After the Honest Man Caught the Big Shot's Eye

A straight-laced, honest man vs. a powerful, handsome, tragic man

Wang Juan had no grand ambitions. He just wanted a job that would earn him enough to get by.

His nouveau riche biological father had other ideas and withheld his diploma.

His stepmother and stepbrother feared he would fight them for the inheritance, so they did everything they could to kick him into the gutter.

Cornered, Wang Juan steeled himself and climbed into the bed of the powerful Shang family tycoon his stepbrother had only dared to covet in secret. He was grateful that the man was at least easy on the eyes.

Wang Juan hoped Shang Huaichuan would treat him badly, because he had an ulterior motive: he only wanted to use the man's influence to get his diploma and escape his miserable family.

Fortunately, Shang Huaichuan was cold-hearted and said he regarded him as nothing more than a bed partner he could toss aside at any time.

Wang Juan was relieved. He obediently let Shang Huaichuan toss him around in bed. It was pretty comfortable, though exhausting. Shang Huaichuan was a real workhorse.

A few months later, Wang Juan disappeared into the crowd without a trace.

He left Shang Huaichuan some money.

He even added a little to the amount Shang Huaichuan had given him.

He heard that Shang Huaichuan had gone bankrupt.

Considering how solid the man's thighs felt when they were together, and the fact that they'd been intimate, Wang Juan hoped he wouldn't have to endure the same desperate circumstances Wang Juan once had.

A year later, Wang Juan was cornered in his dilapidated rental room.

Shang Huaichuan hugged him fiercely, nearly snapping his waist in two.

Seeing him immaculately dressed and even more imposing than before, Wang Juan was happy for him, but had to explain that gratitude wasn't love. If Shang Huaichuan was grateful for the money he'd left him, he could pay it back with interest.

As for why there was a man in his rental room...

And why that man was Shang Huaichuan's sworn enemy...

Wang Juan thought there was no need to explain himself to someone from his past who had nothing to do with him.

Besides, imprisoning someone and restricting his freedom was against the law. He hoped Shang Huaichuan would see the error of his ways.

Notes:

1. Both are chaste. Regretful pursuit, love rivals, and a universally adored shou.

2. Daily updates.

3. Blurb dated March 19, 2026.

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Recommended completed novel: The Honest Man Marries into a Wealthy Family

Blurb:

An innocent, tough, unshakable, freedom-loving fairy of a shou x a powerful gong who gradually falls for him and becomes increasingly unhinged

Xu Luo was forced to marry into a wealthy family. He had no say in whether his spouse was old, ugly, disabled, or crazy.

To his surprise, his new husband, Yan Shanting, was young, stern, and powerful, and couldn't be bothered to pay him any attention.

The rules of a wealthy family were strict, so Xu Luo tried hard to remember every word Yan Shanting said.

The most important rule was that he must not pester Yan Shanting.

A foxtail weed from the countryside and a lofty flower from the big city were simply not a good match.

Besides, Xu Luo thought being a foxtail weed was perfectly fine.

Yan Shanting warned Xu Luo to behave himself.

Xu Luo obediently nodded.

Yan Shanting gave him money but no attention.

Xu Luo lived quietly.

Later, Yan Shanting demanded that Xu Luo fulfill his marital duties, including but not limited to sex and accompanying him to social events.

Xu Luo was grateful to him and did his best to cooperate.

Later, after they had satisfied each other in bed,

At midnight,

Yan Shanting demanded that Xu Luo void the divorce agreement they had signed on their wedding night.

The agreement was set to take effect today.

Xu Luo was silent.

Yan Shanting had a bad feeling.

He watched as his usually obedient and honest little wife, eyes still glistening with tears, slowly and firmly shook his head.

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At first, Yan Shanting hated his little wife so much that he forced him to sign a divorce agreement on their wedding night.

The agreement lasted two years.

He thought two years would be more than enough for someone as vain and shallow as Xu Luo to realize he could get nothing from him.

It was the thing Yan Shanting regretted most in his entire life.

Notes: Both are chaste. The shou is universally adored and did not fall in love with the gong during their marriage.

Theme: Only by loving and strengthening yourself can you gain true freedom.