sunfloweralchemistsposts

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Xie Lian who gave in to his impulses the moment he ascended and dragged his dearest friends up with him.

Finally able to convince them to share his bed (platonically!!) and cuddle as much as his heart desires, unafraid of hidden eyes and critiquing voices.

Mu Qing cooking for them, sitting with them. Eating with them. Talking and laughing without having to keep his eyes on the ground and his voice a whisper.

Feng Xing cleaning and polishing all their shared weapons. Bringing tea and being scolded by Mu Qing by choosing the most floral ones.

Xie Lian getting earrings for all of them.

A matching set.

A token of friendship; a mark of ownership.

Something small but obvious. Something that let the world know the three of them belonged together.

Mu Qing who received the present with conflicting feelings. But adored it once everyone was wearing it. Never taking it off, not even in the middle of the war.

Feng Xing who simply took the token with a long-suffering sigh and grumbled about getting his ear pierced. Wearing the earring in Heaven but taking it out once they descended, turning the charm into a necklace.

Xie Lian wearing the earring proudly until his first encounter with Bai Wuxiang where the beast ripped it out his ear and threw the bloody token to his feet.

The boys having to sell them to buy food after the city fell.

Mu Qing tracking them down years after his ascension and keeping them hidden. Caressing the orange pearls and white jade between his fingers when nostalgia hit and his mind wandered to better times.

[sunfloweralchemistsposts]

So, fifth chapter is up and Xie Lian is now the one that is having an awful time.

So, remember my Mu Qing Time Travel AU?

Well, I posted the first chapter today! As promised, here is the link:

https://archiveofourown.org/works/66134377/chapters/170440891

And I intend to post a chapter per week ^^

[sunfloweralchemistsposts]

FengQing being soulmates.

But particularly their incarnations as Generals Xuan Zhen and Nan Yang because it's when they learned who they were without Xie Lian and crafted a sentiment of personhood they didn't have before.

Equals (truly equals) at last.

Being told this by Pei Ming who has never met someone who develops a red string from thin air or someone with a string so tangled and intertwined.

Mu Qing treasuring the knowledge and immediately going to Feng Xing to share it (after threatening Pei Ming into silence, he must protect his thin face at all costs!!!)

Feng Xing looking at him with fond eyes, fairly amused at the way Mu Qing can't get the word Zhiji out without stuttering but insists on repeating it during his 20 min rant.

Feng Xing whose heart is full and wishes nothing more than to keep this moment of happiness forever.

Feng Xing who ask Mu Qing to marry him.

Mu Qing who bursts into tears because Feng Xing wants to keep him!

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false guanyin

[sunfloweralchemistsposts]

I'm in love with this concept ❤️

Long post of word vomit about feng xin/mu qing/bing-ge inspired by @sweepingboy ‘s art. I hope you’re proud of yourself

TL;DR:

Luo Bing-ge: This arrogant man reminds me of my shizun. I should seduce him to manipulate his feelings and ruin his godhood.

Mu Qing: *is actually a good person and completely different than og Shen Qingqiu*

Luo Bing-ge: Hmm. Well I think genuinely I want him now.

Feng Xin & Mu Qing: *both suspicious of Bing-ge, clearly in love with each other, heartbroken because they their feelings (supposedly) aren’t returned, and also aren’t together bc they’re horrible at communicating*

Luo Bing-ge: …If I clear up their little misunderstanding, then maybe I could have them both…

So I’ve been like. THINKING about fengqingbing (?) right. Because Feng Xin and Mu Qing have known each other so long and care about each other, work together, and (in my head) have (albeit complicated) Feelings for each other. One going without the other by his side would feel like losing a limb. Feng Xin thinks that Mu Qing would think he’s disgusting if he confessed and would never love him, Mu Qing thinks that Feng Xin hates him too much to ever entertain a relationship, and these feelings are compounded by their turbulent shared past. So both want a relationship, or something close to one, but are terrified of losing the One Constant they’ve had these 800 years.

Enter Bing-ge, a heavenly demon who has recently entered the graces of heaven, who likes stunning beauties and is used to getting what he wants, the type who pursues someone he’s interested in relentlessly. Of course, when Binghe first sees both of the South martial gods in heaven, he’s taken in by Mu Qing’s beauty. But he’s used to seeing beautiful people. It isn’t until he starts to get a sense of Mu Qing’s personality that things start to change.

