Under the soft glow of lantern light, Xie Lian swayed slightly, a warm flush on his cheeks as he laughed at something Hua Cheng had just said. Hua Cheng stood close, one hand outstretched to steady him, his own eyes filled with a quiet, amused affection.

“San Lang,” Xie Lian murmured, his words tumbling out in a gentle slur, “do you know… you’re very handsome?” He blinked up at Hua Cheng with a smile that was entirely unguarded, the kind of look he’d usually hide in sobriety.

Hua Cheng chuckled, holding back his own grin. “Is that so, Your Highness?” he replied smoothly, though his heart was beating faster.

Xie Lian nodded earnestly, reaching up to pat Hua Cheng’s face, his touch lingering perhaps a bit longer than intended. “Yes…very,” he whispered, as if it were a profound truth. Hua Cheng, caught between laughter and warmth, simply wrapped an arm around him, pulling him close. “Then I’ll stay by your side as long as you’ll have me,” he whispered softly, feeling Xie Lian’s head rest against his shoulder, already drifting into a peaceful, tipsy sleep.