Chapter Text
It had been a long while since Xingqiu had gone out on an adventure all by himself. Not to say he hasn't, only that he hadn't alone. For the past year, he has been practically sewn to the hip to his beloved Chongyun. The reason being that they were in the honeymoon stage of their relationship. Well, the second coming of it Xingqiu would point out, as they experienced this years prior when they first started dating. This second time was because they had gotten married, of course. Around a year ago, Xingqiu and Chongyun, after being a couple since they were fifteen, finally tied the knot. Though both knew that just being married could never be enough to show how they cared about each other, they both still wanted it wholeheartedly.
Either way, this was Xingqiu's first time adventuring far past the outskirts of Liyue Harbor, alone, since the marriage. He didn't particularly mind going alone; he liked the solitude that came with adventure, just him and the pages of his books. He was also just hopelessly in love and happy that he got to marry the man he loved. It wasn't easy, and he had almost run off with Chongyun many times to elope just them, but it all came down to patience. As if it had even taken that long, he was well into nineteen when he and Chongyun got married. Maybe it had felt like forever since he was being planned to marry for business purposes since he was twelve, so obviously marriage had been a main priority for a while. To be honest, if his parents had it their way, he would have been married at seventeen to a wonderful lady from one of their business partners. How ridiculous and unromantic.
So yes, he had fought since he was sixteen to marry Chongyun, wanting to be married at seventeen. This did not work out exactly, but with a little help from the Conqueror of Demons himself, who reluctantly helped after realizing how much this marriage meant to Chongyun, he did end up being happily married to his soulmate.
Even so, he needed some time to himself, which brought him here, to a village barely known to him. He had come across it randomly, hearing of it vaguely from books or work, but he didn't know much about it. It was small, and everyone seemed relatively nice, but still, there was a lot to be helped. They were quite away from most civilization, and as he had mentioned, the village was small, so he didn't have much not to do. He was welcomed with work, from helping people carry things to helping a child get their toy out of a tree. It was rewarding work, like always, yet he was tired by sunset.
Xingqiu sighs, it being night now, he is sitting outside of the decently big, previously abandoned, house that the people had offered him to stay in. It was a little away from the main parts of the village, yet he could still see it from here. He has a book in hand and has been reading, that is, until there was a random drop in temperature. His exposed skin gets the brunt of the cold, making Xingqiu shiver and put down his book. In that moment, he looks to his left and almost jumps to get his sword out, but he doesn't; his mind catches up.
Sitting near him is a young boy who couldn't be any older than eight. He has long, dark brown hair and normal-looking clothes. Xingqiu can't see the child’s face, only the back of his head. There is something off about the boy, though, not just the fact that he was able to get this close to Xingqiu without him sensing it, as if he just appeared here, no, there was something else wrong. Xingqiu goes to talk, but the boy starts muttering, he can't make out everything, “How... it been….? The children… I... have not. Where... go… forgotten… ?”
With a breath, Xingqiu speaks kindly towards the boy, “Hello, little one.”
The boy's attention snaps to the other; his brown eyes widen. He jumps up, and when the moonlight hits the boy, Xingqiu realizes what was wrong. The young boy is a ghost. Whatever his reaction is, it must scare the ghost boy, because in that moment, he disappears. Xingqiu is left there in shock, but extremely interested. He hasn't seen a ghost in years, since the person he spent most of his time with had the uncontrollable habit of making the ghost disappear just by his presence. He had always thought them interesting, when they weren't evil spirits at least. When they weren't, they tended to just be trapped spirits or echoes from the ley lines. This boy hadn't seemed like a memory, so Xingqiu assumes he's trapped, which means he needs help.
Xingqiu sits back, getting his book back out with a smile. He had something to do tomorrow besides just walking around, hoping to be useful.
“A ghost boy?” The shop owner mutters, looking confused as Xingqiu helps him unpack his items. “I haven't seen or heard of a ghost boy out there. I mean, there were all sorts of rumors about that house being haunted, but that was something told to children so they wouldn't venture out too far.”
