Spica's Art★

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