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There was once a skilled swordsman with beautifully silky features, who had a partner with striking features as well. They roamed the Jianghu fighting for justice together without any worries.. Until one day, the dazzling partner had his eyes stabbed out in his sleep.

The delicately featured swordsman couldn’t bear to see his closest partner suffering, and thus gave his own eyes to him. Knowing they’ll never be the same, the once soft eyed swordsman left his partner.

After the incident... Nobody ever heard from the duo again. That is until there were rumors going around that the soft beau got married to a delinquent.

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“Gege! You’re home!” Xue Yang purred enthusiastically. It was very boring without his beloved at home, especially watching an eight year old who knew nothing but annoying him.

Exasperated, Xiao Xingchen replied, “Yes, Xiao-Yang, I’m home,” as he walked into their cozy little house. Putting down the groceries from the marketplace, he asked, “A-Qing, have you been good? Did you annoy your die-die too much?”

A-Qing was on the side playing with some of Xue Yang’s bladed stars, but when she heard what her baba had asked, A-Qing whipped her head over and proudly announced, “A-QING WAS VERY GOOD TODAY!! DIE-DIE LET ME PLAY WITH HIS STARS TOO!!”

...A-Qing was playing with what?! Xiao Xingchen was in utter shock, how could he let her play with such dangerous things. “XUE CHENGMEI,” Xiao Xingchen scolded with such force that his shifu Baoshan Sanren could hear, “A-QING IS EIGHT. YOU LET HER PLAY WITH YOUR STARS??!! No dinner for you tonight.”

[Random extra bit brought to you by @sleepixgstars on twitter:

“XUE CHENGMEI,” Xiao Xingchen scolded with such force that his shifu Baoshan Sanren could hear, “A-QING IS EIGHT. YOU LET HER PLAY WITH YOUR STARS??!! No dinner for you tonight.”
“Xiao Xingchen??” Baoshan Sanren thought to herself, “My reserved little disciple YELLING while I’m MEDITATING??” This was unacceptable. “XIAO XINGCHEN YOU LITTLE BRAT, you have DISTURBED my VIBES. Get your ass back here by midnight or you can kiss your family goodbye.” yelled the mystical being from her mountain.
“Yes, I’m coming, grandmaster.” the disciple screamed back.
-time skip to majik mountain-
Suppressing her raging fury, Baoshan Sanren chided her disciple, “Kids these days don’t know how to RESPECT their ELDERS VIBES.”

“Xingchen is very sorry for disturbing Shifu's vibes while in meditation. Xingchen will not do it again.” Xiao Xingchen apologised.

“‘K now get outta here”
“Yes, shifu.”

See the original tweet here and here]

Hearing that he didn’t get to eat his beloved’s cooking tonight, Xue Yang instantly ran to his gege’s side and moaned, “Noooo, gege please!! Xiao-Yang wants to eat your cooking. Xiao-Yang won’t ever let our bastard kid play with dangerous things ever again! I promise hehe~”

Seeing how cute his husband was, Xiao Xingchen gave in and patted his Xiao-Yang’s head. Softly, he cooed, “Aww alright. Pinky promise?” “Promise!” Xue Yang answered back.

Disgusted by her parents’ affection, A-Qing made a gagging noise and went back to playing with her deadly toys. She didn’t understand how anybody could stand these two when they act all cute and all. Frustrated by the continued fluff, she stormed into the kitchen and started washing the vegetables that her baba just brought back.

After cuddling for a good 10 minutes, Xiao Xingchen had finally taken notice that A-Qing was in the kitchen. “Baobei, it’s okay. Go outside and play with the neighbourhood kids.” Xiao Xingchen told his daughter. “No! I want to play with die-die more!!” A-Qing complained, “The neighbourhood kids are stanky and annoying!”

Xiao Xingchen just couldn’t be harsh with his precious little spikeball, so he gave in and sighed, “Alright, make sure to not play with any of your die-die’s risky toys or else I’m going to have to pray for 3 hours.” Nodding her head aggressively, A-Qing agreed to her baba’s rule.

Xue Yang couldn’t BEAR to be with his monster kid for another moment, but he supposed it was a good idea to tell his jerk daughter the beautiful plan he has for her baba and himself. He gestured to A-Qing to come over to him, “A-Qing, A-Qing, come over here! Wanna hear a secret?” Excited, A-Qing bopped up and down as a yes. Xue Yang looked around making sure his baobei wouldn’t hear then whispered to A-Qing his secret plan. “YOU’RE GONNA W-” screamed A-Qing. Before she could let out another sound, Xue Yang already smothered her words and covered her mouth.