Xingqiu sighs, “I swear I saw him, yet everyone I've talked to has answered the same.”
“That he didn't exist?”
“Precisely. You were the last person I could ask.”
The man shrugs, “Maybe you should give up then. Could have imagined it.”
“I doubt that second part,” Xingqiu sighs, standing up to leave after finishing his work. “I thank you for cooperating; it is appreciated.”
“Of course, anytime. You've been so helpful to us all. I wish I could help more.”
“Don't fret over it,” Xingqiu waves off, walking away and towards his temporary residence.
This whole situation has been frustrating. It has been two days since his interaction with the ghost boy. He hasn't reappeared since, and no one has ever heard of him. Xingqiu doesn't want to give up already, and he won't, but still, he had hoped to have more information by now. With a defeated sigh, he opens the door and once again almost draws his sword in shock. Sitting in a chair in the room is an older lady. Xingqiu has seen her in town before. She looks up to him, smiling with a slow wave of her hand, “Come in, come in. I won't hurt you.”
Xingqiu takes a breath, walking in and sitting in a chair opposite her, “I didn't think you would. You startled me, that is all.”
She nods her head slowly, “Just like the ghost boy a few days ago?”
Xingqiu’s eyes widen, exclaiming, “Do you know something about him!?”
“Settle down,” She laughs. “But yes. I do.”
“What do you know? Could you tell me?”
“I know only what my mother had told me. I didn't know until I heard you say something that he was still here, as no one in the town has seen him before. I wonder if that was part of the curse, and mother had just forgotten.”
“Curse?”
“I'll get into that, but first, to make sure, can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“Did this boy have a beauty mark near his lip? On the right of his face?”
Xingqiu thinks for a moment, then realizes, “Yes, he very much did.”
The lady smiles, “My mother used to tell me how even if he had the most basic of brown hair and eyes, he always stood out because of the rare beauty mark on his skin. She didn't remember much about him, but she did remember that. It makes sense. She was only five when he was cursed.”
“Who was this boy to your mother?”
“Her brother. It's how I know so much about him compared to others. Many had suppressed what had happened to my family, believing it too tragic and something that would be better forgotten.”
“What had happened, if I may ponder?”
She laughs, “Yes, yes, I came here to share the story, hoping you would help my uncle. I cannot. I can't see him, and even if I could, I'm too weak and due to die very soon. But that doesn't matter. Let me start the story by explaining my family to you. It started with my grandmother and father, who had three children. The oldest was a boy who was given the name Yijun, and was expected to do much as the future head of the household, like take care of his siblings. The middle child was also a boy who was given the name Hanwen; he was only expected to help his brother. Then my mother, the youngest, was given the name Jingyi and was only expected to be the spoiled daughter my grandmother loved so dearly.”
“There were two boys, which was-”
“The ghost boy? That is Hanwen. You might expect it to be Yijun when hearing the rest of the story, but no, none of the children lived up to what their parents wanted. The closest would be Hanwen, but he fit more what was expected of Yijun. That was the problem with the children, each only around two years apart in age, but Hanwen was the one who took care of them both. Yijun was supposed to be smart, a natural scholar, while also being strong. He was neither, even as he grew older. Hanwen was only seven and yet was smarter than his brother, already learning to read and write, while his brother, two years older, hadn't. Hanwen was strong-willed, already wanting to learn martial arts, yet he wasn't allowed. My mother then, she wasn't the good, quiet little girl my grandparents wanted. She was adventurous and would never sit still. The children weren't what my grandparents wanted, and so they paid little attention to them.”
“What happened to them?”
The lady smiles sadly, “Well, like I said, my mother was adventurous. Hanwen used to be the one to watch her, even if that's what Yijun was supposed to be doing. He was too busy trying to catch up with Hanwen to care, and thought leaving Hanwen to look after their little sister would give him an advantage. If you're wondering how I know this, Yijun wrote his experiences of this situation before he died. He admitted it, felt he had done wrong, and was deeply sorry. I do believe he did feel regret, as he killed himself not long after writing his experience. I never met him; he was fifteen when he did it. That's not important for the story now though-”
There was a knock on the door, interrupting them. The door opens, and a teenage boy steps through. He looks annoyed. He sighs, “There you are. You know you shouldn't be out this late. I've been looking all over for you. Let's go.”
