The Bowed Neck

[Pre-release: Forked Branches] Fake siblings, coercive romance, blurb at the very end

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In her fifth year studying in the United States, Wen Lian's family went bankrupt and cut off her financial support.

To finish her studies, she became Fu Chen's housekeeper.

Fu Chen was rich, handsome, arrogant, and domineering.

When he was pursuing Wen Lian, he used to park a different supercar beneath her classroom building every day. The little gifts he casually brought her were always either limited-edition handbags or top luxury watches.

Without exception, Wen Lian tossed every one of them into the trash in front of everyone.

Thinking of what she had done before, Wen Lian expected her time as a housekeeper to be anything but pleasant.

Sure enough, on the first day she moved into Fu Chen's spacious apartment,

he sat on the sofa with one leg crossed over the other and laid down the rules.

“First, you must address me respectfully. Call me Young Master.”

Wen Lian held her tongue and replied respectfully, “Yes, Young Master.”

“Second, I'm picky about food. Make me something different for every meal, and don't repeat a dish all week.”

That was no problem. Wen Lian nodded. “Yes, Young Master.”

“Third, a housekeeper should look the part...”

Fu Chen sat up straight and tossed her a black-and-white, ultra-short maid outfit. “Put this uniform on.”

Wen Lian threw the clothes right in his face.

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Fu Chen made it clear: he would pay for her to finish school, and she would take care of his meals. Their relationship was nothing more than master and housekeeper.

Wen Lian couldn't have asked for more.

But under the same roof, somehow, their relationship gradually changed.

From housekeeper and master,

to master and little dog.

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1. Both leads are each other's first and only.

2. The female lead is two years older than the male lead.

2025/9/30

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Forked Branches:

Fake siblings | Coercive romance

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Ying Siwu hadn't been home in a long time. This time, she returned with her boyfriend so her family could meet him.

Her boyfriend was handsome, accomplished, and attentive to her.

At dinner, he patiently picked the bones out of her fish, his gaze fixed on her with gentle affection from beginning to end.

Her parents were very pleased and asked when they planned to get their marriage license and wed.

Ying Siwu said that, if all went well, it would be next summer.

That night, her boyfriend went home while Ying Siwu stayed at her parents' house.

After her parents had gone to bed, someone knocked on her bedroom door for the first time in ages.

When she opened it, the boy who had remained silent all evening stood outside: her younger brother in name only.

His somber gaze fell over her.

Remembering the reckless things they'd done in the past, Ying Siwu warned him, “Shi Yue, I'm getting married. You...”

“Big sister, I know.”

Shi Yue stepped into the room, his long shadow gradually covering her.

He locked the door behind him and asked in a calm voice, “But does that mean we can't kiss?”

Theme: Bowing one's head for love