressive.” Liu Qingge offered as if that would offset the way he was putting pressure on Shen Yuan like an overzealous helicopter parent. The worst part was that it worked. 

 

Before Shen Yuan could start digging into his knowledge on PIDW to find anything that worked to transport people between worlds (that wasn’t Xin Mo because as impressive as Liu Qingge was he wasn’t convinced the two of them would be able to leap into the abyss together, find Xin Mo and then master it successfully. That kind of stuff was protagonist only) there was a knock on the door. 

 

“The food.” Shen Yuan surmised, getting up to open the door.

 

Unfortunately it was not the food. 

 

“Shizun.” An indignant looking Ming Fan was holding a piece of paper which he looked rather like he didn’t even want to give to Shen Yuan. 

 

Shen Yuan took it off him anyway. “Thank you Ming Fan.”

 

Ming Fan was thankfully the best disciple Shen Yuan had in terms of obedience. He didn’t know what the original goods did to inspire this level of loyalty but Ming Fan never asked off the cuff questions or disobeyed Shen Yuan’s commands. Yes he was a petty little sycophant but when Shen Yuan said “That will be all” that truly was all which wasn’t a bad quality to have. 

 

Back inside Liu Qingge stood up from the table, “What is it?”

 

Shen Yuan frowned as he read the message, “It’s - wait what?!”

 

Liu Qingge took the message, scanned it in a second and then made a grim expression, “This is my fault.”

 

“This isn’t your fault.” Shen Yuan tried to reassure him, “That’s victim-blaming.” Unfortunately he’s not sure PIDW even has the concept of victim-blaming judging by the way Liu Qingge entirely ignores that comment. 

 

“I’ve been careless about travelling the past few months.” Liu Qingge didn’t look pleased, “Too many people saw me.”

 

Shen Yuan took back the message from Liu Qingge, “This is a challenge right? An alpha to alpha challenge and whoever wins gets you?”

 

“Mm.”

 

Look, it wasn’t as though Shen Yuan was reading PIDW happily accepting all the awful ABO quirks but experiencing them was a whole different thing. “That’s barbaric!”

 

Liu Qingge also ignored that fair criticism which made sense, it wasn’t really productive in this conversation. 

 

“Who even is this person? Fu Lengxin, do you know them?”

 

“No.” There was not a lick of recognition on Liu Qingge’s face. Shen Yuan didn’t know if that made it better or worse. 

 

“They said they’re going to come to the Sect in a week to formally challenge me.”

 

“It’s not good that it’s at the sect. Too public.”

 

“Well yeah, and I don’t even know if I can fight them and win! I’ve never fought before in my life.”

 

That made Liu Qingge’s snap to attention, “That’s right.” He said, slowly as if it was only just dawning on him, “You’ve never done this before.”

 

“No! Have you been through this before?” If these challenges were something that were regularly plaguing Liu Qingge and Shen Qingqiu, PIDW certainly hadn’t mentioned it. 

 

“More times than I can count.” Liu Qingge looked grim, “But not for years.”

 

“What changed in recent years? Is this what you meant when you said too many people saw you?”

 

Liu Qingge didn’t answer, just grabbed Shen Yuan’s hand and dragged him out of the bamboo house, “You need to train if you’re going to win.”

 

In the face of the fact that losing would mean having to hand Liu Qingge over to some random person for gods knows what disgusting ABO depravity, Shen Yuan has nothing in himself to make a single noise of protest. 

 

*

 

Shen Yuan stood over the defeated form of Fu Lengxin and felt such an intense burst of rage at this person’s presumptuous entitled attempt that he just wanted to chop them up into little pieces then and there. No matter what rules this stupid ABO world allowed, Liu Qingge was a fully autonomous person who deserved so much more than to be bartered for like a prize cow! This piece of shit had never even spoken to him before! Disgusting! 

 

Instead of murder, which would cause a lot more long term problems than it would provide short term satisfaction, Shen Yuan gave his opponent the coldest look he could muster, “If you even look in Liu Qingge’s direction again don’t blame this master for his actions. Now get out of my sight.”

 

The alpha’s retinue made themselves useful by scooping up the defeated party and hustling him off the mountain. 

 

The members of the Sect who had been there to spectate began to titter and discuss amongst themselves while Liu Qingge, who had been standing over to the side flanked by Ming Fan who was ostensibly meant to be chaperoning him, gave Shen Yuan the barest head tilt of acknowledgement. 

 

Shen Yuan’s high of victory (which already wasn’t all that heady) was being eaten up by his greater portion of unease and he just wanted to get away from this whole stupid farce. 

 

Liu Qingge seemed to sense that because he made half a step in Shen Yuan’s direction while Shen Yuan moved as fast as he could without running to close that distance and grab Liu Qingge’s hand. 

 

“Let’s go.” He said, doing a fairly good job of keeping his voice steady. 

 

“Mm.” Liu Qingge climbed onto Xiu Ya with no prompting and they left so quickly it was definitely rude. 

 

Once back in the bamboo house Shen Yuan let out the biggest sigh of his life. “That was awful.” He complained. In some part of his mind he felt very much like he shouldn’t be complaining because honestly Liu Qingge was the one in real danger but that had been a terrible experience all round! 

 

For one, that Fu Lengxin bastard had turned up flanked by a full retinue and demanded to do this whole traditional challenge on Qiong Ding as apparently was his right. Shen Yuan thought he had a right to eat shit but apparently that wasn’t something he could voice. So in front of Yue Qingyuan and a smattering of the opportunistic disciples who wanted to watch, Shen Yuan and Liu Qingge were summoned. 

 

Shen Yuan had to admit that he’d been fucking terrified which he felt was completely understandable! If he lost the consequences were mind-numbingly awful. He turned to look at Liu Qingge who was looking as though the whole thing was more of an inconvenience than anything else. If he hadn’t personally experienced the fervour Liu Qingge had put into training him these past few days then he would almost have called the other indifferent. 

 

“Tea?” Liu Qingge asked though he was already fetching the tea set as he said it. 

 

“Please.” Shen Yuan was desperately in need of some calming influence, “When you said that used to happen all the time, was it similar to that?”

 

“Depends. Sometimes it was more official and sometimes it was less.” 

 

“Was this more official?”

 

“Yes. Other times the challenges came on nighthunts, diplomatic ventures in other sects, the road, anywhere there was an alpha who thought they had a chance.”

 

“That sounds terrible.”

 

“When we were still disciples it was from other disciples too.” Liu Qingge gets a look on his face then that could almost be called nostalgic from a certain angle, “Everyone used to say our bond was built on other’s blood.”

 

Shen Yuan doesn’t know what to say to that and thankfully Liu Qingge keeps talking. 

 

“He killed challengers that should have defeated him with ease even if he had to fight unfairly.” Liu Qingge washes the tea leaves as he speaks.

 

“Why was everyone so desperate to challenge him for you? Like don’t get me wrong, you’re great, but if everyone else kept losing then why would people risk it?”

 

Liu Qingge shakes his head, “It was our fault. The challenges were too open, there were too many, people talked too much.”

 

Basically the original goods being undefeated had added to the overhype. 

 

“So how often was it back then?”

 

“A few times a week.”

 

Shen Yuan’s now fought one challenge and finds it an unbelievable trial. And that Fu Lengxin wasn’t even that strong! 

 

“It calmed down when he ascended to Peak Lord.” Liu Qingge adds.

 

“That makes sense.”

 

Liu Qingge pushes the fresh cup across to Shen Yuan, “It was also my fault.”

 

“I’m sure it wasn’t-”

 

“It was. I was noisy back then.”

 

Shen Yuan isn’t sure what he means by noisy and he decides not to ask for clarification. 

 

Liu Qingge’s background wasn't hugely explained in PIDW. In fact the majority had been revealed after he was already dead after much begging from the fans. After chapters and chapters post death of people furiously bugging Airplane for more Liu Qingge lore the author had finally relented and (as always) gave the fans what they wanted. He’d even done it in a pretty cool way. 

 

Many years after Cang Qiong was razed, Luo Binghe had met a beautiful cultivator from the Liu clan (Liu Qingge’s natal family!) named Liu Mingyan. Liu Qingge had always been described as being from “impeccable background” in contrast to Shen Qingqiu’s murky and ambiguous origins, and Liu Mingyan had said that Shen Qingqiu’s mating Liu Qingge had destroyed his relationship with his natal family. She had been a wandering cultivator who had never joined any Sect. The fans considered her the “one who got away” due to the fact that her and Luo Binghe had never married. They’d had chemistry and she’d been strong and capable and far too good for a stallion novel. 

 

In a completely uncharacteristic move Airplane had let her escape the fate of harem drudgery and she had remained a wandering cultivator of immense power, hell bent on doing good in the merged realms. She was Shen Yuan’s second favourite character after Luo Binghe himself. 

 

She had told Luo Binghe in an emotional scene that soon after he had mated, her brother had publicly cut ties with his family and she had never seen him again. It turned out that Liu Qingge was originally from a prominent cultivational family, truly the cream of the crop in every way, and predicted as a once in a hundred years talent. It made his being brought so low truly an even bigger tragedy. Although was being mated to the second highest ranked Peak Lord really such a step down? Shen Qingqiu was a little sus, that couldn’t be denied, but in pure optics Shen Yuan considered that it wasn’t the most unequal match of all time that it had been painted out to be. 

 

“I know your presentation was a surprise, would it have been very different if you had expected it?” 

 

Liu-shidi considers it, “If I had presented on the clan compound they would have found me a match in a more traditional way.”

 

“Like a regular arranged marriage.”

 

Liu Qingge nods, hair swishing with the movement. 

 

“Wouldn’t you still get challengers?”