Xingqiu stood up, “Does she need to leave this moment?”
The teen rolls his eyes, talking over to help the older lady stand up, “Yes. She needs to take her medicine and lie down; it's not good for her to be out like this.”
“Do you need help?”
He shakes his head, “No, you've done enough. Let me handle this.”
Before leaving, the lady looks to Xingqiu and says, “Find me tomorrow, I'll tell you the rest then.”
He nods his head and watches as both of them leave, stuck in confusion. He was so close to getting all the information he wanted. Why did she have to go back so soon? He sighs, walking back inside to make himself some dinner. He'll find out the rest when it becomes a new day.
It's morning, Xingqiu looks out the window to see dark clouds covering the sky. He sighs, deciding he waited long enough, he opens the door. He goes to walk out, but pauses when he sees that someone is waiting for him. There is the little boy who had been taking up so much of his thoughts as he tried to figure him out. With the door opening, the boy looks back, his eyes are sad and nervous. He stands up, looking to the sky, then back to Xingqiu, “It's going to rain soon.”
“Yes, I would presume so.”
The boy, Hanwen, looks hesitant but still asks, “Can I come in and speak to you?”
“Of course. Come in,” Xingqiu nods, moving aside so the boy can come in. Hanwen does and stands awkwardly in the main living space.
He looks around and speaks, “I haven't… been in here for a while. It's changed a lot.”
“Was this your home?”
Hanwen looks to Xingqiu, a great sadness in his eyes, and he nods his head, “It was. It's abandoned now… I don't know why.”
“Haven't you been here the entire time?” Xingqiu asks, moving a little closer to the ghost.
“I think so. My memory is in gaps… I know I've been like this for a long time, but… I don't remember much of it. It feels like I was cursed only a week ago, but I know it's been longer. I remember... what my brother did... my parents dying from grief, my sister dying of old age… her daughter dying... That was today, that's why I'm here.”
Xingqiu’s heart sinks. “What do you mean?”
Hanwen looks to Xingqiu now, pity filling his gaze, “Yiwen, the lady who was here with you before. She died in the night. I thought you should know. She was my last family member… I'm sorry, I shouldn't make this about me. You seemed to be sad when she left yesterday. I thought I should tell you she isn't coming back.”
He doesn't know how to feel about this information. Sadness, disappointment, and frustration fill him. Xingqiu sits down with a sigh, putting his face in his hands. He doesn't know what to do now. She was his ticket to knowing how to help Hanwen… what does he do now? He doesn't know how long Hanwen is going to stay, or if he will even tell Xingwiu what happened to him, but… maybe it won't hurt to ask?
The ghost boy talks again, “I wanted to also say sorry for avoiding you. You're the first person that could see me; it scared me.”
Xingqiu looks up. The boy is staring at him, still standing in the same spot. He shakes his head, “Don't apologize, it is quite all right. Thank you for telling me about Yiwen. I had only just met her yesterday. I didn't know her name until now.”
“Oh… yes, I don't know how I knew her name, but it feels right. If you've only just met her, why do you seem so upset?”
“I will be honest, it was because she was the only person who knew and was willing to tell me about you.”
Hanwen looks surprised, “Me? Why would you want to know about me?”
“I want to help you.”
The boy doesn't respond in the way Xingqiu thought he would; instead of surprised, hopeful, or thankful, he looks… pitiful, as if what Xingqiu said is saddening for only Xingqiu himself. Hanwen gives him a smile fitting the sad expression, “That is very kind of you, but you cannot help me.”
“Why? How do you know I could not?”
“You want to help me move on, correct? Help my spirit go to the ley lines and be with my family… but that isn't possible.”
Confused Xingqiu stands up, walking to Hanwen, “What do you mean?”
