Winter Solstice Barbecue

[The column “Migratory Birds Peeking at the Light” is updating~ Rekindled love + fake incest. Feel free to add it to your favorites] -- Yuan Jingmo knew Qin Xiao. He was the child the town’s oldest granny had taken in before she died. He ate meals provided by the townsfolk and wore clothes donated by them. When everyone chipped in to send him to school, Yuan Jingmo had even contributed his entire fortune of two hundred yuan. He was easy to recognize: Qin Xiao was the tallest person in town, with a scar across his brow. At eighteen, he was stronger than most adults. He could carry a whole sack of corn on his shoulder without even bending his back. Qin Xiao knew Yuan Jingmo, too. His grandfather was a famous traditional Chinese doctor in town. Yuan Jingmo often helped his grandfather wrap medicine and copy prescriptions. He was cheerful and polite, and everyone liked him. He was even easier to recognize: all the other children in town had to help their families with farmwork after school, so they were tanned darker by the day. Yuan Jingmo, on the other hand, spent all year at the herbal shop. The scent of medicine clung to him, and beneath the sun his skin was dazzlingly pale. They knew of each other, but it was a stretch to say they were acquainted. Still, when Yuan Jingmo ran into trouble, Qin Xiao stepped in front of him without asking why. Yuan Jingmo quietly stuffed his weapon back into his schoolbag and thanked him sweetly. He knew Qin Xiao was a warmhearted guy, but he never expected to gain a free bodyguard. Qin Xiao would wait at the alley entrance before school and outside the school gates afterward. He was thoughtful and reliable, and once the problem was dealt with, he would disappear on his own. After finally managing to catch him, Yuan Jingmo said, “Thanks for the other day.” “No need.” “I have to thank you.” Qin Xiao gave in. “How do you want to thank me?” Yuan Jingmo stepped closer and took his wrist. Qin Xiao stiffened. The touch was soft and cool against his skin. He couldn’t understand how anyone’s hand could be so pale and delicate, as if it would snap with the slightest pressure. After a few seconds without letting go, Qin Xiao couldn’t help saying, “We’re both guys, ” “You have excess internal heat. Avoid spicy food for a while. I’ll write you a couple of prescriptions tomorrow.” “...” [About their first crush] Yuan: Cabbage stew, roasted sweet potatoes, barbecue... Qin Xiao makes amazing barbecue! [Starry-eyed] Qin: ...He wants me to be his big brother. [About their ideal type] Yuan: Gentle and attentive, someone who likes to be taken care of. Qin: Good at farming and cooking, hardworking and capable. [Reality] Qin, the rugged, big-hearted, sturdy type: ... Yuan, who’s never lifted a finger around the house: ... A sweet, slice-of-life romance set in a small town, lighthearted and slow-burn. Modern alternate setting. No real-life models for the places or characters; any resemblance is coincidental. This novel is for entertainment only. Please don’t imitate anything in it in real life. Come watch this cute couple fall in love~ -----Divider-------- The rekindled-love fake-incest novel “Should We Break Up?” is currently updating. Blurb: Bai An once proclaimed loudly in the first snowfall, “Bai Zhongyue, I’m going to pursue you!” Bai Zhongyue once confessed his love for Bai An onstage in front of the whole school, causing a sensation. Later, two identical pieces of jade were placed side by side, and the appraisal report next to them read, “Confirmed biological relationship.” Bai An clutched Bai Zhongyue’s wrist and pleaded, “I don’t need to find my biological parents. Can’t we just pretend we don’t know? Can’t we stay together?” But Bai Zhongyue said no. And so, their passionate, carefree love affair became a secret that could never be told. Bai Zhongyue went from being his boyfriend to being his brother. Several years later, at midnight on New Year’s Eve, a drunken Bai Zhongyue clutched his wrist. “Bai An...” “Brother,” Bai An interrupted calmly. “You forgot. My name is Bai Zi’an.” “Bai Zhongyue, we can never be brothers in this life.” “No normal brothers in the world would want to sleep with each other.” Note: 1. The leads have no actual blood relation and have never been registered in the same household. 2. The story follows them from university into their working lives. They are each other’s one and only. Happy ending. 3. Updates normally at 6 p.m. daily. Any changes will be noted in the author’s comments. I can only vouch for the official version on Jinjiang Literature City. Visit my author page and feel free to add it to your favorites~~ Theme: Live life with optimism and vigor. Even the ordinary can shine in its own colors