A seemingly stern, imposing, and cold-hearted top who is actually meticulous and intensely possessive x a seemingly gentle, considerate, and socially adept illegitimate son of a marquis who is actually obsessive, restrained, and quietly unhinged
Shen Wei x Chu Chengyu
Shen Wei is the illegitimate son of a marquis. His mother was once a celebrated courtesan. Because his parentage was questioned, he was raised in the countryside from childhood. When he was ten, he caught an epidemic and was on the verge of death. Only after his mother threatened to kill herself did they bring him back to the marquis's estate.
But no one in the household welcomed Shen Wei. His father loathed him, and his brothers bullied him. Later, his intelligence and talent earned him a place at Zhengxin Academy, a school everyone envied. On the surface, he was molded into a virtuous, courteous, and humble nobleman, but inside he remained wild and untamable.
He met Chu Chengyu at the academy and fell in love at first sight, harboring a secret crush for twelve years.
He didn't want to use his intelligence and talent to pursue an official career and be exploited by the marquis's family, so he chose to go into business. With his astute mind, he became the most renowned "nothing is impossible" merchant in the capital.
He mingled among princes, nobles, and dignitaries, perfecting the art of thoughtful consideration. All he wanted was one thing: to be present wherever Prince Jingyuan, Chu Chengyu, might be.
Never conspicuous, never overstepping, never hoping for more, never getting too close. Shen Wei was like a perfectly placed shadow, preparing tea to suit Chu Chengyu's taste and medicine for his old injuries, while never allowing himself to become the focus of the other's attention.
He thought he had hidden his foolish devotion flawlessly.
But he didn't know that Chu Chengyu had long since noticed this "butterfly" who was always hovering near him, sometimes close, sometimes distant, taking care of everything perfectly without ever seeking credit. He quietly laid a net, waiting to see how long this seemingly well-behaved man would linger at the edge of the boundaries he'd drawn.
Theme: Realize your own worth and protect the one you love.