At first he thinks sees Mu Qing and thinks the god is very much like his old shizun (prideful, clever, a glare cold as ice, heart & mind as impenetrable as a fortress, and with a tongue that can make someone bleed). The resemblances anger him. Someone like his awful shizun should not be so successful, so loved by his followers. So Bingge comes up with a plan to seduce him, play with his feelings, then kill him and rob him of his godhood. He’s done it before, with various women who stood in his way. He never liked haughty, narcissistic villains anyway.

So he starts to ingratiate himself in Mu Qing’s circle. He isn’t deterred when he finds that the general’s ‘circle’ only extended to very few people. He isn’t discouraged when both martial gods of the South dismiss him and eye him with suspicion and annoyance, nor is he dismayed when Mu Qing’s heart is guarded by more walls than he can count. He is a patient man. He knows how to coax someone into loving him, what to say to make someone bend to his will.

But the longer he ‘investigates’ (ie hangs around and pesters) Mu Qing, he finds that Mu Qing, past the surface, is not like his shizun at all. He is far too passionate, sarcastic, and underneath it all caring to be his shizun. He’s a God, one that has seen more than Luo Binghe can comprehend, and one that cares for the people in his territory with genuine concern and care that Binghe did not expect whatsoever. Binghe has always been good at reading people, and what he reads in Mu Qing is shocking. He carries snacks for any children he may encounter while on a mission, he works diligently in all of his duties, and his harsh words are somehow never completely undeserved. He sees Mu Qing cover his arms up to his elbows in blood to stitch up a human caught in the crossfire of a malevolent ghost’s attacks. He observes Mu Qing visiting his followers in his dreams, giving straightforward but well-thought-out advice. He sees how much Mu Qing nags Feng Xin about paperwork, and how he always watches Feng Xin’s back, despite the misgivings between them. And he sees how much Mu Qing denies himself things that would make him happy, whether it’s a hairpin with dangling silver moons at a market, a well-deserved nap after a busy week without sleep, or a genuine relationship with Feng Xin.

Why? Why would he deny himself things that he wants? He’s a god. How much further should he have to reach to deserve the things he wants?

Before he knows it, Bing-ge’s resentment turns into fascination, and eventually into genuine affection (but still with added possessiveness bc it’s Bing-ge). He wants to provide Mu Qing with everything he denies himself. He wants to dress Mu Qing up in the finest robes, braid his hair into intricate updos, adorn him in dazzling jewels. He wants to assure him he’s worth anything that he could want and more. That he’s worthy of all the love and care he’s rejected for himself. He wants to worship this man, this god.

He’s never felt this way about any of his conquests, much less ones he intended to screw over. Why is that? Is it because Mu Qing is playing so hard to get? Is it because he’s a god and not a mortal? Whatever the reason, Binghe is a man of power and determination. He will get what he wants. (It’s not love. But for Binghe, it doesn’t have to be.)

So he pursues Mu Qing. No longer are his flirtations focused on getting information and trust from Mu Qing, but now come from a place of fervent care. Mu Qing, who is So used to being starved for affection, who is So used to being scorned when he wants understanding and trust so badly, is wholly unprepared for the genuine devotion and fervor Binghe shows in wanting and pursing him. Even from the start of Binghe’s stay in heaven, Mu Qing was suspicious of him. Binghe wants something from him; he’s tricking him, surely. But why? To make him fall from godhood? To usurp him and take over the South? Will he be a threat to Feng Xin too? And why does he keep complimenting Mu Qing? It’s all too suspicious.

