Spica ✦ she/they ✦ multifandom I draw things I love for fun! Currently into: Zhan Zhao Adventures, Tales of Dark River, The Book of Life, Transformers, Shenlan Qiyu Wushuang Zhu, Professor Layton, Genshin, etc. I obsess over platonic and queerplatonic relationships, found family and siblings a lot, so if that's your cup of tea as well, you're more than welcome here :D More active on Instagram and Twitter! Main blog: @spica-starson
I couldn't stop thinking about how Bai Yutang and Linglong basically flanking Zhan Zhao the entire Wanshan County arc (esp whenever they went into the city)... 😭🫶💖
I couldn't stop thinking about how Bai Yutang and Linglong basically flanking Zhan Zhao the entire Wanshan County arc (esp whenever they went into the city)... 😭🫶💖
Huge thanks to the folks at the Diaolou Tavern discord for helping me with their majors and fields of studies/interests, especially Muyu and Hehuai! <3 I had a lot of fun researching into their specialties and finding out new fields I've never heard of before hahha
Some more yapping about the AU below :D
Muyu and Changhe:
Muyu and Changhe grew up together in the same orphanage but was separated when they were fostered/adopted in different families. They finally reunited when they met again in the same university years later (Muyu going to this one specific uni that specializes in Sports may or may not have influenced Changhe's decision to enroll to the same one...who knows).
They kept in touch with each other throughout the years through letters up until they reunited, and later exchanged phone numbers
Everyone knew Changhe and Muyu were inseparable by the second year every time they do hangout on campus.
Hehuai goes to a different uni in the same city (one that specializes in Medicine) but she met Muyu and Changhe by chance one day and became fast friends, hanging out regularly to complain about their respective problems and taking a break from their responsibilities.
Their relationship really took root and blossomed after the incident that nearly discredited Muyu's standing in the university, but thanks to Hehuai's expertise they were quick to prove that Muyu was more than fit enough to lead the Wushu Association.
Hehuai's studies are almost done by the time Muyu and Changhe started theirs. She took a huge break after Med school before starting her residency where she basically became their moral support and laughs at their dilemmas (esp Changhe's) "Hey, you brought this to yourself! Who asked you to apply for the Student Union, huh? We both know old people are annoying as hell!"
Muyu still lives in his adopted parents' house until the third semester when he finally moved in with Changhe in his shared apartment (after Changli moved out to pursue his own education and learn to fend for himself). "What about the rent...?" "Muyu...once you finally figure out how to make money, we can talk about rent."
Muyu's concept of money is still somewhat skewed because outside of the time period where he lived in the orphanage, he was always well-provided for by his father and then by his adopted parents.
Muyu's birthname "Zhuo Yue'an" had to be changed due to the witness protection program he was assigned to after the murder of his father. He chose the name himself because it was raining the day the incident occurred when he was taken to the police station.
Muyu's adopted parents were a sweet old couple who had enough money to live comfortably in their retirement and no children to spend it on. They were overjoyed when Muyu's love for swordmanship became apparent once he came out of his shell, and enrolled him in as many scholarships as possible, sparing no expense on him despite not being wealthy themselves.
Changhe and Changli stayed a few more years after Muyu left in the orphanage. Changli actually had a few adoptees interested in fostering him but he adamantly refused to leave Changhe's side. One day, a gruff man came and looked at them with sharp eyes before taken both of them in. Later Changhe found out that he was a tycoon and all he wanted was a successor for his business, as he had no interest in marrying or producing her heir of himself.
Changhe's foster father had a LOT of money but was emotionally neglectful, so Changhe had to practically raise Changli by himself as always. They were never stingy with money, but Changhe was always too scared to ask in case they decided to kick him and his brother out, so Changhe had learned from an early age to start investing (just in case).
Changhe grew up in a poor and sickly family before he and his brother was kidnapped and sold to the orphanage.
Changhe is incredibly infamous in campus for his silver-tongue and barbed insults aimed towards the administration. As the rep for his fellow students, he doesn't hide his disdain for the mismanagement of the allocated funds by the administration and is. Due to his foster father's high standing in society and the political climate, they aren't brave enough to punish him and Changhe uses knowledge this extremely well, not above blackmailing them if it came down to it. But only those who had truly crossed him knew that even without this status quo, Changhe was a terrifying beast all by himself. He almost became the President of the Student Union but refused for some unknown reason.
