I Won't Marry the Top Scholar

Xu Lingsi is two years older than Zhou Jing. An orphan who fled famine, she was saved by Zhou Jing's parents and became his child bride.

To let Zhou Jing focus on his studies, their wedding was postponed again and again.

By the time his parents passed away, Xu Lingsi was over seventeen, and rumors began to spread through the village.

After Xu Lingsi nagged and pleaded, Zhou Jing finally relented and agreed to marry her.

Because they were short on money, they kept the wedding simple. All they needed to do was sit down and share a meal.

When the day came, Xu Lingsi sat alone in the empty courtyard all night, dressed in red.

Zhou Jing never came back.

Xu Lingsi understood what Zhou Jing meant.

She used to call him “Zhou Lang.” After that day, she called him only “little brother.”

*

After the exam results were posted, Zhou Jing returned home in triumph. Surrounded by congratulations from his fellow students, he got drunk for the first time in his life.

Late that night, after the crowd had dispersed,

Xu Lingsi came over to put an extra layer of clothes on Zhou Jing.

Zhou Jing grabbed her wrist and said, “Sister, I've become an official. His Majesty even granted me a mansion. Come with me to the capital, and we...”

Xu Lingsi quietly shook her head. “Little brother, I'm getting married.”

Only then did Zhou Jing notice the plain silver bangle on her hand. It was an eyesore.

*

Zhou Jing thought Xu Lingsi was wonderful in every way, except that she had poor judgment when it came to men.

Her “future brother-in-law” was a compulsive gambler, hardly a suitable match.

Zhou Jing went to considerable trouble to call off the engagement. Seeing the sadness on Xu Lingsi's face, he felt angry, yet his heart softened despite himself.

“There are plenty of fine young men in the capital. Why not come with me, Sister? I'll find you a good match myself, and then I can rest easy knowing I've honored our parents' memory. What do you think?”

Xu Lingsi thought for a moment, then nodded. “Thank you, little brother.”

Zhou Jing smiled without warmth. “We're family, Lingsi. There's no need to stand on ceremony with me.”

Both pure, one-on-one

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