Little Fullness Came Just in Time for You

“A little fullness, just when the time is right”

[Grain Buds, when summer crops flourish and grow]

Summer in Yulan Town begins with a frog’s croak, and today is Grain Buds.

The adults are busy out in the fields. The crops change by the day at this stage, and there’s no time to waste, so the children are left to their own devices. Jiang Shiman leads the other kids in playing in the river like a little gang boss.

At seven, she’s taller than boys her age, and her outgoing personality makes her the life of the children’s crowd.

“Shiman, come back! We have a guest,” her mother calls out in a booming voice.

Shiman answers, says goodbye to her friends, and runs home barefoot with her shoes in hand, kicking up a breeze as she goes.

As soon as she steps inside, she sees a boy sitting primly in a chair.

There’s only one thought in Shiman’s mind: handsome.

Her eyes go wide, and her hands and feet stop obeying her…

“You’re really handsome.”

“My name is Shiman, Jiang Shiman. What’s your name? What are you doing at my house? When are you leaving? Why don’t you stay for dinner? My mom’s cooking is delicious…”

Shiman’s mother hurriedly pulls her “shameless” daughter away. She always loses her head over a handsome face… “He’s the son of one of your father’s friends. He’ll be staying with us for a while.”

Chen Wang looks at the girl Jiang Auntie is holding in her arms. Her eyes are still fixed on him, shining brightly. He will remember those eyes forever.

“My name is Chen Wang.”

Shiman thinks his name sounds nice, and so does his voice.

Jiang Shiman is seven.

Chen Wang is eight.

They meet during Grain Buds, a season when all things are just beginning to flourish. Their story begins that summer.

Later, Chen Wang wonders: If he hadn’t met Shiman that summer, how much longer would he have lived…

A little scene:

The night before their engagement party, Shiman tries on the latest dresses from various brands that Chen Wang has prepared for her in the walk-in closet. She turns to him, deep in thought.

“Ah Wang, if you hadn’t met me back then, would someone else be trying on these dresses now?”

“There’s no one else. You’re the only one who can save my life.”

[Everywhere he looks, all he sees is Shiman.]

Reading guide:

① No romance before they’re adults. It only begins once they’re grown!

② A little bittersweet, but mostly sweet. Shiman is a total face-con, the kind of girl who can’t take her eyes off a handsome guy. (So Ah Wang makes sure to dress up every day, terrified his wife will run off.)

③ Ah Wang can be a little controlling, but not much. He mostly keeps himself in check… He’s hopelessly lovestruck, so please be kind to him!

④ ★ Both are virgins, and they are each other’s only partners, emotionally and physically!

Blurb captured on 2026.2.28

Theme: Shiman, a little fullness is all I need in life.