Muyu would open his own Wushu/Martial Arts School like he's always dreamed, personally mentoring. He's also involved in numerous archeological digs and museum consultant gigs due to his extensive expertise on the subject.
Changhe would join Muyu in this business venture as his financial consultant (because if it were up to Muyu they wouldn't even have enough to pay for the annual taxes...let alone their employees). At the same time, Changhe manages the "business" his foster father left before he went into retirement. If you were to ask him, he'd much rather be spending his time counting money with Muyu...but alas. After severely restructuring the infrastructure and management of the business from ground up, Changhe mostly relegated most of the ongoing daily managements to his trusted business partners (to their chagrin).
Despite his adopted parents' kindness, Muyu never truly let himself get too close to them. The only person he's ever been truly comfortable with growing up and actively reached out to was Changhe.
Muyu's culinary adventure started and ended when he tried to get into culinary school and was promptly escorted out when he accidentally poisoned all the students there...that, coupled with the expensive fees he'd had to pay to continue enrolling there, pushed him to diligently study by himself whenever he had time.
Mealtimes at his new family was a quiet yet comfortable one, and for some reason, Muyu would show a little bit of his emotions whenever they eat, his eyes sparkling with each bite. Perhaps noticing this, his parents always tried to introduce him to new dishes each week. It was years later that Muyu understood that this was their way of reaching out to him, and for that he was thankful.
Despite having lived there for years, Muyu still felt a certain distance hence he never felt quite comfortable enough to use the kitchen even though his adopted mother gifted him new kitchen appliances and cookbooks each year. It was only after he started living by himself (with Changhe) that he attempted once again to expand his cooking repertoire and actually use those tools. Perhaps overjoyed now that he had another person to taste his cooking that he unleashed his creativity in the kitchen,,, to Changhe (and later Hehuai)'s misfortune.
Muyu also has a sword collection at home ordered by the estimated time period they were used...and an umbrella collection somehow LOL he kept losing his umbrellas when he was younger and it slowly became a hobby whenever he found umbrella designs he liked. It rains so often where he lived and it was always a good idea to bring a spare umbrella in case someone else needed it too (e.g Changhe who always refuses to bring one...). Later on Changhe ordered a custom paper oil umbrella and he keeps it safely in his "Armory", and also gifted him one of his favorite umbrellas to use for its convenience. Hehuai too would later gift one based on her favorite motifs and colors that he uses interchangeably with Changhe's.
The trio (ft. Yumo):
Hehuai grew up with her Uncle, having barely any memories of her mother before she passed away due to illness. It was her uncle who instilled her love for medicine and his recommendations that got her to the most prestigious Medical school in the province.
She lived (un)comfortably in her assigned dorm before stumbling upon Yumo one day (who's studying Forensics Science Toxicology) on her way to a lecture. They became fast friends and later rented an apartment together, their friendship growing deeper as the years go by. After they graduated and found their footing in the work industry, they still continued to live together.
Hehuai met her estranged father by accident when she found him conversing with Muyu about an upcoming festival (she wanted to surprise him with a visit). Apparently he's the retired President of the Wushu Club in her friends' uni, now simply a mentor and consultant to Muyu. Uncle Zhe was clearly trying to avoid her and failed to, so the rest of them kinda left them to talk with each other...it was awkward, to say the least.
They agreed to meet again at a local cafe to talk properly during the weekend. Muyu tried to offer some words of comfort but failed miserably, but it still made Hehuai laugh outloud anyway. Changhe said nothing but quietly gave her all the info about Uncle Zhe, shrugging at her bewildered look. "If you need us to escort you this Saturday, just drop by our place." "Mm." "...Thanks you guys. I mean it."
Her father turns out didn't run away due to cowardice, but because of a scandal he was inadvertantly involved in back then involving the Head of the Campus and Changhe's foster father. To avoid ruining her mother's reputation in the medical field, he chose to stay away to "protect" her. "You could've at least told us," said Hehuai quietly. "Mom died thinking...that you..." "She died in my arms," interrupted her dad gently. "The only one who didn't know the truth...was you, my dear daughter. I just- this foolish old man didn't know how to face you."
