Please Walk into the Urn

Reborn, Lu Zhao has only one goal: to save the country through industry.

As for Huo Yanran, the man with soulful eyes and a vicious streak sharper than a wolf's, he was never part of the plan.

But Second Master Huo insists on getting close to him.

He seizes cargo, lets it through, throws up obstacles, and clears the way... wielding a knife in one hand and offering candy with the other, he does it all with effortless flair.

The whole city is betting on how many months Lu Zhao can hold out.

But Lu Zhao only smiles.

He uses Huo's power to open the way and his military might to fend off attacks from the front and behind.

Factories go up one after another, and schools open their doors one by one.

Everyone thinks he is the one who has been tamed.

Until Lu Zhao pins Huo Yanran against a wall and says, unhurriedly:

"Second Master, tell me. Which of us tamed the other?"

Huo Yanran says nothing. He only remembers the look Lu Zhao gave him at the birthday banquet that day.

Just one look.

The fearless Second Master Huo had finally found his weakness.

He had laid a net to catch the whole world, only to realize he was offering himself to Lu Zhao.

Reader's Guide:

1. Two equally strong leads, mutual devotion, and a sweet, doting romance

2. An alternate Republican-era setting, with plenty of fictional liberties. The setting is for atmosphere only, so please don't nitpick the details

[Little Scene]:

Huo Yanran was acting strangely today.

Ever since they returned from the banquet, he had worn a grim expression. Lu Zhao had asked him several times if anything was wrong, but he kept saying no.

By the fifth time, Lu Zhao stopped asking.

He walked over, straddled Huo Yanran's lap, and cupped his face in both hands, slowly smoothing the crease between his brows with his thumbs.

"Huo Yanran, look at me."

Young Master Huo looked up.

His usually composed eyes were now full of turbulent undercurrents.

"That man surnamed Shen today," Huo Yanran said, his voice low and heavy. "I didn't like the way he looked at you."

Lu Zhao paused, then smiled. He lowered his head until the tip of his nose brushed Huo Yanran's.

"Then what does Young Master Huo want to do? Gouge his eyes out?"

"I do," Huo Yanran replied without hesitation.

Lu Zhao laughed at how serious he was. His waist swayed lightly in Huo Yanran's lap, and Huo Yanran's hand immediately closed around it, his fingers tightening.

"Lu Zhao, I really want to lock you at my side and never let you go anywhere."

Lu Zhao leaned closer, his lips brushing Huo Yanran's ear as he spoke, one word at a time:

"...Then lock me up."

Huo Yanran's body stiffened.

Lu Zhao chuckled, his voice soft as a sigh.

"Besides, I never planned to run."

Huo Yanran's breathing suddenly grew heavier.

The next moment, Lu Zhao was pressed into the sofa.

He let out a muffled groan, arching his neck as his fingers slipped into Huo Yanran's short hair.

That night, Lu Zhao never made it off the sofa!

A farming novel currently in progress: My Homegrown Beauty Husband Lost His Disguise Today

Lin Xiao transmigrates and becomes a young man in an ancient setting, married right from the start.

His spouse is a poor scholar who can't lift a shoulder pole and can't see!

Lin Xiao: ?

A blind scholar?

What a niche concept!

Inside the door is a mud-brick house with nothing in it, drafty and cold as an ice cellar.

Outside are the gleeful faces of his brother and sister-in-law, and the "blind" husband despised by the whole family.

Lin Xiao wants to flip the table.

Whoever wants this marriage can have it...

Then he sees Shen Qingzhou's face.

In the candlelight, the man is handsome and refined, with a gentle bearing. When his lashes lower, it's as if he's gathering moonlight in his eyes.

Lin Xiao quietly sets the table corner he'd half-lifted back down.

...Fine, it's not as if this marriage is out of the question.

It's just a beautiful blind man to look after. He can do that!

The day after the wedding, his in-laws make things difficult for him, and his sister-in-law treats him harshly, insulting him right to his face.

Enough is enough!

Lin Xiao slams his bowl down.

They're splitting up the family!

Right now. This instant!

He leaves with Shen Qingzhou, taking nothing with them.

The whole village waits for this "blind, frail young man" couple to beg for a living.

Then they watch in disbelief as Lin Xiao turns a small business into a roaring success, transforms their shabby shack into a brick-and-tile house, and makes his husband look fair, handsome, and well cared for!

The whole neighborhood is green with envy.

How is a blind man's life this good?

Only Lin Xiao knows how obedient and clingy his husband is.

In the morning, he combs Lin Xiao's hair. In the evening, he massages his shoulders. At night, he warms his feet.

His husband may be blind, but he's wonderful!

During the day, Lin Xiao goes out to run his stall, while Shen Qingzhou carries a little stool to the doorway and waits.

At the sound of footsteps, he lifts his head. Though he can't see, he always turns toward Lin Xiao without fail.

Lin Xiao hurries over and takes his cool hand. "It's cold outside. Why are you standing here waiting?"

Shen Qingzhou clasps his hand in return, his fingertips warm. "I heard my husband's footsteps. You were walking quickly today. Did you miss me?"

Lin Xiao: "..."

This man is blind and still knows how to flirt.

At night, he's even worse.

They'll be sleeping peacefully, and at some point Shen Qingzhou's chin will end up nestled against Lin Xiao's shoulder.

Lin Xiao squirms at the tickle. "...Are you really blind? You hug me so accurately and nuzzle me so steadily."

Shen Qingzhou murmurs, "Mm. I'm blind. I can't see the way, so I can only find my husband."

Lin Xiao's ears turn red.

The man may be blind, but his words are sweet.

Until the day Lin Xiao comes home early after closing his stall.

He catches Shen Qingzhou pinning a thief who climbed over the wall to the ground with one hand...

Lin Xiao: ...???

Still holding the thief down, Shen Qingzhou turns his head and smiles gently. "Husband, he took advantage of the fact that I can't see!"

Lin Xiao: ...

Wasn't he supposed to be a helpless, weak blind man who needed protection?

So who is actually blind here?

Reader's Guide:

1. Everyday farming-life story, with a slow and steady pace

2. Sweet romance, one-to-one, happy ending

3. A setting with male pregnancy, possible later in the story

Theme: Love is at the heart of it all!