 

“It would be a grave insult against my family.”

 

“To challenge a match that they had made? I guess that makes sense. That means that since you and Shen Qingqiu were a fairly public accident it was basically open season on you guys.”

 

“Mm.” Liu Qingge finally took a sip of tea, “For other opportunists, mating me one would also get Bai Zhan Peak.”

 

“But Shen Qingqiu isn’t Lord of Bai Zhan Peak.”

 

Liu Qingge makes a dismissive gesture, “He gave the responsibility to Yue Qingyuan. He told me he didn’t want to have to deal with the headache of completing administration for a bunch of battle-obsessed idiots.”

 

“I’ve been wondering… if you presented while a disciple, why didn’t the Bai Zhan Peak Lord pick a different successor instead of leaving Bai Zhan without a clear Lord?”

 

“Bai Zhan Peak only passes when someone has defeated the incumbent Lord in battle. I was the only one who managed it before my presentation and even after. There was no one else they could give the peak to.”

 

“I didn’t know that.”

 

“The writings didn’t mention it?”

 

“No.”

 

“Succession on Bai Zhan is different from the other peaks. There’s no head disciple.”

 

“Huh, so you’re still the Bai Zhan Peak Lord?”

 

“In some sense.”

 

“I’m starting to understand why people were so determined to nab you. Shen Qingqiu got a lot.”

 

“He didn’t want any of it. He rejected any association with my family and passed over Bai Zhan Peak.”

 

That was all evidently true, but it doesn’t make sense. PIDW was clear that Shen Qingqiu had opportunistically locked Liu Qingge down and reaped the benefits, but from his current tenure as Shen Qingqiu Shen Yuan is hard pressed to understand what these benefits are. The benefit of having to fight brutal battles to keep Liu Qingge from being snatched up by others? Sounds like a real pain.

 

Shen Qingqiu was already going to be Peak Lord of Qing Jing and it would be so easy to let someone else win and take Liu Qingge. It wouldn’t have even been that embarrassing if they were someone so much stronger the way Liu Qingge had described. After all, the height of all this was when they were still disciples. Liu Qingge too, he could have escaped back to his family and let them find him someone acceptable that would shut everything down through their bond’s legitimacy. So why would they stay in such a shit situation?

 

“Is that why people,” People being the PIDW narrative, “Say Shen Qingqiu keeps you locked up?”

 

“I keep a low profile.” Liu Qingge confirms. 

 

Huh. Character complexity and motivations increased about a hundred fold. Shen Yuan thinks of the comment he’d left when he’d called for Shen Qingqiu to be castrated for his scummy alpha posturing over poor Liu Qingge and lights a candle in his heart for his past self. 

 

“Could I take back Bai Zhan peak from Yue Qingyuan?” He suddenly wonders. 

 

Liu Qingge nods, “He could fight you on it but his claim isn’t as legitimate as yours.”

 

“Did you ever want Shen Qingqiu to take over Bai Zhan? It was your legacy after all, did you mind?”

 

Liu Qingge shrugs, “After I mated and even when my shifu ascended they never took back my courtesy name. Shen Jiu told me that was tactic permission for me to keep the position.”

 

“They wanted you to be Lord of Bai Zhan peak?”

 

“I couldn’t be.”

 

“Technically you couldn’t be, however in every other sense you could.” Shen Yuan is starting to get the feeling that in addition to the incumbent Bai Zhan Peak Lod the original goods may also have in fact have wanted Liu Qingge to take over Bai Zhan regardless of all other considerations. The move to hand over Bai Zhan to Yue Qingyuan because he “can’t be bothered to deal with” reeks of the original goods’ personal brand of pettiness that Shen Yuan is both beginning to recognise, and also understand goes straight over Liu Qingge’s head. 

 

“It doesn’t matter much to me.”

 

Liu-juju! You could ascend to a never before seen position for an omega. Why are you so reluctant?

 

Shen Yuan decides to just ask, Liu Qingge has proved himself to be a real open book so far though some prodding is definitely needed. “Is there anything in particular that’s putting you off the idea?”

 

Liu Qingge considers it carefully, “If I take over Bai Zhan peak I become very visible.”

 

“You’re worried about challenges?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Shen Yuan 100% agrees that the whole challenge thing is pretty traumatising. It would be so much easier if Liu Qingge could just fight his own challenges, that would be infinitely preferable to throwing his life and future safety into Shen Qingqiu (or now Shen Yuan’s hands). He imagines a much younger disciple level Liu Qingge having to watch Shen Qingqiu fight to near death again and again to ensure he doesn’t have to share someone else’s bed and feels rather queasy. Fuck airplane. 

 

“It’s pretty rude for people to still be challenging you guys, after all you’ve been together for a long time.” Even if people think Shen Qingqiu is scum he’s still a Peak Lord! Fu Lengxin get wrecked! Mannerless wastrel! 

 

“Mm.” Liu Qingge seems to agree. 

 

“The challenges before were pretty shitty right?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Do you think there’ll be more challenges for me?” He then asks Liu Qingge because he’s very much not looking forward to that at all. 

 

Liu Qingge is contemplative, “It depends.” He says, “But you can win.”

 

Shen Yuan really hopes he can live up to the confidence in Liu Qingge’s voice. For one the idea of letting Liu Qingge be taken by someone else is intolerable, but equally as true is the thought that if he does allow the unthinkable to happen, when the original goods comes back… Shen Yuan doubts he’ll even be able to beg for his life. 

 

*

 

“I was thinking,” Shen Yuan started, he was lounging on the very comfortable and perfectly sunned back terrace of the bamboo house, “That we should try the Springs of Eternal Harmony again.”

 

Liu Qingge, where he was practising some impressive and high level sword movements off to the side, didn’t pause as he answered, “That didn’t work.”

 

“No, but I think we were going about it the wrong way.” Shen Yuan admitted, “The Springs of Eternal Harmony are meant to spiritually reunite a couple who are in perfect harmony but you and Shen Qingqiu aren’t”

 

Liu Qingge grunted in assent which was good. Shen Yuan really didn’t want to argue about the nature of his and the original good’s relationship so it was great that Liu Qingge was so self-aware. 

 

“So I was thinking, the springs aren’t omniscient,” That had been proved by their use in the story of wife 243 whose relationship with Luo Binghe was, in a word, toxic, even if most readers and the parties themselves had seemed rather ignorant. “Therefore they work off the individual’s perception of harmony in their relationship. If we try again but instead have you think about how harmonious you and Shen Qingqiu are, that might make a difference.”

 

“Makes sense.” Liu Qingge accepted as he balanced on one leg with all the grace of a heron, wielding his sword with three fingers in a way that made Shen Yuan want to fall to his knees in respect.

 

“Is that a yes from you?”

 

“I’ll say yes to all your ideas.” Liu Qingge finished up and resheathed his sword.

 

Honestly, that kind of sentiment from Liu-juju was far too much. Shen Yuan wanted to furiously fan himself. 

 

“Much obliged.” He managed to say, “How did you do that last movement when you created the sword glare?”

 

“Here,” Liu Qingge made a gesture that unfortunately signalled a one on one training session. 

 

Shen Yuan internally wept but couldn’t pass up a lesson from what was essentially this world’s best warrior. It was like having Michael Jordan offer to give you a one on one lesson in basketball, refusing would be the height of stupidity. 

 

As a result Shen Yuan heaved himself to his feet to submit himself to Liu Qingge’s tutelage. 

 

As he let Liu Qingge arrange his limbs into the necessary positions, he ruminated on the Springs of Eternal Harmony. As he was starting to suspect in PIDW, the rules of the world were very much based on what Luo Binghe thought rather than any objective standards. That was the nature of a protagonist driven stallion novel.

 

As a result Shen Qingqiu = scum villain. Liu Qingge = wilting victim. Wife 243 = perfectly harmonious lover. After all, PIDW was from Luo Binghe’s perspective and putting aside his obvious perfection, the world clearly bent to his whims (to a point after a requisite amount of suffering for the reader’s enjoyment). 

 

Obviously Shen Yuan wasn’t sure how much this subjective viewpoint stretched, for example if Liu Qingge went back to the Springs of Eternal Harmony and specifically recounted all the times he and Shen Qingqiu had been harmonious would that be enough to bring their souls back together the way it had happened for Luo Binghe in canon? There was no way to say for certain. Maybe subjectivity only worked when Luo Binghe was using it, like an episode of Naruto where the bad guy was clearly undefeatable until Naruto’s power of friendship protagonist halo kicked in. 

 

Either way the “Get back the original goods!” team (which consisted entirely of Liu Qingge and Shen Yuan) had been steadily making their way down the list of various PIDW plot macguffins and phlebotinum devices with little success. Therefore Shen Yuan didn’t see any harm in doubling back and trying the same plot devices but with different outlooks. After all, a mirror that was able to read your mind must surely change its readings based on how close it was to lunch.

 

Shen Yuan’s backup backup plan was to get Luo Binghe involved. If there was anyone who would be able to get back the original goods it would be the protagonist himself. However, that was very much a last resort idea that Shen Yuan was not keen to explore. For one Liu Qingge still didn’t know about PIDW being a novel and Luo Binghe being the protagonist and it was best to keep it that way. Second, Luo Binghe had been nothing but an angel so far, why not keep the status quo that way and not let things involving the literal centre of the universe get more complicated than they strictly had to be. 

 

“Widen your stance more.” Liu Qingge commanded and Shen Yuan did just that. It obviously wasn’t satisfactory because Liu Qingge came and corrected, “Keep your centre of balance low.”

 

Shen Yuan sunk into a deeper squat. 

 

“Too wide.” Liu Qingge now criticised.