The father and daughter duo would spend some weekends talking (mostly Hehuai) or simply enjoying each other's presence, the appearance of Muyu and Changhe helping them to bridge this massive gap they have between their lives.
Hehuai was already used to taking care of herself and living independently, especially since she pursued education much earlier than her peers. Her junior who is already an established professional in the medical industry, Xin Baicao, felt more like a older sibling that came and went in her life despite their affection for one another, and her uncle, despite his kindness, could never truly be her peer. As a teen already entering medical school, peers her age were still enjoying the last vestiges of their childhood...so she struggled for a long time getting used to having real genuine friends that take care of her instead and look out for her.
Hehuai later found out that Yumo and Muyu were childhood friends who grew up in the same neighbourhood (after Muyu was adopted) and went to the same middle school and high school. She later also found out that Yumo actually was from the same orphanage as Muyu and Changhe, but found a family right before Muyu was adopted.
Muyu and Changhe would participate in the annual regional Wushu "Duilian" competition regularly and gradually win more and more 1st places in bigger competitions before becoming known nationwide.
Muyu learned and performed the White Crane Style as a birthday present to Hehuai (and she requested it every year since then)
Due to Muyu and Changhe's influence, Hehuai would also dabble in Wushu and attempted to learn the Fujian White Crane movesets with Muyu's guidance
Yumo keeps many pet spiders at home (of various species too, but her favorites are the Brazilian Black Tarantula (her first). The moment she found out Hehuai had no fear of them and even find them cute was the moment she knew they'd get along well. Hehuai has a soft spot for her Jumping Spider too, always coaxing it to play with her.
They were hesitant to invite Muyu and Changhe to their home but were later proven that they had nothing to worry about. Muyu was a bit hesitant at first, but slowly warmed up to them and even gently held them, while Changhe was just excited to see them from the start.
Hehuai has a collection of venomous insects and lizards as pets too, her favorites being her Tanzanian Red-Clawed Scorpion, Poison Dart Frog, Giant Centipede, Mexican Red Leg and Mangrove Snake. Her Ball Python in particular really loves Yumo.
Their home is basically a exotic pets' home lol
Out of the trio, Changhe's resume is the most stacked and intimidatingly varied, followed by Hehuai who couldn't stop finding new medicinal practices to add to her repertoire. Muyu's is most direct but also the most comprehensive due to his obsession with swordsmanship.
Hehuai would often stop by Muyu's school and the three of them would go to a cafe to catch up just like old times...and whenever someone somehow got seriously hurt after practicing his swordsmanship, Hehuai will always be the first person they call to patch them up
Hehuai would open her own practice and doesn't limit her patients depending on their background. Her experience side-hustling at shady, underground clinics opened her eyes to the injustice that is the healthcare system and instead of trying to be known, she would avoid the spotlight so her undisclosed practices wouldn't be exposed and stopped. She would work together with Yumo (who experienced it firsthand) and established a well-known clinic behind prying eyes. The pay was mediocre which was a shame, but that's where her second gig came in (scamming treating sick rich folks). But don't get her wrong--she is a doctor with pride, so she will always make sure you're cured. But if the costs tend to be more than the market price...then you can either kick her out or kick the bucket, because chances are she's one of the few who can diagnose and cure you ;D
Okay I'll stop here before it gets too long, but this modern AU is really growing on me ngl...feel free to ask me any questions or even come up with your own twists! I'd loveee to hear them 👀✨
I couldn't stop thinking of Changhe being referred to as a hedgehog in the novel so I had to draw him as one...and then I thought of Muyu as a bunny and how different rabbits and hares are and how Muyu could fit either of them...
