Building with Ash in Ancient Times While Raising Kids

One day, Shen Yuqiao, a construction worker in civil engineering, was still pouring concrete at a work site when he slipped and fell from the scaffolding. When he woke, he was in the household of a river commissioner whose family had devoted generations to taming floods and protecting the people.

Word spread like wildfire that the Shen family's carefree young master had suddenly turned over a new leaf and become a bridge-building prodigy. But then his family was caught up in a struggle over the throne, and the entire household was executed. Young Shen Yuqiao was the only one to escape alive.

Life as a refugee was harsh and miserable. Though Shen Yuqiao had an unyielding spirit, hardship wore him down.

Among the refugees, he found a little boy.

The child was as dirty as a lump of coal, young but wary and suspicious, bristling with prickles.

Yet he still softened under Shen Yuqiao's gentle, moonlit care.

Every day, he followed at Shen Yuqiao's heels and whispered, "Big brother."

The two depended on each other to survive.

One day, the boy's true identity came to light: he was the son of the current Princess Who Guards the Nation.

Under the threat of overwhelming power, Shen Yuqiao chose to leave. He slipped into the refugee crowds alone and vanished without a trace.

Years later, Shen Yuqiao was back to his old trade, pouring concrete on a river embankment, when a powerful figure suddenly summoned him.

The foreman gave him a rather suggestive look and said, "If you want to build a bridge over the Wei River, you'll need this big shot's approval."

For the sake of the countless people and fertile fields along the banks, Shen Yuqiao steeled himself. Only after burning incense and bathing did he enter the royal tent.

Deep inside the sealed-off royal tent stood the imposing figure of a tall man.

The man gave a soft snort, his voice dark and brooding, with excitement he could barely suppress.

"Big brother, it's been years. How have you been?"

Xue Huai was born to nobility, yet grew up wandering among common folk and hiding from danger.

Even at a young age, he had forged a heart as hard as iron.

He had given his only true affection to his "big brother," Shen Yuqiao,

only to be abandoned again.

Back at court, he clawed his way through a maelstrom of bloodshed, with only one thought in his heart:

he wanted to keep Shen Yuqiao locked by his side.

He almost wanted to pin him in his arms and meld him into his very bones.

But when they met again,

hatred spilled from their lips,

while love stuck in their throats.

Shen Yuqiao felt a numbness spread from his fingertips to his scalp. His survival instinct kicked in, and he blurted out,

"Little brother, when you make it big, don't forget me. You're finally back to take care of me!"

A high-ranking, powerful, younger, deranged and petty pursuer x a transmigrated construction worker who is half-dead inside

Theme: Life's ideals