Chapter Text
Crystaliqueeen's Danmei Realm Presents:
YOU BE THE ANCHOR THAT KEEPS MY FEET ON THE GROUND
Shang Qinghua has done a lot of shitty things in his life, but this exhausts the line of his carelessness when he accidentally pressed the "Return Home" button presented on the silver platter by the system. The other careless mistake he's made so far? It was accidentally pulling Mobei-jun with him into this real fucking world! Or was it even his fault?
CHAPTER 3: OVERTURN
"Who is Shang Qinghua?"
Have you ever felt like you're in an empty desert with no one to run into? You're slowly dying, and your flesh is rotting in a miserable way. The only taste of escape and salvation is death and nothing more? Shang Qinghua feels exactly like that, except he's not in the desert and he's not rotting, but he can feel all the exhaustion inside his body falling mercilessly into him. His head also aches a little—fuck you, system, this is all your fault.
"Ah, haha... hahaha... hahahaha!" He mumbles and starts laughing. He laughs so hard that his stomach aches and small tears glisten in his eyes. Mobei-jun's still glaring at him, so he wipes the upcoming tears from his eyes immediately, "Now, what the fuck is this amnesia AU, system? You really want me to regret my choice so much that you bring him here just to forget me? Is destroying me once not enough? That's fucking foul!"
Mobei-jun looks like he wants to kill him anytime soon. His patience is probably on edge. Shang Qinghua stares at him, letting his curve into a small smile.
Don't cry, don't cry. You can cry later in the bathroom, not here. You'll freak him out.
"I'm Shang Qinghua," His voice almost breaks as he continues, "I'm your—” advisor in the Northern Kingdom, but it seems like you've forgotten about me, my King. It's alright. No, no. I’m no longer relevant, that should be alright. "—Nevermind. You don't have to remember me. Just, ah, just stay healthy for now and don't go anywhere. I'll be your... your guide and companion in this world—place—whatever. I'll make sure you're safe. This place is odd, and you won't be able to use your powers, but you have to trust me."
He stands up and checks the clock hanging on the wall. He needs to stop by his apartment to fix himself before going to university today. It sucks that his time is limited to properly talk to Mobei-jun.
"Where are you going?" Mobei-jun asks as he stands up. Shang Qinghua knows that his king's body is somehow paralyzed due to anesthesia, so it's probably frustrating to be alone here, in a place he knows nothing about.
He smiles to comfort Mobei-jun, "My king, I have to stop by my apartment to get some of my things for the university. I'll drop by here for a while after an hour to make sure you've eaten well. After that, I'll be gone for an entire day because of school and work, but I promise, I'll immediately go back here once I'm done with my responsibilities. Don't worry, my king, the nurses will assist you if you need anything."
Mobei-jun's eyebrows furrow as if he doesn't understand the terminologies that he's using. It's an understatement.
"I'll be back later, I promise."
Those are his words before he walks outside of the room, not showing his face to Mobei-jun at all. The man doesn't need to see his exhaustion and his helplessness. As he closes the door, Shang Qinghua’s smile falls. Movie-jun doesn’t need to see his genuine pain. Not now. Not ever.
Shang Qinghua never thought that he would ever buy healthy food and clothes larger than what he's meant to wear.
His savings are literally on its edge. After making sure that Mobei-jun has eaten for the morning, he skips from attending the University for the day. He’ll catch up on the lessons that he's not able to listen to next time. He had other important things to do. He ended up buying healthy food and other necessities instead. It's a luxury for him.
He can't remember the last time he did his groceries, but after seeing Mobei-jun again, he thinks—no, he knows—he needs to do this. Aside from his job in the factory, and the penny he gets from writing porn (thank you, Lou Binghe, my bank account is grateful), his divorced parents would also give him his monthly money to pay for his rent and such. Though he never uses that money due to it being like a bribe for him to accept his circumstances. Being left alone after your parents separated isn't exactly the best feeling, but he’d be lying if he'd say that he still remembers the feeling of grievance like the first time.
For fuck's sake, he lived another life for the second time all over again. At this point, he can barely remember what it feels like to be alone, silently begging for a whole and loving family. He had forgotten it. He had forgotten what it felt like back then. But that's not something he could control. He’s doing fine without them. They're living their lives separately, and that's better than staying suffocatingly in one roof with such grudges over one another.
The thing is, the money his parents gave him had come in handy today. He paid for his own medical treatment and Mobei-jun's medical expenses with his hard-earned savings, but right now, the money from his parents that he hadn't touched ever since he got to University was being used conveniently for something other than himself.
After all, his king deserves the best.
