Black River, Ink Like Night

[Single-minded, fragile boy top x outgoing, coaxing, smooth-talking rascal bottom]

[Updates nightly after 18:00]

[The author drew the cover herself. It shows silhouettes of the top, the bottom, and their child.]

Synopsis 1: Two hundred years into the Da Mo era, after the new emperor ascended the throne, he reformed the bureaucracy, strengthened imperial authority, and established the Inspectorate to oversee all officials, weakening their power.

The Qi and Wen families were ancient clans with a long history and far-reaching influence. They were caught in dire straits amid the emperor's purge.

Jiang San, an obscure commoner from Shuangshui Town, was drawn into the conflict before he knew it, all because he "picked up" a young man with a child.

With the young heir of the Qi family in his arms, what should Jiang San do as one of the Qi family's allies?

Should he struggle against heaven, earth, and the emperor, taking one careful step at a time and plotting for the day he can turn his fortunes around?

...An unexpected turn of events suddenly brought everything to an abrupt end.

Jiang San: "I will never let you risk your life for anything else again! Not for anyone! Remember, you matter most!"

The youth replied, "All right."

Jiang San: "And remember, you're a living person, not an object, and not the darkness inside the Inspectorate!"

The youth answered, "Mm. You're right about everything."

Synopsis 2: Once upon a time, Jiang San, a terminal case of social overconfidence, spent his days singing, begging, and looking after his friends.

But after stopping to gossip and seeing something he shouldn't have, he was made a scapegoat and thrown in jail.

Jiang San: "...Would you believe me if I said I'm blind?"

In the gloomy dungeon of the Inspectorate, the inmates came in all shapes and sizes, each suffering unimaginably. Watching the Inspectorate's cold-blooded executioner, Jiang San rubbed his arms. "Hey, brother, this food is delicious! Can I have another bowl?"

Later, while doing business and making money, he ran into bandits. A bunch of burly men charged at him, ready to kill and loot him. Jiang San clasped his hands in greeting. "A hero like you is clearly destined for greatness. You remind me of a long-lost brother of mine. How about we become sworn brothers?"

With his bizarre social skills, Jiang San took on underlings, got mixed up with two ancient clans, and even went back and forth with the emperor.

As he grew more and more impressive, Jiang San thought it over and decided his most glorious identity was still... a housewife!

He had to do the laundry, cook, clean, and look after the child. There was no one more capable and virtuous than him.

Jiang San looked at the black-clad youth he'd "picked up" along the way, who often hid in the shadows, and wore an expression of weary resignation.

They'd agreed that he'd pay money and Jiang San would help find a wet nurse. How had Jiang San ended up giving away his whole self?

And every time, Jiang San was the one who couldn't resist coaxing him first, only to end up unable to take it and begging for mercy.

This face-slapping business looked like it would go on for the rest of his life.

Note:

* The child is adopted.

* One-on-one, both leads are sexually inexperienced, happy ending.

* It may start slowly, but the further you read, the better it gets.

* There is a male-female secondary couple.

* Read with confidence. It won't end badly.

* The entire story is set in a fictional world. It's all made up.

Alternate title: Black River Turns to Ink

Theme: A relationship that flows slowly and steadily: the water that passes will eventually gather into a vast ocean, flooding over mountains and rivers, unstoppable.