*
On the day the corpse of Xue Cai, the young master of the Xue family, was to be cremated and buried, he suddenly opened his eyes. The laborer holding the torch was scared out of his wits.
Li Run, a wage slave from the 21st century, was reborn in the body of this young master. He cherished his second chance at life, but Xue Cai's reputation in life had been so disreputable that things were not easy for him after his rebirth.
Xue Cai was the illegitimate son of the Xue family's eldest master, conceived during a night of debauchery at a pleasure house. He wasn't brought into the Xue household until he was eight, when the family patriarch took him in. But he was given neither status nor recognition, and was made to live with his mother in a remote, rundown courtyard.
Xue Cai took after his dissolute mother. He had a pretty face, and under her influence, his personality had become alluring in every possible way.
The Xue family's second master had a son named Xue Yue, who was deeply involved with Shen Xingzhou, the eldest son of the Shen family. Then Xue Cai shamelessly stole Shen Xingzhou away from him.
That night, while Shen Xingzhou was drunk, Xue Cai sneaked into his bed and had a cozy time with him.
When Shen Xingzhou sobered up afterward, he was furious and kicked Xue Cai under the bed.
Later, Xue Cai inexplicably drowned in the Long River outside the city.
Li Run pretended to have amnesia. After hearing about his own past from Xue Cai's mother, he was deeply moved.
One day, Li Run, now gradually accustomed to life in ancient times, went for a stroll around town. He looked this way and that, touching everything in sight. Amid the crowd of people of every size and shape, a man in brocade robes approached him, so stunningly handsome he took Li Run's breath away.
Li Run gave him a couple of extra glances, then turned to watch the street performers.
Not far behind him, one of Shen Xingzhou's attendants stared wide-eyed. "My lord, is that... Xue Cai? Is he a ghost or something?"
Shen Xingzhou frowned too. Xue Cai had clearly seen him just now, yet his gaze had been so unfamiliar, almost indifferent.
Those seductive, peach-blossom eyes should have been full of devoted longing for him.
Shen Xingzhou sent his attendant to ask. He stayed where he was and watched as the attendant spoke to Xue Cai. Xue Cai scratched his head and said something with an embarrassed look.
When the attendant returned, he was still in shock. "My lord, that really was Xue Cai. He said something was wrong with his head and that he has amnesia."
Shen Xingzhou met Xue Cai's eyes again. Xue Cai blinked, gazing at him in bewilderment and confusion, but soon the street performers caught his attention. He squeezed through the crowd and left.
That day, Li Run received an invitation to a flower-viewing banquet at the Shi residence.
After asking his mother about the Shi family, Li Run tidied himself up and went.
Once there, Li Run mingled at the back of the group, following a crowd of young masters and ladies as they toured the river and admired the flowers.
Tired from walking, he stopped to rest beneath a willow tree. Out of nowhere, someone lifted his chin with a fan. Shi Ziyue smiled at him. "You little flirt, why are you all by yourself?"
His tone and manner were both far too flippant. After a moment of stunned silence, Li Run stood up and explained that he had lost his memory and didn't recognize him.
Shi Ziyue's smile faded. He studied Li Run closely, then gave a quiet laugh and grew even more brazen, putting an arm around him and stroking his face. "What are you playing at this time? You little minx. If you want to have fun, this young master will keep you company."
Furious, Li Run kicked him away. "I really don't know you! I fell into the water, and when I woke up, I couldn't remember anything from before."
Shi Ziyue's expression darkened. Li Run figured this had to be another man Xue Cai had seduced, so he hurried away. He'd thought he and this man were proper friends.
*
One bottom, multiple tops. Feel free to add this to your reading list. (I'll revise the blurb. I'm really terrible at these!)
Theme: Cherish life