 

“Ah Liu-shidi, I’m really not an athlete in any respect.”

 

“Forget being an athlete,” It was clear Liu Qingge didn’t know what an athlete was and didn’t care, “Focus on trying not to get yourself killed on missions.”

 

“How could I be in danger if I have you?” Shen Yuan asked (honestly). The number of times Liu Qingge’s timely intervention had saved him couldn’t be underplayed. 

 

Liu Qingge made a brief noise of agreement before going back once more to criticising Shen Yuan’s lacklustre skills, “Loosen your wrist.”

 

“I don’t know how to do that.” Shen Yuan appreciates Liu Qingge more than words can say but the other consistently seems to forget that he knows nothing and that needs to be emphasised. Shen Yuan has never held a sword before in his life and there’s only so much a poker face and the original good’s muscle memory will do. 

 

“Relax your muscles” Liu Qingge taps his wrist.

 

Shen Yuan tries to relax and swings the sword, “Like that?”

 

“Better.” Liu Qingge agrees, which is a real boon considering his instructor’s exacting standards. Does Shen Yuan look like someone to push around because he’s sure Liu-shidi couldn’t have been so ruthless to the original goods!

 

Liu Qingge then leaned back into being someone who was impossible to please, knocking Shen Yuan’s sword out of his hand and calling his grip sloppy. Have mercy Liu-shidi! This one has been handling a sword for less than a year! 

 

Shen Yuan is just opening his mouth to complain when there’s a shout and Ming Fan comes running into his private training ground. 

 

“Shizun!” He yelps, out of breath and looking deeply distressed, “Demons are attacking Qiong Ding Peak!”

Oh fuck the demon invasion plot, was that already happening? Where was Luo Binghe???

 

Liu Qingge grabbed Shen Yuan’s shoulder, “Let’s go.” He said. 

 

That’s right, no time to waste even if Shen Yuan didn’t feel remotely ready for this confrontation in any shape, way or form. 

 

In PIDW Shen Qingqiu and Liu Qingge had been together in the LingXi caves when the demons invaded. Apparently they had been dual cultivating when the disciples shouting for help at the entrance of the caves had finally been heard, which meant that the two had emerged in scandalous disarray, reeking of sex and all that. 

 

Unlike how he had felt previously, now that Shen Yuan has been living in PIDW for a little while he really doesn’t think that’s as scummy and terrible as the narrative seems to suggest. Like Liu Qingge and Shen Qingqiu are essentially married and is it so weird and immoral for a married couple to have sex? Plus they were disturbed so of course they didn’t have time to clean up properly, would it be better for them to waste precious time bathing when demons were rampaging through Cang Qiong? What was with the weirdly conservative standards for this couple and this couple only? Luo Binghe once had sex with one of his future wives in the middle of a battlefield for heaven’s sake! 

 

Either way that part of the narrative has been skipped so no distracting afterglow is plaguing Shen Yuan and Liu Qingge when they arrive on Qiong Ding to find it a complete mess. 

 

Shen Yuan stares (with academic interest) at Sha Hualing. She looks far younger than he thought she would. Just as scantily clad though. 

 

How to go about this… Shen Yuan really isn’t strong enough to fight off this whole demon army. He even doubts he would be strong enough if he had more than a few months of training in using his cultivational abilities. Shen Qingqiu is scary strong compared to an ordinary person but he still has limits. 

 

Sha Hualing suggests three practice matches which is really a whole useless joke, honestly Shen Yuan would be feeling a lot more panicked if Liu Qingge wasn’t standing by his side glaring at Sha Hualing like he can set her on fire with the power of his gaze alone. 

 

In PIDW Shen Qingqiu had accepted the offer of the three matches which Shen Yuan now realises was his only viable option to avoid a full scale battle that would lead to even more disciples being hurt. 

 

Shen Qingqiu had fought the first match and won which was standard though the narrative had made clear Shen Qingqiu had cheated his way into victory. Shen Yuan thinks that if cheating is necessary to prevent himself from being skewered then he can’t really judge it. For the second match Sha Hualing had put herself forward and Liu Qingge had fought and beat her easily which was both embarrassing for Sha Hualing since Liu Qingge was an omega and embarrassing for Shen Qingqiu since he had to make his omega fight. Luo Binghe had been callously thrown into the third match and that rounded off the arc easily. 

 

Shen Yuan is really sick of the world preventing Liu Qingge from fighting when the other is so good at it. Honestly Liu Qingge could stomp this entire army on his own. 

 

Wait a second… 

 

“Liu-shidi,” Shen Yuan murmured to him, keeping his voice as low as he could, “Do you think you could take them?”

 

Liu Qingge brushed his eyes over the assembled demonic army. They looked fairly intimidating but honestly, Shen Yuan had watched Liu Qingge single-handedly smash through every obstacle the PIDW world had thrown at him in his quest to track down the original goods. All his money was on Liu-sidi. 

 

Liu Qingge made an affirmative noise. 

 

“Peak Lord Shen!” Sha Hualing called, “What are you whispering about with your omega for? Should we be asking Immortal Master Shen for tips in love instead, he and his mate look so cosy!”

 

There’s a smattering of laughter from the demons. Shen Yuan feels his eyes narrow. That’s Liu Qingge you’re dismissing! Show some respect! Liu-shidi kick their asses!

 

“Kick them off the mountain.” Shen Yuan turns to Liu Qingge behind the cover of his fan. 

 

Liu Qingge snorts slightly and holds out his hand, Cheng Luan manifests in the next moment, causing the disciples and demons both to make noise. Curb stomp them Liu-shidi!

 

Liu Qingge smiles, a quick expression that’s wiped off his face the moment he turns to kick the demons off Cang Qiong. 

 

Shen Yuan gestures the disciples back and thankfully they listen, freeing up space and letting Liu Qingge go ham with no worries. He’s not holding back and the soft murmuring from the disciples is starting to turn into a cacophony of noise. 

 

Gods… he’s incredible. Liu Qingge is the hero PIDW always needed. How the hell could Airplane waste him? 

 

Shen Yuan watches, heart in his throat and somehow also in his stomach as Liu Qingge sends Sha Hualing’s forces running with so little effort it’s a little embarrassing. This is who Liu Qingge should be, who he is meant to be if Airplane hadn’t been such a sadistic bastard and written PIDW with the sole intention of hamstringing him. 

 

And somehow he’s also a man with no control over his own life. A man who has to rely on Shen Yuan for permission . It’s beyond belief. Why didn’t the original goods let him do this? Why did he go through with that stupid three man match, exposing Liu Qingge to a round of fighting which was somehow already enough for censure without letting him just finish the whole job as he’s so evidently overqualified to do? Why did he fight a match himself and hand over another to Luo Binghe to invite the protagonist’s eternal ire? 

 

Once Sha Hualing has retreated and taken the last of her forces with her Liu Qingge scoffs and returns to Shen Yuan’s side, expression dismissive and without a single hair out of place. The disciples watch him, whispering and wide-eyed. 

 

“Good job.” Shen Yuan says, knowing it for the immense understatement that it is. 

 

“It was nothing.” 

 

The incredible thing is that when Liu Qingge says that he means it. 

 

“Let’s return to Qing Jing Peak.” Shen Yuan has never been more grateful for his fan, he really needs that cover. But first he turns to the Head Disciple of Qiong Ding who he vaguely recognises, “Get everything back in order before the Sect Leader returns.”

 

The disciple nods though they’re mostly staring at Liu Qingge. 

 

The star of the hour then allows Shen Yuan to pull him onto Xiu Ya with no resistance whatsoever, melting into apparent submission in a way that Shen Yuan wonders if others find as baffling as he does. 

 

*

 

Shen Yuan has been avoiding the Peak Lords meetings. He can fully admit that. For one they’re not very interesting even for worldbuilding purposes. For another he’s been very preoccupied with his ongoing quest with Liu Qingge to track down the original goods and juggling that with his duties on Qing Jing is enough to keep him occupied without throwing in managing his relationship with the other peaks.

 

If they’re also vaguely unenjoyable due to the fact that no one seems to like him then that’s an entirely different thing entirely and not very relevant. After all everyone in PIDW has enemies, Luo Binghe faced assassination attempts every other day. That’s what Shen Yuan tells himself.

 

Essentially the other Peak Lords are like his… colleagues. While it’s not a perfect analogy it’s good enough to explain the fact that colleagues aren’t meant to be too close. How many modern articles were there about the dangers of being too close with your workmates and maintaining professional distance? Sure Shen Yuan never had colleagues in his old life (or people who disliked him) but it checks out! 

 

“The Heart Tree of Desire’s sap will give one hallucinations of their true love.” Shen Yuan taps his brush against the table, “But the side effect is fainting spells for a week afterwards.”

 

“Fine.”

 

“Liu-shidi stop being so cavalier! What happens if demons decide to attack again, what am I meant to do?”

 

Liu Qingge seems to absorb that, “Then we’ll do it when Yue Qingyuan is on the mountain.”

 

“Good idea.” Shen Yuan peers at the reference book he’d taken from the Qing Jing library, “I miss the internet.”

 

“What’s that?”

 

“It’s like… an intangible database.” Shen Yuan felt that he had already botched this explanation, “You can look up information just through a few words, so like having the most competent and knowledgeable librarian with all the right references at your beck and call all the time.”

 

“Sounds useful.” Liu Qingge doesn’t seem to understand it properly but to be fair that was a terrible explanation from Shen Yuan. 

 

“It is, and it would make-” Shen Yuan doesn’t get to finish because there’s a knock on the door at that moment. 

 

“Enter.” Shen Yuan calls and the door opens to reveal Luo Binghe. He’d taken over a lot of Ming Fan’s duties recently and Shen Yuan can’t say he disapproves. Luo Binghe is scarily competent and the food he brings is delicious. 