Hearing his child suddenly scream, Xiao Xingchen thought something happened to her while playing with his slightly derailed husband. Being unable to leave the kitchen, he yelled, “A-QING, ARE YOU OKAY?? ARE YOU HURT??”
Not wanting his gege to be scared, Xue Yang yelled back, “WE’RE ALRIGHT, KID JUST SAW A BUG.” Clearly annoyed, the child tried squirming out of her father’s tightness, but ultimately failed and gave up. A-Qing carefully whispered, “But what about me?” Unable to think of something good immediately, Xue Yang shut her down, “I’ll have something ready for you, just don’t annoy me about it.”

In a very threatening tone, Xue Yang continued to his big-mouthed daughter, “Don’t you DARE leak a single word to anybody. You know I won’t hesitate to kill you.” Knowing that her die-die was serious this time, the once bold child agreed.

Song Lan

It’s been ten years since the incident, he hopes Xingchen has been well. It was his fault that his partner lost his own vision and destroyed those eyes bright as moons…

Walking past a rather run down shack, Song Lan hear’s his old partner’s light voice floating in the air. He’s heard about Xingchen marrying a delinquent and having a child, but was it true? Did the “Bright Moon, Cool Breeze Xiao Xingchen” really give up the sword for a tardy criminal? Only one way to find out Song Lan supposed, and hid himself within the shadows in his black robes while having a clear view from the window.

From his view in the window, Song Lan saw that his old partner looked quite… happy and satisfied with his life: cuddling with his husband and having a lovely daughter, whereas Song Lan himself was still sulking around with nobody to care for him. He decided to stay a little longer to feel the love emitting from the broken but cozy shack.

Xiao Xingchen left for the kitchen after nuzzling with his new partner, so the lonely swordsman watched the spouse and child bond. They were whispering to each other, but with Song Lan’s excellent hearing from years of training, he heard every last word enunciated by the latter.

“Xingchen seems to be actually… happy,” the dark clothed man sighed, “guess I’ll help his beloved complete their dream together.” And so, Song Lan set out to find that vendor that Xue Yang had mentioned to masquerade as them to piece the couple together forever.

Xue Yang

It’s been a few days since Xue Yang has told A-Qing his plan, and he finally earned enough money to purchase the final part in his genius plan. “Xing-xing gege, I’m going to buy groceries!” He called his spouse. Hearing a sound of confirmation, Xue Yang left their shack with a basket in hand to the market. Of course, he was going to buy groceries, but his first stop was the pills.

He walked to the farthest corner of the market for the pills’ vendor. He was excited, but still walked at a normal pace to avoid suspicion.

Finally arriving at his destination, he put on a veil to avoid being recognised later. “Are you that same merchant? You look a bit... different.” Xue Yang asked carefully.

Panicking a little, Song Lan answered, “Yes, I am. Now are you here for your purchase?”

Though Xue Yang was rather suspicious, he answered, “Yes, I am. Now where are they?”

“Your order,” said the fake seller as he passed the small paper box of the two pills the other needed.

Acknowledging the thing that was just given to him, the buyer opened the box and checked whether he had been scammed or not.

In an alerting tone, the “merchant” said to Xue Yang, “Only take one pill. Taking both will cause you to be so light, you’ll fly up to the heavens.” Song Lan sincerely hoped that the latter understood it clearly because as much as his heart hurt to see Xingchen with another man, he still wanted him to be happy with his beloved forever.

Xue Yang recognised the man’s warning, thanked him and left to buy the groceries he told his gege that he’d buy.

-----

After a long walk from the market, the surprisingly bubbly spouse of the delicate white robed man finally arrived at their home. Once the ex-criminal stepped into the house, he passed the groceries to the child.

“A-Qing, keep your baba distracted and busy in the kitchen so I can hide the immortality pills, alright?”

Being the good child she was, the bright-eyed kid agreed enthusiastically. Running to her baba with the newly bought food, she and the elegant other started to work in the kitchen preparing dinner.

Once Xue Yang confirmed it was safe to proceed, he immediately shot to the room he shared with his ai-ren [loved person]. The delighted man went to the pile of white robes and stuffed the box in the middle of the stack.

Satisfied with his doing, Xue Yang shot back into the kitchen and hugged Xiao Xingchen’s waist and kissed his neck. “Baobao, why don’t I make dinner tonight with A-Qing, why don’t you go to our room and rest?” cooed the younger man, “I’ll call you when dinner is ready.”

Seeing that his Xiao-Yang was being so good, Xiao Xingchen gave him a nice long kiss and left for their room.

“Xiao-Yang is being so obedient today,” Xiao Xingchen thought happily, “Perhaps I should reward him.” He then went to his neat stack of robes to look for that candy Xue Yang had wanted for very long. [What, you thought I was gonna write smut?] After some searching, Xiao Xingchen was unable to find the candy. He thought that his A-Yang already found the candy and ate it… until he found a paper box!

