Ji Feng Crosses the River: Short-Track Speed Skating

■ A man falls in love, first secretly, then openly. Happy ending | Healing each other | A very slight ensemble cast

A loyal, clingy, talkative golden retriever & a cool on the outside, warm on the inside Maine Coon

■ Short track speed skating news flash: Jiang Weizhi, a young member of China's national team, reclaimed the men's long-distance gold medal that the team had lost for years. His uncanny, ghostlike skating style and cool, aloof looks quickly made him a fan favorite.

In an interview, he said: "Honestly, Ji Feng on the women's team is way more badass than I am. If only that person hadn't knocked her flying, she could've swept the medals. Don't believe me? Just wait and see next time..."

The livestream was cut off before he could finish.

■ At the following year's Olympics, Ji Feng competed for a medal as a key member of the women's team for the first time. A fan inexplicably appeared in the broadcast footage, waving a gaudy, multicolored flag and bouncing wildly in the stands. His words were captured perfectly on the livestream: "Ji Feng, I love you so much!"

He was later escorted out of the rink early for disrupting the event. Jiang Weizhi posted on Weibo that he was willing to take responsibility for the cheering.

■ Through it all, Ji Feng has only ever responded once in an interview: "Oh."

The mysterious benefactor who appeared when she was thirteen saved her from a life that might otherwise have gone to waste. The pain of her youth swept through like a seasonal monsoon, leaving behind only sharpness and strength. The endless flow of the Yangtze is as gentle and accepting as water, ever following her.

Content warnings:

* No real-life inspirations or allusions.

* Competitive sports include low points and inner demons. Overcoming them is how you grow into a dominant champion.

* The author isn't a short track speed skating expert. Apologies for any errors.

* A light ensemble cast.

Here's a preview of my upcoming novel, Jingxue Xiazhi [Marriage Before Love]

Over 150,000 words drafted. If you're interested, give it a star. ^^

▍ Seven-year age gap | Marriage Before Love | Self-disciplined and proper → Jealous husband

▍ Blurb:

Xia Zhi got married at twenty. By the time they registered their marriage, they had met only three times. They also signed a prenuptial agreement, promising to divorce three years later.

Her husband was named Pei Shujing. He was powerful, influential, and surrounded by countless rumors.

Only after they were married did she discover that he was actually gentle and accepting toward others. He patiently taught her how to handle herself and deal with people, and of course, that included the bedroom.

He patiently indulged every whim and demand of hers, never asking questions.

Everyone around them envied Xia Zhi. Though their marriage had been arranged against her will, they treated each other with respect and courtesy.

Xia Zhi had to admit that having a gentle, older husband was pretty nice.

If she had to name a flaw, it was that his health seemed rather poor. He needed injections often, and when you considered that he was busy with work and rarely came home, it all seemed a little too convenient.

Still, the best thing about an older man was that he wasn't in good health.

Xia Zhi focused on tearing off calendar pages and counting down to her escape.

-

At her graduation ceremony, Pei Shujing cleared his schedule to attend. Xia Zhi lowered her eyes and, amid the crowd's din, quietly asked for a divorce.

Pei Shujing fell silent for a moment. His expression remained gentle, and he agreed in a soft voice.

On the day she was about to move out, she looked around the home where she'd lived for so long. Suddenly, every light went out.

-

They say dusk is the hour when demons roam.

Pei Shujing, who hadn't been home in a long time, stood in the shadows where light and darkness met, gilded all over.

Deigning to close the door, he gently switched off the master light control.

Pei Shujing stopped in front of Xia Zhi, dignified and serene, refined and forgiving. He sighed. "I've been suffering from holding back for so long. Why would you betray me, baby?"

Night fell in an instant. The vast villa was silent, so quiet that even the metallic click of a belt buckle rang clear.

Pei Shujing gave a scornful laugh and gripped her chin firmly, speaking with the elegance of a man delivering a speech.

"Those stray dogs outside are all trying to seduce you and turn you into a stray, too."

"So, baby, you have to wear it."

Xia Zhi shook her head frantically in terror.

Pei Shujing slowly opened his hand. His wedding ring gleamed between his long fingers, and an extraordinarily valuable necklace swung there, a family heirloom he'd worn close to his body for years.

The Ouroboros pendant was heavy and sinister. Its metal mouth blocked her sobs. The cold made Xia Zhi shiver as tears welled in her eyes.

Pei Shujing licked her tears dry and gave her a cheerful warning.

"The game's about to begin."

"...Unless you say my name, baby, I won't stop, no matter how loudly you cry."

▍ Both are virgins, physically and emotionally.

▍ No non-consensual relationship.

Theme: May the light of our faith shine bright