2 years later.
The wedding announcement of the platinum singer and songwriter Jiang Wei and the international actress Shen Qing-Mei shook the public. There were rumours they had been in a relationship recently but they didn't think that when they came out to clarify, it was to announce they would be getting married in a month.
The wedding was broadcast live on national television and people were dizzy seeing all the top-class artists attending them. Even the legendary film emperor who had reigned for 5 consecutive years was there as well.
Many performances were shown at its reception banquet including the rising idol group that had entered international music charts with their newest album. The current generation wouldn't not know who they were.
When the public saw how the film emperor still doted on his little idol without a care for his image, they were already numb to it. His shamelessness was already exposed on the show they first met and his account was basically the idol's second account.
On the contrary, they could only feel impressed by his consistency and undying dedication. Rather than the group's official account, his private account became the information hub regarding the idol's updates instead. Not to mention their pictures together were guaranteed to have a smile from the infamous expressionless idol. His fans hailed him as their mother bird with all his feeding.
Which was why nobody was surprised when the pair came out as a couple 12 years later. Rather, they had been anticipating it since the idol ended his contract and started his acting career. Their wedding gift to the fans would be the first movie they would act together in.
When Bai Liang read the script for their movie together, his heart trembled.
"What do you think, baby?" Han Yi-Shen cuddled him on their bed and kissed his shoulder. "I've been dreaming about us as cultivators and I want to materialize it so that you can watch it with me. You'll look gorgeous in a robe."
As an answer, Bai Liang turned and kissed his husband for a full minute. "I love it. Let's film this."
Han Yi-Shen's fire that had just been doused flared alight once again. He pushed the seductress down and heartily feasted. After a long night of passion, they soaked in a hot bath together, fully content.
Xue Liang: [Master, Yi Nian died in her cell an hour ago.]
Bai Liang closed his eyes and leaned back on Han Yi-Shen. 'How did she die?'
Xue Liang: [She was strangulated. Her body is staged as suicide by hanging.]
Bai Liang guessed it was Han Yi-Shen's doing. A year after they got together, he discovered Han Yi-Shen wasn't just an emperor in the filming industry. His aristocratic family had their own business empire in this country. Although he wasn't its successor, he was still the younger brother of its current head and their relationship was nothing short of harmonious.
'How long can I stay in this world?'
Xue Liang: [Until Grandmaster's death. Master will be the carrier for Grandmaster's soul fragment when Master returns to mirror space.]
Bai Liang was pleased. 'I understand.'
"What are you thinking so happily all on your own?" Han Yi-Shen squished Bai Liang's cheeks.
"How I will spend the rest of my life with you." Bai Liang took Han Yi-Shen's hand and kissed it.
"Baby…" Han Yi-Shen was deeply moved. His heart swelled from the uncontainable happiness, and he tightly embraced his treasure in his arms. "I will spend even my death with you."
Bai Liang shut his glazed eyes and nuzzled himself into Han Yi-Shen. He inwardly promised he would find him again in his next life.
The two of them soon started shooting their movie, and Han Yi-Shen didn't pull any brakes for their budget. He handpicked their friends and acquaintances who were all top artists in the industry, including Shen Qing-Mei and Wen Zhang, and asked the best director in the nation to direct it. He also requested Jiang Wei to make its official soundtracks.
The second the premier tickets were out for pre-orders, they sold out in less than 3 days. It was screened in cinemas for 6 weeks and many theatres went through a massive overflow of people. A few weeks after that, it had its international release and became a sensation.
It became the first xianxia movie that was well-received by international viewers, causing a wave of interest towards its genre. It was nominated for more than a dozen awards and won 9 in total. With it, Bai Liang received his Best Newcomer award while Jiang Wei received the Best Movie Track award.
Following this, Han Yi-Shen proposed to Bai Liang on national television when the two of them received the Best Partner award with their movie. Although there were some conflicting opinions, most of the public blessed their marriage. Those who dared to throw insults and say disgusting words towards them were burned and drowned by merciless fans and many influential artists. Han Yi-Shen didn't need to lift a finger.
Their wedding was held overseas and was even more grandiose than Jiang Wei's and Shen Qing-Mei's. The public found out about Han Yi-Shen's aristocratic bloodline and the fact that the film emperor turned out to be a true prince in real life became a hot topic for a full week.
The fans could only say that Han Yi-Shen never disappoint.
After their wedding, both Han Yi-Shen and Bai Liang stayed in the filming industry for 5 years until Han Yi-Shen finally abdicated his throne to Bai Liang. Just when their fans were ready to welcome Bai Liang's era as a film emperor, the pair announced their early retirement and their plan to travel the world for their delayed honeymoon.
Although there were rivers of tears and blood, the fans finally accepted their retirement as long as they kept them updated. Even without them telling them to, Han Yi-Shen faithfully choked them with dog food and showed off his husband day in and day out until all single dog fans begged and kowtowed him to stop instead.
Once they returned to the country, they occasionally appeared as guests on TV shows when they felt like it and modelled for famous brands as a pair to feed their fans from time to time. Their affection didn't dwindle one bit until they were 80 years of age and became the ideal of every couple in the country.
Bai Liang sat by Han Yi-Shen's sickbed as he held his wrinkled hand. He had lived for thousands of years with his master in their past life and only now did he experience the helplessness of old age.
It was heartbreaking seeing his lover age by the day yet it was fulfilling as they went through it together. It made him learn how to cherish every second, knowing that it would all come to an end one day.
"Baby…" Han Yi-Shen weakly lifted his hand to caress his lover, his eyes were filled with unwillingness.
Bai Liang held it and pressed it to his cheek. "Rest. I will accompany you soon."
Han Yi-Shen carved his lover into his soul before finally surrendering to eternal sleep. The heart monitor by his side turned into a flat line and ensued a grim, long beep.
A ball of golden light floated out of Han Yi-Shen's dantian. He cupped his hands and it gently landed on his palms, spreading the familiar warmth into his soul.
Xue Liang: [Master, you may carry it in your heart or keep it in your amulet.]
Without needing to think, he let it enter his heart and lay by Han Yi-Shen's side to fulfil his promise.
When the doctor and nurses entered their ward, they almost thought the couple were only sleeping together as usual if it wasn't for the heart monitor. They were stunned to find Bai Liang, who had been taking care of Han Yi-Shen and was completely fine just a few hours ago, suddenly accompanied him at his end.
There were no signs of injury or illness. It was as if Han Yi-Shen's soul simply took his other half away with him to their next life.
In the mirror space, Bai Liang regained his original body and the voice welcomed him back. He wanted to take out his master's fragment, but it stubbornly refused to leave his body.
Eventually, the voice let him bring it to the next world. A different mirror rippled by his side, and he soon entered his second world.