The front door clicked shut, followed by the soft, rhythmic hum of a lock sealing.
Liànlěi stood in the entryway, a golden dreamcatcher clutched in his hand. The unbidden smile on his face faded back into composure, though his eyes remained bright.
"Huānyíng huílái, érzi (欢迎回来, 儿子)... Welcome back, son," his father's voice floated from the kitchen. "I hope you didn't lose your way home."
Liànlěi walked in. His father stood with his long hair unbound, an image of traditional elegance amidst a modern kitchen.
"Xuéxiào zěnmeyàng, qīn'ài de? (学校怎么样, 亲爱的?) How was school, darling?" his mother, Yùmiàn, asked gently, her voice harmonizing with his father's. In her arms, Liànlěi's younger brother—barely three years old—sucked contentedly on a finger. "Nǐ chídào le. (你迟到了.) You got a little late."
"It was... beautiful," Liànlěi mumbled thoughtfully, already drifting toward the stairs. He held the dreamcatcher close to his chest, shielding it.
"Oh?" His mother's eyes sharpened playfully. She crossed her arms, shifting the baby's weight. "Shénme shì wǒ de bǎobèi zài yǐnmán de? (什么是我的宝贝在隐瞒的?) What is my baby hiding from his mother?"
Liànlěi froze on the first step. He turned slowly. "Um... just a... gift. From a real friend."
"A gift from a... real friend?" his mother echoed, the playful tone vanishing into thoughtfulness. She stepped closer, her gaze landing on the object. The tiny bells at the bottom of the dreamcatcher chimed softly with her movement.
His father emerged from the kitchen, wiping his hands, and stood beside his wife.
"You received a beautiful gift on your very first day," his father observed, his eyes scanning the golden feathers. "That is a good sign."
He paused, the air in the room growing heavier. "Dànshì... (但是...) But you shouldn't get too close to people. Not this fast, at least."
Yùmiàn nodded in agreement.
"He... Fenix is a good guy," Liànlěi said, his voice quiet but firm. "I think he will not harm me. Nor us."
"Wǒ dānxīn nǐ, érzi (我担心你, 儿子)... I worry for you, son," his mother sighed, reaching out to stroke his hair. "You never had any 'gloves-off' friends before, and now you are suddenly judging a person on the very first day? It is not ideal, you know."
"Isn't a dreamcatcher a symbol of trust? Then why can't I trust him?" Liànlěi asked.
His father sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. Yùmiàn placed a calming hand on her husband's shoulder.
"Wǒmen zhīdào (我们知道)... We know, son," she said gently. "But you should still be conscious. It is important for yourself. You know what I mean."
"I will be fine," Liànlěi insisted, gripping the banister. "I am strong, too. I only look too soft. And I didn't feel him... wrong."
"Then my eyes are on you two," his father warned, soft but absolute. "Fenix Crimson is my student too, right? Do not cross any boundaries of attachment. I am saying this for your own good."
Liànlěi just nodded.
Seeing his compliance, their expressions softened. They moved in, hugging him gently—a flower closing its three petals against the world.
Upstairs, the atmosphere shifted.
Liànlěi changed into his preferred white robes, leaving his hair fully open. He didn't go down for lunch immediately. instead, he lay on his bed, the dreamcatcher resting on his chest, his eyes tracing the patterns on the ceiling.
Thinking. Smiling.
Flashback — The Golden line Bus stop
"It's your very first day at school with us... in this Thailand," Fenix said, checking the time on his phone while they waited for the bus. "So, why don't I... show you around a bit?"
Liànlěi looked at him thoughtfully. "Won't it get late?"
"Not too much," Fenix grinned. "But is it wrong to have a great day to keep in memory, even if you get scolded just a little? I know you can handle it, bro."
Fenix bumped his shoulder against Liànlěi's—a friendly, solid weight.
Liànlěi chuckled lightly. Yes... it won't be bad if I enjoy a bit of my life, rather than just doing what they instructed me to do. Just once won't hurt. And he doesn't feel wrong... he has a pure soul.
"Alright," Liànlěi answered. "Once won't... hurt."
Fenix beamed. He already felt like accepting that bet was the best decision of his life.
Behind them, hidden poorly behind a vending machine, Fenix's friends covered their mouths dramatically. They looked like they were dying from the sheer, gentle chemistry unfolding before them.
Kayel: "I'm gonna die!" (biting his fist)
Sole: "It's just two boys talking. Just the smoothie matters." (said dryly, checking his nails)
Jimmy: "That's what it is! You nerdy robot can't understand it!" (hitting Sole playfully)
Sole: (huffing) "I know exactly what genre this is."
