Even I Find Myself Endearing

After her family falls into decline, Gu Lian has only her elder brother to rely on. But she is so alluring and beautiful that everyone wants to take advantage of her. Gu Lian knows that an ordinary man can't protect her, nor can he pay for her brother's studies and imperial exams. So she turns her attention to the man who just moved in next door. The man has a fierce, sharp aura, like a drawn sword. He is handsome, but never smiles. His every gesture reveals his noble status, and even his ordinary clothes are worth a fortune. Gu Lian is sure he must be either rich or powerful. To seduce him, Gu Lian pretends to brush her fingers against the back of his hand, then smiles innocently when he looks at her. When he is injured, she feeds him soup, all tender and sweet. At last, the man falls for her, pins her against the wall, and kisses her softly. · Xiao Chiyan knows Gu Lian approached him with an ulterior motive. At first, he thinks he has met too many women like her, and he will never fall for Gu Lian. But later, Xiao Chiyan thinks that if he can give it to her, he can let her ask for anything she wants. Ten thousand taels of gold and overwhelming power are no match for a smile from Gu Lian. Bonus Scene: Everyone in the capital knows that Xiao Chiyan brought a stunning beauty back from a small town and dotes on her immensely. Yet the servants in the General's residence can barely catch a glimpse of her. One afternoon, a servant sweeping the courtyard spots the woman from afar, dozing with her head against the General's chest. Her face is like a hibiscus flower. She seems utterly exhausted, her cheeks flushed and a fine sheen of sweat on the tip of her nose. Reader's Guide: 1. The male lead is a general, and the female lead is delicate and easily swept off her feet (not really), but she's also very calculating. If that's not your thing, feel free to leave! 2. At heart, this is still a sweet little romance (emphasis added)! 3. Both leads are each other's first and only. One-on-one. I couldn't come up with a two-character chapter preview, but they'll be normal from Chapter 60 onward... The blurb has been screenshotted, and I have copies of the outline. Theme: Don't deceive people in a relationship