Breaking Off the Engagement Isn't My Fault

01.

When Liao Baozhen was little, he fell gravely ill. Because of his noble destiny, and because this remote, impoverished place couldn't keep him alive, they needed someone with a compatible birth chart to ward off his illness.

His parents found a poor orphan named Duan Suqiu and made him the live-in son-in-law of the Liao family.

A flood left Liao Baozhen with nothing, and brought him into the path of a young nobleman from the capital who had come to provide relief. Liao Baozhen left with him, while Duan Suqiu searched for him frantically.

Three years later, Duan Suqiu came to the capital with their betrothal token.

Liao Baozhen, already engaged to the young nobleman, avoided him at every turn, eager to sever all ties and terrified that Duan Suqiu would reveal their marriage from years ago.

02.

The metropolitan examinations were approaching when the young nobleman's entire family was exiled because of his father and elder brother. Liao Baozhen was left destitute in the capital, while Duan Suqiu, the man Liao Baozhen had abandoned, rose to become the youngest top-ranked scholar in the empire, enjoying unrivaled success and prestige.

With nowhere else to turn, Liao Baozhen went back to win over his fiance.

A few sweet words, a little coaxing, a cuddle in his arms and a couple of calls of "husband," then a tearful gaze from his almond-shaped eyes. It took Liao Baozhen no effort at all to make Duan Suqiu forgive him.

The past was behind them, and with their wedding approaching, Duan Suqiu gave Liao Baozhen most of his property as a betrothal gift.

Liao Baozhen was smug, but still not satisfied.

03.

On the eve of their wedding, Liao Baozhen called it off.

This time, he had attached himself to the most powerful Third Prince and couldn't wait to ditch Duan Suqiu.

Not long afterward, the Third Prince vanished in an accident, his fate unknown.

Liao Baozhen woke in a mansion of gold and jade, a place with no daylight. As he pushed aside layer after layer of embroidered curtains, he was so terrified he could barely make a sound.

Duan Suqiu leaned over him from the side of the bed, looking down at him with pity. His voice was cold and ominous. "Baozhen, why do you always want more? Why can you never be satisfied?"

In the midst of gold and silver restraints, Liao Baozhen belatedly realized that the man he'd always thought easiest to manipulate might be more vicious than anyone else.

04.

Duan Suqiu had been an orphan since childhood. When Liao's parents came to him, he was overjoyed. From then on, he believed he was Baozhen's destined husband and had to protect him for the rest of his life.

The first time Baozhen abandoned him, Duan Suqiu knew he had nothing to offer and couldn't provide Liao Baozhen with a life of luxury.

So he studied desperately and passed the examinations to get into Lanjing, hoping to secure a bright future and win Baozhen back.

Duan Suqiu once told himself that Baozhen was innocent and that he couldn't blame him.

But although Baozhen repeatedly swore that Duan Suqiu was the only husband he would ever accept, countless people kept reaching out to him, tempting the greedy and naive Baozhen with all kinds of fine things.

Then Baozhen abandoned him once again and went into someone else's arms.

This time, Duan Suqiu decided to lock Baozhen away for good.

[Greedy, vain, vicious, foolish bottom x hardworking, sweet-on-the-outside, dark-on-the-inside top]

Reader's Guide:

1. The main characters are far from perfect. They're downright awful.

2. The bottom may do a whole heap of stupid things; the top may do a whole heap of terrible things.

3. One-on-one, both are virgins. Duan Suqiu is the top. The top is a virgin and absolutely devoted.

Theme: What you make of things is up to you