He looks up to Xingqiu, then away as if embarrassed, “I’m… I’m not a normal ghost. I didn't die exactly, I was cursed.”
“Cursed? She mentioned that yesterday as well… what kind of curse?”
Hanwen looks up to him, “Let me show you.”
When Xingqiu regains consciousness, he is outside. It's sunny out, and the light almost gives Xingqiu a headache after being in darkness only moments before. He looks around and realizes he is somewhere familiar. He's only outside the house he has been staying at for days, but it looks different. The house looks brand new, with lively plants growing around it. He blinks, standing up, and hears laughter. He looks to see a little girl, maybe five years old, running around outside while an older boy chases her. He looked exactly the same as the ghost boy he was talking to only moments before, but alive.
He goes to walk up to them, but is stopped by a voice at his side, “I didn't know this would work.”
Xingqiu looks to see Hanwen, as ghost-like as before, staring at the children playing. “What do you mean? What's going on?”
Hanwen looks to Xingqiu, then back to the scene before them, “This is my memory. I wanted to show you what happened… I thought it would be easier. I somehow knew I could do this, but still, I didn't know if it would work.”
“This is… extraordinary.”
The scene changes, and they are inside. The Hanwen of the past is sitting inside, at a table, writing something. He looks calm, happy even. Xingqiu looks to the ghost version to see him looking with much regret, “I should have been watching my sister. Our parents had left… which meant my older brother was in charge, but still, he never actually watched us. Today I left my sister in her room to play, so I could practice writing… I thought it would be fine… but...”
The boy at the table stops what he's doing and stands up, walking out of the room. He opens a door,”Yiyi, how are you-”
The boy freezes in his tracks, face going pale. The room is empty. He turns around, fast, running to another room. He opens it with a slam, and the other boy, who was also working on his writing, jumps and spills all the ink. The older boy turns around, angry, ”Hanwen-”
”Where is Jingyi?”
Yijun’s face pales. He stands up, running to his brother and taking him by the shoulders, ”You weren't watching her!?”
The younger looks away, as if equally disappointed with himself, ”No, I left her in her room... I thought she would be fine.”
”She sneaks out, you idiot! Let's go, we have to find her.”
The scene changes once again; they're outside in the woods, but it's raining. The brothers are next to each other, walking down an abandoned path. The oldest complained, ”This is so stupid. You are apparently the smarter one! How could you be so ignorant!? Now we are soaked, looking for our sister when she could be anywhere! She could be in danger!”
The younger mumble, looking on the verge of tears,”I’m sorry, Yijun.”
”As you should be.”
Only moments after these words are spoken, both boys hear screaming in the distance. Past Hanwen doesn't waste a moment and starts running, his brother close behind. They run into a cave, and what the boys see makes both of them freeze in shock. Xingqiu, watching all this, gasps. In the cave is an evil spirit not even he has seen before. It is a memory, so he has no way to tell the power of this creature. A little girl is tightly in the beast's hold, struggling for her life. Xingqiu has an urge to run in and help, but it stops by the heartbreaking words the cursed boy mutters next to him, “It's a memory. We cannot change it… It's only a memory.”
The Hanwen of the past quickly gets his wits, running in and screaming, ”What are you doing to my sister!?”
His voice is only a little shaky, but he stands firm, as if he isn't terrified. The creature who hold no true eyes stops its attempts at eating the youngest, focusing its attention on the new boy. Jingyi looks towards her brothers, relief and hope filling her eyes, and she exclaims, “Hanwen! Yijun!”
The oldest still hasn't moved from his spot, but does look towards his sister and mutters out a pathetic, ”Jingyi.”
Then a voice, dark and sickening, bellows from all over, laughter in its tone, ”One’s meal has been rudely interrupted. Then the roaches claim stake on one’s well earned dinner. Are you always so ignorant?”
”No! I don't mean to disrespect, but that is my little sister, you cannot hope for me to let you have her willingly!” Hanwen screams. He is strong, Xingqiu is certain of that. He is in a life-or-death situation, met with a terrifying being, and yet he stands firm. He has the heart of chivalry. Xingqiu would have loved to teach him martial arts; he is positive the boy would have been a worthy disciple.