 

“Shizun.” Luo Binghe bows, “This one has brought a message from Yue-shibo.”

 

“Ah, thank you Binghe.” Shen Yuan gestures for Luo Binghe to put the missive on the table which he does so. However, he doesn’t immediately leave. 

 

“May I serve Shizun some tea?” Luo Binghe asks. 

 

Shen Yuan is about to answer, likely to say yes, when Liu Qingge interrupts. It’s maybe the first time that Shen Yuan’s seen him interact with a disciple. He mostly ignores Ming Fan and Ning Yingying when they turn up at the bamboo house and those two are really the only ones he sees, though now Luo Binghe has firmly joined the roster. 

 

“You’re dismissed.” Liu Qingge says shortly to Luo Binghe.

 

Luo Binghe looks at Shen Yuan instead of leaving, which Shen Yuan can’t help but find a little annoying. Luo Binghe is wonderful but he’s unfortunately also been infected by this world’s stupid attitude towards Liu Qingge, though Shen Yuan has full confidence he can grow out of it.

 

“That will be all Binghe.” Shen Yuan tries to be nice about it because this child is going to grow up to rule the world.

 

Thankfully Luo Binghe doesn’t protest and just leaves. 

 

“Sorry about that.” Shen Yuan offers once Luo Binghe is gone, “He really shouldn’t just ignore you like that.”

 

Liu Qingge, for once, doesn’t seem to be ready to wave it off. “He’s unpresented?”

 

“Yes, though I feel as though he’s going to develop into an alpha.”

 

“Mm.” Liu Qingge’s eyes narrow briefly before he goes back to focusing on the message Yue Qingyuan sent.

 

Shen Yuan reads through it quickly before groaning out loud, “It’s a request for a last minute Peak Lord’s meeting. Wonderful. I thought I had managed to miss this months’.”

 

“It’ll likely be about the demon invasion.” Liu Qingge suggests which makes a lot of sense.

 

“Do you want to come?” Shen Yuan asks. 

 

Liu Qingge wrinkles his nose, “No.”

 

“Fine fine, I’ll suffer alone then shall I?” Shen Yuan sighs, “Gods, I hate those things.”

 

“So did Shen Jiu.”

 

“We seem to have more in common than I could have ever expected.” Shen Yuan says honestly before sitting up properly and pulling himself together, “Are you really sure you don’t want to come?”

 

“Do you want me to come?”

 

“It would be nice to have company.” 

 

“Fine.”

 

“Great!” Shen Yuan feels disproportionately excited now. It’s just that everything is a lot more fun when Liu Qingge is involved, a lot less high pressure too. 

 

The flight to Qiong Ding consists of Liu Qingge doing most of the sword control for Xiu Ya while Shen Yuan wonders what he’s going to say about having Liu Qingge beat back the demon army. 

 

This may be a very fucked up point but Shen Yuan does think to himself that the mechanics of ABO etiquette seem to have some holes in them. For example, Liu Qingge is Shen Qingqiu’s mate and therefore basically belongs to him. Like everything Liu Qingge owns is Shen Qingqiu’s. However, if that’s the case then why can’t Liu Qingge’s skills be used by Shen Qingqiu for positive effect? Liu Qingge single handedly defeated a horde of demons and he did it at Shen Qingqiu’s command so it’s that just a natural offshoot of ownership? Right? 

 

Either way he’ll just lean into that. PIDW is a world where people can criticise other’s treatment of their mates but not one where anyone can do something substantive about it. The original goods has been keeping Liu Qingge safe (in a relative way of speaking) for years by keeping him “locked up” out of sight. Shen Yuan can send him to fight one demon army. 

 

Shen Yuan and Liu Qingge land on Qiong Ding in a flurry of excitement from the disciples that happen to be around to see it. Shen Yuan supposes that these Qiong Ding natives have received  rather dramatic time recently courtesy of them. First Shen Yuan had to beat up Fu Lengxin (ugh) and then Liu Qingge fought off an entire demon horde which… really proved by he should have been the one to beat up Fu Lengxin instead. 

 

Shen Yuan held out a hand to graciously help Liu Qingge off Xiu Ya even though the other really didn’t need it. In fact, Liu Qingge should be the one helping him off Xiu Ya.

 

Shen Yuan then whipped out his fan and covered his face. The fan also had the great side effect of being used as a cover for him and Liu Qingge to talk. 

 

“Why is everyone so nosy?” He sniped, quietly as he and Liu Qingge made their way to Qiong Ding’s main meeting hall, “You would think we’d tried to murder the Sect Leader with these looks.”

 

Liu Qingge’s brow twitched in amusement. 

 

Shen Yuan braced himself as he walked in for another half-empty room full of people that didn’t look at all enthused by his presence and was more than a little shocked to find a full house who seemed to have been impatiently anticipating him. 

 

“Shen-shidi, thank you for joining us.” Yue Qingyuan did that annoying thing when he looked to the side of Shen Yuan’s face as he spoke. 

 

“This master had no idea he was so late. Everyone else seems to have arrived before us. Apologies.” Shen Yuan couldn’t help a not inconsiderably amount of ice to infect his tone. He wasn’t late! They left as soon as they received the message! Everyone else had gathered to speak without them first! Snakes! 

 

“Liu Qingge is here too,” Shen Yuan then couldn’t help but challenge since it didn’t look like anyone was going to say anything, “Isn’t anyone going to greet him?”

 

There was a smattering of awkward looks from the other Peak Lords before Yue Qingyuan broke the silence, “Of course Shen-shidi’s mate is always welcome.”

 

Shen Yuan didn’t bother to dignify that with a response. He swept forward and ushered Liu Qingge into the only open seat at the table. Liu Qingge sat with no complaints and looked as generally unphased as he always did. 

 

“Please fetch Peak Lord Shen another chair.” Yue Qingyuan commanded the disciple by the door who immediately hurried off to do just that. 

 

Honestly Shen Yuan was thankful that amongst all Yue Qingyuan’s terrible qualities (which hadn’t been mentioned in PIDW canon he would like to add!) he could at least count on him to be relatively polite. Though not polite enough that he would risk sitting down and asking for a chair for Liu Qingge, with the way omegas were generally treated they’d probably expect poor Liu-shidi to sit on the floor or stand off to the side! As if!

 

There was a bit of an awkward silence as everyone waited for the second chair to be brought. Then another awkward bit of shuffling as Shen Yuan stared down the disciple until they wedged the new chair in right next to Liu Qingge’s. Thankfully the table was big enough to allow that with fairly minimal fuss. 

 

“So what did you drag us here for?” Shen Yuan asked. He really was starting to relate a little too hard to the original goods. 

 

“The demon invasion.” Thankfully Qi Qingqi didn’t seem shy about bringing it up, “We’ve heard our disciple’s accounts, what do you have to say?”

 

“Nothing, what they reported was likely accurate.” 

 

“So you sent your omega to fight?” One of the nameless-in-canon Peak Lords (Wong Qingmu?) sounded very derisive. 

 

Shen Yuan glared at him. He did not say “Liu Qingge could wipe the floor with all of you three times over”. Instead he settled for a fairly restrained, “Is that a problem for you?”

 

No one seemed to want to name a problem. 

 

Qi Qingqi turned to Liu Qingge, “Are you alright with this?”

 

Liu Qingge seemed entirely nonplussed, “It was an easy fight.”

 

“And the quickest method.” Shen Yuan added, “We avoided further casualties from the disciples and damage done to Qiong Ding Peak so I ask everyone again, is that a problem for you?”

 

No one seemed to have a direct problem. Or at least not one they could voice. 

 

“You have been off-peak more often than not the past months.” Qi Qingqi directs to Shen Yuan. It’s not a question but she obviously expects him to explain himself anyway. So presumptuous. 

 

“This master did not realise Qi-shimei kept such close track of his movements.” 

 

Qi Qingqi did not look happy at that response but also didn’t try to ask any more questions.

 

“How have you been?” Ming Qingxuan broke the silence to ask Liu Qingge, with an actual smile, “I feel as though this is the first time I’ve seen you since we were disciples together!”

 

Liu Qingge nodded, “Good.” He didn’t seem like he was going to elaborate. 

 

There was an awkward silence. Several of the peak lords shared looks amongst themselves. 

 

“My disciples were very impressed!” Ming Qingxuan eventually continues, still doing their best to look cheerful in the face of Liu Qingge’s stoicism, “It’s not every day an omega can fight so well or successfully!”

 

Foot in mouth! What was that?! Shen Yuan is amazed. This isn’t a clumsy allegory for real life sexism that Airplane is trying to use to shoehorn in some depth to his trash novel, this is just pure stupidity!

 

Liu Qingge doesn’t look bothered, “They weren’t a challenge.”

 

Shen Yuan however is very bothered, “Liu Qingge is the Bai Zhan Peak lord’s legitimate successor.” He reminds everyone with not inconsiderable rancour, “Does everyone have memories so short they have forgotten that?”

 

Another awkward pause. 

 

“Is there anything we’ve actually travelled the way here to discuss?” Shen Yuan presses, “If you want a play by play account of the battle feel free to ask Liu Qingge, he was the one who won it.”

 

Can they quit it with these awkward pauses? They’re physically painful.

 

“No, it seems Shen-shidi and his mate have answered any questions we may have.” Yue Qingyuan finally said with an unconvincing smile which was directed to Shen Yuan’s left shoulder.

 

“Then we shall take our leave.” Shen Yuan stood and Liu Qingge followed easily. He didn’t bother to say goodbye with any politeness. His mood had been ruined and he just wanted to go back to the bamboo house and bitch to Liu Qingge in peace.

