Kiss the Thorn

Qin Yanyu first met Qi Hanyan on a day of torrential rain.

The hem of her slightly damp skirt swayed into his view, like a dusky, graceful violet iris. She was understated, yet left him imagining all sorts of things.

Much later, at a gathering, she confessed her feelings to him in front of everyone. Her red lips and bright eyes dazzled, bringing to mind a wild rose in full, unrestrained bloom.

To others, Qin Yanyu was aloof and self-controlled. They assumed Qi Hanyan must have pulled out every trick in the book to win him over.

Only Qin Yanyu knew that every flutter of his heart had come from his own initiative.

No matter how firmly he refused on the surface, all it took was one casual glance from her for his heart to tremble and ring.

Then, on the night he was ready to accept her, he heard her admit to him that all she wanted was to watch him become infatuated and fall for her, to use and toy with him.

Her approach had been planned from the start. Her affection was nothing but petty revenge.

She had carefully laid her plans just to enjoy watching him make a fool of himself.

It was like a bucket of cold water poured over his head, bringing him completely to his senses.

Only then did he realize she was neither a violet iris nor a wild rose.

She was a thicket of black brambles, growing in the mud, covered in thorns, dangerous and desolate.

He couldn't hack his way through that vast tangle of brambles, but he couldn't bear to walk away, either.

He might as well stake everything on one throw.

Even if he bled profusely. Even if he was doomed to endless ruin.

Content warning: Over-the-top melodrama and Mary Sue elements; not professionally researched.

Theme: Face others' malice without fear, and hold fast to your integrity.