Sparse Stars

[Starting VIP serialization on October 22. Thank you all for your support! A huge 10,000-word chapter is on the way.]

Xing Shu lived through only one truly miserable day in her entire life: the night her kingdom fell when she was fifteen.

But that was also the night she first learned that truly otherworldly immortals existed: a figure in blue robes, ethereal and refined, who saved her from certain doom.

Determined to find him, Xing Shu threw herself into the path of cultivation, working herself to the bone until, at last... she lost all her magic when her demonic poison flared up and fell into the private residence of Wei Xiuqing, heir to the Duke of State's household.

*

Wei Xiuqing, the capital's top medical maniac (secretly, though).

After his father spent eighteen years beating him in hopes of making him a success, Wei Xiuqing finally learned to secretly stash all the patients he abducted... "invited" into his private residence.

On the first day he found Xing Shu, Wei Xiuqing's eyes lit up. "Rare! So rare! I've never seen symptoms like these, and I've never heard of a pulse like this. This will make my name live on in the history of medicine!"

As Xing Shu ate the exquisite delicacies this mortal offered her and wore the fine silks he respectfully presented, she couldn't help thinking: This guy isn't bad. He sure knows how to take care of an immortal.

The people of the capital spread the news: Have you heard? Heir Wei is keeping a beauty hidden away in his private residence, a gorgeous mistress!

Xing Shu slammed the table and stood up. "Aren't I just his beautiful patient he's keeping in his private residence?!"

The people of the capital: We get it. She's here to demand a title.

Later, Wei Xiuqing discovered Xing Shu's true identity, and learned that she had an immortal as the love of her life.

Wei Xiuqing: Whatever. I'll make my move and steal her away.

*

After Xing Shu ascended to the Ninth Heaven, she heard that her benefactor had gone down to the mortal realm a hundred years ago to undergo a heavenly tribulation, and still hadn't returned.

Xing Shu: I've had a crush on him for years, but I was just a kid at fifteen. He definitely doesn't remember me. I'll do my best to impress him!

Wei Xiuqing, restored to his divine station: I had a crush on her when I was mortal, but she has someone she loves. I'll keep trying to steal her away!

Later, the new Eastern Celestial Emperor, with a beauty in his arms, looked at the Ninth Heaven, where banners reading "Crack Down on Stealing Someone Else's Love and Stop the Spread of Bad Habits" hung everywhere...

"Those aren't eye-catching enough. Print another thousand flyers."

[Reading Guide]

1. Lighthearted comedy; the main story is told in first person.

2. Episodic stories with mystery-solving elements; the mortal and immortal realms each make up about half the story.

3. One-on-one romance, guaranteed happy ending; unrequited love on both sides becomes mutual.

Premise: Repaying a life-saving kindness with a love letter