After the Gloomy Beauty Was Spoiled by a Young Master from a Wealthy Family

A stunning beauty who starts out withdrawn and later blossoms x a young master who is fiercely obsessed with his older brother, sweet on the surface but dark underneath

Yu Xun x Qi Mingxiu

As a child, Yu Xun's parents divorced and each found someone new. To them, he was nothing but a burden, passed back and forth between them.

It was the same when he attended a banquet. In the blink of an eye, all the adults had vanished. Surrounded by elegant guests mingling over wine, Yu Xun was just a little kid, left to hide alone in a corner with his face buried in his arms, shoulders trembling.

As he wept silently, someone suddenly came up and patted his shoulder. "Hey, you..."

Yu Xun tried to steady his breathing and looked up blankly. He saw a boy dressed in fine clothes.

The two of them, one standing and one crouching, seemed worlds apart. When the boy met his eyes, he looked just as stunned.

...Then his face turned slightly red, and he awkwardly turned away.

Yu Xun only learned later that the boy was the birthday celebrant, the young master of the Qi family.

Born to wealth and doted on by everyone, he was used to having his way. He simply left his own birthday party and crouched in the corner with Yu Xun, chatting away without end.

Then he took Yu Xun by the hand to cut the cake, had him blow out the candles, and personally gave him the biggest slice. In a soft voice, he said, "Big brother, don't be sad anymore."

.

At first, people who saw Yu Xun thought he was just a timid, pretty child who would never amount to much.

But somewhere along the way, Yu Xun grew more and more poised. He stopped suffering over his parents' entanglements, balanced his studies with his interests, and won awards in all kinds of competitions. His credentials were so impressive that no one could find fault with them.

He also managed to keep the Qi family's most flamboyant and troublesome young master completely in line, with him constantly circling around Yu Xun.

"Big brother."

Qi Mingxiu wrapped his arms around him from behind, drawing out the last syllable in a tone that was half coaxing and half complaint. "What are you busy with now? You promised to spend this weekend with me. You're not going to stand me up, are you?"

.

The first time Qi Mingxiu saw Yu Xun as a child, he was completely stunned. He thought, So the fairy tales were true. There really are mermaids who come ashore and become human.

He tried to coax him for ages, but the beautiful mermaid still wouldn't say a word. His cheeks were faintly pink from crying, and glistening droplets rolled down them.

Qi Mingxiu instinctively reached out to catch them, wondering if the boy's tears would turn into pearls.

What should he do... What should he do...

Qi Mingxiu, who was used to getting anything he wanted, scratched his head. Faced with his big brother's tears, he was helpless for the first time.

He tried everything he could think of, at first only hoping to make his big brother smile. But in the blink of an eye, many years passed, and he found himself growing ever more reluctant to let go.

.

After raising someone into such a dazzling beauty, it was only natural that some clueless fools would openly or secretly covet him.

Once again, Qi Mingxiu blocked one of his brother's suitors at the door. Arms crossed over his chest, he asked evenly, "What do you want with him?"

The man seemed intimidated by his six-foot-two frame, but still looked unconvinced. "I asked Yu Xun about you. You're just his younger brother, so what gives you the right to meddle so much...?"

Before he could finish, the man in front of him gave a scoff.

Qi Mingxiu shot him a cold glance. "Putting everything else aside, do you know how much that bracelet he's wearing costs?"

"Seven figures. I just bought it on a whim for him to wear."

The man who always played sweet and obedient in front of Yu Xun now showed his unruly, flamboyant side. Leaning against the wall with a half-smile, he said, "I've treasured him like the apple of my eye all these years, coaxing him bit by bit until now. I wouldn't dare lay a finger on even one strand of his hair. I know better than he does whether Yu Xun is cold or hot, or whether he's happy."

"You want to pursue him? What makes you think you can?"

.

(After putting on a show, he went back to his room and got more and more worked up, yapping angrily as he burrowed into his brother's arms and rubbed against him until his hair was a mess.)

1. If you're a staunch fan of either pairing, don't read. Reading means you accept this condition.

2. The younger one is always the pursuer. No switching. The author is still obsessed with the trope of raising an older brother, orz.

3. Also known as "Pearl Tears."

2026.2.9

Theme: A joyful, harmonious family, peace and prosperity, and a harmonious, stable society.