Jay-Z: "Shut up, guys! The cameraman hasn't said 'Cut' yet, and you're all quacking like wild ducks!"
Jay-Z wrapped his arms around Sole and Jimmy, dragging them backward. "Come on, come on, let's go... we'll listen to the audio drama tomorrow in Fenix's version!"
Kayel: "What will we name the drama?"
Jimmy: "Simple! Just use Liànlěi's famous dialogue! You know people today don't read poetic titles... they read the full plot synopsis!"
The group chuckled and scrambled away. Fenix, spotting them out of the corner of his eye, rolled his eyes fondly.
The bus hissed to a stop. Fenix stepped up first, then turned and boldly offered a hand—warm and inviting.
"Come in, Crown Prince Liànlěi," Fenix teased gently, but the gesture was almost dramatic.
Liànlěi's cheeks flushed a soft pink. He took the hand, holding it tight as he climbed the steps.
*
The bus rumbled toward its destination, filled with students from various schools and colleges. Teenagers whispered and pointed at Liànlěi, captivated by his appearance, phones raised to steal pictures.
Fenix observed silently. He didn't interfere, sensing that Liànlěi wasn't acting like a victim, but rather... casually accepting the attention.
They sat down. Liànlěi took the window seat like it was his throne—a place meant to be.
"You look like you enjoy even the journey between going to school and returning," Fenix noted, pulling out his phone and headphones. "Like you can't live another second without observing life."
"Yeah... life is beautiful to enjoy," Liànlěi murmured.
"Here. Let's make the road more beautiful with melody." Fenix offered one of his Bluetooth earbuds with a smile. He felt more confident now; the earlier misunderstanding had evaporated, leaving only a desire to be a good friend.
Liànlěi blinked, smiled, and placed the earbud in his ear. His eyes widened slightly when the music started. It was his favorite playlist—the OST from Heaven Official's Blessing.
"You like this too??" Liànlěi asked, almost eagerly. "The music is matching the scene perfectly..."
"Music listeners always know which track fits the moment best, no?" Fenix replied with a small smirk.
Liànlěi nodded and turned to the window, drinking in the wind and the passing scenery.
And Fenix watched Liànlěi watch the world. His mind supplied only one thought, repeating on a loop: He really is somehow Xie Lian's rebirth in this modern world. But in his own way.
*
The bus stopped near a massive market complex named "Golden Hours"—fitting, as the bus line was owned by the market's proprietor.
"Come on... let's go there," Fenix offered, standing up.
Liànlěi blinked. "But... the station hasn't come yet."
"Oh, I know. I'm asking you to go to Golden Hours with me."
"Now? Mom and Dad might scold me."
"Oh, come on!" Fenix pouted playfully, grabbing Liànlěi's sleeve to make him stand. "We are old enough now... don't be a wingless bird. Every young bird comes out of the nest to fly alone eventually."
Liànlěi's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. He's not wrong at all... I can't limit myself just because I'm a bit... different.
"Alright," Liànlěi agreed with a smile, stepping off the bus.
"I should buy you something from here," Fenix said as they roamed from stall to stall. "As a memory. Not just selfies and number exchanges."
"It's... not needed, you know," Liànlěi stammered. "You've been with me till now... it's already... already..." He frowned, forgetting the English phrase for 'more than necessary.'
"It's already enough?" Fenix supplied with a smile, though his eyes were already scanning the goods.
"Y...yeah," Liànlěi finished with a nervous giggle, waving his hand to dismiss the thought.
"Nope. I have way too much pocket money to waste today," Fenix declared.
His eyes landed on a stall shimmering with light. There it was—a beautiful dreamcatcher with golden feathers and a delicate golden butterfly at the center. The lower part featured a lantern-shaped bell. It was too beautiful to ignore.
"You waste money like water..." Liànlěi mumbled. Fenix just grinned; he wasn't listening to protests.
"Pack this one, please," Fenix told the shopkeeper.
Liànlěi stared at the item. He couldn't deny it—he had a sudden, fierce desire to keep it. But he assumed Fenix was buying it for himself.
Then, Fenix turned and offered the beautifully packed box to Liànlěi with a soft smirk.
"Here. First gift for my new weird friend. Now you're officially a part of our friend group."
Liànlěi's heart skipped a beat. A ripple went through his chest. He didn't know what to say, so he took it, his cheeks flushing. He wasn't sure how to react to a friend's gift. Instinct took over, and he quickly bowed.
