Disclaimer: Credit to Mo Xiang Tong Xiu for creating such wonderfully frustrating characters... particularly the one who has long lost any shame...
At first, Mu Qing thinks he's groping him.
Walking home from the hospital, he suddenly feels a hand on his hip... sliding across his chest, up towards his shoulders...
He grabs those hands, throwing his weight forward and slamming the pervert into the ground. Staring up at him is a gentle face, beaming with manic joy. The man's expression, illuminated under the street lights, makes Mu Qing shudder.
"Very strong!" the man exclaims. "Lacking grace, but we'll work on that."
Mu Qing steps over him, pace fast, but he catches up quickly. "Wait, don't leave! I want to talk with you."
"Not interested."
"But you're the only one who can help me! Hear me out."
"Let go of me!"
"No! I need you!"
"LET GO!"
One agonizing conversation later, Mu Qing isn't sure whether he's very lucky or unfortunate.
Xie Lian, the Lotus of the Xin Clan, Prince of Jiàn Dào branch, stands before him.
And I thought he was a pervert. He burns with embarrassment, glaring to the side.
The Xin Clan is renowned in the martial arts world. They're featured on the front page of every martial arts magazine, the winners of countless tournaments. To say he knows of them would be an understatement. Truthfully, Mu Qing is obsessed with the Xin Clan.
Xie Lian in particular is famous for the sword, owning more medals than Mu Qing has teeth. Most of them— if not all— are gold, the rest silver. The Prince of Jian Dao. It's a name well-deserved, especially considering his good looks. Many women fawn over him, though he reportedly made a vow of celibacy.
Looking at him now, it should have been obvious. He didn't recognize him earlier since, in magazines, he dresses much more sharply. To think, the famed swordsman dresses so plainly in real life. It's a stark contrast to the grandiose image in his mind.
"Why... did you grab me?"
"It was a body check, I swear!" Xie Lian, face red, can't quite meet his eyes after realizing what he's done. "Though, you really are the only one who can help me. It'll be impossible to find a replacement on such short notice."
His encounter with Xiao Ming didn't go unnoticed. Apparently, Xie Lian thought highly of his actions. So much so, he wants Mu Qing to replace an injured archer for the annual kyudo show at Lunar New Year. The show, both a symbol and offering to Hou Yi for a new year of fruitful shooting and Zen, is attended by the Xin Clan each year to demonstrate their strength.
The sudden request is suspicious, and if it were anyone else asking, he'd flat-out refuse. But, coming from the Prince of Jiàn Dào...
"You came from the hospital," Xie Lian says, his voice sympathetic. "Is someone in your family sick?"
He may not be a pervert, but he's definitely a stalker. "Mind your own business."
"I apologize, you're right. it's not my business."
Though then he says, "Just thought I'd mention, the archer with the best skills wins 200 dollars and the runner-ups get free gift cards."
"..."
"The gift cards are worth 100 dollars each."
"..."
"Seeing how you're out of a job right now, and a family member is hospitalized, I imagine this must be quite the opportunity. Though I understand if you're don't trust me, we're strangers after all." Xie Lian looks down, his hands clasped together. "I'll have to find someone else but, sigh, the Shè Dào branch doesn't have as many handsome members as the other branches. I'll manage somehow..."
"... Fine."
"Ah, sorry? I didn't—"
"Fine," he says, his teeth gritted in silent fury. "I'll do it."
Xie Lian perks up immediately. "Wonderful! How should I contact you?"
After exchanging numbers, Mu Qing wasn't sure whether he was lucky or unfortunate to have run into the prince of Jiàn Dào. But when he thought of facing Feng Xin in an official match, his heart sped up, hot and fast in anticipation of their meeting.
Glossary
Kyudo — A meditative archery. Recognized as a Japanese archery, though it was brought into Japan by China.
Zen — Meditation, peace of mind.
Lunar New Year — A festival celebrating Chinese New Year which, according to the lunar calender, takes place on Februrary 1st. Also called Spring Festival.
Hou Yi — The Lord Archer in Chinese mythology, sometimes portrayed as the god of archery.
And yes, even though the Lunar New Year showing is a symbol/prayer to Hou Yi, the most skilled archers are rewarded to boost participation and appease Hou Yi, who "favours those who are hardworking" (but mainly to boost participation).