Even past the point where Binghe’s affections become genuine, Mu Qing has a hard time believing he is out for anything but personal gain. But Binghe is also Very direct, and at some point (through his actions far more than his words), does Mu Qing actually accept that Binghe is interested in him. A turning point in their relationship is when Mu Qing is hunting a demon and ends up severely injured, expecting Binghe to kill him after he passes out so he can take Mu Qing’s place as a martial god (those in heaven seem to like Binghe more than him, Mu Qing thinks. After all, they probably would love to have Mu Qing gone). But to his surprise Mu Qing wakes up to find Binghe healing him and tending to his injuries. It floors him. Wasn’t that the perfect opportunity to take away everything from Mu Qing? Why didn’t he take it? …Does he actually about Mu Qing like he’s been saying this whole time? (He can’t. It wouldn’t make sense. Why?) Mu Qing can’t come up with another reason Binghe would possibly spare his life, all the while Binghe brushes his hair and feeds him his homemade food. (Even in all his paranoia Mu Qing is too injured and weak to refuse the food Binghe is feeding him. He can only hope it isn’t poisoned.)

Mu Qing doesn’t know what to Do with that much affection. Mu Qing does his best to ignore the way Binghe looks at him, to push out how his eyes seem to smolder whenever they look at him. Despite his efforts, he still can’t seem to distract himself from the way Binghe’s touch burns him through his clothes. He still can’t wrap his head around it. He’s wanted Feng Xin for 800 years, and that love has been unrequited the whole time. What’s he supposed to do with a different man who’s absolutely set on him? The easiest solution is still to (tentatively) think Luo Binghe is still lying.

The one who Doesn’t think Binghe is lying about his affection and endearment is Feng Xin. Feng Xin, who is suddenly faced with the Real possibility that someone will take Mu Qing away from him, someone who will stand by Mu Qing’s side instead of him. Feng Xin even clocks it when Binghe starts to looks at Mu Qing with more than just ambition. Feng Xin sees desire in those eyes, and he doesn’t like it, nor does he trust it. Feng Xin suddenly becomes Super protective. He’s jealous, he’s scared, and HE wants Mu Qing that way and has for years, why does this demon come in out of nowhere and decide to make a pass on him? The incident where Mu Qing ends up badly injured but alive thanks to Binghe only spirals Feng Xin’s doubts further (HE should’ve been there to protect Mu Qing, not this stranger! They can’t trust him!).

All this accumulates to tension between all of them: Mu Qing (still doubtful about the nature of Binghe’s feelings) accuses Feng Xin of thinking him weak, Feng Xin tries to urge Mu Qing to not pay Binghe any mind bc obviously he tricking him (not that Mu Qing disagrees, but who is he to tell Mu Qing what to think?!), Binghe just stirring the pot all the while (he’s both amused and concerned about this misunderstanding. It’s so obvious they both care for one another, how do they not see it?).

MQ: “Why are you so insistent on getting between us all the time?! You think I can’t handle myself?!”

FX: “No, that’s not what I’m saying!”

MQ: “Then what? Is it so strange that someone is into me?!”

FX: “Well, yes! Well, no– I mean–“

LB: “Why is that so unusual, General Nan Yang? General Xuan Zhen is a beautiful man. Anyone would want him. Though I suppose I’m glad people are too foolish to see what a prize he is.”

MQ: “I am not anyone’s prize.”

FX: “Yeah, fuck off! Mu Qing is his own person, not something you can just use and toss aside!!”

LB: “Use? I would do far more than that. General Xuan Zhen is a god, after all. Don’t you think he deserves someone to worship him, the way he truly deserves?” (he says as he reaches for MQ’s chin)

MQ: (bats his hand away) “If you want to worship me, do it properly in one of my temples. I have no need for a brat who doesn’t know his place.”

LB: (grins, hand on his heart) “My place is firmly by your side, General.”

MQ: “No it isn’t.”

FX: “No it isn’t!!”

MQ: “Shut up, Feng Xin.”

LB: (grin turns wolfish) “You’re right as always, General. My place should be in your bed.”

MQ: (gobsmacked)

FX: (beet red but also enraged) “Shameless!! You see what he thinks of you?! He’s scum!!” (forces his way in front of MQ as if to shield him)

MQ: “Will you STOP pitying me for one second?! I’m not some fragile maiden whose chastity you need to save!!”

FX: “What?! Mu Qing–“

LB: “Oh? I’m a little disappointed. And here I thought with your cultivation vows, your chastity was still intact. I wanted to be the one to teach you everything. Tell me, who else has had the honor?”

FX: (flounders, sad puppy eyes) “T-there’s been someone else????!!”

