Qiong Qiu was a clan leader. In theory, she should have had plenty of people working under her.
But she had been thrust into the position without any preparation.
So she had no one working for her at all.
The reason was simple: she was the last person left in her clan.
Still, it made for a leisurely life.
When she had nothing better to do, she would go out and help the downtrodden.
Was there anyone she liked?
Did that cat at the Baihua Brothel count?
One of her greatest pleasures in life was taking in unwanted children, raising them, and then releasing them back into the world.
One time, she was having a drink.
As luck would have it, she came across someone who was injured.
Of course she stepped in to save them. That was just her style.
The person was gravely wounded.
She had no choice but to take them back to her clan to recuperate.
That was when she learned the person's name was Xing Qianfan.
Perhaps because Xing Qianfan was in unfamiliar surroundings, they became deeply dependent on her during their recovery.
Qiong Qiu was baffled. How did Xing Qianfan know her likes and habits?
And why did they act so intimate with her at every turn?
Even someone as dense as Qiong Qiu should have realized that Xing Qianfan had feelings for her.
But Qiong Qiu didn't take it to heart. Of course people idolized their saviors.
Some time passed.
Xing Qianfan recovered.
Qiong Qiu eagerly prepared clothes and travel money for them, all the while reminding them of things to keep in mind.
After seeing them off, Qiong Qiu felt an inexplicable sense of pride, as if she had watched one of her own children grow up.
After a busy day, Qiong Qiu returned to her room.
The moment she lay down, someone wrapped their arms around her.
It was Xing Qianfan.
Qiong Qiu turned her head stiffly, her voice full of disbelief. “Why are you still here?”
Xing Qianfan tightened their embrace and said gently, “Qiu, didn't you say that child was leaving? I've already sent him off.”
Qiong Qiu forced a bitter smile. Her suspicions had been confirmed: it wasn't admiration, it was love.
She flung off the covers and scrambled to escape the room.
But before she could even get out of bed, someone pinned her firmly down.
“You weren't like this before,” Xing Qianfan murmured gently in her ear.
“What do you mean, before? I don't even know you!”
No particular dynasty setting. This was written by a late Homo sapiens (please ignore the cover; I commissioned it ages ago, and the title has since changed.)
Theme: Hardship is a necessary part of growing up