 

Thankfully Liu-shidi didn’t seem opposed to that idea.

 

*

 

“Shen-shixiong.” Shang Qinghua (that rat) gave Shen Yuan a smarmy smile. Or maybe it was a normal smile and Shen Yuan was biassed by the knowledge of him being a gross little traitor. Shang Qinghua was definitely on his list of things to deal with, though finding the original goods and keeping Luo Binghe sweet were much higher priority. 

 

Even without the bulk of alpha instincts Shen Yuan was leery of letting this man into the bamboo house. Liu-shidi was in there and yes Liu-shidi could wipe the floor with everyone no issue, but Shang Qinghua was gross. Shen Yuan didn’t want him even looking at Liu Qingge!

 

“This one just needed to discuss some acquisitions for Qing Jing Peak with Shen-shixiong.” Shang Qinghua was now trying to subtly muscle his way into the bamboo house.

 

“Send a message and this shixiong will arrange a time to come to An Ding Peak.” 

 

“Yes but it’s quite urgent!”

 

“This shixiong is busy.” Shen Yuan was increasingly being hit with the urge to get rid of Shang Qinghua. Maybe for good. Damn were those the original good’s instincts starting to infect him? Was murder a muscle memory thing?? Shen Yuan swears he never had such violent leanings in his last life. 

 

“Please Shen-shixiong.” Shang Qinghua looks like he’s about to cry. Shameless behaviour! Shen Yuan shoots a quick look around to make sure no one is watching this indecent display. 

 

“No.” Shen Yuan feels even less inclined to let Shang Qinghua in judging by this behaviour. 

 

Shang Qinghua suddenly leans in close enough that Shen Yuan can feel his breath on his face. Oh god what is happening?!

 

“Does Proud Immortal Demon Way mean anything to you?” Shang Qinghua hisses. 

 

Shen Yuan stares at him for several long moments before he grabs Shang Qinghua’s wrist and pulls him into the bamboo house. 

 

“Who are you?” He asks as soon as the door is shut. 

 

Liu Qingge has emerged to flank him which is really very comforting. Thanks Liu-shidi. 

 

“Dude! I knew you weren’t Shen Qingqiu!” Shang Qinghua (who was very obviously another transmigrator) crowed in triumph. 

 

The next moment he had been pressed to the floor by Liu Qingge’s sword. 

 

Shang Qinghua immediately began begging for his life, sobbing all the while. It was faintly disturbing. Liu Qingge and Shen Yuan shared a look. Liu Qingge even looked unwilling to keep pinning the other with the amount of wailing occurring. 

 

“Liu-shidi isn’t going to kill you!” Shen Qingqiu snapped, “He’s obviously just concerned that you’re going to go running your mouth to the whole mountain about the fact that I’m not the original goods and I would like to inform you that on the stupid chance you do, I’ll go straight to Yue Qingyuan and tell him about your spying on the Sect.”

 

“He’s spying on the Set?” Liu Qingge immediately jumped on that, Cheng Luan threatening Shang Qinghua even more judiciously. Shang Qinghua whimpered. 

 

“Yes. He’s in cahoots with Mobei-jun.”

 

“Shen Jiu was right.” Liu Qingge didn’t looked pleased at that revelation, he just glared at Shang Qinghua all the harder, “You two-faced-”

 

Shen Yuan had to cut him off, “He’s also a transmigrator so let’s focus on that right now.”

 

Shang Qinghua had been watching the exchange with wide eyes and when they finally turned to him he sounded a little winded. 

 

“ Dude. You guys are working together ?”

 

“Of course we are.” Shen Yuan narrowed his eyes, “Is there an issue with that?”

 

Shang Qinghua squeaked, “No! No issue! it’s good to see very good hahaha, good thing the original goods isn’t here.”

 

“We’re getting him back.” Liu Qingge made clear. 

 

“You are?! Right… cool cool cool, and you’re okay with this bro?” He directed the last question to Shen Yuan who frowned. 

 

“Of course I am. You think I like being in this position?”

 

“Uh well….” Shang Qinghua looked between the two of them, “Shen Qingqiu is good looking, rich, powerful, has the hottest slam piece this side of-”

 

He squawked as Shen Yuan grabbed him by the front of his robes and shook him hard, “Don’t call Liu Qingge a slam piece you perverted sack of shit! Liu-shidi, threaten him some more!”

 

Liu Qingge stepped forward, sword in hand, and Shang Qinghua just wailed louder, “It’s unfair! How come you get to become Shen Qingqiu and win Liu Qingge’s undying loyalty while I’m born as Shang Qinghua and have to do the world’s admin?”

 

“Blame Airplane Shooting Towards the Sky for his pathetically shoddy worldbuilding. If he kept the ABO strictly to porn that would be one thing but he clearly had an overinflated view of his own intelligence and has now trapped us in this disgusting parody of gender relations that feasts on porn stereotypes while trying to make serious points about the futility of-”

 

“No way.” Shang Qinghua interupted him, eyes wide, “I recognise that tirade, Peerless Cucumber, is that you?”

 

Liu Qingge gave him a look that would be a raised eyebrow on anyone else. Shen Yuan stood firm. “And you are?”

 

“Dude it’s me! Airplane!”

 

Shen Yuan was still for one moment before he whipped out his fan and began trying to beat Shang Qinghua to death with it, “You hack! Pervert! Disgusting disgrace to the name of literature!”

 

Liu Qingge hovered around the periphery, sword still in his hand, and watched Shang Qinghua get beat up. 

 

“It’s not my fault!” Wailed Shang Qinghua, “How was I supposed to know we’d transmigrate? People write awful stuff all the time! Like some people write actual torture porn! I’m tame in comparison! Stop hitting me!”

 

“I’ll stop hitting you when I feel the depravity has been beaten out of you!” Snarls Shen Yuan before he realises that’s a futile wish and has to stop. 

 

Shang Qinghua (Airplane) stays cowered on the floor, arms covering his head, for a little bit longer before he realises the beating is over. 

 

“Bro, are you really done?”

 

“Don’t test me.” Shen Yuan warns before turning to Liu-shidi, “Shang Qinghua is also a transmigrator, in fact he wrote everything I read about your world. I doubt he’d be helpful but let’s be optimistic.”

 

Liu Qingge looks at Shang Qinghua with narrowed eyes, “You’re from the other world?”

 

“Uh wow, you really told him everything, didn't you Cucumber-bro?”

 

“Yes of course. Why wouldn’t I? And don’t call me that.”

 

Shang Qinghua just nodded slowly before sighing a little and levering himself off the ground, “Lucky bastard.” He mutters though when Liu Qingge gives him a warning look he squeaks. 

 

“If you’re Airplane then you can help.” Shen Yuan decides, “We’re trying to get the original goods back.” He bullies Shang Qinghua into sitting at the low table and then fetches the long list of plot devices he’d compiled which he and Liu Qingge have been steadily working their way through, “This is everything I’ve come up with and everything we’ve tried so far.”

 

Shang Qinghua blinks at him but after another glare from Liu Qingge he does duck his head to read. 

 

“Wow your memory is great man! I’d forgotten about most of these haha.” Shang Qinghua scratches his head, “Though I’ve been here since I was a kid, you’ve been here… how long have you been here? A few weeks?”

 

“Almost a year.”

 

“Oh word? Damn, you’re a really good actor bro. Though I guess you and Liu Qingge did spend most of your time away. Makes sense.” Shang Qinghua went back to reading, “Honestly man… I’m looking at this and I can’t really think of anything else. Like you’ve done Madam Meiyin looking into other worlds right? I mean Xin Mo is the only thing but that’s protagonist only y’ know.”

 

“Xin Mo?” Liu Qingge questions. 

 

“Legendary demonic sword in the Endless Abyss.” Shang Qinghua explains, “But even you wouldn’t be able to wield it. Xin Mo would drain you dry of all qi the second you touched it.”

 

Liu Qingge doesn’t look pleased, “Then who could wield it?”

 

“Uh… maybe Tianlang-jun but that’s not certain he’s sealed under a mountain and uh-” Shang Qinghua looks at Shen Yuan in an obvious attempt to suss out if he had revealed the protagonist’s presence. 

 

“That’s it?” Shen Yuan confirms, giving Shang Qinghua a look that’s meant to say “ Liu-shidi knows about transmigration but he does not know his life is a novel and that Luo Binghe is the protagonist”. 

 

“Yeah… that’s it.” Shang Qinghua says slowly, “And after so long under Bailu Mountain I don’t think Tianlang-jun even has any limbs left ya know…”

 

“Is there nothing else?” Liu Qingge presses. 

 

“Not that I can think of.” 

 

Liu Qingge doesn’t look pleased. He turns to leave. 

 

“Liu-shidi?” Shen Yuan calls when the other makes for the door.

 

“I’m going to train.” Is Liu Qingge’s response, not looking back as he leaves.

 

“Damn.” Shang Qinghua whistles as the door closes after him, “Have you seriously not tried to tap that?”

 

“Don’t be disgusting, I’m not Shen Qingqiu.”

 

“I guess.” Shang Qinghua lets out a gust of air and leans back, “Damn bro, I swear anyone else in your position would be making the most of it before Luo Binghe murders you and takes Liu Qingge for himself.”

 

Being reminded of that awful ending for Liu-shidi makes Shen Yuan want to hit Shang Qinghua again. 

 

So he does. 

 

“Who told you to give Liu Qingge such a tragic life?!” Shen Yuan hissed while smacking Shang Qinghua up the head with his fan, “Having Luo Binghe kill his husband and try to marry him right after? What kind of tasteless nonsense is that?!”