MQ: (flushing) “What?! No!! That’s–That’s NOT what I meant!!”

(Holy shit where did all the dialogue come from?? What happened to me? What possessed me to write all this)

Anyway it delves in Mu Qing thinking that Feng Xin looks down on him and Luo Binghe just wants him for his own means, and neither of them actually care, while Feng Xin is worried about Mu Qing and doesn’t want him or his feelings to get hurt but also doesn’t want Mu Qing to leave him (oof abandonment issues), and during the whole time Luo Binghe starts to realize that the problem isn’t their feelings for each other, but that they’re both absolute shit at communicating.

Before, he would have used this knowledge to his advantage– made it seem like Feng Xin really didn’t care about him, that Mu Qing could only rely on Binghe instead, only to leave him in the dust and without his godhood. But after he’s seen Mu Qing, been let in a little bit past his walls (he knows he’s just getting started), seeing that there’s a beautiful soul behind it all? Knowing that Mu Qing yearns for affection so desperately, but never feels worthy of it, and continues to push against Binghe’s genuine attempts at caring for him because of it? He can’t do it. For once in his life of cruelty, he finds he can’t be cruel. He can’t break Mu Qing’s heart. He doesn’t want to, especially not by toying with how much fengqing love each other. And despite the man’s stubbornness, he sees the heartbreak in Feng Xin’s eyes during their confrontations. He sees how Mu Qing’s passion is mirrored in Feng Xin, how they’ve been secretly worrying and caring for each other, perhaps for the entirety of their shared 800 years. And Binghe finds he doesn’t want to hurt Feng Xin either. What good would destroying either of them do? In fact, out of all the gods in the heavenly court (in their pettiness, selfishness, and vanity), he finds that he respects these two the most. How could he rob the world of its two best gods? That may have been his initial plan, to torture a mirror of his shizun for looking down on others, to rid the world of more pretentious villains up high on their pedestals, but he can’t do it now. He doesn’t want to.

And with all this fighting between the two generals, he realizes that neither he, Mu Qing, or Feng Xin are getting what they want.

But Luo Binghe has always been adaptable. And he has never minded bestowing his affections on multiple people. He’s seen how handsome and toned Feng Xin is, his loyal straightforward heart, his skill with a bow. Why stop at having the moon, dim, heartbroken, and lonely in its light, when he could have both the sun and moon, both shining brilliantly and belonging just as much to him as to each other? Why be content with just the night when he could have the entire sky?

He wants them. Fiercely. He wants them to be completely undone, both by his hands and each other’s. And surprisingly, he wants both of them to be happy. He wants to be happy, with them.

He’s a heavenly demon. He can have two powerful martial gods in love with him if he puts his mind to it. Binghe has never failed before, and he won’t start now.

[sunfloweralchemistsposts]

Fu Yao is the little brat full of mischief, trickery and fun.

Xuan Zhen is the respected martial god of southwest with thousands of temples and worshipers.

But Mu Qing....Mu Qing is just a lonely lil cat that wants f-f-friends.

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Some Fu Yao, definitely not Mu Qing, awesome sauce

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When you didn't know you needed something this bad 😭

guess who remembered about her rare pairing

by offering your blood to a god you basically give them a control over your body and oh binghe wishes he knew it before he was stuck with a pissed off general of the southwest…

(you will get a text post too if I manage to finish it, heh)

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FengLian being a codependent mess and unfortunately in tune with each other's terrible moods.

Xie Lian who the moment he sees Feng Xing and Mu Qing returning to their darkest dynamic, he echoes it and goes back to being their prince first and foremost. More than willing to command and expecting to be obeyed without question.

Feng Xing who regresses to being Xie Lian's shield. Feng Xing who moves on command and shadows Xie Lian, barely separating to sleep.

Xie Lian who refused to let go of Feng Xing and accompanies him to every mission he has as Protector of the South. Unwilling to take his eyes off him, terrified of losing him too.

FengLian who mourn their missing third every day and pretend everything is fine, even when it's obvious that it isn't.

Living in their own little world, ignoring everything that stands on the outside.

(Sometimes –most of the time– Hua Cheng is left out as well, even when he lives with them and owns Xie Lian's heart.)

