Still Waters

[A sweet little glutinous rice cake angel vs. a taciturn man who defies fate]

In the Yu Dynasty, every noble child has a shadow guard. But Xu Jingshui, the legitimate daughter of a general's household, had such poor aptitude that she didn't get a shadow until she was seventeen.

Her shadow was handsome, but his aptitude was just as poor as hers. Xu Jingshui chose him.

In a dynasty where strength determined status, Xu Jingshui endured scorn from all sides. Nobody thought highly of her.

Even her father and older sister thought she was an embarrassment. Xu Jingshui simply bore it in silence, offering no excuses.

She trained day after day, with only her shadow by her side.

As spring turned to autumn, her shadow played the flute for her and held an umbrella over her. He brewed tea and practiced swordsmanship with her, then saved her during a violent upheaval.

A shadow's life was worthless, and falling in love with one was forbidden.

But looking at the shadow who risked his life for her and never left her side, Xu Jingshui reached out to him and spoke gently.

"Yan Beixing, let's break the taboo together."

Yan Beixing looked up in confusion, meeting Xu Jingshui's resolute gaze.

Because of those words, Xu Jingshui turned her back on her family and embarked on a road of no return for him.

Along the way, she braved storms and bloodshed, breaking through the limits of her cultivation to become a goddess revered by countless people.

Later, when Yan Beixing gave up time and again, Xu Jingshui always stood by his side. "I'm here. I'll follow you forever."

Yan Beixing often asked her:

"Xu Jingshui, don't you regret it?"

"I never regret it."

A hundred years later, a saying spread among the people: "Jingshui travels north, and the Celestial River flows backward."

Reading guide:

1. Both leads are virgins, happy ending.

2. A story about two little glutinous rice balls saving each other.

Theme: Putting the greater good first