Last one is based on the canon ending of SNGX bc I love pain :))))
The way Aether looked SO hot and sexy in that Snezhnaya preview that I literally fcking RAN to my ipad to draw Lumine in the same scene ASAP before I combusted right then and there,,,,
Oh my beloved viatwins never failing to serve face,,,,, 😩👌💦💦
Muyu: Come have a taste. I tried something new the aunties taught me. 🥰👨🍳
Changhe and Hehuai: ...🥲😅😩😨😶🌫️🏃➡️🏃➡️🏃➡️
Muyu's sooo passionate and earnest about cooking even if he sucks as it...I love him sm...😭🫶💖💖💖 I have a feeling he does follow the recipe to a T, BUT he adds new ingredients and changes things out of pure curiosity and desire for culinary exploration while lacking the affinity for taste...hence his food never tasting right lmaooo he can't help itttt 😩🫶
Also looovee how indignant and prideful he is of his cooking omg, like he doesn't mind critics from people who've tried it, but he got so worked up over Xin Baicao badmouthing his cooking before even trying it...Muyu who is normally so calm shows his obsessive side for the things he gives a damn about 😤👌
— A Changmu comic based on Chapter 13-14 of ⟪ Tales of Dark River ⟫ (18 pages)
(aka another one of my fav scenes...it's so SO dear to me 😭💖💕💕 baby Changhe being compared to a hedgehog but I couldn't fit it into the comic sobssss,,, so I tried to emulate it with the vfx hahha)
Muyu as a Fuzhu (夫諸)/Kui (夔) fusion and Changhe as one of the hounds of Yama "Sharvara" (शार्वर).
More info and ramblings about the AU below (bc I did so much research for Muyu especially lolol):
Based on Shanhaijing 山海經, the Fuzhu 夫諸 is a white deer with four horns who lives in Mt. Ao'an, and whenever it appears in the area, a great downpour and floods are sure to follow. It is both an omen of hope in times of drought and an omen of destruction when rain inevitable causes flooding.
Kui 夔 is...a lot of different things depending on which origin you're looking at. But in Shanhaijing 山海經, and the Kui is mentioned as a one-legged beast with a human face and the body of a dragon living on Mt. Liubo whose skin was used to make a drum to invoke rain and wind by the Yellow Emperor. It also emits light similar to that of the sun and moon 月.
It is also known as Kui is the inventor of Shao music 韶 in some retellings, which I wanted to allude to Muyu's ability to play the Guqin aka what his swordsmanship was based off in canon.
Honestly I could've also went with just Fuzhu bc it already fits Muyu perfectly, but Kui phoenetically sounds similar to Kui 傀 the Puppet which is Muyu's role in Anhe Zhuan. I wondered if ZMN-laoshi did this intentionally...bc the Kui is also known as a demon in some retellings. Also the Fuzhu's existence is a tragedy in that despite its blessings, a flood can cause so much death, and for a kind soul like Muyu...their deaths would weight on him like lead. He would isolate himself and suffer from loneliness at not being able to enjoy the vibrancy of humanity or another life form.
In Hinduism, the two hounds of Yama "Sharvara" शार्वर and "Shyama" श्याम are two ferocious, four-eyed dogs who guard the door of the underworld entrance to the palace of Yama, where the dead must get past them to have the right to be judged by their master (Yama). Fun fact: They are referred to as Mithūdṛśā, meaning that they are not both capable of sight at the same time. They are also described as the messengers of Yama by Atharvaveda, and their role is to seek out individuals who are to die (which fits sooo well with Changhe's title as the "Undertaker"/"Funeral Master").
"Sharvara" means spotted and is connected to the constellation Canis Major while "Shyama" means dark or black-colored and is connected to the constellation Canis Minor. I was honestly debating whether Changhe should be Sharvara or Shyama bc he obviously fits the meaning of Shyama more lmao, but Sharvara seems to be the older one. Wouldn't be funny if their names and appearances are kinda switched ahaha (I should draw Changli in this AU too...).
Okay now time to actually talk about the AU itself...
In this AU, Changhe and Changli are brother hounds who work under the Great King Yama. Changhe being Changhe likes to have fun in the mortal world and actively seek out people whose time is running out while Changli stays behind guarding the door most of the time when he doesn't have sth else to do. I'm still not sure if I want to implement them not being able to see at the same time, but I think it would be really interesting if the two of them decide who gets to have the vision for the day lolol. Also Changhe with a blindfold...I think they'd definitely still be able to sense the world around them just fine thanks to their heightened senses, and dogs are colorblind too anyway, so vision is more like a luxury than necessity for them.