The being laughs, ”What are you going to do, little one? You're small, and your brother has lost his sanity on the floor behind you. You have no one or any options.”
Still, the boy doesn't lose his composure, even when he looks to see his older brother hyperventilating on the floor, or when he looks up to see his sister’s life in the hands of a monster, he only breathes.”Let me take her place.”
Everything goes quiet for a moment, the evil spirit seemingly shocked to silence by these words. It takes a few moments, but not in any of those moments does Hanwen waver; he stands strong and confident in his request. Then the beast laughs again, ”How intriguing. Hm, I will take you up on the deal, but your fate will not be the same as her’s was planned. You will not die, you will be cursed with death.”
The boy doesn't hesitate; with a nod of his head, he confidently says, “I agree.”
The girl is let down, right next to her oldest brother, who quickly takes her in his arms as if she will die if he doesn't. Once the creature starts making its way towards the Hanwen of the past, does she finally catch up with everything and scream, ”Wait! Hanwen! No! No! No! Please no!”
The evil spirit is practically face-to-face with Hanwen, but before he lets it take him, he looks back to his siblings, tears in his eyes, but he holds a smile for them nonetheless, ”Take care of Jingyi, okay? It's your responsibility now, Yijun. I love you two… I'm sorry.”
With that, the creature’s darkness overtakes him, and with one last scream of grief from Jingyi, everything goes silent.
When Xingqiu awakens, he is on the floor. He sits up with a start and quickly finds Hanwen. The ghost boy is still here, sitting right next to him. When Hanwen sees the other awake, he quickly says, “I'm sorry. I wanted to put you on the couch, but I can't touch you. I tried. My hand falls right through you...”
Xingqiu shakes his head, feeling a compelling urge to reach out and hold Hanwen, though now he knows he can't. He dismisses the thought and just smiles at him, “It's okay. Thank you for showing me. It must have been hard to relive that.”
“I… it feels like it happened only a week ago, but also many lifetimes; either way, it still hurts now. Reliving it didn't bring any new hurt. But I'm sorry, it didn't explain as much as I thought it would.”
“It's okay, can you tell me what you think is missing?”
Hanwen nods his head, “As you heard, it told me I would be cursed with death. I didn't know what that meant until later. I was cursed to walk the land as a ghost, but because I didn't actually die, I'm not a normal ghost and cannot move onto the ley lines. That's what I mean when I say you're unable to help me.”
Hearing this, Xingqiu actually smiles, shaking his head, “You don't understand. This means I can still help you. I just need to help you break the curse!”
The child blinks, “What?”
The adult stands up, walking around the house, and grabbing items. The ghost boy follows him around, confused, “Excuse me, I'm sorry to pry, but what are you doing? What do you mean?”
Xingqiu, still continuing to collect all his items, there isn't much, really only food and books, and responds, “I'm going to help you. I have books at home that are about breaking curses, and my husband should be able to help! It's a better place to start than here for now, since if I need to track down the evil spirit, I should definitely do it with Chongyun’s help.”
“Are you leaving me here?” The boy mutters, and Xingqiu stops, looking over to Hanwen. The ghost boy looks small and scared, fidgeting, “Ever since you've arrived, I haven't blanked and lost any memories. I am able to remember the rising sun along with my brother’s dead body instead of just the second. I don't want to keep forgetting, only reliving my family's deaths. I'm sorry, but please don't leave me.”
With a breath, Xingqiu walks over to him, “You can come with me. Since your curse implied you could wander, I bet you are able to journey past this village and woods. I don't want to leave without you either. I don't want you to be alone.”
Hanwen smiles weakly, looking on the verge of tears. Xingqiu wonders if he can even cry. “Thank you...”
“My name is Xingqiu. It is my honor to help you, Hanwen. Now let's go, I think my husband would love to meet you.”
Bonus art (of ghost Hanwen)
