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There had been surprisingly few changes since that Luo Binghe learned his husband wasn’t the original Shen Qingqiu, but someone who read a story about Luo Binghe and still decided to choose him.
The thing was, Luo Binghe couldn’t shake the idea that he came from a storybook, especially one so contrived that his alternate self was so hateful and hurt that he’d kill the other Shen Qingqiu. It was scary when Luo Binghe thought about it, how close he’d been to becoming like that and how the only reason he didn’t do such horrible things was because of Shizun.
Still, the storybook made him wonder that if Shizun was “real” and he was a character, did anything he do really matter? Was everyone just a character in the Luo Binghe Story, or were there more people like Shizun who arrived and were playing the part and living out their assigned role and he was the only fraud?
He tried not to think about it. Instead he focused on the good things that Shen Yuan’s revelation brought to light.
First and most importantly, Luo Binghe got to call his husband by his true given name when they were in the privacy and comfort of their home. Nothing was quite as wonderful as the way Shen Yuan would smile at the mention of his name, even if it was just a little uptick of the corner of his mouth before he hid behind his fan.
Then there were the questions Luo Binghe asked about his Shen Yuan’s past life before he became Shen Qingqiu. It was wonderful to hear about Shizun’s siblings, the funny stories, the warmth of a family and how obviously loved and loving Shen Yuan was and continued to be. There was a bit of jealousy that arose in Luo Binghe’s chest at the mention of Shen Yuan’s mother—a kind but firm woman who didn’t tolerate nonsense but had a playful spirit—that made him wish for his own mother and resent the author who declared her death with the stroke of a brush. However those thoughts easily slipped away when Shizun smiled softly at Luo Binghe, cupped his face and said his name in the gentlest voice so full of love that nothing else mattered.
It was those kinds of sweet moments that reminded Luo Binghe of how lucky he was to have been given such a wonderful husband who knew the worst of him and wasn’t afraid.
It was just nice to have an understanding and peace between them, but even then Luo Binghe was greedy and wanted to ask more questions about his alternate life in the storybook. His curiosity had been piqued and with every new fact or detail he learned about his husband, his questions about the book grew until he couldn’t hold it in any longer.
So Luo Binghe decided to make a day of it and insisted on dragging Shizun out for a picnic in the demonic realm. And while it was a good idea in theory, maybe he had been a bit overzealous when he picked a spot full of wildlife and flora that would catch Shen Yuan’s attention and distract him from the topic at hand. However the look of wonder in Shizun’s eyes when he spotted something new or rare was unmatched, and Luo Binghe suddenly had no problem with how difficult it would be to keep his husband’s attention so long as he got to see such joy in his expression.
“A-Yuan.” Luo Binghe said as he watched Shen Yuan smile absently at a razor winged butterfly. “This disciple has questions for you.”
Shen Yuan turned his radiant smile on Luo Binghe. “Yes Binghe?”
There was a slight hesitation—a brief moment where Shizun’s eyes would dart to the side as if expecting to see something that wasn’t there—which melted away as his attention refocused solely on Luo Binghe.
From where he was lying down on the soft grass Luo Binghe propped his head up with one hand and asked, “Tell this one about the story he came from?”
Shizun raised an eyebrow and reached for one of the many treats Luo Binghe made for their outing. “It was a long book with trivial details in some areas and not enough attention in others. This master’s memory of the novel may be confused or incorrect, but I’ll do my best. What in particular would Luo Binghe like to know?”
Luo Binghe pondered for a moment. He hadn’t considered how long it had been since Shizun read the story but ultimately decided on a few questions.
“What was A-Yuan’s favorite part of the story as a whole?”
“The demonic beasts.” Shizun said without hesitation. He flicked his fan open and elaborated on his favorite fauna, the subspecies of some, and lamented about the lack of detail in others.
“This one could take A-Yuan to see some of the creatures he wishes to learn about.” Luo Binghe said. “Some reside in Mobei Jun’s territory. A-Yuan’s friend could come along as a guide.”
Luo Binghe didn’t mention how he’d suspected Shang Qinghua of having inside knowledge about things. It would make the most sense if Shang Qinghua was a seer of some sort given how often he guided Mobei Jun and even Luo Binghe himself at times, but with his newfound information he couldn’t dismiss the possibility that the man could be from Shen Yuan’s original world. It would explain why he and Shizun—two very different men in personality—had such a strange friendship.
“Perhaps.” Shen Yuan mused, his fan fluttering enough for Luo Binghe to see the amusement flicker through his eyes. “For now this master would like to enjoy this afternoon with his husband.”
Luo Binghe preened at the attention and snagged a meat bun. Tearing into it he asked, “Who was A-Yuan’s favorite character? Was there anyone in the story that he was interested in?”
It was a self serving question that Luo Binghe was able to ask without a hint of shame. He’d fully admit that he expected the answer to be him, not just because he was Shen Yuan’s husband, but because he was the protagonist of the story!
Shizun hummed and tapped his fan to his chin. “I’d have to say Liu Qingge. He never actually showed in the book himself, his only real appearances were exposition or brief mentions by other characters.”
What.
Caught off guard by his beloved’s unexpected answer, Luo Binghe’s chin which was still resting in his hand slipped off, causing him to face plant in the grass.
To his credit Shizun didn’t seem the least bit fazed by his husband’s surprising act of clumsiness, and carried on in his discussion about Liu Qingge of all people and how his lack of physical presence in the novel had a significant impact on the overall story.
“Shizun!” Luo Binghe cried. Sitting up he pouted and leaned toward Shen Qingqiu. “You can’t be serious! Liu Qingge was your favorite character?!”
“Of course not.” Shen Qingqiu said, waving his fan. “How can someone have a favorite character that doesn’t even appear in the source material? Liu Qingge was fascinating because he didn’t show up and still had an important role, but my favorite character was always Luo Binghe.”
The smile that accompanied Shen Yuan’s admittance that Luo Binghe was indeed his favorite character reached his eyes and sent happy butterflies and sparks throughout Luo Binghe.
“This one was really A-Yuan’s favorite?” Luo Binghe asked as he scooted closer.
“Of course.” Shen Yuan said, lowering his fan. “I didn’t read the entire novel for anyone else. Just you.”
Luo Binghe beamed and surged forward to kiss Shen Yuan, capturing his husband in his arms as he tackled them to the ground. Drawing back Luo Binghe drank in the sight of his husband splayed out on the grass, hair in slight disarray, his cheeks red from combined laughter and embarrassment.
“A-Yuan is so wonderful.” Luo Binghe declared, tracing the curve of Shen Yuan’s cheek with his thumb. “Shall this favored one kiss A-Yuan?”
Shen Yuan huffed a laugh and laced his fingers behind Luo Binghe’s neck to tug him down. “Please do.”