Mobei-jun may not have treated him that kindly in the novel (being beaten thrice a day is fun haha, who the fuck would believe that!?), but Mobei-jun isn't entirely cruel as well. He is...considerate in his own ways. Shang Qinghua knows it, although their relationship as master and servant never changes its dynamic. Maybe that particular dynamic is what's pushing him to do all of these things for Mobei.
And maybe, maybe he kinda wants to give his king the best experience in this world while he can. All because he wanted to. Without any other intentions other than to make Mobei-jun feel at ease.
And so, he ended up buying lots of groceries and stuff for them (for Mobei-jun). After buying everything he needed, he walks back to his apartment to clean the place up. His place isn't that big, but it's comfortable enough to make him feel warm while writing his novels cozily.
He cleans the place, does his laundry, throws all the piling bags of garbage at the corner, rearranges his kitchen utensils (that he rarely uses because cup noodles are enough to keep him alive), he changes his bed sheet, changes the curtain, vacuums the floor, and literally cleans everything. He arranges the stocks of groceries, and he sighs silently upon seeing just one room in his apartment.
He can't help but remember those times when Mobei-jun would sneak into his chamber in An Ding Peak, and mercilessly sleep on his bed. His fucking bed. And him? He's curled up on the cold ground of his room.
Now I have to experience that kind of mistreatment again. Bye, bed. I'll meet you someday.
It took him a lot of hours to make sure his apartment is livable and passable for his king's taste. He even contacted an air conditioner installer services to install an A/C in his room (soon to be Mobei-jun's temporary room) because he knows his king won't be able to take the heat in this world. He also changes the look of his room into Mobei-jun's preferences to make it look even more accommodating. He later goes to his job. He can't take another leave in this fucking economy.
It was almost midnight when he arrived at the hospital to check on Mobei-jun's condition. He's incredibly exhausted from his job and from literally turning his apartment upside down, as he holds a paper bag with his newly bought clothes for Mobei. He made sure to buy some takeout and drop by a clothing store after work to prepare clothes Mobei-jun could wear.
Not that he's complaining about the luxurious royal robes that show Mobei-jun's chest—nope, absolutely not—but they're in the real world now. Mobei-jun could easily attract lots of eyes for himself. It's fine with Shang Qinghua, but he couldn't be held responsible if people were to suddenly ask them if they're going to a cosplay event!
When he enters the room, he almost drops the bags he's holding when he sees Mobei-jun sitting elegantly on the edge of the bed, eyes as cold as ice darted towards him. It made Shang Qinghua feel the sudden nervousness in his veins. Mobei-jun's gaze is silent but dangerous, like that of a predator who finally found his prey. It made his knees weak.
Mobei-jun looks like he wants to slam him against the wall and break his neck mercilessly.
And Shang Qinghua instantly feels horny.
Fuck my life and fuck this man.
"My king!" He exclaims, trying to sound energetic despite his blood pressure rising to his face and his aching back from carrying tons of packages earlier, "How's your tiddies— I mean—body? I'm sorry it took me so long. I did overtime, and I brought you clothes you can use. I would've greatly let you wear my clothes, but it might be too tight for you, so here—here."
He puts the bags down on the corner of the room.
The man doesn't say a word, but his eyes remain the same as a silent killer. It makes Shang Qinghua's lungs contract from the lack of oxygen. He tries to lower his head and avert his gaze. Holy shit, I should have bought him a phone so he could contact me if he ever needs anything!
Advance rest in peace to the remaining savings in my account. It's good 'til it lasts.
"You."
He almost flinches when he hears that cold voice. His eyes immediately snap back to the handsome face looking at him with the scary intensity of gaze, "Yes, yes, me. Ah, what is it, my king?"
"Qinghua." Mobei-jun repeats slowly, this time, Shang Qinghua's heart skips a beat as he hears the man speak his name in a velvety and baritone voice.
"Yes sir!"
"Qinghua."
"Hmmm?"
"Shang Qinghua."
It’s more deliberate and dangerous. It made Shang Qinghua shrink further. Why is Mobei calling his name like he’s memorizing every syllable and vowel in it?
"Yep, that's me, haha! Is there anything you need, my king?"
Mobei-jun pauses for a bit, his eyes narrowing calmly. Shang Qinghua blinks in confusion. He doesn't know what happened and how Mobei-jun beats the system and gets teleported to this world. Not that he's not glad to see his king here, but he does feel a little guilty for something he doesn't know about yet.
He looks down and inhales, "I don't know where to start, holy shit, I didn't even know it's possible!" He looks at Mobei-jun and inhales again, "My king, I will tell you everything, but you have to promise me that you— you'll trust me."
"No."
