Xie Lian

As I woke up, I heard commotion outside the temple. I winced and felt a shiver go through my spine, but the crinkle of blankets has never felt this good.

I stretched my arms and yawned softly, squeezing my eyes shut.

Able to gather my thoughts, I took a look around. Cheng wasn't here, except for his sword next to the freshly baked cookies.

I set the used towel aside, getting up from my place. It took me a while to get up, but I was able to regain balance after an attempt or two.

In the bathroom, I grabbed a tissue and blew my nose -- there were too many symptoms for me to count.

My bandages were safe in their spot -- I shakily put them on, with much effort than usual, and moved to the kitchen. Half of the cookies were gone, which was strange, unless Cheng ate them all.

There were apples off near the west end of the table. I wasn't sure if he wanted the cookies, so I just took a bite of the apples, enjoying the fresh flavor.

"Mh.." I took another bite, cheeks full, before I spot something I've never seen.

My eyes widened, in front of a beautiful portrait of myself during the 3rd festival, honoring 'Dianxia,' as that was my name before this life. It's been so long, how could he know about this?..

I took my few steps back, overwhelmed by all that has happened during my sleep.

'God!'

'Hey God!'

'God!'

The door swung open, a younger man with black hair in my sight -- his eyes stared at me, a grin on his face. "Good morning, Gege."

"Who- San Lang?" I asked, almost in shock.

He was so young, his hair pulled back and a bright tint of hazel was in his eyes.

"I have some believers for you, sleepyhead," He paused and chuckled. "And a women is passing paintings as we speak, rumored that the divine God of silk has the most gracious of luck."

"..Luck?" I chuckled and shook my head. "I don't have the best luck..and deceiving them isn't right either.."

"Deceiving? Oh, I'm merely boosting product," Cheng took my hand in mine before urging me outside.

"But, Lang!-"

"Is this the guy?" One of the men asked.

Cheng gave a nod, a hand gently set on my back to urge me forward. "He is pure and filled with luck, bestow your greatest problems and pray to your paintings."

"God! I can't find my missing coin, will you bestow luck to me?" An elder questioned to me.

I took a breath and blinked a few times, flustered by such a question. "I wish you luck in finding what you lost, but..I'm not sure how I can h-"

"Ah!" The man looked to the ground and picked up a coin. "My Coin! You are true!"

Many young women and men, gathered in a crowd, yelling and cheering for my attention.

'God..'

'God..'

'Hey God-'

'God.'

I jumped and took a step back. Cheng grinned and crossed his arms, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"I- Well-"

"Attention! Step up and get approved of Dionxia's luck! To continue the luck for eternity, we ask for you to pray to your painting and return here for your blessings!"

"Cheng.." I turned to him, a little worried about lying to these people.

"A little luck is all anyone needs, Gege. A simple word. That's no lie." He mused to me, before leaning against the temple.

Throughout the evening, I had given approval to 52 people, asking for advice and aid. I was almost at a loss for words -- Cheng answered instead with a smug reply. I kneeled down and met the kids with their families.

One of them was a little girl who was around 6 years old, smiling and laughing as I held her hands, excited about gaining luck. I laughed and smiled warmly to her, holding her head. I placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, stroking her hair.

Cheng's eyes softened, watching me with such fragile beings. Once the girl ran off, he stood next to me, nudging my shoulder. "You're too kind, Lian."

"Everyone needs a little kindness. Besides, she was so respectful to me." I answered back, looking into his eyes. "I've..always wanted a little girl."

"A little girl?" Cheng raised an eyebrow, looking at the girl holding hands with her mother. She was the last person left to gain approval.

"Yes," I sighed softly, looking at the area. "One I could take care of. To take on errands, hug, and help her grow up with p-" I paused, and stared. In the distance, seeing my parents hung from a tree nearby. The branches were thin, and in reality, they would have snapped instantly.

I swore I heard a clock nearby, just ticking in my head. It- started to give me a headache, and the sight was too real -- I quickly rubbed my eyes and stared again, but there wasn't anything there. And the ticking seized. It must be my fever kicking in, it was too hot out here..

I held my shaking hands in each other, a nervous lump in my throat, and the quickening pace of my heart thumped.

My voice moved into a mumble, digging into my sleeves. "With parents. Who love her."

"Gege, come inside." He says to me, changing back into his true form -- the one I adored more than the other.

He let me enter the temple first, looking at the spot I was so hurt from before going in afterwards.

Once I entered the temple, he grabbed my shoulders and pushed me against the wall -- I looked up at him, but before I could ask, he connected something around my neck. He leaned into my ear. "I saw this, and thought of you. My God should get a token of my thanks."

I brushed my fingers against the cold metal, a white butterfly connected to it. I looked down and laughed, it was a sweet token of his appreciation. I was so grateful.

"Thank you, San Lang.." I said back. "I wouldn't even be mad if this gift was because you would be leaving soon. Afterall, you've helped enough.."

"There is no banquet in this world that doesn't come to an end. But I will never leave you." He says to me, genuine in his words. Cheng made eye contact with me, merely inches from my face. "I will stay on this journey for you."

I was left speechless, my eyes getting glassed in tears. I've never heard such kind words from such a cold person, but it was all I wanted to hear through my deaths.

Cheng noticed me being so quiet, frowning a bit. "Is something wrong?"

"No one's..ever said that to me before," I wrapped my hands around the necklace, smiling bigger. "I can't remember the last time someone was this kind to me."

His eyes widened more, thinking of how ridiculous that was.

He then moved closer, pressing a soft kiss on my cheek. My cheeks flushed a bright hue, a wave a warmth flooding over me. "B-But..I'm sick-"

"And I don't care." He smirked and rubbed my arm before letting go, heading to the kitchen, unbothered by what he'd done.

"San Lang.." I placed a hand on my cheek, and lowered my eyes to the ground. Of what joy it was to feel that rush of excitement. Of energy. Some part of me wanted to feel it again.

"Have a cookie." He states to me, urging me to the tray. He also set another piece of medicine next to it, reminding me to take them.

I laughed at how he told me he added extra chocolate chips in the cookies, because he wanted me to have as much energy as I could.

Little did he know, was that I loved extra chocolate chips.

He was unaware of the impact he's left in the temple -- once made for three.