Hua Ying sat outside with his A'Die. The two were watching Xie Lian and Lan Wangji's current training session. Lan Wangji has come a long way and will soon be ready to ascend. While they were training, Hua Ying was actually a bit distracted by his thoughts. He could still remember the kiss he exchanged with Wangji that morning.

Lan Wangji made it clear that he will work hard to gain Hua Ying's trust again. Hua Ying felt he didn't have to work that hard. He did trust Wangji, he just didn't trust a lot of the other people around him who try to get in the way of his happiness. Hua Ying was now having to think about how to get Xichen's trust but he had yet to find trust in Xichen. The two have had a rough relationship but for the sake of Wangji, Hua Ying wanted to try to trust Xichen.

"A'Die?" Hua Ying asked.

"Hmm?"

"Can we go for a walk? I want to talk to you about something," Hua Ying asked.

Hua Cheng nodded, "Gege, A'Ying and I will be right back. We are going for a walk."

"Alright," Xie Lian replied, "our training session will end in about an hour and then I will make something for lunch. Be back by then."

"We won't be gone long," Hua Cheng said.

Xie Lian nodded as he watched his husband and son leaving the shrine. He sighed and turned back to Wangji, "how was your night last night?" Xie Lian asked. He decided since he was alone with him he had the opportunity to talk with Wangji for a bit.

"Better," Wangji replied, "I still do not know if I should be trusted to hold this ring but I promise to take care of it as best as I can."

"It will be alright," Xie Lian said and saw the ring on his finger, "it is still with you and you are a lot stronger than you may think. You should be more confident in yourself."

"I just do not want to hurt Hua Ying again," Wangji said.

"I believe you will be fine," Xie Lian said, "if not, would have have kissed him this morning?" Wangji's ears started to turn red. He didn't look at Xie Lian as he didn't know what to say. Xie Lian smiled, "You two are fated, Wangji. It's as simple as that. You two will get to a point where you will learn to read each other, and understand each other. He does trust you, you know. He just doesn't want to admit it."

Wangji nodded, "I just want to do right by him this time."

"I believe in you," Xie Lian said. Wangji felt grateful that he had Xie Lian to talk to. He was easy to talk to and did not judge him. He was open about the conversations and Wangji felt relaxed with him.

Once Hua Ying and Hua Cheng left Puqi Shrine, Hua Cheng decided to take Hua Ying to Paradise Manor. He felt it was a better place to talk, "how are you feeling today?" Hua Cheng asked.

"I am doing okay," Hua Ying answered, "I feel like most ghosts would be comfortable with this kind of change but why do I find it difficult."

"It's okay," Hua Cheng told him, "you did just lose the god half in you. Even if that is the case, you are still my son and your Baba's son. Some of the things that you used to do as a god may be gone but you can still be a ghost king and have a good moral compass. If you need something to fight for, fight for those you love and care about."

Hua Ying nodded, "not that I don't mind, but why did you decide to give Lan Zhan my ashes?"

"He should be the one to have them," Hua Cheng said, "he does love you, you know. He will always do what he can to prove that to you. His brother may be a different story but Wangji wants to be with you. It may seem like I gave him a big responsibility, but having your ashes is a way to show that you are his and he has you."

"If you don't mind me asking, how did you know that you loved Baba?" Hua Ying asked.

"I just did," Hua Cheng said, "he was the first person I saw who meant something more than just being a normal person. He was beautiful when I first saw him. He saved my life and I was just happy to see him. I stuck close to him since. Even if I had to follow him silently. He was also the first person who showed me any sort of kindness. I don't think I ever really had to think of how I knew, I just felt it...if you are questioning your love with Wangji, I say, do not. I can tell that you are keeping your emotions locked up. If you so chose, then fine but don't hide them from me or your Baba and especially do not hide how you feel to Wangji. He is a good man. He may be more reserved but he has similar qualities of your Baba. I just think you two suit each other."

Hua Ying nodded, "I am honestly not sure if I am at all worried about Xichen anymore. Since becoming a supreme, I started to feel more aware of things. I can sense others auras, emotions, and even their intentions. It's like I can better understand a person just by a simple glance."

"These new abilities of yours, you may have always had them but just became more known as you become a full ghost. Every ghost king has their own unique abilities and qualities. You already know how resentful energy works as well as commanding the dead. You are a necromancy type of ghost but you have the ability to make corpses but maybe you can resurrect the dead. You know, bring back someone from the dead. You will only know what you can do with time."

Hua Ying nodded and summoned a red spider lily, "I have also been able to create these. Does that mean anything?"

"Well, it's a symbol of who you are. Red Spider Lilies are often associated with both death and rebirth. These flowers are planted on gravesites for protection and to honor the dead, which means you have respect for the dead too. You are someone who will not misuse your abilities and I think this flower is a way to honor that," Hua Cheng said, "there is also a story of unrequited love behind these flowers."

"Do you know the story?" Hua Ying asked.

"I do," Hua Cheng said, "The devil fell in love with a girl, but she feared him. To win her over, he imprisoned her. He assumed she would eventually return his affection for her. However, she did not and one day, a soldier saved her from imprisonment. Eventually, the devil died and when he did, he returned to hell but not without his blood splattering the earth. In the spot where he died, a red spider lily emerged — it became like a portal connecting the Earth to hell."

"Wow," Hua Ying said, "I don't think I want to live that kind of story."

"You do not have to," Hua Cheng said, "you have someone who wishes to love you and I know you love him back. Since he is with us at Puqi Shrine, this is the best chance for you both to make amends and hopefully, get married someday as you both had wanted."

Hua Ying nodded, "thank you, A'Die."

"Of course, your Baba and I are always here for you. Do not ever forget that," he said.

Hua Ying nodded, "should we get back to him and Lan Zhan then?"

"I think so," Hua Cheng replied. Hua Ying felt a little better after talking with his A'Die. He knew that his father was right and that he should use this time he has with Wangji to reconnect. Hua Ying felt it would be a waste not to.