 

“The readers loved it!” Shang Qinghua protested, “It was exactly the right flavour of angst to get the fans going! I swear I never had as much engagement as I did after that chapter where Liu Qingge killed himself, I still got comments on it right the way through the whole novel. That’s rare y’know! Besides, don’t try to act all high and mighty now, you loved that arc too. It was the last chapter I got a positive comment from you on!”

 

Shen Yuan huffed, “Novels are one thing, real life is another and this is the life we’re living now. If you think I’m letting that trash come to pass you’re an idiot.”

 

“Fair enough fair enough, it’s really not a good end.” Shang Qinghua made a face, “What do you think I’ve been doing bro? I’ve been trying not to deviate from the plot too much, if I did I wouldn’t be able to predict anything. At least this way the basic story beats are panning out. Wouldn’t it be way more unnerving if Luo Binghe wasn’t at Qing Jing at all, just out there wandering the world with none of us sure of where he was?”

 

Shen Yuan concedes on that point but is in no way prepared to concede on anything else, “I’ve stopped the bullying.” He adds, “And I haven’t done any of the crap the original goods did to him so his grudge should be far less right?”

 

Shang Qinghua nods, “As long as you’re not awful to him I don’t think he’d raze Cang Qiong… maybe.”

 

“What about Liu Qingge? Does he still want him?”

 

Shang Qinghua considers it carefully, “I honestly don’t know bro. Like… he wanted to “rescue” Liu Qingge because of all the shit he heard he was going through and some of the shit he saw. Like yeah Shen Qingqiu wasn’t like beating him, but he really wasn’t nice to him. From the outside it looked pretty bad and Luo Binghe related to him because he was also being fucked up by Shen Qingqiu so he thought of them as kind of kindred spirits.”

 

“That makes sense.” Shen Yuan remembers that kind of reasoning from PIDW though it hadn’t been spelled out quite so clearly, “Why did he try and marry him then? If that’s what he thought then why didn’t he just “rescue” him and leave it at that?”

 

“There are two reasons.” Shang Qinghua held out two fingers in a very obnoxious way, “Do you have any alcohol?”

 

Shen Yuan gave the other man a look of pure disgust, “What is wrong with you?”

 

“Dude you’re the first person I’ve met who I can actually level with like this! I’m too scared normally of getting drunk in front of the other characters and revealing the future or shit and besides, this is some heavy stuff we’re gonna be discussing, a drink is necessary!”

 

Shen Yuan (to his anguish) had to concede.

 

He went and got some wine.

 

Shang Qinghua drank two cups before he finally started to share some useful information. 

 

“So reason number one.” He held up a lone finger. Shen Yuan wanted to punch him in the head. “Is that Liu Qingge wouldn’t have anywhere to go once Shen Qingqiu was dead.”

 

Shen Yuan frowned, feeling a little flushed from his single cup, “Even if he cut ties his family couldn’t take him back once Shen Qingqiu was dead?”

 

“To be real, the Liu clan would jump at the opportunity to get Liu Qingge back so it’s a bit of a dud reason. But Luo Binghe and the world at large did not know that, he was trying to be noble.” Shang Qinghua took another deep drink, “Reason number two and to be honest this is the main one, Liu Qingge is fucking hot. Honestly I think looks wise he’s the creation I’m most proud of-”

 

“Don’t call him your creation.”

 

“Fine fine, but he’s definitely the hottest, clear wife material in every respect. It’s about contrast y’know? There were a lot of tsundere wives, don’t get me wrong, but something about Liu Qingge particularly is just-” Shang Qinghua kissed his fingers loudly, “Like he’s so strong and upright and stoic and then being in heat turns him into a complete whore-”

 

“You’re disgusting.” Shen Yuan hit Shang Qinghua again but it was slightly more half-hearted. After all, what good would that do against a man who had made a living writing terrible porn? 

 

“The fans loved it.” Shang Qinghua grinned, “You know how much Liushen and Bingliu fanart then was? I’ll tell you, loads . Liu Qingge was the second most tagged character in fanfiction after Luo Binghe and he was only in about… five chapters total I think.”

 

“I know. He only had two proper speaking lines.” Shen Yuan is only feeling more and more gloomy as a direct result of thinking about this terrible stuff. 

 

Shang Qinghua was still smiling like he was somehow having a good time talking about all this, “I never wrote all this since it was mostly subtext type stuff but Luo Binghe was super obsessed with Shen Qingqiu.” He laughed, “Okay that part’s actually not subtext, fully textual! He wanted to be him and he also hated him and all of that. But Shen Qingqiu like hates everyone, that’s his whole schtick. He’s a miserable motherfucker with a tragic backstory. But if there’s one thing he cares about, it’s Liu Qingge, and I don’t even mean that in the lovey dovey way, like lowkey everyone thinks he resents and abuses him so he’s not pampering the guy in public. But no one can deny he does give a shit about him, Liu Qingge is the chink in his lofty immortal armour. After all, Luo Binghe’s first exposure to Liu Qingge was like him getting reamed out for opening a door or something like that.”

 

Shen Yuan doesn’t bother to elaborate on the door opening scene for Shang Qinghua’s benefit.

 

“Anyway, where was I…” Shang Qinghua takes another drink of wine, “So basically what better way to fuck with Shen Qingqiu than to fuck his wife? That’s what he literally said to him when he killed him.”

 

“That was what he said?” Shen Yuan was horrified. 

 

The text had left the last words from Luo Binghe to Shen Qingqiu ambiguous and caused some ruckus in the fandom. Shen Yuan had written a mini-essay about why the last words were Luo Binghe’s acknowledgement that he’d risen above Shen Qingqiu’s petty abuse, like “look at me now Shizun”. That kind of thing. This was way fucking worse.

 

“Yeah, the ABO xianxia version though so it was like “Don’t worry Shizun, this Lord will ensure Liu-shiniang never suffers through his heats alone”. Boom.” Shang Qinghua slaps the table with a grin. “Pretty fucking cold huh?”

 

“What the fuck is wrong with you?!” 

 

“I didn’t end up posting it, for mystery reasons obviously, it’s always better to leave people wanting more, but also because I was a little unsure if it would paint my son in a bad light. Like some people were really on my back about consent in the Abyssal mermaid arc so better safe than sorry ya know?”

 

“I hate you.” Mutters Shen Yuan. 

 

“Ah don’t be like that bro! You’ve got Liu Qingge on your side and you’re hugging Luo Binghe’s golden protagonist thighs so it should be okay.” Shang Qinghua drinks again, “Thank fuck we don’t have a system or anything, could you imagine? Just avoid throwing Luo Binghe into the Abyss and all will be well.”

 

After this awful conversation Shen Yuan wasn’t sure anything would ever be well again. 

 

“Does he even like Liu Qingge?” He finds himself asking, feeling weirdly maudlin, “Luo Binghe that is.”

 

“As much as he likes any of the wives I guess.” Shang Qinghua shrugs, “He wanted to be Shen Qingqiu so what better way than taking Shen Qingqiu’s omega, like proxy-fucking ya know?”

 

“I do not. I didn’t read PIDW for the porn.” Shen Yuan said through gritted teeth.

 

Shang Qinghua looked sceptical. 

 

Shen Yuan decided that they could put this part of this terrible conversation behind them. “More importantly, how did you realise I wasn’t the real Shen Qingqiu? Do you think anyone else could figure it out?”

 

“Oh no, don’t worry bro. You’ve got your acting down pat. I never even suspected before, I only properly started to think in the meeting yesterday.”

 

“How?”

 

“Well number one, Shen Qingqiu would never bring Liu Qingge to a Peak Lord’s meeting.”

 

“Because he wants to avoid anyone remembering Liu Qingge exists to avoid challenges? Liu-shidi and I already discussed that.”

 

“Uh no. Not even a little. Is that what Liu Qingge thinks?” Shang Qinghua sounds curious.

 

“More or less.”

 

“Huh, well I guess that kinda makes sense… I never actually wrote any of Shen Qingqiu or Liushen’s backstory down y’know, it was just vague story beats I thought about but it was never gonna be in the actual novel, even in my original draft, so seeing it all play out was intense.” Shang Qinghua makes a face, “When we were disciples everyone and their fucking mother was coming for Liu Qingge when he presented. By accident, by the way! He was pegged as an alpha but he and Shen Qingqiu went on a mission together and he fell into a patch of Madam’s Garden of Delights flowers that triggered his presentation and first heat. Shen Qingqiu the baby alpha who was also sex-pollened was the only person there so boom, they fucked and Shen Qingqiu bit him and that was history. You should have seen people’s faces when they came back to the Sect, Liu Qingge smelling like a whole-ass dessert buffet with Shen Qingqiu’s mark on his neck and no sword in his hand since he technically wasn’t really allowed to use one any more. ”

 

“That sounds…” Awful is what Shen Yuan wants to say. He trails off and thankfully Shang Qinghua just keeps going with no input needed.

 

“So they get back to the Sect with Liu Qingge being the hottest new omega of the generation and already locked down by a guy that was generally really disliked. Rumours abound, like you should have heard the shit that was being said, and Shen Qingqiu is basically fighting for his life every single day to keep Liu Qingge. Technically he didn’t have to, like having a bond broken is painful but wouldn’t kill him or anything. Liu Qingge’s grandmother, Madam Liu herself, even visited the Sect but Liu Qingge somehow told her to leave it, I don’t actually know how, that was a private conversation that I had never even vaguely drafted.”

 

This is all way too much. Shen Yuan is not comfortable with this dogblooded pseudo-romance tale. PIDW was a stallion novel about a man building a harem of three thousand wives and face slapping everyone who looks at him funny! Those novels are purposefully devoid of real emotion or stakes, that’s why they’re comfortable to read! What is with this angsty tale of love and loss shoved in? 

