Bai Meigui stood amongst the crowd, eyeing the rings being sold at the festival stalls with a distant gaze. He ignored the tantalizing smell of food, focusing solely on the rings.

As Bai immersed himself in this melancholic moment, his lovers, Macaque and Sun Wukong, watched him from afar. They noted his distress, but decided to simply observe for the time being.

Bai Meigui dove into a crowd of baby monkeys, trying to distract himself with their playful antics. His usually vibrant laughter was absent, replaced by a hollow smile.

Macaque eventually grew frustrated with Bai's self-depreciating behavior. He decided to confront his lover, marching over to where Bai was playing with the young ones.

"Bai," Macaque began, placing a hand on his lover's shoulder with a firm yet gentle grip. His expression was a mix of concern and determination.

Bai Meigui flinched at the touch, retracting slightly. He knew that voice. Macaque was serious. He attempted to match Macaque's gaze but failed miserably.

Macaque sighed deeply as he observed Bai's reaction. He realized that this conversation was going to be much harder than he initially thought it would be.

Sun Wukong, having observed this interaction from afar, approached them with a concerned look. He gently ruffled Bai's hair, a gesture meant to provide some comfort.

Bai frowned, brushing Sun's hand away. He didn't want pity; he was fine, or so he kept telling himself. The truth was, he didn't feel fine at all. Sun Wukong pulled Bai into his lap. Bai was surprised and yelped.

The next few weeks were challenging for all of them as they tried to navigate Bai's emotions. He would train tirelessly during the night, hoping to rid himself of his anxieties.

Despite Bai's endeavors, his nightmares persisted. Images of distorted bodies and hateful words echoed in his sleep, making him dread the very thought of closing his eyes.

Macaque and Sun Wukong, albeit overwhelmed, were determined to help. They started to accompany Bai during his night training, hoping it would lend some comfort.

Bai Meigui tried to resist initially, feeling guilty for troubling them. But the persistent love and care his partners showed him eventually warmed his heart, albeit slightly.

Over time, they started noticing small changes in Bai's demeanor. He ate a little more, slept a little longer, and smiled a tad brighter. It was a start.

Despite his progress, Bai still found himself haunted by his insecurities and fears. The battle was far from over, but he was not alone in this fight.

Macaque and Sun Wukong continued to stand by his side, providing comfort and reassurance. Even in his darkest moments, Bai was never alone.

There were still difficult days, where Bai would revert back to his old habits, but he was slowly learning to accept the love and care his partners provided.

Eventually, Bai started opening up about his nightmares and insecurities. It wasn't easy, but sharing his fears with his partners felt like lifting a heavy burden.

Macaque and Sun Wukong listened, always patient and understanding. Every word Bai shared was a step towards healing, and they couldn't be more proud of his courage.

Bai Meigui's journey to self-acceptance was far from easy, but he was surrounded by love and support. And in that love, he found the strength to continue fighting.

As Bai's health gradually improved, so did his spirits. He started enjoying the little things again, like playing with the baby monkeys or attending festive events.

One day, at another festival, Bai found himself drawn to the rings again. But this time, he allowed himself to smile, appreciating their beauty without any self-deprecating thoughts.

Macaque and Sun Wukong watched as Bai admiring the rings, a tender smile on their faces. They saw in his eyes a spark that hadn't been there before.

Seeing Bai happy and more at peace with himself was a victory in itself. They knew the journey wasn't over, but they were ready to face whatever came next together.

The hidden struggles of Bai Meigui were a testament to his strength and resilience. Surrounded by love, he was learning to view himself through kinder eyes and, slowly but surely, finding his way back to happiness.