The Warm Couch

After ten years of diligent study, Song Zhenxue placed third in the palace examination at the age of eighteen.

At the Golden Hall, he was appointed to the Ministry of Personnel. His immediate superior was the very nobleman whose bed he had warmed that night.

Cui Xie, Minister of Personnel, held immense power at court and was a trusted minister of the emperor. He showed special favor to Song Zhenxue alone.

On his first day at work, Cui Xie summoned Song Zhenxue to the minister's office and told him to come warm his bed at the minister's residence on the first and fifteenth of every month.

Song Zhenxue was overcome with despair, but that very day, in the Ministry of Personnel's library, he discovered that Cui Xie had kept his writings for three years.

Once, after getting drunk, Song Zhenxue sobbed in Cui Xie's arms. “My lord, do you like me?”

Cui Xie was silent for a long while in the darkness, then gave a quiet reply: “Yes.”

In that moment, all the grievances began to ferment and turn bitter.

Song Zhenxue was no longer content with merely warming Cui Xie's bed.

He wanted to be the only one in that man's eyes and heart.

Clear-headed yet sinking beauty, uke X domineering, devoted seme

[Reading Guide]

1. A romance-focused story, a little bittersweet, but sweet overall.

2. Both are each other's only partners. Happy ending.

Theme: Every chance encounter in this world is the result of feelings growing over time.