"Hey, hey!" Fenix laughed, catching his shoulders to straighten him up. "I told you already, don't bow to me like some Dàozǔ! We are friends. Just great friends."
Liànlěi held the gift close, like a lifeline. He gifted me the symbol of trust... like Mom and Dad do... but it feels different. I haven't read about this in any of my books yet.
"Now you gift me something," Fenix said. "Um... a selfie? Then I'll have the moment, your dreamcatcher, and you, all at once."
Liànlěi snapped back to reality. "Um—send me those too... later."
"Of course."
Fenix held up his phone, flashing a 'V' sign near his eye with a wide grin. Liànlěi smiled and copied him, mimicking the gesture like he was learning a new language.
"Next time I'll take a picture of you bowing, if you wear a robe... maybe at one of our group study sessions?!" Fenix said excitedly.
Liànlěi's cheeks burned hotter. He nodded, already looking forward to his first group study. Wait, his mind panicked. I can't just wear a wedding-style robe to a simple study group! I'll look like a crazy cosplayer! Especially the golden-red one that looks like Xie Lian's royal gown!
"Now, take both my Insta and number," Fenix said. "No one can tell what situation we might get in."
"I'll send you the pics once I'm home," Fenix added with a playful wink.
Liànlěi blinked, then copied the wink. It was clumsy and so incredibly cute that Fenix chuckled, his own cheeks flushing.
*
Since they had missed the bus schedule, Fenix hailed a taxi. Liànlěi guided the driver toward his home.
When the taxi pulled up in front of the massive, traditional-style house, Liànlěi stepped out.
"Thank you... for the day," he said, genuinely pleased.
"Anytime," Fenix replied, leaning to look out the window at the sprawling estate. "Your own house, or rented?"
"Own," Liànlěi answered simply.
"Then you really are a crown prince... you have your own mansion already," Fenix teased, leaning back into the seat.
Liànlěi chuckled and waved goodbye as the taxi pulled away.
Present Time
Liànlěi sighed, closing his eyes on his bed.
Pting!
A gentle sound from his phone made him snap his eyes open. He quickly unlocked it and opened Instagram.
A notification from Fenix's account: it's_fenix_crimson<<3
Liànlěi smiled. His own account name was lian_xie_hua_lei. He had edited it earlier to add "<<3" to match Fenix.
『 it's_fenix_crimson<<3 has sent you 10 pictures 』
He scrolled through them. The lighting, the smiles, the clumsy 'V' signs. Just as he was re-checking them, more notifications cascaded in.
『 it's_fenix_crimson<<3 has liked your highlighted story 』
It was a story of him wearing the exact robe he had been debating wearing to the study group—posing like a statue of Xie Lian.
Then, a comment:
『 just discovered a secret crown prince!! 😉~😏 』
Liànlěi blinked at the comment. He covered his face with his hand, trying not to smile like an idiot into the mattress. God, I don't know why I am even blushing.
Then, the phone vibrated violently. Twenty notifications in a row.
『 it's_fenix_crimson<<3 has liked your post 』
Fenix was liking everything. Pictures in Paris, London, Beijing, Mumbai, Seoul. His most viewed video—a clip set to the Hindi song "Saiyaara" near Big Ben, followed by a transition to the Heaven Official's Blessing theme where Liànlěi caught his little brother just like Xie Lian caught Hua Cheng.
Four new likes followed by four new followers. The usernames made Liànlěi laugh out loud.
『 Everyday_means_everyday_jay•>• has sent you a friend request 』 (Jay-Z)
『 like_jimmy_jimistart~♡~ has sent you a friend request 』 (Jimmy)
『 Tata_kayel_sta_ulala~ has sent you a friend request 』 (Kayel)
『 sole_da_kodasai_(by Jay-Z ; not my written) has sent you a friend request 』 (Sole)
Liànlěi bit his lip, struggling not to laugh his lungs out at Sole's username.
Then—Boom!
『 You have been added to the group "Audio Drama of Six Cultivators 🔥🤗" 』
His smile was so wide it hurt. But then, it vanished at rocket speed.
"A-Lěi!! ,Come for lunch!" his mother called out in sharp Chinese.
Liànlěi shoved the phone under his pillow and scrambled off the bed.
"Láile! , Coming!" he called back.
He ran to the door, heart pounding. For the first time in his life, he didn't feel like a prince in a tower. He felt like a bird that had finally found the sky.