A Long Stay in the Mortal World

Simply put, this is a love story. There are no villains or wicked supporting female characters. It gets a little angsty at first, then incredibly sweet.

This is my first real novel. If anyone reads it and thinks the writing is immature, please go easy on me when you roast it. Maybe just think of it as writing practice? Wow, I really want to laugh (//?//)

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Everyday version:

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Blurb 1

A Jiu kept a straight face and said, word by word, "I mind. I have a husband at home, and he's jealous." She put particular emphasis on "jealous."

Bei Chenyan lowered his head toward her and whispered in her ear, "We can do it secretly, in private, set a regular time, find somewhere nobody will..."

Before he could finish, A Jiu pushed him away and warned through gritted teeth, "Young master, please behave yourself." She drew a breath and slowly let it out, then continued, "You look like a fine gentleman, but I never expected you to be so unruly."

The unruly man touched the mask on his face and asked A Jiu, "You can tell I'm a fine gentleman even through my mask? Then tell me, does a fine gentleman like me measure up to your jealous, delicate husband?" He put particular emphasis on "jealous," too.

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Blurb 2

Held captive, A Jiu felt a little awkward. She had only moved a couple of times when Bei Chenyan suddenly said, "If you want to be bullied, then keep moving."

At that, A Jiu immediately stopped, and even her breathing grew lighter. Seeing that he'd gotten what he wanted, Bei Chenyan adjusted his position, held A Jiu, and went back to sleep. He even remembered to invite A Jiu to sleep, too.

A Jiu obediently did as she was told. When she was sober, she always had a bit more sense. For instance, yesterday she'd actually asked her imperial uncle to make love to her. Such a bold thing to do. She had no idea how she'd managed to say it yesterday.

Alcohol gives you courage. Sure enough.

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Literary version:

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A Jiu thought marrying her imperial uncle was an accident, something fate had arranged.

Only later did she realize that her life in the palace, where she basked in favor and acted spoiled, and her carefree days outside it had gradually ensnared her in a web. In Bei Chenyan's calculations, this web had an unpleasant name: ulterior motives.

Who knew what would happen later... One day, much later...

His eyes lit up. After a moment, he said, "A Jiu, though I am well-read, I cannot put this moment into words. I only know that from this day on, all the love in my heart has found a home."

She smiled faintly and tucked the stray hair beside her ear behind it. As she lowered her hand, she took Bei Chenyan's hands and picked out the important part of what he had just said. "Imperial Uncle, I love you."

A Jiu, we have lived in this world for so long. Of course we cannot escape the love and desire of the mortal world. After all my efforts, I finally turned my one-sided love into mutual affection. Fortunately, we are still young, and there is still plenty of time.

Imperial Uncle, you have treated me so well. The only way I can repay you is with a lifetime of deep affection. I hope you'll accept it. The answer to the question you asked me before is still the same: no young master, only my little imperial uncle, who's jealous enough to turn the whole sky sour.

Because I love you, you will be there wherever I look and whatever I long for, right up until old age.

Theme: Knowing what love is.