Changhe met Muyu by chance when he sauntered over to Mt. Ao'an to bring soon-to-die human souls to the underworld (he's basically like the Grim Reaper as a comparison). What he hadn't expected after collecting them was to find an ethereal, beautiful creature in white kneeling in the middle of the flood washing away the cooling bodies who were unfortunate to be caught in it.
The first time Changhe saw Muyu, the other disappeared before Changhe could even attempt to get his attention. He would spend a very, very long time scouring the mountain in search of the elusive being, but little did he know, Muyu had already fled to a different mountain. It was only after Changli complained that Changhe had taken too long playing outside that he begrudging went back to his station to help his little brother.
The next time they met, it was in Mt. Liubo. Changhe had been on a lookout for deaths specifically caused by floods bc chances are, Muyu would be there—and he was right. It was hundreds of years later when they met again, or rather- the first time Muyu saw Changhe.
Changhe sneaked up behind a forlorn Muyu who was again kneeling on top of the wet grass, rain pouring down heavily as if to cry alongside him. He stopped to look up when he realized the droplets had stopped trickling down his face. A red umbrella greeted him, alongside a unfamiliar smiling face. "Hello," said the handsome stranger. "With a beautiful face like yours, it would be a shame to let the rain ruin it, don't you think?" "...Who are you?" "They call me Changhe," said the stranger, holding out a hand to him, enigmatic smile still in place. "...I am Muyu." Muyu took his hand and rose to his feet, stumbling slightly. The stranger caught his arm to steady him and his smile gentled. "Like the gentle rain that pours over the evening sky. How fitting." Muyu stared down as the man, furrowing his brows. "...It was you back then. You were there." Somehow, his smile softened even more. "Yes. I guess 'Hello again' would be more accurate."
Muyu had felt the other's energy as he ruthlessly cut down the remnants of will by those suffocating in the rushing waters, cleanly bringing them to death's door with a flick of his wrist. But he couldn't muster enough will to be curious or even indignant, his legs soaked in water as he silently prayed for the souls he had inadvertently taken. All he wanted was to bring a little rain to the drought-stricken village. All he wanted was to repay the kindness shown to him by that famished young child. He should have known better.
After that fateful second meeting, the two of them would regularly meet up, the gaps between each meeting shrinking over the centuries. Muyu would gift Changhe a wine gourd made of jade from his mountain that he privately cultivated, the gourd being able to shift into anything Changhe desired. He had grinned cheekily as Muyu transformed it into a glinting jade dagger, knowing the other especially loved playing with his little daggers to pass the time. "Anything, you say...?" he smirked. Muyu sighed helplessly. "...You shameless dog." Changhe burst out laughing, echoing throughout the mountain top.
"Rain again, how annoying," Su Changhe grumbled, shaking water from his sleeves.
Su Muyu held a paper umbrella, smiling slightly: "Rain during Summer Solstice is perfectly normal. I tried to convince you to buy an umbrella in town earlier, but you wouldn't listen."
"This isn't about the Summer Solstice, it's about you. Wherever you appear, rain follows," Su Changhe said helplessly. "What's that saying…ah, right—just like a lingering ghost!"
Su Muyu shook his head: "Would you like to share my umbrella?"
"No need. In such hot weather, a bit of rain is refreshing!" Su Changhe waved his hand.
"I enjoy the scorching summer days," Su Muyu said softly.
Su Changhe paused, then laughed: "Ah, I forgot— you've always loved these oppressive summer days."
ALSO‼️To all my fellow Shenlan Qiyu and Falan enjoyers (the 3 that i know of lmao), the EN fan-translation has been picked up by World Gate Translations and they are continuing the translation from where shunshunrika left off at chapter 89 :D
You can read it here! It's still ongoing so do check it out and show your support if possible<3
"He felt a bit tired.
When there was no mission, he often chose to retreat to a secluded mountain corner, doing nothing but watching the sky and listening to the wind, finding peace in those moments. Sometimes, a talkative companion would bring a pot of wine to join him, but that person, sensing the quiet, would also remain silent and sit with him the whole day.
These were rare moments when Su Muyu felt true joy."