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Feng Xing had only once wondered how it would be to live in a world without Mu Qing.

And he immediately hated it.

Even when there was nothing but icy silences, painful distance, and hateful glares when they crossed paths. A world without Mu Qing felt like a nightmare. His counterpart was all that was left from home, from XianLe.

And the only other person who understood what it meant to love Xie Lian.

Stepping up to ease his pain was easy; as easy as breathing. For standing guard, making sure he drank the medicine, pouring calming spiritual energy into the burning wounds were not that different to what he had done during the War.

Back then, taking care of the other was expected. More than simply duty, a necessity.

Mu Qing needed to be alive in case Feng Xing died. So His Highness wouldn't need to grieve alone.

(So Mu Qing could hold Xie Lian's broken heart and glue the pieces while His Highness found a new shield. So Mu Qing could vet the man that would replace Feng Xing.)

It was different now, but the truth remained: Feng Xing was never meant to survive Mu Qing.

And he intended to keep it that way.

Feng Xing had lost so much, he refused to lose this too.

...

Loving Mu Qing was like trying to hug a cactus.

It had taken decades to deduce where the limits were and how to avoid stepping on difficult topics. He learned how to dismiss frosty General Xuan Zhen and drag Mu Qing's true personality.

He learned to love the fire, to reach without care and unafraid of being burned.

To be loved by Mu Qing was being the center of his universe; being treated to your favorite teas and snacks, to be gifted precious items he handcrafted himself, to never know silence as he shared his thoughts freely.

It was to be trusted.

Feng Xing always tried to be deserving of said trust.

...

In hindsight, he should've been more careful with his wording.

He should've been gentler. Should've backed down the moment Mu Qing tensed, should've stopped pushing when the cutting remarks started.

But he didn't. He couldn't.

This was their prince!

Xie Lian who they had lost so long ago. Xie Lian who they had both failed. Xie Lian who was finally back.

Feng Xing knew Mu Qing.

He knew the affection his partner had for Xie Lian matched his own. Had known it since the moment Mu Qing had tried to kill him, calling him oathbreaker.

He knew Mu Qing missed Xie Lian with everything he had, having seen the room he kept in his palace, empty and decorated with their prince's tastes in mind. He knew it because he had watched Mu Qing work on sets of robes that would not be out of place inside the XianLe Court for weeks on end.

...

Being told to get out, hurt.

Receiving the wedding robes and the strand of hair burned with the same intensity as Mu Qing left them the first time.

A cutting of all bonds.

Feng Xing had sent everyone away before he crumbled. Mourning a future that will never be now.

...

Fu Yao was a knife in Mu Qing's hands. It was all sharp edges and cutting remarks, mean in a way that made evident Mu Qing wanted to see him suffer.

And yet, Mu Qing was right where Feng Xing had expected him to be. At his side. Watching over Xie Lian and providing a plan to face their enemies.

Keeping Feng Xing in the know, willing to be as ruthless as possible if it kept Xie Lian safe.

...

Feng Xing had only once wondered how it would be to live in a world without Mu Qing.

He hated it.

Having to live it, though? It was a nightmare come to reality. But having been tested before the main battle, Feng Xing knew he could survive losing his soulmate.

As long as they could keep Xie Lian safe.

...

Losing Mu Qing was different than losing Xie Lian— It didn't cause him to lose focus, if anything, Feng Xing could only see a list of things that needed to be done.

It was like being back in the War.

Where everything was grey and nothing mattered but results. Mu Qing had made a plan, detailing his wishes in respect to the South and their junior deputies should one of them fell.

Feng Xing would follow it; would honor his soulmate by stepping in and taking care of what Mu Qing held dear.

What if he wasn't eating? He didn't need to. What if he refused to sleep? Only nightmares waited for him. What if he never set a foot back in his palace after it was rebuilt? His Highness had invited him to live together, his place was at his master's side.

What if he sobbed against the wedding robes every night and dressed only in mourning garbs? What if he donned the gold and shifted to silver? What if he felt cold all the time?

What if living without Mu Qing was the hardest thing he had ever done?

[sunfloweralchemistsposts]

(Not my art)

How I imagine Mu Qing's hair looks in my MU QING TIME TRAVEL AU.