 

“Some of those challenges really fucked him up, he actually almost died a couple of times. Like bro there were people fucking travelling to Cang Qiong to take their shot. Like I remember some Sect Leader from this Northern Sect tried to challenge him and Shen Qingqiu legit ripped his throat out. I remember watching that and it seriously put the fear of the scum villain into me. The guy was winning, like he’d somehow managed to seal Shen Qingqiu’s qi and had pinned him and everyone was looking at Liu Qingge like “damn, guess he’s gonna have to move North” when Shen Qingqiu, that crazy motherfucking bastard, legit leans up, bites his throat and rips it out. Like what the fuck? Technically no holds barred in challenges but that was still some crazy shit!”

 

“Holy shit.”

 

“Holy shit is fucking right! Then he stands up, blood all over his face,” Shang Qinghua mimes the blood dripping with his fingers, “Walks over to Liu Qingge, leaving the fucking body behind while the Sect Leader’s retinue is starting to go crazy, grabs him and leaves. It was cold as fuck. If that scene had been in PIDW I think we would have gotten some real Shen Qingqiu fans.”

 

“He sounds like a psychopath!” Shen Yuan snaps, more than a little put off by Shang Qinghua’s weirdly awed tone. 

 

“Oh yeah, but a hot one.”

 

“You’re the worst.”

 

“Yeah yeah, I can see why Liu Qingge would think that about the challenges though. Like they were bad on both sides.” Shang Qinghua shakes his head, “But no, the real reason Shen Qingqiu wouldn’t bring him to meetings is that he doesn’t want Liu Qingge to feel uncomfortable, he’s actually trying to do a nice thing.”

 

“Feel uncomfortable?”

 

“Yeah, remember that until Liu Qingge presented he was basically pegged as the next Bai Zhan Peak Lord. The way he was treated shifted basically overnight, it was real whiplash! Shen Qingqiu’s a pretty thin-faced guy himself so he would never want to put Liu Qingge in a position where he would feel embarrassed.”

 

“Liu-shidi doesn’t care about anything that other people say.”

 

“Yeah true, but it wasn’t always like that. When we were still disciples it was pretty bad. Like Liu Qingge is a guy no one’s ever said a bad word about in his entire life, it was pretty hard at first and he did get kind of humiliated a lot, especially when people talked about the way he looked and smelled and all that omega stuff. Shen Qingqiu did his best to shut it down and when he became Peak Lord he basically beat anyone that looked at Liu Qingge funny to death, but there were a few growing pains years.”

 

“Oh.”

 

“He actually doesn’t care now, all of it is white noise to him, but it took a bit of desensitisation first. Shen Qingqiu was there for all that, he’s really conscious of it. Probably more conscious than Liu Qingge to be honest.”

 

“So you knew as soon as I brought Liu Qingge to the meeting?”

 

“Yeah, that and the demon invasion. The original goods would never let Liu Qingge fight them. Never ever. He only let Liu Qingge fight Sha Hualing originally because Liu Qingge basically marched out there before he could say anything.”

 

“But why not? He’s so good! He ended the whole invasion on his own. Is it the stupid omega discrimination you’ve stuck us with?”

 

“Aaaand this is how I know you’re not Shen Qingqiu which is that you’re too logical about Liu Qingge. I totally agree, we should just throw Liu Qingge at all of our problems, things would likely turn out much better. But Shen Qingqiu loses all IQ when it comes to him, he’s basically trapped in a prison of his own feelings. He’s crazy about him. Hello, the throat ripping story I literally just shared?”

 

“Crazy in love?” Shen Yuan asked with some scepticism. 

 

“Ehh, mostly just crazy. But to be honest my understanding of him is also kinda wonky, like I said, the characters have converged from my writing. I only technically wrote Shen Qingqiu to be a scum villain.”

 

“One dimensional, I get it, PIDW wasn’t the kind of novel for complexity with the antagonist.”

 

“Yeah and to be honest I found Shen Qingqiu a really hard character to write, like I dunno if you ever dabbled in some writing Cucumber-bro but some characters flow easily, like Luo Binghe. To me he always made sense, like characterising him was simple and when I wrote from his perspective his dialogue and thoughts just flowed whereas with Shen Qingqiu even writing his dialogue felt like I was pulling teeth sometimes. Honestly I was kinda glad when he died because I didn’t have to second guess his characterisation any more. I swear that guy gave me so much fucking grief and metting him in person didn’t help. I think I understand him less now than when I was writing him.”

 

“His characterisation wasn’t that inconsistent.” Shen Yuan frowns as he tries to remember, “He was just a dick. I don’t think you ever wrote him doing or saying a single nice thing.”

 

“Yeah but it’s not that easy. I did that because it was just easier to think “what is the worst thing someone could say right now?” and write that than really consider his motivations. Like man, a lot of his deeper behaviour is kind of contradictory, I bet you’ve noticed now that you actually are him.”

 

Shen Yuan has to admit that his relationship with Liu Qingge is one of those inconsistencies as are the drawers full of suppressants and a thousand other subtle nuances of behaviour that he’s noticed through sliding into the man’s life.  

 

“He’s not just a scum villain,” Shen Yuan conceded, “But it’s not as though that complexity ever added anything to PIDW, you’re not the worst writer in the world, if you weren’t such a coward this shitty novel would be a thousand times better!”

 

“Hey! It wasn’t just because I was a coward! I had to feed the fans y’know, Luo Binghe’s triumphant revenge would be a lot less satisfying if Shen Qingqiu hadn’t been so one-dimensional.”

 

“I am immeasurably disappointed that you threw away such good potential to chase fame and money.”

 

“Damn dude, Shen Qingqiu was hardly a saint. Plus you’re speaking like someone who already had money, c’mon I bet you were loaded in our past life.”

 

“That’s not important.”

 

“Fine fine, so touchy.” Shang Qinghua sighed mightily and took another deep drink.

 

“So?” Shen Yuan prompted, curious for more despite his better judgement, “What’s the actual deal between Shen Qingqiu and Liu Qingge?”

 

“Oh yeah, well Shen Qingqiu has a really tragic backstory and Liu Qingge is way too good for him by every conceivable metric. But he’s got him anyway and more than that as the alpha he’s in complete control. Complete control of someone like Liu Qingge . It drives him nuts.”

 

“In a good or bad way?”

 

“Depends on the way you look at it. A few degrees to the left and Shen Qingqiu would be a complete yandere is what I’m saying.”

 

Shen Yuan didn’t know what expression he was making but he wasn’t sure it was good. “Their relationship is fucked up.”

 

“Oh yeah it totally is, but that’s what makes it great fiction.” Shang Qinghua helped himself to the last of the bottle. 

 

“It’s not fiction.” Shen Yuan stared into the middle distance, “It’s fact.”

 

“Yeah true true.”

 

“No you idiot, did you hear what I said? It’s fact, actual fact. We’re living in this world with these people and they’re breathing and walking and preparing to do terrible things to each other!” Shit the alcohol was making him emotional. 

 

“Uh dude… no need to take it so hard, I told you, as long as you’re nice to Luo Binghe you should be fine. He’s not written to be the kind of character that would raze Cang Qiong for no reason.”

 

Shen Yuan closed his eyes and controlled his breathing. Shang Qinghua, or Airplane, didn’t understand in the slightest what he was saying. Fine. 

 

“You’ve drunk enough.” He told the other, “Get out of my house before I get Liu-shidi to chase you out.”

 

“Damn damn I’m going! No need to threaten me!” Shang Qinghua, obviously now drunk, laughed as he stood, “I’m so glad there’s another transmigrator! You free tomorrow bro?”

 

“Only if you have any other ideas on how to get the original goods back.”

 

“Ah I guess, though honestly bro it might be better if you don’t try and bring him back. First thing he’d do is torture you to death for daring to share Liu Qingge’s air let alone all the other things you’ve been sharing.”

 

“Get out.”

 

Shang Qinghua thankfully left quickly because Shen Yuan really didn’t have the mental bandwidth to talk to him any further.

 

*

 

“I know this world is a book he wrote.” Liu Qingge commented, oh so casually, as he polished Cheng Luan in smooth meditative strokes. 

 

Shen Yuan, who had just showed Shang Qinghua out of the bamboo house for what was a hangout conducted under the guise of continuing the quest to find the original goods, froze. 

 

“Uh.. what?”

 

“You don’t have to try so hard to talk around it. I already know.”

 

“Right.” Shen Yuan felt a little weak. He really didn’t know what to say, “How did you find out?”

 

Liu Qingge doesn’t look at him, just keeps polishing Cheng Luan. It’s a nightly ritual for him and seems to have a meditative quality to it. “The first time he came, when you were hitting him you said it.”

 

“Yes. That is… true.” Shen Yuan sits down next to Liu Qingge and gives him what he hopes qualifies as an apologetic smile, “Sorry. We both kind of forgot we were so explicit about it.”

 

Liu Qingge shrugs, “It’s fine. I understand why you wouldn’t want me to know.”

 

“Does it bother you?”

 

Liu Qingge shakes his head, “This is my life, even if it’s a novel it’s still real.”

 

“That’s true.” Shen Yuan is impressed but not surprised by how easily Liu Qingge has absorbed what could be potentially world shattering information. He’s not a “questioning the meaning of life” guy but that seems to be for the best, it honestly seems to be a good way to live. “It’s not even as though he really wrote your life.” Shen Yuan adds, “After all we’ve veered firmly into off-canon alternate universe territory, nothing that has happened so far has been in the book so fuck Shang Qinghua if you know what I mean.”

 

Liu Qingge nods.

