He Covets His Brother's Childhood Sweetheart

★ Upcoming story: "The Villain Always Thinks He's Fuzzy". A similarly twisted male lead. Synopsis at the end. Please add it to your collection ( ￣▽￣)σ ★ New story next door is now underway. ●, Synopsis, ● [Gentle, straightforward childhood friend x green-tea little wolf-dog childhood friend] [It's a clarification, not a wedding!] * Feng Qingtong had been in love with the older boy next door since childhood, but she was closer to his younger brother, his twin. After all, Zhong Xijue was clingy and always needed her personal care. When he was hurt, he wanted to see her; when he was sick, he wanted her to comfort him. He was thoughtful and sweet-tongued, and a slight lift of his beautiful, peach-blossom eyes made him look utterly sweet and gentle. Feng Qingtong was torn, but the younger boy's relentless attempts to please her wore down her resistance. She was "forced" to send all the pastries and gifts meant for his older brother to Zhong Xijue's room instead. Time flew by, and the beautiful young boy grew into a refined gentleman. He no longer pouted and begged for affection at the drop of a hat, but he was still just as clingy with her. Remembering her original intentions, Feng Qingtong pressed a hand to her inexplicably racing heart and earnestly warned him, "Xijue, you know I... have feelings for your older brother. Don't come looking for me every day anymore." For the first time, the young master with his captivating eyes didn't whimper. Instead, he gave a cold laugh and asked her in a dark voice: "Sister, do you really want to treat me this way?" Later, with the engagement between the Feng and Zhong families just around the corner, the whole city heard that "Zhong Xijue climbed out of Feng Qingtong's carriage late at night, his clothes in disarray." Rumors spread everywhere. So the Feng family's daughter wasn't going to marry the eldest Zhong son, but the younger one! Late at night, Feng Qingtong clutched her skirt, her face burning with embarrassment. "Zhong Xijue! I came to discuss how to clear up the rumors, not to watch you get drunk and act crazy!" Zhong Xijue held both her wrists in one hand and pulled them over her head. His face was clouded with drunkenness, but his deep gaze no longer concealed his possessiveness or desire. "There's so much to arrange for a wedding, Sister. Let's go to bed first." * Zhong Xijue had been in love with Feng Qingtong since childhood, but unfortunately, she was blind when it came to love. She only had eyes for his older brother. He patiently laid his plans, step by step claiming all of Feng Qingtong's care and affection for himself. He'd thought that if he acted weak and obedient, and spent every day by her side, then with enough time even a block of wood like Feng Qingtong would figure it out. But one day, his beloved childhood sweetheart stubbornly told him, "Zhong Xijue, I don't need you to be nice to me." Zhong Xijue's temple twitched. His vision went dark. She was still stubbornly refusing to get it, huh? Fine. Then he wouldn't hold back. He'd strike first and ask questions later. ●, "The Villain Always Thinks He's Fuzzy", ● [Timid noblewoman who can cast parasitic spells x scheming heir who plays the fool] * On the first day Duan Jingyao seized power and proclaimed himself emperor, he brought Li Pianpian from the Grand Tutor's residence into his bedchamber. He didn't need her to wait on him. He only asked her to take care of his cat. When the mood struck, he'd hold her on his lap, his rough hands traveling down her back, joint by joint. His deep, dark eyes were shadowy as he stroked her as if she were that cat. Li Pianpian was kept by his side for more than half a year. She tried to escape several times and was caught every time. The last time, Duan Jingyao pushed her onto the bed, his long fingers teasing her into a frenzy. His expression was full of malice. "Li Pianpian, run again and I'll kill you." Li Pianpian didn't believe him. Then a cup of poisoned wine ended her life. When she opened her eyes again, she had returned to the time before Duan Jingyao's rebellion. At the time, Duan Jingyao was still an aloof young nobleman lodging at the Grand Tutor's residence, an honored guest the Li family had to treat with care. Li Pianpian sought out her younger twin brother to plot how to "strike first." The next day, her reckless brother presented her with a grand gift. In the quiet bedchamber, Li Pianpian pointed at Duan Jingyao, unconscious on the floor, her finger trembling and her voice panicked. "W-what kind of spell did you cast on him?" Her brother looked smug. "The Feeding Spell Mother left behind. Since you said Duan Jingyao is such a calculating man, I used your blood to cast the spell on him first. That way, he'll be useful to us in the future." The Feeding Spell, just as its name suggests, makes its victim think they're a cat being raised by their master when it takes effect. They beg their master for affection and comfort, and obey them completely. Li Pianpian had been forced to raise a "cat" again, and this time it was the villain Duan Jingyao. "..." And so, every evening after lessons, the once pampered and noble young lord Duan, who in his previous life had been vicious and unpredictable, would prostrate himself before her. His long fingers gripped her waist, his pale face pressed against her chest, and his black hair spilled down, partly concealing the hazy flush where their skin met. "Pianpian." His lips brushed her fingertips, as gentle as a butterfly's wings. "Pet my ears." Later, Duan Jingyao did indeed become "useful to her." And later still, when everything had finally settled, Li Pianpian traveled a thousand miles to find a spirit toad, intending to remove the Feeding Spell from Duan Jingyao. She soothed Duan Jingyao, who was lying on her lap and still up to no good, while guiding the spirit toad to search for the parasite inside him. ...Huh? Where was the parasite?!!! Theme: My love for you was planned long ago, and it has never wavered.