Yin Lianzhen had fought wars for empires that no longer existed, debated poetry with emperors who now sat forgotten in tombs, and trained phoenixes to deliver letters across deserts.

  These days, he mostly moderated comment sections.

  His bronze mirror—once used to reflect spiritual auras and spot demonic infiltration—now functioned as a slightly laggy window into the modern world.

  And what a world it was.

  ***

  I swear, if the scriptwriter ruins the resurrection scene again, I’m going to shatter this mirror — he muttered, flicking his sleeve.

  The mirror, propped against a carved jade stand, shimmered with low-grade resentment.

  Lianzhen adjusted the angle. The livestream resumed.

  A new episode of Heaven's Ashes: Twin Fates Reforged was premiering.

  He leaned in, eyes gleaming.

  The main character screamed dramatically.

  His robe swirled. A ghost lover reappeared from mist.

  Lianzhen exhaled through his nose like a disappointed calligraphy master.

  — The pacing’s off. Again.

  He typed furiously into his portable spirit tablet.

  @ZhenZen:

  this boy has died three times and we still don’t know if he likes noodles or not. CHARACTERIZATION, please.

  Five likes appeared instantly.

  Then:

  @HeavenlyHusband: shut up boomer

  @CraneCriesTwice: no wait he’s right

  He smirked. Victory.

  ***

  He wandered over to the tea alcove, robe trailing on polished stone.

  Outside, the mountains sighed with cloud. Inside, his mirror pinged again.

  Delivery alert: limited-edition dagger replica from Episode 86: Betrayal at the Vermillion Stairs.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  He grinned. One day he would cosplay again. Maybe. If his knee didn’t ache during qi shifts.

  Not that he needed mortal things.

  But being alive for a thousand years taught you to value joy in strange places.

  Like plastic keychains. And fan-edits. And bubble tea.

  ***

  That afternoon, he stared longingly at a modern food review.

  — There’s a new black sesame milk bun stall in the city again. Mortal realm, 2025. District 9.

  He drummed his fingers.

  Interdimensional travel was not a casual affair.

  It took focus. And qi. And sometimes, very uncomfortable spiritual turbulence.

  But damn, those buns.

  ***

  He arrived at 3:12 p.m.

  Materializing in a public park restroom was not elegant, but effective.

  He emerged into traffic sounds, warm pavement, and the scent of grilled corn.

  A teenager in a fox hoodie blinked at him.

  — ...Are you part of a drama shoot?

  — Yes — said Lianzhen solemnly. It’s a historical documentary.

  She nodded respectfully.

  ***

  He bought three buns.

  Ate two under a magnolia tree.

  Scrolled the latest fandom poll while chewing the third.

  “Which couple should end up together in the final arc?”

  Votes so far: – Ghost Prince × Disguised Disciple: 48%

  – Main Hero × Moral Crisis: 37%

  – Dragon God × Betrayal Trauma: 15%

  He clicked.

  Wrote: Just let them be happy. Once.

  Posted.

  Vanished.

  ***

  Back in his quiet realm, Lianzhen placed the third bun on a plate for later.

  The mirror glowed gently.

  Someone had replied to his comment.

  @NewMoonTrash:

  ZhenZen I swear you always show up like a 3000yo auntie and drop wisdom then disappear

  He chuckled.

  It wasn’t inaccurate.

  He adjusted the mirror, sipped tea, and let the credits of the new episode roll.

  The ghost lover finally got a hug.

  He nodded.

  — About time.

  Outside, the stars blinked in.

  Inside, the mirror pulsed once. Soft and warm.

  —

  ??? Mirror Comments Edition

  Excerpt from the post-episode thread of “Heaven’s Ashes:

  Twin Fates Reforged – Ep. 73: The Re-Re-Reunion

  @CraneCriesTwice:

  wait is that @ZhenZen back again?? i thought you ascended last month?

  @ZhenZen:

  Descended for milk buns.

  @FanserviceSect:

  ur wisdom is terrifying. also why do your emojis never show up right

  @CloudedCultivator:

  it’s because he types like a grandpa

  he said “pls be happy” and vanished like a ghost teacher

  @FoxHoodieGirl:

  GUYS I SAW HIM

  like actually

  he said it was a documentary and then bought 3 buns

  he vibes like someone who’s been disappointed by 1000 years of scripts

  @SectOfSalt:

  based

  @HeavenlyHusband:

  you all simp for @ZhenZen like he’s not a 900yo with opinions about pacing

  @ZhenZen:

  It’s 1,700.

  And I stand by what I said:

  Let the ghost boy rest.

  —

  ? Extra: Mirror Feed Notifications

  ?? Mirror usage limit warning:

  You have opened 12 tabs across 4 timelines.

  Please close at least 3 before entering another fandom debate.

  What if an ancient immortal got emotionally invested in fictional ghost romances, modern fandom drama, and sesame buns?

  Let’s be honest — we all know someone like him. Or… we are him.