"Okay, got it. Have a good day!" He was about to turn around when he heard a deep growl from Mobei-jun. Shang Qinghua freezes instantly, "Ahaha! I'm kidding, my king. Very well. Sit down and relax. I'll be there, sitting, and talking. You just have to listen, okay? But uh, first, you need to eat."
His eyes land on the untouched food on the side table. Mobei-jun hasn't seemed to eat anything since the morning. The man is probably too confused and lost in this world, and Shang Qinghua's author instincts are telling him to be patient with this handsome looking man or else he'll die a painful death.
"I bought some takeout on my way. I wasn't able to cook anything earlier, and it's been a long time since I used a stove and microwave so, yes. My king, here, eat while we're talking." He gets the fast-food takeout from his bag and gives it to Mobei-jun before he runs a safe distance from the man, "You need energy. I know you can't use your powers in this... world... but ah, you have to eat to maintain your energy, or else you'll feel weaker."
"I'm not hungry." Mobei-jun states.
"How come? Dude, you haven't eaten for hours and for the entire time you were in a coma!" Shang Qinghua sighs and slumps on a chair in the corner of the room. He feels extremely tired, and his muscles are aching from his job earlier, "It's shitty to have an ulcer from not eating properly. It'll be a pain in your ass to deal with that! Just, just eat, okay?"
"You dare to talk to me like that?"
Shang Qinghua internally yelps from such murderous intent behind that sexy voice.
"Look, I'm just concerned..." Shang Qinghua mumbles and leans on the chair. Mobei-jun hasn't touched the food laying beside him, "...I don't honestly know what's going on and how to...to give you the proper royal treatment you deserve. Not in this fucking economy where I can't even prepare a damn feast for you, my king. I'm broke as fuck, you know? All I can afford today is takeout. It's already midnight, you haven't eaten, and I will tell you what you need to know once you eat. Okay?"
"I don't need a feast."
"I know, my king, I do know that. But still. Ah! Nevermind. Go eat, come on, I'll just change my clothes for a while. I still reek of liquid soaps from the factory. I'll be back."
He slumps a bag on his shoulder and walks to the comfort room to change. He also washes his face and groans tiredly while looking at how shitty he looks. He needs to do a lot of things, but he has a little time. Nothing changes. Even in this world, in the real world, he's still busy as fuck. Shang Qinghua sighs and wash his face with water. He stays for a longer time in the comfort room to calm himself down and organize his thoughts.
As promised, he walks out again after fixing himself. Mobei-jun seems to have eaten the burger and fries he brought. That's good. He cleans the trash and slumps on his chair once more. Now, Mobei-jun is looking at him, waiting for him to talk.
Shang Qinghua wants to fucking sleep, but that can wait. This is more important. After all, he'll be busy again tomorrow, and he'll find little time to properly talk to Mobei-jun. The system is also nonexistent right now. It only means one thing. He can tell the truth to Mobei-jun and move on while figuring out how to bring his king back to the novel where he belongs.
His heart is beating fast from the lingering anxiety in his veins. He'd rather tell Mobei-jun the truth about all of this and be killed than exert energy in hiding and averting the truth from the man's knowledge. He doesn't have time for all that drama. He just wants to rest and be done with this rather than be a main character in a slow burn with lots of miscommunication in the tags! Plus the author's too damn lazy and tired to write miscommunication as the conflict in this story.
"Speak."
His internal monologue stops when Mobei-jun says that. Shang Qinghua nods and holds his hands together, trying his best not to stutter stupidly.
"My king, the thing is— ah, shit, this is harder than I thought," He chuckles nervously and flinches when Mobei-jun glares at him further, "Okay, okay! Fine. Well, uh, you see, we're buddies in another world. I'm your accomplice, my king, in dealing with human cultivators and deadass demon villains. I'm sorry for the way I speak; after months in this world, I feel more comfortable using this kind of tone. Anyway, as I was saying, we— we have a history. Not the best. Nothing important. You might not recognize me and that's understandable but I used to serve you in the Northern Kingdom, and you beat the shit out of me. Every fucking day. Oh, no, no! I'm not holding grudges, no worries, my king. What I'm saying is, we have a past together. And uh, and I died in that past. Probably? Yeah, I definitely died—" because of my own carelessness and because the shitty system showed me that damn notification while I'm drunk as hell! "— and I got back here. Haha. Fucking annoying, right? It's not consensual, though. I didn't consent to die! I was drunk!"
Mobei-jun's gaze narrowed, but he didn't intervene, so Shang Qinghua continues.
"This is basically another world." He waits for the system to give warnings and exhales in relief when there aren't any, "I'd say, at least for me, it's the real world. This is the world I came from. You, my king, are from another world. Now, I don't have any idea how you ended up in my world, but that's really fucking awesome and confusing as well. That's the reason why I kept asking you what's the last thing you remember so we can figure out how to get you back to your world."