Unfamiliar with the box, he examined it, opened it up and found two candy-like pills in them. “Could this be compensation for the candy he took?” the confused one speculated, “They smell pretty good, why don’t I try them”. Plopping the “candies” into his mouth, he felt very amused with himself.

As soon as he felt amusement, Xiao Xingchen felt something off. He was... Floating?! He kept getting closer and closer to the window. When he couldn’t hold on to the frame any longer, he called out loudly, “A-YANG, A-QING, SAVE ME!!!” The floating beauty kept calling and calling, but nobody answered him.

Because the father-daughter duo was immersed in cooking, they couldn’t hear the freaked-out Xiao Xingchen’s cries. By the time they got there. It was already too late: Xiao Xingchen was halfway to the heavens and was out of reach.

Xue Yang widened his eyes as he saw his lover float away, acknowledging what had happened. It was his fault that his gege is gone. He should’ve told him. He and A-Qing started to wail and weep as it was too late to save him.

“I LOVE YOU AND ALWAYS, “ Xue Yang hollered between sniffles, “WAIT FOR ME, I’LL BE WITH YOU!”

“I LOVE YOU TOO, “ Xiao Xingchen hollered back, but he was so far away, it was barely audible.

Xiao Xingchen

After a little while, the soaring grace arrived on the moon and magically regained his sight. Lonely and heartbroken, Xiao Xingchen wept and wept until he saw his daughter as a rabbit beside him! “A-Qing, A-Qing, how are you here? What about your die-die, where is he?” the bleary eyed one demanded.

A-Qing sighed, “Don’t worry, he’s fine..”

Xiao Xingchen was in shock, “HOW IS THAT FINE??” he shouted, “HE ISN’T WITH ME.”

Reassuring her baba, A-Qing spoke, “Just wait~” and smiled away.

Xue Yang

After who knows how long, Xue Yang finally calmed down. Not wanting to hurt A-Qing further, he put her to sleep [no, not drugs]. Xue Yang was devastated, but what could he do now? Xiao Xingchen was gone and it was all his fault. “I single handedly gave my lover away and broke apart this family…” he muttered, “I don’t deserve this.”

He dragged himself in bed; too exhausted to do anything, it was too late anyways.

Little did he know, A-Qing was sent by Baoshan Sanren to protect them both...

A-Qing

After her die-die put her to sleep, she communicated with her master, Baoshan Sanren, via dreams.

“Master, master, what should I do?? Die-die is devastated and baba is gone… A-Qing is too devastated to help master now…” the child grieved. Baoshan Sanren didn’t have many ideas either. “Well, I guess I could send you up to your baba and make your die-die worship him?” the ancient being supposed.

“Okay okay! A-Qing likes that!” she replied with a change of tone.

With the esoteric one’s magic cultivated through the uncountable years they’ve been alive, the magical hermit of Baoshan sent the little girl to the moon to reunite with her father.

Xue Yang

Xue Yang was asleep; though, it didn’t feel the same without Xiao Xingchen by his side.

He was having a dreamless sleep until the grandmaster of his cherished butted in. “HEY PUNK, “ the ancient one bursted out rather inappropriately, “look, I know your love is gone and all, but I’ve got a great idea. Would you like to hear it?”

“An idea?? From them???” Xue Yang panickally thought, “Well, they are all-knowing, so perhaps I’ll take a listen.”

“So, you can WORSHIP your love as the MOON GOD[DESS] and he’ll be remembered for MILLENNIA to come. That way, once you go, he’ll still be in the memory of many. Great idea huh?” the mischievous Sanren announced.

Xue Yang was surprised, “WHAT DO YOU MEAN WHEN I GO???!!! HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO STAY WITH HIM FOREVER???!!!”

Baoshan Sanren didn’t expect such a violent reaction. She reassured the young’un, “Uhhh, I’ll send you to the sun once you go and you both can be worshipped together?”

After a little while, Xue Yang agreed to their terms as this was probably the best idea.

Relieved that he had agreed, the hermit continued, “From this day on, the fifteenth of the eighth month will be declared as the Moon Festival to celebrate your love as the moon and the achievements he had when he was a swordsman. Now, you will send Xiao Xingchen incense everyday until you die. Once you are gone from this earth, you will be sent to the sun...”

And thus, our tale ends here. Xue Yang continued to give incense until his death and was sent to the sun.
Every 15th of the eighth month on the lunar calendar, the moon shines the fullest and brightest. The brightest to signify the once bright and shining eyes of Xiao Xingchen, and the fullest to signify his heart full of love to Xue Yang.

What happened to Song Lan? Well, he disappeared from the world as well with no traces left except for the tales of his swordsman days with the Moon God.