Xie Lian was the only one who saved Hong-er, the only one who cared about him, who cared for him, who protected him. Hong-er was constantly beaten, but he became so resilient that he began to feel no pain other than internal, wanting to kill everyone and then kill himself because of so much suffering he experienced, however, it's only in the arms of his prince that he feels that he can relax, that he feels welcomed and loved.
How many people did Hong-er feel comfortable asking for laps? How many people has Hong-er melted to the point of acting like a kitten when picked up and hugged?
Xie Lian was the only one who treated him how he should be treated, like a cute and fragile child who has to be taken care of and protected.
Not only that, but Xie Lian chose to save him time and time again, going against the superstitious rules of earth and heaven, going against what should be forces greater than himself just so that Hong-er could live in peace.
How could Hong-er not wish to have Xie Lian as his future wife? How could Wu Ming not continue in this world after dying while his god was alone and in suffering that no one understood? How could Hua Cheng not search for him for 800 years, grow stronger day by day, take revenge for him, and build a place where he would be accepted, cared for, and cherished?
Xie Lian was the only one who stood up against the heavens for Hong-er and his people, and if the heavens condemn him for this, then Hong-er will become the scourge of the heavens, so that all immortals remember that they were once human.
Xie lian calm down hua cheng went to the bathroom 6 minutes ago he's probably just taking a shit
[Video description: animatic of xie lian drawn to audio of jessica rabbit. Very worried and distraught, he yells "I have to find my darling husband! I'm so worried about him." feng xin and mu qing, filled with judgement, tell him "seriously, what do you see in that guy?". the final frame is xie lian eyes closed and lovestruck, one hand propped on his face as he thinks of hua cheng and says "he makes me laugh". feng xin and mu qing are in the distance and wordlessly look at each other in defeat. End description
Tian Guan Ci Fu but an overwhelming amount of it is from Pei Ming's perspective and it's him getting overwhelmingly invested with Xie Lian and Hua Cheng's relationship. From "oh, that one god ascended again" to "oh, a god hanging out with a ghost? Huh" to "let me consume all the gossip I hear about these two men" to "haha, I am around the couple of the century - they're kissing. My lord, they're kissing"