“I don’t remember how I got here.” Movie-jun stated and Shang Qinghua automatically facepalms. Of course, of course!
“Shit, I knew this would happen,” He starts fidgeting in panic. They have no clue nor basis on how Mobei-jun ended up in this place, and the man can’t remember anything. There’s a huge possibility that he’ll stay longer than Shang Qinghua meant due to them figuring out what’s happening. He looks at Mobei-jun helplessly, “My king, I don’t want to be pessimistic but it’ll be harder for me to figure out how to bring you back to your world from now on.”
"Another world..." Mobei-jun whispers. He's still impassive as if Shang Qinghua didn’t just drop a ‘hey bro, you’ll stay longer here haha good for you’, but he seems to have a myriad of thoughts inside his mind, "I can't use the portals."
That’s definitely not our main priority here, my king!
"Ah, that's an understatement." Shang Qinghua nods, "You're in your human body. Powers don't exist in this world—"
Shang Qinghua froze when he saw how Mobei-jun paused upon hearing him. He's so sure that if his king has his powers, ice spikes would fill the room, killing him in the process. Thank God there are no ice spikes for now.
"... a human."
"Yes," Shang Qinghua's voice lowers in sympathy, "Ah, yes, a human. That's the reason why I kept pestering you to eat, or else you'll get sick from the lack of food in your stomach."
He saw how Mobei-jun's fist clenched tightly until his knuckles were white. Shang Qinghua remains silent for a moment. He knows it's hard for Mobei-jun to accept the fact that he's a human being right now. He despises humans more than anything else. It's partially Shang Qinghua's fault for writing that backstory for Mobei-jun, but right now, he wants to pat his king's shoulders to assure him that everything's going to be fine.
Hopefully.
Mobei-jun remained silent.
"I'm also clueless, my king, believe me. I have no idea how you ended up here, but... but I promise you I'll do everything to figure out a way to bring you back... home."
A sudden ache plastered on his chest. Shang Qinghua ignores it and tries to focus, finding a way to comfort his king. This isn’t about him. This is about Mobei-jun. So what if they suddenly find a solution to bring the man back to his kingdom, making him alone again in this world? That would be shitty as fuck (for him) but at least Mobei-jun’s somewhere he finally belongs. That’s what matters the most.
"When you get better, I'll bring you to my apartment. You won't have to worry about anything. I'll take care of you, my king, and make sure you're fine. But I need you to cooperate with me. You don't have to trust me if you don't want to; it's okay, but you have to believe my intentions are not of the things that will harm you. I will never harm you."
"Then why did you leave?" Mobei-jun asked out of nowhere. It's enough to make Shang Qinghua's brain cells stop functioning.
"Uh, what?" He blinks, "Oh. Oh! I, uh, I really need to work earlier, or else I'll be fired. I need to work harder now and finish my studies for me to give you more than I can provide, my king. But rest assured that I'll always be back and—"
"Shang Qinghua."
"Yes!"
"Hmmm."
Dude, what does that 'hmmm' supposed to mean!?
"My king—"
"This one shall rest." Mobei-jun stated calmly. His clenched knuckles loosened, and he lays down on the hospital bed with that position that is used to lay in the coffin. He still looks incredibly handsome.
"Ah, yes, please rest, my king. I will talk to the doctors to check about the progress of your condition. You need to rest. I'll go just outsi—"
"Stay."
"—and figure out how— wait, what!?" Shang Qinghua blinks rapidly.
"Sleep."
"But—"
"Silence."
"Ah, fine, fine."
Shang Qinghua watches as Mobei-jun closes his eyes. He looks extremely beautiful and manly like that. The hospital gown made Mobei-jun's skin look creamy and soft. His black hair is flowy against the pillow, and his face, damn fucking shit, his face can make any straight man gay!
No doubt the nurses, male or female, are always excited to take care of Mobei-jun's monitoring. The doctors are excited to give Mobei-jun an x-ray and he doesn't even need an x-ray! He was also informed that a doctor checked the well-being of his king’s abdomen and tiddies. What the fuck was that!? He also hears the nurses talking about the extremely handsome and sexy patient in this room. He can't blame them. Mobei-jun is indeed too godly and beautiful for this world.
He sighs and positions himself uncomfortably on the chair. It's hard to sleep like this. With a tired groan, he lays down on the cold floor and sleeps with his bag serving as his pillow. This is much better. It's still uncomfortable, but at least he can sleep a little.
He finally dozes off.
Unbeknownst to Shang Qinghua's sleeping and snoring body on the floor, Mobei-jun stands up to wrap a blanket around the man. He stares at Shang Qinghua's face and exhales gently before walking to his bed, resting.
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