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Mu Qing Time Travel AU (Outsider Pov)

*The Queen just wanting her son to find love* Do you want this servant boy in your harem?

*Xie Lian, who plans to die a virgin* No! Thank you, but we're fine like this!!!

[sunfloweralchemistsposts]

Four chapters and Gods, Mu Qing is not having a good time.

So, remember my Mu Qing Time Travel AU?

Well, I posted the first chapter today! As promised, here is the link:

https://archiveofourown.org/works/66134377/chapters/170440891

And I intend to post a chapter per week ^^

[sunfloweralchemistsposts]

View this post on Instagram

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I INVOKE EACH FAN OF TIAN GUAN CI FU TO SEE THIS MASTERPIECE

I'M BAWLING MY EYES OUT GUYS

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Xie Lian who has always loved with all his heart. Attaching himself deeply to the few he allows close, unable to move on even when it seems those bonds have broken.

Xie Lian who never stopped loving Feng Xing, who sent him away to prevent himself being hurt later on when Feng Xing decided to leave.

Xie Lian whose heart broke when Mu Qing left but tried to keep up a brave face. Xie Lian who fell deeper into madness when Mu Qing sided against him, Xie Lian who lashed out in anger and distress, sealing their fate when he sent Mu Qing away himself.

Xie Lian who couldn't trust Wu Ming. Xie Lian who poured his resentment in the ghost and felt nothing, because it was better this way.

Xie Lian who mourned for eight hundred years.

Xie Lian who even with his horrid luck was given the opportunity to have most of what he wanted back.

(He would ever miss his Mother's warmth and lovely laughter. Her protective hugs and comforting fingers on his hair.)

Xie Lian who knew who Fu Yao and Nan Feng were. Xie Lian who never told, scared that it would push them away again.

Xie Lian who found Sang Lang and fell hard and deep.

Xie Lian who had never cared what others thought about who he chose to give his affections and wasn't about to start now.

Xie Lian who doesn't mean to hurt FengQing but does anyway as he brushes off their warnings about Hua Cheng.

(Xie Lian who loves with all his heart but has never been that good at reading other people's hearts when it comes to himself.)

Xie Lian who is forced to watch as Mu Qing dies— Who can't do anything as Bai Wuxiang takes another person.

Xie Lian who knows it's his fault.

Xie Lian who slips into a dark pit and finds himself thinking that he wished one of his many deaths had stuck.

Xie Lian who doesn't mean to hurt Sang Lang but does anyway.

Xie Lian who breaks down in Feng Xing's arms and really wishes his loved ones would stop telling him that dying for him was an honor.

Xie Lian who will mourn for as long as he lives. Xie Lian who will never leave Feng Xing's side because he's afraid he is going to leave him too.

Xie Lian who loves Hua Cheng with everything he has but can't help but blame him a little for what happened, not when every time he closes his eyes he sees what happened with a high definition.

Xie Lian who is used to loss and pain.

Xie Lian who had everything he wanted in his hands and now he only has a broken dream of warm days filled with laughter.

[sunfloweralchemistsposts]

Third Chapter is up!

So, remember my Mu Qing Time Travel AU?

Well, I posted the first chapter today! As promised, here is the link:

https://archiveofourown.org/works/66134377/chapters/170440891

And I intend to post a chapter per week ^^

[sunfloweralchemistsposts]

Hua Cheng who is a narrative foil to FengQing.

Hua Cheng whose loyalty is as deep as Feng Xing's but differs in the way they express it.

Hua Cheng who would follow Xie Lian to hell and Feng Xing who would try to bring him back to Heaven.

Hua Cheng who would never leave, even if commanded to, knowing being alone would hurt Xie Lian in the long run. Feng Xing who cannot bring himself to disobey a direct command no matter what.

Hua Cheng whose cunning, pride, and stubbornness match Mu Qing's.

Hua Cheng who is kindhearted and is ruled by his heart, just like Mu Qing.

Hua Cheng whose entire world is Xie Lian. Mu Qing who cannot afford to think like that no matter how much he loves Xie Lian.

(HuaQing who model their worth after how useful they are to the people they love.)

Just Hua Cheng who hates FengQing but has more similarities with them than differences.