Chapter 185 - My Costar And I, Forever

Six months pass and 'Crimson Promise' is cleared for broadcast, in record time even.

The initial buzz around the drama is insane, and the viewership numbers for the first couple of episodes are absolutely record breaking. And then people realise, that despite all the controversy surrounding it, it's still just a romantic xianxia drama, and some of the interest fizzes out.

The fans of the genre, and the novel fans, who watch all 43 episodes to the end, agree that it's a pretty good adaptation, all things considered.

[Drama for days: I mean, the transition from Gao Wu to the actor who replaced him was a bit awkward. Rong Zi's arc as a 'masked villain' had some of drama's weakest episodes, but it's what they could do in the wake of a tragedy so I'm not going to be too harsh about it.]

Most people agree that Xin Hulei and Yao Shen's performances as Yan Shuyi and Xie Huan were very good. The romantic tension was palpable.

Of course that the reveal they were actually in a relationship, and about to get married, takes some of the lustre out of the whole thing.

[Candy Panda: I mean...ofc they had good chemistry on screen, they were dating?...I'm not sure we should be praising them for this kind of thing, actually.]

[ShenLei 4ever: most actors also eat and sleep in their daily lives, doesn't mean they shouldn't be praised when their characters also do these things.]

[Epic gains: ^ I'm sorry, I understand the spirit of what you're saying, but wtf...no one singles out 'sleeping' and 'eating' as memorable parts of an actors' performance]

[Froggy: ^ and the oscar for most convincing sleep goes to....]

One thing that works well for them is that the reveal of their relationship kills the speculation about the two of them. 

Everything is already out in the open, and it turns out most people feel a little ridiculous talking online endlessly about an actual couple, instead of just a rumoured one.

Yao Shen still receives some praise, and the public and critics alike agree that he delivered a solid performance on his first big drama role.

It's flattering, and and he gets several invitations for shows, and actually gets offered roles instead of having to audition for them.

While Yao Shen appreciates that all his work is finally being recognised, and the years of gruelling small roles paid off, he still ends up rejecting more offers than accepting them.

Xin Hulei spends most days at home, and Yao Shen wants to spend as much time with him as he can.

---

In the meantime, Jincan's idol career takes off. He goes by Jin Lan now, and with only a stupid song called 'Golden Pill' and a silly choreography, becomes a sensation on douyin and among the under 20 audience.

This is a huge source of amusement to Yao Shen, and extremely aggravating for Xin Hulei who disapproves of pretty much everything Jincan does.

"The music industry is very duplicitous," he says, when they're watching one of Jincan's live performances in a talk show. "He doesn't know what he's getting himself into."

When he gets like that, the only thing Yao Shen does is coo at him, and kiss him until he's distracted.

Deep down he thinks it's sweet. Xin Hulei still sees Jincan as that little caterpillar he rescued from the rubble of Modu, but he's a butterfly now -- he needs to spread his wings.

Besides, whenever they see Jincan, there's always a tall man in a black leather jacket not far away. Yao Shen doubts Heimao will let anything happen to Jincan.

"Jincan can look after himself," Yao Shen says, turning Xin Hulei's face away from the screen and kissing his lips. "Forget about him."

Yao Shen has very creative ways to get Xin Hulei to forget about things that weigh heavily on his mind, and usually he has a 100% success rate.

But that doesn't mean that Xin Hulei's mind doesn't return to those useless thoughts after everything is said and done.

"'Jin Lan', what a stupid name...he should have gone with something be-"

Yao Shen cuts him off with a groan and climbs back on top of him, spreading his thighs open across his waist. "I guess it's time for round two."

---

Xin Hulei goes back to check on Youdu often, especially when Yao Shen is busy with work. The demons are still trying to make a place for themselves in the city and Xin Hulei helps smooth things over whenever tensions rise.

They've also reinstated the courts. The underworld isn't an extended vacation from mortality, like Xie Bian keeps reminding everyone who stands still long enough -- ghosts are supposed to receive punishment for their crimes in the mortal world, and be rewarded for their good karma with a reincarnation that brings them one step closer to enlightenment. 

Yao Shen agrees with him, and moreso, he doesn't want the remaining ghost kings to get any ideas again -- so it's better that everyone goes back to their original functions to keep themselves busy and out of trouble.

Most of the time that means that Xin Hulei presides over the tenth court in Yao Shen's stead. 

He hasn't been officially recognised as a ghost king yet, but it's not like anyone would dare to defy his authority. Not when Xin Hulei can just glare them into submission.

Which is why Yao Shen is surprised when he's in his hotel room, after a long day of shooting, and Xin Hulei comes for him.

"You need to go to Youdu," he says, stepping through a portal Xie Bian reluctantly opened for him.

"What, right now?" Yao Shen asks, looking down at his pyjamas. "I'm ready for bed."

Xin Hulei smirks. "You're not going to want to miss this."

---

The tenth court looks no different than all the other nine. It's a circular room, with no windows, a throne made of bones and some very uncomfortable floor for ghosts to kneel on.

Yao Shen walks in wearing his pyjamas like he owns the place, because technically he does.

Xin Hulei trails behind him like his shadow, dressed in a much more appropriate combination of black pants and a red cape. He's in his full demon appearance, and his eyes shimmer like sapphires in the gloom.

As soon as Yao Shen takes a seat on the throne, and looks into the ghost's face, he understands why Xin Hulei insisted he came in person for the occasion.

The ghost kneeling below him looks terrified. He still sports some of the signs of his previous life on the mortal realm, including an expensive haircut and a waterlogged business suit.

His eyes widen when he looks into Yao Shen's face. "You!"

Yao Shen props his elbow on the throne's armrest and leans his face against his closed fist, grinning down at the man.

"Yes, me."

The man likely doesn't recognise Xin Hulei in his demon form, but a single look at Yao Shen is enough for him to remember the face of one of the people who helped put him behind bars.

"You're that actor, that went on that show," he points at Yao Shen with a trembling hand, completely different from the arrogant man in the video, who took someone's life without a second thought.

"Oh it's not just me," Yao Shen says, tipping his head towards Xin Hulei.

Xin Hulei's eyes flash as his features flicker between his human and demon appearance. The man gasps and falls back on his ass, trying to scuttle away from them like a beetle.

Xin Hulei clears his throat. "It's not just us either."

As if waiting for her cue, Tan Liansi steps out of the shadows, in her full demon form too. 

Yao Shen is a little disappointed that Xin Hulei left the dramatic entrance for her, but whatever, they've been friends for a long time.

Tan Liansi kneels in front of the ruined businessman and laughs in his face. She runs the flat of her tongue over her teeth in a very theatrical way, as if she wants him to think they're going to eat him.

"Looks like the gang's all here," Yao Shen says, enjoying the man's palpable fear.

If it was possible for him to die again, he would.

"Please, what's going to happen to me?" he stammers, looking at the three of them in open panic.

Yao Shen gets up from his throne with a groan, stretching his arms above his head. He's wearing room slippers and a bunny pyjama combo, and he's about to condemn this man's soul to 100 years of boiling in the oil vats.

He always knew he was going to enjoy being a ghost king, but he never expected to have confirmation so soon.

He joins Tan Liansi in kneeling in front of the man. He pouts at him in mock sympathy. "You should have thought about what was going to happen to you before you decided to be a piece of shit." 

He pats the man on the cheek before getting up, maybe a little harder than necessary.

Yao Shen walks up to Xin Hulei and lets himself be pulled into his arms. From the safety of his embrace, he smirks down at the ghost one last time:

"By the way, welcome to hell."

--FIN--