 

They sit there in companable silence for a while, Liu Qingge with his sword and Shen Yuan at his side. Shen Yuan stares at a landscape painting of Cang Qiong hung on the far wall of the room. It’s one he’s spent a lot of time zoning out and staring at during his time as Shen Qingqiu. Looking at the painting and how peaceful and misty the peaks look it’s almost hard to imagine just how much petty stuff goes on. People are people no matter if they’re immortals in a xianxia novel Shen Yuan supposes. 

 

Liu Qingge seems done with Cheng Luan because he’s put his sword away by the time he taps Shen Yuan on the shoulder. 

 

“Good?” He asks, brow slightly furrowed. 

 

Shen Yuan startles slightly but then nods, “Yeah fine, just zoning out a little.”

 

“Mm.” 

 

“Liu-shidi,” Shen Yuan hesitates, “You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to, but Shen Qingqiu, what is he like? A lot of what I read about him was very one-sided, I want to hear your opinion if you’re comfortable sharing.”

 

Liu Qingge looks at him, “Why are you asking now?”

 

It’s been a year and I’m still here. Is not what Shen Yuan says. 

 

“I’m curious.” He answers. 

 

That seems to be enough for Liu Qingge. 

 

“He’s… difficult.” Is what Liu-shidi says, “I know that with me… he doesn’t like to compromise but he was forced to. We fought a lot at the beginning.”

 

“I suppose fighting is inevitable in every relationship.” Shen Yuan tries to suggest. After all, he's watched enough movies to say that every couple fights. 

 

“Once he locked me in my room for a week.” Somehow Liu Qingge doesn’t sound upset to be saying this.

 

“What?! But… you could have broken out, right?”  

 

Liu Qingge nods, “I was angry so I didn’t. After a week he unlocked the door and told me he wasn’t going to let me rot away in my room. He dragged me into a meal and then a bath.”

 

“Wasn’t he the one who locked you up in the first place?”

 

“Yes.” 

 

“I really don’t understand that.” Shen Yuan says, feeling honestly baffled. 

 

“We both have a lot of pride.” Liu Qingge says, looking at his hands, “I’m not good at conceding.”

 

Shen Yuan nods in what he hopes is an encouraging way. 

 

“He was… kinder than he needed to be. During my presentation he took care of me. I asked him to mark me and he did it. I know he didn’t want to.”

 

“If he didn’t want to he likely wouldn’t have.” Shen Yuan points out. 

 

“I was… emotional. He wouldn’t have refused.”

 

Shen Yuan isn’t sure what to say to that although he does instinctively want to refute it somehow.  

 

“When we were disciples,” Liu Qingge is still looking at his hands, “There were rumours that he would go to brothels. He never went after we mated but I found out later that he only went there to sleep. He still had trouble sleeping after he stopped and he would sit awake all night, reading or painting. I told him… he could go if he really needed sleep and he told me I was stupid for suggesting it and he would never let anyone think I was deficient enough that he had to seek company elsewhere.” 

 

That was probably the most Shen Yuan thinks he’s ever heard Liu Qingge say at once and honestly it paints a very different picture of Shen Qingqiu. Image obsessed of course, but somehow considerate, which is something that the narrative had never even hinted at.

 

“I kept my sword and my ability to hunt. I was able to live exactly as I wanted to as long as I wasn’t loud about it. I didn’t appreciate that until later.”

 

Shen Yuan had to admit that compared to the general treatment of omegas in PIDW Shen Qingqiu was definitely very permissive. It’s a point in favour of the original goods behaviour though it must be remembered that treating Liu Qingge like a human being doesn’t automatically make him a good person, the bar is really on the floor. Plus there was all that other stuff about locking him up and cutting his family off and all the rest. 

 

“Did you guys ever go nighthunting together?” Shen Yuan asks.

 

“Yes. Any time we could leave the peak together we would. His duties on Qing Jing were heavy but we would go hunt together.”

 

“Did you have fun?”

 

“Mm. He’s a good hunting partner.”

 

“That’s good.” 

 

Liu Qingge nods and they lapse into silence for a little bit. 

 

“I’m a burden to him.” Liu Qingge finally says, “I made his time as Head Disciple more practically challenging and I’m not good at helping with his work as Peak Lord. I don’t have much to offer him.” Liu Qingge says it very matter of factly but Shen Yuan feels pretty upset by the words. Liu-shidi is great! He’s sure that he was helpful to Shen Qingqiu in a bunch of ways. 

 

He thinks back to Shang Qinghua’s assessment about Shen Jiu being crazy about Liu Qingge. “I’m sure he had deep feelings for you.”

 

Liu Qingge hums, “He’s sentimental.” He agrees which Shen Yuan had absolutely not been expecting. “For the tenth anniversary of us mating he put flowers in the house,” He makes a gesture to the room in front of them, “And lit candles. He painted me that landscape of Cang Qiong.” There’s a smile tugging at Liu Qingge’s mouth now as he gestures to the painting Shen Yuan has been zoning out to for months, “On Qing Jing if you look closely he painted the two of us.”

 

“What really?” Shen Yuan immediately gets up and goes over to peer closely at the painting.

 

Ah it’s true! On Qing Jing there are two impossibly small figures. One has a high ponytail and is holding a sword while the other has a fan in their hand. That’s actually so cute. Shen Qingqiu the closet romantic, who would have thought?

 

“After the first challenge he told me that if I agreed he would never let me be taken by anyone else. I… agreed, and he kept his word. He’s never broken a promise to me.”

 

“Wow.” Shen Yuan moves back from the painting and goes to sit back down next to Liu Qingge. “That’s… nice.”

 

“He wrote me a poem.” Liu Qingge is smiling properly now, “When he recited it to me I was embarrassed and tried to leave but he sat on me and made me listen to it.”

 

“That’s an image.” One that Shen Yuan is desperately amused by but also doesn’t want to picture too closely.

 

“I’m not the easiest person to get along with, I’ve tried to be better but at the beginning I didn’t know what I wanted.” 

 

“It was a surprise, your presentation and mating,” Shen Yuan points out, “Of course you didn’t know.”

 

Liu Qingge makes a non-committal noise that Shen Yuan takes to be the end of the conversation. 

 

“Thanks for answering my questions Liu-shidi, I really do appreciate it. Can you show me again how to brew tea properly?”

 

Liu Qingge doesn’t laugh at Shen Yuan for the fact that he still needs instructions even after how many times he’s asked Liu-shidi to teach him some brewing skills, instead he just fetches the tea set before coming back and patiently setting everything out for Shen Yuan. 

 

It’s a nice nightly ritual they have of drinking tea and sitting together, sometimes with Shen Yuan talking about whatever nonsense pops into his brain, and sometimes not speaking at all. 

 

It’s now been a year since Shen Yuan came to this world. 

 

He and Liu Qingge have spent most of their waking time together. He thinks he’s closer to him than anyone else, even his past life. Shen Yuan wonders what will happen if despite all their efforts they never manage to get the original goods back, after all they’ve hardly made any progress so far. 

 

It wouldn’t be awful. As far as transmigrations go, Shen Yuan is in a better position than most. He thinks he could conceivably keep doing this forever; treating Luo Binghe well, avoiding the bad end, being good to Liu Qingge. 

 

Maybe Shen Qingqiu wasn’t the abusive asshole PIDW painted him to be. Maybe he was the man who wrote Liu Qingge a poem and covered their house in candles and flowers for their anniversary. Maybe he was also the man who locked Liu Qingge in his room for a week and viciously berated him for opening the door and collecting letters from a disciple. 

 

No matter what kind of man he actually is, Shen Yuan will treat Liu Qingge the best he can. Liu Qingge is kind and helpful and loyal to a fault. Knowing that he has Shen Yuan’s back in this strange new world is one of the things that stops this all from being too terrifying to comprehend. If Shen Qingqiu never comes back then he’ll make sure Liu-shidi keeps going. Maybe he can reconnect him with his family, maybe he can give him Bai Zhan Peak, maybe one day Liu Qingge will stop looking at him out of the corner of his eye like he’s looking for someone else. 

 

Shen Yuan knows that he and Liu Qingge both didn’t choose to be here. However from the sounds of things the original goods and Liu Qingge were very much in the same “didn’t choose this” position. Shen Yuan is adaptable, from the evidence so is Liu Qingge. 

 

Shen Yuan would be more than happy for them to stay good friends, housemates even, for as long as their lives on Qing Jing keep chugging along. Of course Shen Yuan is straight but this ABO stuff is something else and he’s stepped into Shen Qingqiu’s role so if one day years and decades and an immortal lifetime down the line he and Liu Qingge naturally fall into companionship that way… it certainly wouldn’t be bad. 

 

No matter what happens, Shen Yuan knows that he’ll look after Liu Qingge and he’s sure the other will do the same which is more than anyone can usually hope for from transmigration. Way more than any sane person could hope for from PIDW. 

 

Hopefully that can be good enough. 

Notes:

A chaptered fic! I'm currently predicting it'll be three and I'm thinking that none will be as long as this first chapter... though I feel like it's something I've said before with my other chaptered fics and not followed through on haha. It was super interesting to write a Liujiu fic where Shen Jiu isn't around for the whole first chapter though he's definitely always present in the characters (and my!) imagination.

I can't even really say where the inspiration for this fic came from, I've actually never written any SVSSS fics with Shen Yuan in them funnily enough and I suddenly had an idea for a spin on canon, only ABO and somehow liujiu and that's where it started. I think I also really wanted to play with the liujiu power dynamics and put Liu Qingge in a firmly weaker position for once and see what would change. This fic also ends up being pretty meta haha which seems to be a recent theme.

As always I hope you enjoy and thank you so much for reading!!!

(Btw the title is from Angel by Keshi!)